Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Posted on

Federated Farmers back Government health & safety review

Source: Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers is backing moves to review health and safety rules for farmers, saying it’s unfortunate some seem to have completely misunderstood the Minister’s announcement.
“Taking a closer look at these rules is really important, so it’s disappointing a lot of people have gotten the wrong end of the stick,” Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says.
“The Government aren’t trying to add layers of bureaucracy or wrap farm kids up in cotton wool. They’re actually trying to do the exact opposite of what’s been portrayed in the media so far.
“This is all about making sure health and safety rules are practical, common sense, and easy to understand – and Federated Farmers absolutely welcome that conversation.”
Langford says the current health and safety rules for farmers have gone way too far and are unnecessarily confusing for smaller family-owned farming operations.
“We’re talking about small mum and dad type businesses which might only employ one or two staff members. They’re certainly not big corporates with a health and safety manager on staff.
“They’re hands-on farmers who actually spend their days farming rather than sitting in an office. That’s why it’s so important these rules are practical and easy to understand.”
He says confusion about health and safety obligations has meant some farmers no longer allow children on the farm like they would have in the past, for fear of falling foul of the law.
“There’s something very special about growing up on a farm and having that classic rural childhood many farmers enjoyed themselves,” Langford says.
“That’s the childhood I had, and my own kids have had something similar, but I think we’re at risk of losing that kind of upbringing if we don’t get these rules right.”
Langford says preserving that traditional rural Kiwi upbringing, while still keeping kids safe, is exactly what Minister Brooke van Velden is trying to achieve.
“I think it’s unfortunate the Minister’s examples were things like collecting eggs and watering plants – because that’s not really what we’re talking about here.
“The fact those are the talking points the Minister was provided with by bureaucrats tells you everything you need to know about why we need to get Wellington out of farming.
“In reality, we’re talking about things like feeding calves, shifting stock, or helping mum and dad hose down the shed after milking – perfectly safe everyday farming activities.”
Federated Farmers 100% backs what the Minister has announced and look forward to engaging in the consultation process.
Posted on

Education – Simone Kaho awarded 2025 Fulbright-Creative New Zealand Pacific Writer’s Residency in Hawaii

Source: Creative New Zealand

Fulbright New Zealand and Creative New Zealand are delighted to announce Simone Kaho is the recipient of the 2025 Pacific Writer’s Residency.

This annual award is for an established New Zealand writer of Pacific heritage to carry out work on a creative writing project exploring Pacific identity, culture or history at the University of Hawai'i for three months.

Simone Kaho says many writers she admires and follows have won the award in previous years.

“It's a fabulous thing to receive institutional support for work that is so challenging. What if our most profound connections aren’t just with family, but in deep attunement with nature, recognising patterns in the unseen, and finding new ways to move forward? In this project, I'll be drawing theoretical lines between Pacific people who are neurodiverse, and the traits of Pacific wayfinders—and I hope to find evidence of these in Hawaii's research archives,” says Simone.

Fulbright NZ Executive Director Penelope Borland says it is heartening to see the residency taken up by a poet of Simone’s distinction.

“We are thrilled to be granting the 2025 Pacific Writer’s Residency to Simone Kaho, enabling her to continue her work that has already received widespread acclaim, most recently seeing her take up the 2022 Emerging Pasifika writer in Residence at the prestigious International Institute of Modern Letters. With this award, Simone will travel to Hawai'i, where I am sure a deeply meaningful experience awaits her,” says Penelope.  

Makerita Urale, Creative New Zealand’s Senior Manager Pacific Arts, herself an alumna of the residency, says the award is timely for Simone’s literary career.

“Simone’s work is fearless and deeply grounded in lived experience and cultural insight. This residency is a fitting next step for an artist of her calibre, and we look forward to seeing how her time in Hawai'i will further shape and strengthen her work,” says Makerita.

Previous recipients of the prestigious Pacific Writer’s Residency have been some of New Zealand’s most celebrated writers, including Tusiata Avia, Karlo Mila, Oscar Kightley, David Eggleton, Mīria George, and playwright Victor Rodger.

Posted on

Greenpeace – Luxon opens the door to billions in taxpayer-funded oil field decommissioning costs

Source: Greenpeace

In an act of climate denial, the Luxon Government is today planning to pass legislation to try to restart offshore oil and gas exploration, but they are also slipping in a further amendment that opens the door to taxpayers picking up the billion dollar tab to decommission oil and gas infrastructure.
“Attempting to restart offshore oil and gas exploration is bad enough, given advice from the International Energy Agency that we can’t burn existing known fossil fuel reserves if we are to avoid dangerous global heating. When you’re in a hole the first step to escape is to stop digging,” says Greenpeace Aotearoa Executive Director Dr. Russel Norman.
“The environment movement will fight any new offshore oil and gas exploration just like we did when John Key was Prime Minister.
“But this legislation is even worse: Luxon is proposing to overturn existing law that makes oil companies automatically responsible for the costs of decommissioning oil and gas fields.”
Under existing law, even if an existing operator onsells an end-of-life oil and gas field to a shell company, which then goes bankrupt when faced with the costs of decommissioning, the original operator is still responsible for the cost.
“Luxon is changing the legislation so that the Minister of Resources and the Minister of Finance are given total ministerial discretion to approve the onselling of the depleted field, and if they approve and the final operator goes bankrupt, the original oil field operator is NOT responsible for the decommissioning costs. The government will end up with the cost.
“New Zealand taxpayers will be the ones that will be picking up the cost of cleaning up after oil companies abandon exhausted oil fields. Costs that could run into billions of dollars,” says Dr. Norman.
“New Zealand has already learnt an expensive lesson in how the oil industry operates. The Tui oil field passed through a number of hands before it was finally sold to an offshore oil company Tamarind that had little money, and Tamarind went bankrupt when faced with the cost of decommissioning the exhausted field. New Zealand taxpayers were stung for $300million to clean up the mess and plug the wells, which was only completed in June 2025.
“After the Tui field fiasco, the law was changed to make sure oil field operators were responsible for the clean up costs, regardless of how many shell companies to which it was onsold.
“The oil industry hated the changes to the law on liability for decommissioning costs as much as they hated the ending of offshore oil and gas exploration. And now they have their chance to pass on the costs to the taxpayers and you can be sure they will take it.
“As the New Zealand oil and gas industry enters its sunset phase, the costs of plugging the wells and cleaning up all the seafloor pipes etc will run into the billions.
“This fossil fuel-obsessed government has given in to pressure from the oil industry and opened the door to making taxpayers pick up the costs of cleaning up after them.
“This is part of a trend by this backward-looking Luxon government which has allocated $200m to help invest in new gas fields.
“Last month, it brought embarrassing shame to New Zealand by pulling out of the international Beyond Oil and Gas coalition, which has pledged to phase out fossil fuels.”
“New Zealand will have energy security, lower prices and low emissions by investing in solar, wind, geothermal, storage, efficiency and demand side management. That is our future, not the nonsense being promoted by Luxon and Shane Jones.”
Resources
The 2021 amendments to make oil companies responsible for decommissioning costs:
Posted on

Weather News – Return to winter’s chill – MetService

Source: MetService

Covering period of Thursday 31st July – Monday 4th August – After a soggy start to the week for many across the motu, the end of the week brings sunnier skies and a return to chilly winter nights. 

While folks in southern and eastern parts will still see a few showers, for the rest of the country the weekend is a great time for outdoor plans, whether you’re heading out for a stroll, off to a Saturday sports game, working in the garden, or taking the opportunity to hang the washing out.
 
Today’s action is in the upper North Island: eastern parts of Auckland and Northland, as well as Taranaki, may hear a rumble of thunder or see a scattering of hail this afternoon as some beefier showers roll through. 
MetService meteorologist Silvia Martino advises, “With heavier showers expected right around school run time and into rush hour, make sure to keep an eye on the rain radar to see if any pop up near you.”
Luckily for those cleaning up after heavy rain and flooding in Bay of Plenty yesterday, just a few showers are forecast for the region today, although the odd shower might still be heavy.
 
There’s one more month of meteorological winter, and the next few days will certainly feel like it. Overnight temperatures dip into the negatives for much of the country, and many in the South Island will be back to single-digit daytime highs.

“Clear skies, cold air, and light winds are perfect conditions for frosty nights and mornings – watch out for icy roads, and bring any precious pot plants in out of the cold,” Martino suggests.

There is light on the horizon, though, with longer days bringing more daylight hours. Today the country sees an average of 45 minutes more daylight than we did a month ago on the shortest day of the year, and during August we’ll add another hour and a quarter to that.
 
All eyes (and ears) have been on the tsunami advisories issued by NEMA for coastal regions of Aotearoa New Zealand. MetService supports the distribution of this safety-critical messaging with a banner on our Marine forecast pages directing users to https://www.civildefence.govt.nz/ for the most up-to-date information, as well as advising people through individual coastal and recreational marine forecasts to expect strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at shore.

Martino explains, “The wave models used by weather forecasting agencies capture waves produced by wind and weather, so the swell heights in our marine forecasts don’t include any contribution from tsunami waves. Tsunami modelling is carried out by specialists at Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly GNS Science), and messages issued by NEMA represent the official warning status for New Zealand.”
Posted on

Heritage NZ – Exhibition with a difference at Alberton

Source: Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga

An exhibition with a difference will be unveiled at Alberton, the historic Mt Albert mansion cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, on August 10.
Alberton – Impressions of an Art Group in Residence draws on the work of members of the Auckland Plein Art Group. The historic property – which earlier hosted the group of artists – is the focal point of the group’s creative expression, with interior and exterior scenes of the landmark heritage building serving as subject for the artists.
The Auckland Plein Air Group is the brainchild of Nicki Heenan and Amanda Gleason who started the group in the summer of 2023.
“En plein air is an ethos of painting that follows on in the traditions of the French Impressionists and such English artists from the 1800s as Constable and Turner, who took their inspiration from nature and looked for new ways to communicate their ideas,” says Nicki.
“This was happening in the 1860s – much the same time as the construction of Alberton. There has been a huge revival in plein air painting in the past 10 years with festivals being held around the world.”
The Auckland Plein Air Group provides a welcoming social environment where people share ideas and provide support and encouragement to each other with the possibility of presenting their artwork to a wider audience through exhibitions and tutorials.
The exhibition in Alberton’s ballroom is an opportunity for people to come and appreciate the group’s work. The artworks are also available for sale.
“What these artists have produced is remarkable,” says Alberton Property Lead Rendell McIntosh.
“They have managed to create a range of images that capture Alberton’s many different moods and angles. The paintings help us see Alberton through fresh eyes – even those of us who are very familiar with the building.”
– Alberton Impressions of an Art Group in Residence opens on August 10 and runs through to August 31. Entry to the exhibition in the Alberton Ballroom is free (donation appreciated). Standard entry fee applies to visit the rest of house.
– Join us for a Quick Draw event on (Sunday August 31, 11am-1pm) where you can bring your own art materials and paint alongside the Auckland Plein Air Group members. The Quick Draw is a fundraising event with a suggested $5 koha. All ages, especially school age, welcome and there are special awards for young painters. 
Posted on

Legislation – New low from Govt in Public Service Act changes aimed at ending long term planning, diversity and inclusion and pay equity – PSA

Source: PSA

The Government’s proposed changes to the Public Service Act, to be debated in Parliament today, aim to strip away key provisions that ensure fairness, equality and long-term planning in the public sector.
Under the proposed amendments, detailed in the Public Service Amendment Bill, diversity and inclusion, pay equity and long-term planning would be downgraded.
“This is a new low from the Government. It now wants to tell chief executives of Government departments that they are not to focus on the long-term public interest, this is reckless given that the complex problems New Zealand’s facing need long term policy solutions,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“This approach will limit New Zealand’s ability to solve complicated problems like climate change adaptation, family violence and our infrastructure deficit.”
The Public Service Amendment Bill also scraps requirements on pay equity. It would remove responsibilities for chief executives and the Public Service Commissioner to work towards pay equity between women and men, and to work towards eliminating bias and discrimination in decisions about pay.
“Pay equity is about fairness and justice for workers and includes ensuring flexible and part time work is available. The Government has already ripped up pay equity claims, denying pay increases for more than 150,000 women in the public and community sectors. Taking away its priority in this legislation again shows how little the Government values supporting the career of women and closing the gender pay gap.”
The Bill would also remove requirements on chief executives and the Public Service Commissioner to foster a public service that’s inclusive and representative of the communities it serves.
“Diversity and inclusion in our workforce are not nice to haves – they are essential to delivering fair and effective public services that are sensitive to the needs of all New Zealanders. The public service does its job well and is legitimate because it represents our diverse country. Reducing the importance of these principles risks turning back decades of progress.”
The PSA is also alarmed by amendments to the purpose of the Public Service Act which would reduce emphasis on pursuing the long-term public interest, and remove the requirement of the public service to enable both the current Government and successive governments to develop and implement their policies.
“This is a worrying attack on the political neutrality of the public service and makes it less accountable to the people of New Zealand. Public services must look beyond the next political cycle. Downgrading the public service’s role in pursuing the long-term public interest means less focus on how our public service can meet future challenges – whether that’s dealing with an ageing population, infrastructure challenges, adapting to new technology, or responding to climate change.
“The Government has stripped the public service of thousands of jobs despite our population growing, and our challenges becoming more complex and urgent.
“The Bill was tabled on the same day the Government extended a tax break for big tobacco, showing how misplaced its priorities are.
“This is a time to invest in a fairer, more future-focused public service – not tear down the progress we’ve made. It’s 2025, not 1955.”
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

Government subsidies for dirty dairy dams will lead to polluted drinking water – Greenpeace

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace is calling on the Government to scrap subsidies for irrigation dams following news that the Tukituki water storage scheme – formerly known as the Ruataniwha Dam – is seeking funding from the Regional Investment Fund managed by Shane Jones.
Greenpeace spokesperson Will Appelbe says “There is no excuse for this Government to be funding intensive dairy infrastructure, including dirty irrigation dams. The Ruataniwha Dam will flood precious native forest – home to endangered wildlife – and destroy unique freshwater ecosystems in the Central Hawkes Bay.
“This dam is heavily opposed by the local community, and was ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court in 2017. Since then, this zombie dam has been resurrected under the Fast-Track Approvals Act.
“The Tukituki Water Storage Scheme will undoubtedly be used to expand the presence of intensive dairying in the Central Hawke's Bay – which we know will lead to increased contamination of freshwater and drinking water with nitrate and E. coli. Not only this, but it will reduce the flow of the river and damage freshwater ecosystems,” says Appelbe.
“This Government is supporting dirty dairy dams across the country – and this must stop. We’re calling on Shane Jones to refuse funding to the Ruataniwha Dam and to end subsidies for irrigation dams across the country.”
New Zealanders from across the country have campaigned against the construction of irrigation dams for decades, and in 2017, the Labour-led Government ended government subsidies for irrigation dams as a result of this pressure.
“Shane Jones and the Luxon Government are underestimating how much New Zealanders hate dirty dairy dams. If they refuse to withdraw their funding for these river-destroying projects, they should expect resistance.”
Posted on

Tech and Security – Gen Threat Report Reveals Rise in Crypto, Sextortion and Tech Support Scams in an AI-Powered World

Source: Gen

Gen in New Zealand tracks 77,721% rise in crypto scams, 170% spike in sextortion scams, and 278% increase in malicious push notifications

Auckland, 31 July 2025 – Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), a global leader powering Digital Freedom with a family of trusted brands including Norton, Avast, LifeLock, MoneyLion and more, today released its Q2/2025 Gen Threat Report. This quarter was marked by the takedown of the first known ransomware developed using AI, and globally, a 21% growth in data breaches and a 340% increase in financial scams. The team of Gen researchers also found a 100% increase in sextortion scams and a surge in Tech Support Scams spreading through Facebook.

New Zealand’s top threats in Q2/2025 were:

·        Malvertising

·        Scams (phishing, generic scams, E-shop scams, dating scams)

“This quarter’s global tr

Posted on

Local News – Mayor Campbell Barry calls for a water services powerhouse in Lower Hutt – Hutt City

Source: Hutt City Council

Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry has set out a bold vision for the city to become a powerhouse for water services, with professional services being anchored within Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (formerly RiverLink).
Speaking at a business event last night, Mayor Barry said the timing is right with major investment into both Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi and the newly confirmed water services entity.
“These are once-in-a-generation changes. With both projects locked in, there’s a real opportunity to bring them together in a way that transforms our city and supports the country's future water needs,” he said.
The Mayor is proposing that the new water entity establish its headquarters in Lower Hutt’s CBD, acting as a catalyst for a wider precinct of businesses and research focused on water infrastructure and services.
“By bringing together the right people, skills and technology, we can build a centre of excellence right here. One that's ready to meet the enormous demand coming over the next 30 years.”
Barry, who will not seek re-election in October, said he had hoped to pitch this idea three years ago, but had needed certainty on both projects which has only come in April and July respectively.
“I’m not going to be around to lead this, but the opportunity is real. We’ve got the projects, the investment and the momentum. What we need now are people willing to step up.”
Barry described both projects as a once in a generation opportunity to leverage off – and is encouraging anyone who wants to see what the art of the possible looks like, to get in contact with Hutt City Council.
Posted on

Health experts urge inquiry into tobacco industry influence after heated tobacco tax cut extended – Health Coalition

Source: Health Coalition Aotearoa

Health Coalition Aotearoa (HCA) is calling for a public inquiry and urging the Government to rethink its support for heated tobacco products (HTPs), following fresh revelations the Government extended a 50% tax cut on the products for two more years.
Following on the heels of last week's revelations about tobacco industry lobbying of politicians, Health Coalition Aotearoa is calling for a public inquiry into tobacco industry influence. HCA is also calling for the Prime Minister to reassign the tobacco and vaping portfolio away from NZ First.
The heated tobacco products tax break was introduced last year-against the advice of government officials. They pointed out tobacco giant Philip Morris (who have a monopoly on heated tobacco products in Aotearoa New Zealand) would be the main beneficiary.
“There’s no evidence heated tobacco products help people stop smoking, or that they’re significantly less harmful than cigarettes,” says Dr Jude Ball, Health Coalition Aotearoa spokesperson and University of Otago researcher.
“Yet the Government, despite committing to a one-year trial, have extended the tax cut by two more years. This decision is favourable to the tobacco industry but not beneficial to public health.
“This latest decision adds to a worrying trend of Government policy decisions that align with tobacco company interests.
The Government’s approach to evaluating if heated tobacco products help people quit smoking is unclear. It is highly unusual for a Government to run a trial like this which, by cutting a tax on HTPs, helps the sole seller of heated tobacco products (Philip Morris) to increase their product sales. Especially if there is no evidence that product helps people to quit cigarettes.
“Tobacco giant Phillip Morris are the sole beneficiaries of this tax cut. It’s a poor use of taxpayer dollars at a time when our health system is already stretched,” says Dr Ball.
Health Coalition Aotearoa calls on the Government to act with urgency and leadership and:
  • Launch a public inquiry into tobacco industry influence on Government policy.
  • Strip NZ First of the tobacco and vaping portfolio.
We also support the petition launched by Vape-Free Kids NZ calling on the Prime Minister to strip the tobacco and vaping portfolio from New Zealand First.