Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Health – New partnership targets long-term GP workforce sustainability through international recruitment

Source: Royal NZ College of General Practitioners

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora and the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) have announced a partnership focused on increasing the number of international GPs coming to New Zealand, to join our local GP workforce.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening New Zealand’s GP workforce by making it easier for international doctors to understand the roles, pathways and support available to them.
General practice offers a career with real impact combining clinical autonomy, professional development and strong community connection. The campaign positions New Zealand as a destination where doctors can practise high-quality, specialist medicine while enjoying a world-class lifestyle and a health system built around teamwork and continuity of care.
RNZCGP plays a key role in this partnership, supporting high-quality general practice through training, standards and advocacy.
Together with Health New Zealand the campaign reinforces a coordinated, long-term approach to international recruitment that supports workforce sustainability across both urban and rural communities.
College President Dr Luke Bradford says the initiative comes at a critical time for the workforce.
“New Zealand needs more skilled GPs. These stories show the professionalism, purpose and privilege of delivering continuity of care in our communities from major centres to the most remote parts of the motu.”
Astuti Balram (Acting Director- Living Well) says “Health NZ is about the whole health system – not just specialist hospital services. We are delighted to be working with the college to attract more UK trained doctors to become NZ GPs.”
“GPs are central to high-quality primary care, and we need to continue to grow our workforce by recruiting local and international doctors. This work sits alongside our initiatives to strengthen primary and rural care, including funding up to 50 New Zealand-trained graduate doctors a year to train in primary care settings.”
The campaign, launched today, includes a new suite of resources and video testimonial stories aimed at attracting international doctors to work in Aotearoa.
The campaign highlights what overseas doctors can expect when working in community-based medicine offering practical insights into day-to-day clinical work, workforce pathways and lifestyle opportunities across both urban and rural settings.
Developed in alignment with Health New Zealand’s international recruitment programme, the resources are designed to support growing international interest in community-based specialist roles within a team-focused health system. 
More information:
The video campaign can be viewed below:
Health NZ is also progressing a range of initiatives as part of the Primary Care Tactical Action Plan (PCTAP) to strengthen the GP workforce including:
  • Funding 100 overseas-trained doctors already living in New Zealand to begin work in GP practices over the next two years.
  • Funding up to 50 New Zealand-trained graduate doctors a year to train in primary care settings.
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Activism – Still waiting for Luxon to condemn illegal war, as government further aligns with US and Israel

Source: Peace Action Wellington

Date: Saturday 21 March 2026 – “The people of New Zealand continue to await political leadership from Christopher Luxon regarding the US and Israel’s illegal and aggressive
war on Iran. Instead, today he has issued a statement condemning Iran because it will cost us more for oil. It is frankly astonishing that he blames Iran for defending itself while being on the receiving end of US and Israeli bombs and missiles,” said Valerie Morse of Peace Action Wellington.

“The Israelis just bombed the Iranian Pars gas field – the single largest natural gas field in the world. Last week, the US bombed Tehran’s oil refinery, resulting in black smoke choking the city and acid rain falling. Where was Luxon’s condemnation of those actions?”

“To assign blame to the Iranians for hitting oil and gas infrastructure and shutting down the Straits of Hormuz while steadfastly ignoring those who are entirely responsible for this horror – the US and Israel – requires a complete inversion of reality and complete abandonment of any political principles.”

“That Luxon and his Coalition partners are craven lackeys of the United States and Israel comes as little surprise to those of us on the front lines of the pro-Palestine movement. We have watched for two years while Luxon and his coalition mates have been complicit supporters of the most grotesque genocide of 70,000 people.”

“This war will not end anytime soon unless Trump decides to pull the US out, which is the only sensible course of action. He and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu have seriously underestimated the Iranian government. Instead what we are likely to see is a widening of this war with much more death and destruction.”

“The pain New Zealanders will feel at the petrol pump is the fault of the US and Israel. Luxon would do well to align his statements with the facts, not the fantasies of the criminal leaders of rogue states.”

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University Research – Brain scientist knows the value of hope – UoA

Source: University of Auckland – UoA

A rising star in brain research, Dr Molly Swanson has recently been granted $877,000 for research into motor neurone disease.

Dr Molly Swanson’s experience of mothering a child with a life-threatening condition fuels her passion for researching brain diseases.

The scientist from University of Auckland’s Centre for Brain Research has a two-year-old son, James, who has a rare genetic disorder, LCHADD.

“My son’s condition has changed my perspective on research.

“I want him to have a good life and that’s what I hope for everyone I do my research for.

“I want people with degenerative brain disorders and their families to see that people are working towards healing their disease and to have hope,” says Swanson.

The 32-year-old is a rising star in the brain research field.

She recently received nearly $517,000 from Auckland Medical Research Foundation and $360,000 from the Marsden Fund for research over the next three to four years on motor neurone disease.

Her “synergistic” research projects will look at a genetic form of the disease and types that strike people with no family history of the disorder.

Motor neurone disease affects about three in 100,000 people in New Zealand. About 150 New Zealanders a year die of the disease, one of the highest mortality rates in the world.

As the name of the disorder suggests, it causes the death of motor neurons, which are responsible for movement.

Early symptoms include finding it hard to lift your feet or grip objects with your hands. As the disease progresses, patients can suffer difficulty moving, breathing and swallowing.

To try to find a way to slow the progression of the disease, Swanson is looking at immune cells in the brain called microglia, which typically help heal brain injuries and diseases.

Her groundbreaking research has shown microglia suffer something akin to caregiver fatigue – they suddenly turn toxic and start having a harmful impact on motor neurons.

She will zero in a tiny, but “bossy” molecule in microglia that appears to be responsible for making the helpful cells flip into toxic mode.

By snipping out a section of DNA in microglia, she hopes to delete the code that creates the bossy molecules that spark the harmful change.

“We want to reverse the changes in microglia and restore them to their helpful function,” she says.

If the experiment proves effective, she will start searching drug libraries for a medicine that produces a similar result.

This drug could be used alongside other treatments that are being developed to stop the disease killing motor neurons.

“Even if you make the neurons healthy again, the microglia are still toxic, so you need therapies for both.”

Swanson, the team of Centre for Brain Research pharmacologist Dr Amy Smith and PhD student Sonalani Shandil were the first in New Zealand to grow microglia in the lab from stem cells.

The pluripotent stem cells, which can become nearly any cell type in the body, are derived from human skin and blood samples. These have been donated by patients who have a genetic mutation associated with motor neurone disease and by healthy controls.

Human brain tissue donated to the Neurological Foundation Brain Bank and a London brain bank have also been vital for Swanson’s research.

“Brain tissue is the most precious resource, because it’s the actual disease in humans, not a model.

“But lab-grown microglia have the advantage of showing the disease in action.

“They allow us to see how microglia change over time and what occurs when they flip from helpers to harmers.”

Swanson has organised events to give people with motor neurone disease a chance to talk with scientists about what they want from research.

“There’s something beautiful about meeting the people the research is for.

“It makes it more human and reminds you why you’re doing it.”

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ChildFund – Water at risk in Middle East War – on World Water Day

Source: ChildFund New Zealand

ChildFund New Zealand is warning that escalating global conflict is no longer just driving up fuel prices – it is putting children’s access to clean water directly at risk.
Today Iran announced its plans to target desalination plants and critical infrastructure in response to President Trump's threat to 'obliterate' power plants if the Strait of Hormuz does not open.
Today is World Water Day.
Water infrastructure – including desalination plants, pipelines and treatment facilities – are increasingly being hit as strategic targets in conflict.
“Access to water is getting caught up in this war. When oil prices surge, most people think about petrol. Few think about water,” says ChildFund NZ CEO Josie Pagani.
Water systems run on energy. When fuel prices spike – or when infrastructure is directly threatened – the cost of pumping, treating and delivering water rises immediately. In vulnerable communities, there is no buffer.
In many of the communities where ChildFund NZ works, access to clean water depends on pumps powered by fuel. 
“This is true in the Middle East, and in the Pacific where we have many water projects that still rely on fuel.”
When water systems become unreliable, families are forced to turn to unsafe sources. Waterborne diseases spread more easily. Girls are pulled out of school to collect water. Household income is diverted to cope with illness or to buy water.
“Both children living in warzones, and children living thousands of kilometres from a battlefield, are impacted, ” says Josie Pagani.
ChildFund NZ is urging all parties in conflict to recognise water systems as critical civilian infrastructure and ensure they are protected from attack.
In a video shared today, CEO Josie Pagani highlights that children – even in the Middle East – are more than 20 times more likely to die from a lack of clean water than from a bomb, underscoring the critical but often overlooked role water plays in conflict.
“Access to clean water should not be weaponised in war.”
Donate to ChildFund NZ’s Middle East Appeal to support local partners delivering urgent water, food and shelter on the ground.
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Fonterra delivers another strong result for HY26

Source: Fonterra

  • Total Group revenue: NZ $13.9 billion, up by NZ $1.3 billion  
  • Operating profit: NZ $1,231 million, up from NZ $1,107 million  
  • Profit after tax: NZ $750 million, up from NZ $729 million  
  • Earnings per share: 45 cents per share, up from 44 cents last year  
  • Normalised earnings per share: 51 cents per share, up from 47 cents last year  
  • Continuing Operations return on capital: 11.2% up from 10.4% 
  • Interim dividend, fully imputed: 24 cents per share 
  • Special Mainland dividend, fully imputed: 16 cents per share  
  • Forecast Farmgate Milk Price range: NZ $9.40 - $10.00 per kgMS, with a midpoint of $9.70 per kgMS    
  • Forecast milk collections: 1,565m kgMS, up 4%  
  • FY26 full year forecast earnings range for continuing operations: 50-65 cents per share.

Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd has today released its FY26 interim results, showing continued momentum in its performance with revenue of $13.9 billion in the first half of the financial year.  

Fonterra announced an interim dividend of 24 cents per share, fully imputed from continuing operations and confirmed a special Mainland dividend of 16 cents per share, fully imputed, representing 100% of Mainland Group’s FY26 earnings while under Fonterra ownership.  

The Co-op has also lifted its forecast Farmgate Milk Price midpoint for the season from $9.50 per kgMS to $9.70 per kgMS, with the range changing from $9.20 – $9.80 per kgMS to $9.40 - $10.00 per kgMS. 

Given the strength of these interim results, and our contracted commitments for the second half of the year, we have also adjusted our full year earnings guidance for continuing operations from 45-65 cents per share to 50-65 cents per share.  

CEO Miles Hurrell says these changes to the forecast Farmgate Milk Price and earnings reflect improvement in global commodity prices and the Co-op’s strong underlying margins and cost control, but notes that significant volatility remains, particularly as the conflict in the Middle East continues. 

“The underlying performance of Fonterra’s continuing business is stable, allowing the Co-op to return all earnings associated with the Mainland Group business and lift our forecasts for the remainder of the year ahead. Demand for our products is strong, and we’re focused on our plan to maximise both the Farmgate Milk Price and earnings,” says Mr Hurrell.  

The record date for the two dividend payments will be 30 March, and the payment date will be 14 April. This is also the date Fonterra is targeting for payment of the $2.00 per share capital return from the Mainland Group divestment, based on the transaction completing at the end of March.  

Business performance 

Total Group reported operating profit increased to $1,231 million from $1,107 million the year prior.  

Reported profit after tax is $750 million, equivalent to earnings per share of 45 cents and up on 44 cents last year. When excluding the costs associated with the Consumer divestment, Fonterra’s normalised earnings per share is 51 cents. 

The Co-op delivered a Return on Capital of 11.2%, up on this time last year and in line with the target range of 10-12%. 

“The first half of the year has been shaped by strong milk flows, with the Co-op collecting record milk volumes in the South Island so far this season. When combined with several adverse weather events, these conditions have put pressure on the operations of all New Zealand milk processors.  

“We have been able to navigate through these challenges due to the resilience of our network,” says Mr Hurrell. ”Our performance shows that we are growing the high-value parts of our business through optimal allocation of milk solids across our product mix, which is driving a strong return on capital for shareholders and unit holders.”  

Fonterra’s market performance has been strong, with the Ingredients business delivering a return on capital of 11% and Foodservice a return on capital of 12.6%.  

These results have been driven by our protein portfolio in the Ingredients channel and improved pricing in Foodservice to successfully recover the lift in butter and cream input costs seen last year.  

Mainland Group performance improved during the first half of this year, primarily due to a favourable commodity price cycle. 

Progress on strategy  

Over the course of FY26, Fonterra has made significant progress on the divestment of its global consumer and associated businesses, Mainland Group, to Lactalis for $4.22 billion. The transaction is unconditional and expected to complete at the end of March 2026.  

“Our focus now is firmly on our strategy to grow value for farmers as a global B2B dairy nutrition provider, working closely with customers through our high-performing Ingredients and Foodservice channels.  

“The foundation of our Co-op is our New Zealand milk supply. Fonterra has made it easier for new farmer suppliers to join the Co-op and share up over time through changes to our shareholding requirements, with greater flexibility in the level of investment required.  

“We are focused on maximising value from farmers’ milk and are building new manufacturing capacity across several New Zealand sites to help meet growing demand for our high-value proteins, butters and creams,” says Mr Hurrell.  

Projects underway include: 

Studholme – construction of the new advanced protein hub is now complete, with first trial products off the line in February 2026.  

Clandeboye - commenced build of our butter plant expansion in January 2026, with product expected off the line in April 2027.  

Edendale – construction underway of new UHT cream plant and remains on track for first products to come off the line in late 2026. 

Edgecumbe – today announcing a $35 million investment in expanding our pastry butter sheet line, to support continued demand through Foodservice for butter products. Site works began in March 2026, with product off the line expected in April 2027. 

In addition, the Co-op's decarbonisation programme continues across key sites at Whareroa, Edgecumbe, Waitoa, and Edendale to help secure energy supply, reduce emissions, and support future processing growth. 

Underpinning our business operations is the Co-op's Enterprise Resource Planning system1 implementation, which has been deployed successfully at our first three locations. The five-year programme remains on track and on budget and is expected to wrap up in late 2028 with spend peaking across FY26 and FY27.  

Outlook 

Looking ahead, the conflict in the Middle East is having an impact on our supply chain and has the potential to increase Fonterra’s inventory levels and costs over the course of the second half of the year. There’s also the potential for further volatility in global commodity prices.  

“The conflict is a complex and dynamic situation that is changing daily, but we are confident that we’re on the right track to get product to customers.  

“Our business is designed to manage volatility. Our scale and strong relationships with customers and logistics provider Kotahi will help us to navigate through these challenges better than most. With this in mind, we remain focused on delivering on our strategic targets,” says Mr Hurrell.

1 An IT and digital transformation project to replace the Co-op’s ERP software, to help future-proof the Co-op's critical processes and systems and reduce cash costs over time. 

About Fonterra  

Fonterra is a co-operative owned and supplied by thousands of farming families across Aotearoa New Zealand. Through the spirit of co-operation and a can-do attitude, Fonterra’s farmers and employees share the goodness of our milk through innovative consumer, foodservice and ingredients brands. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re committed to leaving things in a better way than we found them. We are passionate about supporting our communities by Doing Good Together.

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PSA – What is the Govt. hiding? MPI blocks key info on meat inspection privatisation

Source: PSA

MPI officials make flying visit to USA to reassure key export market
The PSA is calling on the Ministry for Primary Industries to lift the veil of secrecy on its controversial plans to privatise meat inspection services.
MPI has refused to release to the PSA under the Official Information Act the detailed analysis it carried out to justify its plan to allow meat companies to inspect their own export meat. This is currently an independent and effective service provided by government agency AsureQuality that has safeguarded the quality of our $12b/year meat export industry.
“The Ministry for Primary Industries took three months to respond to the OIA and then only because the Ombudsman intervened and still withheld the key analysis underpinning its controversial plan to privatise meat inspection,” said Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons.
The PSA is the union for meat inspectors employed by AsureQuality. Hundreds of meat inspectors could face the axe under this plan, with many forced to transfer to the private sector with lower wages and poorer conditions.
“This is appalling behaviour by a public sector agency which has an obligation to be transparent and explain its policies – what has it got to hide? The case for change has not been made.
“Hundreds of meat workers need to know why their futures are being upended, and the public has a right to know why the Government is playing fast and loose with our hard-won reputation for quality and safe export meat.”
The PSA requested all advice MPI has prepared on the proposal. The response only landed after the consultation closed preventing the PSA from making a fully informed view of the plan.
Only one internal memo was released, and a key document, the analysis of the proposal, Ante and postmortem project analysis was withheld in full because it ‘would prejudice the security or defence of New Zealand or the international relations of the Government of New Zealand’. Another five were withheld, four of these including even their titles, under the same grounds.
“This is extreme – surely sensitive issues around international relations could have been redacted. But this is par for the course from MPI which has consistently withheld information or limited the scope of requests from the PSA over the past year. Workers and the New Zealand public deserve better.
“We asked for this information because what MPI provided to the public as part of its consultation process was completely inadequate and provided no information about why they believe the proposal is an improvement on the status quo or what evidence that belief is based on. Throughout this entire process we’ve continued to ask for information about the analysis and advice underpinning their decisions and been provided with very little.”
This obfuscation comes as MPI officials make a flying visit to meet counterparts at the United States Department of Agriculture to convince them there are no risks to food safety. This is happening just weeks before final decisions on the plan are due to be made.
“Why the late dash to America? Surely any issues the Americans may raise should have been sorted well before the proposal was even hatched and consulted on. It just smacks of poor planning, but how do we know when MPI has shrouded this in secrecy?
“MPI must do better when the livelihoods of hundreds of AsureQuality meat inspectors and our meat export industry are at stake.
“The PSA calls on Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard to tell MPI to release all relevant information now, before final decisions are made in April.”
ENDS
Attached: Response letter from MPI re OIA document request
Previous statements
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.
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Overseas merchandise trade: February 2026 – Stats NZ information release

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Health and Alcohol – Ki Tua o Matariki: Alcohol Law Changes Risk Pushing Harm Further Into Everyday Life

Source: Ki tua o Matariki

Alcohol Law Changes Risk Pushing Harm Further Into Everyday Life
Ki Tua o Matariki (KToM) is warning that proposed changes to alcohol laws could increase harm for whānau Māori by making alcohol more visible, more accessible, and more normalised in everyday spaces.
The Government has announced reforms aimed at reducing barriers for businesses, including limiting who can object to alcohol licences, allowing wineries, breweries and distilleries to hold both on- and off-licences, and enabling places like barbers and hairdressers to serve alcohol.
KToM CEO Zoe Witika-Hawke says the changes risk shifting alcohol further into daily life at a time when many whānau are already under pressure.
“These changes might seem small on their own, but together they make alcohol more present in our everyday environments- and that matters,” says Witika-Hawke. We know alcohol outlets are more concentrated in lower-income communities, while access to health support is often more limited. “That imbalance matters- because it shapes the environments our whānau are living in every day.”
“Alcohol harm is not just about individual choice. It’s shaped by how available it is, where it shows up, and what becomes normal.”
Whānau Already Carrying the Load
The reforms come as many whānau face increasing financial pressure, with petrol prices in Tāmaki Makaurau now sitting above $3 per litre, alongside rising costs of food, rent, and power.
“Our whānau are already making tough choices every day- between fuel, kai, and keeping the lights on,” says Witika-Hawke. “At a time like this, increasing access to alcohol raises real questions about priorities.”
Community Voice at Risk
One of the most significant changes would restrict who can object to alcohol licence applications. KToM says this risks weakening community voice- particularly for Māori communities whose boundaries and realities do not align with territorial authority lines.
“Our communities know what harm looks like where they live,” says Witika-Hawke. Liquor stores
“Reducing their ability to speak into these decisions removes an important layer of protection.”
FASD and Intergenerational Impact
KToM is also highlighting the ongoing impact of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), with estimates suggesting 1,800 to 3,000 babies every year may be affected. That’s roughly 8 babies per day.
FASD is lifelong and preventable and disproportionately impacts tamariki Māori.
“Every increase in alcohol availability increases risk- particularly for māmā hapū navigating stress and systemic barriers,” says Witika-Hawke.
“We need to be clear- this is not about blaming māmā. Stigma has never prevented harm. Safe environments and strong support systems do.”
A Wider Direction of Travel
KToM says the proposed changes sit within a broader shift away from prevention-focused policy.
“We’ve seen smokefree protections rolled back, and now alcohol access expanded,” says Witika-Hawke.
“Taken together, these decisions shape the conditions our whānau are living in.”
Alcohol harm is already estimated to cost Aotearoa $9.1 billion annually, placing pressure on communities and an already stretched health system.
Calling for Balance
KToM acknowledges the importance of economic growth but says it must not come at the expense of whānau wellbeing.
“We are not anti-business- we are pro-whānau,” says Witika-Hawke.
“If we want safer communities and healthier futures, alcohol policy must prioritise prevention, not increased exposure.”
Looking Ahead
Ki Tua o Matariki is calling for a balanced approach that protects community voice, strengthens prevention, and invests in whānau wellbeing.
“Our whānau are already carrying enough,” says Witika-Hawke.
“Policy should reduce harm- not make it easier to access.” 
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Recognition – Safeguarding Children wins New Zealand Community of the Year 2026

Source: Safeguarding Children

A nationwide movement that has trained more than 93,000 advocates to recognise and respond early to signs of child abuse has been awarded the Mitre 10 New Zealand Community of the Year 2026.

Safeguarding Children CEO Willow Duffy accepted the award at the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards ceremony, reflecting on how the initiative has grown to have far-reaching impact around Aotearoa after starting “as an idea over a cup of coffee with three nurses and a detective.”

“Recognising that the rates of child abuse in New Zealand was one of the biggest public health issues, we put this idea together that we could inspire people to speak up for children, do the best for them and take steps to protect our tamariki not just in their homes but in their communities and places children go,” Duffy said.

Duffy said what continues to motivate her are the harrowing stories of child abuse, such as those from The Abuse in Care, Royal Commission of Inquiry, and firsthand accounts where the opportunities for adults to step in and prevent abuse are strikingly apparent, yet not taken.

“Protecting our precious taonga, our nation’s tamariki, is everyone’s responsibility. Safeguarding Children will continue to advocate for better safeguards to prevent abuse in New Zealand, as well as equip people with the knowledge and tools to step in and do the right thing.”

Duffy said she is humbled by the recognition the award brings. “The team behind the initiative make me so proud every day. We are supported by an incredible voluntary board who work so hard to give their time and make it happen, and sponsors who donate so we can do this work.

“Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”

Duffy said she hopes the recognition will help draw further attention to New Zealand’s shocking record of child abuse and support calls for change. “It requires a collective response from all levels to prevent abuse and create change for our vulnerable tamariki. Our work is far from done.”

 

About Safeguarding Children:  

Safeguarding Children’s vision is for the children and young people of Aotearoa New Zealand to be safe from abuse and neglect. 

 

Safeguarding Children is a registered charity and a leading provider of safeguarding and child protection education and guidance in New Zealand. It has trained over 50,000 New Zealanders on how to implement prevention measures within their organisations, work with vulnerable families and children, and recognise and respond to child abuse and neglect. Safeguarding Children believes a proactive, preventative approach produces the best outcomes for children, organisations and staff. It offers a range of services to suit the needs of any individual or organisation that works with children and young people. 

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Statement – Home support workers must be front of queue for fuel fix Nicola Willis – PSA

Source: PSA

The PSA is urging the Finance Minister to make 23,000 home support workers a priority when delivering urgent support to low income workers hit by sharply rising petrol prices.
Nicola Willis told media today she wants a ‘very targeted and temporary’ fix for those ‘acutely impacted’, adding she doesn’t want to see a situation where ‘people can’t drive to work.’
“We agree with Nicola Willis – and home support workers should be at the front of the queue – and right now there’s a fast, ready fix available that could be done today by raising their mileage allowance,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
The Finance Minister is seeking advice from Inland Revenue and Treasury about using the tax and transfer system to deliver support – tax credits under Working for Families or the Independent Earner Tax Credit. But neither may help many home support workers.
“These workers drive their own cars between clients every day, and are the only publicly funded workers required to do so with such a miserable mileage reimbursement. They have no choice but to drive and rising petrol prices are hitting them directly in the pocket with every shift.
“But there’s a simple, fast fix right now for these essential workers. The Home and Community Support (Payment for Travel Between Clients) Settlement Act 2016 requires Health NZ Te Whatu Ora to pay a mileage rate to these workers. The Health Minister can direct that rate to be lifted immediately, no complicated fiddling with the tax and transfer system required, no delay, just fast, real help.”
The allowance was last adjusted four years ago so should be being reviewed right now.
Fleur Fitzsimons said: “These are low-paid, predominantly female workers providing critical care to elderly and disabled New Zealanders. If the Government is serious about protecting working people from the fuel crisis, it can today deliver the support they need right now.
“The PSA urges the Government to do the right thing by these workers, today. They can’t afford to wait.”
Previous statement
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.