Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Posted on

Health – General Practice training programme to be fully funded is a win for the future of the general practice workforce

Source: Royal NZ College of General Practitioners

The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners welcomes the Minister of Health’s announcement today at GP25: Conference for General Practice of significant additional funding for registrars across the General Practice Education Programme (GPEP).
This announcement will go a long way to strengthen the training and grow the next generation of the specialist GP workforce, and includes:
  • In 2025, training fees for doctors in their second, third, and post-third year of GPEP to encourage completion of their training.
  • Fellowship assessment costs for around 200 GPEP trainees to enable them to complete their training and become Fellows.
  • From 2026, full ongoing training and education costs for an estimated 400 GPEP year 2 and 3 trainees each year.
Currently, GP registrars only have their first year of GPEP funded with the second and third years having to be self-funded. This funding approach is different to all the other medical training programmes (in New Zealand and Australasian medical colleges) that are fully funded for their entirety.
College President Dr Samantha Murton says, “This funding will be a gamechanger for current and future trainees. This is a significant acknowledgement for the specialism of the general practice workforce and the vital role we play in healthcare being as important as those of our peers in secondary hospital settings.
“Not only will this funding offer the necessary financial support our GP registrars need throughout their training, but we are optimistic that the news will encourage medical graduates who have an interest in general practice but have been put off by the financial barriers to make the step to train as a specialist GP. To them, I say welcome and you won’t regret your decision.
The College has been a strong and vocal advocate for the current and future general practice workforce and is enthusiastic that the funding for primary care is heading in the right direction to ensure that it is sustainable.
College Chief Executive Toby Beaglehole says, “We are focused on building a sustainable workforce for the future, which starts with training and the equitability of our program costs to other specialist medical training.
“This funding s

Posted on

Politics – What the heck Winston? Greenpeace queries NZ First support for Seymour’s Overseas Investment Bill

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace is asking NZ First leader Winston Peters what the heck his party is doing supporting an amendment Bill which could lead to greater corporate control of Aotearoa.
NZ First has supported ACT leader David Seymour’s amendment Bill to the Overseas Investment Act, through its first reading. Submissions on the Bill closed this week.
Greenpeace spokesperson Gen Toop says: “ACT is trying to change the Overseas Investment law to make it easier for multinational corporations to buy up and exploit conservation land, lakebeds, coastal zones, wāhi tapu sites and other sensitive land across Aotearoa.”
“Shockingly, ACT is even trying to remove the mandatory requirement that the Government check whether a corporation has been involved in serious criminal activity before giving them access to New Zealand’s sensitive land and natural resources.”
The Act currently mandates that the Government apply the Benefit to New Zealand test and Investor Test before giving consent to the sale of land that is classified as “sensitive” and allows them to decline consent if either of these tests are failed.
Sensitive land is outlined in the Act and includes conservation areas, lake beds, marine and coastal zones, offshore islands, wāhi tapu and other culturally significant sites, as well as land adjoining these areas.
The Bill proposes that instead of applying a public benefit and investor test, the Government applies a narrower “national interest” test which Greenpeace says completely fails to guarantee any meaningful consideration of environmental, cultural, or public interest values.
“NZ First currently supports a Bill that would make it easier for multinational corporations to loot and destroy Aotearoa and funnel the profits to offshore shareholders leaving New Zealanders to deal with the mess – polluted rivers, drained aquifers and degraded ecosystems,” Toop says.
The Bill also scraps the requirement that water quality and sustainability be assessed before allowing overseas interests to extract, bottle and sell New Zealand's freshwater.
“NZ First claims to put New Zealand first. But this ACT party Bill firmly puts offshore corporations first and New Zealanders last. Winston Peters should withdraw his party's support for the Bill before it’s too late.”
Posted on

Aviation – Unqualified pilot sentenced for dangerous and unlawful flying

Source: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)

25 July 2025 – The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) welcomes the sentencing of a man who was fined $14,475 for multiple serious breaches of aviation safety rules, including flying without a pilot licence, flying an aircraft without a certificate of airworthiness, and operating in a manner that caused unnecessary danger.

The defendant was on his own piloting the amateur-built Jodel D.11 aircraft when it took off from Feilding Aerodrome on 23 March 2024 and crash landed in a field approximately 1 kilometre south of the Marton township. The aircraft, which he had been rebuilding since it was involved in an earlier crash, was damaged beyond repair in the crash and the defendant sustained serious injuries.

The investigation found the defendant had operated the aircraft on several occasions despite not holding a pilot licence, and while the aircraft was not certified as airworthy. This undermines the safety and integrity of the aviation system, and breaches New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Rules.

“This case is a stark reminder that aviation safety rules exist for a reason — to protect people in the air and on the ground,” said CAA Deputy Chief Executive, Dean Winter.

“The ‘pilot’ made a series of reckless choices that could have had significant consequences for other people, in addition to the serious injuries he suffered.”

The Court considered the seriousness of the offending and the potential for harm when imposing the fine, noting the danger the public under the aircraft flightpath, emergency services personnel attending the crash site, and other airspace users – in addition to the pilot himself.

“Flying without proper qualifications or approvals is not just a paperwork issue — it’s a safety issue,” Winter said.

“Proper training, aircraft maintenance, licensing and certification are fundamental to ensuring safe skies. When individuals choose to ignore those responsibilities, they put lives at risk, as the defendant did in this case when he flew across State Highways, numerous farms and occupied houses.”

The CAA will continue to investigate and take action appropriate against serious breaches of aviation law where safety is compromised.

“People should have confidence that those operating aircraft in New Zealand are qualified and compliant, prioritising safety above all else,” Winter said.

Details of charges

The defendant was sentenced in the Marton District court on 16 July 2025 for the following charges:

Under Section 46 of the Civil Aviation Act 1990:

  • Operating aircraft without necessary aviation document (PPL-A)
  • Operating aircraft without necessary aviation document (COA)

Under Section 44 of the Civil Aviation Act 1990:

  • Operating aircraft in a manner that caused unnecessary danger.
Posted on

Employment and Equity – Not Done Yet: Women’s Day of Action for Pay Equity – CTU

Source: NZCTU

On Saturday 20 September communities across Aotearoa will unite for a Women’s Day of Action for Pay Equity – taking place 132 years after New Zealand women secured the right to vote. This mobilisation responds directly to the Government’s gutting of pay equity.

“This week, alongside our affiliated unions, we handed the Government a petition with 93,924 signatures demanding they stop this attack on workers. But we’re not done. The Women’s Day of Action is another opportunity for women to show the Government that this issue is not going to go away,” said NZCTU Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges.

“These changes have hurt Māori, Pacific, migrant, and low-paid women – nurses, teachers, care and support workers and more who are the backbone of Aotearoa. We will keep fighting until pay equity is restored, and workers’ rights are respected.

“Over 180,000 workers have already had their pay equity claims scrapped. The changes make it nearly impossible to lodge new claims and allow employers to opt out entirely.

“Pay equity isn’t just the right thing to do – for many workers, it’s the difference between working one job or two, between feeding their kids or going without.

“The Women’s Day of Action is both a protest and a celebration of women’s legacy, honouring the suffrage movement while amplifying collective power. The event is family-friendly and community-led, with kai, performances, and opportunities to hold politicians accountable. Participants are encouraged to wear purple, green, and white in honour of suffragists.

“A range of actions all over the country are being planned. Whether you march in Auckland, gather in Porirua or Christchurch, raise your voice in Wellington, have a crafternoon in Invercargill or show support online – you are part of this movement.

“On September 20, we are sending a clear message: pay equity is not optional, and we will not back down,” said Ansell-Bridges.

Posted on

Employment – MBIE facing legal action over attempt to curb flexible work including working from home arrangements – PSA

Source: PSA

The PSA has just filed legal action with the Employment Relations Authority over MBIE’s disregard of existing flexible work arrangements including working from home which are protected under the PSA’s collective agreement with the Government department. 
The Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has recently introduced a new Flexible Work Policy to align with the Government’s directive to restrict flexible work arrangements for public service workers including reducing days working from home. This directive is also itself subject to legal action by the PSA.
“Cracking down on flexible work is the wrong approach from employers in 2025,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“Working from home and flexible work are generally a win-win for employers and employees, that’s why we are asking MBIE to stick with current flexible work arrangements and look for more ways to enable flexibility which we know is particularly valuable for women, people with disabilities and everyone with caring responsibilities.
“The PSA originally raised objections to MBIE’s flexible work guidance in June 2025 and then tried to resolve this dispute through mediation, but this failed. MBIE hasn’t been willing to backdown, leaving the PSA with no choice but to take this step to protect the rights of MBIE staff included in existing agreements.
“The collective agreement binds MBIE to supporting flexible work, so its new policy is simply unlawful. We are seeking a determination from the ERA that MBIE is violating the ‘flexible by default’ approach which forms part of its collective agreement with members.
“Employees at MBIE have a right to flexible work arrangements which suit their individual circumstances unless there is a good business reason not to. Now MBIE is saying working from home and other arrangements must be re-negotiated, their position is that all new arrangements are to be reviewed every six months with the aim of reducing the number of days worked from home.
“MBIE wants to meet individually with employees to tell them they need to make a new flexible work request which will be considered under the more restrictive policy,” said Fitzsimons.
“MBIE can’t just change existing agreements which are protected under the collective.
“This is a backward step, going against all international evidence and tr

Posted on

Transport – Supply chain partners face significant fines if they contribute to speeding, fatigue or overloading by truck drivers

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

The national road freight association, Transporting New Zealand, is calling on all parties across the supply chain to play their part in preventing speeding, breach of work time rules and overladen trucks.
Transporting New Zealand has launched a set of resources raising awareness about the “Chain of Responsibility” provisions in the Land Transport Act, that can result in serious fines for those who influence truck drivers to breach transport rules.
Transporting New Zealand Chief Executive Dom Kalasih says that it isn’t just truck drivers with road safety responsibilities.
“If your conduct contributes to truck drivers exceeding speed limits, breaching work time rules, or operating overweight vehicles, you can be liable for a fine of up to $25,000 under the Land Transport Act.”
“This is relevant to everyone from transport company directors, cargo owners, processors, and ports. All those supply chain parties whose instructions, expectations and facilities can contribute to non-compliance.”
“While it is ultimately the responsibility of truck drivers and road freight businesses to ensure they are operating safely and compliantly, the Chain of Responsibility provisions recognise that other parties are often in a position of power when it comes to getting freight delivered.”
“Transporting New Zealand has always maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards deliberate non-compliance by transport operators, and that remains unchanged.”
Kalasih says he hopes that the Chain of Responsibility resources will encourage conversations between transporters, their clients, and transport facilities like processing plants and ports.
“Issues that really put road freight companies under pressure include last minute timing and delivery changes, unrealistic ultimatums from supply chain partners, and a lack of weighing facilities or parking facilities.”
Kalasih would like to see supply chain partners have clear chain of responsibility policies, and increased use of written contracts with appropriate protections for transporters.
“If all parties across the supply chain play their part, it puts truck drivers and road freight companies in the best position to deliver the freight task safely and efficiently.”
Chain of Responsibility Resources
Chain of Responsibility Posters can be downloaded here.
The NZTA Chain of Responsibility Fact Sheet is available here.
Posted on

Government Cuts – Axing same-day enrolment to vote exposes impact of Govt starving another key agency of enough funding

Source: PSA

The PSA is condemning proposed changes to New Zealand’s electoral laws as undemocratic and the result of a systematically underfunded public service.
“We were shocked to see the Government propose several changes to electoral laws, especially the end to same-day voter enrolment,” Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi national secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons, says.
“They say that the system – in other words, the Electoral Commission – can’t handle the strain of same-day enrolment in the years to come.
“Why has the Government chosen to build obstacles around people’s basic right to vote, instead of funding the Electoral Commission properly?”
Like many other public service agencies, the Electoral Commission has been forced to tighten its budget by the National-led Government and restructured its staff last year.
“At the time, we criticised that restructure process as rushed – and it eventually resulted in several highly skilled staff leaving the organisation.
“New Zealanders are rightfully proud of our democracy. But we also know that to maintain our democracy, we need to care for it and invest into it.
“New Zealanders want the public service to be given the tools – including the funding – to make sure voting is as easy as possible for everyone.
“100,000 people used the same-day enrolment process at the 2023 election. This is not a nice-to-have – this is a basic function of our democracy.”
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 Cuts – Govt funding squeeze sees DOC cutting a further 71 roles – PSA

Source: PSA

The need to meet Government spending cut requirements means the Department of Conservation (DOC) will be cutting a net 71 support roles around the country, many in small rural towns.
DOC confirmed to staff today that it will be disestablishing 143 support roles and creating 72 new positions, meaning a net reduction of 71 roles. Of the 72 new support roles, 25 are half-time.
Removing support staff, who monitor the radios used by DOC staff working away from the office to stay safe, poses health and safety risks, PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says.
“The current support staff have sizeable health and safety responsibilities, such as monitoring staff radio systems and helping to manage emergencies like fires. The loss of these team members will mean that these important duties will fall on others – and pose a significant health and safety risk.
“DOC Rangers, contractors and volunteers rely on the radios to stay in regular contact with their offices and ensure they can get help if they run into trouble,” Fitzsimons says.
“It’s one example of how the loss of business support staff will mean administrative work will have to be done by other DOC staff.
“This will mean they have less time to focus on vital work like protecting threatened species, repairing tracks and pest control,” Fitzsimons says.
The cuts also mean the public will no longer be able to access DOC offices, apart from Visitors’ Centres, because the loss of support staff will mean there will be no one to manage reception.
“A farmer in town for errands will no longer be able to drop into the DOC office to talk with staff about matters of concern. A wealth of local knowledge and wisdom will be lost with the axing of support staff,” Fitzsimons says.
“Downgrading 25 roles to half-time is a blow to the many workers who cannot make

Posted on

Economics – Tariffs and uncertainty likely to dampen medium-term inflation pressures – Reserve Bank of NZ

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

24 July 2025 – Global tariffs and economic uncertainty are likely to mean less inflation pressures in New Zealand and a pullback in business investment and household spending, RBNZ Chief Economist Paul Conway says.

However, the economy is currently supported by high export prices and lower interest rates, he says.  

In a speech delivered to Business New Zealand in Wellington today, Mr Conway says that as a small, open economy, we are heavily influenced by global developments.

“Being tied in with the global economy helps us prosper. It also means that when something big happens offshore, such as the imposition of tariffs, its ripple effects impact the New Zealand economy,” he says.

The US has made a decisive shift towards a more trade protectionist stance, which is a major change in the global trading environment with significant implications for the global economy, Mr Conway says.

Tariffs may make global supply chains less efficient and could nudge up the cost of imports. This is why tariffs are expected to add to inflation pressures in the US.

But for New Zealand, the main impact is likely to be weaker global growth, which could reduce demand for our exports and lower import prices. Import prices could fall further as other countries redirect their exports away from the US. This is expected to reduce inflation pressures here.

At the same time, uncertainty is elevated, making it harder for households and businesses to plan.

“When businesses aren't sure what's coming, they hold off hiring and delay big investments. Households tend to respond to increased uncertainty by putting off big sp