Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

ASB has today reduced five of its fixed home lending rates by up to 16 basis points, including two of its most popular terms.

ASB’s Executive General Manager Personal Banking Adam Boyd says “We know there are many New Zealanders looking to refix their mortgage or take on the significant title of homeowner this year, and we’re pleased to support them with lower rates. Those considering our 12-month fixed home loan will be paying 2.50% less interest than they would have been 18 months ago. On a loan of $500,000, this reduction in interest translates to an extra $12,500 a year which will make a real difference to many households across the country.”

ASB also reduced some term deposit rates by between 5 and 20 basis points.

All rate decreases are effective immediately.

Source: Te Kuaka Spokesperson, Dr Arama Rata

Te Kuaka, an independent organisation advocating for a progressive and principled New Zealand foreign policy, expresses grave concern over the United States' unprovoked bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities. This attack constitutes a clear violation of international law and the sovereignty of states.

This act of aggression was conducted without United Nations authorisation or credible justification under international law and risks catastrophic regional escalation. Furthermore, the US Constitution reserves war powers to Congress, making this attack an alarming breach of US democratic process.

New Zealand can play a role in the world by upholding peace, multilateralism, and international law. We call on the New Zealand government to take the following actions:

1. Publicly condemn this unlawful military strike and demand an immediate de-escalation.

2. Commit to no involvement, whether direct or indirect, in US military action against Iran.

3. Immediately withdraw NZDF personnel from the US-led Red Sea operation.

4. Pursue diplomatic solutions through the UN rather than unilateral aggression.

5. Call for other states to denounce these acts as a violation of international law and a challenge to fundamental principles of state conduct within the UN system.

New Zealand demonstrated moral leadership when it refused to join the illegal 2003 invasion of Iraq. This principled stand upheld our nation's commitment to international law and independent foreign policy. Today, we face a similar test of our values. Just as we rejected participation in that disastrous war, New Zealand must again resist pressure to support unlawful US military action.

Te Kuaka urges the government to uphold an independent foreign policy that prioritises peace, human rights, and international law over militarism and aggression.

The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa is calling out for New Zealanders to condemn the US bombing of Iran.

PSNA Co-Chair, Maher Nazzal, says he hopes, but does not expect, that the New Zealand government will be critical of the US for its war escalation.

“Israel has once again hoodwinked the United States into fighting Israel’s wars.

“Israel’s Prime Minister has declared Iran to be on the point of producing nuclear weapons since the 1990s.  It’s all part of his big plan for expulsion of Palestinians from Palestine to create a Greater Israel, and regime change for the entire region.”

“Israel knows Arab and European countries will fall in behind these plans and in many cases actually help implement them.”

“It is a dreadful day for the Palestinians.  Netanyahu’s forces will be turned back onto them in Gaza and the West Bank.”

“It is just as dreadful day for the whole Middle East.  Trump has tried to add Iran to the disasters of US foreign policy in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan.  The US simply doesn’t care how many people will die.”

Maher Nazzal
Co-Chair PSNA

The Palestine Forum of New Zealand condemns in the strongest terms the disgraceful and provocative act committed by individuals associated with Destiny Church, who tore up a Palestinian flag and stomped on it. This shameful display is not only deeply offensive to the Palestinian people but also to all those who uphold the values of dignity, justice, and the right to national identity.

Such hateful and divisive actions have no place in Aotearoa New Zealand — a country built on principles of diversity, mutual respect, and the protection of all communities' rights to peaceful expression. The Palestinian flag represents resilience, heritage, and a legitimate struggle for freedom and justice.

We call on community leaders, human rights advocates, faith communities, and all fair-minded New Zealanders to reject this behaviour and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people against acts of hatred, provocation, and intolerance.

Palestine Forum of New Zealand
Justice, Dignity, Freedom.

Source: NZ Drug Foundation Te Puna Whakaiti Pāmamae Kai Whakapiri

A new report that pulls together the most recent data on drug consumption, prevalence of use, price and availability shows illicit drug use continues to steadily increase across the board, with the NZ Drug Foundation warning that investment in harm reduction, early intervention and support hasn’t kept pace. (ref. https://drugfoundation.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=12b1eb03b683b7209e15a8fcb&id=94b2792155&e=19a223383c )

The Foundation’s latest annual Drug use in Aotearoa report for 2023/24 shows sharp increases in methamphetamine and cocaine consumption, and an uptick in frequency of use.

Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm says the report underlines the need for greater investment in harm reduction and support services.

“This report shows there is more need than ever for accessible harm reduction information and early intervention so that we can help people prevent issues before they arise,” she says.

“The sharp increase in cocaine and methamphetamine use has happened against the backdrop of long-term under-investment in addiction services and the sector is now under intense strain. We urgently need to turn that around.”

While New Zealand has historically seen low levels of cocaine use, consumption increased 229% in 2024 compared with the previous three years’ average. Methamphetamine use increased 74% over the same period.

Helm says the report also shows that people are using cocaine and methamphetamine more often.

“Information from the NZ Drug Tr

The Indian government must immediately halt all deportations of Rohingya men, women and children, recognize them as refugees and treat them with the dignity and protection they deserve under international human rights law, Amnesty International said ahead of World Refugee Day.  

In just the last month, the Indian authorities allegedly deported at least 40 Rohingya refugees, including children and older people, by forcing them off a naval ship and giving them life jackets before abandoning them in international waters near Myanmar. In a separate incident, authorities also forced over 100 Rohingya refugees across the border into Bangladesh.

“From Zoroastrians and Tibetans to Afghans, Bangladeshis and Sri Lankan Tamils, India has long been a sanctuary for those fleeing persecution. But the Government of India’s recent actions which includes dumping Rohingya refugees at sea and forcefully deporting refugees without following any due procedure, unfortunately betrays this proud tradition. History will remember how the government chose to treat the persecuted when they knocked on our door for safety,” said Aakar Patel, chair of the board of Amnesty International India.

“The Indian government treats us like criminals”

On 8 May, Indian authorities detained at least 40 Rohingya refugees living in Delhi, many of whom held identification documents issued by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), according to their relatives who spoke with Amnesty International. The refugees were then blindfolded, flown to the far-off Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and transferred onto an Indian naval vessel.

In the Andaman Sea, the refugees were allegedly given life jackets and forced into the water, leaving them with no choice but to attempt to swim to an island in Myanmar's territory. Speaking to Amnesty International, a relative of one of the Rohingya refugees said, “Once they reached ashore, they called us using the phone of a fisherman… After that we haven’t heard from them. We are very worried about their safety.” While the refugees are believed to have reached the shore safely, their current location and condition remain unknown.

A few days later, over 100 Rohingya refugees detained at the Matia Transit Detention Centre in Assam, the largest such facility in India, were transported by bus and then forced across the eastern border into Bangladesh, reportedly without being granted access to any formal legal process or asylum review.

On 17 May, two Rohingya refugees filed a petition urging India’s Supreme Court to intervene and immediately halt further deportations. However, the Supreme Court dismissed the plea, with the judge questioning the credibility of the “beautifully crafted story” lacking substantive evidence, while criticizing the timing of the petition filed during the recent India-Pakistan conflict.

Speaking to Amnesty International on the condition of anonymity due to the fear of reprisal, a Rohingya refugee based in India said, “We are living in constant fear of being deported. Even though we hold UNHCR refugee cards, the Indian government treats us like criminals. In the past few months, so many of my relatives and fri