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Ombudsman – Whistle-blower’s action prompts Health NZ to strengthen nationwide safety checks for adults working with children

Source: Office of the Ombudsman

A decision by a hospital whistle-blower to go to the Ombudsman has led Health New Zealand to strengthen nationwide safety checks on employees and contractors working with children.
The Chief Ombudsman, John Allen, has published his final opinion on the case today.
Mr Allen says the hospital worker raised concerns with the Ombudsman under the Protected Disclosures Act 2022.
“Everyone in our country benefits when people are willing to call out serious wrongdoing.”
The person alleged that child safety checks for contractors including police vetting had not been carried out for some years at the hospital where they worked.
The Ombudsman raised the matter with Health NZ, which audited a number of hospitals.
A total of five regions were looked at across the country: Bay of Plenty, Lakes, Tairāwhiti, Nelson-Marlborough and Canterbury.
Concerned by the audit’s results, the Ombudsman initiated his own investigation under the Ombudsmen Act 1975.
The Ombudsman found that Health NZ had not been following the vetting processes required under the Children’s Act 2014.
“I consider it to be wrong and concerning, that this issue had not been picked up for nine years, despite these checks being a legal requirement.”
As a result of the Ombudsman’s findings, Health NZ agreed to update its processes across the country and create a central safety hub. It is also carrying out national audits, and monitoring compliance to make sure children are protected.
Mr Allen says the changes demonstrate how individuals can make a real difference by speaking up.
“The whistle-blower showed great courage and commitment in this case and, by speaking out, their disclosure led to changes not just in one hospital but nationwide.
“It is thanks to their courage and commitment that we have achieved this significant outcome to help keep children safe within the health sector.”
The whistle-blower, who wishes to remain anonymous, believes their actions were worthwhile. “I'm so grateful, extremely pleased and impressed by the outcome of the investigation and the thoroughness and care that was taken to come to this decision.
“If we've managed to save one child from harm, I'm ecstatic about that!
“I have peace knowing that the processes put into place will be sufficient to ensure that doesn't happen again, especially as there is oversight and reporting now.”
Mr Allen says the case highlights the Ombudsman’s role in driving systemic improvement through constructive engagement – both with individuals and with public sector agencies.
“I hope that by publishing my opinion, it may have a positive impact on other sectors that work with children.
“There is a need for better co-ordination across the public sector to improve the monitoring and oversight of safety checks.
“There is a strong case for one agency to have overall responsibility to make sure that vetting occurs.
“Our goal is to ensure the public sector acts lawfully and in the best interests of the people it serves. By speaking up, individuals help us identify where systems are failing and where change is needed,” Mr Allen says.
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Foreign Policy Group Slams Secrecy around NZ Position on Palestine, Calls for Sanctions – Te Kuaka

Source: Te Kuaka

Progressive foreign policy group Te Kuaka has slammed the Government’s secrecy around New Zealand’s position on Palestinian statehood.

New Zealand has not announced its position yet, with the position reportedly to be announced by Foreign Minister Winston Peters later this week at the United Nations in New York.

Australia, the UK, and Canada yesterday expressed support for Palestinian statehood.

The group Te Kuaka – which has called for independent and more democratic foreign policy – says the New Zealand public deserves to be more involved in this decision.

“This kind of pull-back-the-curtain approach isn’t appropriate for such a momentous decision about where New Zealand stands on the genocide that is occurring in Gaza,” says Gabriella Brayne, a spokesperson for Te Kuaka.

“In no other area of policy would it be acceptable for there to be zero public engagement and for a minister to make such a significant decision without consulting or working with the public,” adds Marco de Jong, convenor and spokesperson for Te Kuaka.

The group says that rallies and actions across the country for two years show a strong public appetite for a firmer position in support of Palestinian rights and against Israel’s actions. Earlier this month, tens of thousands participated in the March for Humanity in Auckland, calling for sanctions on Israel – an action endorsed by over 180 organisations including major unions, and NGOs.

“At this stage, when Israel has not diverted course after various diplomatic criticisms, our view is that only sanctions – which put direct material pressure on Israel and isolate it economically – will make a difference to what is occurring,” adds Brayne.

“Recognising Palestinian statehood on its own is not enough, and objectionable if based on conditions that further Israel's aims. We call on the Government to impose sanctions on Israel as well as taking other steps to bring the genocide to an end, such as intervening in support of South Africa’s Genocide Convention case, and it is imperative that our foreign policy is more democratic and isn’t just made behind closed doors,” adds de Jong.

Te Kuaka has also produced research, including on building New Zealand’s peace mediation capacity, and undertaken a roadshow of events opposing New Zealand’s involvement in AUKUS.

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New residence pathways a win for employers and skilled migrants – EMA

Source: EMA

The government’s newly announced residence pathways will give businesses greater certainty and help fill critical skills gaps across manufacturing and other sectors, says the EMA.
The changes finally acknowledge the value that vocational skills provide to New Zealand’s economy, says EMA Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement Lead Joanna Hall.
“For too long, the immigration system has been weighted towards university-level qualifications, while overlooking highly skilled and experienced vocational workers,” she says.
“Employers have been telling us this bias was locking out the very people they need most: fitters, turners, aviation engineers, fabricators, and other trades professionals.
“These are the roles where we face acute shortages in the domestic labour market.
“While we need to support local training, businesses also need the ability to access these skills right now. Having these experienced people in our workplaces also supports the training of apprentices coming through the pipeline.
“This is good news for employers, for migrants, and for our economy.
“These changes give certainty to businesses that they can retain valued staff who are already contributing to New Zealand, while also signalling to migrants that their skills and experience are recognised and rewarded.
“Importantly, it shows the government is listening to employers and recognising the vital role vocational education and training plays in driving growth.”
Hall says the EMA is still advocating for an integrated workforce skills strategy that provides a system-wide view around what skills are needed by industry, how we're addressing these needs with our education system, and how the immigration system responds to support gaps.
“We will continue to work closely with our members and the government to ensure the detail of the new pathways meets the needs of employers and supports long-term workforce development.”
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Privacy Commissioner – It’s not a game to blame and shame

Source: Office of the Privacy Commissioner

Retail crime is a serious issue. The Privacy Commissioner has been engaging with retailers, who paint a grim picture of the challenges they currently face with threats to staff and customers, and persistent shoplifting.
The Privacy Act means that businesses can report retail crime to the Police. But a word of caution; businesses sharing photos online or on a public wall of shame might think it’s a quicker way to catch possible shoplifters, or a useful deterrent, but it’s a blunt tool that can cause real harm and potentially break the law, the Privacy Commissioner warns.
“We’ve almost become immune to shared grainy CCTV images and their associated accusations, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good or legal thing to do, says Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster.
It’s a human reaction to see if you recognise someone shown to try and “solve the case.” In a country the size of New Zealand, it might be easy to know or think you know the person and to judge them as a result, even if they’re totally innocent.
“My Office has seen past examples where real hurt was caused through people having their image wrongly linked to a crime or an allegation of a crime. This can cause emotional harm and potentially put them at risk of a strong reaction including public shaming and violence,” said Mr Webster.
“The Privacy Act protects people’s personal information, which includes their image. It seems that the practice of creating a ‘wall of shame’ is something New Zealand businesses need to be reminded has legal consequences.
“I understand the need to address retail crime and that business is hurting but this method, which also includes appealing on social media sites, isn’t the answer”.
The Privacy Act provides clear principles for how personal information, such as an image of a person, can be collected, used, or disclosed. That includes taking reasonable steps to ensure personal information is correct before sharing it, and with limits on the public sharing of images of suspected shoplifters.
“Good questions businesses can ask before displaying someone’s image are, do you know who it is, have you got their permission, are they identifiable, is it fair to post it, will it embarrass or hurt them?”
“It’s not okay for people to be publicly shamed; it’s hurtful and a breach of their privacy. The impact on people can be huge, with children and young people especially at risk. There can also be tikanga Māori considerations, which can be significant and sensitive for Māori because of the tapu (restrictions) concerning the human body and images, including tā moko, mataora or moko kauae.
“It’s important that businesses stop and think before posting someone’s image and making a claim about them.
This can also have serious reputational consequences for the business posting the allegation,” says the Commissioner.
OPC has developed some guidance for retailers on displaying people’s photos in store and sharing these images on social media.
Background notes
This information from our website may also help you to build your story:
Relevant parts of the Privacy Act
Relevant case studies
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Northland News – Missing voting papers? Request Special Vote

Source: Northland Regional Council

Election officials are urging Northlanders who have not received their voting papers for next month’s local body election to request a Special Vote.
Dale Ofsoske, the Northland Regional Council’s Electoral Officer, says almost 134,000 Northland electors have been issued a voting pack between 09-22 September.
Local body elections are conducted by postal voting, and papers must be put in the mail no later than Tuesday 07 October to ensure they arrive in time to be counted.
“After that date however, you can hand deliver your voting paper to a ballot box up until midday on Election Day, Saturday 11 October.”
A list of ballot box locations can be found via your local district council website.
Mr Ofsoske says anyone who has not received their voting papers by now should contact the Northland Regional Council electoral office by phoning (0800) 922 822 or emailing specialvotes@electionservices.org.nzand requesting a Special Vote.
Special Votes can also be obtained from dedicated district council offices in Whangārei, Kaipara and the Far North. (Visit their websites for locations nearest to you.)
Meanwhile Mr Ofsoske says last election, there were 4200 blank and informal votes.
“Close to 1000 of these were informal votes…where people have indicated that they want to vote, but have done so incorrectly meaning the vote isn't counted.”
He says officials want to see a reduction in the number of both blank votes and informal votes.
“Northland Regional Council uses the First Past the Post (FPP) system, but some other Northland councils use the Single Transferrable Vote (STV) system so it’s particularly important people take the time to research both if they’re unsure about how to vote.”
Mr Ofsoske says under FPP people just tick the circle next to the candidate(s) they want to vote for.
“If you’re on the general roll you can vote for one candidate in your local constituency. If you’re on the Māori roll, you can vote for up to two candidates for council’s region-wide Te Raki constituency.” He says a guide to the more complex STV system – which will be used by the Far North and Whangarei District Councils this election – can be found at http://www.stv.govt.nz
Meanwhile, Mr Ofsoske says a list of all Northland Regional Council candidates and their profiles is on council’s website at: www.nrc.govt.nz/elections
To help voters make an informed choice, the Northland Regional Council also recently invited candidates to film a 90-second video addressing three questions:
  • Why do you think you're right for the role?
  • In your view, what's the biggest challenge facing our region?
  • What are your top priorities for council/Northland for the next three years?
To watch the candidate videos go to: www.nrc.govt.nz/elections
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BusinessNZ – New residency pathways hammer home value of trades

Source: BusinessNZ

Two new immigration pathways for skilled trades and technicians reinforces the value of trades as part of New Zealand’s economy, BusinessNZ says.
BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich says immigration works alongside local workforce development to better our economy.
“By bringing in experienced trade and technical people, businesses can expand their capacity to take on more apprentices and provide high-quality training opportunities for New Zealanders entering the trades.
“Today, the Government has reaffirmed the value of trade skills and experience to the New Zealand economy and better aligned immigration settings to the realities of the labour market.
“These changes will enable a business to find the right people with the right skills for the job. International expertise brings fresh perspectives and ways of working that strengthen New Zealand companies, helping them innovate and compete more effectively.
“Businesses should now have confidence to invest and plan long-term with more stable workforce settings on the horizon.”
The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central, Business Canterbury and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.
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Education – Literacy Takes Centre Stage with Tukuoha Funds

Source: Tapuwae Roa

Literacy emerged as a key theme in Tapuwae Roa’s latest Tukuoha funding round, with $60,000 awarded to nine kaupapa Māori aimed at strengthening whānau through financial, health, cultural, and environmental knowledge.
Now in its fourth year, distributed funds included the return of the Pou Herenga Tangata Award, supporting rangatahi-led initiatives in the community, and the Tonganui Scholarship, advancing tikanga and mātauranga in the oceans space. This year also saw the inclusion of Te Ngake o Te Kūpenga, a discretionary fund designed to encourage Māori into ocean-based careers by strengthening connections to Tangaroa.
Several recipients in this year’s cohort are directing their funding toward advancing literacy in applied, community-based contexts. Among them are Pou Herenga Tangata Awardees Maioha Haimona-Ngawharau (Ngāti Ranginui) and Māia Lockyer (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga, Ngāti Porou, Rongomaiwahine) who intend to develop a series of free health literacy resources designed to bridge the gap between clinical knowledge and patient understanding.
“As fourth-year Māori medical students, we recognised that many patients leave clinical encounters feeling confused or overwhelmed by complex medical terminology,” says Haimona-Ngawharau.
“By producing and releasing free health literacy resources, we aim to break down the physiology and pathology of common conditions, demystify clinical language, and provide practical tools for navigating the healthcare system.”
Another project advancing literacy through storytelling is led by Te Ngake o Te Kūpenga recipient Kelly Klink (Ngāti Wai), who plans to publish a series of bilingual children’s books that impart stories about the moana and connections to whakapapa.
“I’m currently writing children’s books giving tamariki stories that remind them: the ocean is not just water. It’s whakapapa. Our ancestor. Our teacher,” says Klink.
“By publishing these pūrākau, we give tamariki stories that anchor them to the moana, to their whakapapa, and to the responsibilities of kaitiakitanga. These are the kinds of lessons I want our tamariki to inherit.”
Also focused on improving financial literacy is Pou Herenga Tangata Awardee and bestselling author of Māori Millionaire, Te Kahukura Boynton (Tūhoe, Whakatōhea), who aims to educate rangatahi on building better money habits through a series of wānanga as part of the Māori Millionaire book tour.
“My moemoeā is to host a rangatahi specific kaupapa to inspire and impact our rangatahi to dream big, take radical action, and connect with like-minded Māori,” says Boynton.
“Without funding like this, these events are unsustainable.”
All successful recipients of Tapuwae Roa funding join Ngā Auahitūroa; an alumni network of over 300 diverse Māori change-makers, including academic scholars, community leaders, creatives, and researchers.
Tonganui Scholars 2025 
Te Rangimarie Ririnui
Delivering through the freediving programme Waitā, Te Rangimarie will support six aspiring kairuku to complete training and lead the next wave of safe, sustainable diving practices.
Te Taiawatea Moko-Painting
Exploring the impact of land-based impacts on the health of pāua (Haliotis iris) in Aotearoa and pā'ua (Tridacna maxima) in Rarotonga, Te Taiawatea’s PhD will also examine the shared whakapapa and reo between both nations to inform climate-resilient futures.
Haimona Brown
Through Ngā Niao o te Kaituna, Haimona will restore a 16-person waka tētē as a living vessel for rangatahi to learn traditional navigation, reconnect with moana, and deepen their understanding of kaitiakitanga.
Pou Herenga Tangata Awardees 2025
Youth Cultural Development
Through their kaupapa Māori Taiohi Leadership Programme, Youth Cultural Development hope to nurture confident, culturally grounded, and compassionate young leaders in low decile kura across Ōtautahi to strengthen their cultural identity and positively contribute to their kura and communities.
Huia Max
Emerging theatre practitioner Huia Max is utilising funding to produce a devised theatre show, TUAKIRITEA, centring honest and courageous kōrero around what it means to be Māori in modern-day Aotearoa. The production weaves personal and fictional elements to explore and deconstruct the often complicated and challenging experiences that shape contemporary Māori identity.
Te Kahukura Boynton
Published author and founder of Māori Millionaire, Te Kahukura Boynton, plans to utilise her funding to deliver a rangatahi-focussed book tour to help whānau build better money habits and intergenerational wealth.
Maioha Haimona-Ngawharau and Māia Lockyer
Through their collective kaupapa, Haumanu Hauora, Maioha and Māia hope to utilise their funding to bridge the gap between medical knowledge and patient understanding through a series of health literacy resources to improve adherence to treatment and empower whānau to take charge of their health.
Tanenuiarangi Larkins-Tareha
Delivered through kaupapa-Māori Muay Thai programme, Te Tapa Toa, Tanenuiarangi plans to support rangatahi Māori to strengthen their tinana, hinengaro, wairua, and whānau – while reconnecting with identity, whakapapa, and their potential as future leaders.
Te Ngake o te Kupenga Awardee 2025
Te Ngake o Te Kupenga is a discretionary fund that aims to encourage Māori towards oceans-based careers by strengthening their connections to Tangaroa.
Kelly Klink
Kelly will publish a series of bilingual children’s books that centre pūrākau of the moana, anchoring tamariki in whakapapa, kaitiakitanga, and the knowledge that the ocean is not just water – it’s our ancestor and our teacher. 
ABOUT TAPUWAE ROA
Tapuwae Roa (formally, Te Pūtea Whakatupu Trust) was established under the Māori Fisheries Act 2004 as part of the settlement of Māori fishing rights claims. As an independent charitable trust, its role is to provide strategic leadership in education, training, and workforce development for Māori, and to manage the Trust’s fund made available for these purposes. Tapuwae Roa has a particular obligation to ensure benefits are made available to all Māori and give regard to Māori who do not associate with their iwi and/or do not receive benefits from a Mandated Iwi Organisation. 
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Business Confidence – It’s not all doom and gloom according to Business Canterbury survey

Source: Business Canterbury

Business Canterbury has today released its August Quarterly Canterbury Business Survey, which shows a business community remaining positive despite the ongoing wait for the light at the end of the tunnel to get closer.
Despite ongoing economic pressures, 64% of Canterbury Businesses expect the economy to strengthen over the next year. More than half (55%) plan to hire, and nearly two-thirds (59%) intend to invest in property, plant or equipment over the next 12 months.
Survey Highlights:
  • 64% expect the Canterbury economy to strengthen over the next year
  • 55% plan to hire staff (vs. 61% long-term average)
  • 59% intend to invest in property, plant or equipment (vs. 63% long-term average)
  • 79% confident in their ability to manage disruption
  • Top issues (In order): Consumer confidence and demand, Productivity and growth, Inflation and interest rates, Compliance costs and Cashflow and account receivable/payable.
Business Canterbury Chief Executive Leeann Watson says, “While still just below long-term averages for key business confidence metrics, overall positivity reflects how Canterbury operates – we don’t ride the booms and busts like other main centres, and right now that stability is our not-so-secret weapon.
“In Canterbury, businesses are being established at twice the national rate. Our regional GDP is slightly positive, while the rest of the country faces nearly 1% retraction. Right now, we are the most attractive place in New Zealand for people to live and work.
“But we know confidence alone won’t carry us forever, and it’s certainly still very tough out there for many.
“While intent to grow is strong, businesses can’t do it alone. We need growth-ready conditions shaped by both central and local government, and with local elections underway and a general election quickly approaching, now is the time to prioritise settings that enable investment, hiring and innovation.”
“Business Canterbury has recently sent a to-do list to council candidates, which clearly lays out how the business community see councils’ roles in championing business growth in our region.”
For a copy of the council candidate to-do list, please visit our website here: https://www.cecc.org.nz/latest-news-from-business-canterbury/local-government-elections-document-2025
About Business Canterbury
Business Canterbury, formerly Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce, is the largest business support agency in the South Island and advocates on behalf of its members for an environment more favourable to innovation, productivity and sustainable growth.
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NZ Super Fund – NEW ZEALAND’S CLIMATE TRANSITION AN OPPORTUNITY WAITING TO BE SEIZED

Source: New Zealand Super Fund

New Zealand has the chance to attract significant global investment into its climate transition – but only if it can create investible opportunities at scale, says Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation co-Chief Investment Officer Will Goodwin.

In a speech to the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia's Conference Aotearoa NZ 2025, Goodwin said sustainable investment is now central to how the world’s largest asset owners manage risk and deliver returns – with climate change presenting both risks and opportunities.

“The question is how we position our portfolios – and our economy – to take advantage of these opportunities.”  

With global investors mobilising trillions of dollars into the transition, Goodwin said New Zealand has to act fast to secure its share.

“Capital is mobile. It moves quickly, across borders and markets, chasing scale, clarity, and certainty. If other countries create conditions that are more attractive to investors, that’s where the capital will go.”

Citing the NZ Super Fund's successful investments in renewable energy infrastructure in the US and Europe, Goodwin said the Fund has seen first-hand what works when the right conditions give investors the confidence to commit.

“Ultimately, New Zealand needs to be creating investible opportunities at sufficient scale, and making it all simple and easy – which includes making it straightforward for capital to come in and to exit,” Goodwin said.

“Despite the noise of shifting politics, the global tide is still moving in one direction. Long-term asset owners, global regulators, and markets recognise that climate change is a material risk. Investors don’t mistake surface changes for the deeper currents – the direction of travel is clear, and it isn’t reversing.”

Read Will Goodwin's speech in full here

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Advocacy – Understanding NZ’s role in space-based support for genocide – Peace Action Wellington

Source: Peace Action Wellington

Join Peace Action Wellington for an important webinar exploring how
Rocket Lab in NZ is contributing space-based assistance to the Israeli
Occupation Forces (IOF). 

Speakers are:
  • Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa lawyer Sam Vincent,
  • Rocket Lab Monitor’s Sonya Smith and 
  • Peace Action Ōtautahi’s Aurora Garner-Randolph. 
This webinar is in preparation for action at the annual Aerospace Summit in Ōtautahi/Christchurch where Rocket Lab is a key sponsor.

The webinar is Tuesday 23 September at 7:30pm. Registration is here:
https://tinyurl.com/4tbbbz88

Government ministers have approved NZ military and intelligence support for Israeli war crimes.

Judith Collins approved recent Rocket Lab launches of geospatial intelligence satellites for BlackSky launched from Måhia.

The satellites provide high resolution images to the IOF used to strike civilians and infrastructure in Gaza.

Collins allowed these launches in full knowledge of these circumstances.

Now her actions, and those of her fellow Ministers Luxon, Seymour and Peters are all the subject of a complaint to the international Criminal Court for war crimes.

The full International Criminal Court referral documents can be found here: https://www.psna.nz/icc-referral