The arrival of the International Liaison Officer on Thursday morning capped more than two months of deployments with 59 personnel assisting the Canadian wildfire response in Alberta and Manitoba.

Fire and Emergency also welcomed back its fourth deployment of Incident Management Team specialists on Wednesday.

Fire and Emergency Deputy National Commander Brendan Nally says he is immensely proud of the effort put in by all involved.

“Everyone who went over to Canada represented New Zealand very well.

“They’re bringing back invaluable experience of responding to large-scale wildfires which will enhance our wildfire response capability as we head into our wildfire season.”

Since 2000, Fire and Emergency has deployed more than 1600 personnel internationally to wildfire emergencies.

“We support other countries in their time of need and know that we will be able to call on them should we ever require assistance,” Brendan Nally says.

The deployment was also a big effort for those back home in New Zealand.

“I want to give thanks to the friends and family of those who deployed during this time,” he says.

“It is a big burden to take on back home to have your loved one away for five weeks at short notice, but we’ve heard countless stories of thanks from the people of Alberta and Canada for helping them in their time of need.

“I would also like to shout out to our National Coordination Centre team members and Region Deployment Coordinators and teams, who step out of their normal roles to fill the engine room behind these deployments to ensure they go as smoothly as possible.”

The Cotality Home Value Index recorded a further drop of -0.2% in August, marking the fifth consecutive monthly fall. While this may signal ongoing weakness, it also means a given deposit can stretch further for prospective buyers.

“The recent property value downturn, while a reminder of market caution, is creating a more favourable landscape for buyers,” said Kelvin Davidson, Chief Property Economist for Cotality NZ.

“We're seeing a clear shift in market composition, with first home buyers in their strongest position in two decades.”

First home buyers accounted for 27.5% of purchases over July and August combined, a testament to their resilience in the current climate.

Mortgaged multiple property owners also remained active, making up 24.6% of the market during the same period. Meanwhile, movers were quieter than usual.

A key factor in this trend is improved affordability.

Low-deposit lending to all owner-occupiers remained subdued at just 12.9% in July, well below the 20% allowance. This indicates that with house prices softening, a larger number of buyers are able to enter the market with a more substantial deposit, reducing their reliance on high-LVR loans.

“What might be discouraging for some property owners is beneficial for those on the other side of the coin,” Davidson added.

“With affordability better, listings starting to fall, and more existing borrowers repricing loans down to market interest rates, 2026 may look stronger for both property sales volumes and values.”

“The market is largely tracking sideways for now, but there are clear signs that momentum could build into next year.”

Highlights from the September 2025 Housing Chart Pack include:

• New Zealand’s residential real estate market is worth a combined $1.65 trillion.
• The Cotality Home Value Index shows property values across New Zealand edged down by -0.2% in August. This was the fifth modest fall in a row.
• The total sales count over the 12 months to August is 87,875.
• There are around 26,100 total listings on the market. The total number of properties listed on the market remains elevated, but a slow rise in sales volumes is gradually eroding stock levels.
• The pace of rental growth remains weak, with net migration having fallen a long way from its peak, and the stock of available rental listings on the market still elevated.
• Buyer Classification data shows first home buyers made up more than 27% of purchases over July and August combined, while smaller investors (‘Mums and Dads’) are having a comeback, targeting cheaper, existing dwellings.
• Mortgage lending activity continues to rise, with bank switching still popular as more borrowers roll off a series of short-term fixed loans.
• Gross rental yields now stand at 3.8%, which is the highest level since mid-2016.
• Inflation is back in the 1–3% target range and the economy is subdued. The Reserve Bank looks set to cut the official cash rate again in the coming months, possibly reaching 2.5% by year-end.
• The Chart of the Month for September highlights a controlled share of mortgage lending being done at a low deposit or high loan to value ratio. The falls in house prices mean that a given dollar deposit goes further, and reduces the need for higher LVR lending.

This Saturday 20 September, 132 years after women secured the right to vote, thousands of women and allies across the country are taking to the streets to rise up against the Government’s gutting of the pay equity system.

Unions, women’s organisations, and community groups have come together to organise the Women’s Day of Action for Pay Equity, a nationwide celebration of working women whose rights are under attack.

More than 20 events are being held from Whāngarei to Invercargill including marches, rallies, family friendly events, and community gatherings.

“132 years after women secured the right to vote in Aotearoa, we gather again in strength and solidarity,” said NZCTU Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges.

“Government has cancelled pay equity claims that would have eased the cost of living and lifted pay for more than 180,000 people. These are the people who provide the services that make life possible, such as schools, libraries, hospitals, aged care, and disability support.

“On Saturday we will make it clear that pay equity will be a central issue at the next election. No government can dismantle pay equity – we have won it before, and we will win it again.

“This is more than a protest – it is a celebration of the women who nurture, lead, and resist. It honours the suffrage legacy and amplifies our collective power to shape the future,” said Ansell-Bridges.

Details of nationwide events:

Whāngarei	Laurie Hall Park	11.30am
Auckland	AUT to Britomart	11.30am
Thames	Cnr Pollen St & Pahau St	10.30am
Tauranga	Mt Drury Reserve	10.30am
Hamilton	Te Kura Nui O Rototuna High School	11.00am
Whakatāne	The Gap – Whakatane Town Centre	11am
Gisborne	Gladstone Road at the town clock	10.30am
New Plymouth	Puke Ariki Landing	12pm
Napier	Napier Soundshell	11am
Whanganui	Whanganui Market Stall	10am
Palmerston North	Clocktower in the Square	1pm
Levin	Cnr Queen St & Salisbury St	11am
Masterton	Town Hall Square	11.30am
Porirua	Te Rauparaha Arena	10am
Wellington	Midland Park to Parliament, followed by Wellington Cathedral	10.30am
Nelson	Carpark between Burger King & Library	11am
Greymouth	Dixon Park	12pm
Christchurch	Victoria Square	10am
Timaru	Artisan Market	9.30am
Dunedin	Market Reserve	11am
Gore	Eccles Street Playground	12pm
Invercargill	Gala Street Reserve	11am.

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

“These four recipients have dedicated years to supporting their communities to become stronger, safer, and more resilient through their roles as volunteers for Fire and Emergency, and through all their other community contributions. It is wonderful to see their efforts recognised today,” Fire and Emergency Board Chair, Rebecca Keoghan, says.

“On behalf of Fire and Emergency and the people of Aotearoa New Zealand, we wish to thank you for your outstanding service – your communities are richer for your work.”

Congratulations to the four recipients. Read more about their achievements here: https://www.fireandemergency.nz/incidents-and-news/news-and-media/fire-and-emergency-kings-birthday-honours-recipients-congratulated-2/

Ronald (Ron) Ealam (Oxford) – Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to Search and Rescue

Marius Bron (Fox Glacier) – King’s Service Medal (KSM) for services to Search and Rescue and the community

Gavin Dennis (Matatā) – King’s Service Medal (KSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community

Alan (Curly) Troon (Taihape) – King’s Service Medal (KSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

Source: WEAll Aotearoa New Zealand