Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Marine Environment – Alliance renews call for bottom trawling ban in Hauraki Gulf

Source: Greenpeace

Members of the Hauraki Gulf Alliance have deployed a massive ‘Ban Bottom Trawling’ banner on the deck of the Rainbow Warrior, demanding an end to destructive bottom trawling in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.The Alliance, which includes Forest & Bird, LegaSea and Greenpeace, has a long-running campaign to remove trawling from Hauraki Gulf and the renewed call comes as bottom trawling faces increased public scrutiny.
Speaking from the Rainbow Warrior, in the Gulf, “Heal the Hauraki” documentary producer Mandy Kupenga says:”For too long, the practice of bottom trawling has bulldozed the rich and fragile ecosystems beneath the surface of the Hauraki Gulf. Entire ocean communities have been devastated. What happens beneath the waves doesn’t stay there-when we lose biodiversity in the sea, we lose part of what sustains life on land as well.
“We cannot continue turning a blind eye. It’s time to restore the mauri-the life force-of the Gulf, and honour our responsibility to future generations. Ending bottom trawling in and around the Hauraki Gulf isn’t just a conservation decision. It’s a moral one.”
Gulf advocate Shaun Lee says the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries “needs to listen to 97.2% of 8,909 submitters who have asked for a full ban on bottom impact fishing in the Gulf”. LegaSea spokesperson Benn Winlove says he is disappointed the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries is willing to ignore such strong public sentiment against bottom trawling.
“Public opposition to environmental destruction is growing and it’s incredible that a Minister in charge of ensuring sustainability of fish populations and their habitat is willing to let bottom trawling continue in the Gulf, let alone in the Marine Park.”
Bianca Ranson, campaigner from Forest & Bird, says:
“97% of submitters have called for a complete ban of bottom impact fishing in the Hauraki Gulf yet the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, Shane Jones, mocks Tīkapa Moana calling it ‘just a mud-stained bottom’. That is an insult to every living thing that dep

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Tourism – Southern Discoveries puts new emergency survival equipment to the test

Source: Southern Discoveries

Southern Discoveries has become the first tourism company in Milford Sound to be AF8-ready with specialist emergency survival equipment.

The longest-running Milford Sound cruise operator has fitted out its entire fleet of vehicles, including five coaches seating up to 250 people, with survival gear specifically designed for major earthquake events.
 
And the initiative has already got the attention of tourism trade partners.
 
Yesterday, Southern Discoveries’ coach team and senior managers attended a simulated training exercise near Queenstown to familiarise themselves with the life-saving gear they may need in an emergency situation. The drill at Wilson's Bay saw staff simulate realistic earthquake scenarios, practising shelter setup and testing rescue tools with the new equipment.
 
The specialist survival equipment has been supplied by Christchurch-based company The Survival Co., whose owner Peter Gillman was on-site during yesterday's training exercises.
 
Gillman says Southern Discoveries' investment in such an extensive range of survival and medical gear puts them ahead of others in the industry.
 
“Southern Discoveries is the first tourism operator to take this level of equipment from The Survival Co.,” he says. “They've taken the approach that if you're going to do it, you should do it properly, and that's exactly what's been achieved.”
 
The Survival Co. created a tailor-made package for the company, considering the additional challenges of remote locations like Milford Sound.
 
“We looked at the scenarios people might find themselves in and what particular hazards exist in these areas. This gear provides an opportunity to keep people safe and comfortable during an emergency situation until help arrives.”
 
Each of Southern Discoveries' five coaches is now equipped with long-life food supplies, bottled water, purification tablets, emergency shelter, headlamps, waterproof ponchos, survival blankets, personal hygiene items, and stretchers. The gear also includes four-person survival self-rescue backpacks, enabling passengers and drivers to evacuate safely if required, plus satellite communication devices with SOS and two-way texting capabilities to maintain contact in remote areas.
 
Survival packs will be placed in nine company vehicles and all coaches will carry Heartshine Samaritan AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) for immediate medical response capabilities. Grab-and-go packs have been placed in staff housing in Milford Sound.
 
Southern Discoveries CEO Kerry Walker says the delivery of the gear aligns with the company's goal of continuously improving and ensuring safety for guests and staff at all times.
 
“We operate in a region with significant seismic risks, so it's our responsibility to be prepared for any eventuality. This equipment provides genuine peace of mind for our staff, guests, and the local community,” Walker explains.
 
The proactive safety initiative has already received strong support from Southern Discoveries' international trade partners, particularly agents from the United States and Japan, who value the company's commitment to safety standards.
 
“We know our travel agent partners place high value on safety for their clients, so we're delighted to be able to provide this level of comfort,” Walker adds.
 
While Gillman notes his company is seeing increased interest from city councils and Civil Defence organisations, and is encouraged to see more tourism operators starting to invest in high-level survival equipment.
 
Walker adds: “We're proud to position ourselves as industry leaders in emergency preparedness, but we also want to encourage others to work with The Survival Co., who are experts in this area. One of Southern Discoveries' major trade partners has already contacted The Survival Co. to discuss obtaining safety gear for their organisation.”
 
About Southern Discoveries

Southern Discoveries is a local, family-owned company dedicated to sharing some of New Zealand's most iconic scenery and extraordinary experiences with the world. Operating for more than 70 years, Southern Discoveries is Milford Sound's original cruise operator, offering a wide range of incredible sightseeing and adventure activities in Fiordland. The company maintains an ongoing commitment to the conservation of Aotearoa's environment through sustainable tourism initiatives and the support of the Tawaki Project in partnership with DoC, the Fiordland Conservation Trust and the University of Otago.
www.southerndiscoveries.co.nz
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Property Market – Investor comeback: ‘Mums and Dads’ are eyeing up cheaper, existing properties – Cotality

Source: Commentary from Kelvin Davidson, Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist

Cotality's latest Buyer Classification data for June is in and it offers a full view of buyer behaviour across New Zealand for Q2. The figures point to a resilient and active first home buyer segment amid ongoing (but slightly lesser) affordability challenges. At the same time, ‘Mum and Dad’ investors continue to raise their activity levels, gravitating towards more affordable parts of the market.

First home buyers still strong
Over the three months to June, the broad tr

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Employment – Union for local government workers supports LGNZ recommendations to improve voter turnout

Source: PSA

The PSA supports Local Government New Zealand’s (LGNZ) recommendations for a return to in-person voting at local elections, and for the Electoral Commission take over running and publicising local elections.
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi represents over 11,000 local government workers, and has a total membership of over 96,000 people living, paying rates and voting across the country.
Currently local bodies are responsible for running their own elections, and most contract that job out to private firms.
“Private companies should not be running local body elections, it is not appropriate for something so important to the functioning of local democracy,” said PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons.
“The Electoral Commission is publicly accountable and already has a track record for delivering Parliamentary elections, we call on central government to give the Electoral Commission this role, with the proper resourcing to do it.”
“In person voting will help turn around the poor turnout rates in local elections,” said Fitzsimons. “We need to see much greater participation and a more well-informed and engaged voting public.”
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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Economy – Updates to Deposit Takers Act implementation timeline and standards – Reserve Bank

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

17 July 2025 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua has today published an updated implementation timeline for incoming changes to the prudential regulatory regime for deposit takers.

The Deposit Takers Act 2023 (DTA) modernises the regulatory framework to help ensure the safety and soundness of deposit takers and support a stable financial system that New Zealanders can trust. 

DTA standards will be issued by 31 May 2027 and come into effect on 1 December 2028.  

“The standards bring to life the prudential requirements deposit takers will need to meet to be licensed under the DTA,” Director Prudential Policy Jess Rowe says.  

Public consultation on the proposed standards took place across 2024 and 2025.  

“We're grateful for the insightful feedback received from submitters, and we're now hard at work preparing the exposure drafts of the standards,” Ms Rowe says.  

Exposure draft consultation will take place in three tranches, starting in October 2025.

Licensing of existing deposit takers will occur over an 18-month window, running from 1 June 2027 to 30 November 2028, ahead of the standards coming into effect on 1 December of that year. The change means all banks and non-bank deposit takers will be licensed under a single, coherent regulatory regime. In late 2025, we hope to communicate information about our approach to licensing existing deposit takers under the DTA.

Changes to the DTA implementation timeline were necessary to allow time for a review of key capital settings, announced on 31 March 2025. DTA standards were previously planned to come into effect in July 2028.

DTA timeline – Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=e1c35a6635&e=f3c68946f8

2025 Review of key capital settings: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=f4705877ae&e=f3c68946f8

Response to submissions on the non-core standards

In 2024, we received 25 submissions to public consultation on DTA non-core standards.  

In response to feedback, we have made changes to further support a proportionate approach, reduce the impact of compliance on deposit takers, and enhance potential competition in the market. Changes resulting from consultation include removing prescriptive detail and making requirements more flexible in certain areas.

Our overall assessment remains that we are striking a good balance between our primary financial stability mandate and our purposes and principles, including proportionality and competition.

Deposit Takers Non-Core Standards – Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Citizen Space: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=88eeb490a1&e=f3c68946f8

A summary of submissions on the Crisis Management Issues Paper has also been published.

Crisis management under the Deposit Takers Act 2023 – Issues Paper – Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Citizen Space: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=aaa9de9963&e=f3c68946f8
 

Terminology explained

Core standards

These are the standards that we will use as the criteria to determine the eligibility of existing banks and NBDTs for relicensing under the DTA.  

Non-core standards

These are the other standards that all deposit takers will need to comply with when the DTA standards regime starts but will not be used for relicensing existing deposit takers.

Deposit takers will need to comply with all standards when they come into force in 2028.

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Memorials – Potential Christchurch sites for National Erebus Memorial shared with families

Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage

“Potential National Erebus Memorial sites in Christchurch have been shared with Erebus families,” says Secretary for Culture and Heritage, Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae.
The sites have been identified as possible locations for the memorial, which will honour the 257 people who lost their lives in 1979, when Flight TE901 crashed into the slopes of Mt Erebus in Antarctica while on a sight-seeing tour.
“The potential sites we shared with Erebus families and members of Operation Overdue are Avon Riverbank in the central city, Cracroft Reserve in Cashmere and St James’ Church grounds in Harewood.”
No decisions have been made about locating the memorial in Christchurch or which of the potential sites may be selected.
The Ministry is currently seeking feedback from Erebus families on each of the potential sites.
“We are grateful to Erebus families for their continued engagement. Sharing these potential sites is an important step and we will carefully consider their feedback.
“We are committed to building this memorial – for the people who lost loved ones, for New Zealanders, and for those here and overseas impacted by the Erebus tragedy,” says Leauanae.
Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger says the city is honoured to be considered as a possible location for the memorial.
“On behalf of Christchurch, I extend a warm invitation to Erebus families to consider the city as a potential location for the memorial,” says Mayor Mauger.
“As a city, we have experienced tragedy and understand the deep impact the Erebus disaster continues to have on people across Aotearoa.
“Christchurch is long connected to Antarctica, we feel a deep sense of responsibility to honour the lives of your loved ones with great care and quiet dignity.”
Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage continues to work closely with Erebus families, mana whenua and stakeholders to find a site for the National Erebus Memorial.
More information
For more information about the National Erebus Memorial, visit our website: www.mch.govt.nz/our-work/memorials-and-commemorations/national-erebus-memorial
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Health – New low-risk drinking guidelines challenge outdated advice

Source: Alcohol Healthwatch

We all want the most up-to-date information to help us make informed choices for ourselves and our families.
This is why today Alcohol Healthwatch have just posted the most recent evidence-based low-risk drinking guidelines on their website.
New Zealand’s drinking guidelines are out of date and do not align with research showing there is no safe level of alcohol consumption, particularly for cancer risk.
Information obtained by RNZ shows the alcohol industry has worked to pause a review of the official low-risk drinking guidelines for New Zealand. These guidelines have not been updated since their release in 2011.
” Quality, evidence-based drinking guidelines are crucial to help people understand the risk from alcohol, and evidence shows risk is present even at low levels of alcohol consumption,” says Andrew Galloway, Executive Director of Alcohol Healthwatch.
“Low-risk drinking guidelines are a tool for individuals but also for health practitioners, (like GPs and emergency department staff) to use these when discussing alcohol use with their patients.”
Alcohol industry lobbyists were exposed by RNZ requesting that information about the review of the New Zealand low-risk drinking guidelines and links to other countries’ guidelines be removed from the Health NZ website.
The alcohol industry has a track record of opposing effective health policies. As a recent Public Health Communication Centre briefing on the rising influence of big business in policy making states: “t he alcohol industry profits when they impede effective policies, while individuals, wh ānau / families and taxpayers bear the costs, which fall disproportionately on Māori and low-income communities.”
A recent poll shows the majority of New Zealanders agree the alcohol industry should have no place in developing alcohol policy.
“As the official New Zealand low-risk drinking guidelines are out of date, and a review of the guidelines has been paused, we thought we’d offer the New Zealand public the most recent, credible and evidence-based guidelines. People in Aotearoa New Zealand deserve to know the risks from alcohol, our nation’s most harmful drug .”
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Rural News – Progress on rates reform – but only half the picture – Federated Farmers

Source: Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers is welcoming the Government’s moves to rein in soaring council rates but says key elements are missing from the reform bill announced yesterday.
“The proposed legislation rightly refocuses councils on core services – roads, water, rubbish, and basic infrastructure – something we’ve long called for,” Federated Farmers local government spokesperson Sandra Faulkner says.
“New financial performance measures, benchmarking and more regular public reporting should help drive greater transparency and accountability.”
But Faulkner says while the Local Government (Systems Improvements) Amendment Bill also contains some regulatory relief tweaks, it fails to address a major pressure point: the constant loading of councils with new, unfunded mandates.
There’s also no sign of ditching the 30% cap on uniform annual charges, or direction to councils they should use this tool more to distribute costs more fairly, instead of relying on property value-based rates that hit farmers hard.
“Federated Farmers is in no doubt that many councils need to show more financial discipline.
“Data shows the average dairy farmer’s rates in 2024/25 were $23,000, a 25% increase in the last five years. Rates for sheep and beef farms average $19,000, a 35% increase since 2020/21.
“These are huge amounts to come out of farmers’ budgets year after year and our rural families are really feeling the pressure,” Faulkner says.
Local Government Minister Simon Watt says the Government is working at pace to develop a rates cap model, expected later this year.
“Federated Farmers supports the idea – but it has to be well-designed,” Faulkner says.
“A lot of careful thought will be needed to get this right. There needs to be off-ramps for councils facing legitimate cost pressures for essential infrastructure like roads.
“Councils still need to be well-funded in the interests of maintaining robust infrastructure.”
She also warns a cap could affect Local Government Funding Authority credit ratings, potentially driving up borrowing costs for councils.
“The last thing councils need are higher debt interest costs from LGFA, the principal lender at competitive rates to local authorities.”
Faulkner says the bill and upcoming select committee hearings are a good chance to finally tackle bigger questions about council costs and funding.
“Minister Watts has ruled out new taxes or revenue tools for councils, with the Government saying there’s still scope to get better value from current rates. But that ignores half the equation.
“The bill acknowledges council rates rises are being driven by rising council costs, particularly for critical infrastructure.”
The Federated Farmers ‘Restoring Confidence in Local Decision-Making’ blueprint calls for local road and bridge maintenance and renewal costs to be funded 90% from road user charges, rather than the current situation where ratepayers fork out just under 50% of these costs.
“And we think there should be local referendums for any large council commercial projects – such as stadiums and conference centres – if they cost more than $500 per rateable property.” 
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Local News – Families meet as part of Porirua Hospital Memorial project

Source: Porirua City Council

A meeting with family members of those in interred in unmarked graves in Porirua Cemetery attracted more than 50 people, as the Council applies for funding for a fitting memorial.
The meeting, on 28 June at the cemetery, was spurred to take place by some of the families once it became public that the Council wanted to memorialise more than 1800 former Porirua Hospital patients. Cemeteries manager Daniel Chrisp says it was pleasing that so many people had been in touch about the project.
“It’s fantastic that we’ve got to this point, having the descendants of those in unmarked graves encouraged to be involved,” he says.
Chrisp says his team have placed 99 pegs on the unmarked plots at Porirua Cemetery to represent all the families who have contacted the Council.
“One family member told me at the meeting it was deeply moving to see the markers and being able to photograph where two family members had been interred. These plots represent mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, children and other relatives – so it’s important to a lot of people.”
The Porirua Lunatic Asylum, later Porirua Hospital, opened in 1887. At its height, in the 1960s, it had more than 2000 patients and staff and covered 1000 acres of land, making it one of the largest hospitals in the country.
By the 1980s, many patients were in community-based care and the hospital was closed in the 1990s.
As part of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into abuse in care, the Government has set up a fund for headstones for patients buried in unmarked graves throughout the country.
Council has now submitted an application to this fund for $200,000 to install a fitting memorial that lists every single name known to be in an unmarked grave.
Chrisp says the public is welcome to head to Porirua Cemetery and view the pegs to see the scale of the project.
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Events – Step Up for Guide Dogs This Winter: Join the PAWGUST Challenge

Source: Blind Low Vision NZ

This August, Kiwis are lacing up their walking shoes and joining PAWGUST, a nationwide challenge supporting the guide dogs who help New Zealanders live life without limits.

Whether you’re walking solo or side-by-side with your dog, PAWGUST invites you to step outside every day in August and help raise vital funds for Blind Low Vision NZ Guide Dogs. Participants commit to walking or running a set distance while gathering sponsorship from fri