Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Education – Open Letter to Ministers of Education from South Otago Principals’ Association

Source: NZ Principals Federation

Open Letter follows:
Ministers of Education
Parliament Buildings Wellington
Dear Erica Stanford and David Seymour
The South Otago Principals Association is very concerned about the recent interventions by the government into education policy and procedure.
We are very concerned about the pace of change and the political nature of this change. We have long believed that education has become too much of a political football and that changes have been made by those who are not directly involved at the coal face of education.
We support the New Zealand Principals' Association in their stand over changes to the NZ Teachers Council. We are alarmed by the changes to the structure of this professional body and insist that these changes are not rushed through until there is sufficient time for consultation to take place.
We are also deeply concerned about the legislative changes which strip boards of their obligations to recognise Te Tiriti o Waitangi as this document has always provided schools with a basis to support actions to lift Māori achievement and provide equity of access to education for all students.
The South Otago Principals' Association wishes to very clearly voice its concerns about the pace of change in the Maths and English Curriculum implementation. Schools have worked very hard on implementing the 2024 curriculum over the previous 12 months – in good faith – and felt blind-sided when the new “new” curriculum version arrived without warning. Now it appears that we only have until the beginning of 2026 to have these “revised” versions implemented. Having this arrive at the end of an already busy year, with an expectation of rushed implementation, is not manageable. In alignment with the NZPF, we would like to request that the expected implementation of these 2 Curriculum areas be deferred till the start of Term 3 2026. This would allow schools to have the necessary professional development required to make these changes. We are exhausted by the continual changes.
We are also deeply concerned about the content proposed in the new curriculum areas and the timeline for consultation and implementation. Anyone directly involved in education knows that the remainder of the school year is taken up with a multitude of end of year tasks. It is inconceivable that educators will have the time to look deeply into these new documents and be able to take part in meaningful consultation by April 2026.
We ask that the consultation period be extended and the implementation of the new curriculum deferred until the beginning of 2028.
We are also concerned that the input made by recognised NZ experts in these curriculum areas has been ignored and it appears to no longer be a “New Zealand Curriculum”
Our Principals are tired and suffering from the impact of continual change. It appears that the only thing certain at the moment is further change. The analogy of the plane being built while it is already in the air has never been more true. This is not the way that our education system should be developed. You should know better!
South Otago Principals support the stand taken by NZPF to:
 – Halt the restructure of the NZ Teacher's Council to give time for meaningful consultation
 – Rethink the legislative change to boards' responsibility to recognise Te Tiriti o Waitangi 
 – Defer the implementation of the Maths and English curriculum until Term 3 2026
 – Defer the implementation of other curriculum areas until the beginning of 2028 to allow for adequate and meaningful consultation regarding their content and relevance to NZ education
Yours Sincerely
Anneta Payne
Chairperson
South Otago Principals Association
Kaitangata School
Balclutha Primary School
Stirling School
Romahapa School
Warepa School
Tokoiti School
St Joseph's School
Rosebank School Taieri Beach School 
Waiwera South School.
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Health – Lung transplant survivor to tackle Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge one year after surgery

Source: Asthma and Respiratory Foundation

She couldn't blow out the candles on her 50th birthday cake.
Now, with a stranger’s lungs in her chest, Kath Cross is gearing up to ride 30 kilometres in one of New Zealand’s toughest cycling events.
The 52-year-old Rotorua woman will line up for the 30km mountain bike ride at the Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge next week (Saturday 29 November), one year on from having a double-lung transplant.
She’s doing it not just for herself, but to raise awareness and funds for the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ.
“I’ve been given a new life – it feels so surreal,” she says.
“This ride is my way of giving back, and showing people what’s possible.”
Kath lives with rheumatoid arthritis-associated obliterative bronchiolitis (RA-OB), a rare lung disease that mimics “popcorn lung.”
Initially misdiagnosed as COPD, she was prescribed inhalers and nebulisers that never worked.
“Eventually, they did more tests and found my lung function was just 29%,” she says.
The next two and a half years were a downward spiral.
“I couldn’t walk to the letterbox without stopping for breath.”
Doctors eventually told her she may have only a year to live and placed her on the active waitlist for a transplant.
“I remember thinking, ‘This isn’t the end. I’ve got to keep going.’”
Six months later, the call came. In October 2024, she became New Zealand lung transplant recipient #420.
Seven weeks after her miracle surgery, she was home, and the very first thing she did was get back on her bike.
“I biked 5km. It felt amazing just to move again.”
Mountain biking has long been her passion. During Covid lockdowns, she and her husband John rode together every day.
“John’s been my rock through all of this. I couldn’t have done it without him.”
Kath doesn’t know much about her donor – only that she was a 61-year-old woman – but she plans to write to the family soon.
“I want them to know I’m living the best life I can. It really is the ultimate gift.”
Her lung function is now at 72% and she’s hoping to get to 100% – or close to.
Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ Chief Executive Ms Letitia Harding says Kath’s strength and determination will resonate with many people facing respiratory challenges.
“Kath’s positivity and determination are truly inspiring, and we’re grateful for the support and awareness she is helping to raise.”
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Advocacy – Public Response from Palestine Forum of New Zealand – Regarding the Statement by Mataara Mai on the Planned Meeting at Te Kuirau Marae

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

Tēnā koutou katoa,

Palestine Forum of New Zealand stands alongside Mataara Mai and all those who have raised deep concern about the planned gathering at Te Kuirau Marae involving representatives of the Israeli Embassy Board and the so-called Indigenous Coalition for Israel.

Te Kuirau Marae has a proud history of standing with oppressed peoples, including the Palestinian community. It was a place where solidarity was expressed openly and with dignity:
• during the Rotorua for Palestine hīkoi in November 2023, opened by the late Koro Bom Gillies,
• and again during the Mataara Mai gathering in January 2024.

These moments were grounded in aroha, justice, and shared struggle against colonisation.

Welcoming representatives who openly support and justify violence, displacement, and ongoing atrocities against the Indigenous people of Palestine stands in direct contradiction to the values that marae uphold: aroha, manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga, justice, and Indigenous sovereignty.

Such a decision risks:
• diminishing the mana of the marae,
• undermining community wellbeing,
• damaging relationships between Indigenous peoples globally,
• and affecting how future generations will understand the moral choices made today.

Any engagement of this nature must be transparent, accountable, and grounded in truth. It cannot proceed without open kōrero with the communities who will be most affected.

Palestine Forum of New Zealand affirms its unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people and with all Indigenous peoples resisting colonisation. We acknowledge those who have spoken up with courage and clarity in defence of justice.

Let truth, aroha, and the shared struggle for liberation guide us forward.

Palestine Forum of New Zealand

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Indigenous land cover continues to decline – Stats NZ news story


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Work Sites – RBNZ Wellington building to reopen following isolated asbestos disturbance

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

20 November 2025 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand's Wellington building will reopen on Friday 21 November following the successful remediation of an isolated asbestos disturbance.

The remediation work has been fully assessed by a specialist asbestos consultant following removal works undertaken by a Class A licensed asbestos removal contractor. As part of this process, WorkSafe New Zealand reviewed all documentation and has confirmed that the area is safe for building re-entry.

The building closure has not impacted RBNZ operations.

Despite the reopening of the Reserve Bank's Wellington building, plans to host the November Monetary Policy Statement media conference from the RBNZ's Auckland premises on Wednesday 26 November will proceed as planned.

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Greenpeace – Gore nitrate testing results still reaching reproductive risk levels

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace Aotearoa is sounding the alarm over the nitrate level in Gore’s town supply following the organisation’s drinking water testing event held in the township today.
The organisation found the town supply was at approximately 4.8 mg/L nitrate contamination – approaching the level associated with an increased risk of preterm birth.
Greenpeace spokesperson Will Appelbe says, “Here in Gore, the town drinking water supply is contaminated with unacceptably high levels of nitrate, and it could be putting pregnant people at risk. Everyone, no matter where they live, should be able to safely drink the water out of their kitchen tap, but pregnant residents of Gore can’t do that because of an increased risk of preterm birth.”
“The intensive dairy industry, led by Fonterra, is responsible for worsening drinking water contamination in Aotearoa. In Canterbury, the regional council has already declared a nitrate emergency. Other areas of intensive dairying are likely to follow – especially Southland.”
“We have a clear instance of drinking water disparity here in Aotearoa. Rural New Zealanders have less access to safe, clean drinking water than those living in big cities – and that is absolutely unacceptable. People who have done nothing to contribute to the contamination are forced to clean up the water pollution caused by Fonterra’s intensive dairying practices.”
“Ultimately, we need to stop nitrate pollution at the source. The Government must lower the cap on synthetic nitrogen fertiliser, and reduce the number of dairy cows allowed on the land. Ultimately, we need to transition away from intensive dairying, towards more ecological farming practices that protect people's access to safe drinking water.”
Greenpeace will be in Waimate and Darfield this weekend providing free drinking water testing. Details for these events are below.
Waimate: Saturday 22nd November, Waimate Event Centre, 10am-4pm
Darfield: Sunday 23rd November, Darfield Recreation Centre, 11am-4pm
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Health and Politics – Puberty blocker ban will hurt young people: Child and Youth nurses – NZNO

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

The decision to ban new prescriptions for puberty blockers will hurt young people, the NZNO College of Child and Youth Nurses (CCYN) Tapuhitia Ngā Mokopuna Mō Apōpō says.
Minister of Health Simeon Brown yesterday announced a halt to new prescription of GnRH analogues for young transgender people.
CCYN spokesperson Michael Brenndorfer, a Nurse Practitioner with nearly a decade of experience providing gender affirming healthcare to young people, says the College is deeply disappointed and concerned about the decision.
“This will have a negative impact on the mental health of our young people.
“Puberty blockers have been used safely and cautiously internationally for decades to support transgender young people navigate gender dysphoria,” he says.
“This sudden political decision to undermine clinical decisions made in consultation with young people and their whānau is deeply concerning. This decision has been made on purely political grounds.
“It is an imported culture war founded on politics from overseas and has nothing to do with health care best practice for children and young people,” Michael Brenndorfer says.
Earlier this year the CCYN backed an open letter signed with 13 other health professional bodies in Aotearoa New Zealand, supporting the continued use of puberty blockers for transgender youth.
Michael Brenndorfer says the timing of this decision, the day before the International Transgender Day of Remembrance which remembers the death of transgender people to transphobic acts of violence, “is an additionally cruel aspect to this announcement”.
“We call on the Minister of Health to reverse this decision immediately, and to urgently increase mental health support to respond to the unnecessary distress this announcement will have caused to young people and their families,” he says. 
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Advocacy – Statement by the Palestine Forum of New Zealand on World Children’s Day – 20 November

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

World Children’s Day is observed every year on 20 November, marking two foundational moments in international human rights: the United Nations’ adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959, and thirty years later, the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. These landmark commitments affirm the world’s collective obligation to safeguard every child’s right to life, protection, education, dignity, and a future filled with promise.

As we commemorate these global achievements, the Palestine Forum of New Zealand draws urgent attention to the children of Palestine, especially the children of Gaza, who continue to be denied the very rights this day was created to uphold.

For decades, Palestinian children have endured conditions no child anywhere should ever face. In Gaza, successive assaults, years of blockade, and the collapse of essential services have left children traumatised, displaced, orphaned, and struggling for survival. Their schools have been destroyed, their homes reduced to rubble, and their futures placed under constant threat. They are children who should be playing, learning, and dreaming—yet instead, they live with fear, loss, and uncertainty.

On this World Children’s Day, we honour their courage and resilience, and we reaffirm that Palestinian children deserve the same rights and protections afforded to children everywhere else. The international community cannot celebrate this day with integrity while Gazan children continue to suffer violations of the most basic human rights.

The Palestine Forum of New Zealand calls upon global leaders, humanitarian agencies, and all people of conscience to uphold the commitments made on 20 November 1959 and 1989. Protecting Palestinian children is not a political stance, it is a fundamental moral and human obligation.

Every child matters.
Every Palestinian child matters.

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Earth Sciences – It’s breeding season for invasive clam

Source: Earth Sciences New Zealand

View the  Silent Super Spreaders video
Earth Science NZ researchers are seeing signs that breeding season for the invasive freshwater gold clam ( Corbicula fluminea) has begun.
Earth Sciences NZ Principal Technician Karen Thompson says gold clams are breeding machines.
“It’s breeding time in the Waikato River, but this is no cause for celebration. Tiny clams have recently been seen in both adult clam and water column samples collected from Lake Karāpiro, meaning we are in a period of heightened risk of spread. Our team have found the next generation is already maturing in adult clam brood pouches getting ready for release,” says Karen.
Invasive gold clams are hermaphroditic, so they possess both male and female reproductive organs and self-fertilise, a significant advantage for their rapid population growth.
Adult clams have a lifespan of one to five years and are known to spawn multiple times per breeding season, depending on environmental conditions. They have high reproductive rates, with an average individual producing around 70,000 larvae per season.
Karen says that the juvenile phase presents a distinct biosecurity challenge.
Each clam releases larvae by the thousands into the water column that are easily dispersed by water currents and human activities. During this stage, the clams are fully formed, allowing them to spread rapidly within waterbodies and establish in new areas.
“At roughly 0.2 mm, which is smaller than a grain of sand, these juveniles are not visible to the naked eye, meaning they can easily go undetected on clothing, equipment, craft or in water removed from infested areas,” she says.
Invasive gold clams were first confirmed in Aotearoa-New Zealand in May 2023 at Lake Karāpiro, and by the end of that year had been visually identified throughout much of the Waikato River downstream of Lake Maraetai. They were recently detected in Lake Rotomanu, Taranaki.
An Earth Sciences NZ-led five-year research programme aims to stop the invasive clam from spreading further and protect our important native species.
Programme lead and Principal Scientist – Freshwater Ecology Dr Deborah Hofstra says they are working to find effective, culturally attuned ways to manage this invader.
“We all have a role to play by following ‘Check Clean Dry’ procedures any time we are in our lakes and rivers. This is particularly important during the heightened risk of the clams breeding season,” says Deborah.
Invasive gold clams have been given the legal status of an Unwanted Organism under the Biosecurity Act. This means that people must not knowingly move them or water that may contain them. They are also not safe to eat.
People can still use the Waikato River for recreation, including boating and fishing, or gathering of kai if they follow the requirements of the controlled area notices ‘Check Clean Dry’ procedures before moving their equipment or craft.
When using or moving between waterways you must follow ‘Check Clean Dry’ procedures.
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Tech – Free grassroots AI training is changing nonprofits in regional NZ

Source: Rata Foundation

A grassroots community-led AI education programme specifically designed for not-for-profits is helping organisations save thousands of dollars while building confidence in emerging technology.
The Not-For-Profit AI Capacity Building Programme, developed by Nelson AI Sandbox (NAIS), is a free education initiative aiming to bridge the digital divide by equipping non-profits and community groups with practical AI knowledge, tools, and governance frameworks.
Founder Richard Brudvik-Lindner says: “The Nelson AI Sandbox appears to be the first and only grassroots, community-supported AI capacity-building organisation of its kind anywhere in the world. Our goal is to provide an unintimidating space for people to learn about AI tools and software, with the long-term aim of increasing productivity and opportunity in the region. The workshops are a way for us to do this, while also trying to create intergenerational cohesion and a place for everybody at the digital table.”
Phase one of the programme was delivered between February and March this year to around 120 participants from over 60 organisations in Nelson. Phase two extended the programme to include Marlborough and Motueka, to include around 300 participants from 150 organisations.
The programme includes in-person workshops, online tutorials, a champions network, and a train-the-trainer programme. It also addresses concerns about AI technology through training on safety and ethics, including data bias, privacy, security, data sovereignty and environmental impact. In addition, the second phase will include the creation of online resources.
NAIS is co-located in Nelson’s main public library and the Nelson-Marlborough Institute of Technology’s Mahitahi Colab and operates with approximately 20 active volunteers who bring diverse expertise from coding to business and marketing backgrounds.
Mr Brudvik-Lindner brings 25 years of experience from Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sega to the community initiative, establishing the Sandbox in 2023 just months after the launch of ChatGPT. “Within a couple of months of ChatGPT's release, a few of us were talking about this being a total game changer and asking how we could best prepare our community to leverage this tool. If a community wants to become prosperous and have an equitable economy, then everybody's going to need to know how to use AI.”
Sloane Bayley, who leads the workshop delivery, says the focus is on ensuring the technology is available and accessible to everyone. “We realised there might be businesses and organisations that get training rolled out, but not-for-profits don't have access to that – it's either costly or time prohibitive. By providing the training for free, we're hopefully taking away the main barrier.
“The great thing about AI is you don't need to be a coder or technical expert. We're giving them tips on how to prompt and very quickly showing them how to do things like write grant funding proposals and meeting minutes and also coming up with AI policies for the safe use of this technology – the key things we'd heard organisations were struggling with, especially around the board table.”
Funding for the education programme is through Rātā Foundation’s Strengthening the Sector funding, aimed at supporting organisations to build capability and capacity. Head of Community Investment Kate Sclater says high demand for additional sessions and the significant benefits reported by course attendees are clear indicators of the programme’s success.
“To enable long-term sustainability and create conditions for community organisations to thrive, Rātā invests in opportunities to strengthen the community sector. AI has the potential to transform the not-for-profit sector by enhancing data analysis, improving decision-making, and automating routine tasks, yet many organisations don’t know where to even start, with the real risk that they could be left behind with this new technology.
“This programme provides practical tools and skills for organisations to integrate AI into their day-to-day operations, regardless of limited resources or financial constraints, and we are already seeing the tangible benefits for many of the organisations who attended the programme. Increasing AI literacy is a key way we can support and empower organisations to build their capability, enhance their resilience, and innovate in response to the changing environment.”
Mr Brudvik-Lindner says the response to the pilot programme has been “incredibly positive”, with the new round of funding enabling them to build on that success.
“This additional funding lets us build on what we've achieved and reach more organisations to make sure not-for-profits can use AI effectively and ethically, while also ensuring they don’t miss out on all the benefits of AI integration. We believe this programme could be a model of AI capacity-building for all of New Zealand, if not the world.”
After completing phase one of the course, attendees reported that the benefits of AI integration included cost and time savings, increased productivity and an increase in staff confidence. Whenua Iti Outdoors Systems Improvement Lead Geraldine Stones estimates AI will help to save the organisation around $20,000 a year, through improved troubleshooting and reduced reliance on external support. “The knowledge I have gained from attending AI Sandbox workshops and subsequently using ChatGPT has been transformational for my role. Tasks that once took hours now take minutes. I've saved around $150 an hour on coding and process solutions that I previously would've needed to outsource to external contractors.”
Y-Nelson implemented AI tools including ChatGPT and Fireflies.ai after attending the workshops, using them for report compilation, lesson planning, social media communications, and meeting recordings. Executive Director Sean Trengrove says they have seen firsthand the positive impact the training has had on staff and their wider community. “AI isn’t replacing our people – it’s strengthening them. It’s giving our team the confidence and tools to be more creative, efficient, and mission-focused. That’s a win for us and for the community we serve.”
Nelson Environment Centre Funding and Data Coordinator Kelli Campbell says the use of AI has enabled the organisation to reduce time spent on tasks, such as planning events and writing government submissions. “The NAIS workshop helped me start using AI. Before the course, I was cautious and didn't understand the power of AI. I now use it daily and it helps me to do so many parts of my job. It is a powerful tool that can help not-for-profits to grow. It frees up time for those in the not-for-profit space to actually focus on the important work that they do.”