Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Business Events – First-ever Raine & Horne National Conference celebrates growth, resilience, and community in New Zealand

Source: Raine & Horne

Highlights

  • Raine & Horne will host its first-ever standalone New Zealand National Conference at Rydges Rotorua on 12–13 August, bringing together real estate professionals from its 60+ office network.
  • The event featured inspiring keynotes from adventurer Kevin Biggar and psychologist Dr Paul Wood, powerful success stories from within the Raine & Horne network, and the announcement of a major two-year partnership with Kiwi children’s charity KidsCan.
  • The conference will conclude with a Gala Awards Night hosted by television presenter Hilary Barry, celebrating excellence in sales, property management, and administration.

Rotorua, NZ (7 August 2025): Raine & Horne, one of Australasia’s leading real estate brands, has marked another significant milestone in New Zealand with its first-ever national conference, uniting agents from its 60+ office network.

The two-day event, held on 12–13 August at Rydges Rotorua, comes just over a year after Raine & Horne cemented its footprint in New Zealand by acquiring the Mike Pero Real Estate Group from Liberty Financial Group.

James Shepherd, General Manager, Raine & Horne, said the conference marks a defining chapter in the super brand’s New Zealand journey.

“When we launched into the New Zealand real estate market in 2023, we knew it was the start of something special,” Mr Shepherd said.

“Fast-forward just over two years and not only have we grown to over 60 offices, but we’ve also welcomed the Mike Pero Real Estate network into the Raine & Horne family.”

Mr Shepherd continued, “Our inaugural conference is about more than celebrating growth—it’s about connecting, sharing ideas, and setting the stage for even bigger achievements in the future.”

A landmark program of ideas and inspiration

The 2025 Raine & Horne New Zealand Conference promises an inspiring program featuring keynote presentations from adventurer and author Kevin Biggar, who famously won the 2003 Transatlantic Rowing race and became the first Kiwi to trek unsupported to the South Pole.

Also taking the stage is Dr Paul Wood, renowned psychologist and motivational speaker whose journey from prison to best-selling author is nothing short of extraordinary.

Conference attendees will also hear powerful stories from within the Raine & Horne network, including some from agents who have overcome extraordinary challenges, to achieve remarkable success.

“What sets our conference apart is that it’s not solely focused on business operations,” said Mr Shepherd.

“This event is about connection, inspiration, and celebrating resilience during a time of significant change for our network.”

Community partnership with KidsCan

Another key highlight of the conference will be the announcement of a significant two-year financial partnership between KidsCan—a charity dedicated to helping Kiwi children living in poverty—and Raine & Horne.

“Giving back to the communities we serve is part of who we are,” said Mr Shepherd. “Partnering with KidsCan allows us to make a tangible difference where it matters most.”

Networking, learning, and celebration

The two-day conference will wrap up with a spectacular Gala Awards Night at Rydges Rotorua, hosted by prominent television presenter and Seven Sharp host Hilary Barry.

The event will celebrate excellence and innovation in sales, property management, and administration across the Raine & Horne network.

Drawing inspiration from the nearby Redwood Forest, the gala will reflect the natural beauty of the central North Island location.

“Our people are our greatest strength. The Conference in combination with the Gala Awards is about recognising their achievements and ensuring they have the tools and connections to thrive,” Mr Shepherd concluded.

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Economy – Strong relationships highlighted in RBNZ Relationship Charter Survey

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

7 August 2025 – Strong relationships continue to be built and maintained with New Zealand's banks, insurers, and Non-Bank Deposit Takers, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's latest Relationship Charter Survey shows.

In this year's Relationship Charter Survey, 97% of regulated entities rated their relationship with the Reserve Bank as 'good' or 'very good'.

The relationship charter sets out principles for maintaining the best regulator-regulated relationships possible and commits Te Pūtea Matua and the financial sector to a mutual understanding of how both parties will work together to achieve this.

Director Specialist Supervision, Scott McKinnon says building good relationships with industry, guided by the Charter, helps to keep New Zealand's financial system stable and resilient.

“It is heartening to see through the Relationship Charter Survey results that we have continued to maintain positive relationships with the deposit taking and insurance sectors.”

“Half of stakeholders highlighted our communication as a key strength of the past 12 months. In particular, they appreciated our responsive, visible and timely communication style.”

“We will also be taking on board some of the valuable suggestions about how we could do things better and make changes where appropriate,” Mr McKinnon says.

The Relationship Charter was launched in 2018, and this is the sixth year the Reserve Bank has commissioned a survey of how key stakeholders consider it is performing against the commitments in the Charter.

The 2025 edition of this survey was focused on more senior stakeholders who we have the most regular contact with, reducing the number of respondents from previous years, but providing more valuable insights.

More information

Relationship Charter Survey 2025 Results: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=87367991d6&e=f3c68946f8

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Insurance Sector – Insurers call for stronger direction on reducing natural hazard risk

Source: Insurance Council of NZ

The Insurance Council of New Zealand | Te Kāhui Inihui o Aotearoa (ICNZ) is urging the Government to provide stronger national direction to better manage natural hazards risks like flooding and landslips and avoid developments in high-risk areas.
The Government has recently consulted on a National Policy Statement (NPS) for Natural Hazards, aimed at improving how natural hazard risks are considered in land-use planning decisions.
“New Zealand faces significant natural hazard risks, including flooding, landslips, coastal inundation and sea level rise and these risks are intensifying with the science indicating the prospect of more frequent and severe climate related events,” ICNZ Chief Executive Kris Faafoi said.
“As Prime Minister Christopher Luxon acknowledged recently, we can’t keep building in dumb places that put Kiwis in harm’s way. By reducing the risk, we keep insurance accessible for our communities.
“We support the Government’s focus on strengthening the planning system to deal with natural hazards. A strong, clear national policy will empower councils to control development in areas exposed to high hazard risk.
“The draft NPS from the Ministry for the Environment is an important step forward and an improvement on the current approach.
“However, we believe it doesn’t go far enough. Many councils are already following the intent of the draft NPS in their natural hazard decisions. What’s needed now is a policy with real strength.
“We support strengthening the NPS to give councils greater confidence to stop development in high-risk areas. We believe the NPS in its current form creates more uncertainty which may increase the risk of councils having their decisions relitigated.
“ICNZ and its members have been engaging with councils and agree that clearer rules and stronger tools are needed to help them make better decisions to reduce risk and protect their communities. This will also support the future accessibility of insurance in these areas.
“The proposal also risks undermining national consistency by offering too much flexibility, which could dilute the effectiveness of the policy.
“We all know it makes sense to act before disaster strikes, rather than start over, particularly as New Zealand faces increasing risks from climate-related events.
“A clear and strong national direction will help lay the foundation for a more resilient future that protects communities, supports informed planning decisions, and ensures insurance remains accessible,” Kris Faafoi said.
You can read ICNZ’s submission on the NPS for Natural Hazards here. 
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Govt – Children the priority for the Social Investment Fund

Source: Social Investment Agency

Children of families with complex needs are the priority groups for the first round of the Social Investment Fund, Secretary for Social Investment Andrew Coster announced today.
“To qualify for funding under this initiative, organisations that provide social services will need to be working with one (or more) of the following groups: children whose parent(s) are currently or have recently been in prison, children of parent(s) who experienced the care system, and children that were stood down or suspended from school when they were 12 or younger.
“We know children who have had these experiences are more likely to experience poor outcomes and require significant social support throughout their lives. We want to work alongside organisations in the community to support these whānau and families to ensure the best outcomes for tamariki.
“The Social Investment Fund is designed to work differently to ensure government, the social sector and other partners can work smarter to make a positive difference in the lives of New Zealanders. We’ve heard from the sector that they want to work differently with government, and we’re committed to doing that through the Fund.
“This funding opportunity is the first of four potential pathways providers can access through the Social Investment Fund, all aimed at unlocking opportunities to deliver better services, change the way government works with these partners and use data to improve the impact of government investment in social services,” Mr Coster said.
The Fund will open for applications on 25 August 2025.
Information on the Social Investment Fund is on the Social Investment Agency’s website: www.sia.govt.nz
Notes
The Social Investment Fund (round one) will be open for applications on 25 August 2025
The first three initiatives that have already been announced by the Social Investment Fund as demonstration projects are:
Autism New Zealand’s early screening and intervention programme that provides services and support for family/whānau, caregivers and professionals.
Ka Puta Ka Ora Emerge Aotearoa’s evidence-based approach to tackling youth offending and truancy that will help at least 80 families each year to address youth offending and truancy; and
The He Piringa Whare programme with Te Tihi o Ruahine, an alliance of nine hapū, iwi, Māori organisations and providers that will support 130 families at a time with a wraparound service that supports stable housing, education, training and employment, and other services.
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Greenpeace extends invitation to Gore District Mayor to work together on drinking water crisis

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace Aotearoa has written to Gore District Mayor Ben Bell to extend an invitation to work together on combatting drinking water nitrate contamination. This follows the organisation’s protest in Gore in late July when nitrate levels in the town water supply exceeded safe limits.
Greenpeace Aotearoa spokesperson Will Appelbe says “What Gore’s drinking water crisis highlights is something that we’ve known for a long time – we cannot allow unchecked dairy industry pollution to continue.”
“The intensive dairy industry, led by Fonterra, is contaminating rural people’s drinking water, and they are refusing to take responsibility for their actions. Meanwhile communities like Gore are left to pick up the cost in the form of unsafe drinking water.”
The letter from Greenpeace outlines the organisation's public health concerns over the unsafe levels of nitrate in Gore’s water supply, and subsequent comments from Mayor Ben Bell which called the current limit for nitrate in drinking water a ‘safe level’.
A growing body of scientific evidence has linked several health risks with much lower levels of nitrate contamination. Long-term exposure to levels of nitrate as low as 1 mg/L has been linked to an increased risk of bowel cancer. And if pregnant people drink water with nitrate levels of 5 mg/L, there is increased risk of preterm birth.
Appelbe says “Everyone should be able to safely drink the water coming out of their kitchen tap, but thanks to the intensive dairy industry – led by companies like Fonterra – the health of communities in places like Gore is being put at risk.”
“New Zealand is at the knife-edge of corporate greed. The intensive dairy industry is destroying lakes, rivers, and drinking water to make as much money as they can, and everyone else bears the cost with polluted drinking water and inflated dairy prices.”
“We’ve invited the Mayor to work together with us to protect source water and ensure that crises like what we’ve seen in Gore in recent weeks don’t happen again.”
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Tax Reform – Proposed privatisation will undermine integrity of revenue collection

Source: Tax Justice Aotearoa

The announcement by the Minister of Transport today of the privatisation of road user charge collection has been challenged by Tax Justice Aotearoa as undermining the integrity of the revenue gathering system.

“We are deeply concerned by this initiative as using the power of the state to require citizens to pay charges decided by the state is a core function of government,” says Glenn Barclay Chair of Tax Justice Aotearoa. “It should not be for the profit of anyone and it means that the details of thousands of road users will be held and managed by private organisations with no accountability back to the public.”

“The Minister talks about competition but you don't want or need competition in the conduct of such basic government function and its hard to see how there would be real competition when the charges are fixed by the government,” says Glenn Barclay. “Private companies also have additional costs arising from their need to pay returns to shareholders and to borrow money at commercial rates, so ultimately it is hard to see how this might drive any savings for government or the public.”

Tax Justice Aotearoa is also questioning the grounds on which the decision was made.

“It is buried in a press release from the Minister about the modernisation of the road user charging system, without any information about the problem this policy change will be addressing and what other options have been considered,” says Glenn Barclay. “So it is not just a bad policy but also a bad policy process.”

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Faire Expands to New Zealand and 14 Additional European Countries, Bringing Global Wholesale Platform to Nearly 35 Countries Worldwide

Source: Faire

Platform's Continued International Growth Unlocks New Opportunities for Independent Retailers and Brands Around the Globe

SAN FRANCISCO – Faire, the leading online wholesale platform, today announced its expansion into New Zealand and 14 additional countries across Europe, making its global network of curated brands and powerful business tools available to independent retailers across nearly 35 countries worldwide. This expansion marks Faire's broadest international rollout to date and underscores its growing role as the preferred platform for independent retailers and brands worldwide.

Over the past four years, Faire has rapidly expanded across Europe's largest markets, covering 70% of Europe's GDP and becoming a key global partner for independent businesses navigating a complex retail landscape. Today, Europe is growing twice as fast as North America, with brands on the continent fulfilling over 2 million orders on Faire and retailers spending nearly $500 million to date.

“Independent retailers are the heart of local economies around the world, and our mission has always been to help them thrive,” said Max Rhodes, co-founder and CEO of Faire. “This expansion doubles our reach across Europe and ext

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Health – Alzheimers NZ welcomes long overdue update on Health NZ’s review of New Zealand’s aged care system

Source: Alzheimers New Zealand

Alzheimers NZ welcomes the update today from Health NZ on the long overdue review of Aotearoa New Zealand’s aged care system as well as two related reports.
Chief Executive Catherine Hall says the reports reinforce the size and scale of the challenge facing the health sector as a result of our rapidly growing ageing population.
Alzheimers NZ has long raised these issues and offered solutions to improve support for people with dementia and their families.
Catherine welcomes the acknowledgment from Health NZ that they need to do more to focus on community-based services and dementia and looks forward to discussing that with them next month.
“The reports are comprehensive and what is immediately clear is the need for action by Health NZ is now urgent. If nothing is done impact on the wider health sector will only worsen – we’ve seen evidence of that in some tragic incidents recently and then just this week with the reports about the ward in North Shore Hospital.”
Alzheimers NZ wants urgent government action in three areas.First, progressively implement and fund the Dementia Mate Wareware Action Plan. Secondly, properly fund New Zealand’s 17 community-based dementia support services. Thirdly, create a bespoke health strategy to provide quality, integrated and accessible services with an integrated continuum of care.
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Health – What are the chances? Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa says you should fool around and find out

Source: Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa

“Fool around and find out!” That’s the advice from Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa – but only when it comes to their new online game, ‘Wheel of Fertility’.
Available now on the Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa website, ‘Wheel of Fertility’ provides the chance to explore your options online without real world consequences.
The interactive game began as a sparkle in the eye of Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa’s Chief Executive, Jackie Edmond.
“I’m so excited to see this game come to life online. Our aim was to come up with a lighthearted new way of talking about some potentially heavy topics,” said Jackie.
Players can input random data, like age, height, weight, lifestyle factors, contraceptives, and menstrual phase, then tap the “Let’s Have Sex” button to spin the 'Wheel of Fertility' and discover the chances of getting pregnant or catching an STI.
Shocked by the results? Re-play the game, change your inputs and see which factors are having the most impact on your chances.
Jackie continued: “Having seen a conference presentation about improving people’s knowledge on what impacts their fertility, I wondered if we could make this information available for our clients to ‘self-serve’ but in an easily digestible way. So then our team came up with the idea for ‘Wheel of Fertility’.”
The interactive game is a first for the organisation which has been operating since 1936. Formerly known as Family Planning, Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa partnered with Christchurch-based game developers CerebralFix for this innovative approach. The browser-based game is available on Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa’s website and can be played on smartphone or desktop computer.
“We loved collaborating on ‘Wheel of Fertility’ – it’s not every day you get to help turn important sexual health info into a game that’s so fun to play,” said Chelsea Rapp, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Cerebral Fix. “It’s playful, eye-opening, and a great example of how digital tools can support better wellbeing.”
“The testers who have been trialling the game have praised the fun design – and told us they’ve learnt new things about contraception options and the menstrual cycle, all while having a bit of a giggle.”
Jackie Edmond reiterated that ‘Wheel of Fertility’ is intended to increase awareness around fertility and STIs, and that the online outcomes are not real medical results.
“This game is a bit of fun and we hope people will enjoy fooling around with it. But of course, if you want to have a serious conversation about your fertility, our clinics are here to provide expert information, advice, and care.”
Note to editors: Formerly Family Planning, Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa is the country's largest provider of sexual and reproductive health services, committed to delivering equity, access and choice for all New Zealanders. 
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Reality TV helped bring clean water to the Pacific, says ChildFund

Source: ChildFund New Zealand

ChildFund New Zealand welcomes the return of Celebrity Treasure Island to TVNZ, after actor and musician JP Foliaki won last year, and donated his winnings to water projects in the Pacific.
“When JP won, there were celebrations across the Pacific – from Kiribati to Solomon Islands,” says CEO of ChildFund, Josie Pagani.
99% of households in eighteen villages in Temotu Province, Solomon Islands, for example, do not have reliable access to clean safe drinking water.
“JP’s winnings – roughly $110,000 – will help change this.”
Thousands of children across the Pacific still lack access to clean, safe drinking water. Children get sick and even die from drinking contaminated water. Or they miss school to walk hours to collect clean water.
“Clean water changes everything. Kids stay healthy, go to school and get the best chance of realising their potential.”
“We know that New Zealanders want to see where their donations go, and if the money makes a difference. Development is hard. Some projects work better than others.”
To find out more JP is going to ‘follow his money’ to see how it is being used in some of the most remote islands of Solomon Islands, in Temotu Province.
JP Foliaki will be joined by ChildFund CEO Josie Pagani, and leading paediatrician trained in tropical medicine, Dr Caroline Hart for filming in October. ‘Follow the Money’ will be filmed by documentary maker, Mike Bhana from Wild Films.
Mike has filmed in the Pacific for many years, and is best known in New Zealand for his documentary series, Fish of the Day with Clark Gayford.