The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa says a just-signed government-produced ‘Harmony Initiative’ will help in Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu’s recently announced ‘Eighth War Front’.
This is an Israeli government propaganda campaign to present Israel’s brutal assault on Palestinians as a response to global antisemitism.
Netanyahu has likened Israel’s worldwide ‘information war’ to its physical attacks on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, neighbouring Arab countries, and Iran.
The Israeli aim is to silence its overseas critics.
Some Jewish and Muslim groups have signed onto the ‘Harmony Initiative’ which describes its purpose as to foster ‘positive relationships’ and set up a Muslim-Jewish Council.
The government says it wants to avoid what it calls ‘domestic impacts resulting from overseas conflicts’.
But PSNA CO-Chair Maher Nazzal says that is code for the government trying to defuse protest against Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
“You can’t see any references in this ‘Harmony Initiative’ to supporting the implementation of international humanitarian law or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights for example.”
“Instead, we get the Muslim-Jewish Council having an obligation to ‘publicly challenge expressions of hate’.”
“There will be some people sitting on that Council who believe any expressed support of Palestinian rights is hate speech. One of the ‘Harmony Initiative’ signatories is the Holocaust Foundation. The Holocaust Foundation is funded by the Israeli embassy.”
“If you put various government moves together, there is a clear agenda to stifle criticism of Israel.”
“Amendments to the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002 are under secret consultation, but with a clear signal that the recent draconian suppression of free speech on Palestine we have just seen in the UK is very much a model on the list for us too.”
“The Human Rights Commissioner, a self-confessed Israel supporter, wants to appoint an Antisemitism Envoy because they have one in Australia. But the antisemitism test they are using there is a list of examples of criticising Israel.”
Nazzal says he can understand why some community groups in Aotearoa New Zealand have signed on to the ‘Harmony Initiative’.
“The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand for instance, quite rightly believe that if they are not on this ‘Muslim-Jewish Council’ then the government would simply create and appoint another Muslim body to purportedly represent Muslims. That would leave FIANZ with no input.”
Gore’s brown trout statue has become the latest victim of dairy industry pollution. On Tuesday night, the iconic statue was given cartoon-style crosses for eyes – Greenpeace Aotearoa’s way of spotlighting the town’s drinking water crisis and the role of dairy pollution in poisoning it.
Greenpeace has also rebranded the ‘Welcome to Gore’ sign, which now reads ‘Welcome to Gore – where dirty dairy wrecked the water’.
Last Friday, residents of Gore were issued a do-not-drink notice after their town water supply exceeded 11.3 mg/L of nitrate, which is the legal limit set in the 1950s to avoid blue baby syndrome. While this notice has since been lifted, Greenpeace warns that it is only a matter of time before this happens again.
Greenpeace spokesperson Will Appelbe says “The dirty dairy industry has wrecked Gore’s drinking water, putting people’s health at risk due to nitrate contamination. It is unacceptable that this community is increasingly unable to drink the water coming out of their kitchen taps. Gore’s giant brown trout statue is now a beacon of the industry’s pollution of drinking water.”
A growing body of scientific evidence has linked several health risks with long term exposure to nitrate at levels below the current legal limits. Long-term exposure to nitrate in drinking water at levels as low as 1 mg/L has been linked to an increased risk of bowel cancer, and this risk increases with higher levels of nitrate. At levels of nitrate above 5 mg/L, the New Zealand College of Midwives advises pregnant people to consider an alternative source of drinking water, because of an increased risk of preterm birth.
Appelbe says, “Two years ago, we offered free nitrate tests to Gore residents, and found that 45% of the samples we tested from the town supply were above 4 mg/L of nitrate. Since then, levels of nitrate contamination have more than doubled, to above 10 mg/L.
“This problem isn’t going to go away simply by diluting the water – for many rural communities, nitrate contamination will get worse unless action is taken to address the source of the pollution: the intensive dairy industry, led by Fonterra.
“There are too many cows and the industry is using too much synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. Nitrate contamination across the country is increasing as a result, particularly in rural areas.
“We need regional councils and the Government to take action now. But instead of protecting people’s drinking water, Luxon’s Government is attempting to weaken freshwater protections. They’ve proposed removing the cap on synthetic nitrogen fertiliser, which will enable dairy expansion. That means more cows, more fertiliser, and ultimately more contaminated drinking water.”
Greenpeace is calling on the Government to scrap its proposed changes to the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management and the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater, which are currently going through consultation. The organisation says that these changes will make freshwater pollution worse, impacting lakes, rivers, and drinking water across the country.
Total greenhouse gas emissions rise 0.9 percent in the March 2025 quarter – media release
22 July 2025
Seasonally adjusted greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by industries and households in New Zealand increased 0.9 percent in the March 2025 quarter compared with the December 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.
“The increase of 176 kilotonnes during this quarter was mainly driven by a rise in industry emissions, particularly from the electricity, gas, water, and waste services industry,” environment statistics spokesperson Tehseen Islam said.
Over this quarter, industry emissions, excluding households, increased by 1.0 percent (177 kilotonnes). In comparison, gross domestic product (GDP) rose 0.8 percent over the same period.
In the same period, seasonally adjusted emissions from households fell 0.2 percent (5 kilotonnes).
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Electric vehicle imports lose charge as volumes drop – media release
22 July 2025
Imports of fully electric vehicles fell over 50 percent in value during the 12 months to June 2025, compared with the year ended June 2024, according to data released by Stats NZ.
The total value of passenger motor vehicle imports for the 12 months to June 2025 was $4.9 billion, down 23 percent ($1.4 billion) from the previous year.
“Electric vehicle imports saw the largest decline, down by $518 million,” international accounts spokesperson Viki Ward said.
Values of imports of most reduced-emission propulsion vehicles saw changes:
electric vehicle imports decreased by 57 percent, totalling $395 million
plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) also saw a 38 percent fall, to $234 million
hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) imports increased by 3.8 percent, reaching $1.6 billion.
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The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has approved a rust fungus and a flower weevil to control Darwin’s barberry, a spiny invasive shrub.
Environment Canterbury, on behalf of the National Biocontrol Collective, applied to use two biological control agents to combat Darwin’s Barberry ( Berberis darwinii) in New Zealand. Those biocontrol agents are a rust fungus ( Puccinia berberidis-darwinii) and the Darwin’s barberry flower weevil ( Anthonomus kuscheli).
Darwin’s barberry is a resilient noxious weed found in disturbed forests, pastures, shrubland and short tussock-land. It is a threat to indigenous ecosystems throughout the country, as well as to pastures where livestock graze. Standard control methods such as herbicides or weeding are often costly, impractical and harmful to the environment.
It is native to Chile and Argentina and was introduced to Aotearoa New Zealand as a garden plant in the 1940s. Fruit-eating birds deposit seeds far from the parent bush, increasing its spread.
The plant can be found throughout New Zealand – particularly in the Canterbury, Otago, and Wellington regions. These biocontrol agents could also be used to target Darwin’s barberry elsewhere in the country.
Both the flower weevil and the rust fungus proposed for introduction are native to South America. All organisms new to New Zealand must receive approval from the EPA before being released into the New Zealand environment.
“The independent decision-making committee approved the introduction of these two organisms following a rigorous, evidence-based assessment,” says Dr Chris Hill, General Manager of Hazardous Substances and New Organisms at the EPA.
“The applicant’s risk assessment showed that these agents are highly unlikely to harm native plants or animals. The weevil does not bite or sting, so there is no health risk to people, and the rust fungus is also benign.”
Dr Hill says the decision followed public consultation, engagement with mana whenua, and consideration of international best practice.
“New Zealand has a strong track record of using biological control agents to manage invasive weeds with minimal impact on native ecosystems,” he says.
In recent years the EPA has approved other biocontrol agents for weeds such as purple loosestrife, old man’s beard, Sydney golden wattle and moth plant.
Six Northland students have been named as recipients of Northland Regional Council’s annual Tū i te ora Scholarship, each receiving $4000 and paid work experience with council this summer.
The recipients are Aakash Chatterji, Nehana Griffiths, Riana Lane, Isaac Morrow, Raine Ross, and William Trubshaw, who were selected from a pool of 26 applicants.
This is the sixth year council has awarded the scholarship, which recognises, encourages and supports student to undertake study that relates to council’s environmental and regulatory functions, whilst contributing to council’s vision ‘Tiakina te taiao, tuia te here tangata – Nurture the environment, bring together the people’.
Pou Manawhakahaere – Group Manager, Governance and Engagement Auriole Ruka says the scholarship provides value for both the recipients and council, with the recipients able to gain hands-on experience and council benefiting from the extra support during the busy summer period.
“It’s a great opportunity for the recipients to apply what they’ve learned through their tertiary study to real life scenarios, and our teams really value the different experiences and perspectives the recipients bring.”
Nehana Griffiths, who will join council’s Climate Action and Natural Hazards team, is passionate about learning how land has been utilised and the impacts of this over time.
“I enjoy looking at environmental management cases and learning how different communities in different contexts and situations tackle environmental problems, and what we can learn from those results for the future.”
Riana Lane will join council’s Biosecurity Partnerships team to help support community projects aimed at managing plant and animal species. She is determined to help protect the environment for future generations to enjoy and treasure.
“I want to apply my love for our flora and fauna in a career in conservation, breeding programmes, and zoology to work with and study our native species, and to support them to survive and thrive in our changing world.”
Ruka says the scholarship also enables council to tap into talent early and create a valuable pipeline for future employees.
“The scholarship offers students an incredible chance to gain valuable experience and discover if a career at council aligns with their career goals. We’ve had several previous recipients return to council after graduating or remained in casual and fixed-term roles.”
“We’re really looking forward to having this year’s recipients join us this summer and hope they enjoy the experience so much that they also return to council once they’ve completed their studies to enrich the region and its people with their knowledge and skills.”
The six winners (in alphabetical order by surname) are:
Aakash Chatterji, from Whangārei (Te Uriroroi, Te Parawhau, Te Mahurehure ki Whatitiri, Te Taoū. Ngāti Whātua, Ngā Puhi, and Varanasi India). Diploma in Environmental Management (Level 6) at NorthTec.
Nehana Griffiths, from Whangārei and Dunedin (Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Rehua, Te Rarawa, Te Waiariki, Ngāti Korora, Ngāpuhi). Bachelor of Arts, majoring in History and minoring in Geography and Māori Studies at University Otago.
Riana Lane, from Whangārei. Bachelor of Science, majoring in Biological Science and minoring in Psychology at University of Canterbury.
Isaac Morrow, from Kerikeri (Te Aupōuri). Bachelor of Marine Science at University of Otago.
Raine Ross, from Mōtatau (Ngāti Te Tarawa, Ngāti Hine). Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science) at Massey University.
William Trubshaw, from Whangārei. Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science conjoint, majoring in Biological Sciences and Geography, and minoring in Mathematics at University of Canterbury.
Ruka says the recipients will join NRC from mid-November 2025 to mid-February 2026 in the Biosecurity Partnerships, Climate Action and Natural Hazards, Hydrology, Te Tiriti Partnerships and Engagement Team, and Water Quality teams.
To the respected Muslim community across New Zealand,
As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh,
FIANZ is scheduled (22nd July 2025) to sign an agreement referred to as the Harmony Accord on behalf of the Muslim community in New Zealand, with two Jewish organisations, one of which is publicly aligned with pro-Zionist positions.
Over the past few days, a group of Ulama (Islamic scholars), Imams, and leaders of Islamic organisations from various regions of New Zealand have engaged in urgent consultations regarding the proposed draft of the so-called “Harmony Accord.” This document came to our attention (through non-official channel) just days before its planned official signing between the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) and two Jewish organisations.
Despite our sincere efforts to engage constructively with the FIANZ representative, Br. Abdul Razzaq, including two formal meetings and a detailed written submission outlining our concerns and proposed amendments as requested, we received no official response from the FIANZ Executive Council. Instead, a public statement was released by FIANZ explaining their rationale and intent to proceed with signing, despite clear objections raised by a significant group of scholars, legal professionals, and civil society advocates, and without any meaningful consultation with religious scholars or community representatives.
Accordingly, after careful consideration, we find it to be our religious, moral, and communal duty to issue this public statement on behalf of the undersigned organisations and individuals—seeking clarity, accountability, and unity within the Muslim community, and fulfilling our responsibility before Allah.
Regarding the Consultative Meetings
Upon learning of the imminent signing of the Accord, a series of emergency meetings were convened by concerned Ulama, Imams, and community leaders representing mosques and Islamic institutions across New Zealand. Attendees included:
Participants:
Sh. Muhammad Aammer
Sh. Muhammad Anwar
Sh. Abu Anas
Sh. Himayatullah
Sh. Muhammad Shakir
Sh. Muhammad Patel
Sh. Shazly Khan
Sh. Alaa Mubarak
Sh. Reza Abdul Jabbar
Sh. Khalil
Note: The above individuals were present in the initial consultative meetings. The signatories to this statement are listed below and represent the final endorsing parties.
These respected scholars and leaders reached a unanimous consensus to reject the Accord in its current form, citing grave religious, ethical, and communal concerns, as well as a clear lack of transparency and proper consultation.
1.Lack of Consultation and Genuine Representation:
The Accord was never shared with key Islamic scholars, institutions, or the wider Muslim public. It lacked the basic process of transparent and inclusive consultation, and thus cannot be said to represent the New Zealand Muslim community in any legitimate capacity.
2.Doctrinal, Cultural, and Ethical Concerns:
The Accord contains ambiguous language and concepts that are open to interpretation, potentially leading to positions inconsistent with Islamic beliefs or misused in future contexts beyond the original intent of the agreement.
3.Complete Omission of the Palestinian Tragedy:
We are deeply alarmed and disappointed that the Accord makes no mention of the catastrophic humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. Thousands of civilians—including women and children—are being systematically targeted, starved, and displaced in what leading international human rights bodies have classified as war crimes and acts of genocide.
Even more troubling is that one of the Jewish signatories to the Accord has publicly expressed support for the current Israeli policies in Palestine. Proceeding with such an agreement, without any acknowledgment of these realities, is ethically unacceptable, deeply painful for our community, and runs contrary to our shared values of justice and humanity.
4.Concerns Around Youth Engagement and Religious Education:
While we support constructive interfaith educational programs, such initiatives must include theological safeguards. Without scholarly oversight, there is a real risk that such efforts could unintentionally undermine Islamic values or promote secular or pluralistic ideologies inconsistent with our faith—especially in youth and educational settings.
True representation of New Zealand Muslims requires inclusive and transparent engagement with Ulama and Islamic organisations—particularly when addressing matters with theological, cultural, and communal implications.
Signing such sensitive agreements, regardless of intentions, without thorough consultation creates legal, social, and ethical consequences. It also risks falsely implying that the views of all Muslims are aligned behind the signatories.
We emphasise that declining to sign an agreement that contradicts Islamic principles and communal consensus does not equate to disengagement from interfaith dialogue. On the contrary, it is a principled stand to ensure that dialogue is based on mutual respect, clarity, and integrity—as the Qur’an teaches: “And do not argue with the People of the Book except in the best manner…” [Qur’an 29:46]
The idea that declining to sign an agreement risks losing the Muslim community’s “seat at the table” is troubling. New Zealand is a democratic country, built on rights and fairness. We believe the Government will continue to engage with Islamic organisations representing over 75,000 Muslims, regardless of their principled objection to this Accord.
2.Any individuals or organisations who choose to sign the agreement do so solely on their own behalf. Their decision does not reflect the views of the wider Muslim community in New Zealand.
3.We urge Muslims in New Zealand to reject the Accord in its current form, recognising it as unrepresentative and lacking legitimacy.
Our Core Values
1.We affirm that Muslims in New Zealand have, for decades, coexisted peacefully and respectfully with Jewish and other faith communities. The tragic terrorist attack in Christchurch in 2019, which claimed the lives of 51 innocent Muslims, was the act of a violent extremist and does not reflect the values or character of New Zealand society. As Muslims, we reject all forms of violence, racism, and extremism—whether against us or others—and remain committed to justice, compassion, and cooperation.
2.We value all genuine initiatives that seek to promote social harmony, inclusion, and peace across New Zealand.
3.We believe in meaningful interfaith dialogue and partnerships that benefit the broader society.
4.We insist that any agreement involving Muslim representation must respect Islamic values, be rooted in community consultation, and reflect the views of the actual Muslim public.
We ask Allah Almighty to unite our hearts upon truth, guide our steps with wisdom, protect the dignity of the Muslim community in New Zealand, and bring justice to all those who are oppressed.
Not In Our Name – While our brothers and sisters in Gaza collapse from starvation and babies are dying for lack of milk, we are deeply shocked and dismayed by the recent signing of the so-called “Harmony Accord.” This agreement, signed in our community's name yet without our full knowledge, consultation, or consent, fails to address the urgent realities and immense suffering endured by the Palestinian people.
We believe in peace, justice, and coexistence. But true harmony cannot be built on selective morality, silence in the face of genocide, or agreements that ignore power imbalances and ongoing crimes against humanity. Any accord claiming to represent Muslim voices must do so with integrity, transparency, and in true alignment with the pain and priorities of our community, especially in these times of extreme crisis.
This statement serves as a clear rejection of the legitimacy of this accord in our name. We stand firmly with the oppressed. We speak for the hungry. We refuse to allow our name, identity, or religion to be used to endorse anything that does not reflect our collective conscience.
Road freight body welcomes steady decline in workplace injuries
Transporting New Zealand is welcoming a decline in road freight transport workplace injuries, saying it shows industry commitment to health and safety improvements.
Data released by ACCshows that annual injury claims have fallen by 35 per cent between 2018 and 2025, showing a consistent decline in workplace injuries despite growth in the national freight task. Claims fell across all 16 regions, with Northland and West Coast recording the largest percentage drops (56 per cent and 54 per cent respectively).
There were 3,442 new claims in the road freight transfer industry in 2024/25, compared to 5,295 in 2017/18 – a reduction of 1,853 claims. Numbers declined year-on-year from 2018 to 2025.
Transporting New Zealand Chief Executive Dom Kalasih says the data is good news for road freight staff, businesses, and ACC levy payers.
“The data shows that road transport businesses are steadily improving workplace health and safety for its people, while moving more freight than ever.”
Kalasih says that the reduction is workplace injuries has been assisted by improvements in workplace culture, as well as technological improvements.
“In our 2025 National Road Freight Survey, the health, safety and wellbeing of staff was identified as one of the top three issues by 128 surveyed businesses. This data from ACC also indicates that road freight businesses and staff are making training, safe processes, and site and equipment design a priority.”
“Technological innovation will also be playing an important role, whether it’s automatic chain throwing and tensioning systems on logging trailers that avoid soft tissue injuries, or fatigue management technologies that help ensure people aren’t working while tired. Safety technologies can reduce physical strain on workers and mitigate safety risks, bringing injury rates down.”
Kalasih says that while the downward trend in workplace injuries is great news, there is more work that can be done.
“Transporting New Zealand would like to see these injury rates fall even further, and for injured people to be able to safely return to work sooner. The longer people spend away from their workplace, the less likely they are to successfully return to work.”
“We encourage our members to access Transporting New Zealand’s free consultations from leading health and safety consultants and talk to our membership managers for advice and guidance.”
“We also encourage road freight businesses to check outACC’s Recovery at Workresources, to help support staff back into the work following injury – demonstrated in our recentmember video.”
ACC Road Freight Transport Industry Data 2024/2025 (1 April to 31 March)
Primary Injury Diagnosis by Category (Top four categories by claim frequency)
1. Soft tissue injuries (sprains, strains, tears, and contusions)
2. Laceration / Puncture / Sting
3. Fracture / Dislocation
4. Foreign Body in Orifice / Eye
Accident Cause (Top five categories by claim frequency)
Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealandis the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter- regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country.
Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion.
A new petition calls for a mandatory supermarket pricing accuracy code, automatic compensation and tougher penalties.
Consumer NZ has launched a new campaign – Price it right – calling on the government to crack down on misleading supermarket pricing practices that are costing shoppers tens of millions of dollars a year across Aotearoa.
The consumer watchdog is urging the introduction of a mandatory supermarket pricing accuracy code, with clear rules, meaningful penalties and automatic compensation for consumers when supermarkets get it wrong.
“We’re asking the government to step in and deal with misleading supermarket pricing,” said Jon Duffy, Consumer NZ chief executive.
“Too often, shoppers are charged more at the check-out than what’s shown on the shelf, or they’re misled in some other way. While pricing errors may seem minor on an individual basis, they add up when multiplied across the population. This isn’t OK, particularly at a time when people are struggling to pay their bills.”
Recent Consumer research found that 62% of New Zealanders noticed pricing errors at the supermarket over the past year.
“This isn’t just the occasional mistake – it’s an ongoing systemic problem that’s adding to the pain people are feeling at the check-out with food prices that are already too high,” said Duffy.
Thanks to hundreds of complaints shared by consumers, Consumer filed a formal complaint with the Commerce Commission in 2023. That led to criminal charges being laid against Woolworths NZ and two Pak’nSave stores for misleading pricing. But the problem persists.
“It’s already illegal for businesses to mislead consumers about prices, but the current law is not forcing supermarkets to up their game. They have had plenty of chances to fix this. The time for talk is over. It’s time for stronger rules with real consequences,” said Duffy.
Consumer’s Price it right campaign is calling for:
a mandatory supermarket pricing accuracy code with clear pricing rules
automatic compensation when shoppers are overcharged – such as receiving the item free if the scanned price is higher than the shelf price, there is a special that doesn’t offer a genuine saving or the unit pricing is incorrect
clear disclosure of consumer rights in store and online
tougher penalties and infringement notice powers, like those used in Australia, to deter misleading pricing and promotions.
“We’re not asking for much – just fair and accurate pricing that consumers can trust,” said Duffy. “It’s a simple step that would make a real difference.”
What you can do Consumer is asking New Zealanders to sign its petition and demand that the government take urgent action. Minister for economic growth Nicola Willis says she’s considering introducing tougher penalties for supermarkets that breach the Fair Trading Act and other changes to ensure shoppers are not misled by pricing. Signing the petition will show your support for these moves.
Sign the petition: Tell the government to ‘price it right’ “It’s time supermarkets were held to account. By signing and sharing the petition, you’re helping stop misleading supermarket pricing and pushing for real change.” (ref. https://consumernz.cmail20.com/t/i-l-fkkjkyk-ijjdkdttjk-j/ )
Consumer NZ is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to championing and empowering consumers in Aotearoa. Consumer NZ has a reputation for being fair, impartial and providing comprehensive consumer information and advice.
