Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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.

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/ )

Note:

Visit consumer.org.nz to view the campaign

About Consumer

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.

Source:  Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa says New Zealand’s signature on a joint statement of 25 countries on Gaza is meaningless without concrete action.

PSNA Co-Chair John Minto says Peters’ statements in the media this morning, fall well short of the condemnation in the joint statement, and are what Minto calls the usual ducking the issue of Israeli culpability.

“Peters still can’t bring himself to criticise Israel in Gaza – even after 21 months of mass killing and mass starvation of Palestinians.  He condemns a suffering situation, but carefully avoids stating who it causing it.”

Minto says there is an extensive list of actions the government must take if it’s serious.

“I’m sure the Israeli ambassador in Wellington is happily reporting to his ministry in Tel Aviv that the New Zealand government is still tolerating mass starvation, bombing civilians and ethnic cleansing.” Minto says.

“If the New Zealand government was serious, it would implement this list”:

1.       Back the call from UN Special Rapporteur for the OPT, Francesca Albanese, for military protection for aid convoys to enter Gaza.

2.       Close the Israeli embassy in Wellington

3.       End trade and investment ties with Israel

4. Deny entry visas for all Israeli Defence Forces personnel

5.       Introduce legislation to sanction Israel the same as the Russia Sanctions Act

6.       Cease approval for Rakon to export crystal oscillators which may be used by the Israeli military for targeting Gaza and other Israeli assault zones

7.       Ban all Rocket Lab launches of satellites used for Israeli reconnaissance over Gaza

8.       Suspend all bilateral agreements with Israel; movie co-production, overflight agreement and technological cooperation

9.       Stop remittances going to Israel, such as funds for the racist Jewish National Fund

10.   Cut scientific, academic, sport and cultural ties with the State of Israel

11.   Sell all New Zealand’s Superfund investments in Israeli companies

12.   Vote to suspend Israeli membership of the United Nations for not withdrawing from all the Occupied Palestinian Territory

13.   Cease approving Israeli munitions transporter ZIM Shipping using our ports

14.   Join the case against Israeli genocide in the International Court of Justice

15.   Sign onto the Hague Group of countries working to ensure Israel complies with International Law  https://thehaguegroup.org/home/

John Minto

Co-Chair

Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

Source: Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

PSNA is urging the government to step in and require Paypal to refund money it refuses to pass on starving families in Occupied Gaza.

Paypal has been freezing accounts which send money to Occupied Gaza – the latest being the account of Wellington-based writer “Emily Writes” who has posted about her sickening experiences here.

“Paypal is happy to provide backup to Israel’s genocide by ensuring food is only available through the Israeli military which is using it to ethnically cleanse starving Palestinians from the north to the south of the Occupied Gaza strip” says PSNA Co-Chair John Minto.

“Using food aid like this is a war crime and we are asking Minister of Finance Nicola Willis to step in and demand Paypal allow kiwis to donate to starving families in Gaza”

“Low and middle-income New Zealanders kiwis are naturally generous but Paypal is not only freezing these accounts but are refusing to refund the money.”

“The New Zealand government has refused to condemn Israel’s mass killing and mass starvation of Palestinians but they can insist money from New Zealanders wanting to help is not frozen for six months while Israel’s war on humanity continues”

We are waiting to hear back from the minister.

John Minto 

Co-Chair PSNA

Leading healthcare provider, ProCare, warmly welcomes the announcement from Health Minister Simeon Brown and Universities Minister Dr Shane Reti that Cabinet has approved the establishment of a new medical school at the University of Waikato.

While the school won’t open until 2028, the announcement includes a strong focus on primary care and rural health which is much needed.

Bindi Norwell, Chief Executive of ProCare says: “With around 50% of GPs due to retire in the next 10 years this is a significant and timely investment in New Zealand’s healthcare workforce. The decision to prioritise primary care and rural health in the new Waikato Medical School aligns closely with the needs of our communities and the future of general practice.

“This is more than ‘just’ a new medical school – it’s a long-term investment in the health and wellbeing of the people of Aotearoa New Zealand. We commend the Government for listening to the sector and taking decisive action,” continues Norwell.

The graduate-entry programme will add 120 new doctor training places annually, helping to address the growing shortage of GPs and primary care clinicians across the motu.

“General practices are already feeling the strain of being able to meet increasing patient demand – especially in our rural and underserved communities. This announcement is a proactive step toward ensuring continuity of care and equitable access to health services,” says Norwell.

“This is a pivotal moment which will help reshape the pipeline of medical education. By creating more flexible pathways into medicine and embedding primary care at the heart of training, we can attract a more diverse and community-focused cohort of future doctors,” Norwell adds.

The announcement also complements recent expansions in nursing, pharmacy, and midwifery programmes at the University of Waikato, reinforcing a holistic approach to workforce development.

“It is unclear at this early stage exactly how the four-year degree programme will focus specifically on primary care, but we look forward to working collaboratively with the University and the Government to help support clinical placements of those graduates and ensure that students gain meaningful experience in general practice settings,” concludes Norwell.

About ProCare