Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Posted on

Northland Regional Council News – 30 June 2025

Source: Northland Regional Council

NOMINATIONS FOR NRC OPEN 04 JULY
People keen to stand for one of nine places on the Northland Regional Council at this year’s local body elections in October can get their nominations in from Friday 04 July until noon on Friday 01 August 2025.
Anyone aged 18 and over can stand for election provided they’re a New Zealand citizen, enrolled on the Parliamentary electoral roll and are nominated by two electors whose names appear on the electoral roll within the constituency the candidate is standing for.
Printed nomination forms and a candidate handbook will be available from 04 July from any regional council office, by phoning (0800) 002 004, from www.nrc.govt.nz or by downloading from esp.electionservices.co.nz/lge2025/NRC
SECOND FEEDBACK PERIOD ON NAVIGATION SAFETY BYLAW
Northlanders now have a further chance to have their say on Northland Regional Council’s Navigation Safety Bylaw, which sets the rules for keeping people safe on the water.
After a first feedback period during May, the council is now running a second feedback period, recognising the need to provide more detail on key proposals and ensure there is sufficient time for people to have their say.
The provisions in the draft bylaw remain the same, with key proposals including a new requirement to carry two forms of communication on a vessel; amending the requirements for wearing a lifejacket; and removing a clause prohibiting wind-powered board sports in the Ruakākā and Waipū estuaries.
The feedback period runs until Monday 28 July. More detail can be found at www.nrc.govt.nz/bylawreview
Posted on

Tech Appointments – Tim Dacombe-Bird Appointed as Head of Google Cloud in New Zealand

Source: Sling & Stone

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, June 30 2025 — Google Cloud today announced the appointment of Tim Dacombe-Bird as Head of Google Cloud in New Zealand. Based in Wellington, Tim will be responsible for spearheading Google Cloud’s local go-to-market strategy and working closely with partners and customers to help Kiwi businesses build an AI-first future.

“Tim is a recognised industry leader in the New Zealand technology landscape, and we are delighted to have him join our team,” said Paul Migliorini, Vice President, Google Cloud Australia & New Zealand. “With a history of successfully leading rapidly growing businesses and developing high-performing teams, Tim has been at the forefront of some major technology shifts, and his expertise will be invaluable in helping our customers maximise their AI and digital strategies.”

“I'm incredibly excited to step into this role and lead Google Cloud's journey here in Aotearoa,” said Tim Dacombe-Bird, Head of Google Cloud, New Zealand. “New Zealand businesses are inherently innovative, adaptable, and ready to embrace the next wave of digitisation. I'm passionate about working with our customers and partners to leverage Google Cloud's leading AI capabilities, helping to drive efficiency and unlock new possibilities. With Google Cloud's ongoing investment in, and our commitment to New Zealand, it's an exciting time to be part of the growth story for Kiwi businesses.”

Caroline Rainsford, Country Director of Google New Zealand, reiterated the strength of Tim’s experience, saying, “We’re thrilled to have Tim join the Google New Zealand team, bringing with him deep knowledge of cloud and well-established connections to the Public Sector. Google is committed to developing and strengthening the digital capacity of Aotearoa, and to bringing the best of Google’s AI to businesses, communities and individuals to grow our digital future.”

Kiwi businesses are choosing Google Cloud for its full stack of AI innovation from infrastructure, to research, to models and platforms. Recently, Auckland Council announced it is trialling 'Ask Auckland Council', an AI assistant leveraging Google Cloud AI solutions and Deloitte, to help Aucklanders get the information they need quickly and easily, across the council’s digital properties. In 2023, Google Cloud signed an All-of-Government Cloud Framework Agreement with the New Zealand Government, allowing eligible agencies to modernise systems and build secure applications.

Google Cloud also continues its investment in New Zealand, recently announcing the ‘Pacific Connect Initiative’, which will deliver two new trans-Pacific subsea cables — Honomoana and Tabua — to help increase the reliability and resilience of digital connectivity in the Pacific. The Honomoana cable system will add a branch to Auckland and enable a double Australian landing in Melbourne and Sydney.

Prior to joining Google Cloud, Tim held leadership roles at Wiz, AWS, and VMware in New Zealand.

Posted on

Stats NZ information release: Employment indicators: May 2025

Employment indicators: May 2025 – information release

30 June 2025

Employment indicators provide an early indication of changes in the labour market.

Key facts
Changes in the seasonally adjusted filled jobs for the May 2025 month (compared with the April 2025 month) were:

  • all industries – up 0.1 percent (1,689 jobs) to 2.35 million filled jobs
  • primary industries – up 0.4 percent (439 jobs)
  • goods-producing industries – down 0.2 percent (787 jobs)
  • service industries – up 0.1 percent (1,990 jobs).

Visit our website to read this information release and to download CSV files:

Posted on

Auditor-General turns down PSA request to investigate Health NZ, refers issues to auditor

Source: PSA

The Auditor General has declined to investigate Health NZ’s decision to downsize the team of audit and fraud experts that monitors the $12 billion of health funding distributed every year.
But the office has referred the PSA’s concerns to Audit NZ.
This move follows the PSA writing to the Auditor-General in May urging it to investigate the restructure of the Audit Assurance and Risk team. Health NZ Te Whatu Ora is proposing to remove 23 roles from the team, a cut of 28% of the workforce.
This is a critical unit focused on ensuring some $12 billion of annual funding of the primary health care sector is paid out correctly and not subject to fraud.
In its response to the PSA the Auditor-General said this was outside its scope of its mandate but agreed to raise its concerns with Audit NZ, the government office which carries out annual audits of agencies to ensure public money is being spent responsibly.
“We thank the Auditor-General for carefully considering our concerns and while it’s disappointing the office is unable to investigate, the issues remain. We hope Audit NZ will now take a close look,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“But it would be much simpler if Health NZ came to its senses and stopped these damaging cuts before it loses such experienced auditors and fraud investigators.
“Millions of precious health dollars could be lost if the restructure goes ahead. Any money saved from the cuts will be lost through the failure to detect overpayments and fraud.
“We are therefore pleased the Auditor-General has placed the issues that concern us on the radar of Audit NZ.
“The Government’s underfunding of health to pay for tax cuts has put the health system under enormous pressure and now more than ever taxpayers need assurance health dollars are being spent wisely. We look forward to Audit NZ looking into this.”
Previous statements
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.
Posted on

Insurers step up as recovery gets underway

Source: Insurance Council of NZ

New Zealanders are now turning their attention to clean-up and recovery efforts following the easing of severe weather conditions across the country, particularly the upper regions of the North and South Islands.
The Insurance Council of New Zealand | Te Kāhui Inihui o Aotearoa (ICNZ) is encouraging people to begin the recovery process safely and as soon as they're able.
“We understand that in the early stages of recovery not everyone can immediately lodge a claim,” ICNZ Chief Executive Kris Faafoi said.
“While it’s important to contact your insurer as soon as you can, don’t wait to prevent further damage if it’s safe to do so.
“Nelson-Tasman Emergency Management has established a community information centre at the Motueka Rec Centre on Old Wharf Road. Insurance staff will be available at the Centre to support affected residents.”
To help speed up recovery and keep people safe, ICNZ recomm

Posted on

Japan: Cruel execution a stain on country’s human rights record – Amnesty International

Source: Amnesty International

 

In response to today’s execution in Japan of a man convicted of the murder of nine people, Chiara Sangiorgio, Death Penalty Advisor at Amnesty International, said:

 

“The execution of Takahiro Shiraishi – the first in Japan in nearly three years – is the latest callous attack on the right to life in Japan and a major setback for the country’s human rights record.

 

“Last year’s acquittal of Hakamada Iwao, formerly the world’s longest-serving death row prisoner, laid bare the unfairness of Japan’s criminal justice system and use of the death penalty and was an ideal opportunity to change course. 

 

“But instead of moving to reform and ensure full protection of human rights, the government has chosen to resume executions. This is a significant setback to efforts to end the use of the death penalty in Japan.

 

“As of today, 113 countries worldwide have completely abolished the death penalty in law, and more than 144 have abandoned it in law or practice, yet Japan continues to use this inhuman punishment.

 

“The secrecy that continues to surround the notification of executions make the use of this punishment in Japan additionally cruel. The Japanese authorities must immediately introduce a moratorium on executions as a first step toward abolishing the death penalty entirely —and commute all death sentences to terms of imprisonment.”

 

 

Background

 

According to Japan’s Ministry of Justice, the execution of Takahiro Shiraishi was carried out on 27 June 2025.

Shiraishi was convicted in 2020 of the killing of nine people in 2017 by Tokyo District Court and sentenced to death.

This is the first execution under Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who came to power in October 2024, and the first since July 2022.

 

Executions in Japan are shrouded in secrecy, with prisoners typically given only a few hours’ notice and given no warning at all before their death sentences are carried out. Their families are usually notified about the execution only after it has taken place.

 

Japan is one of a small group of countries that has carried out executions in recent years. Amnesty International recorded 1,518 executions in 15 countries in 2024 (excluding the thousands believed to have been carried out in China), an increase by 32% from the 1,153 recorded in 2023 largely driven by a spike in three countries in the Middle East – Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.  

 

On 26 September 2024, a long-awaited ruling was delivered by Shizuoka District Court to acquit Hakamada Iwao, described as the world’s longest-serving death row prisoner.

 

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception regardless of the nature or circumstances of the crime, guilt, innocence or other characteristics of the individual, or the method used by the state to carry out the execution.

Posted on

Greenpeace activists rebrand NZ bottom trawler "ocean killer" at sea

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace Aotearoa activists have confronted a bottom trawler on the Chatham Rise, rebranding it “ocean killer”, after bearing witness to it hauling in a net straining with marine life.
Launching from the Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior, activists came alongside the New Zealand-flagged ship, Talley’s Amaltal Atlantis, on the Chatham Rise on Friday afternoon, and painted the message on its hull with non-toxic paint.
Speaking from onboard the Rainbow Warrior, Greenpeace Aotearoa spokesperson Juan Parada says:
“Appalled by the most recent evidence of destruction, people defending the oceans rebranded this Talley’s vessel today to expose the bottom trawling industry for what they are: ocean killers. When Talley’s bottom trawlers drag their heavy trawl nets across the seafloor and over seamounts, they bulldoze everything in their path, including killing precious marine life from coral to fur seals, dolphins and seabirds.”We’ve all seen the shocking footage of bottom trawling in David Attenborough's film Ocean, and it’s happening right here, right now.”
“Faced with a fishing industry that profits from trashing the ocean, and a government that condones bottom trawling, we’re proud of the peaceful action taken today to call out this destruction and demand that bottom trawling stop.
“The Amaltal Atlantis trawls in the waters of Aotearoa, and has previously received permits to trawl in the High Seas of the South Pacific. Their trail of destruction is wide and long-lasting,” says Parada.
Talley’s vessels have a long history of carrying out bottom trawling destruction. In 2018, the Amaltal Apollo trawled in a protected area on the Lord Howe Rise, in the international waters of the Tasman Sea. The Amaltal Mariner was also convicted of trawling in a marine reserve off Kaikōura in 2019.
The company also has a documented history of health and safety issues, with multiple injuries and even a fatality reported to WorkSafe.
In 2022, Greenpeace activists blocked the Amatal Atlantis from leaving Port Nelson for nearly 10 hours.
The at-sea action comes just weeks after it was revealed a New Zealand vessel dragged up six tonnes of coral in a single trawl on the Chatham Rise, known for being a hotspot for coral life.
In March, Greenpeace Aotearoa documented swathes of destroyed coral in areas of the Tasman Sea intensively trawled by New Zealand bottom trawlers. The Tasman Sea has been earmarked for one of the first high seas ocean sanctuaries, using the Global Ocean Treaty.
New Zealand is the only country still bottom trawling in the High Seas of the Tasman.
Parada says, “As the rest of the world moves towards more comprehensive ocean protection for international waters, New Zealand is standing in the way of progress by continuing to advocate for the bottom trawling industry.”It’s time Talley’s, the trawling industry, and the government listened to the tens of thousands of New Zealanders who want ocean health valued over industry profits.
“From depleted fish numbers to smashed coral, dead sharks and seabirds, the cost of bottom trawling is too high. To protect the ocean for the future and safeguard the ocean we all love, bottom trawling must stop.”
In response to the activist’s painting activity, Talley’s responded saying they would seek legal action which “may include the arrest of the Rainbow Warrior.”
Posted on

New Zealand Flag half-masting to mark the burial of Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp, Member of Parliament for Tāmaki Makaurau – Tuesday 1 July 2025

Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage

To Action: New Zealand Flag half-masting to mark the burial of Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp, Member of Parliament for Tāmaki Makaurau
Tuesday 1 July 2025, 8am – 5pm (or building hours)
At the request of the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, the Honourable Paul Goldsmith, the New Zealand Flag is to be flown at half-mast on all Government and public buildings on Tuesday 1 July 2025 to mark the burial of Takutai Moana Natasha Kemp MP.
The New Zealand Flag should be flown at half-mast all day on Tuesday 1 July 2025. This instruction applies to all Government Departments, buildings and naval vessels which have flag poles and normally fly the New Zealand Flag. The Flag should be returned to full mast at the close of business hours on Tuesday 1 July 2025.
The flag is half-masted by first raising it to the top of the mast and then immediately lowering it slowly to the half-mast position. The half-mast position will depend on the size of the flag and the length of the flagpole. The flag must be lowered to a position recognisably “half-mast” to avoid the appearance of a flag which has accidentally fallen away from the top of the flagpole. As a guide, the flag should be more than its own depth from the top of the flagpole. At the end of the day, the flag should be raised again to the top of the flagpole before being fully lowered.
For more information about half-masting the flag, visit the Ministry’s website:
Posted on

Gaza Special Report – "It’s a death trap" – Children killed or injured in half of fatal food distributions in Gaza this month – Save the Children

Source: Save the Children

Children have been killed or injured in more than half of the fatal attacks at food distribution sites in Gaza since the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) began operating four weeks ago, said Save the Children.
Save the Children analysed reports from the Gaza Media Office and the UN on the number and type of casualties at GHF and other aid distribution points since 27 May 2025, and found in 19 deadly incidents reported, children were among the casualties in 10 of them- or more than half of all incidents [1].
Some families in Gaza are so desperate – in some cases due to a lack of a healthy adult – that they are sending children to collect food at distribution points, unavoidably exposing them to the risk of being shot by Israeli forces, said Save the Children.
Since 27 May, more than 500 Palestinians have been killed and at least 3,000 injured by Israeli forces while trying to access aid, either at or on route to GHF distribution points, or while attempting to approach the very few other aid convoys delivered by the UN or NGOs, according to OHCHR.
Save the Children staff in Gaza say family members and neighbours have witnessed or experienced carnage at the distribution sites over the past month. Save the Children staffer Mohamed- said his neighbour, a father of four, had no choice but to go to a distribution as his family had run out of food and money. He went to Rafah and was shot and killed. Mohamad is now trying to help his neighbour’s widow; he says she is now destitute and traumatised – her children crying all the time.
Another staffer, Abdallah-, said that a member of his extended family went to a distribution site this month and witnessed a man shot and left bleeding on the ground. He said people were running over the injured man, trying to get to the food, with no one able to stop and help.
Save the Children’s Regional Director for the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe, Ahmad Alhendawi, said:
“No-one wants to get aid from these distribution points and who can blame them – it's a death sentence. People are terrified of being killed. One colleague told us today that even though his family is down to eating one meal a day, he won’t go to a GHF distribution, because he believes his life is worth more than a bag of flour.
“And to add to the dystopian horror show, children are also being killed and injured trying to reach aid – aid they have a right to. Other families tell us they are now too weak to compete to pick up food. What is happening here is nothing short of abhorrent.
“No child should be killed searching for food. This is not a humanitarian operation – it’s a death trap. Forcing civilians into fenced-in zones only for them to be gunned down is the opposite of humanitarian – it’s inhumane. And it is not the only option. There is an established humanitarian aid system which must be allowed to function. States have a choice. They can’t undo the past, but they can act now – to stop this, uphold international law, and let experienced humanitarian organisations deliver aid safely and with dignity. A party to conflict cannot be allowed to continue weaponising aid, humanitarian access, and starvation.”
The Government of Israel continues to maintain a siege on the majority of lifesaving supplies and commercial goods entering Gaza, creating a situation termed by UN officials as ‘ engineered scarcity.’ While death and injury remain the primary risks for children at these distribution sites, the UN has reported additional risks including separation from families.
Save the Children is running a primary healthcare centre in Deir Al-Balah, providing essential services to children, mothers, and families, including screening and treatment for malnutrition. Our teams deliver lifesaving water, run child-friendly spaces that offer safe places for children to play and receive psychosocial support, and set up temporary learning centres to help children continue their education during the crisis. Since the collapse of the pause on March 18, it has become extremely difficult for our staff to deliver these vital services, despite the colossal needs.
-Names changed to protect identities
[1] Save the Children analysed reports from the Gaza Media Office and the UN on the number and type of casualties at GHF and UN distribution points since 27 May 2025. Save the Children found in the 19 fatal incidents reported, children were among the casualties reported in 10 incidents – or more than half. 
About Save the Children NZ:
Save the Children works in 120 countries across the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and works with children and their communities to ensure they survive, learn and are protected.
Save the Children NZ currently supports international programmes in Fiji, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Areas of work include child protection, education and literacy, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and alleviating child poverty.
Posted on

Culture – Taikura Kapa Haka returns to Te Papa for Matariki

Source: Te Papa


This weekend, Te Papa will once again come alive with the wairua of over 600 kaumātua as Taikura Kapa Haka 2025 takes centre stage.

This annual festival celebrating and showcasing kapa haka and kaumātua takes over Aotearoa New Zealand’s national museum on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 June.

Whether you’re a long-time supporter or a first-time attendee, nau mai, haere mai, tautoko mai – come and witness the living legacy of kapa haka. The event will also be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube, watched by over 100,000 people from around the world, and ensuring whānau near and far can join in the celebration.

Each of the 17 regional, marae-based, and hāhi rōpū brings its own regional flair, waiata, and kōrero, creating a rich and vibrant showcase of traditional Māori performing arts, deeply rooted in whakapapa, tikanga, and mātauranga.

Chair of He Kura Te Tangata Trust, Turongo Paki says, “Taikura kaumaatua kapa haka is a festival for all kaumaatua from across the motu to gather and share our culture, the culture that was left behind to us by our tuupuna. 

“Although this kaupapa has grown and has become popular, we still have a kaupapa to maintain and that’s to celebrate iconic composers such a Tuini Ngawai, Paraire Tomoana, Kingi Tahiwi, Te Puea Herangi, Kingi Ihaka and many more. 

“Taikura is the only platform where you would find such taonga showcased by our revered reanga, our kaumatua”, adds Turongo.

Te Papa Kaihautū | Māori Co-leader, Dr Arapata Hakiwai acknowledges the importance of this kaupapa. 


“Taikura Kapa Haka is a deeply powerful celebration of whakapapa, vitality, unity, and our kaumātua who are the taonga of our communities.

“When they stand on stage, they carry the voices of their tīpuna and the hopes of their mokopuna. Their strength, grace, and aroha remind us who we are and where we come from.

“This event embodies the spirit of Matariki mā Puanga: coming together, honouring our past, and looking forward with hope.

“It’s an honour for Te Papa to host these living leg