Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is warning the public that the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) will be striking tomorrow, Wednesday 16 September, between 12pm and 1pm.

“I want to reassure the public that all 111 calls will be received and responded to during the strike period,” Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler says.

“However, our response times will be delayed in impacted areas as volunteer crews will be responding from the next closest location. So, we are asking the public to remain extra careful.

“Our advice remains the same. If there is a fire, get out early, stay out, then call 111.”

During the one-hour strikes, Fire and Emergency will prioritise emergencies and may not attend less serious incidents, such as private fire alarms where there is no sign of fire, small rubbish fires, traffic-management assistance, and animal rescues.

In addition, Fire and Emergency has established a process with Hato Hone St John and Wellington Free Ambulance for responding to medical events in impacted areas.

“We remain focused on achieving a fair and sustainable settlement with the NZPFU so we can continue working to keep communities safe,” Megan Stiffler says.

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Four Fire and Emergency New Zealand personnel from Auckland, Dunedin, Ōmokoroa, and Richmond were presented with King's Birthday Honours by the Governor-General, the Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, at an investiture ceremony at Government House in Wellington today.

Fire and Emergency Board Chair Raveen Jaduram was pleased to be part of the Fire and Emergency Royal Honours luncheon, held at Parliament following the investiture ceremony, celebrating the recipients and their well-deserved recognition.

“Our people being honoured today have made outstanding contributions across Fire and Emergency, as well as fostering strong connections within their communities.”

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate their achievements. We thank them for the lasting contribution they have made in service to Fire and Emergency and to Aotearoa New Zealand. Their communities are stronger because of their work.”

An additional two King’s Service Medal recipients, Ralph Pitcher and Graeme Kates, will be attending ceremonies to receive their awards later in September and October.

Congratulations to the recipients:

Mr Esitone (Leota Pauga Esitone) PAUGA, appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

Leota Pauga Esitone Pauga has served for more than 40 years with Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the preceding New Zealand Fire Service (NZFS).

Mr Pauga became a career firefighter in 1981 and served until retirement in 2025. He was an operational firefighter for 32 years before attaining the role of Assistant Commander in 2013 and Area Commander in 2015, latterly holding roles with Fire and Emergency national headquarters. He co-founded Afi Pasefika (Pacific Fire) in 1996, an initiative which has become an important part of the People Led Network and Pacific representation and advocacy within Fire and Emergency. Under his guidance Afi Pasefika has grown into a national network of career and volunteer firefighters, support personnel, and executive officers. The network works closely with Pacific communities to deliver fire safety messages, foster recruitment, and provide career advice for Pacific personnel. He was the Fire and Emergency representative on the Te Kiwi Māia Advisory Group from 2021 to 2025. His leadership has enabled firefighters and their family to access specialised wellness and recovery support. He has strengthened the relationship between Fire and Emergency and the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority, establishing collaborative initiatives to enhance operational capability. Mr Pauga led a team of firefighters to Samoa as part of New Zealand’s contribution to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2024.

Ms Michele Margot POOLE, appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

Ms Michele Poole has contributed to emergency responses across New Zealand for more than 30 years.

Ms Poole is currently a Senior Regional Communications and Engagement Advisor at Fire and Emergency New Zealand. She is a member of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Emergency Management Assistance Team, the Fire and Emergency Urban Search and Rescue Command and Technical Support team, and the Maritime New Zealand National Oil Spill Response team. She represents Fire and Emergency on the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council Public Information and Warnings Group. She has developed and implemented Fire and Emergency’s Emergency Strategic Communications capability. She trains and supports Public Information Management around New Zealand and has built capability in emergency communication across the public communications sector and in local government. She was instrumental in establishing the New Zealand chapter of Emergency Media and Public Affairs (EMPA) and chaired the New Zealand EMPA Conference from 2014 to 2021. She has contributed to some of New Zealand’s most significant emergency responses including the 2011 Christchurch and 2016 Kaikōura earthquakes, Whakaari/White Island eruption in 2019, and Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. She has been deployed to major emergency responses in New South Wales and Queensland in Australia. For her contributions to emergency communications, Ms Poole was made a Fellow of EMPA.

Mr Ian John BLUNT, awarded King’s Service Medal (KSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.

Chief Fire Officer Ian Blunt has contributed more than 40 years to community service and leadership, primarily through Ōmokoroa Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Mr Blunt joined Ōmokoroa Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1984, progressing from Station Officer in 1988 to current Chief Fire Officer since 2002. He has played a key role in regional emergency preparedness and inter-agency cooperation by forging effective partnerships between Fire and Emergency New Zealand, St John, Coastguard, and local Bay of Plenty organisations. In 2015, he pioneered the establishment of New Zealand’s first dedicated Medical First Response Unit staffed solely by medical responders, separate from the firefighting team. This innovation now supports approximately 300 calls annually and is recognised nationally. He has ensured sustainable funding for the station through community and corporate partnerships, enabling the acquisition of vehicles and equipment without requiring members to fundraise. As a long-time member, Chair and Course Superintendent of the Ōmokoroa Golf Club, he has used his own equipment and time to improve the grounds and infrastructure. He has been involved with the Ōmokoroa Boat Club since the early 1980s, serving as Commodore and ensuring ongoing emergency response collaboration to enhance community safety. Mr Blunt has been involved in Ōmokoroa Point School fundraising activities as a member of the Parent Teacher Association and through the Fire Brigade.

Mr Edward Keith (Ted) FORD, awarded King’s Service Medal (KSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the dairy industry.

Mr Ted Ford has served the Appleby community over 36 years as a volunteer firefighter and is a prominent member of the Jersey farming industry.

Mr Ford was an inaugural member of the Appleby Volunteer Rural Fire Force in 1988 and was instrumental in its transition to a Fire and Emergency New Zealand Volunteer Fire Brigade in 2017. He worked as a training coordinator and vehicle and equipment coordinator. He has had a long involvement with the Nelson Agricultural and Pastoral Association, becoming Vice President in 2018, and President from 2019 to 2021. He continues to serve as a committee member, focusing on the care and maintenance of the Association’s 100-acre park. He has volunteered with local and national Jersey groups and is a Jersey New Zealand Regional Ambassador for the Upper South Island. He was a committee member for the planning and presentation of the Top of the South New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards. He was Chair for the Top of the South Agricultural Industry Training Organisation and offered training on his farm to develop cadets' practical and theoretical farming knowledge. Mr Ford was Chair of the Appleby School Committee from 1985 to 1987 and continues to support the school with educational farming visits.

Mr Graeme Lawrence KATES awarded King’s Service Medal (KSM) for services to conservation and the community.

Mr Graeme Kates has played a significant role in the protection of native biodiversity in the Arthur’s Pass region for more than 31 years.

In 2003, Mr Kates privately funded extensive stoat and rat traps within the Bealey Valley, a conservation initiative which led to the foundation of the Arthurs Pass Wildlife Trust (APWT). With the APWT, he undertook initial work to protect the Great Spotted Kiwi in the Arthur’s Pass National Park, where his subsequent research and data collection led to improved knowledge of the species. He helped install 106 kilometres of trap line and coordinates the volunteers that service them, resulting in over eight thousand predator species caught within the Arthur’s Pass National Park. He created and maintains a website that updates the public on track and mountain conditions, weather stations and webcams within Arthur’s Pass National Park. As an experienced mountaineer, he wrote 'Arthur’s Pass: A Guide for Mountaineers', published by the New Zealand Alpine Club. He voluntarily controls invasive weed species and is largely responsible for the eradication of lupins in the Bealey Valley. Mr Kates also volunteered for Arthur’s Pass LandSAR, and served for more than 29 years with the Arthur’s Pass Volunteer Fire Brigade, including five years as Fire Controller and 17 years as Deputy Fire Controller.

Mr Ralph Edward PITCHER awarded King’s Service Medal (KSM) for services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.

Mr Ralph Pitcher has served the Whangamatā community for more than 60 years.

Mr Pitcher has been a volunteer firefighter since 1965, still actively serving as part of the Whangamatā Fire Brigade. He assisted with major equipment and building changes to the Brigade and has mentored generations of firefighters. He is founding member, President, and committee member of the Moana House retirement home, where he was integral to the completion of the Wilson Wing Hospital, and five low-cost housing cottages for pensioners. He has served for more than 48 years with the Whangamatā Lions Club, including 15 years as President. He served on several committees and manages the Charitable Trust responsible for dispersing funds to community organisations. He is Trustee of Lions Investment Golf Club, committee member of the Williamson Golf Club and was involved in the establishment of Titoki Golf Club. He was a volunteer ambulance officer and later became Chair of St John’s Whangamatā Ambulance Service. He was a committee member of the Whangamatā Club for 15 years. He was President and was founding member of the Whangamatā Sports Centre and Squash Club, contributing significantly towards the Club’s redevelopment. Mr Pitcher volunteers as a Meals on Wheels driver.

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua

15 September 2026

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua will now regulate and supervise the High Value Clearing System, under the Financial Market Infrastructures Act 2021. This follows the Minister of Finance's decision to designate the system on the Reserve Bank's recommendation.

Operated by Payments NZ, the system clears approximately $551 billion in high-value payments each month, including major transactions such as house purchases. It is the first clearing payment system to be designated as a financial market infrastructure in New Zealand.

“The High Value Clearing System plays a central role in the end-to-end processing of high-value payments,” says Scott McKinnon, Director of Specialist Supervision at the Reserve Bank.

“Designation will help ensure a critical part of New Zealand's payments infrastructure is resilient, and appropriately governed and managed. This means large payments, such as residential property purchases, can be made safely and reliably, supporting a sound and efficient financial system,” he adds.

Clearing is an essential step that must occur before settlement. It confirms the payment is valid and that funds are available to move between accounts.

The Reserve Bank already supervises the system that settles payments and this designation extends the Reserve Bank's oversight to the clearing system.

More information

• See the Proposal, Submissions and our responses.

Source: BusinessNZ

New Zealand businesses want the next Government to keep the economy growing, hold a steady course on tax and finally deliver on long-promised infrastructure, according to the results of the Deloitte and Chapman Tripp Election Survey, released today by BusinessNZ at the Deloitte and Chapman Tripp Election Conference 2026.

The survey, now regarded as one of the country's leading measures of business opinion, sets the views of BusinessNZ members alongside the policies of the parties contesting the election, across the issues that matter most to the economy: tax, regulation, infrastructure, energy, skills and the world of work.

Business NZ Chief executive Katherine Rich said the survey sent a clear message to the next Government about business priorities.

“This year’s survey tells us that, above all, business wants confidence that the economy will keep growing, certainty that tax settings won’t be pulled out from under them, and follow-through on the infrastructure plans that have been talked about for years.”

Key findings include a majority agreeing that New Zealand’s retirement settings need reviewing, with most support for raising the retirement age to 67, while there was overwhelming support for parties to agree on a long-term, bipartisan plan for infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the cost of energy loomed as a major concern.

Deloitte New Zealand Chief Executive Mike Horne said the results suggested businesses were looking beyond short-term challenges and focusing on the foundations of long-term growth.

“What stands out to me is that businesses are increasingly focused on what comes next. They want an environment that supports investment, productivity and growth, together with the certainty needed to plan for the future.

“The survey also highlights the importance of energy, infrastructure and international competitiveness. These are not separate conversations. New Zealand's prosperity depends on our ability to produce more, connect more and compete more, and businesses are looking for the certainty and investment settings that help unlock those opportunities.

Economic environment and regulation

Asked to name the single most important issue for achieving sustained economic growth, 57.7% of respondents pointed to the economic environment itself, well ahead of infrastructure (16.5%) and skills and human capital (11.7%).

Views on the Government’s record were mixed: 58.1% believe the Government has a coordinated plan of action to raise economic performance, while 47.1% said regulatory changes over the past three years have increased the cost of doing business, against 41.7% who disagreed. Just over a third (39.1%) believe regulatory reforms have improved productivity and ease of doing business to some extent, while a similar proportion (32.8%) saw no material difference.

On tax, the clearest message from members is a preference for stability rather than change. A majority want no change to personal (61.8%) or corporate (57.6%) tax rates, and 65.3% oppose a wealth tax. Views on a capital gains tax are almost evenly split (46.0% yes, 45.7% no). An overwhelming 93.5% of respondents rate an internationally competitive tax system as important or very important.

On retirement settings, two-thirds (66.5%) support raising the age of superannuation entitlement – most commonly to 67 – and 89.1% support making KiwiSaver contributions compulsory for employers, employees and the self-employed, with the largest group (39.9%) favouring a combined contribution rate of 10%.

Sustainable investment and energy

Energy costs remain a significant concern for business, with 80.4% saying future energy prices are an issue they are worried about, and 61.3% believing the Government is not doing enough to reduce regulatory barriers to electricity supply.

A clear majority (63.3%) believe New Zealand needs to increase its investment in adapting to climate change and natural hazards, and of those, 64.5% think this should be funded by central government rather than local government or affected property owners.

Infrastructure

Business support for long-term, cross-party infrastructure planning is emphatic: 94.7% back a bipartisan 20-30 year approach to infrastructure planning and funding, and 82.8% support recycling central and local government assets, with proceeds directed to new infrastructure. Support for public-private partnerships in delivering major projects sits at 64.5%, with a further 31.7% saying it depends on the sector.

Skills, immigration and the future of work

Members want compulsory education to lift its game: 72.4% identified literacy and numeracy attainment as needing review, followed by raising the standard of secondary education (68.1%) and school attendance (58.4%).

On the future of work, 58.5% expect artificial intelligence and robotics to have a significant impact on the size and composition of their workforce over the next five to ten years, while just over half (53.5%) have confidence in getting the skills they need under current immigration settings.

Employment environment

A majority of respondents (57.4%) said they had experienced difficulty terminating an unsatisfactory employee’s employment, and 59.6% favour bargaining for collective employment agreements at the enterprise level over sectoral or national bargaining. Notably, 56.7% said they would be prepared to pay the living wage as a minimum in their business in the near future.

Mrs Rich said the conference had become an important fixture on the election year calendar.

“We are proud to release these results at the Deloitte and Chapman Tripp Election Conference, where the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and spokespeople from across Parliament are putting their cases directly to the business community. The questions our members have raised deserve considered answers, and this is the forum in which to test them.”

“Our thanks go to our partners, Deloitte and Chapman Tripp, to the political parties for engaging so fully, and above all to the members who took the time to respond,” Mrs Rich said.

Important context for these results

The survey results needed to be read alongside some important caveats about this year's sample.

• Lower response than previous years: the survey drew 423 responses, of which 279 were fully completed. BusinessNZ attributes the lower turnout to ongoing survey fatigue and the absence of some member groups this year. However, the depth and breadth of questions mean it remains one of the most useful barometers of business sentiment available.
• Skewed toward larger firms: the 2026 sample is more heavily weighted towards large businesses than in previous years, with over a quarter of respondents employing 500 or more staff.
• Small business and the self-employed under-represented: on some questions, this matters. For example, close to nine in ten respondents supported making KiwiSaver contributions compulsory, including for the self-employed – a group barely represented in this sample, and one that may well take a different view, given many regard their business as their long-term retirement savings.
• Not every respondent answered every question: results are reported as the ‘valid percent’ – the proportion of those who answered each individual question – rather than as a share of the full sample.

“While we don’t consider this has materially changed the overall findings, we think it’s important for voters, parties and media to see these results in that context, rather than treat them as a precise mirror of the whole business community,” Mrs Rich said.

Notes

• The Deloitte and Chapman Tripp Election Survey, conducted by BusinessNZ, comprises two related questionnaires: a member survey of BusinessNZ members, and a political party survey inviting the main parties contesting the election to set out their policies across five areas – the economic environment, sustainable investment, infrastructure, skills and human capital, and the employment environment.
• All percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number and, as a result, may not sum to 100%.
• Compare the survey results with BusinessNZ’s election priorities here. (https://businessnz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/BusinessNZ-Election-priorities-2026-report.pdf)
• The full survey report, including all party responses, is available from BusinessNZ. (https://businessnz.org.nz/)

Source: Health Accelerator

15 September

A digital assistant designed to reduce administrative burden in primary care has helped general practices across Aotearoa recover more than $500,000 in previously unclaimed ACC funding, delivering a significant financial boost to practices at a time of increasing cost pressures.

Developed by Health Accelerator, the national primary care innovation hub, the tool acts as an automated auditor within practice management systems. It identifies eligible ACC consultations that have not been billed within ACC's 12-month claiming period and automatically prepares the claims for submission on behalf of participating practices.

Since reaching its first milestone of $180,000 in recovered funding in late 2025, the digital assistant has more than doubled its impact. The Indici practices currently using the tool have now recovered more than half a million dollars that may otherwise have remained unclaimed.

On average, participating practices have recovered unclaimed funding, providing additional revenue that can be reinvested into patient care, workforce support and practice operations.

Paul Roseman, Chief Executive at Health Accelerator, says: “The result demonstrates the value of practical innovation that solves everyday challenges for busy primary care teams. General practice teams are under enormous pressure and every dollar counts!

“Clinicians and administrators don't have the time to manually sift through thousands of patient records to identify missed funding opportunities. The ACC ‘robot’ does that work automatically, helping practices receive the funding they're entitled to for the care they've already provided,” continues Roseman.

Bindi Norwell, Co-Chair at Health Accelerator says: “Recovering more than half a million dollars across participating practices shows what's possible when we use technology to remove administrative friction. Rather than spending time chasing paperwork, practices can focus on caring for patients and strengthening their services.

“Importantly, this isn't about doing more work. It's about making sure practices are properly compensated for the work they're already doing,” conclude Norwell.

The tool is part of Health Accelerator's broader programme to identify and scale solutions that improve efficiency, sustainability and outcomes across primary care.

More information about the digital assistant is available at: Health Accelerator

About Health Accelerator

Health Accelerator is a national collaboration driving smarter, faster innovation in primary healthcare. Backed by four of New Zealand’s largest general practice networks — Pegasus, Pinnacle, ProCare, and Tū Ora Compass Health — we support over 500 practices and care for around 2 million people across Aotearoa. Our mission is to reduce administrative burden, improve clinical workflows, and enhance patient experiences through digital health solutions. By working together across the sector, we’re accelerating the development and adoption of practical tools that deliver real value to primary care teams and the communities they serve.

Source: Conversation at the Crossroads

Amnesty International has described the upsurge of human rights violations as a direct “attack on humanity”. It is also a direct attack on democracy.

This rapidly worsening situation requires our attention, hence the forum on 30 September to which you are warmly invited. Full details below .

May I take a couple of minutes to explain. Over the last several weeks, we have seen:

Ukraine War : a drastic upsurge in civilian deaths and injuries on both sides, including women, children, doctors and medical workers, and terrible damage to civilian infrastructure

Palestine : Israeli attacks in Gaza which killed dozens of Palestinians and injured many more, including women and children, while Palestinian refugees have been expelled from Palestinian refugee camps, and settler attacks have led to forced displacement and interference with humanitarian assistance

Sudan : mass killings, attacks on civilian infrastructure, abductions of women and girls and mass rape – so far, 13 million people have been driven from their homes.

Myanmar : international crimes committed by the military with increasing intensity and frequency, including aerial attacks on religious buildings, schools and hospitals.

Iran : continuing repression and executions of protesters.

Iran War : reported evidence of unlawful US-Israeli attacks using explosive weapons with wide-area effects in densely populated parts of Tehran.

And the perpetrators of untold human suffering still able to act with complete impunity.

But they are not alone. The actions of Washington, London, Berlin and Canberra are far from blameless. Quite apart from their inaction or complicity in these armed conflicts, their own citizens are not being spared.

In the US, immigrant university students have been detained and placed in deportation proceedings for speaking out on political issues. Universities, media organisations, law firms and civil-society actors have all been subjected to various forms of intimidation.

In the UK anti-protest laws have substantially restricted freedom and expression. It is not just pro-Palestinian protestors. Environmentalists have received prison sentences measured in years for non-violent civil disobedience.

Nor can Australia be excluded. Asylum seekers are often subjected to indefinite detention, poor living conditions, deteriorating physical and mental health and family separation. As for the First Nations, they constitute only 3% of the Australian adult population but 37% of the prison population. In 2024–25, approximately 62% of 10–17-year-olds in detention were First Nations, even though they comprise only a small proportion of Australian children.

All of which raises the question: Can Western governments and societies keep proclaiming their democratic credentials while allowing such grotesque human rights violations to persist and intensify?

The Human Rights forum on 30 September will address two pressing questions: What exactly is happening in today’s world? Is it time to sound the alarm?

I very much hope you and friends will be able to join us.

📅 Wednesday 30 September 2026 , 6.30–8.30 pm

5.45 pm — Doors open

6.00 pm — Refreshments, informal conversation and networking

📍 The Wheeler Centre

176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne Victoria 3000

Tickets to attend in person or online are available. Places are limited so get in early!

In person: General Admission — $27, Concession — $18

Online: General Admission — $15, Concession — $10

The event will explore how we can strengthen international cooperation, build a better informed and engaged citizenry, and reform the United Nations to deliver greater accountability and more effective action to prevent conflict and protect human dignity.

At a time when international law is under extraordinary pressure and millions of people are being displaced by conflict, violence and persecution, these are questions we cannot afford to ignore.

FEATURING

Caitlin Reiger

Human rights lawyer and CEO of the Human Rights Law Centre, with 25 years’ experience working globally on justice and accountability for human rights violations. From transitional justice in Timor-Leste, Sierra Leone, Cambodia and Colombia to her work with the Yoorrook Justice Commission, Caitlin has championed truth, reparations and institutional reform.

Spencer Zifcak

Emeritus Professor of Law at Australian Catholic University and leading scholar of international human rights and constitutional law. With academic roles at Oxford, New York University and the University of Bristol, Spencer has also held prominent positions with Liberty Victoria, the International Commission of Jurists and the Accountability Round Table. He is a respected voice on human rights, law and public policy.

Kate Gilmore

Former UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Kate Gilmore is Co-Chair of WHO’s Human Rights Advisory Panel on Human Reproduction, Vice Chair of Interpeace and, until recently, chair of the Board of the International Planned Parenthood Federation. Having also held honorary appointments with the University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University, LSE and the University of Essex, she began her career in Melbourne, helping to set up the first Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA House)..

Daniela Gavshon

Daniela is Australia Director at Human Rights Watch. Previously, she founded the Truth and Accountability program at the Justice and Equity Centre, leading human rights and war crimes investigations. She was also Solomon Islands Head of Office for the International Center for Transitional Justice and is Co-Chair of the International Bar Association’s War Crimes Committee and an adjunct lecturer at UNSW.

Joseph Camilleri – Moderator

Professor Emeritus in International Relations at La Trobe University and Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. Author and editor of more than 35 books, Joe has spent decades exploring peace and security, geopolitics, governance and conflict resolution. Through Conversation at the Crossroads and SHAPE, he continues to bring people together around the challenges facing humanity and our planet.

Tickets: Book tickets

Source: Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi

Simeon Brown’s refusal today to say whether Treasury has recommended selling state assets, or to rule out asset sales should National lead the next government, raises the question voters deserve an answer to: is there a secret agenda being hatched?

The Minister of State-Owned Enterprises today confirmed Treasury has provided advice on its asset review to ministers, advice that has been sitting on his desk for weeks but wouldn’t say what it recommends or when – if ever – New Zealanders will get to see it.

“If there’s nothing to hide, release the advice,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, PSA National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.

“New Zealanders are heading to the polls, and they deserve to know now, not after the election, whether National are planning to sell off the assets we all own.

“We all know that ACT wants to sell the Crown’s shareholdings in the gentailers – so we say come clean now National, what deals are being worked on?

“We’ve been here before, and it was a disaster. Asset sales in the 1980s and 90s stripped thousands of workers of their jobs, sent profits offshore to new owners, and left taxpayers picking up the bill when privatisations like the Bank of New Zealand and Air New Zealand failed and had to be bought back. Two thirds of voters rejected asset sales at the 2013 referendum – that hasn’t changed.

“This Government has spent three years gutting the public service, cutting jobs and funding for the services New Zealanders rely on. If the plan is to now sell off the assets we all own, working people deserve to be told the truth before they vote, not have it sprung on them afterwards.”

The PSA is calling on Simeon Brown to:

• Tell voters what National’s assets sales plan is.
• Release the Treasury advice on asset sales in full, now.
• Confirm which state-owned enterprises and commercial assets have been assessed as part of this review.

“Our public assets belong to all of us – they exist to deliver for New Zealanders, not to be flogged off to enrich a handful of shareholders,” Fitzsimons said.

“Let’s not repeat the mistakes of the past and keep our assets in our hands.”

Notes to editors

The Post reported today that Simeon Brown declined to say whether a Treasury review of state assets had recommended any be sold, or whether National would rule out asset sales at the election. Treasury confirmed in late July that advice had been provided to ministers and “remains under active consideration.” The Government owns about $100 billion in commercial assets, including 51% stakes in Meridian, Mercury and Genesis and full ownership of smaller SOEs such as TVNZ, MetService and Kordia.

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.

Source: Revolution InfoSec

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – 15th September, 2026 – Business leaders are increasingly accountable for cyber security, yet most of the software designed to manage it is built for technical specialists. New Zealand cyber security consultancy Revolution InfoSec believes this has created a “forgotten middle” of New Zealand businesses. These organisations have outgrown spreadsheets and ad hoc processes but don't yet have the resources, expertise or need for enterprise-grade cyber governance platforms. This places them at risk of large incoming penalties.

To address this gap, Revolution InfoSec has launched SecurityCentral – a governance platform designed specifically for business leaders and owners who need confidence that their organisation's cyber security risk is under control, without needing to become cyber security experts themselves.

While large organisations often employ dedicated cyber security teams and sophisticated governance tools, many medium sized organisations face the same cyber risks and increasing governance expectations, but without specialist internal resources. SecurityCentral offers an affordable platform that bridges this gap for businesses and organisations of all sizes.

Business leaders know cyber security is now a boardroom responsibility, but many simply don't know where to start. Furthermore, this is about to get a lot more serious; the law is likely to change. Directors will face personal criminal liability of up to $500,000 for a critical breach.

“Businesses aren’t looking for another complex IT platform. They're looking for confidence that the right things are being done. They need risks identified, and meaningful information that they can use to make decisions and provide assurance to their board, customers and stakeholders,” says Revolution InfoSec Founder Alistair Ross.

Unlike many governance, risk and compliance (GRC) platforms designed primarily for technical specialists, SecurityCentral has been developed alongside New Zealand businesses facing these real-world challenges. Drawing on Revolution InfoSec's years of consulting experience, it has been built from the ground up to provide business leaders with a practical, easy-to-use way to understand and manage cyber risk.

SecurityCentral supports internationally recognised standards such as ISO/IEC 27001, alongside New Zealand-specific frameworks including the New Zealand Minimum Cyber Security Standards (NZMCSS) and Te Whatu Ora's Health Information Security Framework (NZ HISF). For organisations operating in, or supplying to, the New Zealand public sector, these New Zealand frameworks provide a practical pathway to demonstrating that recognised cyber security controls are in place and meeting customer and procurement expectations.

SecurityCentral also combines its governance, risk and compliance tooling with integrated Vulnerability Management, giving organisations visibility of both governance activities and technical vulnerabilities through a single platform. While many GRC platforms rely on separate vulnerability management solutions, SecurityCentral brings both together, providing business leaders with a more complete picture of their organisation's cyber security.

“We built SecurityCentral because we kept seeing the same problem. Growing New Zealand businesses were expected to manage cyber risk like large enterprises, but the tools available were either too basic or designed for organisations with dedicated cyber security teams. We wanted to build something that gave business leaders a complete picture of cyber risk in one place, while speaking the language of business rather than IT,” says Ross.

Revolution InfoSec believes the growing focus on governance, customer trust and assurance, cyber insurance and regulatory expectations means more New Zealand organisations are entering this “forgotten middle”, creating demand for practical cyber security solutions designed specifically for decision-makers rather than technical specialists.

Launch Offer: To celebrate the launch of SecurityCentral, Revolution InfoSec is inviting five eligible New Zealand organisations to become Founding Customers. Selected organisations will receive a complimentary 12-month SecurityCentral subscription and work alongside the Revolution InfoSec team during implementation.

Applications are open now and are limited to organisations that are a suitable fit for the programme. Full eligibility criteria and terms are available from Revolution InfoSec. For more information or to apply, visit https://securitycentral.online/12monthfreesub.php

About Revolution InfoSec

Revolution InfoSec was launched in 2023 in response to a cybersecurity industry that was either too focused on box-ticking exercises or too interested in selling products. We believe the most important value we can provide is helping humans first.

Source: New Zealand Principals’ Federation

Around 1,000 school principals from across Aotearoa will join delegates from over 20 countries in Auckland this week as the New Zealand Principals’ Federation hosts the 2026 International Confederation of Principals Convention.

Running from 16 to 18 September at the New Zealand International Convention Centre, the global event will be one of the largest gatherings of school leaders New Zealand has ever seen.

“The ICP 2026 Convention is a unique opportunity for New Zealand school leaders to connect and strengthen international collaboration in education,” NZPF National President Jason Miles says.

“The rich programme of keynote sessions, practical workshops, and special events makes it a dynamic space for New Zealand principals to connect with others facing similar challenges across the world, all while showcasing Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique cultural identity on a global stage,” he says.

International speakers include Dr LaQuanta Nelson, a renowned leadership, culture, and performance strategist from Mississippi, and Louka Parry, an award-winning educator based in Adelaide and founder of The Learning Future. Also speaking are Professor Peter O’Connor, celebrated New Zealand educator, technology entrepreneur Sir Ian Taylor, and All Blacks leadership and mental performance coach Gilbert Enoka.

The convention’s theme, Purapura Korari, Ka ruia e te hau, The Four Winds, is rooted in Aotearoa but aimed at the world. It emphasises both the nurturing of local traditions and the importance of global exchange, Mr Miles says.

“We have drawn inspiration from the flax bush and its seeds as symbols for generations of learners, equity in education, and the global spread of ideas,” he says.

“As the winds carry seeds across the world, ICP 2026 will carry forward innovative practices, cultural wisdom, and leadership strategies to shape the future of schools worldwide,” says Jason Miles.

Event information: icp2026nz.com

About the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF)

The NZPF is New Zealand’s leading advocacy group for principals. Its members lead diverse school communities, from remote rural kura to large urban facilities, serving students from all backgrounds and with all learning needs. It is the professional voice for school leaders, equipping principals with the tools, support, and knowledge they need to lead schools where every child can thrive. www.nzpf.ac.nz

About International Confederation of Principals (ICP)

The ICP is the only global network of national school leader associations. It is dedicated to the development, support, and promotion of school leadership. The convention is held in different locations every two years, most recently being hosted in Mombasa, Kenya, in 2024 by the Kenyan Secondary School Heads Association. www.icponline.org

Source: Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa New Zealand Nurses Organisation

NZNO members working at Tauranga Hospital’s emergency department (ED) are frustrated at facing a daily deluge of patients without the staff they need – forcing them to declare a state of emergency.

In a letter sent to Te Whatu Ora chief executive Dr Dale Bramley on Tuesday, signed by more than 100 ED staff (attached), workers say the gap between patient demand and available resources continues to widen.

Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO delegate John Wylie says staff are being asked to assess and treat some patients in corridors, due to increasing capacity and patient flow issues.

The letter states assessment and treatment of patients in corridors has become routine practice due to ongoing capacity and patient flow pressures. It compromises patient privacy and dignity, heightens clinical risk, and contributes to staff stress, fatigue, moral distress, and burnout.

Patients are at risk because of the increasing demand without the increase in staff to match this. Staff are stretched too thin and can’t give patients the care they need. This is heartbreaking for our exhausted colleagues who became health care workers because they want to help people.

“We are often working at more than 150-200% capacity, and I cannot recall any recent day when the ED was not running at over 100% capacity.”

It said the risks associated with this environment are no longer theoretical, the nursing team are becoming increasingly concerned that without urgent action to address capacity and staffing pressures, serious incidents will occur.

“Ultimately, patients pay the price for hospitals that are continuously understaffed and under-resourced,” John Wylie says.

In response to the letter (also attached), the Te Whatu Ora Chief Executive acknowledge the sustained pressures experienced by the department and the impact these can have on both staff wellbeing and the delivery of patient care.

“Ensuring Tauranga ED has the workforce and resources it needs to provide safe, high-quality care is a priority.”

John Wylie says while the prompt and empathetic response was appreciated, the team look forward to meeting and agreeing on positive changes.