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Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa – Outdoor Access Commission Announces New Chief Executive

Source: Herenga ā Nuku – the Outdoor Access Commission

The Board of Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, the Outdoor Access Commission, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dan Wildy as its new Chief Executive Officer. Dr Wildy will succeed Ric Cullinane, who has retired after a tenure as a long-serving and highly respected leader of the organisation.
Herenga ā Nuku is the Crown agency responsible for enhancing free, certain, enduring, and practical public access to the outdoors. The Commission works to protect and extend access to the outdoors for walking, biking, horse riding, fishing, hunting, and other forms of recreation, ensuring that New Zealanders can enjoy the outdoors.
Dr Wildy brings over 27 years of public sector leadership experience, with a strong background in governance, strategic transformation, and operational delivery. He is currently serving as Director: National Intelligence at New Zealand Police, where he has led significant national initiatives in intelligence and public safety.
Dr Wildy began his career in the New Zealand Army, serving in various roles both nationally and overseas. He is a graduate of the New Zealand Defence Force Command and Staff College. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (History)-awarded with placement on the Dean’s List-as well as a Master of Strategic Studies with Merit.
Dr Wildy is also a tramper, hunter, angler and advocate for the outdoors. His connection to the land and outdoor recreation aligns with the values of Herenga ā Nuku.
The Board is confident that Dr Wildy’s strategic leadership, collaborative approach, and appreciation for nature will guide the organisation into an exciting new chapter. We look forward to working with him to continue strengthening public access to the outdoors.
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Māori Unity, Focus, and a Progressive Path Forward – Mike Smith

Source: Mike Smith: Keep the Journey Moving — Māori Unity, Focus, and a Progressive Path Forward

Veteran Māori activist Mike Smith is urging Te Pāti Māori and the Toitū te Tiriti group to move swiftly into the next phase of their political journey, saying now is not the time to stall or look backwards.

“There are always potholes along the road,” said Smith. “We try to avoid them, but sometimes we hit one. When that happens, we shouldn’t stop and drive back and forward over it. If you get a flat tyre, don’t keep driving on the rim—change the tyre and keep going. This is not about the potholes or the tyres. It’s about the journey and the destination—and most importantly, it’s about the whānau in the back seat.”

Smith said he’s encouraged to see Te Pāti Māori refocusing and repositioning as the year draws to a close.

“It’s good to see and hear that Te Pāti Māori is refocusing—it’s perfect timing to carry that energy into the new year. The kaupapa of Māori advancement is bigger than any single organisation. This is the moment to strengthen our collective resolve, not lose momentum.”

As part of this renewed push, Smith is calling for cross-party collaboration among Māori Members of Parliament from Te Pāti Māori, the Greens, and Labour, to deliver a solid, unified campaign agenda heading into next year’s elections.

“We need to start talking and working together now to shape a campaign platform that reflects the shared priorities of our people—tino rangatiratanga, justice, and a fair future for our mokopuna,” he said.

At the same time, Smith is calling on the Māori movement itself—including community organisations, hapū networks, and advocacy groups—to tighten its organisation and deliver a coherent, progressive development agenda capable of being enacted both inside and outside of government.

“Our strength lies not just in who we elect, but in how we organise. The movement must stay focused on building solutions—economic, social, and cultural—that can be delivered whether we’re in government or not. The next phase of our journey must be grounded in unity, discipline, and purpose.”

Smith emphasised that the political road ahead will not be smooth, but the focus must remain on the destination and the wellbeing of the whānau who depend on the movement’s leadership and courage.

“The road will always have bumps, but if we stay united and keep our eyes on the horizon, we’ll reach the destination our ancestors dreamed of. The most important thing is that we keep driving—together.”

Mike Smith
Veteran Activist and Climate Leader
Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu

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World Mental Health Day | Palestine Forum of New Zealand

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

Every year on October 10, the world comes together to raise awareness of mental health and advocate for the right to live with dignity, support, and well-being.

But for Palestinians, mental health is not just a matter of awareness, it’s a matter of survival.
Decades of occupation, siege, forced displacement, and daily violence have created a collective trauma that affects every generation. The children who grow up under bombardment. The families living under constant fear. The youth carry the weight of loss, exile, and injustice.

Mental health in Palestine cannot be separated from the political reality that causes the pain. Healing requires more than words, it requires freedom, justice, and an end to the systems of oppression.

On this World Mental Health Day, we stand with mental health workers and communities in Palestine who continue to care for others despite their own suffering. We honor their resilience and demand global action to address the root causes of Palestinian trauma.

Mental health is a human right. So is freedom.

Palestine Forum of New Zealand.

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Gaza Ceasefire – Oxfam reaction to Gaza ceasefire deal

Source: Oxfam Aotearoa

Reacting to the announcement of the first stage of a ceasefire deal in Gaza, Oxfam International’s Executive Director Amitabh Behar said:
“This is a desperately needed step towards ending Israel’s genocide in Gaza. We welcome the release of Israeli hostages and unlawfully detained Palestinians.
“This fragile ceasefire must be the beginning of a sustained and principled effort that leads to ending Israel’s unlawful occupation and blockade. It must be focused on restoring rights and rebuilding lives. Any political or reconstruction plan must not entrench the occupation or further undermine Palestinian sovereignty.
“The path forward must be Palestinian-led and rooted in the fulfilment of fundamental rights. Negotiations on Gaza’s future must go beyond bricks and mortar – they must restore the foundations of daily life, rebuild shattered communities and offer pathways to healing and hope. This must go hand-in-hand with Palestinian self-determination, with Palestinians leading the rebuilding and governance of Gaza, and shaping their own future across all occupied territory.
“The ceasefire must immediately unlock full and unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza, supported by the international community ensuring that a sustainable ceasefire is upheld.
“The international community must also ensure that Israel opens all crossings and allows aid and commercial goods to flow freely and safely at scale into every corner of the Strip. Humanitarian efforts must be UN-led and principled.
“Israel’s deliberate use of starvation, forced displacement, and destruction of civilian infrastructure over the past two years must be investigated as crimes under international law and those responsible held to account. A ceasefire marks only the beginning. It stops the killing and must pave the way for the next phase: preparing the ground for a sustainable peace and genuine reconciliation. This process cannot succeed without justice and accountability at its core, to prevent impunity and ensure the cycle of violence is not repeated.
“This moment must mark a shift toward an authentic, inclusive process grounded in human rights, equality, and dignity for all. World leaders must ensure that this ceasefire is upheld by all parties, that those who committed war crimes are investigated and prosecuted and the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination is upheld.” 
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Gaza Ceasefire – Pause in hostilities a crucial relief for children in Gaza – now it must become a definitive and lasting ceasefire

Source: Save the Children

Reports of an impending pause in hostilities in Gaza signals a hopeful reprieve on the horizon for families and children, but must be a turning point to secure a definitive ceasefire, said Save the Children. 
Inger Ashing, CEO of Save the Children International, said: 
“Today we watch with hope that a long overdue reprieve may be on the horizon for the children of Gaza. With bombs and bullets silenced, families will be able to think to the future, of rebuilding and recovering. People deprived of their liberty, including hostages and some of the many detained Palestinians, will be able to return to their families. We dare to hope that this step provides a collective chance to end the unconscionable suffering that has gone on for far too long. 
“But safety for children requires more than words, it requires work, and while today’s announcements are a crucial first step for children’s survival – children who have been failed for too long as the world has watched – this survival will only be secured if it is followed by a definitive and lasting ceasefire. 
“Gaza now needs a sustained surge of aid to stop more deaths from starvation, disease, and injuries. Humanitarian access is a legal obligation, not a point for political negotiation, and this obligation must now be upheld. Save the Children stands ready to scale-up our support and deliver life-saving supplies and treatment to children who desperately need it. 
“This pause and any ceasefire that may follow must ensure accountability for the loss of tens of thousands of young lives and for the grave harm caused to surviving children for whom the indelible consequences of hunger, disease, and physical and mental injury will leave a lasting mark. The international community must come together to ensure that the atrocities that Palestinian children have endured over the past two years never happen again – to any child anywhere. 
“This also means addressing the root causes of repeated bouts of violence and a decades-long child rights crisis by ending the occupation, lifting the blockade on Gaza, and creating the conditions for lasting and definitive peace. Anything less than a definitive ceasefire and comprehensive accountability will fall short of the safety, assistance and rights Palestinian children need, deserve and are entitled to.”
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Economy – RBNZ publishes Competition Assessment Guidelines for prudential policy development

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ)

10 October 2025 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua has today published Competition Assessment Guidelines that outline how we take competition into account when developing prudential policy.

Director Prudential Policy Jess Rowe says the guidelines are designed to support policy teams in identifying and assessing competition impacts early in the policy development process.

“Competition is already a key principle we take into account when making policy decisions. These guidelines provide a clear framework for how and when competition should be considered,” Ms Rowe says.

“Thinking about competition early in the process helps us to explore or consider alternative ways of achieving regulatory objectives while also promoting better outcomes for competition.”

The Competition Assessment Guidelines for Prudential Policy set out key concepts that underpin competition analysis, helping ensure our decisions support a sound and efficient financial system.

Competition Assessment Guidelines for Prudential Policy: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=44b874876b&e=f3c68946f8

The publication of the Competition Assessment Guidelines for Prudential Policy responds to recommendations from the Commerce Commission's market study into personal banking services, and aligns with the Minister of Finance's December 2024 letter of expectations, which called on RBNZ to develop a competition assessment framework for prudential policy.

“I'd like to thank our Commerce Commission peers for their insights and suggestions as we worked to develop these guidelines,” says Ms Rowe.

Deposit Takers Act 2023

The Competition Assessment Guidelines for Prudential Policy will be of particular use as we work to complete a multi-year programme to introduce the Deposit Takers Act 2023 (DTA). The DTA modernises New Zealand's regulatory framework for deposit takers. It aims to help ensure the safety and soundness of deposit takers and support a stable financial system that New Zealanders can trust.

DTA standards will be issued by 31 May 2027 and come into effect on 1 December 2028.

Deposit Takers Act – Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=cdfb5ec8ef&e=f3c68946f8

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Quality of ethnicity data in the experimental administrative population census (APC): High level summary – Stats NZ research paper


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Household saving increases in the June 2025 quarter – National accounts (income, saving, assets, and liabilities): June 2025 quarter – Stats NZ news story and information release


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Gaza Israel Ceasefire – PSNA cautious welcome for ceasefire and hostage release deal

Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

PSNA is cautiously welcoming the Gaza ceasefire and proposed exchange of hostages between Israel and Hamas. 


At least 7,000 Palestinians are being held in detention without trial by Israel and about 20 Israeli soldiers are held by Hamas.


Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa Co-chair, Maher Nazzal says the deal is a reprieve from Israel’s genocidal attacks on Palestinians in Gaza.


“It’s been two years of mass bombing and starvation.  It’s the worst atrocity of the 21st century.”


“The real tragedy is that the main elements of this ceasefire deal were already agreed to nine months ago in January.  Israel was forced to let Palestinians return to Gaza City, and lower the intensity of its attacks.”


“Within a few weeks, the Israelis scuttled the agreement, shut off all food and intensified their attacks and are now ethnically re-cleansing Gaza City.”


“Expulsion is still the Israeli government’s aim.  Netanyahu must be disappointed that Trump is no longer advocating for removal of Palestinians from Gaza, but Netanyahu usually gets his way with Trump in the end.”


Nazal says PSNA especially notes the Hamas acceptance statement calls on countries supporting the deal – New Zealand included – to make sure Israel abides by the few specific conditions imposed on Israel in the agreement.


 “Israel has broken every peace deal it has ever signed on Palestine, right from occupying more than half of what was allocated by the United Nations as a Palestinian state in 1948.”


“In the 1993 Oslo peace deal, which the US also brokered, there was meant to be a Palestinian state within five years.  Israel made sure this never happened.”


“This time, there is no mention of the Occupied West Bank.  Nothing about return of refugees.  There is no commitment in the Trump deal for a Palestinian state, for Winston Peters to eventually recognise. There’s just a vague pathway with no timelines and it’s all conditional on Israeli approval,” Nazzal says. 


“So we have a message for Winston Peters, who is demanding PSNA and other protesters applaud the Trump deal as ‘case solved’.”


“Ceasefire or not, our campaign to isolate the apartheid state of Israel will continue to grow until all Palestinians are liberated.” 


Maher Nazzal

Co-Chair

Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

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PSA slams Minister for crowing over making experienced public service workers redundant

Source: PSA

The Government's restructure of the public service has achieved little more than hurting people and encouraging more of our brightest to head to Australia.
Public Service Minister Judith Collins is applauding the latest public service workforce data showing her government has cut 1533 people from jobs in the past year, at a cost of $80.4m.
“Her comments today are insensitive and hurtful to the lives of thousands of public service workers her government has axed so it can cut taxes for landlords and big tobacco,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“These aren't just numbers on a spreadsheet – they're skilled, experienced people who understand how to make government work for New Zealanders. Many have taken their expertise to Australia where they're valued.
“The Minister talks about savings and rebalancing, but what she won't talk about is the long-term damage being done to New Zealand's ability to face the critical challenges ahead.
“We’re cutting experienced policy analysts, managers and administrators at exactly the time we need them most to tackle an ageing population, climate change and our infrastructure deficit.
“The Government claims frontline roles have increased, but our members on the ground tell a different story. Frontline workers are being asked to do more with less support, taking on administrative work that used to be done by the very back-office roles the Minister has axed.
“This is why thousands of health workers and others are striking on 23 October to send a loud and clear message to the Government that its priorities are all wrong and it should be investing more in the public service to deliver to the needs of New Zealanders.
“Spending $80.4 million on redundancy payments to get rid of experienced public servants is a false economy. You can't build a stronger New Zealand by gutting the public service of the very people who help deliver the services Kiwis rely on.
“New Zealanders deserve a public service with the capacity and expertise to deliver the services they need to get ahead and improve their health and wellbeing. Instead, we're watching that capability walk out the door.”
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.