Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Sustainable Business – 17th Climate Change & Business Conference: Where Ambition Meets Action

Source: Sustainable Business Council

Aotearoa New Zealand’s premier Climate Change and Business Conference returns in 2025, bringing together global and local leaders to accelerate climate action and business innovation.
The conference is taking place on 8-9 September at the Viaduct Events Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. This year’s theme Ambition. Accountability. Action. promises to inspire and challenge business to take meaningful steps toward addressing the impacts of climate change.
Chief Executive of the Sustainable Business Council (SBC), Mike Burrell, says this year’s conference theme is timely and critical, given the increasingly complex geopolitical environment businesses are navigating.
“Forward thinking businesses recognise the focus on climate action must remain. The science has never been more urgent or clear – we must continue to pursue better business for a better world, and this year’s conference reflects the need for that ambition to now meet action.”
The two day-event will offer a unique opportunity to learn from global and domestic leaders and changemakers across business, government, iwi, media and civil society, who are turning climate strategies into solutions and real-world impact.
The 2025 international speaking line-up includes:
– Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, MP: Vanuatu’s Minister for Climate Change Adaptation, Energy, Environment, Meteorology, Geo-Hazards and Disaster Management.
– Prof. Elizabeth Robinson: Acting Dean of the London School of Economics’ Global School of Sustainability.
– Lord Adair Turner: Chair of the Energy Transitions Commission (a global coalition of companies, NGOs and experts working to achieve a net zero economy by 2040).
Environmental Defence Society (EDS) Chief Executive Gary Taylor says, “The conference brings together visionaries and leaders in the climate space at a time when serious engagement is needed more urgently than ever, given the profound changes taking place globally.”
“This event is about having challenging conversations, tackling the gnarliest of climate issues facing our country, and driving real and meaningful change.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in more than 30 different plenary, workshops and breakout sessions, all designed to equip business leaders with the tools and insights needed to lead out on climate.
Genesis CEO and Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC) Steering Group Convenor Malcolm Johns says, “As business leaders we are facing a variety of pressures and shifting geopolitical dynamics, but it is imperative that we stay the course, remain focused and maintain our momentum on climate action.”
“This conference underscores the continuing role business has to play in this journey, and provides a critical platform for leaders to connect, innovate and lead the charge toward securing a resilient net-zero economy.”
Delivered in partnership between the Environmental Defence Society (EDS), the Sustainable Business Council (SBC) and Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC), the Climate Change and Business Conference is Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading and longest running climate and business event.
More than 650 people attended the 2024 event in person and online.
The 2025 event is supported by Foundation Sponsors Westpac NZ and Beca.
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Advocacy – The Israeli Assault Against Iran… Playing with Fire

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

The Israeli assault launched against Iran shortly before dawn on Friday, 13/6/2025, targeted three levels:

First: The military command-and-control system, including senior army and Revolutionary Guard leadership;

Second: The core infrastructure of Iran’s nuclear program—particularly nuclear stations and reactors, as well as missile and drone launch bases;

Third: The qualitative level, represented by senior nuclear scientists involved in Iran’s nuclear project. This multi-phase assault—carried out in five waves at the time of writing—sought to deliver a severe preemptive strike against the nuclear program, disrupt command and control systems, and disable key elements of Iran’s deterrent capability. With the confirmed assassination of Iran’s Chief of Staff, the head of the Revolutionary Guard, several top-tier military and Guard commanders, along with a number of nuclear scientists, and with direct damage inflicted on the targeted nuclear reactors, Israel began celebrating its achievement, even as anticipation mounted over Iran’s potential response. This article, written just hours after the attack, offers only a preliminary reading of the assault.

Netanyahu, who named this assault Operation Rising Lion, described it as a pivotal moment in Israel’s conflict history and a necessary measure to confront the “existential” threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program and to secure Israel’s safety. He obtained unanimous approval from the security cabinet for the attack. Israeli sources justified the offensive by stating that intelligence had recently detected an acceleration in Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons capabilities, claiming Iran was nearing the “point of no return.” Reports by international inspectors also indicated that Iran possesses enough material to produce 9 nuclear bombs, an assertion Netanyahu emphasized in his speech.

The Israeli aggression aligns with Netanyahu’s long-term security vision, which ext

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Polls – Betrayal of women over pay equity laid bare in Budget poll – time to reverse decision – PSA

Source: PSA

A Budget poll lays bare how deeply unpopular the Government’s decision to scrap pay equity rules under urgency has become.
The Post/Freshwater Strategy Poll today shows many New Zealanders oppose the Government axing pay equity claims and making it harder to push for new claims – nearly four out of ten opposed the decision and just over four out of ten said the move damaged their confidence in the Government’s commitment to gender equality.
“The Government decided to scrap pay equity for women to pay for tax cuts for business in this year’s budget – New Zealanders are seeing that plain and simple and they don’t like it,” said Fleur Fitzsimons National Secretary Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“This was wage theft and no amount of spin by the Government has convinced many New Zealanders who see the move done under urgency for what is – a betrayal that impacts wives, mothers, daughters and their families.
“It was morally wrong to cancel women’s claims for pay equity without telling New Zealanders during the election or even in government, and without a democratic select committee process, but it’s not too late for the Government to do the right thing by women.
“This outrageous decision will keep damaging the Government – the PSA calls on the Government to settle the 33 claims it scrapped and restore the pay equity process.
“That will help over 150,000 women get the wage increase they need and deserve and many New Zealanders clearly agree.
“Pay equity is also critical to help many deal with the cost of living which still worries New Zealanders. The poll shows a majority don’t think the Budget will help reduce pressures on the household budget from rising prices.
“What’s more nearly two thirds worry the Government’s spending cuts will damage the public services they rely on. This is what the PSA warned all along.
“The poll should be a wake-up call. New Zealanders are clearly telling the Government it is taking the country in the wrong direction, and is failing women and households. Restoring pay equity and public services would be a start.”
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.
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Property Market – Sales activity lifts but listings keep property prices in check – Cotality

Source: Cotality (Formerly CoreLogic)

Property sales activity in New Zealand continued to strengthen in May, with volumes holding above average levels for a third consecutive month, according to Cotality’s June Housing Chart Pack.
Sales volumes in May, measured across both private deals and real estate agents, were 16% higher than in the same month last year. This is the 24th rise in the past 25 months.

The total number of sales at 8,218, was also about 5% above the 10-year May average, marking the third month in a row where activity has exceeded ‘normal’ levels.

Cotality Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson said the ongoing lift in sale volumes points to improving confidence in the market.

“Property sales have been gradually trending upwards for around two years now, and activity is back at normal levels, or even slightly above. It’s not a boom, but it’s clear that confidence is slowly returning, undoubtedly supported by falling mortgage rates.”

However, for-sale listings remain high, with the number of new listings coming forward in recent weeks still ticking over at a solid pace.

“New listings have generally tracked in line with typical seasonal patterns this year, though April’s extended holiday break did cause a temporary dip. As the market now enters the traditional winter lull, listing activity is likely to remain muted until it picks up again in Spring,” he said.

Mr Davidson noted that stronger sales volumes have started to slightly reduce total stock levels in recent weeks.

“While it has started to come down, the total number of properties listed on the market is still 20% above the five-year average, and that’s putting a lot of the negotiating power in buyers’ hands.”

“Most areas are now showing a decline in total properties listed for sale compared to the same time in 2024, although Canterbury and Otago haven’t quite joined the club just yet,” he said.

Total listings, change from equivalent period last year

“While we’re starting to see listings come down, they’re still well above average in many markets. That means price growth is likely to remain contained in the short term,” he concluded.
Highlights from the June 2025 Housing Chart Pack include:

New Zealand’s residential real estate market is worth a combined $1.64 trillion.

The CoreLogic Home Value Index shows property values across New Zealand edged down -0.1% in May. Over the three months to May, there was also a -0.1% dip in median property values across NZ.
The total sales count over the 12 months to May is 85,395.

Total listings on the market were 29,443 in May. The total number of properties listed on the market remains elevated, although the seasonal fall for new listings flows means that agreed sales have just started to eat into stock levels a little in the past few weeks.

The pace of rental growth remains subdued, with net migration having fallen a long way from its peak, and the stock of available rental listings on the market still elevated.

Gross rental yields now stand at 3.8%, which is the highest level since 2015-16.

Inflation is back in the 1–3% target range, and after May’s 0.25% cut, the OCR is now down to 3.25%.

The Chart of the Month shows Reserve Bank figures, with the average rate being paid on the existing stock of fixed loans currently about 5.9%, but prevailing rates are now about 1%-point lower than that figure.

For more property news and insights, visit www.corelogic.co.nz/news-research

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Templeton Group Celebrates Four Wins at 2025 Property Industry Awards

Source: Property Council New Zealand Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards

Big night for Templeton Group as projects recognised across multiple categories

Auckland, Tuesday 17 June 2025 — Friday 13 June proved auspicious for Templeton Group, as the company took home four major accolades at the 2025 Property Council New Zealand Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards, the country’s most prestigious property awards programme.

The wins spanned 3 projects, across 2 categories and reflected the strength of Templeton's diverse portfolio, which includes residential, mixed-use, and tourism properties. Templeton’s developments in Long Bay and Upper Queen Street won three awards in the Hawkins Multi Unit Residential Property category:  

  • ABSTRACT (Auckland CBD)     Excellence Award 
  • Kahu (Long Bay)                                Merit Award 
  • Light Box (Long Bay)                         Merit Award

Templeton was also recognised in the Holmes Group Tourism and Leisure Property Award category, taking home a Merit Award for ABSTRACT, which uniquely bl

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Animal Welfare – WORLD’S BIGGEST INVESTIGATION INTO EGG FACTORY FARMING. NEW ZEALAND CAGES SCRUTINISED

Source: Animals Aotearoa

In the largest global investigation ever, The Open Wing Alliance reveals never-before-seen footage of systemic animal abuse and public health risks in cage egg factory farming. Alongside footage from 36 other countries, the exposé includes footage from a colony cage factory farm in New Zealand.

New Zealand – June 17 2025 –  “The sound of thousands of trapped chickens, the industrial fans cranking and the stench of waste is beyond words”, says a volunteer investigator from Grassroots Campaigns NZ. “It's hell inside.”

This is the description animal welfare investigators gave about what they captured at an Auckland colony cage factory farm. Their footage was given to the Open Wing Alliance, a global coalition of nearly 100 organisations established by The Humane League, in collaboration with We Animals and Reporters for Animals International. Together with Animals Aotearoa, the united group has just released the largest ever investigation into industrialised egg farms in 37 countries. In never-before-seen footage, including from New Zealand, supported by an open letter backed by 100 celebrities.

“The shocking footage exposes widespread abuse of egg-laying hens trapped in filthy, overcrowded cages, with evidence of injured birds, rotting carcasses, disease-ridden conditions, and more. This investigation comes as bird flu sweeps across every continent, jumping from farmed birds to wild animals and even humans”, says Jennifer Dutton, Corporate Relations Specialist at Animals Aotearoa.

Footage from 37 countries, including:

Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United States, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.

Key findings from the global exposé include:

Hens confined in battery and enriched/colony cages, giving each chicken only the space of an iPad, or less, to live their entire life;

Automated systems leave dead bird carcasses trapped in cages with living hens;

Live hens abandoned in manure and waste pits, and eggs found in manure before sent to shelves;

Birds unable to stand upright or spread their wings;

Unsanitary conditions that promote disease spread, like avian influenza.

This massive coordinated worldwide campaign is focused on spotlighting multinational brands dragging their heels on fulfilling corporate policy to transition away from cage eggs in their supply chains. The vast majority of food corporations around the world publicly committed, a decade ago, to remove cages from their egg supply chains, with global companies like The Hershey Company, Hormel Foods, Famous Brands, and Barilla already fully cage-free. However, food companies like Walmart, Zensho Holdings and Inspire Brands (parent company of Dunkin' and Baskin-Robbins) continue to profit from sourcing eggs from hens raised in outdated, cruel cages. In New Zealand, hospitality giant Best Western Hotel chain was recently targeted by protestors highlighting the multinational's lack of transparent reporting on its global cage-free progress, supported by a petition.

Since 2023, when battery cages were outlawed in Aotearoa, there has been a disinformation campaign by the factory farm lobby to mislead caring New Zealanders about the continued domestic production of cage eggs. While battery cages are no longer in use, colony cages are. Eggs sold at retail level from these colony cage systems don't contain the word 'cage' anywhere on the packaging. Following a number of complaints, the Commerce Commission is currently conducting a compliance project to assess whether colony eggs are a breach of the Fair Trading Act.

In addition to cage eggs being sold under misleading labelling, the import of liquid eggs from battery cages is a significant problem. Over 80% of New Zealand's liquid eggs, used largely in food manufacture, are imported from China and Australia where egg-laying hens are kept in battery cages. Produced using methods illegal here, they are added into Kiwi foods and quietly sold to the caring public who are unaware.

Consumers around the world are increasingly demanding transparency and ethical treatment of animals in food production, and they won't stand for further risks to our global public health. Over 100 celebrity figures signed an open letter urging food corporations to end the use of cages in their global supply chains. This investigation s

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New IPU report highlights good parliamentary practices on religion and belief

Source: Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)

The IPU has released the second part of its groundbreaking Parliamentary report on religion and belief.

Part 2 of the report, Engagement with religion and belief by parliamentarians underscores the vital role of MPs in fostering peaceful, just and inclusive societies. It explores how engagement with religion and belief can strengthen the rule of law, uphold human rights, and promote sustainable development for all.

It complements Part 1 of the report Institutional engagement with religion and belief by parliaments, which was published in May 2023 ahead of the inaugural IPU Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue in Marrakesh, Morocco. This first part examined how religion and belief are institutionally present in parliamentary life by looking at constitutional provisions, parliamentary committees, consultation mechanisms and traditions reflecting religious or belief identities.

The new report is timely, with escalating conflicts around the world which, although primarily political, are also marked by the weaponization of religion to sow divisions among different communities living side by side.

Good parliamentary practices from around the world

Part 2 delves into the ways parliamentarians interact with religion and belief to promote inclusivity and peace. Drawing on key informant interviews, submissions from parliaments and contributions from religious leaders and global experts, the report highlights good practices and lessons learned from parliaments around the world. It also examines select policy areas where religion and belief intersect with parliamentary functions, such as legislation, oversight, representation and, increasingly, parliamentary diplomacy.

Key objectives of the report include:

  • Facilitating mutual learning among parliaments about diverse approaches to religion and belief.
  • Encouraging the adoption of good practices that foster inclusion and peaceful coexistence.
  • Promoting scrutiny of legislation to ensure alignment with international human rights commitments.
  • Strengthening inter-parliamentary and interfaith dialogue to better protect fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.

Upholding rights and countering hate speech

The report reaffirms the right to freedom of religion or belief as protected under international law, while acknowledging ongoing challenges in its realization. Parliaments are urged to play a proactive role in promoting and protecting this right, both formally through legislation and informally through cross-party or international networks.

In response to rising hate speech and identity-based hatred, the report outlines human rights and soft law standards around freedom of expression, and shares practical tools for parliamentarians, such as codes of conduct, public advocacy, educational activities and dialogue initiatives.

Special attention is given to the rights and inclusion of religious and belief minorities, with recommendations for legislative action, oversight and public engagement. The report also highlights the key role of parliaments in promoting gender equality and women's rights, and where the full enjoyment of these rights intersects with religion or belief.

All roads lead to Rome

The report is released ahead of the Second Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue, in which the IPU is leveraging its global convening power to bring together parliamentarians, religious leaders, international experts and civil society from 19 to 21 June 2025 in Rome, Italy.

The Conference is being organized by the IPU and the Italian Parliament in cooperation with Religions for Peace under the theme Strengthening trust and embracing hope for our common future.

The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments. It was founded in 1889 as the first multilateral political organization in the world, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations. Today, the IPU comprises 181 national Member Parliaments and 14 regional parliamentary bodies. It promotes peace, democracy and sustainable development. It helps parliaments become stronger, younger, greener, more innovative and gender-balanced. It also def

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Statistics NZ Full Information – Modernising New Zealand’s data system

Source: Statistics New Zealand

Wide-ranging improvements to the data system will modernise and future-proof how New Zealand’s economic and population statistics are produced.

Minister of Statistics Hon Dr Shane Reti announced today sweeping changes that will see Stats NZ moving in a bold, future-focused direction to provide more timely and relevant data.

“People’s information needs are changing and today’s announcements ensure we keep delivering data that improves lives today and for generations to come,” Acting Stats NZ Chief Executive and Government Statistician Mary Craig said.

The changes include moving to an admin-data-first census and publishing a monthly consumers price index (CPI), as well as a programme of work to meet new international standards for macroeconomic statistics.

“As New Zealand faces widespread and long-term social, economic, environmental, and technological change, people’s need for information is growing exponentially.

“These changes will help ensure Stats NZ continues to adapt and provide high-quality information that supports New Zealand’s economic and social wellbeing,” Craig said.

New Zealand’s census is evolving

Cabinet has endorsed the Government Statistician’s decision to prioritise the use of information already collected by government, known as administrative (admin) data, for future censuses.

The approach builds on the combined survey and admin data models successfully used since the 2018 Census.

“This is an exciting and necessary change. The traditional way of running a nationwide survey on census day can no longer be justified, due to rising costs, declining survey response rates, and disruption from events, like Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023,” Craig said.

“From 2030, key New Zealand census data and statistics will be produced every year, in a cost-effective and sustainable way.

“By tapping into information New Zealanders have already provided, we will deliver more relevant, useful, and timely data to help inform quality planning and decision making.”

Surveys will continue to play an important role, with a new annual survey asking census-type questions of a small percentage of the population.

“The new survey will be set up to be highly flexible, with opportunities to change content and topics much more frequently.”

Stats NZ will also work in partnership with smaller population groups to develop tailored solutions that will help meet their information needs.

Stats NZ is working together with other government agencies to ensure that legislation supports the new approach and to make sure the admin data collected improves in quality over the next five to 10 years.

“Ensuring the ongoing privacy and protection of data is a priority as we introduce these improvements,” Craig said.

Modernising economic statistics to support economic growth and social investment

New funding of $16.5 million over four years will enable Stats NZ to deliver a monthly CPI from the beginning of 2027.

“The CPI is a key indicator of economic health and is used in monetary policy to set interest rates and index contracts, and influences things like benefit payments.

“More frequent inflation data is important for policy, forecasting, and informing decisions that help address cost-of-living pressures and drive economic growth.

“We are pleased to be taking this next step in enhancing our economic data,” Craig said.

To ensure Stats NZ successfully delivers a monthly CPI, we are already updating our prices technology platform and building up the project team.

Budget 2025 also includes tagged contingency funding of just over $61 million over four years to meet new international standards for macroeconomic statistics.

The changes are extensive, and Stats NZ is preparing a detailed business case which, once approved, will see the new standards implemented by 2030.

“The Measuring a Modern Economy programme will allow us to adopt the standards at the same time as our major trading partners, and ensure New Zealand has reliable data that provides a clearer picture of the economy,” Craig said.

More information

www.stats.govt.nz/modernising-the-census provides more information about the changes to modernise the census.