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Net migration gain of 14,200 – International migration: December 2025 – Stats NZ news story and information release
University Research – Ovarian cancer picked up too late – UoA
Source: University of Auckland (UoA)
By the time most women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in New Zealand, it’s too late to save their lives, says University of Auckland cancer researcher Dr Alicia Didsbury.
A trustee of The Ovarian Cancer Foundation New Zealand, Didsbury helped write and present the latest State of Ovarian Cancer Report to MPs, patients and medical professionals in Wellington on 11 February. (ref. https://ovariancancerfoundation.org.nz/state-of-ovarian-cancer-in-aotearoa/ )
The foundation’s report states that 60 percent of GPs said ovarian cancer diagnosis was delayed, because of difficulty accessing ultrasound scans.
If ovarian cancer is picked up at stage one or two, it’s often curable with surgery and, in some cases, chemotherapy, Didsbury says.
When picked up in these early stages, 70 to 90 percent of women survive for five years or more.
However, about 85 percent of women are not diagnosed with ovarian cancer until they are at stage three, when the cancer has spread to their lymph nodes or abdominal lining, or stage four, when the cancer has spread to other organs, such as the lungs or liver, she says.
By these late stages, the chances of survival drop dramatically, says Didsbury, from the University’s Centre for Cancer Research.
“Almost half of women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed in emergency departments in New Zealand, which is double the rate in Australia.
“When it’s picked up in emergency departments, 42 percent will die within a year.”
Didsbury says the high rate of emergency department diagnosis is a warning sign the health system is failing women.
“An emergency department diagnosis should be the exception – not the norm.”
The report calls for better access to blood tests and scans that help diagnose ovarian cancer, and funding for more research that could develop better tests and treatments.
The Ovarian Cancer Foundation surveyed 500 members of the public, as well as women with ovarian cancer and GPs.
Before they were diagnosed, 75 percent of women reported being misdiagnosed with menopause symptoms, urinary tract infections, stress, ovarian cysts, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, needing to lose weight, and depression.
Didsbury says women need to be persistent in asking their GP for tests if they have ongoing early symptoms of ovarian cancer, such as bloating; feeling full after eating little; abdominal, pelvic or back pain; frequent or urgent urination; changes in bowel habits; fatigue; or menstrual irregularities.
While ovarian cancer mostly affects postmenopausal women, it can strike younger women, who often have rarer types of the disease that are harder to detect through blood tests.
The report found nearly two-thirds of New Zealanders incorrectly believe cervical cancer screening detects ovarian cancer, and 60 percent did not know the symptoms.
“There is no screening for ovarian cancer, so women’s awareness of symptoms is vital for early detection.
“If they have new symptoms that persist for more than four weeks, they need to ask for thorough tests to check for ovarian cancer,” she says.
The report calls for a national strategy to address ovarian cancer, which kills more than 200 women a year in New Zealand.
“Ovarian cancer is our deadliest women’s cancer,” Didsbury says.
Despite this, ovarian cancer is under-researched and underfunded in comparison to more common cancers, she says.
Didsbury’s interest in researching cell-based treatments for ovarian cancer was sparked by a family member being diagnosed tragically late with the disease in 2019.
“Like many women, she was misdiagnosed for about 18 months and by the time she had treatment, she was already terminal.”
Didsbury searched for New Zealand clinical trials that might offer hope for her sick family member.
“I was appalled to find there were none.
“We’ve got good researchers in New Zealand looking at this type of cancer, but they’re struggling to get funding.
“We need to do more clinical trials so we can build the body of knowledge and provide better care.”
Including information on the New Zealand Cancer Registry about the treatments patients received and their outcomes would be a great first step towards improving care, she says.
“There are plenty of actions we can take to make a big difference to women’s chances of survival and to improve their quality of life with ovarian cancer,” says Didsbury.
Arts – SCREENRIGHTS CULTURAL FUND OPENS FOR APPLICATIONS WITH $300,000 FUNDING POOL AND 2026 FOCUS ANNOUNCED AS LEARNING THROUGH STORY
Source: Screenrights Cultural Fund
Screenrights has today opened applications for its 2026 Cultural Fund, inviting bold new initiatives to apply for a share of a $300,000 grant pool. With the 2026 annual focus revealed as Learning Through Story, the Fund seeks to award grants of up to $50,000 for projects that foster the creation and appreciation of screen content in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
Screenrights has today opened applications for its 2026 Cultural Fund, inviting bold new initiatives to apply for a share of a $300,000 grant pool. With the 2026 annual focus revealed as Learning Through Story, the Fund seeks to award grants of up to $50,000 for projects that foster the creation and appreciation of screen content in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
“In 2026, the Screenrights Cultural Fund is placing a strong emphasis on supporting innovators who are expanding, improving, and accelerating learning outcomes through the creative use of screen stories,” says Tom Alegounarias, Chair of the Cultural Fund Working Group. “This year’s focus highlights our commitment to empowering those who are pushing boundaries in knowledge sharing and learner engagement through screen stories – both within the screen industry and across broader educational sectors. We welcome applications from a wide range of initiatives, whether you're developing interactive learning tools and innovative curriculum content, or building mentorship platforms and screen-based projects that foster professional growth and community learning.”
Removing Barriers to Entry
Recognising that the best ideas don’t always come from the most experienced grant-writers, Screenrights is once again offering free expert consultations to applicants. This popular support system allows applicants to refine their submissions with professional guidance before the deadline, ensuring a diverse range of voices and projects can compete for the $300,000 pool.
Since its inception in 2018, the Cultural Fund has awarded over $1.8M in grants to a wide range of initiatives that strengthen the screen industry and enhance the way audiences engage with screen content.
Key Details:
Total Funding Pool: $300,000 (up to $50,000 per project)
Closing Date: Wednesday 8 April, 7:00pm NZT / 5:00pm AEST
How to Apply: Guidelines, application forms, and support requests are available at www.screenrights.org/cultural-fund
SCREENRIGHTS CULTURAL FUND
Previous recipients: www.screenrights.org/cultural-fund/funded-projects
Further information: www.screenrights.org/cultural-fund
Enquiries: culturalfund@screenrights.org
ABOUT SCREENRIGHTS
Screenrights is a non-profit organisation that provides rights and royalty management services to the screen industry, and facilitates access to screen content for licensees. We license Australian and NZ educators, and Australian government and pay TV retransmitters, to copy and communicate broadcast content. From the licence fees we collect, Screenrights distributes royalty payments to rightsholder members for the programs being used. Screenrights also provides services to the screen industry such as worldwide royalty collection, film and television disbursements and CAMs, performer residuals management, free Sydney meeting room hire, and an annual Cultural Fund. www.screenrights.org
Appointments – DING RETURNS TO GUARDIANS IN NEW INVESTMENT ROLE
Source: Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation
The Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation, manager of the $90 billion NZ Superannuation Fund, has appointed Qing Ding to the newly-created role of Head of Portfolio Strategy and Research.
Ding rejoins the Guardians from ANZ Investments, where she was Head of Asset Allocation. During her previous time at the Guardians, Qing worked in the Tactical Credit and Asset Allocation teams, and was a key contributor to the 2020 review of the Guardians' Reference Portfolio.
She had earlier worked as a Senior Investment Analyst at both the Government Superannuation Authority and Westpac NZ, having started her career at AMP Capital Investors.
Guardians Co-Chief Investment Officer Will Goodwin says Ding's job will be to help ensure the Fund's investment decisions fully consider current market conditions as well as the Fund's long-term beliefs, structural advantages and investment objectives.
“Asset allocation is every investor's most important decision. Qing's skills and experience will help us to construct the right portfolio to meet our mandate and continue to deliver strong returns for all New Zealanders over the long run,” Goodwin says.
“As a member of the Investment Leadership Team, Qing will make an important contribution to the future strategic direction of the Investment Group and to the performance of the Fund.”
Ding says she is looking forward to the challenge of her new role, and to again being part of the Guardians' investment team.
“I made some very good friends at the Guardians. It will be great to be working alongside them again.”
PSA calls for review of Law Commission President appointment
Source: PSA
The PSA is calling for an independent review of the appointment of the new Law Commission President after revelations Hon Judith Collins was appointed without any recruitment process, selection panel or consideration of rival candidates.
“This is a concerning breach of good practice for appointments to independent institutions and we call for an independent review,” said Duane Leo, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“Judith Collins was the only person considered for this role – there was no contestable process, no advertising, no shortlisting. It amounted to a simple Cabinet confirmation.
“This is not a reflection on Judith Collins' credentials, but without a proper process, how can New Zealanders have confidence the best person was appointed?
“There are many highly qualified legal experts who were denied any chance to apply. This is a pivotal role in our legal system – one that brings an independent lens to important legal issues – and it merits a thorough, transparent selection process.
“The irony is stark. Just this week in Parliament, as Public Service Minister Judith Collins spoke about the Public Service Amendment Bill, saying 'This bill reaffirms the principle of merit-based appointments… We're strengthening the Act to make sure that the best person for the job is the one who gets it, not the most familiar or the easiest option but the person with the right skills and experience to deliver.'
“What's good for the goose should be good for the gander. The Government can't lecture public servants about merit-based appointments while ignoring these very principles when rewarding one of its own with a prestigious taxpayer-funded role.
“Cabinet guidelines require such appointments to follow good practice processes set out by the Public Service Commission. Those processes exist to protect against cronyism and ensure public confidence in our institutions.
“We note that Foreign Minister Winston Peters has previously stopped the appointment of former politicians to top diplomatic roles for exactly this reason – to maintain proper standards and avoid the perception of political rewards.
“This appointment sets a worrying precedent. The Law Commission's independence and credibility depend on public confidence that its leadership is above political influence.
“New Zealanders deserve better. They deserve transparency in how senior public roles are filled, and confidence that merit – not political loyalty – determines who gets these positions.”
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.
NZ property profits hold steady as length of ownership hits longest on record – Cotality
Source: Cotality
New Zealand’s property owners are holding onto their properties for the longest period since records began, as the trend of declining profit and more frequent losses for vendors stabilises.
Cotality NZ’s Pain and Gain Report for Q4 2025 shows 88.1% of residential properties resold for more than their original purchase price in the December quarter, broadly in line with 88.0% in Q3.
While the figure is still well below the peak of more than 99% recorded in late 2021, the latest result marks an end to three consecutive quarterly declines for profit-making resales.
Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson said the figures suggest the market has entered a trough, which is consistent with how wider property values nationally have performed in recent months.
“Resale performance is still soft compared with the boom years, but the data suggests the downward drift has slowed and flatlined, and conditions are broadly holding steady,” Mr Davidson said.
“Property values have flattened out in recent months, and that stability is now flowing through to resale data. This has been a gradual downwards drift in resale performance since early 2022 rather than a slump, and almost nine out of 10 sellers are still making a profit when they trade.”
The national median resale gain in Q4 was $298,000, down from the late-2021 peak of $440,000 but still higher than anything seen prior to 2021. The median resale loss was $55,000, only slightly higher than in the September quarter.
As always, it’s worth keeping in mind that these gains, at least for owner occupiers, aren’t necessarily cash windfalls if they simply have to use all of that fresh equity for their next property purchase.
Hold periods hit highest level on record
Properties resold for a gain in Q4 had been held for a median of 10.1 years, the longest period recorded in the series dating back to the mid-1990s.
By contrast, homes resold at a loss had typically been owned for 3.9 years, which Mr Davidson noted placed many purchases close to the country’s most recent market peak.
“We haven’t seen a significant jump in the historical time ranges, but this hold period surpasses the previous high of 9.4 years, which was only set in the September quarter last year,” he said.
“This highlights the weakness of property values that has persisted since late 2021, which may be prompting some owners to hold longer as they look to maximise their capital growth. In other cases, it may reflect a quieter market and sellers are having to wait longer for a sale.”
Houses outperform apartments
Standalone houses continued to record a lower frequency of resale losses than apartments in Q4, with house resale performance broadly steady over the quarter.
Apartments remained more exposed to loss-making resales, reflecting smaller long-term capital gains and greater sensitivity to recent market conditions. Even so, Mr Davidson said there is little evidence of widespread distressed or forced selling.
“Apartments tend to feel market downturns more acutely, but the data does not point to sellers under pressure or fire sales occurring,” Mr Davidson said.
“The gap largely reflects long-run differences in performance rather than any sudden deterioration in demand for property types.”
Main centres show tentative improvement
Several main centres recorded small improvements in resale outcomes over the December quarter, helping underpin the national stabilisation.
Auckland continued to have the highest share of loss-making resales among the main centres at 17.4%, although this was down from Q3. Wellington and Tauranga also recorded modest easing, while Dunedin saw the sharpest quarterly improvement.
Christchurch remained the most resilient of the main centres, with 5.3% of resales made at a loss in Q4.
“We’d probably need another quarter or two of flatter results before calling a genuine turning point, but there are already tentative hints that resellers are starting to fare a little better in the main centres,” he said.
Outlook stable, not spectacular
New Zealand’s economic outlook, early signs of rising sales volumes and a tentative easing in listings may begin to support house price growth in 2026.
Mr Davidson said lower mortgage rates are likely to provide some support, particularly as housing market conditions become more settled.
“Lower interest rates should help underpin demand, but any lift in prices is likely to be gradual rather than a sharp rebound,” Mr Davidson said.
He cautioned that several more months of consistent sales activity would be needed before the downturn could be considered over.
“Conditions are improving at the margin, we’re seeing this in some of the main centres, and a stabilisation in value declines, but the data suggests we’re entering a period of stability rather than a boom” he said.
Notes:
The Pain and Gain Report analyses homes resold during the quarter, comparing the most recent sale price to the previous sale price to determine whether the result was a gross profit (gain) or gross loss (pain).
Weather News – Fire and Emergency New Zealand prepares for forecast severe weather event
Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Fire and Emergency New Zealand has deployed two Urban Search and Rescue teams to the North Island’s East Coast today.
Assistant National Commander Ken Cooper says this is in preparation for a severe weather event forecast for Tairawhiti and the Coromandel from this evening and through the weekend.
“Our deploying specialist teams are there to support our volunteer brigades and strengthen local capacity, helping communities stay safe and supported during this weather event.
“One team is prepositioned in Hicks Bay and the other at Te Araroa. Both teams are equipped with drones and rescue equipment,” Ken Cooper says.
“The wet weather is likely to increase the risk of landslides in already saturated conditions and we’re asking the public to stay alert and take care.
“Don’t travel unnecessarily and keep an eye on weather updates.”
Ken Cooper says preplanning is underway to support Coromandel communities.
Business Canterbury – Our moment is now: Private sector leads development of ambition for Canterbury
Source: Business Canterbury
Business Canterbury formally launched the Canterbury Ambition last night at its annual Back to Business event, a sold-out gathering held at the region’s brand-new Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre.
Business Canterbury’s Chief Executive Leeann Watson says, “Canterbury is ready to lead, and we’re not waiting for government to tell us what our future should look like. The Ambition is a shared vision – led by the private sector and supported by local government – which seeks to lock in the confidence and momentum we’re seeing across our region right now.”
“Through conversations with both local government and business leaders, we quickly reached a consensus that the connection between our environment, innovative spirit, and affordable housing and lifestyle is what sets us apart and should underpin our growth story moving forward.”
“Announcing this piece of work in a room full of bold thinkers and doers felt incredibly fitting. The energy in the room spoke to the ambition and optimism building across Canterbury. We are delighted to have this work now live, and we’re looking forward to progressing it alongside the businesses and leaders who helped shape it.”
Where we are today is just the starting point for significant work ahead — creating a tangible roadmap and shared work across both the public and private sectors.
A summary document, a launch video and further information on the Canterbury Ambition is available at: https://www.businesscanterbury.co.nz/canterbury-ambition
Business Canterbury, formerly Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce, is the second largest Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand and the largest business support organisation in the South Island. It advocates on behalf of its members for an environment more favourable to innovation, productivity and sustainable growth.