Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Economy – Reserve Bank welcomes Government response to FEC banking inquiry

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ)

13 November 2025 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) welcomes the Government's formal response to the recent Finance and Expenditure Committee (FEC) inquiry into banking competition.

“As the Government response notes, some of the FEC recommendations are directed to areas where The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua is the decision maker,” said Angus McGregor, Acting Assistant Governor of Financial Stability.

“We see a stable, competitive and efficient banking system as a vital part of a healthy economy and we are pleased that we have already made progress on many of the FEC's recommendations.”

Key parts of the RBNZ's ongoing work programme highlighted in the Government's response include the in-progress review of capital settings; consultation on the use of the term 'bank'; and leading the development of a payments modernisation strategy as a part of our Future of Money and Payments work.

Recently completed work includes establishing a Financial Policy Committee to make key financial stability decisions; reducing the minimum capital requirement for deposit takers from the current $30m to $5m when the Deposit Takers Act comes into force; expanding access to our settlement systems; and published guidelines for managing climate related risks.

“We have noted the request from FEC for regular progress updates and look forward to contributing to that process. We are also looking forward to working with our fellow regulators and Treasury to continue to promote a financial system that supports a productive economy and the wellbeing of all New Zealanders,” said Mr McGregor.

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Defence News – RNZAF returns to Fiji and takes opportunity to show MC-12K King Air capability to Tongan military

Source: New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF)

A return trip to Fiji for maritime patrols by the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s (RNZAF) MC-12K King Air has provided a further opportunity to demonstrate the aircraft’s ability to operate in the South West Pacific region.

Aircrews on the MC-12K King Air regularly provide maritime patrols to detect and deter illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in New Zealand’s exclusive economic zone.

Earlier this year, an MC-12K King Air flew to Fiji in what was a first for RNZAF’s No 42 Squadron deploying the aircraft to the South West Pacific region.

The aircrew worked in support of the Fijian Maritime Essential Services Centre, conducting patrols searching for IUU fishing and also pleasure craft activity in Fijian waters as Fijian authorities strive to combat transnational organised crime in their region.

On the aircraft’s second deployment to Fiji, patrols were carried out in various locations including a small island chain approximately 150 nautical miles south of Nausori, and also over an area of approximately 9500 square kilometres spanning Yasawa to Kia Island.

The recent return to Fiji enabled the aircrew to also demonstrate the aircraft’s capabilities to neighbouring Tonga. At the end of the Fijian operation, the crew and aircraft departed for its first visit to Tonga, and took two members of His Majesty’s Armed Forces, with experience in maritime surveillance operations, on board as the aircraft patrolled in the vicinity of Pangai Island in the Ha’apai group.

Air Component Commander, Air Commodore Andy Scott, said it was great to build on the success of the first deployment with another into the region.

“The South West Pacific provides an excellent operating environment for our crews and enhances the strong partnerships between New Zealand and our friends in the region.”

Squadron Leader Craig Graham, who was the detachment commander for the deployment, said the return visit to Fiji was also important for the crew as it provided an opportunity for more junior pilots to step up. Flight Lieutenant Jamie Hull deployed on both operations captaining patrols in Fiji and the international transit flights back to New Zealand.

Squadron Leader Graham said Flight Lieutenant Hull had only been flying in the MC-12K King Air for two years and this deployment provided an opportunity for him to gain valuable experience by leading his crew on a complex operation.

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Consumer NZ – Online dark designs have cost New Zealanders millions

Source: Consumer NZ

Consumer NZ research reveals one in three shoppers spend more than intended due to manipulative online design tactics.  

New Zealanders are being tricked into spending more and cancelling less, according to new research from Consumer NZ, exposing the invisible influence of ‘dark patterns’- deceptive digital design tactics used to manipulate consumer behaviour. 

From hidden fees and “only one left!” scarcity cues to countdown timers and endless subscription traps, dark patterns are manipulating the choices of online shoppers, costing them time and hitting their back pockets. 

The nationally representative research found that one in three New Zealanders spend more than they intended to online because of dark patterns, while nearly one-quarter say they’ve kept a subscription longer than they wanted to due to confusing or obstructive cancellation processes. 

“The implications are huge. It would be conservative to say that dark patterns cost New Zealanders millions. Unfortunately, these tactics often fall into a legal grey area – exposing a major regulatory gap,” says Chris Schulz, Consumer’s senior investigative journalist. 

Dark patterns include design tricks such as: 

pre-ticked boxes that automatically add extras to your cart 

scarcity warnings like “only one left at this price” 

hidden fees that appear only at checkout, hiking the advertised price 

hard-to-find cancellation buttons or multi-step unsubscribe processes 

confirmshaming messages that guilt consumers into staying subscribed (with wording like: “No thanks, I’d love to stay penniless” or “Do you like wasting money?”). 

The impact of these patterns is widely felt, with 93% of New Zealanders saying they had encountered scarcity cues like “only three tickets left at this price”, while three out of four people had discovered hidden fees at the checkout.  

HelloFresh – a case study in confusion 

Consumer asked research participants to cancel a HelloFresh subscription. The five-step process took several minutes to complete, and participants encountered a variety of dark patterns along the way. One person told Consumer that trying to unsubscribe was such a woeful experience, she wouldn’t touch the business again with a barge pole.

“Given how frustrating it can be to cancel a subscription like HelloFresh, we weren't surprised to find that one-quarter of New Zealanders kept a subscription longer than they intended to because of a dark pattern,” says Schulz.

Need for regulatory change 

“Dark patterns are omnipresent with the online shopping experience. In 2024 alone, New Zealanders spent $6 billion online. To mitigate the threats posed by dark patterns, we’d like to see prioritisation of a general ban on unfair trading and strengthening of our privacy laws. Aotearoa is currently unchecked and unregulated, and it’s New Zealanders who are paying the price,” says Schulz.

“We’re already behind the eight ball compared with other countries. The European Union, United Kingdom, United States and Australia have introduced or are developing frameworks to address unfair online trading practices. Our research has revealed the majority of New Zealanders want better rules or enforcement around appropriate use of dark patterns (53%), with nearly half wanting industry standards (49%).

“We wouldn’t tolerate a physical store blocking the exit until you bought something. We shouldn’t accept the digital equivalent either.”  

Dark patterns are bad for shoppers and businesses 

While dark patterns may drive a business' short-term profits or boost data collection, Consumer warns they erode long-term trust. 

Eight in ten New Zealanders believe companies using dark designs are putting profits before people, with many saying they now avoid brands that manipulate them online. 

“If your product’s good, you don’t need sneaky tactics,” one research participant told Consumer. “I’d rather walk away than feel tricked.” 

 

Notes

Read the full report on Consumers website: https://consumernz.cmail20.com/t/i-l-znyhkt-ijjdkdttjk-y/

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Asia NZ Foundation – New Report Sheds Light on How Southeast Asia Sees New Zealand

Source: Asia New Zealand Foundation

The Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono has released new research exploring how informed voices across Southeast Asia perceive New Zealand’s foreign policy and international standing.
The Southeast Asian Perceptions of New Zealand report surveyed 200 Southeast Asian experts in international affairs with a working knowledge of New Zealand and its foreign policy from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. The findings show that New Zealand enjoys an excellent reputation and is seen as principled, trustworthy and genuinely independent in its approach.
The new report is the first of its kind undertaken by the Foundation and complements the Foundation’s annual New Zealanders’ Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples survey which provides insights for researchers, government officials and the public on how New Zealand views Asia and its people.
Asia New Zealand Foundation Chief Executive Suzannah Jessep says the new research helps New Zealand see itself through the eyes of its closest Southeast Asian neighbours.
“After years of asking New Zealanders how they view Asia and its cultures, we wanted to flip the script and ask how Southeast Asian countries see us,” says Jessep.
She adds that the research provides valuable insights at a time when New Zealanders feel increasingly connected to the region and our engagement with Southeast Asia is deepening.
“New Zealanders increasingly view Southeast Asia as a close and trusted part of our region – and it’s equally important that we understand how our neighbours perceive us. That understanding helps us strengthen relationships, tailor engagement and have a more informed public conversation about Asia,” she says.
Respondents describe New Zealand as a friend or close friend to their countries, and as a like-minded partner in several key areas. They see broad alignment with New Zealand on economic and security priorities, though somewhat different in political and governance ideals.
While perceptions were overwhelmingly positive, respondents expressed a desire for New Zealand to take a stronger and more visible stance on global issues such as trade, climate change and maritime security.
Respondents also indicated a strong appetite for deeper cooperation between Southeast Asia and New Zealand in areas such as education, reflecting the sense that New Zealand’s efforts in the region are valued and make a tangible impact.
“New Zealand is seen as investing wisely in the region and the appetite for partnership is there- particularly on shared global challenges, where New Zealand’s credibility and capability are recognised,” says Dr Julia Macdonald, the Foundation’s Director of Research and Engagement.
As New Zealand’s relationships across Southeast Asia continue to strengthen, the findings reinforce that the country’s reputation in the region is both positive and valuable, but at the same time, expectations are rising as regional challenges evolve.
“Our Southeast Asian partners value what New Zealand brings. They see us as a constructive, values-driven country whose voice is worth listening to, which is an encouraging message as we continue to grow our engagement with the region,” says Jessep.
Report Launch Event in Wellington
The Asia New Zealand Foundation will be hosting a report launch event in collaboration with the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs (NZIIA) on Thursday, 13 November from 5:30pm – 7:00pm at Government Building Lecture Theatre 1 (GLBT1), Victoria University, Pipitea Campus.
Dr. Julia Macdonald, Director Research and Engagement, will present key findings. Followed by a panel discussion with Prof. David Capie, Kenneth Leong and Prof. Jason Young.
About the research
The Southeast Asian Perceptions of New Zealand research was conducted by Blackbox Research in Singapore between 16 and 26 May 2025, surveying 200 experts (50 each from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines) aged 31-70, all with working knowledge of New Zealand and its foreign policy. Sixty percent have more than six years of experience in international affairs, and none have lived in New Zealand for more than five years. 
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Transporting New Zealand supports amendments to RUC legislation but not tolling legislation

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

National road freight association Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is cautiously supporting the Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill introduced to Parliament today, which makes changes to the Road User Charges Act 2012 to modernise the system in preparation for transitioning all vehicles to universal RUC.
However, Transporting New Zealand is concerned about other proposals in the Bill which will enable existing roads to be tolled, and the ability to prohibit heavy vehicles from using certain roads and force them onto toll roads or face a penalty.
Transporting New Zealand Chief Executive Dom Kalasih says the organisation supports moves to facilitate universal RUC. “These changes will enable greater use of technology and more flexible payment options, and also do away with the requirement to display a RUC label. This will help get our RUC system match-fit to enable tech businesses to offer low-cost products that could be rolled out to the petrol vehicle fleet in the future.”
No date has yet been set for the transition to universal RUC which Kalasih says is a significant undertaking, but essential to ensuring the transport system is sustainably funded.
Kalasih says Transporting New Zealand thinks we need to be much more cautious about other clauses in the Bill relating to tolling, particularly tolling existing roads.
“I accept that can bring forward raising the revenue to construct a new road but we’d like to see some constraints around that. Existing roads have already been paid for by road users through petrol tax and diesel Road User Charges for example, so if this approach was to progress we’d like to see that other options, like PPPs, have first been fully explored before tolling existing roads. We’d also need to have certainty that all the money that’s collected from roads is spent on roads.”
“Worse though, is a clause that could prohibit heavy vehicles from using alternative free routes, and force them onto tolled roads or else face a fine. That is fundamentally denying transport operators and drivers freedom of choice.” Kalasih said.
Kalasih says that while Transporting New Zealand will be fully supporting the clauses in the Bill relating to RUC, it will be making sure that the risk of unintended and perverse outcomes from the changes to road tolling are well thought through.
About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter-regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country.
Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4,700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion. 
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Greenpeace – Cook Islands seabed mining decision delayed following local opposition

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace says news a decision on whether seabed mining can occur in the Cook Islands will now be delayed until at least 2032, is evidence of the growing opposition to the destructive industry in the Pacific.
Greenpeace Aotearoa campaigner Juressa Lee is calling the decision “a win for the moana and the Pacific Peoples and communities fighting this emerging threat that will risk their way of life”.
“Resistance to seabed mining in the Cook Islands is strong and persistent. We are pleased to see that the government is feeling the pressure and acknowledging that a five year exploration period is nothing more than tokenistic when it comes to understanding this industry’s impacts”, says Lee.
“There is no version of seabed mining that is sustainable or safe. Alongside our allies who want to protect the ocean for future generations, we will continue to say a loud and bold no to miners who want to strip the seafloor for their profit.”
The decision that companies wanting to mine in Cook Island waters will now have to apply for a five year extension to their exploration licences was announced today by the Seabed Minerals Authority, the government agency in charge of seabed mining in the Cook Islands. The current licenses expire in 2027.For years, multiple civil society groups in the Cook Islands have been raising the alarm about rushing into seabed mining.
Last month Cook Island activists confronted the Nautilus, a U.S funded deep sea mining exploration ship, as it returned to port in Rarotonga. Four protesters in kayaks met the ship, holding banners that read: “Don’t mine the moana.”In September 2024 civil society groups came together to peacefully demonstrate community opposition to deep sea mining, with 150 people paddling out into Avarua port and floating a giant banner reading “Protect our ocean”.Greenpeace is calling for a ban on deep sea mining.”The current Cook Islands government is pushing seabed mining but we know that many people oppose this emerging industry that risks irreversible damage to ocean life”, says Lee “We’ve already seen evidence from a test mining site in the Atlantic ocean that was mined in the 1970s and has never fully recovered.
“Pacific Peoples will not be sidelined or silenced by corporations and powerful countries that continue to try and impose this new form of extractive colonialism where it is not wanted. “Seabed mining is not welcome in the Cook Islands or the Pacific and we will resist .”
Seabed mining is an emerging extractive industry that has not yet started on a commercial scale anywhere in the world. Miners want to extract polymetallic nodules from the seafloor to extract metals.
Three companies – Moana Minerals Limited (a subsidiary of US company Ocean Minerals), Cobalt (CIC) Limited, and CIIC Seabed Resources Limited (a partnership between Cook Islands government and Belgian company GSR) – currently hold licenses for seabed mining exploration in the Cook Island waters.
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Local News – Election recount confirms result in Porirua City Council’s Māori ward

Source: Porirua City Council

The District Court has advised that the recount of votes for the Parirua Māori Ward is now complete.
The recount has confirmed the outcome of the election and Kylie Wihapi has been declared elected.
The recount disallowed two special votes which had previously been allowed.
The recount was overseen by a Judge of the District Court, and scrutineers appointed by recount applicant Jess Te Huia. 
Following the Judge issuing their decision, the Electoral Officer has issued an amended declaration.
Based on the recount Kylie Wihapi received 934 votes, Jess Te Huia received 925 votes, Raniera Albert received 319 votes, and Rawinia Rimene received 208 votes.
Planning is now underway for the inaugural meeting and swearing in of the new council. 
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Property Valuations – New Plymouth land values fall more than homes in latest rating revaluation – QV

Source: Quotable Value (QV)

New Plymouth District property owners will soon receive a Notice of Rating Valuation in the post, containing an updated rating value for their property.
The new rating valuations have been prepared for 38,635 properties on behalf of New Plymouth District Council by Quotable Value (QV). They show the total rateable value for the district is now $36.9 billion, with the land value of those properties now $20.1 billion.
Rating valuations are usually carried out on all New Zealand properties every three years to help local councils set rates for the following three-year period. They reflect the likely selling price of a property (excluding chattels) at the effective revaluation date, which was 1 August 2025.
The value of residential housing in New Plymouth district has decreased on average by 2.4% since the previous effective revaluation date of 1 August 2022. The average home value is now $721,179, while the corresponding average land value has decreased by 10.2% to $395,666.
QV Senior Consultant and Registered Valuer Andrew Jaques said, “Residential values have held relatively firm over the past three years compared with the rest of the country.”
“Demand for vacant land has cooled off, with a significant rise in the cost of building impacting the market.” he said.
“The residential land market has seen values remain steady for well located properties however sloping sections are proving harder to sell. Vendors’ expectations are important – if the vendor is seeking an unrealistic price, sections will sit for extended periods of time.”
“The commercial market has been fairly static over the past few years. We are seeing a decline in retail leasing, particularly in the CBD. Office leasing appears to have picked back up, with sentiment shifting following consequences of COVID and working from home.”
“Overall, commercial properties have decreased in capital value by 1.1%, and industrial properties have increased by 2%,” Mr Jaques said.
Within the rural sectors, dairy farmland generally attracts stronger demand than pastoral land, yet both have seen a decrease in value over the past three years, with dairy farm properties seeing an average capital values decrease of 7.9% and pastoral land values down 8.3%. This reflects the nationwide downturn from the peak of late 2021 to early 2022. Horticultural land, by comparison, has remained relatively stable, with the average capital value (CV) down just 0.9% since the last rating revaluation.
The New Plymouth District lifestyle property market has also remained relatively stable, experiencing a slight average capital value (CV) decrease of 0.4%.
The effective rating revaluation date of 1 August 2025 has now passed, and any changes in the market since then will not be included in the new rating valuations. In many cases, this means a sale price achieved in the market today may differ from the new rating valuation set at 1 August 2025.
The updated rating valuations are independently audited by the Office of the Valuer-General and must meet rigorous quality standards before they are certified. They are not designed to be used as market valuations for raising finance with banks or as insurance valuations.
New rating values will be posted to property owners from 12 November 2025. If owners do not agree with their rating valuation, they have the right to object by 19 December 2025.
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Health – GenPro sponsors new primary health organisation that cuts red tape, improves patient care

Source: General Practice Owners Association (GenPro)

The General Practice Owners Association is sponsoring the establishment of a nationwide primary health organisation that will reduce bureaucracy so more funding can be allocated to front-line patient care.

Primary health organisations (PHOs) sit in the middle between Health New Zealand – which funds healthcare – and primary health care providers, such as general practices.
 
“GenPro is supporting the application for a new PHO that is firmly aligned with GenPro’s promotion of sustainable, high-quality and accessible primary practice for all New Zealanders,” says the Chair of GenPro, Dr Angus Chambers.
 
While GenPro is assisting the establishment of a new PHO, the new entity will be organisationally separated from GenPro. Independence will enable GenPro to continue to advocate without conflict of interest.
 
“GenPro is not and will not be a PHO. But we’d welcome a lean, cost-effective PHO for GenPro members that reduces the bureaucratic burden on the health system and facilitates greater funding for high-quality, sustainable, accessible, and equitable front-line patient care,” Chambers says.

“The current policy settings and existing PHO structures have a number of significant issues. These include conflicts of interest between patient care and commercial operations, bloated governance and management costs, a focus on accumulating reserves instead of funding front-line services, regional variations creating a postcode lottery, and trust issues. The new PHO will aim to address these challenges head on,” Chambers says, adding that the PHO application is subject to approval by Health New Zealand.

“We will be seeking expressions of interest very soon to gauge our membership’s appetite for this new venture,” Chambers says.

GenPro members are owners and providers of general practices and urgent care centres throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. For more information visit  www.genpro.org.nz

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Weather News – Rainy End to the Week, but Sunshine on the Way – MetService

Source: MetService

Covering period of Thursday 13th – Monday 17th November

–    Rain to end the workweek
–    Strong Wind Watch for Wellington and Wairarapa today (Thursday)
–    Sunny skies on Sunday
–    Warm nights early next week

It’s a rainy end to the workweek, with rain and showers for most.

A low-pressure centre currently over central New Zealand moves south through the day today (Thursday) and situated to the southeast by the end of the day. As it travels, it spreads rain to most regions – expect a damp day overall, with some areas seeing heavy downpours and strong winds.

A Strong Wind Watch is in place for southern parts of the North Island today until 2pm. Northwest winds may approach warning criteria with gust speeds reaching 90 km/h in exposed places; affected areas include Wairarapa and Wellington.

Rain is not the only thing to be mindful of in the north as some parts of the North Island has a moderate chance for thunderstorms, localized downpours and possible hail. This includes places like Auckland, Northland, inland Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and central North Island.

Today might not be ideal for those in the South Island, especially farmers, however, there’s welcomed news ahead.

MetService Meteorologist Oscar Shiviti says, “Although it’s a rain-filled day for Canterbury and Christchurch today (Thursday), the weather improves on Friday – just in time for Canterbury Anniversary Day”.

By Friday morning, most of the South Island will see the rain clear, except for the western ranges. The North Island will also get a short break from the wet weather before another rain band moves in from the west by late morning, lasting until the evening. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms are possible in the east – especially in Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, and eastern Bay of Plenty – with the chance of downpours and hail.

Simultaneously, a rain-bearing front moves up the South Island by Friday afternoon, affecting the North Island from Saturday morning.

If you’re running in the Queenstown Marathon on Saturday, be ready for a soggy course – a rainy start to the day is expected.

 “Sunday is the pick of the weekend for all wanting to enjoy a sunny day outdoors as a ridge of high-pressure sweeps in from the Tasman Sea and thus sunnier skies with calm winds across the country,” adds Shiviti.

The sunshine continues into early next week, with warmer-than-usual temperatures expected both day and night – especially in the South Island and lower North Island.

As we edge closer to summer, MetService kicked off its Heat Alert trial on Wednesday 12 November.

Heat alerts are issued when unusually warm temperatures are expected for locations around the country. Heat alerts are not designed to capture your average hot summer day, but rather to highlight ‘top end’ heat situations.

The trial runs until the end of February 2026. Head to this page for more information, including handy tips on how stay safe in hot weather. https://metservice.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=63982abb40666393e6a63259d&id=99583d1819&e=852c839bf9