Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Public transport just got a salary sacrifice, tax-free upgrade

Source: Extraordinary

New benefit means cheaper commutes, cleaner cities, and more money in workers' pockets, says Extraordinary  

Kiwi fintech maverick, Extraordinary, has seized a rare opportunity to align the stars — combining a recent Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) change with a first-of-its-kind salary sacrifice solution. As a result, Kiwi commuters now have a powerful reason to leave the car at home. Public transport can finally be paid for using pre-tax income, made possible by Extraordinary's Card and platform.

New research by Extraordinary shows strong appetite for the change:

  • 21% of Kiwis who currently commute by car say they would consider switching to public transport if their employer offered a tax-free travel benefit – rising to 40% among younger workers aged 18–34. 
  • 19% of remote workers say they'd commute into the office more often if they received a public transport allowance.

With younger employees especially responsive to incentives, the new option gives employers a powerful tool to support greener, more vibrant cities – while helping workers keep more of their pay.

These findings come at the perfect time: employers can now provide public transport allowances without incurring Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) – saving both employers and employees money, and making cleaner, more affordable commuting a reality.

To mark the milestone, Extraordinary CEO Steven Zinsli joined Mayor of Auckland Wayne Brown for a media moment on Auckland's Britomart, one of the city's busiest business and transport hubs.

“This is a game-changer for how people travel to work,” said Steven Zinsli. “It's now easier and cheaper for employers to support public transport, and workers can keep more of what they earn.”

Until now, FBT rules meant employer-subsidised transport came with tax penalties, limiting uptake. That's now changed – with Extraordinary's innovative solution, employees will have the ability to top up existing transport cards using pre-tax income, reducing travel costs and encouraging more sustainable transport options.

The shift arrives at a crucial moment, as cities like Auckland seek ways to reduce congestion and emissions, while also reviving CBD activity. Recent research shows that office occupancy remains below 70% in some major centres, well below pre-pandemic levels.

Mayor Wayne Brown said: “One of my key priorities when I was elected as Mayor was to get Auckland moving, and initiatives like this will make it easier for people to get to work by bus or train and help reduce congestion on our roads. This is good for the environment, good for our cities and good for our economy.”

Why this matters:

  • More money in workers' pockets: public transport benefits are now tax-free 
  • No extra cost to employers: avoid FBT while supporting sustainability 
  • Convenience: Top up existing transport cards using pre-tax income 
  • Cleaner cities: fewer cars = reduced emissions and congestion 
  • City revival: supports return-to-office and urban vibrancy.

Extraordinary is already partnering with major employers across New Zealand and expects demand to accelerate as more businesses take advantage of the updated FBT rules.

To read more, visit www.extraordinarypay.com/our-solutions/public-transport.

About Extraordinary  

Extraordinary is a New Zealand-based fintech platform revolutionising how employers manage non-payroll benefits. Its smart employee card supports Gifting, Public Transport, Rewards, and other allowances – replacing reimbursements and manual admin with real-time, flexible payments. Founded in 2021 and based in Auckland, Extraordinary is trusted by forward-thinking companies to boost retention, compliance, and employee satisfaction.

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Arts and Education – US directors bring touch of Broadway to NASDA show

Source: Ara Institute of Canterbury

When Kiss Me Kate hits the stage at Papa Hou Theatre in the heart of Christchurch next week, audiences will experience a show polished by an internationally acclaimed director-choreographer duo.
Ara Institute of Canterbury’s National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts (NASDA) has brought in US-based stage superstars Diane Laurenson and Bob Richard to work with ākonga (students) for the much-loved musical production.
The pair’s combined careers span Broadway, the West End and beyond with international tours, television and film credits to their names. While they bring a wealth of expertise to NASDA, they’re also in their element as devoted educators.
“We’ve worked with professionals for almost 40 years but it’s a dream to be among new talent who are growing as actors and to help build a foundation for the world they’re going into,” Laurenson said.
“It’s kind of like being a rock in the stream,” Richard added. “As professional directors we can help them steer a course and identify what they want to focus on as emerging artists.”
Laurenson is a celebrated Fosse veteran, working directly with Broadway leg

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Health Policy – Cancellation of Health Charter a giant step backwards for health and community support workers – PSA

Source: PSA

Hard on the heels of the cancellation of pay equity claims for thousands of hospital, health and community support workers, the Government’s announcement today that they’re dropping the Te Mauri o Rongo Health Charter is another callous twist of the knife, the PSA says.
Minister Simeon Brown’s suite of changes to the Pae Ora Act will see, among other things, a repeal of the Te Mauri o Rongo Health Charter.
“The Health Charter set out shared values and principles to shape behaviours for how Te Whatu Ora will support and promote a safe working culture across health, including the funded community sector. Now it’s gone, with seemingly nothing to replace it,” Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi national secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons, says.
“Hospital, health, and community support workers are already under immense strain. They’re constantly asked to do more with less. And the high frequency of assaults by patients – particularly for mental health workers – is increasingly, frighteningly normalised.”
The PSA played a critical role in developing the charter, standing up a working group of health and community support workers shortly after Te Whatu Ora was established. It was developed by the health workforce for the health sector, and is a positive framework to lead and support the health system to develop relationships to achieve pae ora (healthy futures).
“A functioning health system must commit to supporting their workforce and empowering them to speak out when their safety is compromised. Otherwise we’ll just do what New Zealand has done for years, and drive out our highly trained health workforce to sunnier pastures overseas.
“The commitment to a well-trained workforce with access to appropriate resources to develop their skills, as well as workers to provide person and whānau-centred services, are a challenge to this Government.
“The coalition continues to show us who and what they value. It’s very clear that they’re continuing to completely under-value the workers, and especially the women workers, who prop up the system to serve New Zealand whānau when they need it most.”
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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Defence News – Anzac delegation rounds off Pacific tour with constructive Timor-Leste visit

Source: New Zealand Defence Force

New Zealand’s Chief of Army, Major General Rose King, and Australia’s Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, combined for a joint visit to Timor-Leste last week.

The two chiefs met with senior Ministry of Defence and Falintil-Forcas de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL) members to discuss shared security priorities and long-standing partnership and cooperation programmes. These included ways to continue to support and strengthen F-FDTL, which in turn provides valuable insight and lessons for both the Australian and New Zealand armies.

The delegation also met with Australian Defence Cooperation Program (ADCP) and New Zealand Mutual Assistance Programme (MAP) personnel, which have been long-standing commitments in the country.

“Timor-Leste is an important security partner to both Australia and New Zealand. Our shared history and commitment to a peaceful, stable region is at the core of our growing fri

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Erosion of Safety Protections – Government turns its back on workers’ safety – CTU

Source: New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi is dismayed by the Government’s decision to abstain from the new International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention on biological hazards that would strengthen worker protections.

“This Convention provides a comprehensive framework for preventing and managing biological workplace health and safety issues,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff.

“Representatives of Government, employers’ and workers’ organizations at the 113th International Labour Conference have resoundingly voted for the adoption this new Convention and accompanying Recommendation on protection against biological hazards in the working environment.

“There is strong international support for this Convention which has been ratified by more than 95% of representatives from the 187 ILO member states. The New Zealand workers’ delegation voted in favour of this convention which embeds the importance of healthy and safe work as a fundamental aspect of good work for everyone.

“Unfortunately, the New Zealand Government has joined Bangladesh, Djibouti, Panama, Algeria, Guatemala, and India as the only Governments to vote against or abstain in the vote for the Convention. New Zealand Business representatives did not vote at all.

“The failure of the Government to support this convention reflects its total disregard and disinterest in workers’ safety and health and shows how isolated New Zealand has become from global efforts to improve safeguards at work,” said Wagstaff.

James Ritchie, the Spokesperson for the biological hazards Convention stated:

“This is the first international instrument that specifically addresses biological hazards in the working environment at the global level. It follows the Covid pandemic, and the 2022 decision to include a safe and healthy working environment in the ILO’s framework of fundamental principles and rights at work.

“The New Zealand Government rejection of this historic convention is not a theoretical exercise, implementing its provisions would save lives now and during future outbreaks of infectious diseases,” said Ritchie.

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Advisory: Rally to save our history tomorrow – PSA

Source: PSA

Tomorrow at 8.30am, workers will rally outside Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage to protest a proposal to cut 16% of its workforce.
The proposed cuts would decimate teams who maintain Te Ara Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, and produce education programmes and resources about the dawn raids, the 28th Māori Battalion, New Zealand’s participation in the Vietnam War, and more.
“This rally is to protect our history and the people that help preserve it,” said PSA organizer Michael Woodcock. “Our understanding of our past, present, and future is being put at risk by the Government’s funding cuts.”
What: Rally to save our history and stop cuts at Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Where: Outside the Old Public Trust Building, 131-135 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central
When: 8.30am tomorrow (Tuesday 17 June)
Read our full release on the proposed cuts:  Govt cuts will undermine access to New Zealand’s history
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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Northland Regional Council news – 16 June 2025

Source: Northland Regional Council

CITYLINK BUS BIKE RACKS
CityLink’s bus fleet has been fitted with new safety-compliant bike racks, so passengers can bus their bike again from Monday 16 June 2025.
The new bike racks have been installed following safety and compliance concerns raised in discussions between NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi and the Bus and Coach Association, that began in November 2024.
CityLink and Northland Regional Council thank passengers for their patience whilst this issue was resolved and look forward to welcoming passengers who wish to bus their bike.
THINKING ABOUT STANDING FOR COUNCIL?
Find out what’s involved in becoming an elected member for Northland Regional Council and Kaipara District Council and get any burning questions answered during the Q&A session to gain insight into the role of an elected member and the election process. Hear from a panel of local government experts, including the Chief Executives of both councils and Electoral Officer Dale Ofsoske. This is your opportunity to ask anything you want to know about standing for council.
WHEN: 5.30pm, Thursday 19 June
WHERE: Maungatūroto Centennial Hall, 44 View Street, Maungatūroto or join via the livestream – find out more at www.kaipara.govt.nz/elections
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Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on the children killed by the alarming escalation of violence in the Middle East

Source: UNICEF

NEW YORK, 15 June 2025 – “This weekend’s surge in violence across the Middle East signals a dangerous escalation. Children are once again paying the ultimate price.

“Since Friday, an intense military escalation in the region has seen strikes on Iran and Israel hit residential areas, killing and injuring civilians – including children – and causing damage to civilian infrastructure.

“Beyond the death toll, this alarming escalation creates widespread fear and trauma among children in all communities.

“UNICEF strongly condemns all forms of violence against children. Our thoughts are with all the families and communities mourning this tragic loss of life.

“We reiterate the Secretary-General's call for all sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation the region and its children cannot afford.

“UNICEF urgently calls on all parties to uphold their obligations under international law and to ensure the protection of civilians, in particular children. All children have the right to live without the threat of war and violence.

“UNICEF, together with other UN agencies and humanitarian partners, is actively assessing the situation and remains ready to scale up support to affected children and their families as needed and requested.”

About UNICEF

UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, works to protect the rights of every child, everywhere, especially the most disadvantaged children and in the toughest places to reach. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive, and fulfil their potential. 
For more information about UNICEF and its work, please visit: www.unicef.org

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Legislation – Māori marginalised by changes to Pae Ora Act – PSA

Source: PSA

The Government’s Cabinet-approved amendments to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act represent yet another attack on Māori aspirations for equitable health outcomes and self-determination the PSA says.
The sweeping changes announced by Minister of Health Simeon Brown on 14 Pipiri (June) 2025 are regressive and undermine the intent and spirit of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the hard-fought recognition of Māori leadership in health delivery, Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi – the Public Service Association Kaihautū Māori, Janice Panoho, says.
“The Pae Ora Act was a step towards correcting decades of inequity and systemic failure in health. These amendments strip away the very mechanisms Māori advocated for and were promised, particularly the ability to shape local service design and delivery through Iwi-Māori Partnership Boards IMPBs),” says Panoho.
“This is a heartless government, pushing through draconian policy under the guise of efficiency. What they call ‘streamlining’ is in fact the deliberate sidelining of Māori voices from decisions about Māori health.
“Rather than enhancing Te Tiriti partnerships, the changes weaken Māori influence by making iwi-Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBS) mere advisors to the Hauora Māori Advisory Committee, removing their direct role in shaping services that affect their own communities.
“This top-down, centralised approach reverts us to the very system that failed Māori for generations.
“By repealing the Health Charter and diluting the role of IMPBs, this government is erasing the commitments to equity, kaupapa Māori, and the lived realities of whānau. It is deeply concerning,” Panoho said.
“We are not just stakeholders. We are tangata whenua. Health equity cannot be achieved if Māori are shut out of the rooms where decisions are made. These changes are a betrayal.
Panoho says the PSA stands with Māori communities, health workers and iwi organisations in calling for the government to halt these amendments, engage in genuine consultation with Māori, and honour the promises made through Pae Ora and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
“The Government’s emphasis on targets, infrastructure, and performance data ignores what Māori have said for decades, that meaningful, lasting health outcomes come from whānau-centred services designed with us, not for us.
“The health system can’t deliver for Māori while continuing to marginalise us.
The PSA urges all political leaders, health professionals, and communities to scrutinise these changes and hold the Government accountable for actions that risk entrenching inequities even further.
“He tangata akona ki te whare, tūnga ki te marae, tau ana. One who is trained at home will stand with confidence in the world. Let Māori solutions stand strong within our health system, not be cast aside once again.”
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.