Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Federated Farmers launches KiwiSaver petition

Source: Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers has launched a nationwide petition calling on the Government to urgently change the KiwiSaver rules to help young farmers get their foot on the ladder.
“Accessing your KiwiSaver to buy your first farm, flock, herd or home has been an incredibly hot topic for farmers,” Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre says.
“On the campaign trail of the 2023 election, Todd McClay stood up in front of young farmers in Morrinsville and made a promise that he would make it happen.
“I’m sure he had the best of intentions, but unfortunately farmers have been bitterly disappointed by the lack of action from the Government on the issue to date.
“That’s why Federated Farmers has launched this petition: to hold the Government accountable and send a clear message that it’s time to follow through on their promise.”
The petition’s launch has been timed to coincide with the National Fieldays, where thousands of farmers, industry leaders and politicians will gather at Mystery Creek.
“Politicians are always out in force at Fieldays, rubbing shoulders with farmers, and we really wanted to make sure KiwiSaver issues were a topic of conversation,” McIntyre says.
“Allowing young farmers to access their KiwiSaver to buy their first herd, home, farm or flock is the number one thing the Government could do to help our next generation of farmers.
“It would shave years of hard work and saving off their progression through the industry, and really turbocharge their farming careers.
“Why is the Government okay with that money being managed by stockbrokers and invested in Fortune 500 companies, but not by a farmer buying a herd to go sharemilking?”
McIntyre says he can’t see any reason the Government wouldn’t throw their full support behind making this policy change happen.
“A lot of young urban people enter KiwiSaver because it’s a good way to build a deposit for their first house. They’re saving for a home early on – not for their retirement.
“We’re asking for young farmers to have the same opportunity – a one-off withdrawal early in their careers to help them get ahead by purchasing their first home, farm, herd, or flock.”
New Zealanders are encouraged to sign the petition online at www.kiwisaverforkiwifarmers.nz or at Federated Farmers’ Fieldays site D70.  
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Energy Sector Unites to Future-Proof Tomorrow’s Workforce

Source: Energy Resources Aotearoa

The Electricity Engineers’ Association (EEA) and Energy Resources Aotearoa have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding to develop a comprehensive 2025 national energy workforce report and action plan.
This collaborative initiative brings together two of New Zealand’s leading energy industry bodies to develop an evidence-based, sector-wide workforce strategy that encompasses electricity supply, energy resources, large energy users, and the service sector.
The report will identify critical workforce gaps, training needs, and future skills necessary to support the evolving energy sector landscape. It will also map the current schooling, vocational, and tertiary pathways while proposing actionable solutions for attracting, developing, and retaining the workforce required to power New Zealand’s future.
John Carnegie, Chief Executive of Energy Resources Aotearoa, says this partnership marks a turning point for workforce development in the energy sector.
“By aligning analysis across all forms of energy, we can provide a clearer picture of workforce needs and better coordinate investment in talent development.
It's about building a resilient, skilled workforce that’s ready to lead the future for our energy sector.”
Nicki Sutherland, Chief Executive of Electricity Engineers’ Association, says the new partnership is a significant step forward for the sector’s workforce planning.
“Through this initiative, EEA and Energy Resources Aotearoa aim to foster a more unified energy sector by strengthening cross-industry collaboration and aligning efforts around shared workforce priorities as we journey towards a lower emissions future.
By breaking down traditional silos, the partnership seeks to ensure that workforce planning reflects the full complexity of the sector’s challenges and opportunities enabling smarter, more coordinated action to meet the demands of a low-emissions future.”
The final report will be published in December 2025 and launched at a national event that will engage government, iwi, educators, industry leaders, and community stakeholders.
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Stats NZ information release: Business employment data: March 2025 quarter

Business employment data: March 2025 quarter – information release

9 June 2025

Total actual filled jobs in the March 2025 quarter were 2.26 million.

In the March 2025 quarter (compared with December 2024 quarter):

  • total seasonally adjusted filled jobs were down 0.1 percent (2,499 jobs). 

For the year ended March 2025 compared with the year ended March 2024:

  • total gross earnings were up 2.3 percent ($4.0 billion).

An annual comparison is used for earnings to account for payroll timing differences between quarters.

Visit our website to read this information release and to download CSV files:

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Stats NZ information release: Business financial data: March 2025 quarter

Business financial data: March 2025 quarter – information release

9 June 2025

For all business financial data (BFD) industries, in the March 2025 quarter compared with the March 2024 quarter:

  • sales were $190 billion, up $6.1 billion (3.3 percent)
  • purchases were $133 billion, up $4.6 billion (3.6 percent)
  • salaries and wages were $31 billion, down $363 million (1.2 percent)
  • operating profit was $26 billion, up $1.9 billion (8.0 percent).

When adjusting for seasonal effects, in the March 2025 quarter compared with the December 2024 quarter:

  • sales increased in 13 of the 14 New Zealand Standard Industrial Output Classification (NZSIOC) level 1 industries
  • manufacturing (up $1.7 billion); electricity, gas, water, and waste services (up $1.3 billion); and wholesale trade (up $1.2 billion) industries had the largest movements in sales.

The business financial data release covers most market industries in the New Zealand economy, using survey and tax data.

Visit our website to read this information release and to download CSV files:

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Education – QPEC condemns Minister Seymour’s campaign to fine parents whose children do not attend school to a particular standard

Source: QPEC

“David Seymour warns of prosecutions this year in school truancy crackdown”

Understanding School Absence – QPEC condemns Minister Seymour's campaign to fine parents whose children do not attend school to a particular standard.  

The Minister is launched on an expensive and fruitless game to blame and shame parents.   This feeds his law-&-order base.   It also feeds his own diet of rigid neo-liberal control of society.   His frame of reference is coercive and wrong-headed, offering no long-term solutions.  

In its place, we propose a supportive school engagement model, with two basic principles to guide the issue of absenteeism in school:  

1. a serious, well-intentioned, continuing investigation to address the complex reasons why some young people are not regularly at school
These include mixtures of poverty; dislocation; instability in life; low socio-economic status; Covid fallout; unemployment; bullying; mental, cognitive and physical health obstacles; problems with transport; bad, uncertain and unavailable housing;  disillusionment with state structures like education.  
2. a community-based programme focusing on school engagement to work alongside families, to help them address school attendance  
NZ used to have local community stewards for school attendance, who knew their neighbourhoods intimately and supported them throughout the year.   But a previous government centralised the programme, thereby undermining the process.  

Awkward questions  

An obvious question levelled at this issue demands to know what to do with parents and families who choose deliberately to keep students out of school.  

QPEC holds that the country should extend the community-based programme above to work as closely and positively as possible with families for long-term effects.  

In particular, the programme needs:

(1) to emphasise the lifetime benefits of well-supported, critical education for individuals, families and communities, and

(2) to listen carefully to families' commentaries on school education.  

The emphasis should be on including people rather than scapegoating them as Seymour proposes.  

Such a programme could be supported by using the $140 million that Seymour has acquired for  his law and order programme.  

There is a disconcerting reality to face.   Some households may have very legitimate reasons for children to avoid school, based on previous bad experiences.   Nationwide, we need to recognise this possibility and develop mature responses as a result.    

We should be ready to address discriminatory processes, for instance, and if necessary to provide alternative education models that are consistent with human rights and sound education practice.  

Above all, our priority needs to be the best interests of young people and families.  

David Cooke, National Chair, QPEC

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Environment – Paddle-outs in seven locations show strength of opposition to seabed mining

Source: Kiwis Against Seabed Mining

On World Oceans Day, kiwis across the North Island’s west coast gathered today to paddle out in opposition to seabed mining, in seven different locations.

The day started in Patea, South Taranaki at 0730 am, with a small but determined crew paddling out in freezing temperatures, including Debbie Ngawera Packer. 

Many of the Patea team then drove to Ngāmotu New Plymouth’s Fitzroy Beach where hundreds were on the beach, of which 130 paddled out. 

At Whaingaroa/Raglan, a 120-strong crew from te whare Ururoa introduced the day with an Arahi,  before around 50 surfers from the 300-strong crowd took to the water at Manu Bay Manu Bay.

In Pōneke Wellington the Island Bay paddle-out was thwarted by the huge swell that saw ferries cancelled, so the team gathered on the beach. 

In Wautakia Bay near Muriwai, a small gathering of surfers took to the water amid big swells.

Port Waikato spelt out “no” on the beach, and did the paddle-out, followed by a beach cleanup.

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Employment Issues – Suspension of Te Roopu Taurima workers unacceptable – CTU

Source: New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi stands in solidarity with the 38 workers and PSA members who have been suspended without pay by disability residential care provider Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau Trust.

“We condemn the actions of Te Roopu Taurima in the strongest possible terms and call on them to lift the suspensions on their workers and get back around the negotiating table,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff.

“Responding to low-level strike action by suspending workers without pay for six weeks is an extraordinarily cruel action that has no place in employment relations in this country.

“The right to strike must be defended and upheld. Bullying and intimidation of workers is totally unacceptable.

“These suspensions come after protracted mistreatment of workers by Te Roopu Taurima, including a partial lockout put in place right before Christmas.

“This standoff has occurred because Te Roopu Taurima are trying to bring in 90-day trials, restrictions on secondary employment, while keeping wages low. They have rejected an independent recommended settlement by the Employment Relations Authority because they don’t want to resolve this issue fairly.

“The NZCTU stands in solidarity with these workers and the PSA in their fight for decent pay and conditions at work,” said Wagstaff.

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Employment Issues – Sunday rally to protest outrageous suspension of 38 disability workers – PSA

Source: PSA

Disability workers will be making their concerns loud and clear at a rally at 2pm tomorrow to protest the suspension without pay of 38 workers at disability residential care provider Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau Trust.
Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau Trust is the country’s largest kaupapa Māori community disability provider. It operates residential whare in Te Tai Tokerau/Northland, Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, Waikato, Waitaha/Canterbury, and a residential mental health whare in Whangārei.
The trust CE Karen Smith late on Friday afternoon gave notice of suspension of 38 workers who support people living at Te Roopu Taurima houses without pay for six weeks in response to low level strike action taken in support of their collective agreement.
“This is an oppressive over-reaction designed to intimidate and bully these workers. It’s unheard of for New Zealand employers to adopt such a hostile tactic in these circumstances,” said Fleur Fitzsimons National Secretary Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“The strike action only involved not doing some tasks in order to try and put pressure on the employer to listen to these workers.”
“The trust has a vision to ‘strive to place tāngata at the heart of our services’, this shows the trust is not living its own values.
“Many of these workers are Māori, Pasifika, and migrant workers who deserve fair wages and conditions.”
The action comes after Te Roopu Taurima tried to introduce harsh terms of employment including restrictions on secondary employment and 90 day trials as well as a pay increase that fails to meet the increased cost of living facing these workers and their whānau.
The PSA and Te Roopu Taurima attended independent and confidential facilitation run by an Employment Relations Authority member in Auckland over four days. The Authority member then provided recommendations to settle the collective agreement.
“The PSA did not get everything we wanted but nevertheless agreed that we would recommend the outcomes to our members. Te Roopu Taurima was still not satisfied though.
“This is an insight into the future of industrial relations in New Zealand under this government. It has emboldened employers to try to take away the small number of remaining employment rights that working people have and use every underhand tactic they can to get there.
“Workers and the community must stand up and fight back.”
What: Protest rally
When: 2pm Sunday 8 June
Where: Te Roopu Taurima Head Office, 650 Great South Road, Auckland.
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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Advocacy News – Auckland Business Chamber ‘tone deaf’ in seeking profit from genocidal Israel – PSNA

Source: Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

 

An Evening for Exploring Israeli-Kiwi Synergies and Partnership

Calendar Icon Event hosted by New Zealand Israel Innovation Hub

June 25, 2025 – June 25, 2025 Auckland Central, Auckland, New Zealand

  

Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa says it’s astounded that an Israeli-NZ collaboration event is planned in Auckland later this month, and has written to the Auckland Business Chamber, demanding the chamber cancel all its business collaboration with Israel while Israel is carrying out genocide.

 

The Auckland Business Chamber is lining up with the Israeli Embassy to host “An evening for Kiwi-Israeli partnership and collaboration” to be held on June 25 in central Auckland.

 

PSNA Co-Chair John Minto says PSNA supporters are shocked to see such a tone-deaf, blatant promotion of money-making with such a pariah state.

“This is, especially after the International Court of Justice last year told countries not to provide ‘aid or assistance’ which would allow Israel to continue its illegal occupation of Palestinian Territory.”

 

“Any collaboration with Israel assists its economy and provides precisely the ‘aid or assistance’ at the heart of the ICJ ruling,” Minto says.

 

“Even worse, it seems mass killings, engineered starvation and ethnic cleansing, are no obstacle to the promotion of such profit-first dealings”

 

“Auckland Business Chamber head, Charlotte Parkhill should be leading the call for sanctions on Israel. You should be reminding the business community that ethical behaviour and moral standards should have a central place in all business dealings.”

 

Minto says he expects the Chamber has approached the government to have a senior cabinet minister attend the event.

 

“The people who run these types of trade promotions usually expect a senior cabinet minister to turn up and gush about the particular country New Zealand is collaborating with.”

 

“However even a bottom ranked MP in attendance would anger the growing number of New Zealanders who are outraged at New Zealand’s inaction on escalating Israeli atrocities.”

 

“Blatant sucking up to Israel at this time, would not go unnoticed by other governments as well.”

 

“The world is moving to sanctions against Israel, not trying to squeeze more profits out of it.”

 

John Minto

Co-Chair PSNA

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NZP (an ICE Pharma Company) named ExportNZ ASB Exporter of the Year 2025

Source: Business Central

NZP (an ICE Pharma Company) has been named Exporter of the Year at the 2025 ExportNZ ASB Central Region Export Awards.
NZP celebrated their win of the supreme award at the Palmy Conference + Function Centre in front of an exuberant crowd on Friday June 6 – the first time the gala dinner for the central region has been hosted in Manawatū.
In partnership with ASB, these prestigious awards honour the success of central region exporters in international markets.
The judges were impressed by NZP’s clarity of purpose and ongoing commitment to innovate, collaborate and progress their business. This steadfast vision also saw NZP win the Gallagher Insurance Best Established Business Award.
“Not only excelling in the Best -Established category, NZP were a dominant force in both the innovation and sustainability categories. We wish them every success at the NZTE International Business Awards later this year,” said the judges.
This year the ExportNZ ASB Central Region Export Awards debuted a new format, which will see Palmerston North and Wellington alternate hosting the awards biannually – reflecting the success of the exporting industry across the wider central region.
The choice of Palmerston North this year highlights their thriving export sector and the region’s role as a pivotal logistics ecosystem for New Zealand.
Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith opened the event – followed by a virtual address from Hon .Todd McClay, Minister for Trade & Investment, Agriculture, Forestry and Associate Minister for Foreign Affairs.
ASB Head of International Trade Mike Atkins, who presented the Exporter of the Year award, said this year’s finalists covered a broad spectrum of industry and international markets.
“We were delighted to celebrate the achievements of the Central Region export sector in Palmerston North for the first time and were impressed by the large number of finalists. It was particularly inspiring to see the level of innovation being adopted by many exporters, including some world firsts. Congratulations to all finalists and award winners – the region should be proud of these amazing achievements,” said Atkins.
ExportNZ Central Regional Manager Amanda Liddle said: “ExportNZ is delighted to honour the wonderful calibre of finalists in these awards. The sheer number of businesses who have put themselves through the process of entering this year has blown us away and we are very proud to be celebrating their achievements.
“We would like to thank all the judges for their time and effort in selecting and awarding the nominees and winners. With such stiff competition, there is significant work that goes into making these final decisions and we are lucky to have such fantastic judges.
“Our special congratulations to NZP (an ICE Pharma Company) for picking up the ASB Exporter of the Year award. They are a prime example of the innovation and resilience exporters need to show in order to succeed in an increasingly volatile global market.
“We are also excited that the winners will automatically move to the final stage of the New Zealand International Business Awards in November. We congratulate all the finalists and winners for their contributions to the export community.”
ExportNZ Executive Director Joshua Tan said: “ExportNZ is proud to celebrate all of tonight’s winners and finalists. Despite ongoing uncertainty in the global trading environment, New Zealand exporters continue to rise to the challenge – innovating, seizing new opportunities, and driving economic growth. The exporters recognised tonight represent the very best of Kiwi enterprise, and we look forward to watching and supporting their continued success.”
The full list of winners is available below.
– 2025 ASB Exporter of the Year : NZP (an ICE Pharma Company)
– Gallagher Insurance Best Established Business Award: NZP (an ICE Pharma Company)
– DHL Best Emerging Business: DownUnder Honey
– Centrepoint Wellington Excellence in Innovation Award: The Village Goldsmith
– Business Central Excellence in Sustainability: BioLumic
– Judges’ Choice Award: IPU New Zealand and OBO
Notes:
Business Central delivers and supports ExportNZ in the Hawke’s Bay and wider Central New Zealand region. It represents 3,500 employers and exporters across the lower North Island, providing advice, training, support, and advocates for policies that reflect the interests of the business community.