Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Legislation – Experts to present at first pay equity oral hearing

Source: NZCTU

The People’s Select Committee on Pay Equity will hold its first oral hearing tomorrow, Monday 11 August, from 9am-12pm at the National Library (Te Wehenga and Malaga Pasifika rooms) in Wellington.

More than 1500 submissions have been received by the select committee. The first hearing will feature submissions from a wide range of experts including Dame Silvia Rose Cartwright, EEO Commissioner Gail Pacheco, Traci Houpapa. Tracey Martin, and union leaders. The hearing will be chaired by Nanaia Mahuta.

The hearing will be livestreamed on the Committee’s website.

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Insurance Sector – Insurance accessibility key as Government reviews natural hazards levy

Source: Insurance Council of NZ

Keeping insurance accessible is a key consideration as the Government reviews the Natural Hazards Commission (NHC) levy amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures for Kiwis.
A survey commissioned by the Insurance Council of New Zealand | Te Kāhui Inihua o Aotearoa (ICNZ) found New Zealanders are torn on paying more to ensure the NHC is properly funded to provide basic cover for natural disasters like earthquakes, landslides and flooding.
The survey shows 50% percent of respondents are not prepared to pay $200 more a year to better fund the NHC. Some 30% are willing to pay more, while 21% are unsure.
“We know it’s a difficult time for families, with the cost-of-living foremost in Kiwis’ minds as they manage their budgets,” ICNZ Chief Executive Kris Faafoi said.
“The Government should make a decision to keep insurance accessible. Taxes and levies already account for around 40% of a home premium.
“Balancing affordability with the sustainability of the NHC Scheme is a shared challenge. The Government, NHC and insurers all have a role to play in keeping premiums manageable.
The survey also found 59% of respondents are aware that part of their insurance premium is a levy that supports the NHC.
“New Zealanders appear to have a good understanding of the NHC and its role in helping fund the recovery when disaster strikes,” Kris Faafoi said.
“Everyone knows that it’s better to act before disaster strikes to protect communities, rather than pick up the pieces afterwards.
“New Zealand is highly vulnerable to extreme weather. Climate change is making these events more severe on those affected and the areas they live in.
“Kiwi’s value the protection insurance provides for their homes and families. However, managing the rising risks from climate change requires a coordinated, nationwide response. Government leadership is essential to invest in resilience measures like avoiding building in high-risk areas and strengthening infrastructure like flood protection schemes.
“Reducing risk through clearer rules, smart investment and strong planning helps protect lives, homes, and businesses and keeps insurance accessible for future generations,” Kris Faafoi said.
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Employment – BusinessNZ welcomes new seasonal and global workforce visas

Source: BusinessNZ

BusinessNZ has welcomed today’s announcement by Immigration Minister Erica Stanford introducing two new seasonal visa pathways – the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa and the Peak Seasonal Visa – as a pragmatic step to better match immigration settings with business needs.
BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich says the new visa categories are a smart evolution in immigration policy that recognises the operational realities of New Zealand’s seasonal industries.
“Many sectors – from winemaking and meat processing to snow sports and shearing – rely on highly experienced workers for specific windows of time each year. These new visa pathways make it easier for businesses to bring back skilled seasonal staff when they’re needed most, without having to start from scratch every year.”
The Global Workforce Seasonal Visa allows skilled workers to return over multiple years, while the Peak Seasonal Visa provides a more tailored short-term solution for high-demand roles during seasonal peaks.
“This is a significant improvement on previous settings, which often created unnecessary red tape and uncertainty. Reducing the need for repeat visa applications not only lowers compliance costs but also improves planning and workforce continuity,” Mrs Rich said.
BusinessNZ says the changes are also important for productivity and regional growth.
“Seasonal industries make an outsized contribution to New Zealand’s economy. These changes mean more certainty for employers, less disruption to operations, and better outcomes for customers and export markets.”
BusinessNZ also welcomed the Government’s broader focus on rebalancing immigration to meet genuine workforce needs, while maintaining a strong commitment to jobs for New Zealanders.
“We support efforts to ensure New Zealanders are given every opportunity first, but where there are genuine shortages, immigration settings must be practical and responsive.
“This announcement s

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Advocacy – New Zealand urged to follow German lead and end military support for Israel – PSNZ

Source: Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

PSNA is urging the government to follow Germany’s lead and suspend New Zealand military support for Israel to continue its mass killing and mass starvation of Palestinians in Gaza.

Germany and New Zealand were two of the countries to sign a letter yesterday condemning Israel’s plans to extend its war to Gaza City, displacing another million Palestinians.

The letter states:

 

“The plans that the government of Israel has announced risk violating international humanitarian law. Any attempts at annexation or of settlement extension violate international law.”

 

“It will aggravate the catastrophic humanitarian situation, endanger the lives of the hostages, and further risk the mass displacement of civilians.”

 

PSNA Co-Chair John Minto says Israel has a long history of ignoring outside opinion because they never include accountabilities.

“However, Germany has followed its condemnation with action. New Zealand needs to do the same.”

 

Minto says New Zealand should:

  • End approval for Rakon to export crystal oscillators to the US which are used in guided bombs sent to Israel for bombing Gaza.
  • Ban all Rocket Lab launches from Mahia which are used for Israel reconnaissance in Gaza
  • Launch an investigation by the Inspector-General of Security and Intelligence into the sharing of intelligence with the US and Israel which can be used for targeting Palestinians

 

“New Zealanders expect our government to end its empty condemnations of Israel and act to sanction this rogue, genocidal state.”

 

John Minto

Co-Chair

Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

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Police Association: Canterbury restructure "robbing Peter to pay Paul"

Source: NZ Police Association

The New Zealand Police Association acknowledges the Police proposal for significant strategic realignment of policing resources across the Canterbury district but believes it has not met the test of balancing the demands of increasing populations in some areas with the needs of communities which will lose officers and vital Police support staff. 
Association President Chris Cahill accepts that community needs and priorities change over time, but the current proposal for delivery of rural policing the North Canterbury, Selwyn and Aoraki districts is robbing Peter to pay Paul. 
“We recognise the increased demand for a 24-7 response model in Selwyn and Rangiora, but this should not be at the expense of the highly valued contribution rural response officers make to their local communities,” Mr Cahill says. 
“The benefit of rural staff to their communities is not always visible in Police statistics; rather consideration should be given to the ethos of the father of modern policing, Sir Robert Peel, that “the test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder and not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with them.”  
Mr Cahill notes the proposal demonstrates the need for more officers in some of the country’s fastest growing communities at the very time Police is struggling to meet the government’s target of 500 extra police. 
“Canterbury district should take advantage of its ability to recruit officers in its area, thereby contributing to the 500-recruitment target while, simultaneously, avoiding the removal of officers from its rural areas,” Mr Cahill says.
He says without such an initiative this proposal will see the closure of police stations in Arthur’s Pass, Culverden, Rakaia, Pleasant Point and Saint Andrews. In other cases, officers will be replaced by rural liaison officers with an overall reduction in numbers. 
“Rural liaison officers were a positive initiative of New Zealand First’s Winston Peters, but they were always intended to be additional, not instead of dedicated community-based officers. I’d be surprised if Mr Peters, a champion of increasing police numbers, would support a reduced police presence in these rural communities,” Mr Cahill says.  
“The association asks PNHQ to prioritise the resourcing of its extra staffing needs with new staff, not at the expense of rural communities.” 
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Police Association highly critical of coronial findings in death of Shargin Stephens

Source: NZ Police Association

The New Zealand Police Association rejects most of the coroner’s findings into the 2016 death of Shargin Stephens in Rotorua.
The entire process has been shambolic, with multiple coroners involved over more than nine years, Police Association president Chris Cahill says.
“The ruling of Coroner Michael Robb, released this morning, shows a complete lack of understanding of how both the human mind and memory work in volatile situations, and the level of risk an offender such as Mr Stephens presents,” Mr Cahill says.
“It is well established that if you have multiple witnesses to an event, there will be multiple differing accounts of that event. The prolonged nature of this coronial process has only amplified the existence of differing accounts.”
Mr Cahill says the coroner’s criticism of Officer L05’s recall of events fails to acknowledge that in critical, dangerous situations people under threat see only the direct threat posed, not what is around or behind them.
“It is common for witnesses in such situations to later attempt to account for the facts brought to their attention despite not being aware of them at the time. We are concerned today’s report has not taken this into consideration,” he says.
“Given the veracity of research into dealing with scenarios such as that in Rotorua in July 2016, it would seem vital that coroners were skilled in the science when they preside over such critical reviews.”
Mr Cahill also questions the inference that junior officers should not have access to M4 rifles.
“This shows an absolute lack of understanding of the risks regularly presented to the public – risks that officers are required to respond to in protection of their communities.”
Mr Stephens presented a very real and imminent threat to officers and members of the public, Mr Cahill says, and less-lethal options had failed to remove that threat.
“The association believes Officer L05 was justified in taking the actions he did. Looking through a distorted lens nine years later cannot change that fact.” 
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Advocates – Wellington rally to oppose genocide and protect protest

Source: Justice for Palestine and Peace Action Wellington

Justice for Palestine and Peace Action Wellington are hosting a joint rally and march on Friday 8 August at 12:30 starting at the UK High Commission on Hill Street going to Police National HQ to oppose the ongoing genocide in Gaza and to uphold our rights to protest.

“At the UK High Commission, we are gathering in solidarity with UK-based Palestine Action. The UK government has labelled the peaceful protest group Palestine Action as “terrorists” and are arresting anyone who says that they support them. They are determined to shut down opposition to Israel’s genocide using extreme repression. Police have already arrested over 100 ordinary people including elderly clergy, teachers and parents for doing nothing more than carrying a sign or holding a banner,” said Nadia Abu-Shanab, member of Justice for Palestine

At least 500 demonstrators are preparing to sit in London for 60 minutes or “until arrest” on August 9 while holding signs which state: “I oppose Genocide. I support Palestine Action.”

“Here in Aotearoa NZ the Ministry of Justice is engaged in a behind-the-scenes consultation of the Terrorism Suppression Act to significantly expand the law and to follow the UK approach. Their so-called ‘consultation’ closes on 8 August,” said Valerie Morse, member of Peace Action Wellington.

“On top of that, just last week, the government announced the US FBI will be opening an office here. FBI director Kash Patel indicated anti-terrorism is an area of key collaboration between the US and NZ. Taken together, these are both terrifying developments for freedom of speech and peaceful protest. Both the UK and US government have recently shown their willingness to use extreme repression to shut down dissenting opinions on Israel.”

“We will not sit by while preparations for attacks on our rights to freedom of expression and peaceful protest are made. We are taking our message to Police HQ as they administer the Terrorism Suppression Act and are the most likely domestic partner for the FBI.”

Our actions will not cease until the people of Palestine are free.

Notes:

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Animal Welfare – First dog dies just days into final greyhound racing season – SAFE

Source: SAFE For Animals

A three-year-old dog named Hilton Hype has died after breaking his leg during a race at Addington Raceway on 2 August, just two days into the start of greyhound racing’s final season.
Despite plans for surgery, he couldn’t be stabilised in time and died shortly after.
SAFE Campaign Manager Emma Brodie says the death is a heartbreaking reminder that dogs will continue to suffer while the industry winds down.
“This was meant to be the beginning of the end – a final season before this cruel industry is shut down for good,” says Brodie.
“But Hilton Hype’s death shows that as long as races are still being run, dogs are in danger. The industry must not race them to death on the way out.”
This latest death follows a devastating 2024/25 season, which saw 17 dogs die – the deadliest year since 2021. The industry has faced years of criticism and multiple government reviews, ultimately leading to the Government’s decision to ban greyhound racing.
“The decision has been made. Greyhound racing is ending; there is nothing to be gained by dragging these dogs through another season of risk and injury,” says Brodie.
“No dog should lose their life for this industry’s final curtain call. The only finish line that matters now is a safe home for every greyhound.”
SAFE is calling on Greyhound Racing New Zealand to immediately begin the wind-down of all race meets and rehome the remaining dogs as swiftly and safely as possible.
SAFE is Aotearoa’s leading animal rights organisation.
We're creating a future that ensures the rights of animals are respected. Our core work empowers society to make kinder choices for ourselves, animals and our planet.
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Local News – Celebrating the local unsung heroes at the 2025 Volunteer Awards

Source: Hutt City Council

Lower Hutt’s dedicated volunteers took centre stage last night at a special event recognising their invaluable contributions.
The 2025 Volunteer Awards brought together recipients of this year’s Civic Honours and Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards.
Mayor Campbell Barry said the evening was a chance to pause and shine a light on the years of service and selflessness the winners have given, often without ever expecting anything in return.
“These people have given their time, energy and heart to make life better for others.”
Wellington Airport chief executive Matt Clarke said the airport was proud to celebrate the outstanding work of community groups in Hutt City over the previous 12 months.
“These groups deserve recognition for the amazing and selfless work they do in the community,” he said.
“Congratulations to all finalists and winners, and best of luck for the Regional Community Awards finals later this year.”
Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards – Lower Hutt Winners:
  • Art & Culture – Arohanui Strings+
  • Education & Child/Youth Development – Tūhura Tech
  • Health & Wellbeing – Fri
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Events – WIPCE 2025 announces final line-up of keynote speakers as Auckland gets set to host thousands of Indigenous knowledge holders

Source: World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE)

The World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE) has announced its final line-up of Indigenous leaders and trailblazers who will take the stage at one of the world’s largest and most significant Indigenous education gatherings in Tāmaki Makaurau this November.

WIPCE is a global movement to honour, preserve, and advance Indigenous education. As it returns to Aotearoa for the first time in 20 years it will be hosted by Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makaurau – AUT, at Aotea Centre from 16-20 November, 2025.

WIPCE 2025 Co-Chair, Meihana Durie, notes the significance of Indigenous conversations taking place right now ahead of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on 9 August.

“With just 100 days to go until WIPCE 2025, and as the world celebrates Indigenous peoples tomorrow, what better time to spotlight a global stage that exists to elevate Indigenous voices,” says Durie.

The 12 world renowned academic speakers who will ignite ideas and action around areas of significance to Indigenous self determination are:

Keynote Speakers

  • Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith – Education Systems and Practices
  • Ani Mikaere – Politics, Self-Determination and Decolonisation
  • Eru Kapa-Kingi – Youth 
  • Mere Skerrett – Science and Technology
  • Teina Rongo – Environment and Climate
  • Jeffery Ansloos – Health and Wellbeing
  • Katie Wolfe – Creative Arts and Media
  • Leonie Pihama – Linguistic and Cultural Revitalisation
  • Raniera Procter – Linguistic and Cultural Revitalisation.

Guest Speakers:

  • Rosa Hibbert-Schooner
  • Dr Jon Osorio
  • Spero Manson.

The speakers will join thousands of Indigenous knowledge holders, educators, and leaders from across the globe at a near sold-out conference.

For those not attending the official activities but keen to get involved in the movement, the free Te Ao Pūtahi Festival is running alongside WIPCE 2025 in Aotea Square.

Durie, says the five-day Festival ensures the community gets a chance to join in celebrating indigeneity.

“WIPCE 2025 is for all to come and take part in one of the world's leading movements for Indigenous excellence in education. Te Ao Pūtahi Festival invites the wider public to experience the living culture and innovation of Indigenous peoples from all corners of the globe.”

Te Ao Pūtahi Festival will offer a vibrant and accessible experience for locals and manuhiri to share in Indigenous food stalls, artisan markets, cultural performances, hands-on creative workshops, and storytelling sessions that honour the mana and diversity of Indigenous cultures globally.

About WIPCE 2025

WIPCE is more than a conference every three years, it’s a global movement. Since its inception in 1987 WIPCE has united Indigenous educators, leaders and knowledge keepers in a shared vision – to honour, preserve and advance Indigenous education.

As WIPCE 2025 welcomes Indigenous peoples from across the world to the shores of Te Waitematā, it continues to bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and formal education – ensuring Indigenous wisdom is both honoured and integrated.

The WIPCE 2025 programme launch event will be held at AUT City Campus, from 6pm – 9.30pm on 21 August.