Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage

The national Vietnam Veterans’ Day commemoration will be held on Tuesday 18 August at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington.

“We invite New Zealanders to join us at Pukeahu to commemorate Vietnam Veterans’ Day and honour everyone who served during the Vietnam War,” says Secretary for Culture and Heritage Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae.

“This year marks 60 years since the Battle of Long Tan, one of the most significant engagements involving New Zealand personnel during the Vietnam War and an important moment in our shared Anzac military history.

“On 18 August 1966, a three-person New Zealand artillery Forward Observer party, attached to Australian infantry, came under intense attack from a much larger enemy force in the Long Tan rubber plantation.

“In extremely difficult conditions, Captain Maurice Stanley, Lance-Bombardier Murray Broomhall, and Signaller Willie Walker kept communications open and directed artillery fire that was critical to the outcome of the battle.

“They were supported by the gunners of 161 Battery, Royal New Zealand Artillery, based at Nui Dat. Working with Australian and American artillery units, they delivered sustained and accurate fire that helped prevent the defending force from being overwhelmed.

“The Battle of Long Tan showed the courage, professionalism and teamwork of New Zealand and Australian personnel under immense pressure.

“As we mark this 60th anniversary, we honour those involved in the battle, the more than 3,000 New Zealand military personnel who served in Vietnam, the civilian medical and aid workers who supported them, and the 39 New Zealanders who lost their lives.

“Vietnam Veterans’ Day is a time to reflect on their service and sacrifice, acknowledge the challenges veterans and their whānau faced after the war, and ensure their stories are remembered by future generations.”

People attending this year’s commemoration are asked to arrive at the Hall of Memories at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park by 10.45am for an 11.00am start.

Further information

Vietnam Veterans’ Day commemorates the service of New Zealand military and civilian personnel during the Vietnam War.

The date marks the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, fought on 18 August 1966.

More than 3,000 New Zealand military personnel served in Vietnam between 1964 and 1975, alongside civilian medical and aid workers.

Thirty-nine New Zealanders lost their lives during the conflict, including two civilians.

More information about New Zealand’s involvement in the Vietnam War is available at:

https://vietnamwar.govt.nz/ (https://vietnamwar.govt.nz/)

https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/vietnam-war (https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/vietnam-war)

Captions:

long-tan-memorial.jpg – Dedication of Long Tan memorial cross on the site of the battle, 1969 (Noel Bell/VietnamWar.govt.nz)

Source: Environmental Protection Authority

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) welcomes the fine for the Far North Waters Alliance (FNWA) for illegally clearing vegetation within, or within a 10-metre setback of, a natural wetland.

On 5 August the Whangārei District Court fined the FNWA $42,250 after pleading guilty to a charge under the Resource Management Act.

The EPA initiated the charge, which relates to the clearing of approximately 0.35 hectares of indigenous vegetation (primarily kānuka and mānuka trees) in and around the Sweetwater Bore Wetlands, near Awanui in Northland, in August 2023.

The general surrounding area of the site contains regionally significant features including dune lakes, peat swamps and shrublands on dunes.

EPA Acting General Manager of Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement, Brian Ruiterman, says the successful prosecution shows the importance of following the rules around protected areas, such as wetlands.

“Our natural wetlands are taonga that need to be protected. The Resource Management Act and planning frameworks make it very clear what is and isn’t allowed to happen in and around these natural resources.

“We welcome the guilty plea and the court’s decision and hope it serves as a reminder of the care needed when working in and around Aotearoa New Zealand’s sensitive environments.”

The FNWA also donated $25,000 to a charity for use in wider wetland restoration projects in the Far North District.

During sentencing, Judge K G Reid observed that the public would expect a high standard of care to be exercised by the water entity.

“The works may have been important, but so was ensuring that the commissioning work was appropriately authorised and that the environment was protected,” said Judge Reid.

Editor’s note:

There is also an enforcement order requiring the landowner to remediate the area. Read more about that here: Kaitaia wetland enforcement order | EPA (https://www.epa.govt.nz/industry-areas/compliance-monitoring-enforcement/enforcement-activities/kaitaia-wetland-enforcement-order/)

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

A decision by the New Zealand Nursing Council to pause part of its recertification process will put patients at risk, NZNO says.

Every year the Nursing Council audits five percent of practising nurses to provide assurance that nurses are meeting continuing competence requirements (https://www.nursingcouncil.org.nz/Public/Nursing/Continuing_competence/NCNZ/nursing-section/Continuing_Competence.aspx).

Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says the Nursing Council temporarily paused Recertification Audit requirements earlier this month as part of a “strategic review of the continuing competence requirements for enrolled and registered nurses”.

“Despite this, the Nursing Council is continuing to assess nurses’ portfolios as part of their Annual Practising Certificates.

“This makes no sense. The only explanation is the new board appointed by the Minister of Health has asked for the pause so culturally safe competencies and references to Te Tiriti o Waitangi can be removed from the process.

“Simeon Brown has form here after admitting he made unprecedented and sweeping changes (https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/361024008/simeon-brown-ousts-medical-council-leadership-over-ideological-agenda) to the Medical Council because he believed members were ‘pursuing an ideological agenda and becoming distracted from its core responsibilities’.

“This is a further ministerial overreach from Simeon Brown who has already gutted the Council board and made four of his own appointees. This took the number of nurses on the board from seven down to four.

“The Minister is the one pursuing an ideological agenda here. How can patients be assured nurses are competent in their work if the audit process is paused? This puts patients at risk,” she says.

As the largest independent organisation of nurses, NZNO has written to the Nursing Council seeking a meeting to discuss the pause and the strategic review, Kerri Nuku says.

“The Minister needs to leave nursing registration to those who understand nurses and the importance of providing culturally appropriate care. There is a growing body of evidence in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally that culturally safe care improves health outcomes and the adherence to treatments.

“Patients need experienced nurses deciding if nurses are competent in their work, not the Health Minister,” Kerri Nuku says.

– Te Rūnanga o Aotearoa Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa will this week hold its annual Hui-ā-tau – the biggest hui for indigenous nurses in Aotearoa New Zealand – in Tāmaki Makaurau. Details about the programme are to follow.

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand received calls for 17 incidents between 12 pm and 1pm today, Wednesday 12 August, the fifty-third time the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) has taken strike action.

Of the 17 incidents, eight were in areas impacted by the strike.

Two were medical events that were attended to by Hato Hone St John, as per contingency planning.

One was a minor incident and four were false alarms.

One was for a structure fire in Invercargill that Fire and Emergency was alerted to at 12.42 by the occupant of the house who was trapped inside. Two Assistant District Commanders arrived at 12.48 and 12.50, by which time the occupant had been removed from the house. Volunteer fire crews were deployed from Invercargill, Wallacetown, Winton and Bluff. The first truck arrived at 12.54.

“Fire and Emergency would like to thank members of the public at the scene. Without their help this incident could have ended very differently,” Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler says.

“We have repeatedly warned about the risk the NZPFU is placing the public in every time it goes on strike.

“We acknowledge and appreciate the dedication of the volunteers and Operational Commanders who responded to this incident and the Communication Centre Managers who coordinated the response.

We also recognise the volunteers and staff across the country who have managed the 53 strike responses to date.

“We continue to call on the NZPFU to call off these reckless strikes and have asked it to urgently return to independent facilitation so we can make progress toward a fair and sustainable settlement.

“Fire and Emergency remains committed to achieving a fair and sustainable settlement so we can continue working to keep communities safe.

“As we have unfortunately seen today, emergency responses will be delayed when strike action takes place,” Megan Stiffler says.

Source: Samsung Electronics New Zealand

Smart Switch Update that removes barriers that have traditionally made
switching smartphones feel difficult

AUCKLAND, New Zealand – August 2026 Samsung Electronics introduced its
latest Galaxy devices with One UI 9.0, it is making it even more
seamless for Kiwis to switch to Galaxy. The upgrade has been
specifically designed to remove the barriers people may face when
changing smartphones.

Buying a new smartphone is a big decision, but for years that choice has
been complicated by the switch itself. Transitioning to a new device can
be daunting, the worry your contacts, messages and apps would reappear
and worrying about whether your precious photos would all be transferred
over.

“Everyone should be free to upgrade their phone without worrying if they
will lose their personal data” says Jack Miller, Product Manager
Flagship Mobile, Samsung New Zealand.

“Choosing the right phone is a big decision, and historically, changing
ecosystem has been a big part of this decision. We've worked hard on
removing the barriers that have made switching feel like a hassle. Now,
you can bring everything from contacts, photos, messages and even your
eSim to Samsung from IOS without the need to install a separate app. We
are making it easier for Kiwis to find their perfect phone. Simply scan
a QR code and you can experience a Galaxy Device without starting over.”

Now switching is actually the easiest part.

Switching from iOS to a new Samsung is straightforward thanks to tools
like Smart Switch that automatically transfer your photos, contacts,
messages, and many apps. The process involves three main stages: data
transfer, app setup, and account configuration. Simply scan a QR code
and follow the simple and intuitive prompts to securely transfer all of
your supported data wirelessly without using a cable.¹

Your Samsung phone guides you through each step, showing transfer
progress and estimated completion time. Most people complete the basic
setup within an hour, though downloading all your apps and customising
settings takes additional time.

Smart Switch is now complimented with the new Airdrop functionality
through Quick Share¹, which now means that you have even more ability to
seamlessly bring over the content that matters most and stay connected
across devices.

Expanded wireless transfer support

Previously some data could only be transferred via a wired connection.
However, with One UI 9.0, secure wireless transfers now provide the same
supported data coverage as wired transfers, allowing more people to
complete the setup process wirelessly without compromising what they can
bring across.¹

By removing unnecessary steps and expanding wireless transfer
capabilities, Samsung is helping make the move to Galaxy more
straightforward.

Compatibility

The enhanced Smart Switch experience is available on compatible Galaxy
devices running One UI 9.0 or higher and supports transfers from
compatible Apple devices running iOS 26.6 or later and Android devices
running Android 17 or later. ¹

For more information about Smart Switch, visit Samsung Smart Switch.

¹ Transferable data may vary depending on the device OS (Android or
iOS), OS version, and/or connection option.

Check technical requirements for Smart Switch compatible devices from
the FAQ section.

Available connection option may vary depending on device OS,
manufacturer or availability of expandable storage.

Data transfer from iOS to Galaxy through the upgraded method is
available on devices running Android 17 or later, and iOS 26.6 or later,
excluding China mainland.

You can find the Smart Switch app on the Galaxy phone or tablet by
navigating to the Samsung folder on the Apps screen, or going to
Settings > Accounts and backup > Smart Switch.

If you have a large amount of data to transfer, a wired connection is
recommended because it is relatively faster. Make sure your devices are
properly charged beforehand since connecting to a charger is not
available during such transfer.

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua

11 August 2026

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua has today released a
consultation document on the introduction of a prudential levy. This
consultation is being undertaken on behalf of the Minister of Finance.
This initiative was announced as part of the Government's Budget 2026.

The announcement is a decision in principle to the levy's introduction.
The levy would apply to banks, non-bank deposit takers, insurers and
financial market infrastructures.

Section 296(1) of the RBNZ Act requires the Minister to ensure there has
been consultation with representatives of those who are liable to pay a
levy or be significantly affected by it, before recommending
regulations.

Consultation will run for ten weeks and covers:

• Proposing full cost recovery under the levy for all prudential costs
• The sectoral scope of the levy, and
• The method of calculating or ascertaining the amount of the levy paid by individual regulated entities.

Submissions are due by 5pm on 16 October. Final Cabinet decisions are
then expected in early 2027. We look forward to engaging with the
industry on these proposals.

MORE INFORMATION

Prudential levy consultation information: Prudential levy consultation information
Financial industry to bear the cost for regulation: Financial industry to bear the cost for regulation

Source: He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission

• Nationwide action to adapt is not keeping pace with growing climate risks, leaving Aotearoa New Zealand inadequately prepared.
• Two years after the Commission’s first independent assessment, too many of the key gaps it identified remain unresolved. Some positive action has occurred, but New Zealand is still not adapting at the pace and scale climate risks demand.
• Because progress has been too slow, the Commission has gone further this time, identifying six essential areas for urgent action and the Ministers responsible for driving progress.
• Without faster action, the country faces greater damage, disruption and costs as climate risks continue to grow.
• The next two years are a critical opportunity to close these gaps before the costs of delay become even greater. Better preparation can reduce future harm, disruption and costs while building a more resilient New Zealand.

<b>Progress isn’t keeping pace with growing climate risks</b>

He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission’s latest report finds that adaptation in New Zealand is still not keeping pace with growing climate risks. Two years after its first independent assessment, the Commission has found that while there has been some progress, persistent gaps in funding, governance, planning and climate-risk information continue. This leaves communities exposed to greater damage, disruption and costs.

“In 2024, our first progress assessment found that New Zealand’s adaptation system was still in its early stages, with many of the key building blocks still missing,” says Chief Executive Jo Hendy.

“Two years on, our second assessment finds progress in some areas, but overall action has been too slow, too uneven and too poorly coordinated. Too many of the key gaps identified in our first assessment remain unresolved. That’s why this report goes further, identifying six essential areas for urgent action and the ministers responsible for driving progress.”

“Preparing for climate change is complex and requires difficult decisions across all levels of government, communities, businesses and households. With growing climate risks, the pace of action and the scale of effort need to increase significantly to avoid greater damage, disruption and costs.”<b></b>

<b>Significant gaps remain</b>

The Commission found progress in some important areas, such as the proposed new requirement for local adaptation planning and action to strengthen councils’ ability to manage natural hazard risk for new developments, but many of the gaps identified in 2024 remain.

“The New Zealand Flood Map, for example, is a step in the right direction for improving climate-risk information – but its long-term value depends on more than simply creating the map. Information needs to be accurate, accessible, regularly updated and supported by clear guidance, strong governance and ongoing investment. And that same level of commitment will be needed to build robust information for other climate hazards.

“Our assessment finds that not enough progress is being made in key areas. For example, we assessed 11 barriers to effective adaptation in 2024. Since then, there has been meaningful progress on only three of them, while seven have seen no significant improvement and one has gone backwards.”

“Delays in decisions about funding and cost-sharing, gaps in governance and coordination, and a lack of clear tools and processes in key areas are holding up action and increasing costs. The time between assessment reports has only increased the gap between what is in place and what is needed.”

“Many communities, including local councils and iwi/Māori, are taking action but face barriers that need government action to overcome,” says Hendy.

<b>Six essential areas for urgent action</b>

The Commission has identified six essential areas where urgent action is needed.

“These six essential areas are the foundations of an effective adaptation system. They are not a pick-and-mix of recommendations and must be addressed together.”

“Urgent action is needed to clarify how adaptation will be funded, strengthen local adaptation planning, improve climate-risk information, embed adaptation in legislation and support iwi/Māori-led adaptation.”

“The next national adaptation plan must be a much stronger driver of action, but progress in these areas cannot wait. To accelerate adaptation at the pace and scale required, these foundations need to be in place before the next national adaptation plan.”

“Effective adaptation action requires leadership across Government. The Minister of Climate Change holds accountability for making progress in these areas, along with the Minister of Finance, Minister of Local Government, Minister Responsible for Resource Management Act Reform, Minister for Building and Construction, Minister for Infrastructure, and the Minister for Māori Development.”

<b>Delayed action increases costs</b>

“New Zealand is already paying for the impacts of climate change and other natural hazards,” says Hendy. “As we’ve seen this year, damaging storms are becoming more frequent and unpredictable, affecting homes, businesses, infrastructure and communities.

“Natural hazards, including climate change, are costing central government and insurers over $4 billion a year – and that’s just the direct costs. 97% of the central government’s spend has gone into response and recovery, while just 3% goes towards reducing future risk.

“Delaying action doesn’t avoid costs – it increases them, leading to higher recovery, rebuilding and disruption costs later. Investing now can reduce future harm and avoid larger costs later, with every $1 invested potentially delivering up to $10 in benefits.

“The next two years are a critical opportunity to close these gaps before the costs of delay grow even higher. The longer key gaps remain unresolved, the harder and more expensive it will be to protect communities, infrastructure and businesses from growing climate risks.”

&nbsp;

<h1>Notes to editors</h1>

<h2><span style=”font-size: 13px;”>The </span><a href=”2026 adaptation progress assessment” data-tracked=”1″ style=”font-size: 13px;”>2026 report is available on our website</a><span style=”font-size: 13px;”>, along with following summary resources:</span></h2>

• Executive summary – summary of our findings and recommendations, excerpted from the main report.
• One-page summary – overview of the 2026 findings and recommendations
• Pae Tawhiti Pae Tata – covering key points about adaptation action centred on iwi/Māori
• National insights relevant for adaptation planning – a companion report that presents statistics and spatial information that provides quantitative insights alongside our assessment of adaptation progress.

<h2><span style=”font-size: 13px;”>How this assessment fits with the 2026 national climate change risk assessment&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></h2>

<span style=”font-size: 13px;”>This progress assessment looks at Government’s progress against the current national adaptation plan – developed in 2022.</span>

The Commission’s 2026 national climate change risk assessment highlights the most significant risks for Aotearoa New Zealand, and should guide the Government’s next national adaptation plan – this is due in 2028.

Read more about the risk assessment at <a href=”2026 national climate change risk assessment“>climatecommission.govt.nz/nccra-2026</a>

Source: Save the Children New Zealand

The strongest earthquake to hit Colombia in a decade has struck the western part of Colombia, causing widespread destruction across the Pacific Region. The disaster has left children and families facing uncertainty, fear and the loss of homes, schools and essential services, said Save the Children.

The quake hit on Monday morning as families were at home or beginning their day, with tremors felt as far away as Venezuela. While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, preliminary reports indicate that over 100 people, including children, have been killed, while many more have been injured.

Maria Mercedes Liévano, Save the Children’s Country Director for Colombia, said: “While the full extent of the damage is still emerging, we know that earthquakes can have a devastating impact on children in an instant. In the aftermath of an unforeseen event like this, children may face heightened risks to their safety, well-being and access to essential services. Communities are currently grappling with disruption and uncertainty.”

The full scale of the impact is still emerging as damaged infrastructure, power outages and communications disruptions hamper assessments in some of the worst-affected areas. Reports indicate that buildings have collapsed, raising concerns that people may remain trapped beneath the rubble. Schools and public hospitals have been evacuated, with many sustaining severe damage, disrupting children's access to education, healthcare and safe spaces at a time when they need them most.

Children are among the most vulnerable in the aftermath of earthquakes, facing heightened risks to their health, protection and wellbeing, said Save the Children.

As response efforts continue, there is an urgent need for lifesaving assistance and support to rescue survivors, and help children and families cope with their immediate needs in the days and weeks ahead.

Save the Children stands ready to support affected communities and is closely monitoring the situation to provide support where it is needed the most.

Save the Children has worked in Colombia for 40 years, working in the regions most affected by natural disasters, armed conflict, violence, poverty, climate change, and mixed migration.

New Zealanders wanting to support Save the Children's work in emergencies can donate to our Children's Emergency Fund.

About Save the Children New Zealand

Save the Children works in more than 100 countries across the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and works with children and their communities to ensure they survive, learn and are protected.

Save the Children NZ currently supports international programmes in Fiji, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Areas of work include child protection, education and literacy, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and alleviating child poverty.

Source: Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland and Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, University of Otago

TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2026

Researchers have published a study that has found a link between maternal vaping and Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI).

Maternal vaping is emerging as a potential risk factor for Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI), according to New Zealand researchers. They say their findings highlight the need to reassess public health messaging around vaping in pregnancy and bed sharing.

Smoking during pregnancy by mothers and sharing the bed with their baby are recognised major risk factors for SUDI, especially when they occur together. In New Zealand smoking in pregnancy has decreased, but SUDI rates remain the same.

A recent study of a series of 101 SUDI deaths in New Zealand during 2022 and 2023 had detailed information about maternal nicotine exposure and the infant's sleep environment for 66 cases.

Findings showed that smoking and/or vaping was reported in nearly three-quarters of these cases, while nearly 70 percent of infants had died while directly bed sharing. Maternal vaping was reported in half of the SUDI cases involving direct bed sharing, compared with one in five cases where direct bed sharing was not reported.

“The interaction between maternal smoking and bed sharing is well established,” says lead author Professor Ed Mitchell, of Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. “What is new and concerning is that vaping may be showing a similar pattern of risk as smoking, especially when combined with bed sharing. This raises the possibility that the effects of nicotine itself, rather than how nicotine is delivered, may be contributing to infant vulnerability.”

The researchers stress that the study does not prove that vaping causes SUDI. “Uncertainty is not reassurance,” says co-author Professor Barry Taylor, of the University of Otago, Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka. “When the possible consequence is an infant death, a precautionary approach is warranted while the evidence develops.”

The researchers say the findings raise a fundamental question about current pregnancy advice. “Vaping has been widely approached as a safer alternative to smoking and a smoking cessation aid, including in pregnancy. Our findings suggest we need to consider all nicotine exposure during pregnancy, particularly when it is combined with bed sharing,” says Professor Mitchell.

In a related policy analysis published in the journal Acta Paediatrica, the same authors argue that pregnancy requires a different approach to nicotine policy from that used for non-pregnant adults. “Nicotine crosses the placenta, reduces foetal blood flow and lowers birthweight,” explains Professor Taylor. “We suspect that vaping may also produce the same infant ‘arousal defect’ seen with tobacco exposure.”

The researchers recommend a pregnancy-specific approach with being nicotine-free as the goal, and coordinated support for women to achieve this across addiction services, pregnancy care, SUDI prevention and family support. “Every woman who vapes or smokes during pregnancy needs support that meets them where they are in terms of their circumstances and confidence,” says co-author Stephanie Cowan, of Change for Our Children. “The aim is to help every woman move towards cessation as early as possible in pregnancy, because that is how both mother and infant are protected.”

In the SUDI cases studied, 84.8 percent of deaths occurring during direct bed sharing involved maternal smoking or vaping.

The researchers say more research is needed urgently to establish the specific risks associated with vaping during pregnancy. In the meantime, they argue that vaping, like smoking, should be discouraged in pregnancy and women should be supported to be nicotine-free as early as possible, as the new health norm.