Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

MSF condemns Russia's strikes on civilian infrastructure and residential areas.

4 September, 2026 – For more than a week, the Russian military has conducted intense missile and drone strikes on Kyiv, Ukraine, and its immediate surroundings, around the clock. Whether targeted or indiscriminate, many attacks have struck residential buildings, medical facilities, and warehouses for pharmaceuticals, food, and other consumer goods — in clear violation of international humanitarian law.

Between 27 August and 3 September, at least 51 people have been killed and nearly 100 injured in the Kyiv region, according to the most recent reports by city and regional authorities.

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) condemns the Russian armed forces' strikes on civilian infrastructure and residential areas. An MSF physiotherapy team is providing care at one of Kyiv's largest hospitals, including for a wounded survivor of a recent attack.

Patients need urgent stabilisation

“I saw the ground shaking, I saw my own blood flowing, and I started crawling toward a shelter,” said an MSF patient who was wounded during a recent drone attack on a food warehouse, where he was working, in the village of Pohreby in the Kyiv region.

“I was on my way to a shelter and talking on the phone. I didn't make it: I looked back and saw something flying toward me, and then I fell,” the patient added. “The tourniquet was applied in time, and I was taken to the hospital. I was worried not for myself, but for my colleagues who were still inside the building.”

The patient sustained a bone fracture in his right leg and a torn tendon in his left, with lacerations from shrapnel across his body. The patient is currently learning to walk with the aid of a walking frame and is also seeing MSF psychologists.

“It is very important to start rehabilitation as soon as possible and get the patient into an upright position,” said Maksym Riabokon, MSF physiotherapy supervisor, “because if a person lies down, they are at risk of muscle atrophy and congestive pneumonia, and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is disrupted. Our main task is to make the patient self-sufficient and independent, to give them the tools and help them as soon as they have stabilized and undergone surgery.”

The mental health toll of near-constant attacks

The air raid alerts and explosions, which have become almost constant in Kyiv and the region, are also affecting the psychological condition of patients.

“It's very draining,” said Lesia Martseniuk, MSF mental health supervisor. “People are trying to carry on with their work, but this sense of exhaustion is very noticeable, and people are getting more and more tired. Especially given that it is currently impossible to get around Kyiv normally: Bridges are being closed, and some metro stations are out of service.

“Patients tell us that their families are experiencing significant levels of stress. School and kindergarten activities are disrupted during alerts, while parents worry about their children and their safety.”

The sleepless nights are punctuated by the sounds of massive explosions, and the non-stop anxiety deeply affects MSF staff and their families in Kyiv. The whole of Kyiv's society is suffering.

Notes

In July, MSF released the report, No Safe Place to Heal, documenting relentless attacks on healthcare and medical personnel in Ukraine. The findings show these attacks constitute a deliberate strategy to destroy the medical system and collectively punish people — rather than being an incidental product of Russia's invasion.

MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation. MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. Every year more than 120 Australians and New Zealanders go on assignment with Médecins Sans Frontières working as: doctors, midwives, psychologists, laboratory technicians, human resource/finance coordinators, pharmacists, mental health specialists and logisticians. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au.

Source: I Am Hope

4 September 2026

90 seconds. 630 reasons. A community getting behind our kids.

Aucklanders are being invited to start their Friday with a splash as Spring Plunge 2026 returns to Eastern Beach on Friday, 11 September.

Now in its second year, the Spring Plunge is set to become an annual community event, bringing people together for a 90-second plunge into the cold waters of Eastern Beach to remember the 630 Kiwis lost and stand alongside those who may be silently struggling today.

Among those taking the plunge this year are Simeon Brown, MP for Pakuranga and Minister of Health and Transport, Howick Ward Councillor Bo Burns, and Detective Shaun Winstanley, who will also speak at the event.

Winstanley, 39, has been a police officer for 15 years. In 2023, he was shot in the face at close range by an active shooter in Auckland CBD, in an incident that claimed two lives and seriously injured eight people. He spent four days in a coma and months in intensive care and hospital, followed by years of surgeries, rehabilitation and recovery.

Today, he is a passionate advocate for mental wellbeing and resilience.

“I’ve learnt to be grateful for every minute you get, because it’s not promised. We forget that. The ‘what ifs’ can consume you, but they don’t change what’s happened. You’ve got to focus on what you’ve got in front of you and make the most of it,” Winstanley says.

“People see the amazing job that medical staff have done to repair my face after the shooting, but what they don’t see is what still lies beneath. There are still approximately 30 pellets, metal and scar tissue. To use it as a metaphor, we all have our own pellets in our face. You never really know what someone else is carrying underneath it all.

“That’s why we need to be kind to each other. Check in on people. And be grateful for every minute we get, because none of us are promised the next one.”

I Am Hope crew will be taking part and going into the water alongside the community.

I Am Hope Partnership Manager Richie Barnett says having so many people from across the community involved makes the event particularly powerful.

“It’s incredible to see how many people are getting behind this and willing to get out of bed early, get into freezing water and stand together for something so important,” Barnett says.

“Having community leaders like Shaun, Simeon and Bo there makes it even more special. Everyone is showing up in their own way, but the message is the same — look after each other, start the conversations and don’t be afraid to ask how someone is really doing.”

The event comes as Gumboot Friday, the annual iconic event prepares to return on 6 November to raise awareness and fundraise for free counselling without barriers for all young Kiwis aged 5 to 25.

Spring Plunge organisers are encouraging people to bring their mates, workmates, teams and whānau and take on the challenge together.

Spring Plunge 2026

Date: Friday, 11 September 2026

Location: Eastern Beach, Auckland

Time: Arrive 6:15am | Plunge 6:45am

Activity: 90-second Ocean Plunge

Register for Spring Plunge 2026

Walker Homes is the sponsor of Spring Plunge 2026.

Video and imagery: Spring Plunge video and imagery

GUMBOOT FRIDAY IS NOVEMBER 6

Gumboot Friday gives any young New Zealander aged between 5 & 25 free counselling. If they need help, they can get it. When they need it, before it’s too late. With more than 170,000 counselling sessions since 2019, the good is getting done.

Government support helps pay for the counselling. Community support helps keep Gumboot Friday running, so more kids know where to go when they need help.

On Friday 6 November 2026, we’re giving Gumboot Friday a shot in the arm in the hope it will become New Zealand’s Mental Health Day, when Kiwis will gumboot Up and raise funds for young people to access help when they need it.

For more info visit www.gumbootfriday.com

If you or someone you know is 25 or under and needs someone to talk to, visit www.gumbootfriday.com to book a free counsellor today — no referral needed.

Source: Avast

When scammers singled out an Avast employee in a sophisticated social engineering attack, they picked the wrong target — and revealed more about themselves than they ever came close to stealing. Threat Researchers at Gen, the company behind Avast, played along with the scammers, analyzing their moves to gather intelligence. Our Threat Researchers dubbed this imposter scam “Phantom Deal” in their technical analysis. The scheme involved executive impersonation, forged legal documents, and off-channel communication, all wrapped around a hush-hush acquisition requiring a large money transfer. Find out what we learned.

Written by Luis Corrons

Reviewed by Jeremy Coppock

Published on September 3, 2026

Key takeaways

• Phantom Deal is a targeted M&A-style imposter scam built around real names, real company history, and a fake NDA.
• The scam works by isolating the target, moving them off normal channels, and pushing an urgent wire request.
• Our Threat Researchers have found the same template and document fingerprints in four other targets across several industries.

Anatomy of Phantom Deal

Phantom Deal is an imposter scam campaign that uses a corporate acquisition involving an NDA as a pretext to trick an employee into making a large payment.

The scam relies heavily on social engineering — an attempt to psychologically manipulate a victim into revealing confidential information or doing something they shouldn’t. It draws on other scam tactics, too: spear phishing, off-channel communication, and the aura of secrecy surrounding NDAs were all important elements in this scheme.

Read on for a breakdown of how this scam went down, and what we learned about the Phantom Deal campaign.

Illustration of how Phantom Deal scams play out.

1. An Avast employee gets a call from a “trusted coworker”

It all began with a WhatsApp message from someone claiming to be a Dublin-based executive at Gen (the company behind Avast) to an employee we’ll call David.

The message, which featured the name, photo, and Irish country code of a real Gen executive we’ll call Edwin, seemed innocent at first. There was no contrived urgency or suspicious spelling and grammar — typical signs of a scam. Just “Hi David, I hope you are well.”

Screenshot of a WhatsApp message from an imposter executive.

But then the phone call came.

The scammer had copied the executive’s identity, but, crucially, not his voice. David knew the executive personally and immediately realized the caller was an impostor.

Instead of just hanging up, he played along, got in touch with our Threat Researchers, and flipped the script from target to investigator.

“Edwin” laid out the situation. A major acquisition was in the works, and secrecy was essential.

2. A “consultant” enters the picture

Next, a second character introduced himself. Philippe was a supposed PwC consultant attached to the confidential deal.

Once again, the scammers had borrowed the identity of a real person, so a quick Google search of the consultant’s name and position wouldn’t necessarily have raised red flags.

Screenshot of a WhatsApp message from an imposter PwC consultant.

The “consultant” asked David to use a personal email address, explaining that the sensitive nature of the deal required them to move communications off-channel.

For the scammers, this was a key moment. Switching to an unmonitored environment allowed them to bypass normal oversight, meaning fewer opportunities for someone in Legal, Finance, or Corporate Development to spot something was wrong.

3. An NDA defines the rules of engagement

The scammers followed up with a polished fake NDA carrying PwC branding. Besides serving as window dressing for an already convincing scam, the NDA defined the rules of engagement: secrecy was legally binding.

In convincing legal language, the document spelled out who could know about the details of the deal and when it would be made public. Discussing the acquisition outside that small circle — or via official company channels — was strictly prohibited.

4. The scammers request a money transfer and proof that it was sent

Once the fake deal was in place, the scammers made their move. They instructed David to send €626,735.45 (over $722,000 at the time of writing) to a company in Hong Kong for what they described as an advance retainer for professional services.

And they wanted receipts.

The scammers repeatedly requested a SWIFT MT103, formal proof that an international transfer had been executed, as well as the UETR number used to track the payment through the SWIFT network.

WhatsApp screenshots of an imposter PwC consultant requesting receipts for a money transfer.

What our threat researchers did next

The request for official documentation provided an opportunity for our Threat Researchers. To learn more about the scammers, they prepared a fake account statement showing the requested payment, then sent a fake bank confirmation email with a trackable link to the supposed transaction details. That link contained a canary token, which is a decoy URL that records when someone opens it.

Our Threat Researchers even persuaded the scammers to turn off their virtual private network (VPN) after they complained that the link would not open. Further access attempts followed within minutes, giving our team additional network fingerprints, although this was not enough information to determine the attackers’ true location.

The token hidden in the link gave our researchers a controlled way to observe how the scammers interacted with it, without sending any real money or banking information.

Screenshot of a fake transaction confirmation from Citibank.

What we learned about this scam scheme

After filtering out traffic noise, analysis of requests to the fake link confirmed what our Threat Researchers already suspected. Repeated visits were consistent with a human checking over and over to see whether the six-figure transfer had arrived.

Our Threat Researchers weren’t able to identify where exactly the fraudsters were located, but they were still able to gather important information. Details of the forged NDA pointed them to other individuals targeted by the Phantom Deal scam and allowed them to draw important conclusions.

Phantom Deal is a broad campaign

Our Threat Researchers’ investigation linked the forged NDA to four other targets across several industries, including energy, industrial finance, mining, private equity, and sales. The names, companies, advisers, and transaction details changed (some referenced KPMG or Ogier instead of PwC), but the documents kept the same structure, legal language, and other identifiers. That points to a reusable fraud template and a broader scam campaign.

Phantom Deal scams are highly personalized

The attackers spent time researching real executives, advisers, company history, and believable business relationships to make the story feel credible. This makes Phantom Deal scams similar to spear phishing, where phishers target specific individuals. In the Avast case, they even drew on the genuine acquisition history linking Avast, NortonLifeLock, and Gen.

Technical exploits aren’t required

Phantom Deal scammers don’t need to be hackers, nor do they need to steal login credentials or install malware. Instead, their goal is to manipulate their target into breaking normal procedure. They use authority, secrecy, urgency, and familiarity to make risky behavior feel mandatory, a hallmark of social engineering.

Why targeted scams like Phantom Deal are so dangerous

Scams like Phantom Deal are effective because cybercriminals invest time researching their targets, which helps them craft more convincing pretexts. They may be familiar with details you wouldn’t expect.

In Phantom Deal, the attackers impersonated known executives and advisers, referenced genuine corporate history, and used forged legal documents to make the request appear legitimate. These familiar details can lower a target’s guard and make an unusual request seem plausible.

Likewise, claims of confidentiality and urgency can pressure employees to avoid colleagues, move conversations to personal accounts, and bypass established controls. By the time money is requested, the target may already feel committed to protecting a supposedly sensitive transaction.

An NDA can limit who is told about a transaction. It should never prevent the transaction from being authenticated. Changes of communication channel, especially from corporate systems to private accounts, should trigger additional scrutiny. — Luis Corrons, Security Evangelist at Avast

How to avoid falling for a Phantom Deal scam and wiring six figures into the void

Imposter scams cost U.S. consumers over $3.5 billion in 2025, according to FTC data. To avoid becoming another statistic, here are some practical ways to reduce your exposure.

• Verify unexpected requests: NDAs may limit what can be shared, but they should never prevent you from using official channels to confirm requests.
• Escalate anything unusual: Don’t be afraid to loop in Legal, Finance, Security, or your direct manager if something feels off.
• Keep communications on official platforms: Treat a request to move a deal to WhatsApp or personal email as a red flag.
• Never bypass normal controls: Urgency or confidentiality are not reasons to skip approval steps. Use the company’s established payment and escalation channels, even for sensitive transactions.
• Use cybersecurity software: As a consumer, you can install dedicated antivirus software, like Avast One, to help alert you to scams and protect you from malware.

Source article: https://www.avast.com/c-phantom-deal

Source: Earth Sciences New Zealand

Winter Climate Summary overview:

This was New Zealand's third-warmest winter on record, with a nationwide average of 9.7°C. This was 1.1°C above the 1991-2020 winter average, making it New Zealand’s 3rd-warmest winter since Earth Sciences New Zealand’s seven station temperature series began in 1909. This may surprise a large portion of the population, especially in northern areas where winter temperatures were close to average. However, the exceptional warmth of June nationwide, and the relatively warm winter throughout the South Island, were the dominant features of the country’s overall seasonal temperature. Temperatures were above average (0.51-1.20°C above average) or well above average (>1.20°C above average) throughout the South Island. Temperatures were also above average for many parts of the North Island. The exception was parts of Northland, Auckland, Waikato, eastern Bay of Plenty, and Gisborne, where temperatures were near average (±0.50°C of average).

Rainfall was above normal, or well above normal, for Southland, Otago, southern and inland parts of Canterbury, and the West Coast. Rainfall was below normal for large parts of the North Island, including Manawatū-Whanganui, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, and much of Waikato, Auckland, and Northland. Rainfall was near for remaining parts of the country. Impactful heavy rainfall occurred from 5-9 July for eastern parts of the country, with three local states of emergency declared.

El Niño conditions were present in the tropical Pacific atmosphere and ocean, and strengthened considerably from mid-winter onwards.

Highlights:

• The highest temperature was 26.0°C, observed at Bromley (Christchurch) on 20 June. This was New Zealand’s second-highest winter temperature on record.
• The lowest temperature was -13.5°C, observed at Lake Tekapo on 12 July.
• The highest 1-day rainfall was 194 mm, recorded at Franz Josef on 26 August.
• The highest wind gust was 207 km/h, observed at Cape Turnagain on 23 August.
• Of the six main centres in winter 2026, Auckland and Tauranga were the equal-warmest, Tauranga was the sunniest, Christchurch was the coolest and driest, Wellington was the wettest, and Dunedin was the least sunny.
• The sunniest four regions in 2026 so far are Nelson (1823 hours), Whakatāne (1793 hours), New Plymouth (1760 hours) and Richmond (1722 hours).

August Climate Summary overview: Warm and wet for the South Island

Highlights:

• The highest temperature was 23.5°C, observed in Timaru on 25 August.
• The lowest temperature was -10.7°C, observed at Cass (inland Canterbury) on 6 August.
• The highest 1-day rainfall was 194 mm, recorded at Franz Josef on 26 August.
• The highest wind gust was 207 km/h, observed at Cape Turnagain on 23 August.
• Of the six main centres, Auckland was the warmest, Tauranga was sunniest and the wettest, Wellington was the least sunny, Christchurch was the coldest and the driest.
• The sunniest four regions in 2026 so far are Nelson (1823 hours), Whakatāne (1793 hours), New Plymouth (1760 hours) and Richmond (1722 hours).

Source: New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc)

4 September 2026

The 2026 Tāwhia Copyright Aotearoa (TCA) and New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa PEN NZ Inc (NZSA) Research Grants have been awarded to four writers in Aotearoa.

The $5,000 grants support local writers who wish to undertake research for a fiction or non-fiction writing project.

The selection panel of Steph Matuku, Philip Garnock Jones and Kerry Sunderland says they are in awe of the standard of applications this year, from both experienced and emerging writers.

“It was an incredibly strong field, which made for a very difficult job selecting the final four,” they say.

Join us in congratulating the 2026 TCA | NZSA Research Grants recipients!

Beb Ngaruko with project ‘Jungle Journal: A Memoir of Civil War, Exile, and the Search for Meaning'

Bede Ngaruko is a Burundian-born writer, engineer, interpreter, and public speaker based in Auckland, New Zealand. He lived as a refugee across East and Southern Africa before resettling in New Zealand in 2010.

His memoir, Jungle Journal: A Memoir of Civil War, Exile, and the Search for Meaning, traces his journey from civil war and exile to rebuilding a life in Aotearoa. Blending personal narrative with historical reflection, the book explores resilience, identity, belonging, and the enduring search for meaning across cultures.

The selection panel says Ngaruko's project will contribute to wider conversations about refugees, migration, belonging and cross-cultural understanding.

“The writing sample featured poetic, thought-provoking prose, emotional depth and precision, demonstrating exceptional skill and maturity,” they say.

Although Ngaruko is an emerging writer, the memoir manuscript is already substantially developed, with the grant providing valuable support to complete it for submission. The selection panel expressed strong confidence in both the quality of the work and its publishing potential.

“[Ngaruko is] an outstanding new literary voice to watch,” they say.

Monique Fiso with project 'How to put down a Hāngī'

Monique Fiso (Ngā Rauru, Ngāti Ruanui, Samoa) is an award-winning chef and writer. She is known for her contribution to the revitalisation of Māori and Pasifika cuisine, and for breaking down barriers in the culinary world. She is working with Katie Monteith on this project. Monteith is passionate about the natural environment and applies the principles of permaculture to her life. She dreams of growing an abundant ngahere kai (food forest) capable of feeding her whānau and the wider community.

They are joined by award-winning artist, Isobel Joy Te Aho-White (Ngāti Kahungunu, Kāi Tahu) whose illustrations are known for their rich symbolism and vibrant detail.

How to put down a hāngī is an in depth guide to the past, present and how-to of hāngī. It gives the reader an overview of the traditions and kai of our ancestors, as well as detailed instructions for undertaking a safe and successful hāngī.

The selection panel says How to put down a hāngī is a practical and culturally significant project that addresses a clear gap in the market.

“By exploring the past, present, and future of hāngī, it has the potential to strengthen cultural knowledge and connection while creating a lasting resource for generations to come,” they say.

Given the expertise of Fiso and Monteith, the strength of the proposed research plan, and the fact there is an established publisher already on board, the selection panel felt confident in the project.

“When this book makes its way into the world, it will have a wide and meaningful impact,” they say.

Together, Fiso and Monteith co-own culinary creative, Hiakai. Founded in 2016, Hiakai has been highly influential and the pair have gained an international reputation for their storytelling through kai.

Wendy Parkins for project 'Fenic'

Wendy Parkins is a Dunedin writer of fiction and non-fiction. Her novel, The Defiance of Frances Dickinson, won Best First Novel at the Ngaio Marsh Awards in 2025. As a former Professor of Victorian Literature, Parkins is especially interested in women’s lives in the nineteenth century.

In this new project, a historical novel called Fenice, she aims to combine a strong foundation in historical research with a gripping narrative in the Dickensian tradition by continuing the story of a character from Dickens’ Dombey and Son, centred on 1850s Dunedin. Re-imagining the story of Edith Dombey will also provide an opportunity to expand the lens of such stories, in the light of contemporary understandings of gender, indigeneity, and the legacy of colonisation.

The selection panel says Fenice is a historical novel that takes a character from Dickens and invents a new story for her.

“What would Edith Dombey do next, after Dickens left her, living in disgrace at the end of Dombey and Son? The author reimagines the life of Edith after she emigrates to Dunedin and aims to use this premise to explore contemporary themes through the lens of the past,” they say.

The selection panel commended the strength of the writing, noting its accomplished classical prose and compelling tone, as well as the originality of the concept.

“While the research plan is ambitious, the author's qualifications and experience will support a historically rich and authentic novel,” they say.

Duncan Sarkies for project 'Laser Guy'

Duncan Sarkies is a writer of novels, theatre, and screen stories for film and television. His most recent novel, Star Gazers, was published in 2025 and longlisted for the New Zealand Book Awards in 2026. In his work he uses a wide variety of tools, amongst them satire, allegory and humour, to explore big questions that we face as a society, encouraging people to examine their own motives and assumptions, attempting to fuel the fight for a fairer and more just society.

Laser Guy is about a freelance hero who is taking on jobs that are of dubious benefit to society. The protagonist will take on a variety of jobs that contrast the disparity between the moral value of their actions and the economic rewards they receive. The whole novel will be a wild ride into cognitive dissonance and the slippery slopes that lead us to make choices that hurt others, despite our desires to be 'good people'.

His research work will largely focus on the impacts of current and proposed policies for how governments and city council's treat the homeless. It will examine the impacts of the proposed 'move on orders' legislation, how it is likely to be implemented, what impact it has on the people whose lives are being relocated and the psychological impact on the people whose job it is to enforce these measures. He will study how it has been done in various places around the country, how new proposals will work in practice, and how it has been done overseas, in places like Brisbane which is preparing itself for an Olympics and taking large measures against its homeless communities.

The selection panel says Laser Guy has an original and compelling premise, using a satirical superhero story to explore timely social issues, including homelessness and the tensions of late-stage capitalism.

“The writing sample was fast-paced, entertaining, witty and thought-provoking, highlighting its strong comic sensibility alongside its meaningful social commentary,” they say.

They say Sarkies' experience as a writer, combined with a sophisticated research plan and the support of a committed publisher, made this a stand out application.

TCA and NZSA are delighted to assist New Zealand authors in their research efforts. Research Grants are funded through the TCA Cultural Fund, which derives its revenue from a 2% share of domestic licensing income.

TCA and NZSA would like to thank the 2026 Selection Panel – Steph Matuku, Philip Garnock Jones and Kerry Sunderland.

The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa is proud to be administering the awards in 2026.

Tāwhia Copyright Aotearoa (formerly Copyright Licensing NZ) plays a key role in making creative rights valuable assets for all New Zealanders, be they rightsholders like authors, publishers and artists, or users such as educators, students and businesses. TCA provides licences to help make copying, scanning and sharing printed works easy and legal.

New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) was established in 1934 and is the principal organisation representing writers’ interests in NZ. A national office oversees 8 branches and hubs, administers prizes and awards, runs professional development programmes, advocates for the sector and to raise the visibility of NZ writers and NZ writing. It works with Next Page, its developing Youth writer’s network and in partnership with Ngā Kaituhi Māori.

Tāwhia Copyright Aotearoa: https://www.tawhia.nz/

New Zealand Society of Authors: https://authors.org.nz/

Source: World Literacy Foundation

8 September | International Literacy Day

AUSTRALIA — 4 September 2026

International Literacy Day should be a celebration of progress. However, for millions of children worldwide, it serves as a painful reminder of the ongoing literacy challenges that threaten their futures. This year marks 60 years since UNESCO established this day, and the theme for 2026 is “Literacy for People, the Planet, and Prosperity.”

The World Literacy Foundation is urging governments, organisations, and individuals to acknowledge literacy as one of the most pressing social and economic challenges confronting communities worldwide.

Australia is not exempt from the global literacy crisis. This year's NAPLAN results showed a decline in reading scores for students in Years 5, 7, and 9, while the gap in performance based on location remains largely unchanged. Approximately 70 per cent of students in major city schools meet or exceed the expected reading standard, in stark contrast to only 23 per cent of students in very remote schools.

“Literacy is not simply about learning to read; it is about unlocking opportunities, reducing poverty, and enabling children to reach their full potential. Yet millions of young people still lack access to books and literacy support,” World Literacy Foundation CEO Andrew Kay stated.

Research consistently highlights the extensive consequences of low literacy, which contribute to unemployment, diminished workforce participation, lower productivity, and heightened social disadvantage.

Among the key concerns:

• The 2026 NAPLAN results revealed a decline in reading scores for students in Years 5, 7, and 9, with approximately one in ten Australian students requiring additional support (ACARA).
• Around 70 per cent of students in major city schools in Australia read at or above the expected standard, compared to just 23 per cent in very remote schools (ACARA, NAPLAN 2026).
• Globally, 739 million adults are unable to read or write (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
• In low- and middle-income countries, 70 per cent of 10-year-olds cannot read and comprehend a simple written text, an increase from 57 per cent before the pandemic (World Bank, UNESCO, and UNICEF).
• As a result, today's students are projected to lose a combined total of $21 trillion in lifetime earnings, which is equivalent to 17 per cent of global GDP (World Bank, UNESCO, and UNICEF).

To commemorate the occasion, the World Literacy Foundation has launched the initiative “One Book at a Time”, encouraging people worldwide to donate $10 to provide a book to a child who does not own one.

“Receiving a book of their own can have a life-changing impact for many children,” stated Mr Kay. “A single book can ignite a lifelong passion for reading.”

The Foundation aims to reach 500,000 children who currently do not have any books, allowing donors to select the region to which their books will be sent.

Learn more

worldliteracyfoundation.org/international-literacy-day

Source: Porirua City Council

Porirua had a strong showing in this year’s Visa Wellington On a Plate (WOAP), with 19 local businesses participating in Burger Wellington and five WOAP events hosted across the city.

Sushil’s Musclechef Café’s (Aotea) 'A Culinary Tale of India' was also the first WOAP festival event to sell out and Sushil and Elemental Eats (Kenepuru) secured places in the regional top 5, with Elemental Eats placing third overall out of 245 burgers and taking out the top spot for Porirua.

The campaign delivered a significant boost to the local economy, with 21,595 burgers sold and $602,498 generated in direct burger sales. This continues a strong upward trend, from $197,732 in 2024 to $364,415 in 2025, meaning direct burger sales in Porirua have more than tripled in two years. These figures exclude additional spending on drinks, sides, and other purchases.

Businesses reported attracting new customers from across the Wellington region and further afield, reinforcing WOAP’s value in bringing people into Porirua, increasing the city’s visibility, and supporting the local hospitality sector.

With Porirua accounting for just 8 per cent of the 245 Burger Wellington entries but securing two spots in the top 5 in the region, the city continues to punch above its weight on the regional food scene.

Source: Forest & Bird

Voting opens at 9am this morning. More than 70 native birds are standing across six parties, and you get to vote for up to five candidates (four more than that “other” election.)

Cast your votes

Head to birdoftheyear.org.nz, pick up to five birds, and hit submit. Each bird on your list gets one vote.

Then check your inbox. We'll email you a link that says validate my vote. Click it, or your vote doesn't count. If you can’t find it, check your spam folder.

Not sure how to vote? Watch this video.

Pick a party

Every vote also counts towards its bird's party, so this year we also find out which flock takes the top perch. The coloured tags and circles on each candidate show its allegiance, and every party has a manu-festo.

Look for the underbirds

Every party has candidates flying under the radar. They're worth meeting before you spend all five of your votes. Look out for an underbird badge, or filter by ‘underbirds’.

Voting closes 5pm Sunday 20 September. The winner will be announced Monday 21 September.

Meet the Pest Gallery

Every election needs journalists asking questions and no one knows the Bird of the Year candidates like the ones who’ve been chasing them for years. Introducing Studio Stoat along with reporters Kim Hedgehill and Catty Gower. Meet the pests.

More ways to get involved

• Play Birdle (like wordle but for birds)
• Get your workplace in on the game via Bird of the Year activities
• Listen to the Waiata Manu song for last year’s winner, Kārearea, by Delaney Davidson and Troy Kingi
• Spot all the Metalbirds along Ponsonby Road in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on this special scavenger hunt

Did you know that 80% of our native manu are in some or serious trouble? The jokes are funny but the stakes are real.

Source: General Practice Owners Association

September 4, 2026

GenPro is calling for meaningful involvement in developing the contractual arrangements that will deliver free cervical screening to all eligible women aged 25 to 69, saying general practice cannot be expected to subsidise the Government’s policy.

General practices provide most of the cervical screening in New Zealand and therefore needs to be involved in designing a funding and contracting model that creates a fair and successful programme.

“We welcome the Government’s decision to remove the cost barrier to cervical screening for eligible women,” says GenPro Chair Dr Chambers says. “It gives New Zealand an important opportunity to increase participation in screening and, alongside HPV vaccination, move closer to eliminating cervical cancer.

“But if screening is to be free for patients, the Government needs to ensure the service is properly funded for the general practices that deliver it.

“General practice cannot subsidise a free national screening programme. The contractual arrangements need to recognise the full cost of delivering the service, including staff time, administration, chasing up appointments, and clinical capacity required.”

Dr Chambers says GenPro should be directly involved in developing the contractual arrangements before they are finalised.

“General practice knows what’s required to deliver screening safely and effectively in communities across New Zealand,” he says. “GenPro represents the organisations that own and operate general practices, so it’s important we are at the table when contractual arrangements are developed.

“Getting the funding and contracting model right from the outset will be critical. If the model doesn’t cover the cost of providing the service, practices will effectively be asked to subsidise the Government’s policy. Free to the patient cannot mean subsidised by the practice.

“We want to work constructively with the Government to make this policy successful. But that starts with meaningful consultation with the practices that will be responsible for delivering it.

Early consultation on changes to funding and service delivery is a key part of GenPro’s Seven Steps to Restore General Practice.

“One of our Seven Steps is early, meaningful consultation on significant changes to funding, service design and primary healthcare policy,” he says.

“This ensures policy decisions are evidence-based and reflect both clinical outcomes and the financial sustainability of general practice.

“Bringing frontline general practice into the design process will lead to better-informed policy, more practical implementation and better outcomes for patients,” Dr Chambers says.

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