Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Weather News – A wet summer week: Heavy rain and thunderstorms – MetService

Source: MetService

Covering period of Thursday 15th – Monday 19th January.

  • Broadscale Heavy Rain Watches and Warnings in place for areas of the North Island and top of the South Island, as well as the potential for localised Severe Thunderstorms and Downpours for much of the North Island 
  • Colder temperatures in the coming days, particularly in the east.

Heavy rain, downpours and thunderstorms are on the cards for the North Island and top of the South Island today (Thursday) and some of tomorrow (Friday) as an active low from the west moves over the country. Things ease somewhat in the following couple of days but  not a full return to settled summer weather we’re hoping for.  

Today sees the most action for the North Island. Bay of Plenty and Rotorua are under an Orange Heavy Rain Warning until 11am Friday, as well as Taranaki Maunga until 11pm tonight (Thursday). Auckland, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Tongariro National Park, Kapiti/Horowhenua and Wellington are under Yellow Heavy Rain Watches today (Thursday).  

Severe Thunderstorm Watches are in place for the remainder of the North Island today, with the exception of Gisborne and Northern Hawkes Bay. However, Severe Thunderstorms and downpours are also a risk for the areas with Heavy Rain Watches and Warnings. This means that most areas have the possibility to see Severe Thunderstorm Warnings issued today.

MetService Meteorologist Katie Lyons states, “Many areas in the North Island have broadscale heavy rain today, but on top of that, those areas also have the risk of localised shorter-lived downpours. Both of these can cause flooding, with the downpours often tipping it over the edge.,”

This system will gradually move off to the east tomorrow, but not before giving a risk of thunderstorms for Eastern Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, and Wairarapa.

The South Island also has it's own set of Heavy Rain Watches and Warnings today. Northern Marlborough is under an Orange Heavy Rain Warning until 5pm today, with Yellow Heavy Rain Watches for the Tasman, Nelson, southern Marlborough, and northern Canterbury regions.  

“Rain and showers spread across the remainder of the South Island today and tomorrow, with a multiday stint of overcast and rainy conditions starting for the east coast,” states Lyons.

 
Rain becomes mainly confined to eastern and far north areas over the next couple of days, as our broadscale setup changes to a high pressure system to the west-southwest, and easterly winds set to prevail across the country. While the action dies down over the next couple of days, unfortunately it's not the beautiful, hot, clear-skied summer we are holding out for.
 

After the warmer temperatures we had last week, these coming days will feel much chillier, particularly around our east coasts. Maximums for Napier and Gisborne will struggle to reach 20°C from Saturday, with Canterbury maximums sitting around 15°C.

“Peering ahead for Wellington Anniversary Day, Kapiti and Horowhenua up through Whanganui look to be sunnier than Wellington itself, so a road trip and beach day may be on the cards for Monday,” says Lyons.

It’s been a quiet tropical cyclone season in the South Pacific but there’s an area of interest northwest of New Caledonia which sees increased risk of development over the weekend. This may see a tropical cyclone form early next week. We’ll be keeping an eye on developments and put out messaging if there’s significant risk of impact to New Zealand.  
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National accounts (income, saving, assets, and liabilities): September 2025 quarter – Stats NZ information release

Source: Statistics New Zealand

National accounts (income, saving, assets, and liabilities): September 2025 quarter – information release

 

15 January 2026

We have developed experimental quarterly estimates for institutional sector accounts and balance sheets, to provide more timely data on New Zealand’s economy. We have published these experimental estimates on a quarterly basis since the first release for the March 2021 quarter.

Key facts

Quarterly income and outlay accounts
In the September 2025 quarter, compared with the June 2025 quarter (in seasonally adjusted terms):

  • household saving decreased $928 million to $703 million
  • household net disposable income fell 0.7 percent ($471 million):
    • income tax payable rose 3 percent ($468 million)
    • interest received by households fell 5.9 percent ($198 million)
    • income of self-employed businesses (entrepreneurial income) received by households rose 0.9 percent ($101 million)
    • compensation of employees rose 0.1 percent ($69 million)
    • dividends received by households fell 2.2 percent ($36 million)
    • interest paid by households fell 6.1 percent ($159 million)
  • household final consumption expenditure rose 0.7 percent ($457 million)
  • non-financial business enterprises saving rose $2.9 billion to $6.2 billion
  • interest received by financial business enterprises fell 6.0 percent ($688 million)
  • interest paid by financial business enterprises fell 5.1 percent ($578 million).

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

 

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Serious injury outcome indicators: 2000–2024 – work-related injury targets at a glance data released

Source: Statistics New Zealand

Serious injury outcome indicators: 2000–2024 – work-related injury targets at a glance data released

15 January 2026

The ‘Work-related injury targets at a glance: 2008–2024’ tables are now available. These tables complete the Serious injury outcome indicators: 2000–2024 release which has been published in two parts to ensure confidence in the quality of the data.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the delay in publishing this data.

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Health – ProCare appointed to lead veteran health reimbursements from 2026

Source: ProCare

Leading healthcare provider ProCare has been appointed by Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand to lead the reimbursement of medical and pharmacy costs for veterans’ service-related conditions from 1 April 2026.

From April 2026, ProCare will take over as the national provider for claiming and reimbursement services.

Bindi Norwell, Chief Executive at ProCare, says: “The partnership is an exciting opportunity to deliver healthcare through our trusted and tested systems at scale. We’re immensely proud to be supporting a key part of our community who have served on behalf of all New Zealanders.

“Being appointed by Veterans’ Affairs means we can help raise awareness of the health-related support available to our community of veterans,” she continues.

“Working with Veterans’ Affairs means we can maximise the use of our expertise and systems at a national level. It enables us to invest in enhancing our current platforms and develop new tools to make the process easier for people working in the health system, and for patients and veterans alike,” concludes Norwell.

On behalf of its network of practices, ProCare already manages more than 150 contracts with Health New Zealand, making sure providers can focus on patient care while ProCare handles the complexity of funding and compliance. Adding this additional national contract for veterans’ services fits naturally into ProCare’s role as a trusted partner for primary care providers across Aotearoa.

For eligible veterans, from April 2026, general practices and pharmacies will be able to claim through ProCare, GP consultations, treatment and medicines without pre-approval up to $1,000 (ex GST).

ProCare will contact providers in early 2026 with detailed guidance and training. In the meantime, practices are asked to complete an initial setup form to ensure they are registered in ProCare’s finance system for payment.

About ProCare
ProCare is a leading healthcare provider that aims to deliver the most progressive, pro-active and equitable health and wellbeing services in Aotearoa. We do this through our clinical support services, mental health and wellness services, virtual/tele health, mobile health, smoking cessation and by taking a population health and equity approach to our mahi.

 

As New Zealand’s largest Primary Health Organisation, we represent a network of general practice teams and healthcare professionals who provide care to nearly 700,000 patients across Auckland. These practices serve the largest Pacific and South Asian populations enrolled in general practice and the largest Māori population in Tāmaki Makaurau. For more information go to www.procare.co.nz

About Veterans’ Affairs
Veterans’ Affairs supports eligible veterans and their families, working alongside the NZ Defence Force to ensure they are well at home, work, and in their communities. Support ranges from healthcare, home help, and financial aid to career guidance and benefits for conditions linked to service, with eligibility determined by service history.

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Business – Appellation Marlborough Wine Acknowledges Outgoing Chief Executive

Source: Appellation Marlborough Wine

Appellation Marlborough Wine Acknowledges Outgoing Chief Executive Michael Wentworth’s Contributions 
Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW) today announces that Chief Executive Michael Wentworth will step down from his role at the end of January 2026. Michael will be relocating to Hawke’s Bay to take up a new professional opportunity that reflects his talent, leadership, and long-standing commitment to the New Zealand wine industry.
AMW Chairperson Sophie Parker-Thomson MW acknowledged Michael’s significant contribution to the organisation during his tenure. “Although farewelling Michael is bittersweet, we are incredibly proud of all he has accomplished at AMW and pleased to see him move into a position that builds on his considerable strengths and dedication to the industry,” she said.
Since joining AMW, Michael has played a pivotal role in strengthening the organisation’s foundations and elevating the global profile of Marlborough’s AMW certified wines. His leadership has delivered growth in AMW membership and helped drive the development of the interactive AMW Wine Map of Marlborough, a revolutionary digital tool that allows users to explore the region in detail. He has also overseen the creation of new promotional videos and marketing assets that have enhanced AMW’s storytelling and visibility. In addition, Michael has advanced significant advocacy initiatives that support a stronger, more sustainable future for Marlborough wine.
Michael leaves AMW with strong momentum, and the organisation extends its sincere thanks for his dedication, professionalism, and vision. His contribution will continue to shape AMW long after his departure.
Reflecting on his tenure, Michael states, “It has been a privilege to serve Appellation Marlborough Wine and to work alongside such dedicated producers, Committee members, and partners. I am proud of what we have achieved together and deeply grateful for the trust placed in me during this period of growth and change. As the global wine landscape becomes increasingly complex, AMW’s role in safeguarding Marlborough’s origin, quality, and reputation is more important than ever. I wish the organisation every success as it continues this vital work.”
With this transition, AMW is now inviting applications for its next Chief Executive – a strategic and collaborative leader who will work closely with the Committee to guide the organisation forward and continue safeguarding Marlborough’s global reputation for excellence.
The position is now open for applications, and AMW welcomes expressions of interest from individuals passionate about protecting and promoting one of the world’s most important wine regions.
AMW looks ahead with confidence as the organisation continues to grow and extends its appreciation to members, industry partners, and supporters for their steadfast commitment to its mission.
ABOUT APPELLATION MARLBOROUGH WINE (AMW)
Appellation Marlborough Wine™ (AMW) was established in 2018 to protect the integrity and reputation of Marlborough wines. The AMW mark is awarded to wines that meet defined production standards, are verified for 100% Marlborough origin and certified sustainable vineyards, bottled exclusively in New Zealand, and pass a tasting assessment by an independent panel of industry experts.
With more than 55 member producers, AMW represents a shared commitment to quality, provenance, and sustainability – reinforcing Marlborough’s reputation for world-class Sauvignon Blanc.
For more information, visit www.appellationmarlboroughwine.co.nz
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Water Safety – Team effort saves three people from overturned vessel off Tolaga Bay

Source: Maritime New Zealand

Three people have been rescued after their crayfishing vessel overturned off Tolaga Bay today, thanks to a coordinated effort involving Maritime NZ’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ), NZ Police, Coastguard Tautiaki Moana, the New Zealand Defence Force, the Eastland Rescue Helicopter, Surf Lifesaving NZ and local commercial operators.

Around 11 am, a commercial fishing vessel spotted the overturned boat and alerted NZ Police.

NZ Police immediately launched a search and rescue operation, sending Coastguard Gisborne’s vessel to the area. The Eastland Rescue Helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft with Police observers also joined the search, along with other commercial vessels nearby.

At 12:30 pm, NZ Police asked Maritime NZ’s Rescue Coordination Centre for help with search planning and coordinating search aircraft. RCCNZ then coordinated with a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon, which offered to help and diverted from a training exercise in the Hauraki Gulf after hearing radio broadcasts about the incident.

Around 2 pm, RCCNZ took over coordination of the rescue, directing aircraft and providing search areas for vessels.

At 2:39 pm, the P-8A Poseidon spotted three people in the water. RCCNZ directed the rescue helicopter and Coastguard Gisborne vessel to the location. Coastguard volunteers in conjunction with three Surf Lifesaving IRBs recovered all three survivors and transported them to Tolaga Bay, confirming they were the only people on board. One person was in moderate condition and was transferred to an ambulance.

Alex Taylor, Watch Leader at Maritime NZ’s Rescue Coordination Centre, said: “This was a fantastic example of agencies and local operators working together to achieve the best possible outcome. Everyone responded quickly and professionally, and that teamwork made all the difference.”

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Appointments – Federated Farmers names new chief executive

Source: Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers has appointed Mike Siermans as its new chief executive.
Siermans has been the organisation’s interim CEO since September last year, following Terry Copeland’s departure after seven years in the role.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says Siermans brings extensive senior leadership and commercial experience that set him apart from other candidates.
“This is a significant appointment for Federated Farmers. We conducted a significant search for the right person, with many strong candidates having the experience and qualities we are looking for in a CEO,” Langford says.
“Having worked closely with Mike over the last few months, I’m confident we’ve found the right leader for our team who will help us deliver our ambitious strategy for membership growth.
“Mike’s experience in sales, marketing and corporate management will be a huge asset for our organisation. He understands that strong advocacy needs to be backed by sharp commercial nous.”
Langford says he’s looking forward to working with Siermans and his team to make sure Federated Farmers is a well-oiled, modern machine set up to deliver outcomes for farmers.
“Federated Farmers is sitting in a really strong position. We’ve got a clear vision, a strong strategy, and an exceptionally talented team helping to deliver it.
“The organisation’s results speak for themselves, with clear messaging, a long list of major policy wins, and a membership base growing for the first time in a generation.
“It’s now Mike’s job to pick that up and continue to build on that platform.”
Before joining Federated Farmers, Siermans built a commercial career across fast-moving consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, and technology.
He held senior sales and marketing roles at Douglas Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Animal Health, and most recently at Taura Natural Ingredients.
Siermans sees his broad commercial experience as central to his role at Federated Farmers.
“Federated Farmers is a very special organisation that’s played a major role in New Zealand’s history over the last 125 years,” Siermans says.
“My job as CEO is to make sure we’ve got the right strategy, team and culture that’s going to set us up to succeed for the next 125 years.
“That means we’ll continue to modernise the organisation, with a real focus on creating sustainable revenue streams and finding new ways to grow our products and services.
“I want to make sure Federated Farmers has the resources to keep employing the best advocates, communicators and policy experts, so we can deliver real results for Kiwi farmers.
“Federated Farmers has always been the true voice of farming in New Zealand and I want to play a role in helping make that voice even stronger.”
Siermans and his wife live in Tauranga, and they have three adult children.
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Communities Against Alcohol Harm – F-Bombs away: High standards for alcohol advertising reaching new lows

Source: Communities Against Alcohol Harm

“If you want to drop F-bombs in your advertising, now you can, thanks to a new decision from the Advertising Standards Authority” said Nathan Cowie, Community Affairs Advisor with Communities Against Alcohol Harm.
“Dropping an F-bomb is now considered to be consistent with a high standard of social responsibility to consumers and society. Dropping an F-bomb does not meet the threshold to be likely to cause serious or widespread offence” Mr Cowie said.
Alcohol company Good George markets a range of gin, known as the Fuckery series, the self-proclaimed “Official Gin of the Ongoing Clusterfuck”, since the onset of the COVID-19 period and through the post-COVID era.
Good George marketed eight gin products named, labelled, and listed on their website as:
– Fuck Off 2020
– For Fuck’s Sake 2021
– What’s Fucking Next 2022
– What Sort of Fuckery is this?!
– The Fuck Stops Here 2023
– Fuck This Shit 2024
– Fuck Off 2024 (Black Edition)
– The Fuckening 2025
Under the Alcohol Advertising and Promotion Code, all alcohol advertising is required to be prepared and place with a ‘high standard’ of social responsibility, a higher standard than the Advertising Standards Code, which requires a ‘due sense’ of social responsibility.
“We submitted a complaint on behalf of a concerned community stakeholder who works as a counsellor dealing with the aftermath of sexual assault and alcohol abuse. They were concerned about the harm they see from alcohol in the community, and the incredibly poor standards of social responsibility on display from this advertiser.”
“The Advertising Standards Complaints Board has not upheld parts of this complaint related to the liberal use of F-bombs in the naming, labelling and advertising of these products.”
“Unless fixed by a higher authority, this creates a precedent where advertising standards are very permissive of profanity, and the bar for a high standard of social responsibility is significantly lowered.”
“The Advertising Standards Authority’s own guidelines are very clear, that advertisers must not use offensive or provocative copy to attract attention or promote the sale of products, however this seems to have been ignored in the decision.”
Crisis Management Pack
The Advertising Standards Complaints Board, along with the advertiser Good George did acknowledge the website advertising for a gin and tonic combo pack was breaching Rule 1(d) of the Alcohol Advertising and Promotion Code.
The rule stipulates alcohol advertising and promotion must not suggest that the effects of consuming alcohol can improve or enhance a situation.
Advertising for the Crisis Management Pack suggested that a year like 2025, with all the challenges it presented, could be enhanced by pouring a stiff G&T and riding out whatever large or small clusterf-cks needed surviving.
See copy removed from the Good George website below:
When life throws a year like 2025 at you, sometimes the only strategy is to pour a stiff G&T and ride it out. The Crisis Management Pack is your emergency kit for surviving clusterf-cks large and small.
Inside you’ll find:
  • 1 x The Fuckening 2025 Gin, because this year needs its own spirit.
  • 1 x What Sort of Fuckery Is This?! Gin, for the moments that leave you speechless.
  • 1 x Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic (500ml bottle), Crafted with a blend of essential oils from herbs gathered from around the Mediterranean shores.
Whether you’re dealing with Monday, managing the family group chat, or just bracing yourself for whatever fresh nonsense 2025 dishes up, this pack has you covered. Think of it as your personal survival kit, less first aid, more first pour.
Disclaimer: Won’t fix your problems, but will make them a hell of a lot funnier.
“The Crisis Management Pack advertising copy clearly articulated the suggestion that consuming alcohol could enhance a situation, and that clearly breached the Code. The Advertising Standards Complaints Board acknowledged the “Fuckery” series of gin products was created during the COVID-19 pandemic as a response to the major strife that was experienced by many people.”
“In naming these products they way they have, it’s hard not to reach the conclusion that the consumer takeout of this series of products is that consuming them will enhance the situation that was the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing challenges of the post-COVID era.”
“The Crisis Management Pack said the quiet part out loud, but the Advertising Standards Complaint Board has failed to pick up on the advertiser’s suggestion that these products, stylised as the ‘official gin of the ongoing clusterf-ck’ would enhance a situation they have labelled an ongoing clusterf-ck.”
“The real clusterf-ck here is the lowering of standards of advertising self-regulation, and the cavalier attitude of the alcohol industry to marketing their harmful products” Mr Cowie said.
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Maritime New Zealand Statement – Sentencing in case of death of crew member on Sealord vessel

Source: Maritime New Zealand

Yesterday’s sentencing* of Sealord and the skipper of one of its deep water fishing ships, Ocean Dawn, in relation to the death of a crew member was an important message to businesses and workers – they will be held accountable for people’s safety in the workplace.

 Maritime operators must have resources, processes, training and on-board provisions to respond to crew member illness and accidents, and they must use them.

It was found that while Sealord did have comprehensive resources and processes they were not applied or followed, despite the ill crew member’s condition deteriorating and concerns being raised to the skipper.

Maritime NZ extends our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the man who died and all those affected by this tragic incident – everyone has the right to come home safe from work.

“We want the man’s family and loved ones to know the lessons from this tragedy are being used to help keep others safe. We have an expectation that the industry has robust arrangements in place to actively manage this risk,” says Deputy Chief Executive Regulatory Operations, Deb Despard.

*Sealord paid reparation of $65,000 and were fined $80,000. The skipper was fined $10,200.

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Universities and Education – MIT and Unitec appoints first Chief Executive

Source: Unitec

Professor Christina Hong, a vocational education leader of international standing has been appointed as inaugural chief executive of one of the country’s largest providers of on-campus and on-line vocational education, announced today by MIT and Unitec Chair Alastair Bell.
On 1 January this year, Government-led reforms established the Manukau Institute of Technology and Unitec as a single, regionally focused organisation responsible for delivering high value graduates to Auckland’s communities, services and industries.
The new organisation (currently called “MIT and Unitec”) is one of ten newly formed independent vocational education providers created to return decision making for vocational education and training to regions and local communities.
“On behalf of the MIT and Unitec Council, I am very pleased to make the announcement of our combined organisation’s first Chief Executive,” said Alastair Bell.
“Christina Hong’s leadership and academic credentials, as well as her extensive expertise in transformational change and stakeholder engagement make her the ideal appointment to lead MIT and Unitec into this future.”
As a combined organisation, MIT and Unitec is a significant player in the market for high quality, applied education, both domestically and internationally. The training it provides acts as a catalyst for economic growth, community wellbeing and prosperity.
Around 20,000 learners are educated and supported by 1400 fulltime staff on six regional campuses located from Waitakere to Manukau.
In 2024, graduates received more than 4,200 qualifications from certificate-level to master’s and doctoral degrees in a range of essential fields including nursing, trades, engineering, maritime, business and digital technologies.
Christina Hong said today “I look forward to returning to New Zealand at this exciting and pivotal time in vocational and applied education reform”
“We have a unique opportunity to leverage the distinctive legacies of MIT and Unitec, deepen connections across the Auckland Region and Asia-Pacific to co-create an innovative, sustainable and leading-edge vocational education and training institution that delivers strong future-focused skills for our learners, communities, and industries.”
Christina is currently Deputy Vice President of Education, Strategy & Quality at Central Queensland University. Prior to this she was President of the Technological and Higher Education Institute in Hong Kong. Christina has been the Chief Academic Officer at TAFE Queensland and CEO of the Southbank Institute of Technology.
Christina Hong has also held roles with Ministry of Education (NZ) and in academic leadership on this side of the Tasman, including as Executive Head of School, Performing & Screen Arts at Unitec.
In 2022, her work in the field of transnational education was recognised in the conferment of an honorary doctorate from the University of Gloucestershire.
Professor Hong will take up the position of Chief Executive in mid-April. Prior to that, interim executive leadership for the organisation will be provided by Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, who has most recently served as Executive Director, MIT and Unitec.
“I wish to sincerely thank Peseta Sam for agreeing to guide the new organisation through the first quarter of 2026,” says Alastair Bell.
“The leadership Peseta has offered for eight years as an executive and for more than three years as Executive Director has laid a strong foundation for realising what a regionally focused provider of vocational training in Auckland can offer our people and the country as a whole.”
Under Mr Lotu-Iiga’s stewardship, MIT and Unitec delivered a financial surplus in 2024, while maintaining strong learner outcomes and community engagement, says Mr Bell.