Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Kaupapa Māori early intervention delivers better health outcomes for community and health system

Source: Rata Foundation

Marlborough's only kaupapa Māori general practice, Manu Ora is focused on addressing healthcare inequity through prevention and early intervention, resulting in positive results both for its patients and the wider healthcare system. 
The practice, established by Dr Sara Simmons (Ngāi Tahu) and Dr Rachel Inder in partnership with Te Piki Oranga, focuses on Māori and Pasifika and patients with complex medical needs. Despite high patient complexity, including trauma histories, homelessness, mental health challenges and addiction issues, the practice achieves comparable or lower emergency and urgent care presentations, and higher engagement with health services. 
“Prevention and early intervention have a profound impact on positive health outcomes,” says Dr Inder. “By serving our Māori and vulnerable members of society well, it reduces the cost and 'burden' on whānau and the strain on the wider health system minimising the need for more expensive downstream health interventions. If we don’t deliver complex medical care in the community like this, you can guarantee it's going to cost the health system an enormous amount more in the long run.” 
An independent evaluation by Sapere (2022) reported: “Stakeholders identify to us that these high needs vulnerable whānau likely would not have [otherwise] connected with general practice or would not have received an appropriate level of service, and only occasionally would have been seen by the DHB in its hospital, usually in a crisis situation.”
The Manu Ora approach differs significantly from traditional general practice models. The practice maintains a dramatically lower patient-to-GP ratio of 1:900, compared to the national average of 1:1,700. This enables longer appointment times and quicker access to care. The practice also offers initial enrolment appointments that are at least 90 minutes and involve kōrero and pātai to understand a person’s holistic needs. Nearly 50% of the practice’s patient roll is Māori, compared to 13% at other Blenheim practices; over 50% of staff, and 80% of the Board, whakapapa Māori. 
“In Marlborough, many of the other practices are a three-week minimum wait, but some are out to four months, so to be able to offer appointments within a couple of days and same-day acute care is so important,” says Dr Simmons. “Everyone in their first consult will see the team for an hour and a half to set us up with a two-way relationship. That whakawhanaungatanga, treating people like family, is exactly what we do at Manu Ora.” 
Kaiāwhina Haumanu Hauora (Healthcare Assistant) Mikayla Charlton (Ngāti Rangiwewehi me Ngāti Kahungunu) says: “We're helping so many who didn't want to connect with previous doctors. They come here and then all of a sudden they're going to appointments, they're getting all the checks that they need, making that change for their health.” 
Patient Willie says: “It's got a good feeling when you walk in the door. It's a welcoming feeling. I can get an appointment fairly quickly and the staff are very caring.” 
Another patient, Jahnay, says: “They've helped me in so many ways. I lost my mum two years ago and they helped me through it so much. Even though I had lost someone so important to me, I had all of these amazing women by my side. They don't just see you as another patient, you know, they see you as family.” 
Rātā Foundation has awarded $165,000 to Manu Ora over three years addressing a critical gap as the not-for-profit faces the challenge of raising 72% of its operational costs annually, with only 28% provided through government funding. “One of the huge differences about Manu Ora is that we're a non-profit service and that means that we can provide care at low or no cost,” says Dr Simmons. “Over 60% of our whānau pay nothing to come and see us. Without the support of the Rātā Foundation, we would be unable to provide the service.” 
Rātā Foundation Head of Community Investment Kate Sclater says the funding recognises Manu Ora's innovative approach to addressing healthcare inequity. “Manu Ora demonstrates how community-led solutions can transform healthcare delivery for people who need it most. Their kaupapa Māori model provides wraparound support that goes far beyond traditional general practice. By investing in supporting people early, the hope is that they can reduce people developing more significant issues later.” 
Manu Ora has received significant recognition for its work. In 2025 Dr Simmons and Dr Inder were awarded the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners' Community Service Medal, one of the profession's highest honours, and the team as a whole was awarded the “GenPro General Practice of the Year” in the New Zealand Primary Healthcare Awards 2025. 
Ms Charlton also recently received top honours as the ‘Emerging Practitioner’ at the Top of the South and Te Waipounamu ‘Allied Health Scientific & Technical (AHST) Awards’ – and was later awarded ‘runner-up’ nationally in the same category. Shianne Casey (Kaitautoko Hapori / Health Coach) was also recognised as a finalist at the Te Tau Ihu AHST Awards in the Mana Taurite (equity) category. 
The practice also operates as an active teaching practice, engaging with school students, and hosting and supporting trainee interns – particularly Māori and Pasifika, Rural Medical Immersion Programme students, nursing students, and GP registrars to engage them in a kaupapa Māori model of care. 
Dr Simmons says this approach is aimed at helping address chronic underrepresentation of Māori in healthcare settings while inspiring youth to consider healthcare careers. “We hope that the impact we have will, big picture, improve health outcomes and particularly trying to close the gap between the inequities that Māori experience in terms of health outcomes.” 
About Rātā Foundation: Rātā Foundation is the South Island's most significant community investment fund, managing a pūtea (fund) of around $700 million. This enables Rātā to invest around $25 million per annum into its funding regions of Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough and the Chatham Islands. Since its inception in 1988, Rātā has invested over $600 million through community investment programmes to empower people to thrive.
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Property Values – Nationwide residential property values rise as Auckland returns to growth – QV

Source: QV – Quality Valuations

The latest QV House Price Index shows that average residential property values across New Zealand Aotearoa rose by 1.1% over the three months to December 2025, with the national average now $910,118. That figure is 0.9% higher than at the same time last year, and 13.1% below the nationwide market peak of January 2022.

Among the main centres, Christchurch City recorded the strongest quarterly growth at 2.5%, followed by Hamilton (2.1%). The Auckland Region also saw values rise modestly over the quarter, up 0.8%. Dunedin recorded a small increase of 0.4%, while Wellington City was the only major centre to see values weaken, though it remained relatively stable, down 0.5% over the three months to December.

Across the other regional centres, Invercargill once again recorded the strongest gains (3.3%), followed by Rotorua (2.6%), Whangārei (2.5%), Nelson (2.3%), Whanganui (2.1%), Queenstown (1.4%), where growth slowed from the previous quarter, and Gisborne (1.0%). Tauranga (0.9%), Napier (0.9%) and Palmerston North (0.8%) also recorded more modest increases.

While New Plymouth (-1.0%), Marlborough (-0.5%) and Hastings (-0.4%) experienced small value declines.
QV National Spokesperson Andrea Rush said average residential property values across the country rose over the December quarter, following a prolonged period of flat or declining conditions through much of 2025.

She said the latest data shows value increases becoming more widespread across the country, even though the pace of change remains modest in many areas. “A clear majority of the areas we measure recorded quarterly growth, indicating that value movements are now occurring across a broader range of regions.”

Rush said elevated housing supply continues to shape outcomes nationally. “With the number of homes for sale nationwide at the highest level in a decade, buyers continue to have the upper hand, with more choice and the ability to negotiate. This is keeping value movements in check, even as activity improves in some areas. That dynamic is also contributing to improved affordability in relative terms, particularly for first home buyers, who remain active across many parts of the country.”

She added that conditions vary by property type and location, with some pressure persisting in areas with higher levels of new supply. “In some main centres, such as Auckland and Christchurch, the apartment and townhouse sector continues to face pricing pressure due to ample supply, higher building and servicing costs, and the fact that values for stand-alone homes have come down.”

“In many cases, buyers are choosing houses on their own sections — offering more storage, privacy, living space and carparking — over townhouses or apartments that lack these amenities and are often not significantly cheaper to purchase. Agents also report that buyers are favouring developments that do offer these features, particularly those in popular locations, over those that lack parking, storage, privacy and outdoor space.”

“We’re also seeing the effects of a reset in development land values in some locations, following elevated prices paid during the previous peak — such as in Auckland’s Waitākere, Manukau and Papakura, where values have dipped more sharply. With QV CostBuilder data showing building costs remain elevated compared to pre-peak levels, alongside higher interest rates, some developers who paid a premium for land during the peak can no longer afford to develop or hold it, resulting in land being resold in some cases at significantly lower prices than originally paid.”

Looking ahead, Rush said early indicators point to a more stable outlook into 2026, although some uncertainty is likely to remain. “An election year can create a degree of caution, which may restrain activity at times as buyers and sellers take a more wait-and-see approach. As a result, any change in values is expected to be gradual rather than rapid.”

Auckland

Residential property values across the wider Auckland Region edged higher in the December quarter, following a period of slowing declines through the second half of 2025.

After average values fell by 2.2% in the October quarter and a further 1.1% in the November quarter, the Auckland Region recorded a 0.8% increase in the December quarter. The average home value across the Super City is now $1,204,006. Values remain 3.3% lower than at the same time last year and 20.6% below the nationwide peak of January 2022.

QV Auckland Registered Valuer Hugh Robson said the December quarter again delivered a mixed picture when broken down across the different areas of the region.”

“Rodney recorded the strongest year-on-year increase in average home values within the region, up 1.4%, while Waitākere experienced the largest annual decline, down 4.6%. Despite recent stabilisation, average values across Auckland remain a substantial distance below their previous peak.”

“Residential property values across Auckland have begun to stabilise, with signs of improvement now emerging,” Robson said.

The most pronounced improvement has been evident at the higher end of the price spectrum, particularly for homes priced between $2 million and $3.5 million, where sales volumes have increased. “That segment has clearly regained momentum, and it’s helping to support overall values across the region,” he said.

Robson noted that areas such as Waitākere (-23.4%), Manukau (-21.9%) and Papakura (-22.5%) — where values have weakened the most since the previous peak — have been partly influenced by a significant reset in development land values. 

“During the COVID-era peak, developers, including smaller-scale operators, paid elevated prices for sites with intensification potential. As interest rates rose, along with building costs, the numbers no longer stacked up for many, either to proceed with development or to carry the cost of holding the land, which in some cases resulted in sales at substantially reduced prices.”

Wellington

Residential property values across the Greater Wellington region declined by 0.5% over the three months to December and are now 3.6% lower year on year, with the average home value sitting at $811,490.

In Wellington City, values continued to stabilise, slipping by a modest 0.5% over the December quarter. The average home value in the city is now $915,492, which remains 4.7% lower than at the same time last year. The greatest quarterly decrease was recorded in Wellington City – East, where values fell by 4.5% to an average of $1,000,745.

In contrast, values rose in Wellington City – North by 2.5% to an average of $846,768, while Wellington City – West recorded a small increase of 0.1%, taking the average value to $1,030,654.

QV Wellington Registered Valuer David Cornford said residential property values across Wellington have been mixed over the December quarter. “Some areas continue to weaken, while some have stabilised or seen increases. While elevated listings continue to give buyers a wide range of choice.”

“Many parts of the Wellington region remain close to 30% below their previous peak values, which is helping first home buyers enter the housing market,” he said. “Lower prices have improved affordability for some buyers; however, interest rates remain much higher than during the peak which means servicing debt is still a barrier to many potential buyers.”

Cornford added that rental conditions have also eased significantly, as high numbers of tenants leave Wellington in search of employment elsewhere following ongoing cuts to the public sector during 2025. This shift is reducing rental demand and adding to overall housing availability.

Looking ahead for 2026, Cornford said home values in Wellington are likely to continue tracking sideways in the near term. Subdued economic and employment conditions, along with the upcoming election year, are expected to keep both buyers and sellers cautious, limiting any strong upward movement in values.

Christchurch

Residential property values across Christchurch City rose by 2.5% over the three months to December, with the average home value now sitting at $791,541. Values are also 3.3% higher than at the same time last year, continuing the city’s steady upward trend in most areas.

Growth was broad-based across much of the city including in Selwyn and Waimakariri during the December quarter. Christchurch City – West recorded the strongest increase (5.2%).

In contrast, Christchurch City – Peninsula (1.0%) was the only part of the city to record a decline over the quarter.

QV Christchurch Registered Valuer Michael Tohill said strong value increases were evident across several areas of Christchurch, and activity across the metropolitan area continues to remain solid.

“Listing numbers remain elevated, while selling times have continued to shorten, reflecting a market that is functioning well,” he said.  

“Demand remains particularly strong in the $1 million to $2 million price range, with competitive bidding and solid sale prices being achieved.”

Tohill also noted that building activity across Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri remains steady, with builders reporting healthy forward work programmes extending well into 2026.

He added that while most parts of the city have remained resilient, pressure persists in some segments. “The townhouse sector continues to face pricing pressure, largely due to ample supply and new stock still coming through the development pipeline.”

Regional Update

Across the country, regional performance remained mixed over the December quarter, although value increases became more widespread.

Many provincial and regional centres continued to record solid growth, led by Invercargill, Rotorua, Whangārei and Nelson, while several others posted more modest gains or were relatively flat and steady.

The areas that saw the greatest increases were Wairoa District (11.3%), Waitomo District (9.3%), Kaikōura District (6.1%), Waimate District (5.9%) and Hamilton – Central (5.3%).
 
In contrast, in the North Island, some regional centres saw weakening of more than 2 percent over the quarter including Ōtorohanga (-3.8%), Kaipara (-2.6%), Manawatu (-2.3%), South Wairarapa (-2.9%) and Masterton (-2.8%).

In the South Island nearly all areas saw values increase, with only areas to see a decrease of more than 2.0% being Buller (-4.1%) on the West Coast, but that was from a very small number of sales and it’s one of the most affordable places in the country so percentage movements can appear larger due to the lower value base.
 
Overall, the December figures show residential property values stabilising or edging higher across a growing number of regions, even as conditions remain uneven between centres and property types, and it is likely this stabilisation — with some small increases depending on property type and location — will continue during 2026.

You can check value changes over time in your region with QV’s interactive map on www.qv.co.nz/price-index/

The QV HPI uses a rolling three month collection of sales data, based on sales agreement date. This has always been the case and ensures a large sample of sales data is used to measure value change over time. Having agent and non-agent sales included in the index provides a comprehensive measure of property value change over the longer term.

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PSA seek investigation from Independent Police Conduct Authority of Police Mental health withdrawal policy following incident

Source: PSA

The PSA has laid an official complaint with the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) after Police failed to assist mental health workers who were assaulted by a distressed patient.
Three emergency calls to Police in 90 minutes by a mental health worker went unanswered on 21 November 2025.
“The PSA laid a complaint with the IPCA about this serious incident and have called for wider concerns with the Police withdrawal from mental health support to be investigated,” said Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons, says.
“We are concerned that the Police Mental Health Change Response Programme is setting a precedent where Police are wiping their hands of callouts relating to mental health, even in emergencies, and so we’re asking the IPCA as part of our complaint to review all Police procedures around mental health callouts.
“The IPCA are the right body to investigate this important matter since Police, Health NZ and the Government have all overseen the Police withdrawing from mental health call out work. The independence of the IPCA is needed now.”
The mental health worker contacted Police for support through the emergency line and identified themselves as a mental health worker, but no assistance ever arrived.
Fitzsimons says the incident is exactly what mental health workers had feared since the announcement of the Police’s Mental Response Health Change Programme a year ago.
“Staff feedback to Health New Zealand and the Police was very clear: more mental health workers will be subjected to violence as a result of these changes. A PSA survey of mental health staff at the time revealed that 91 per cent of workers believed the changes would increase safety risks for them.
“Every mental health worker should be safe at work and be able to get support from the Police when they deem it necessary.”
Prior to the Mental Health Change Programme, mental health workers had a direct line to Police for emergency situations. They were also able to request Police assistance ahead of time for transporting patients in crisis or those known to become aggressive.
The Police Mental Health Response Change Programme is currently in its third phase of four, with the final phase slated to start next year.
The PSA has received an acknowledgement of the complaint from the IPCA and the Police.
Other PSA comments on the Mental Health Response Change Programme:
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
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Health Sector – Not so festive for ED nurses, survey reveals – NZNO

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

A  recent NZNO survey of emergency department nurses working over the Christmas/New Year period has revealed the vast majority were subjected to abuse over the festive season. (ref. https://www.nzno.org.nz/Portals/0/Files/2026/Data_All_260111-(1)-(003).pdf?ver=tfsFDJ2K6COSzxcvTQd9oA%3d%3d )
NZNO College of Emergency Nurses spokesperson Natasha Hemopo says 84% of survey respondents reported dealing with unacceptable behaviour. Shouting and swearing was the most common (94%), followed by physical aggression (39%) and threats (35%).
“There is a chronic shortage of health workers at Te Whatu Ora which is contributing to increased wait times in Emergency Departments (EDs), causing frustration for patients and their worried whānau, and compromising the quality of patient care.
“Nurses constantly raise concerns about the link between patients’ frustrations which lead to abusive behaviour and short staffing in EDs. This survey further highlights the correlation between under-staffing and unsafe staffing.”
Natasha Hemopo says at least 55% of respondents said their ED was understaffed at the time of the incident.
Health care workers are five times more likely to be assaulted on the job than other workers, she says.
“Hospital environments can be stressful. People are there because they are sick or injured. Nurses do an amazing job, but there are never enough of them.
“Other factors that can fuel frustration and anxiety include being in pain, systemic racism, alcohol and drugs.”
Some 77% of those who experienced unacceptable behaviour reported feeling threatened while 82% reported being verbally assaulted and 18% physically assaulted.
Among those physically assaulted, the most common injuries were bruising and sprains/strains. Some 56% reported the incident, but only 34% of those reports were formal reports through the reporting system Datix.
“Concerningly, the main reasons for not reporting incidents were lack of confidence in the system or lack of time.
Patients need nurses to have safe staffing levels, not the Government’s artificial target of having 95% of patients admitted, discharged or transferred from an ED within six hours.
“The ED target doesn't change the reality of under-resourced EDs for patients or for nurses.
“Improving conditions by providing 24/7 specifically trained security in all emergency departments to protect patients and enable staff to do their jobs safely would also be a huge step in encouraging a new generation of recruits to become emergency nurses. Safe staffing and hiring graduates are key claims by NZNO members in their stalled Collective Agreement negotiations,” Natasha Hemopo says. 
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University Research – New Zealand’s first lung cancer organoid bank – UoA

Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

The first lung cancer organoid bank in New Zealand is being created at the University of Auckland.

Dr Hossein Jahedi is leading a multidisciplinary team, which aims to grow tumour samples from patients with advanced lung cancer into tiny organoids – 3D mini-tumours that mimic the original cancer.

Different treatments can be tested on the organoids, providing information on how that specific type of tumour is likely to respond to those treatments, says Jahedi, whose research has been funded by the Li Family Trust and the University’s Centre for Cancer Research – Te Aka Mātauranga Matepukupuku.

“The question the organoids will help answer is ‘does this medicine work for this patient?’

“It’s a personalised medicine approach that could help give patients the best chance,” says Jahedi.

Treatment costs could be reduced by offering the most effective treatments, while patients could also be spared the side effects caused by trying multiple treatments, he says.

Generally, organoids can be grown and several drugs can be tested on them within about two weeks.

Before an organoid is grown, patients must consent to donating a tumour sample from surgery or a biopsy.

“We take that tissue into the lab, gently break it into cell clusters, mix it with a special matrix that’s a bit like jelly, and cover it with a nutrient-rich liquid that helps the cancer cells grow.

“Over days to weeks, the clusters of cells will organise themselves into tumour organoids.”

Typically, each tumour sample provides dozens of organoids, which are about the size of a grain of sand, Jahedi says.

The organoids can also be used for early experiments testing new cancer treatments, before trials in animals or people.

“Organoids are one of the models that most closely resemble the cancer in humans, so they allow us to understand the behaviours of the cancer.

“They will probably reduce the need for animals in trials of new treatments, but they probably won’t ever replace them.”

The effects of new treatments on other systems in the body can be seen in animals, but cannot be observed within organoids, he says.

The lung cancer organoid project was inspired by a library of breast cancer organoids that has been developed by Dr Emma Nolan at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland since 2022.

“Lung cancer is the biggest cancer killer in New Zealand – that’s why we wanted to focus on it.

“Māori and Pacific people are about three times more likely to die of lung cancer than people of other ethnicities in New Zealand.”

The project aims to grow organoids that will offer insights into lung cancers in Māori and Pacific patients, who are currently under-represented in research, he says.

Jahedi is working with Māori and Pacific health organisations to develop culturally safe protocols for how tissue is collected, stored, used, and governed.

He aims to grow 10 to 20 lung cancer organoids from different patients over the next 18 months.

Eventually, a bigger lung cancer organoid biobank could be used by doctors and researchers throughout New Zealand.

The organoids can be cryopreserved – frozen in liquid nitrogen – then activated again when needed.

“Cancer causes so much suffering for patients and their families and it can be difficult for the doctors and nurses caring for them, too.

“This seems like a good way to try to help people in a way that could have a direct impact,” Jahedi says.

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Research – Construction cost growth rises alongside activity – Cotality

Source: Cotality

Construction costs recorded their largest quarterly increase in over a year during the three months to December, as early signs of a sector recovery begin to emerge.

The latest Cordell Construction Cost Index (CCCI) shows residential building costs increased by 0.9% in the three months to December. (ref. https://www.cotality.com/nz/resources/downloads/cordell-construction-cost-index-ccci )

While this represents the largest quarterly rise since Q3 2024 (1.1%), the figure remains slightly below the long-term average of 1.0%.

On the back of this quarterly lift, the annual pace of growth rose to 2.3% from 2.0% in the third quarter last year. That’s still well below the long-term average, which has been an annual growth rate of 4.1% since late 2012.
Cotality Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson said while construction costs continue to increase, the pace of growth remains contained.
“We are certainly not seeing the extreme inflation experienced in the post-COVID phase, when the CCCI annual growth rate peaked at more than 10% in late 2022. During that period, there were supply chain issues for key materials such as plasterboard and rising wages also drove up costs significantly*.

“However, although they’re not rising to any huge degree at present, costs haven’t seen significant falls either. Following the previous growth phase, the overall level of cost to build a new dwelling remains elevated even though the growth rate has cooled,” he said.

A turnaround in dwelling approvals

Recently, the 12-month rolling total for the number of new dwelling consents has started to rise again, reaching more than 35,500 in October.

Mr Davidson said this marks a turnaround following the period of stagnation (albeit at a high level) observed throughout late 2024 and the first half of 2025.

“After peaking at more than 51,000 in the 12 months to May 2022, the number of new dwellings consented dropped to a low point between 33,500 and 34,000. We are now seeing a recovery that aligns with anecdotal evidence that builders are becoming busier again.

“This shift reflects lower mortgage rates and increased ability for households to finance projects or buy off-the-plan. The loan-to-value ratio and debt-to-income ratio rules both offer exemptions for new builds, providing a further tailwind for the sector,” he noted.

Construction sector positioned for recovery in 2026

Looking ahead, the construction sector is set to expand again in 2026, and Mr Davidson said the previous downturn has allowed building costs to flatten after a period of strong increases.  

“The latest CCCI figures remain relatively controlled, although as the industry starts to recover more clearly in 2026, construction cost growth could pick up again. However, a spike similar to the post-COVID phase remains unlikely,” he concluded.

* The CCCI is comprised of around 50% materials, 40% wages, and 10% for other charges such as professional fees.

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New home consents rise, led by multi-unit homes – Building consents issued: November 2025 – Stats NZ news story and information release

Source: Statistics New Zealand

New home consents rise, led by multi-unit homes – news story

 

14 January 2026

There were 35,969 new homes consented in Aotearoa New Zealand in the year ended November 2025, up 7.0 percent compared with the year ended November 2024, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

“In the year to November 2025 multi-unit homes drove the increase in new homes consented,” economic indicators spokesperson Michelle Feyen said. “That’s reflected in the number of townhouses, flats, and units being consented.”

Of the multi-unit homes consented in the year ended November 2025, compared with the year ended November 2024, there were:

  • 15,643 townhouses, flats, and units (up 9.6 percent)
  • 2,647 apartments (up 49 percent)
  • 1,291 retirement village units (down 26 percent).

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

 

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Employment indicators: November 2025 – Stats NZ information release

Source: Statistics New Zealand

Employment indicators: November 2025 – information release

14 January 2026

Employment indicators provide an early indication of changes in the labour market.

Key facts
Changes in the seasonally adjusted filled jobs for the November 2025 month (compared with the October 2025 month) were:

  • all industries – up 0.3 percent (6,569 jobs) to 2.35 million filled jobs
  • primary industries – up 0.8 percent (890 jobs)
  • goods-producing industries – up 0.1 percent (490 jobs)
  • service industries – up 0.2 percent (4,124 jobs).

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

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Events – Firefighters put skills to the test at UFBA Waterway Challenge in Havelock North

Source: United Fire Brigades' Association

The skill, speed and teamwork of some of New Zealand’s volunteer firefighters will be on full display when the UFBA North Island Waterway Challenge 2026 comes to the Village Green in Havelock North on Saturday 17 January 2026.
Hosted by the United Fire Brigades’ Association (UFBA), the North Island Waterway Challenge brings together volunteer and career firefighters from across the region to compete in a fast-paced, highly technical firefighting competition. The event is free to attend and promises an exciting day out for the whole community.
The UFBA Waterway Challenge tests the real-world skills firefighters rely on every day – including hose handling, pump operation, teamwork, communication and precision under pressure. Crews race against the clock to complete a demanding course that simulates emergency response scenarios, giving spectators a rare behind-the-scenes look at the professionalism and training required to do the job safely and effectively.
UFBA President, Lesina Walden, says the event is about more than competition.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for the public to see just how skilled our firefighters are. The challenge reflects the training and teamwork that firefighters use when responding to emergencies, particularly building and vegetation fires, in our communities.
It’s also a great chance to celebrate the dedication of these community firefighters.”
Teams from volunteer brigades all over the North Island, including the Havelock North Volunteer Fire Brigade, will be competing – giving the Hawke’s Bay community the chance to cheer on their own firefighters as they go head-to-head with their peers.
The Village Green setting provides an ideal venue, allowing spectators to get close to the action in a safe and family-friendly environment. Organisers encourage locals to bring friends and whānau along, enjoy the atmosphere, and support the firefighters who serve their community.
Event details:
What: UFBA North Island Waterway Challenge 2026
When: Saturday 17 January 2026
Where: Village Green, Havelock North
Cost: Free entry
About the UFBA – for over 140 years the United Fire Brigades’ Association has been the leading association representing firefighters in New Zealand. Today our services support around 14,000 firefighters throughout the fire and emergency services sector by providing advocacy, skills-based challenges, workshops and service honours.
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Fire Safety – Restricted fire season for Bay of Plenty

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is moving Bay of Plenty to a restricted fire season at 5pm on Tuesday 13 January, until further notice.
A restricted fire season means a permit is required to light an open-air fire.
Announcing the fire season change, Community Risk Manager Luke Burgess says the recent warm and dry weather means the fire risk across the region has increased.
“In these conditions fire will travel fast and will be difficult for our crews to extinguish.
“Having a restricted fire season gives us greater control of who can burn and when, and we can provide direct fire safety advice to those completing burns.”
The public can apply for a permit at www.checkitsalright.nz
Luke Burgess says that although some isolated rain is forecast, it will be predominantly dry, hot and windy which increases the fire danger.
“We are asking the public to take extra care during these conditions.”
For fire safety tips and more information about the activities you can and can’t do in a restricted fire season, go to www.checkitsalright.nz.