Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Education – ERO issuing new school reports from Term 2, focused on providing clarity for parents to understand their school performance

Source: Education Review Office

The Education Review Office (ERO) is overhauling their school review reports to better enable parents and whānau to understand school performance and engage in their child’s learning.
ERO Chief Review Officer Ruth Shinoda said the new reports will lift standards of education by providing parents with clear, useful and accessible information about schools in the areas that matter most to their child’s education.
“We wanted to make sure that parents and whānau can easily understand our reports, so they are empowered to ask good questions, make good choices, and get involved in their child’s education,” says Ms Shinoda.
“We talked to parents all over the country, and they told us that our reports needed to change – that they need better, clearer information about school quality. We heard them and have overhauled our school reports, making them much easier to understand. Crucially, they are more sharply focused on the things that make the biggest difference to learner success and wellbeing – including attendance, progress, achievement and assessment.”
The new reports also have an increased focus on progress – celebrating where schools are doing well in lifting student outcomes.
“Parents and whānau will be able to clearly see what’s working well in a school, and what needs attention – and they will be able to see the clear pathway for schools to follow to lift student outcomes. Equally, the reports are a critical document for school leaders – so they know what to focus on to lift student success,” says Ms Shinoda.
Alongside an easy-to-understand picture of how well the school is doing for parents, the new reports provide a clear roadmap for improvement focusing on the key things that will make the most difference for students. This will enable schools to make changes and get the support they need in a transparent way. The reports will also celebrate progress schools have made.
“Every day, our specialist reviewers are in schools across the country, evaluating school performance and providing guidance on improving schooling practices – focusing on what makes a school great for students,” says Ms Shinoda.
“Ultimately these changes will drive improvement for education for every learner in New Zealand. They will enable parents and whānau to engage more effectively in their child’s education and be informed on how well their school is doing. They will also support schools with clear actions for every school, so that school leaders can pay attention to shifting what matters most.”
ERO reviewers will begin using the new report format for all schools – primary, intermediate and secondary – in Term 2 this year.
Notes
  • ERO is the New Zealand government’s external evaluation agency for the education system. ERO carries out independent, in-depth reviews of different aspects of New Zealand's schools, early learning services, and Kaupapa Māori education settings.
  • ERO reports on schools approximately every three to four years. In 2024/25, ERO reported on 745 schools and kura (30% of all schools and kura).
  • The new report has three parts: a full report, with judgements on 14 domains (or 16, if the school has bilingual Māori provision) and recommended next steps so schools know exactly what to work on; a summary overview, providing parents and whānau with an “at a glance” understanding of school’s performance; and a visual snapshot of the school’s quality across domains.
  • ERO’s reports are written following a formal ERO review, which includes visits to the school. Reports are published on ERO’s website for parents, whānau and the community to access. The new reports have been developed through extensive feedback from school leaders, parents and whānau, helping shape the final format.
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Research – 58% of Kiwi professionals are relocating this year – and for 65% of them, Australia is the first choice

Source: Robert Walters

Auckland, New Zealand – 17th March 2026 – Professional mobility across New Zealand is strengthening, with new research from Robert Walters revealing that 58% of New Zealand professionals are open to relocating for work in the next 12 months. As skills shortages intensify and career expectations rise, movement across the Tasman is accelerating: 65% of New Zealanders would relocate to Australia as their first choice.

The findings form part of the Robert Walters 2026 Salary Guide, which surveyed more than 5,500 professionals across Australia and New Zealand.

Career and financial motivations dominate relocation decisions

Relocation, once associated primarily with lifestyle change, is now increasingly a strategic career move.

The top reasons New Zealand professionals are considering relocating include:

  • Higher salaries: 71%
  • Stronger career prospects: 65%
  • Improved lifestyle: 53%
  • Better work-life balance: 37%
  • Lower cost of living: 38% 

Relocation appetite is particularly strong among mid-career professionals seeking accelerated progression, with shorter average tenure (2–3 years) driving more frequent movement across industries and regions.

Shay Peters, CEO of Robert Walters Australia and New Zealand, said the data reflects a shift in professional decision‑making.

“These numbers highlight a clear shift in the mindset of Australian professionals. Relocation is no longer just about lifestyle, it's increasingly a strategic career decision. Professionals are prioritising stronger career pathways – it's evident that talent is actively looking for roles that accelerate their growth. Organisations that can offer opportunities, both domestically and overseas, will be best positioned to attract and retain talent.”

Skills shortages heighten mobility as employers brace for movement

New Zealand employers are already feeling the pressure, with 81% reporting skills shortages and 78% planning to hire in 2026.

At the same time, 43% expect to lose staff to relocation, and a further 18% believe relocation among their teams is likely in the coming year.

This mobility is reshaping workforce planning, particularly in major centres where competition for specialist talent – finance, technology, engineering, and compliance – is intensifying.

Employer challenges are compounded by a growing preference for clear growth pathways and stronger leadership, with work-life balance (64%), salary (62%), and positive culture (45%) now the top priorities for New Zealand talent.

Implications for employers in a cross‑Tasman talent marketplace

With two‑thirds of New Zealand professionals open to relocation, and Australia the preferred destination, employers are under increasing pressure to reinforce their retention strategies.

Robert Walters data shows that while salary remains a major driver, New Zealand workers place significant value on:

  • Work-life balance (64%)
  • Competitive salary & benefits (62%)
  • Positive company culture (45%)
  • Career development opportunities (34%)
  • Supportive leadership (37%) 

For employers, the implications are clear: competitive pay alone is no longer enough to retain talent in a high‑mobility market.

Peters said employers must act decisively to remain competitive.

“If mobility is increasing, retention becomes a value proposition question. Employees are telling us very clearly what matters – competitive pay, genuine flexibility and strong culture. Employers that fail to respond to those expectations will see talent move. Those that align their workforce strategy accordingly will hold a significant competitive advantage.”

About the Salary Guide
The Robert Walters 2026 Salary Guide provides a comprehensive overview of hiring intentions, salary trends, skills shortages, and workforce mobility across Australia and New Zealand. With insights from more than 5,500 respondents, the guide shows how organisations and professionals are navigating a labour market shaped by cost‑of‑living pressures, technology adoption, and growing mobility.

About Robert Walters
With more than 3,100 people in 30 countries, Robert Walters delivers recruitment consultancy, staffing, recruitment process outsourcing and managed services globally. From traditional recruitment and staffing to end‑to‑end talent solutions, our consultants match highly skilled people to permanent, contract and interim roles across all professional disciplines.

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PSA members in vital health roles ratify new collective

Source: PSA

A new collective agreement covering more than 2,500 Te Whatu Ora Health NZ staff who are PSA members working in Policy, Advisory, Knowledge and Services (PAKS) roles has been ratified after an overwhelming positive vote.
The PAKS agreement covers those working in digital services, infrastructure, operations, communications, finance, people and capability, procurement, service design and planning, analytics and research, and policy.
“These workers perform vital roles that enable the public health system to keep delivering at a time when it is under significant strain from a lack of government funding, said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
The ratification was the result of 11 months of bargaining, including mediation and industrial action.
“As with the other health collectives ratified this year, the result for the PAKS workers is a testament to their resolve and resilience in the face of an unnecessarily protracted bargaining process and unrealistic initial offers,” Fitzsimons said.
“To break the impasse these workers went on strike, many for the first time, during the Mega Strike on 23 October 2025 as well as a further strike in November. This settlement is a result of these workers standing together to take collective action.”
Health workers covered by the collective will receive a pay increase of 2.5% effective 1 December 2025 with a further 2% from 7 December 2026. There is also an on-call allowance for IT-related employees and penal rates for workers required to work from Midnight on Friday to Midnight on Sunday.
Workers will each receive a $500 lump sum payment prorated for full time equivalent hours worked.
“While this ratification result is a step forward, major problems remain in our health system caused by the Government imposing job cuts on Health New Zealand and failing to fund our health system properly,” Fitzsimons said.
“The cutting of 940 roles from the Health NZ Digital Services team between November 2024 and April 2025, has created clinical and operational risks that impact patient care because of the critical role IT plays in all aspects of health care from operating theatres to referrals, clinical test results and payroll.
The PAKS settlement, like the other health collective settlements, is an improvement on what was initially offered but doesn’t contain everything we wanted,” said Fitzsimons.
“There is still a lot more work to do to improve working conditions in the public health system. The PSA will not stop fighting for the strong public healthcare system that both healthcare workers and everyday New Zealanders deserve.
“All political parties must commit to a properly funded public health system that ensures safe staffing levels, and delivers quality care for all New Zealanders, as well as pay equity for under-valued health workers,” Fitzsimons said.
The other significant health collectives ratified in February covered:
  • More than 12,000 members working
  • More than 3,500 members working
The PSA represents more than 27,000 workers employed by Health NZ.
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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Electronic card transactions: February 2026 – Stats NZ information release

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Conflict – Children cling to pets, favourite toys, as they flee homes in Lebanon – Save the Children

Source: Save the Children

Children are clutching beloved pets and toys as they flee their homes in Lebanon due to the escalating conflict with the violence also cutting access to vital medical care, including for children and pregnant women, Save the Children said.
Over 831,000 people, including over 290,000 children, have been forcibly displaced in Lebanon in just two weeks, according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Social Affairs – the equivalent to over 2,000 people every hour since the escalation started.[1]
Save the Children staff have reported that families have fled with only basic necessities, often without time to pack vital documents, clothing or medication. But some children are refusing to leave behind their most treasured items including their pets and favourite toys.
At the same time, access to critical healthcare has been disrupted. Save the Children staff said many people are now unable to reach regular dialysis treatment or ongoing cancer care. In one case, a woman was forced to give birth in her car as heavy traffic gridlocked the streets of Beirut during the rush to safety.
More than 130,000 people are now sheltering in overcrowded schools repurposed as collective shelters and sports stadiums in Beirut in difficult conditions, with over 50 people reported to be sharing one toilet, minimal access to cooking facilities and shelters lacking carpets, heaters and blankets in the cold weather. Families describe sleeping on floors with little privacy.
Approximately 118,590 people have entered Syria from Lebanon since March 2nd, with Save the Children staff reporting parents being forced to leave behind their families alongside people being stuck between checkpoints at the Syrian and Lebanese border. [2]
According to the UN up to 3.2 million people have been displaced across Iran and about 1,700 Afghans are returning from Iran into Afghanistan every day since the start of hostilities.[3]
Save the Children is distributing essential items in Lebanon and on the border with Syria such as blankets, mattresses, pillows, baby supplies, hygiene kits, water and psychological first aid.
Many people in Lebanon are now experiencing displacement for the second or third time in their lives, including families returning to the same shelters they fled to in 2024. About 20 Save the Children staff are among those who have fled their homes and others now have homes crowded with displaced relatives and friends.
Nora Ingdal, Country Director, Save the Children Lebanon, said:
“Many families were forced to flee in the middle of the night with nothing, and children miss their homes, their villages, their friends and their schools. I met a child who told me, ‘I'm not able to play here and I just want to go back to my village as soon as possible.’ One child I met clutched his blue toy car, as it was the only thing he had managed to bring from home.
“Others have brought their pets with them, unable to be parted. One family I met had their pet bird with them in its cage, knowing their 7-year-old son was very distressed without his bird and won’t sleep without him. Another family fled with their cat which keeps their son calm.
“I met one father in a shelter who bought his daughter a second-hand scooter just so she could have a distraction from the horror that is unfolding outside. To see a child playing is rare in these shelters as they attempt to grapple with their lives being flipped upside down.
“Another young man told me he did not have time to pack his university documents so now fears for his entire future.
“Each person has their own story to share, one of anxiety and heartbreak. Children feel trapped in collective shelters with limited access to basic toilet facilities, education or the space to play. Hostilities must end and children must be protected at all costs. We know children are always the most impacted in any conflict, and the psychological impacts last long after any conflict ends.” Sara, 30-, a mother who has been displaced to Syria due to the escalations in Lebanon, was forced to leave her daughter with her husband in Lebanon as she had to return to Syria to care for her sick mother. She said: “My daughter is still in Lebanon, and I could not get her a passport because the cost is far beyond what I can afford.”
Save the Children is urgently calling for a cessation of hostilities and for all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law to protect children from further harm. So far 850 people have been killed in Lebanon including 103 children, according to the Ministry of Health.
Save the Children is responding across the region, with programmes in Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
In oPt, we are maintaining emergency cash assistance where markets allow and keeping mother-baby areas open to support infant and maternal nutrition. In Syria, we are scaling-up delivery of food, cash assistance, child protection, mental health support, education, water and sanitation programmes and health/nutrition services for people arriving from Lebanon.
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PSA – Help us now – 23,000 home support workers hit by petrol price hikes urge Govt. to act

Source: PSA

The PSA is urging Finance Minister Nicola Willis to walk the talk and deliver support for a key group of hard working New Zealanders struggling with rising fuel costs from the Iran war – 23,000 home support workers.
The Finance Minister today said the Government was considering targeted, timely and temporary options for low income New Zealanders facing increased fuel costs triggered by the Iran war.
“There are 23,000 home support workers on low wages who look after our most vulnerable people – the elderly, disabled and injured – every single day who need help urgently, right now. They deserve better than being left to foot the bill,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
Workers like Pam McLaren from Blenheim are feeling the squeeze on her budget as petrol prices rise. “I’ve done the calculations, it’s going to cost me $75.66 more per week to run my vehicle. I don’t know where that money’s meant to come from. It’s ending up costing a lot to go to work, and it’s not like I can ride a bike between clients, the distance is too far.”
Fleur Fitzsimons: “If the Government is serious about relieving cost of living pressures in a targeted way, then it must follow through on today’s promise and make it a priority to compensate them for rising fuel bills. It’s the right thing to do.”
Home support workers drive their own cars between clients, caring for the elderly, disabled and injured every day, but are being reimbursed at just 63.5 cents per kilometre, well below the IRD rate, and less than half of the travel costs they face.
“These workers were already being undercompensated before the fuel crisis. They are also disadvantaged by the Government’s scrapping of a pay equity pay rise last year. They cannot afford to subsidise the cost of delivering essential government-funded services.”
Travel costs for home support workers are governed by the In Between Travel Settlement Act, introduced under a National-led Government in 2015. There have been only two increases to the mileage rate in a decade, the last one was four years ago.
“It’s well past time for an urgent review,” said Fleur Fitzsimons.
“Funding for home support already flows through MSD and the Ministry of Health. An increase to the mileage rate can be delivered quickly and efficiently through existing channels. There is no excuse for delay.”
The PSA will be raising this issue urgently with the Government.
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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Northland Tsunami Siren Testing Set for end of Daylight Saving

Source: Northland Regional Council

Northland’s six-monthly outdoor tsunami siren test will take place at 10 am on Sunday, 5 April, marking the end of daylight saving.
The network of more than 90 outdoor sirens in coastal communities across Northland is tested twice a year to ensure it remains ready to alert communities in the event of a tsunami.
While it’s hoped such an emergency never occurs, regular testing helps ensure the system can respond effectively if needed and raises awareness of Northland’s tsunami risk.
During the test, sirens will sound for up to two minutes, emitting the familiar siren tone followed by a voice message:
“Test only, test only. This is a test of the Northland tsunami siren network; no action is required.”
While the indoor siren network will not be activated during this test, residents with indoor sirens are encouraged to manually check their devices by pressing the test button, similar to testing a smoke alarm.
Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Chair Colin (Toss) Kitchen says community feedback remains a vital part of the testing process.
“Community feedback is one of the most important parts of these tests. It helps us confirm the sirens are working properly, that people can actually hear them, and that everyone becomes more familiar with what they sound like and what to do when they activate.”
Residents can provide feedback on the day via forms available on the Northland Regional Council website and the Civil Defence Northland Facebook page.
“Could you hear it? Was the message clear? Let us know.”
Kitchen also reminds Northlanders of the importance of recognising natural tsunami warning signs, especially in coastal areas where local-source tsunamis may arrive before any official alert.
“If you feel a strong earthquake that’s hard to stand in, one that lasts longer than a minute, or notice unusual sea behaviour, such as a sudden rise or fall or strange noises, don’t wait for an official warning, move inland or to higher ground immediately.”
To check if you live, work, or play in a tsunami evacuation zone, and to plan your safest route, visit: www.nrc.govt.nz/evacuationzones 
Northland’s outdoor tsunami sirens are funded and owned by the region’s four councils (Far North District, Whangarei District, Kaipara District, and Northland Regional Council).
To hear what the sirens sound like, visit: www.nrc.govt.nz/tsunamisirens 
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Outdoor Activities – Map reveals hundreds of DOC public access easements

Source: Herenga ā Nuku – the Outdoor Access Commission

Hundreds of public access easements held in the Department of Conservation’s (DOC) internal property records are now visible to the public for the first time, marking a significant step forward for public access transparency.
The milestone follows an ongoing collaboration, working together to translate historic legal records into mapped digital data that can be viewed by the public.
The Outdoor Access Commission has published 858 land parcels -representing 175 confirmed DOC public access easements – on its mapping system (WAMS). Until now, these easements have been recorded in DOC’s National Property and Land Information System (NaPALIS). Many existed in legal documentation rather than mapped spatial layers, meaning they had not previously appeared on any public-facing map.
Outdoor Access Commission geospatial manager Matt Grose says DOC converting the information into accurate mapping data gives a free, accessible and public way to view the data.
“Many of these easements were contained in legal instruments rather than digital map files,” Matt says. “We have turned that historic property information into accurate spatial data that can be confidently shared with the public.”
Many of the newly displayed easements show legal public access links between the ends of formed roads and public conservation land. In many cases, access has existed in law for years, but people have not been able to easily see those routes when planning trips.
DOC’s spokesperson, Manu King, Geospatial Services Manager, says the release reflects both teamwork between agencies and the increasing value of public data.
It demonstrates what can be achieved when technical teams work together with a common purpose. By combining property expertise, GIS capability and the commission’s mapping platforms, we’ve been able to unlock information that benefits all New Zealanders.”
The commission is displaying the easements on WAMS and its Pocket Maps app, making the information readily accessible to people naturing; walkers, hunters, trampers and others who recreate on public conservation land.
“Map users will now be able to see how public access actually reaches DOC land,” Matt says. “Instead of an isolated block of conservation land, people can see the legal access that connects them to it.”
The initial release will soon be followed by a second tranche of around 300 additional easements currently undergoing verification. Many of these are older records that require manual review and confirmation before they can be confidently mapped and published.
Outdoor Access Commission chief executive Dan Wildy says the publication of public access easements is another step to deliver transparent and accessible information related to public access.
“Through our GIS team, helped by our partners at DOC, we are delivering greater public access information than at any other time in our country’s history.”
Together, this mahi reflects a shared commitment to making public access clearer, more visible and easier to understand – now and into the future.
Three examples of these easements
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Energy – Major solar array to power Toyota NZ’s logistics hub

Source: Toyota

• Surplus energy will support local power needs
• Panels set to last up to 30 years
• Payback expected in just over five years

Toyota New Zealand has installed one of the largest rooftop solar systems in New Zealand on top of its 35,000m2 warehouse and National Customer Centre in Palmerston North.

At almost 700-kilowatt capacity, the solar array is expected to generate the equivalent of 60 percent of the centre’s power usage and, during peak periods, will inject renewable energy back into the local network to power up to 35 local homes.

Following its own auto production principles of Quality, Durability and Reliability, Toyota NZ selected Singaporean-manufactured solar panels that have one of the lowest points of degradation; they are expected to still be producing at 90% or more of total capacity (698.88kW) after 30 years of operation.

Toyota NZ Chief Risk and Value Chain Officer Mark Young said sustainability is a core feature of the purpose-built warehouse and National Distribution Centre (NDC), which was enlarged to the size of five rugby fields in 2018.

“We’re committed to making a positive impact on the environment from our NCC operations and renewable energy is a strong focus. We’re incredibly proud of the solar array going atop the building and the benchmark this will set for future Toyota developments in New Zealand. Already 11 of 63 Toyota Stores have installed solar power on their roofs,” he says.

Solar power production capacity from the NDC is expected to generate enough energy to power 132 houses per year and avoid approximately 93 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year – equivalent to a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid driving the length of New Zealand 481 times.

Forecast solar performance is 921 MWh per annum. Based on historical energy consumption data of the building, the system has an expected payback period of approximately five and a quarter years.

The scale of the array means Toyota will be generating more electricity from its roof during peak sunshine hours than it needs. On a typical summer’s day, the panels will generate more electricity than the building consumes from 6am to 6pm. Excess power of around 350MWh will be injected into the local lines network, providing more renewable energy for up to 35 Palmerston North households over the course of a year. In winter, the peak period reduces to 9am to 4pm.

Mark Young says installing solar panels in a large scale on the NCC roof made strong commercial sense.

“While we have made a substantial upfront capital investment, the panels will reduce the average monthly electricity bill by around 50%. We expect to have a total return on investment of more than 600% over the life of the panels,” Mark says.

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Universities – Video helps parents of fussy eaters – UoA

Source: University of Auckland – UoA

Parents are better equipped to teach picky eaters how to eat healthily, thanks to a video developed by University of Auckland researchers.

A short evidence-based video helps parents of fussy eaters steer their kids towards healthy eating, new research shows.

The video, which includes a story, the acronym HEART and an analogy, was developed by Dr Sam Marsh, a senior research fellow in the Department of General Practice and Primary Care at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. See the video:

“We tried to align with parents’ value of wanting to raise healthy children and offer some simple tools,” Marsh says. “We know it’s hard having young children, so we didn’t want to make parents feel guilty.”

The video uses a story that helps parents put themselves in their child’s shoes at mealtimes, as well as an analogy and a mnemonic.

“We got parents to imagine coming home from a hard day at work, sitting down at the table, and then somebody throwing all these questions at them about what foods they want, and then dumping a massive plate of food in front of them, foods they are not familiar with, and demanding they eat it.

“Then we painted another picture where you come home, your partner takes care of everything. They put a nice plate, with not too much food, in front of you, and you have a pleasant conversation during the meal. How much more relaxed will you feel?”

The acronym, HEART, reminds parents of the strategies they can use.

– H is for ‘helping’, getting children to help prepare food: they are much more likely to eat food if they are engaged in putting it together.

– E is for ‘environment’, for example, eating as a family at the table with no screens or other distractions.

– A is for leading with your ‘ace’ by starting with healthy foods, creatively prepared.

– R is for ‘rules’, such as at least 90 minutes between a snack and a meal. Rules for parents include never using food as a reward or punishment. “If you do not eat your broccoli, you won't get dessert,” reinforces the value of dessert and that there's something wrong with broccoli.

– T is for ‘trust’: “We know children need to feel emotionally safe and relaxed to eat and try new foods. So, connecting with your child before dinner, even in a small way can be very helpful.”

The analogy was teaching a teenager to drive a car, making the point that children need to learn how to eat and it is a process.

“They are in control of driving the car, just like children are in control of what they eat,” says Marsh.

“You can't force a child to chew their food and swallow, but the things we can control are when they eat, where they eat, and what they eat. That is our job as parents.”

In written feedback, parents were overwhelmingly positive about the video resource.

Comments included, ‘Practical tips, handled a sensitive topic well, wasn’t judgmental.’

Results from the pilot trial, involving almost 100 parents and their children aged three to six years, show those who used the video made positive changes and enjoyed the process. See Appetite (March 2026).

“Research shows that positive parental feeding behaviours are associated with better appetite self-regulation in kids,” says Marsh.

“A child who knows when they are hungry and stops eating when they are full will tend to have a healthier bodyweight and a better relationship with food when they get older.”