Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Research released today by the Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI) raises serious concerns about how human rights are being upheld in Aotearoa New Zealand, with new data showing the country continues to fall short in protecting people's basic rights.

The latest data, available on the HRMI Rights Tracker, shows Aotearoa New Zealand's scores for the rights to food and work remain in the 'very bad' range and have continued to deteriorate over several years. The country's scores for the right to quality education and reproductive health have also been steadily declining.

HRMI found that Māori, disabled people and children are among those most at risk of having these rights denied, with the high cost of living and poverty identified as significant contributing factors.

Lisa Woods, Movement Building and Advocacy Director for Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand, said, “No one should be struggling to access food, education or healthcare.

“These findings paint a deeply concerning picture of the state of human rights in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“Human rights aren't optional extras. They are obligations the Government has is required to uphold, and these results show we are moving in the wrong direction.”

The report also highlights the significant barriers facing disabled people across nearly every right measured, including access to housing, education and healthcare. Human rights experts also identified disabled people as being at greater risk of torture and ill-treatment.

Aotearoa New Zealand's score for Freedom from Torture and Ill-Treatment remains concerning at just 6.8 out of 10, with no improvement since HRMI began measuring this right nine years ago. Experts reported ongoing concerns about the treatment of people in prisons, mental health facilities and state care.

Woods said, “That our country continues to score so poorly on freedom from torture and ill-treatment should concern everyone.

“People in prison, disabled people, those receiving mental health care and children in state care must be treated with dignity. We cannot accept a situation where serious human rights concerns persist year after year without meaningful action.”

The report also found Aotearoa New Zealand's score for the right to participate in government has declined over recent years and now sits at 7.6 out of 10. Human rights experts pointed to concerns including barriers to accessible elections and Parliament, online abuse directed at people standing for office, particularly women and people from ethnic minority communities, and the rights of Māori.

Jacqui Dillon, Executive Director of Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand, said, “These findings should be a wake-up call.

“When governments fail to protect people's rights such as to food, education and healthcare, they undermine the dignity and wellbeing of communities across Aotearoa.

“We know another future is possible. By respecting Te Tiriti, investing in people's rights and ensuring everyone can participate equally in society, we can build a country where everyone's human rights are protected.

“Human rights make our communities stronger. The Government must act now to reverse these worrying trends and ensure everyone's rights are respected, protected and fulfilled.”

The Minister for Mental Health Hon Matt Doocey has announced changes to the composition of the Board of Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission has been welcomed. The current chair Hayden Wano is standing down in July.

The independent crown entity’s new chairperson is Dr Barbara Disley, and Kelly Feng has been appointed as a new board member.

“The work of shifting the direction of the mental health system so it can deliver better and equitable outcomes is a significant task. I am happy to be handing over the reigns to a committed and experienced board”, said outgoing chair, Hayden Wano QSO.

Dr Barbara Disley ONZM joined the board in July 2023 and was appointed deputy chair in October 2025. Dr Disley has held significant roles in the mental health and addiction sector over the past 30 plus years, including being a member of the Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction in 2018.

New board member Dr Kelly Feng MNZM, Chief Executive for Asian Family Services, has trained in medicine and social work, and she has extensive experience in the mental health and addiction field since migrating from China to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2002. She has been appointed on a five-year term and will be welcomed by the board at the August meeting.

After leading the Board of the initial commission and subsequently being appointed chairperson in 2021, Hayden Wano has not sought reappointment as a board member.

“We owe a huge debt to Hayden for his leadership and the inspiration he has provided. He has built on a life’s work growing services in Taranaki, including 25 years leading Māori health provider Tui Ora, and brought this experience to the national stage”, said incoming chairperson Dr Barbara Disley.

“As we pause to acknowledge Hayden’s contributions, we note the forward looking and solution focused vision he has instilled in the organisation. This is something we are committed to maintaining”.

Reflecting back over his term Mr Wano says that the organisation has had a big impact in the five and a half years it has been around.

“During my time as Chair I’ve been proud to work with a board that’s actively fulfilled its legislative mandate. It’s been my privilege to serve tāngata whaiora, tāngata mātau ā-wheako, lived and living experience communities, and whānau,” Mr Wano said.

“As I leave the governance table for Barbara and others to pick-up, I am confident in the Commission’s ability to deliver on its remit.”

“The experience that Barbara brings to Te Hiringa Mahara, spanning leadership and governance roles both nationally and internationally, will ensure the organisation continues to have a demonstrable impact. I wish her all the very best over coming years.”

“I acknowledge the pivotal role that Chief Executive Karen Orsborn has played. She joined during the establishment phase and has built the organisation up from scratch. I am very pleased she recently agreed to extend her term at the helm for another three years.”

“The organisation is in very good health and geared up to continue having a significant impact for all people in Aotearoa New Zealand,” Mr Wano said.

Rescuers are racing to find people trapped in the rubble of collapsed buildings after two massive earthquakes struck west of the capital Caracas, forcing children and their families from their homes, Save the Children said.

The double earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude have cut off communications and power in some areas so the extent of the destruction and casualties will take time to become clear.The earthquakes struck during the evening when many people were returning home, increasing concerns that individuals may be trapped beneath collapsed structures.

Save the Children works with partners in the affected areas and is working to assess urgent needs. Preventative evacuations have been carried out in several cities, with some children and families moving into open areas as aftershocks continue.

“Children are among the most vulnerable after these earthquakes. Some will have lost their homes and aftershocks are continuing, causing further terror for children and heightening the risk of further damage and casualties.

“While the extent of the destruction will take time to become clear, we know from past experience that children will need urgent support to access shelter, food, water and healthcare now. They may have been separated from their families in the chaos and could be at risk of exploitation and abuse.

“Save the Children is assessing the situation on the ground and working with our staff and local partners to understand urgent needs and support affected families as quickly as possible.”

Save the Children works in 120 countries across the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and works with children and their communities to ensure they survive, learn and are protected.

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

Two new Fire and Emergency New Zealand First Responder Units came into being this week to respond to medical emergencies in their communities – one in the north and the other in the south.

Kawau Volunteer Fire Brigade, in the Hauraki Gulf, and Clutha Valley Fire Brigade, in South Otago, became two of about 65 rural Fire and Emergency brigades trained and classified as First Responder Units to attend medical emergencies in their isolated communities.

Because of the remote nature of those communities, rural brigades are often first on the scene for medical emergencies, fires and other incidents.

Both brigades completed first responder training with Hato Hone St John in recent weeks and are now well placed to provide treatment in health emergencies where every minute counts and can potentially be the difference between life and death.

Kawau Island and Clutha Valley are now even better equipped to respond to serious and life-threatening medical emergencies, working alongside the Hato Hone St John emergency ambulance network.

While Hato Hone St John remains the lead agency for all medical calls, collaboration with Fire and Emergency is strengthening emergency response in rural areas.

Fire and Emergency’s Shaun Pilgrim, Assistant District Commander – Waitemata District, says the role of the 12-strong Kawau Island brigade was a crucial service, not just for the 80 to 100 permanent island residents, but also for the hundreds of visitors regularly on the island in any given weekend.

“To have a volunteer brigade that makes up around 15 percent of the island’s population tells you everything about the quality and commitment of the people involved.”

Fire and Emergency Assistant District Commander – Clutha, Blair Harcus had earlier praised the Clutha Valley Brigade for its determination.

“It’s fantastic,” he says. “The brigade are really keen to support their community in every way that they can.”

Doug Third, Hato Hone St John Area Operations Manager – Coastal Otago, says residents in Clutha Valley can be reassured knowing there is now greater response capability in the area.

“In a medical emergency timely assessment and treatment is vital, so having the ability to dispatch locally trained first responders will help improve response times and ultimately enhance patient outcomes.”

Travis Slattery, Hato Hone St John Area Operations Manager – Rodney, says launching the Kawau Island first response team enhances the island’s resilience and emergency preparedness.

“The sooner we can reach a patient, the better their outcome is likely to be. Having a dedicated group of volunteers who are equipped with the skills to respond in someone’s time of need will help save lives, especially in such a remote location.”

He says it’s also important to note that the public should continue to call 111 and request an ambulance in a medical emergency. 

Greenpeace Aotearoa says the Conservation Amendment Bill is rotten and must be scrapped entirely, as public outcry over the proposal forces the Conservation Minister to take his proposal to make it easier to sell off or exchange land back to Cabinet.

On stage at the EDS conference today, Minister Tama Potaka announced he will remove sections of the Bill relating to sale of land, but was immediately followed by Shane Jones who made clear those changes would have to be agreed by Cabinet, in which Jones sits.

Greenpeace Aotearoa campaigner Gen Toop says: “People across Aotearoa have spoken out in droves to defend the conservation estate and the Government are now scrambling around trying to fix their unfixable bill.

“Let’s be very clear. The Conservation Amendment Bill is unsalvageable. From start to finish this Bill is rotten to its core. It must be thrown out immediately.

“Even if National manages to convince its coalition partners to pull the land sales parts out – this Bill would still make it easier for open cast mines, private resorts, gondolas, and shopping malls to degrade the wild places we all treasure.

“That is as good as selling it off anyway”, says Toop.

Toop says that aside from the land sale provisions in the Bill – the Bill proposes to change the entire purpose of the Conservation Act and the core mandate of DOC to enable commercial exploitation “to the greatest extent practicable.”

The announcements come after weeks of public opposition that have seen tens of thousands of submissions against the Bill and mass public outcry.

“Nobody wants to show up to our favorite conservation areas to go camping, tramping, hunting, and find that the quiet wilderness once there is gone, replaced by an open mining pit, a private hotel and a shopping mall,” says Toop.

“The snow-capped mountains, ancient forests and wild rivers of Aotearoa are part of who we are as a nation. The Coalition Government has completely misjudged how much New Zealanders, from all walks of life, love public conservation land.”

Since the Conservation Amendment Bill was announced just over a month ago, tens of thousands of New Zealanders have submitted against it, and nearly 48,000 people have signed a Greenpeace petition calling for it to be abandoned.

Greenpeace launched an interactive online map this week exposing the overlap between known deposits of minerals the Government has deemed “critical” and public conservation land, showing which areas they say are at even greater risk now because of this egregious Bill .

The Conservation Amendment Bill is currently before the Select Committee and public submissions on the bill close on at midnight on July 2.

Along with the land sales and changes to the purpose of the Act and DOC, there are a raft of other proposals in the Bill that would allow more mining and other commercial exploitation of conservation land including:

• establishing new zones within National Parks where a non-exhaustive list of commercial activities would be able to occur,
• changes to the commercial permissions (concessions) framework that would make it easier to mine public conservation land,
• and removals of vital checks and balances on the Ministers power over the conservation estate.

A new poll commissioned by the PSA shows the majority of New Zealanders do not believe the Government’s claim that AI can be used to replace public service workers.

The Talbot Mills poll released today shows 53% of New Zealanders reject the Government’s plan to use AI to replace the work of some of the 9,000 public service workers it wants to axe (attached).

“Sacking 9,000 workers and hoping AI fills the gap is not a strategy – it’s a gamble with the services New Zealanders depend on, and the public knows it,” said Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary Duane Leo.

“AI can make public servants more productive. We welcome that. But there is no evidence that any country has used AI to replace public sector workers at the scale this Government is betting on.”

The poll is being released today as the PSA launches its election campaign in Auckland with a clear message to voters – the Coalition Government must go in the face of its damaging cuts to public services, the relentless attacks on workers’ rights, and the axing of pay equity.

“Enough is enough – this country can’t afford another three years of a Coalition Government that is robbing New Zealanders of the public services they need,” said Leo.

“We are taking this unequivocal stance to reverse the damage that the Coalition – the most anti-worker government in decades – has inflicted on New Zealanders.”

The PSA’s top five asks of an incoming Government are:

– Fund public services including science to meet the growing demands from an ageing population, rising social needs, and our infrastructure and environmental challenges, and reverse the planned cuts of 9,000 jobs and the arbitrary 1% target for the size of the public service.

– Fund the public health system properly so it has the health workforce to meet New Zealanders’ needs and the investment required to cover the rising costs of medical technology and abandon all moves to privatisation.

– Pass legislation which settles and fully funds the care and support pay equity claim within the first 100 days, restore a legal framework that ensures New Zealand women have pay equity, and commit to the settlement of the 33 cancelled pay equity claims.

– Ensure AI is introduced in a way that makes public service workers more productive and is not used to simply cut roles.

– Begin reversing anti-worker laws including planned cuts to sick and annual leave which cut the pay of part-time workers and others, and the personal grievance law that allows employers to fire workers at will.

“We will campaign hard for a new government that properly honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi and one that commits to winding back this government's shameful attacks on Māori.

“New Zealanders need a government that doesn’t choose to cut taxes for landlords, tobacco companies and big business over the public services New Zealanders rely on.

“It’s time for a new Government that takes New Zealand’s challenges seriously and invests in a public service that can help meet them.”

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.

Source: BusinessNZ

The latest BusinessNZ Planning Forecast shows New Zealand's economic outlook remains cautiously optimistic, but inflation, interest rates and business confidence remain closely linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions and rising business costs.

Chief Economist John Pask says while the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran are welcome developments, it would be premature to assume a return to normal conditions any time soon.

“Freight, transport and insurance costs are expected to remain elevated for some time, adding pressure to businesses and households alike. These costs will flow through the economy and continue to influence inflation.”

Pask says some of the economic assumptions underpinning current forecasts may prove to be overly-optimistic.

“Treasury's Budget forecasts point to inflation falling back strongly over the next 18 months and the Government returning to surplus earlier than previously expected. However, these outcomes rely heavily on international conditions continuing to improve.

“With inflation expectations remaining elevated and financial markets already pricing in further OCR increases, there is a growing possibility that interest rates will need to move higher.”

Pask says uncertainty surrounding future regulation and infrastructure investment decisions ahead of the next general election is also weighing on confidence.

“Businesses value certainty when making investment decisions. The cost of delaying, deferring or cancelling infrastructure projects can be substantial, both in terms of direct costs and lost economic benefits.

“Given the fluid international and domestic environment, forecasts on economic growth, inflation, interest rates and unemployment should be treated with caution. The outlook remains highly dependent on developments offshore over the coming months.”

The BusinessNZ Economic Conditions Index (ECI) is a measure of some of NZ's key economic indicators. It sits at -1 for the June 2026 quarter, down 13 points on the previous quarter, but up 1 point on a year ago. An ECI reading above 0 indicates that economic conditions are generally improving overall; below 0 means economic conditions are generally declining. 

The full Planning Forecast for the June 2026 quarter is available now at www.businessnz.org.nz.

The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.

Porirua City Council has adopted its Annual Plan for the coming year, confirming a zero per cent increase for non-water rates.

The plan outlines council services and projects and sets the budget to pay for them.

Earlier this month it was projected that there would be on average a zero per cent increase to non-water rates for existing ratepayers in the 2026/27 Annual Plan, down from the almost 4 per cent increase that was previously proposed. The zero increase was confirmed at today’s full Council meeting.

Rates for the 2026/27 year will also have the charges for water removed, which will see around 30 per cent come off bills, on average.

The new projection came after factoring in the impact of the recently released Quotable Value valuations on the spread of rates. The zero per cent increase is the average across all rating categories. The QV valuations significantly increased the value of utility properties at a time when many other property-type categories, including residential, decreased in value.

Mayor Anita Baker said council had worked hard to reduce costs wherever possible.

“To land a zero increase on non-water rates is a win for our communities during challenging financial times where people are feeling the pinch,” she said.

“We’ve achieved this without cutting services or reducing maintenance work – so we are still investing in the things that keep our city running. Significantly, we’ve also achieved a balanced budget and will fully rates fund depreciation, so we’re not pushing costs down the line to future generations.”

Estimated average rates for each suburb and more information on rates and the Annual Plan process can be found at poriruacity.govt.nz/rates-faqs.

Individual rates for each property will now be calculated, with figures available on our website from late July.

A new zero fees initiative at Ara Institute of Canterbury is being welcomed by learners and industry leaders who say it could be a game changer for people wanting to get started in construction, engineering and computing.

The offer, available for a limited time for selected pathway certificates, removes tuition fees and the student levy for eligible domestic learners beginning study in July. 

The goal is to open doors into sectors facing significant skills shortages across Canterbury.

The initiative has seen traffic to Ara’s website double in recent weeks and saw queues at the institute’s recent mid-year Get Set enrolment event which supports students looking for on-the-spot study solutions. 

Current learner Gala Marilla said the zero fees option removed one of the biggest barriers for people trying to take their first steps.

“For a lot of us, cost is the thing that stops you before you even start. Knowing you can get into pathways such as IT without the fees makes it feel possible. It gives people a real chance to move forward,” they said.

Industry agrees. John Stamps, Group Learning and Development Manager at Isaac Construction, said demand for skilled workers in Canterbury was fierce.

“Our recruitment board has been full for over a year. Skilled construction staff are at a premium and if we find someone good we have to move quickly.”

He said entry level pathways were critical to keeping businesses moving, but a gap existed between people's ambitions and their readiness for higher level study.”

I get lots of people saying they want to study civil engineering, but when they look at the diploma or degree, the prospect is too overwhelming. These zero fees certificates give people the chance to upskill and get themselves ready for high-value study to change the direction of their career pathways.”

Removing financial barriers, he said, could reach people who had previously ruled themselves out.

“I see it as a huge opportunity for anyone who has ever thought they wanted to be a civil engineer but that dream was unattainable. It’s ideal for anyone changing careers and young people wanting to futureproof their career pathways with higher earning options.”

Ara's Manager for Regional Engagement and Success, Leonie Rasmussen, said the initiative was designed to support people who want a practical, confidence-building pathway into work or higher-level study.”

These free certificates give learners structure, support and a clear progression into areas where Canterbury genuinely needs skilled people. This is not about studying because you can't get a job – it's about choosing a pathway that keeps your options open,” she said.

The eligible programmes include Level 3 and Level 4 certificates in engineering, construction, architecture and ICT as well as the New Zealand Certificate in Information Technology Essentials. All are designed as stepping stones into higher-level qualifications such as the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering, New Zealand Diploma in Construction and the Bachelor of Information and Communication Technologies.

Rasmussen says learners can progress from a free certificate to a diploma or degree in as little as three to four years, depending on their pathway. With Canterbury's manufacturing, construction and tech sectors all reporting rising job vacancies, she said the timing was right.

“If we can remove the financial barrier and help learners build confidence, that benefits the whole region.”

The zero fees offer applies only to new domestic applications received from 25 May for eligible Semester Two programmes. Spaces are limited.

More information can be found at: ara.ac.nz/zero-fees

Children are calling on world leaders to ensure they are at the centre of Ukraine’s reconstruction as governments and donors meet in Poland this week to mobilise investment for Ukraine after four years of full-scale war, said Save the Children.

In an open letter to state leaders ahead of the annual Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk, 16 children and young people from Save the Children’s child advisory group in Ukraine asked that decision-makers prioritise their right to education, housing and healthcare.

The children called for reliable internet access and equipment to allow them to study for exams.

The children wrote: “We have studied by candlelight. We sat in bomb shelters instead of classrooms. Some of us took exams right after a night interrupted by air raid sirens.”

Inna, 15, who will be entering her final year of high school in September, added: “Even during air raid alarms and power outages, we continue learning.”

The children also asked for housing support for children and young people who have lost their homes as well as mental health and psychosocial support for adolescents.

Dasha, 18, said: “War leaves scars that are not always visible. Many of us need mental health support to cope with what we have experienced and move forward.”

Four years since the full-scale war began, children in Ukraine face a deepening humanitarian crisis. Since February 2022, at least 3,500 have been killed or injured, with many more exposed to repeated trauma, loss and insecurity. Over 1,500 days of war in Ukraine have displaced 3.9 million people inside the country, including about 860,000 children. 

About 5.8 million people meanwhile have been forced to seek safety abroad.

In a caution to leaders, the children wrote: “We know that you, adults, are now deciding what our country will look like. But if these decisions are made without us, many of us will simply leave. Not because we do not love Ukraine. But because we will not feel that this country is ours too. And then, there will be no one left to build a new society.”

The children also urged that recovery efforts consider children who face additional barriers such as making shelters and schools accessible for children with disabilities.

Sonia Khush, Save the Children Country Director in Ukraine, speaking from the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk, said:

“Over four years of full-scale war have changed the lives of children in Ukraine forever. Forced from their homes and schools, separated from loved ones, and living in constant fear of air raid alerts, drones and explosions, children, despite playing no part in the war, have had their childhoods ripped away.

“Thousands of schools have been damaged or destroyed, playgrounds have been bombed into the ground, and repeated attacks on critical infrastructure have left their homes without power and water.

“In considering how to support Ukraine to recover from this war, world leaders and donors need to put children’s needs and perspectives at the centre. As they have told us: children are the future of Ukraine, and we cannot leave their needs behind. Without them there will be no one left to build a new society.”

Save the Children is also calling for the humanitarian response for Ukraine – which is currently 56% funded – to be fully resourced while attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including homes, schools, and hospitals, must immediately cease.

Save the Children has been working in Ukraine since 2014. We have dramatically scaled up our operations since full-scale war broke out. Since February 2022, our team in Ukraine has reached more than 4.7 million people. including more than 1.9 million children, of which 448,000 have received education support.

Save the Children works in 120 countries across the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and works with children and their communities to ensure they survive, learn and are protected.

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