Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Health Tech – Live cross-continent robotic surgery at Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Congress 2026

Source: Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)

The 94th Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) 2026, held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from 29 April to 3 May 2026, featured a landmark demonstration of live, remote-controlled robotic surgery, highlighting how surgical care may evolve through emerging digital technologies.
 
In the plenary session Collaborating with patients and industry, Dr Mohit Bhandari, Director of Mohak Bariatrics and Robotics, India, demonstrated a live procedure where he briefly controlled robotic instruments via remote control from Australia to perform part of a surgery on a patient in India.
 
The demonstration, conducted live in front of an audience of surgeons, Trainees and healthcare professionals, was for educational purposes. It provided delegates with direct insight into how tele-enabled systems may support surgical practice in tightly controlled clinical environments.
 
Dr Ravi Rao, Bariatric Surgery Convenor for RACS ASC 2026, said the session represented an important moment in the ongoing evolution of surgery.

“What we have seen here is not just a technological advancement, but a shift in how surgical expertise can be shared across borders. The implications for training, collaboration, and patient care are significant.”

The demonstration highlighted the potential for more equitable access to specialist expertise, although such procedures remain in early stages of clinical application and are undertaken in controlled environments with appropriate oversight. Local surgical teams remain central to patient care, and emerging technologies are intended to complement, not replace, existing surgical pathways.
 
The RACS ASC brings surgeons, Trainees and healthcare professionals together from across Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally, reinforcing its position as a leading forum for innovation, knowledge exchange, collegiality and the advancement of surgical practice.

 

About the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)

RACS is the leading advocate for surgical standards, professionalism and surgical education in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. The College is a not-for-profit organisation that represents more than 8000 surgeons and 1300 surgical trainees and Specialist International Medical Graduates. RACS also supports healthcare and surgical education in the Asia-Pacific region and is a substantial funder of surgical research. There are nine surgical specialties in Australasia being: Cardiothoracic Surgery, General Surgery, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Paediatric Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Urology and Vascular Surgery. www.surgeons.org

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New home consents up 11 percent in year ended March 2026 – Building consents issued: March 2026 – Stats NZ news story and information release

 

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Transport Sector – Proposed congestion charges for trucks will hit freight customers and consumers

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

Transporting New Zealand says that a Ministry of Transport proposal to set congestion charges for trucks at four times the rate of cars will increase costs for businesses and consumers, while being out of step with comparable overseas schemes.
Under the proposal, if a base time-of-use charge for a car was set at $4.50 for entering a charging area, a motorcycle would be charged $2.25 and a truck $18.00. Subject to any maximum charge, the fee could apply each time a vehicle entered, exited, or travelled within the area during charging hours.
Transporting New Zealand Head of Policy & Advocacy Billy Clemens says the proposed ratio is unlikely to meaningfully reduce congestion, while placing cost pressure on freight users and consumers.
“This proposal applies a higher relative charge to freight than most time-of-use schemes internationally. In cities such as Stockholm, London, and Gothenburg, vehicles are charged at a flat rate. Even schemes that do set different charges in Singapore and New York City set their ratios considerably lower than this Ministry of Transport proposal.”
“We would expect any price settings to reflect whether travel demand can realistically move off-peak, rather than relying on a simple multiplier based on vehicle type.”
Clemens says available evidence suggests freight operators already avoid peak travel where possible due to the high hourly cost of running truck fleets.
“Auckland traffic data shows that heavy vehicles largely avoid peak periods (6-9am and 4-7pm). Where trucks are operating in congestion, this is driven by customer constraints.”
“For example, freight movements are tied to fixed shipping windows, freighting perishable or time sensitive cargo, or the times at which businesses are staffed to safely load and unload goods. These constraints limit the ability to shift demand in response to pricing signals.”
“Setting a quadruple charging ratio for large freight vehicles seems very high and appears like less of a demand-shift measure and more of a cash-grab that will ultimately be met by freight customers and consumers.”
“At this level, any travel time savings achieved through reduced congestion are likely to be offset by the additional charges faced by freight operators. Those costs are then passed through the supply chain.”
“We have seen similar outcomes where variable access charges have been introduced at ports, including in Auckland and Tauranga, where increased costs have ultimately flowed through to customers.”
“At a time where increased transport costs are driving inflation up, we would expect Ministry of Transport to be carefully considering freight cost implications of their proposals. Particularly as the road freight industry has raised these concerns previously.”
Transporting New Zealand will be urging Ministry of Transport to cap heavy vehicle charges at no more than 2 times the rate for other vehicles, in line with its submission on the time of use charging enabling legislation. Details on how to make a submission can be found here: https://www.transport.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Consultation/Consultation-proposal-time-of-use-charging-regulations.pdf
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Environment – Container Return Scheme Bill would double recycling rates and put money back in households

Source: Zero Waste Aotearoa

Around four million drink containers are landfilled or littered every day in New Zealand and ratepayers are footing the bill for it.

Zero Waste Aotearoa welcomes today's announcement by NZ First and says a Container Return Scheme (CRS) is the practical fix: it shifts the cost of waste, recycling and litter clean up, from councils onto the producers responsible for it, while putting money back in the pockets of households and communities.

“We appreciate the leadership being shown by Jamie Arbuckle in putting this Container Return Scheme Bill forward. A well designed container return scheme will support local economies and reduce the burden that small communities with high tourist and visitor numbers face in providing recycling and litter services.”

Sue Coutts, External Affairs, Zero Waste Network, says the scheme is simple and it works.

“Return your empty container, get your deposit back, and make sure those materials can be used again. It's a straightforward idea that puts money back in people's pockets while massively reducing the number of bottle, cans and cartons that end up in our streets and landfills.”

Double recycling rates and halve litter

Currently only around 45% of drink containers are recovered through kerbside systems. The rest — around 1.25 billion containers a year — end up in landfill or as litter, with councils picking up the tab. A Container Return Scheme shifts that cost away from ratepayers and onto the manufacturers and importers who profit from selling drinks in single-use packaging. It is expected to reduce the cost burden on councils by $50 million every year.

“A well-designed scheme shifts costs away from ratepayers and onto producers, while creating real opportunities for households to get money back and for charities and community groups to benefit through fundraising. The Scouts in Thames, a South Auckland school and a Tairāwhiti community have run very successful 'bottle drives', collecting empty bottles, cans and cartons to claim a 20c deposit on each one. The 20c deposit is a great incentive to gather up and return empties,” says Coutts.

The public want it and the evidence shows it works

Support for a Container Return Scheme is broad and consistent. Around 80% of New Zealanders want one, with backing across all political parties, age groups and regions. Countries with well-designed schemes routinely achieve 85–90% recovery within three years. New Zealand's scheme is designed to hit 85% by year three and 90% by year five.

The design is done. It's time to act

New Zealand already has a locally-tailored scheme design based on international best practice, with five years of analysis and consultation behind it. The proposed scheme includes a 20-cent deposit per container, covers glass, plastic, metal and cartons, and uses a mixed return model with supermarkets and depots.

“The design is done, the public support is there, and the case is clear. Every day we delay, another four million containers go to landfill or end up as litter. It's time to pass this.”

Background: zerowaste.co.nz/container-return-scheme/

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Environment – Strong public support and global evidence back NZ First’s Container Return Scheme Bill

Source: Reloop Pacific

Wellington: The bottle bill proposal announced today by NZ First is strongly supported by New Zealanders and backed by extensive international evidence showing Container Return Schemes deliver major gains in recycling and litter reduction.

“The evidence is clear: container return schemes work and New Zealanders want one,” said Robert Kelman, Director Reloop Pacific. “This is a practical, well-tested policy that delivers real environmental and community benefits and we hope all New Zealand political parties back the legislation.”

Recent nationwide polling shows more than three-quarters of New Zealanders support a Container Return Scheme, with support cutting across all political parties, age groups and regions. Public backing is also strong worldwide. Surveys across more than a dozen countries show around 80% support for Container Return Schemes, with support often even higher where schemes are already operating. Support tends to grow once a scheme is up and running.

Countries with well-designed schemes routinely achieve return rates above 90%, including Germany (98%), Finland (99%) and Norway (92%). In Lithuania, return rates increased from 34% to around 90% within two years of their scheme's introduction. International experience shows container return schemes are one of the most effective recycling policies available.

New Zealand already has a co-designed, locally tailored draft scheme that has undergone extensive analysis and consultation. With more than 2.5 billion drink containers sold each year and many still ending up in landfill or litter, a Container Return Scheme represents a proven, popular solution to boost recycling and cut litter.

“New Zealand has the public support, the international proof points and a ready-made scheme design. What we need now is for Parliament to get on with it,” said Kelman.

Independent situation analysis and international evidence
https://www.reloopplatform.org/resources/policy-development-for-a-container-return-scheme-in-new-zealand-situation-analysis

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Education – CLNZ Announces New Scholarship for Young Writers – Applications Open Now

Source: Copyright Licensing New Zealand (CLNZ) and the New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (NZSA)

Copyright Licensing New Zealand (CLNZ) and the New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (NZSA) is proud to announce the launch of a significant new initiative for young writers: the CLNZ | NZSA Secondary School Leavers Scholarship.

Designed to nurture the next generation of New Zealand writers, this inaugural scholarship offers five grants of $2,000 each, split between the successful student and their school.

The scholarship aims to provide a foundation for students transitioning from secondary school to a tertiary arts degree.

  • Applications must be submitted through the student’s school; each school is invited to nominate up to two candidates
  • The nominated students will submit an original short story or work of fiction (500-2000 words)
  • Year 12 and 13 students planning to leave school at the end of 2026 and enrol in a Level 5 or above arts degree can be nominated.
  • Applications open 1 May 2026 and close 1 July 2026
  • The CLNZ | NZSA Secondary School Leavers Scholarship is available to students attending schools holding a current copyright licence with CLNZ. Check if your school is enrolled or needs to renew your licence at this link: Get Licensed | Copyright Licensing

For more information please visit the CLNZ website: CLNZ | NZSA Secondary School Leavers Scholarship: https://www.copyright.co.nz/cultural-fund/award-and-grant/clnz-nzsa-secondary-scholarship

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

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

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Oxfam – Top CEO pay increased 20 times faster than workers’ pay in 2025

Source: Oxfam Aotearoa

  • Global real worker pay fell 12 percent while real CEO pay surged 54 percent between 2019 and 2025
  • At least four CEOs of major corporations each pocketed over $100 million in pay and bonuses last year. Broadcom CEO Hock Tan led the pack at over $205 million.
  • Billionaires were paid $2,500 per second in dividends in 2025.
  • The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and Oxfam are calling for urgent action to rein in extreme wealth, including higher, fairer taxes on the richest and binding limits on CEO pay.
‘Workers’ wages have fallen behind the cost of living in Aotearoa, as they have around the world, at the same time as the bosses of our biggest companies gave themselves huge raises’ said Nick Henry, Advocacy and Policy Lead at Oxfam Aotearoa.
“The economy is being rigged against working people and it’s about time we tilted the balance back toward fair pay.”
Across Aotearoa, Workers’ pay declined by 1.3% in real terms from 2024 to 2025, while the top CEOs increased their pay by 45%.
Chief executives of the world’s largest corporations enjoyed a 11 percent real-terms pay hike last year, while the average global worker saw real wages increase by just 0.5 percent, reveals new analysis by the ITUC and Oxfam ahead of International Workers’ Day (1 May).
The analysis covers the top-paying 1,500 corporations across 33 countries which have reported CEO pay for 2025. The average CEO pocketed $8.4 million in pay and bonuses last year, up from $7.6 million in 2024. It would take the average global worker 490 years to earn the same amount.
So far, four corporations, including Blackstone, Broadcom and Goldman Sachs, have reported paying their CEO more than $100 million in 2025. The top 10 highest-paid CEOs collectively made over $1 billion.
The gender pay gap for the workforce across these 1,500 corporations averages 16 percent, meaning that these women workers effectively work for free from 4 November each year.
The growing chasm between CEO compensation and average worker pay is part of a long-term trend in which executives and shareholders are capturing an ever-larger slice of the global economic pie.
Global real wages for workers have fallen by 12 percent since 2019. This means they have effectively worked 108 days for free between 2019 and 2025 (31 days for free last year alone). Meanwhile, CEO pay has skyrocketed -from an average of $5.5 million in 2019 to $8.4 million in 2025, a 54 percent increase in real terms.
The ITUC and Oxfam’s analysis of shareholdings reveals that the super-rich are receiving significant payouts from the corporations they control. Nearly 1,000 billionaires whose investment portfolios were identified collectively received $79 billion in dividends in 2025 -equivalent to $2,500 per second.
The average billionaire made more in dividends in less than two hours than the average worker earned in pay in an entire year.
Some of the largest payouts in 2025 went to Bernard Arnault, owner of luxury brand LVMH, who pocketed $3.8 billion and Amancio Ortega, owner of Inditex (Zara), who received $3.7 billion.
Payouts from corporations are often funneled into undermining workers’ rights and democracy.
  • Larry Ellison, the founder of Oracle, has used his wealth to become a major stakeholder in Paramount, which was purchased by his son’s company and includes major broadcast networks CBS.
  • In France, far-right billionaire Vincent Bolloré now controls CNews, and has rebranded it as the French equivalent of Fox News.
  • In 2024, Oxfam filed a formal UN complaint against Amazon and Walmart’s systematic human rights violations. Amazon and Walmart’s outsized wealth and power in the economy have enabled them to clamp down on unionization efforts and collective organizing.
Billionaires are also leveraging their wealth to buy political influence. A global survey found that half of people believe “the rich often buy elections” in their countries. Oxfam estimates that billionaires are 4,000 times more likely to hold political office than ordinary people. Many super-rich politicians have sought to erode workers’ rights, cut public services, and deliver tax cuts to the richest.
“This analysis exposes the billionaire coup against democracy, and its costs for working people. Companies promise us a virtuous cycle, but what we see is a vicious cycle led by mega corporations -they undermine collective bargaining and social dialogue while billionaire CEOs capture the wealth created by productivity gains. The super-rich then use enormous resources to fund anti-democratic political projects,” said ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle.
“These projects shift the blame for growing inequality onto marginalized groups, such as migrants, women and minorities in order to distract from the true culprits: their rich benefactors. They divide working people while dismantling and undermining democratic institutions and promoting policies that allow the super-rich to become even richer, at the expense of workers’ rights, safety and livelihoods. They attack democratic organizations like unions and block any avenues for popular reform, ensuring that the vicious anti-worker cycle continues.”
Billionaire wealth has reached record highs in 2026. In just 12 months, they have gained $4 trillion -bringing their wealth to $1.5 trillion more than that of the poorest 4.1 billion people combined. There are 400 more billionaires compared to last year, and 45 of these new billionaires have made their fortunes in artificial intelligence.
“We can’t continue to let a handful of super-rich people siphon off the rewards of work that belong to millions. Governments must cap CEO pay, fairly tax the super-rich and ensure minimum wages at the very least keep pace with inflation and ensure a dignified living. And workers must be able to exercise, without fear or obstruction, their rights to organize, to strike, and to bargain collectively. They are the ones who generate society’s wealth; they should be able to claim, as a matter of justice, what they are due,” said Oxfam International Executive Director Amitabh Behar.
“These measures can do far more than redistribute income; they can create economies that reward work, invest in communities, and hold powerful interests accountable. This is how we turn a system rigged for the few into one that works for everyone.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
New Zealand CEO pay increased 45% in real terms in the year to December 2025 (for the 21 CEOs in the NZX50 for whom data was available).
New Zealand Workers' pay declined 1.3% in real terms in the year to December 2025 (comparing Labour Cost Index to Consumer Price Index).
Download the ITUC and Oxfam’s media briefing and methodology note for more information, tables and graphs.
The World Values Survey Wave 7 found that half of people believe “the rich often buy elections” in their countries.: https://www.worldvaluessurvey.org/WVSDocumentationWV7.jsp
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Israel Attacks Flotilla – Israeli forces illegally attack peaceful humanitarian flotilla – Greenpeace

Source: Greenpeace

Last night, Israeli forces attacked the peaceful civilian-led Global Sumud Flotilla attempting to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza.
More than 20 vessels were illegally boarded and harassed in international waters, 600 nautical miles from Gaza, by Israeli forces, who have detained 175 flotilla participants.
Greenpeace, whose ship the Arctic Sunrise is sailing with flotilla, providing technical and operational maritime support, has written to the Foreign Minister Winston Peter this morning, urging him to immediately condemn the attack and demand the immediate release of people abducted by Israeli military last night, including New Zealand citizens.
The governments of Italy and Turkey have already issued formal statements of condemnation regarding the interceptions and detentions.
“Blocking aid and targeting those who attempt to deliver it are violations of international humanitarian law,” says Executive Director of Greenpeace Aotearoa, Russel Norman.
“Greenpeace stands in solidarity with the people of Gaza and with the many brave individuals risking their freedom and safety aboard the flotilla. Humanitarian assistance must be respected and protected at all times and at all costs.
“The New Zealand Government must take concrete and immediate action to help end the genocide being inflicted by Israel on the people of Gaza. We continue to call on the Coalition Government to place immediate sanctions on Israel and take action to uphold international law.”
The Israeli government continues to enforce a full blockade by land and sea of aid and food from international organisations.
Greenpeace Aotearoa also called on the Foreign Minister this morning to demand that UN Member States provide guarantees for the safety of the flotilla in their endeavors to create a humanitarian corridor and take immediate action to support and protect the flotilla vessels currently sailing towards ports in Crete.
The organisation continues to call on the Coalition Government to bring in strong and comprehensive sanctions on Israel, similar to those imposed on Russia.
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Northland News – Community events focus on coastal hazards and restoration

Source: Northland Regional Council

JOINT RELEASE: NORTHLAND REGIONAL COUNCIL, WHANGAREI DISTRICT COUNCIL, FAR NORTH DISTRICT COUNCIL
Coastal communities in Whangārei Heads and Doubtless Bay are invited to join the conversation about the coastal issues facing them in two free public events to be held this month.
The events, dubbed ‘Coastal Conversations’, will be held from 5pm to 7:30pm at McLeod Bay Hall in Whangārei Heads on Wednesday 27 May and Taipa Beach Resort on Thursday 28 May.
Coastal Scientist, Jim Dahm, and local presenters will look at how our coastlines are changing, and what we can do to adapt and thrive.
Mr Dahm is one of New Zealand’s leading experts on coastal processes and practical nature-based solutions to adapt to coastal hazards. An applied coastal scientist and practitioner based in Thames, he has been involved in the assessment and management of coastal hazards, including adaptation strategies, coastal restoration, and the design and implementation of nature-based coastal solutions, around the country for over 35 years.
Coastal Conversations events are a chance for people to learn more about coastal erosion and sea-level rise, working with nature to protect our coastlines and beaches, what councils are doing about coastal erosion, and where to go for advice if they are concerned or have questions about coastal issues.
There will be a mixture of formal presentations and a chance to mingle, chat, check out displays, and learn about some of the mahi being championed by local communities to restore the coastal environment.
Joint Climate Change Adaptation Committee Chair, Kelly Stratford, says the events are a great opportunity to learn, ask questions, connect with others in the community, and hear from experts in coastal processes and hazards.
“Coastal Conversations brings councils and communities together to share practical information about what’s happening along our coast and what it means locally. It’s about combining expert advice with local knowledge and mātauranga Māori, asking questions, and learning from each other as we navigate the changing taiao, and what comes next,” she says.
The events are free, but registration is encouraged.
To register for the McLeod Bay event, visit www.wdc.govt.nz/events
To register for the Taipa event, visit www.nrc.govt.nz/coastalconvo
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Climate News – Earth Sciences New Zealand Seasonal Climate Outlook May-July 2026

Source: Earth Sciences New Zealand

Earth Sciences New Zealand’s Seasonal Climate Outlook for May to July 2026 is attached.
Highlights
-Temperatures are expected to be about average for the time of year, with some areas below average. We’ll need to watch for cold snaps and frosts when high pressure sticks around.
-Overall rainfall is leaning to be potentially lower than normal for most, but it’s likely the impacts of dryness won’t be apparent until later in the season.
-The tropical Pacific continues to progress towards El Niño. There’s about a 65% chance these conditions will form during this period and peak in summer 2026-27. El Niño can have wide impacts (see https://niwa.co.nz/climate-and-weather/our-forecasters-winter-2026-may-see-start-formidable-el-nino-event).