Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Posted on

Health – ACC GP‑led MRI programme goes nationwide, cutting weeks off diagnosis times

Source: ProCare

ProCare is pleased to announce that the ACC GP-led MRI Programme will launch in Manawatū, the final region in New Zealand to access the service. With the support of THINK Hauora, this expansion means eligible patients with knee, lumbar or cervical spine injuries nationwide will be able to access MRI scans sooner, without needing to see a specialist first — a significant milestone in improving timely access to care.

The milestone marks the culmination of nearly nine years of work since ProCare and Mercy (now Allevia) Radiology first piloted a GP‑led MRI referral pathway in 2017.

The programme enables trained GPs and nurse practitioners (NPs) to directly refer eligible patients for MRI scans, removing the need for an initial specialist appointment. Evidence shows the pathway can reduce MRI wait times and time away from work by around two to three weeks, helping patients receive diagnoses and treatment sooner. It also eases pressure on specialist services and delivers savings to the wider health system and ACC.

Bindi Norwell, Chief Executive at ProCare, says reaching nationwide coverage is a significant milestone for both patients and primary care.

“When we launched this programme as a pilot in 2017, the aim was simple — to remove unnecessary steps and get people the right care sooner,” Norwell says.

“Nearly a decade on, having this pathway available nationwide shows how general practice‑led innovation improves outcomes for patients and their whānau, while also strengthening the health system.”

“We’re grateful to ACC and the primary health organisations that have chosen to work together with us on this mahi. Together we're demonstrating what primary care can achieve at scale.”

More than 1,500 GPs and NPs have already used the programme in the upper North Island, where ProCare and Pinnacle deliver it on behalf of 18 primary health organisations — with many more clinicians using the service through other PHOs across the country.

Participating clinicians complete training in musculoskeletal assessment, ACC eligibility, referral processes, and clinical governance giving them the confidence to manage patients' care closer to home.

In the upper North Island, the programme is supported by ProCare’s ProFusion digital platform, which helps ensure referrals meet clinical guidelines and supports clinical quality and governance. The system links GP referrals with MRI reports and uses automated checks to support continuous improvement, while providing assurance for ACC.

ACC, which partners with ProCare and primary health organisations nationwide to deliver the programme, says the pathway aligns with its focus on improving recovery and long‑term outcomes.

Megan Main, Chief Executive at ACC, says: “ACC acknowledges and values ProCare’s leadership and contribution to the development of the GPMRI service. GPMRI demonstrates the impact that strong collaboration between ACC and primary care can have in improving recovery outcomes for injured New Zealanders, while also supporting the long-term sustainability of the scheme.”

The national rollout has been delivered in partnership with ACC, Pinnacle Midlands Health Network, Pegasus Health, Tū Ora Compass, WellSouth and other primary care partners across the motu. With the addition of Manawatū, patients everywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand now have access to a faster, simpler MRI referral pathway led by primary care.

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

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

Posted on

Consumer NZ – Time’s up on retirement village repayment delays

Source: Consumer NZ

Consumer NZ is calling for a law change so residents who leave a retirement village get their money back sooner.

Its newly launched petition asks people to back a call for residents to be repaid within 3 months of their retirement village agreement ending.

“Retirement village residents or their families can be left in financial dire straits when they have to wait too long to get their own money back – it’s not fair, and it needs to be fixed,” says Jon Duffy, Consumer NZ chief executive.

“Residents pay big money to live in a village. When they leave, they get their money back minus a management fee of up to 30%. But the village isn’t usually under any obligation to repay that money until the unit is relicensed so people can be left waiting years,” says Duffy.

Consumer spoke to Barbara who decided to leave her retirement village after a devastating cancer diagnosis and a series of debilitating falls. She thought her money would be returned straight away, but it wasn’t. She faced significant struggles as she navigated a move closer to whānau and piling medical bills. While she worried about making ends meet, the retirement village held on to her money – it took more than 2 years to get her own money back.

At present, there are no laws that say how quickly villages must pay back residents or their estates. The government has proposed a 12-month deadline for repayment, but Consumer says this is too long to wait.

The government has also said the new repayment timeframe will only apply to future residents, not the 55,000 residents already residing in villages. Consumer says that’s not good enough.

New Zealanders want fast and fair repayment for all village residents

Recent research by Consumer found that 84% of New Zealanders support the introduction of rules requiring residents to be repaid within a fixed timeframe – and 83% of people believe residents should get their money back within 3 months or less.

“It’s crucial that the law is changed and that the change applies to all residents. Otherwise, we risk a two-tier system where current residents are disadvantaged by the status quo that can see them unfairly out of pocket while a village holds on to their money for unacceptably long periods of time,” says Duffy.

Eight in ten New Zealanders agree new repayment rules should apply to current and future residents.

Consumer’s fight for fair

Consumer wants new laws requiring:

full repayment of residents’ money within 3 months of the occupation right agreement ending
an interim repayment of 10% or $50,000 (whichever is higher) within 5 working days of an agreement ending
interest on late repayments
public disclosure of repayment timeframes, so residents know what to expect before they move into a village.

The new rules should apply to all residents. Villages that face genuine financial constraints could apply for extensions. Villages that share at least half of any capital gains with residents would be exempt from the repayment rules. The petition will be open until late May and is available on Consumer’s website https://campaigns.consumer.org.nz/retirement-villages

Posted on

Groundbreaking Southland urea fertiliser project to support New Zealand agriculture

Source: Victorian Hydrogen

A major new 1.5 million tonne per year urea fertiliser project is set to be developed in Southland, offering an environmentally innovative and strategically significant alternative to imported urea fertiliser.

The proposed $3 billion project, intended to be located about 30 kilometres northeast of Invercargill, will give New Zealand’s agricultural sector self-sufficiency, which is critical to the long-term security and performance of an economy heavily dependent on agriculture.

Developed by Australian-based Victorian Hydrogen, the project will also deliver significant investment and employment opportunities in Southland.

“The Southland lignite-to-urea project represents a transformative opportunity for New Zealand’s fertiliser supply chain,” says Victorian Hydrogen executive director Allan Blood.

“By combining proven global technologies with local innovation, we aim to deliver high-quality urea at competitive prices while supporting long-term sustainable agricultural growth and addressing climate challenges.”

New Zealand currently imports 500,000 tonnes of urea annually. In addition New Zealand manufactures 265,000 tonnes, but falling gas supply means domestic production might end.
The proposed facility aims to:

Enhance domestic supply and reduce reliance on volatile international markets.
Stabilise fertiliser costs and mitigate foreign exchange and cost risks for farmers.
Produce additional products such as AdBlue, a diesel exhaust additive to reduce emissions.
Support peaking power electricity demand of up to 114 MW at any one time by temporarily reducing production.

The Southland facility will employ a proven lignite gasification process:

Lignite is reacted with oxygen at high temperatures and low pressures to produce syngas.
Syngas is reacted with steam to produce hydrogen.
Hydrogen is combined with atmospheric nitrogen to produce ammonia.
Ammonia is then reacted with captured carbon dioxide from previous reactions to produce urea.

“The technology is well established globally. The world’s latest urea plant, using technology identical to that we would use in Southland, was commissioned in Zambia in late 2025. The Southland project is about applying this existing technology in a smarter and cleaner way,” Mr Blood says.

“We are committed to mitigating the greenhouse gas impacts before the project proceeds, not after.

“Environmental management will be central to the project’s design, with various opportunities being looked at. These include using CO₂ to make algae-based cattle feed, liquid fuels, construction materials, and in inhibitor technologies to reduce nitrous oxide emissions.”

Unlike traditional urea production, which relies heavily on expensive natural gas, this project will convert lignite to gas while generating its own electricity, some of which can be exported to the grid.

Mr Blood emphasises the company’s dedication to transparent engagement with stakeholders, including local iwi, Ngāi Tahu rūnanga, councils, farmers and landowners across the 3,141-hectare exploration area that has been applied for.

“Mining operations will be designed to minimise disruption, with progressive rehabilitation and more-than-fair compensation for affected landowners,” he says.

“There will be no requirement to acquire farms Mining will occur in long, narrow strips affecting only a small portion of land at any one time. Land will be rehabilitated progressively, and any loss of productivity will be fully compensated by a multiple. We hope that the project will be seen as a substantial additive to annual farm income.”

The project is expected to apply for approvals under the fast-track regulatory process. Key milestones include:

Applying for regulatory consents and engaging with landowners.
Completing initial geological and hydrological studies by spring 2026.
Progressing to detailed engineering and process design.
A targeted three-year pathway from the conclusion of the very detailed studies currently underway, to full production.

“The initial economic analysis looks very good indeed and hence the desire to move forward quickly,” Mr Blood says.

“New Zealand is currently exposed to global fertiliser shocks it can’t control. This project is about providing national self-sufficiency for the next 50 years plus – producing what farmers need in New Zealand, with world-class technology and robust environmental safeguards,” Mr Blood says.

Posted on

Annual inflation at 3.1 percent in March 2026 – Consumers price index: March 2026 quarter – Stats NZ news story and information release

Posted on

Local News – Porirua Careers Expo back for 2026!

Source: Porirua City Council

The Porirua Careers Expo is promising a jam-packed day at Te Rauparaha Arena next month, offering a chance to engage with a wide range of industry professionals and education providers and improve your CV, along with free food, giveaways and the opportunity to win one of eight $250 Prezzy cards.
Now in its third year, this free event runs from 9.30am-3.30pm on Tuesday, 5 May. It’s designed for students, school leavers and anyone looking for inspiration to find the education or career pathway that suits them.
There will be more than 80 stalls to explore in areas such as technology, health and beauty, professional, construction, trades, and more. Exhibitors include BRANZ, Downer, Porirua New World, Wellington Free Ambulance, TradeMe, PikPok Gaming Studio, banking, Ardmore Flying School, NZ Police, NZ Defence Force, vocational education, and universities.
Porirua City has partnered with Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Education, Le Fale Jobs and Skills Hub, and Partners Porirua to deliver this expo for our community.
Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says young people of all ages are welcome to head along to get a head start and insight into what might come next.
“The feedback we had from the last two Career Expo events was amazing,” she says.
“It has a fun, welcoming atmosphere with plenty of interactive displays and friendly people who will answer all your questions. It can be inspiring to see our rangatahi genuinely seeking out those opportunities for the next chapter in their lives; even just making connections and having conversations.”
Last year more than 3300 people from Porirua and across the Wellington region attended the expo. There is an expectation that, with the reputation already established, the numbers could be even greater this time around.
Posted on

Federated Farmers applauds fuel support for rural schools

Source: Federated Farmers

Extra support for small, rural and isolated schools to help them manage fuel cost pressures is timely and very welcome, Federated Farmers says.
“The huge spike in fuel prices – particularly diesel – from the Middle East conflict has hit rural schools particularly hard,” Feds education spokesperson Richard Dawkins says.
“Students and teachers in rural areas face longer distances when travelling to and from school.
“Smaller rural schools have the same or similar fixed costs to much bigger schools but when your roll is a couple of dozen, vs 200-300-plus, dividing costs that are per-pupil based across that smaller roll is a lot tougher.”
The Government this week announced a package of targeted relief, including $37 million to accelerate work to replace diesel boilers at up to 70 schools, and a temporary increase to Relief Teacher Transport Allowance mileage rates.
It will also provide one-time cash grants of $2,500 to all schools with under 100 students to cover extra mileage costs.
There will also be a 30% increase in the conveyance allowance to help eligible families with the cost of getting children to school or the nearest bus route, benefiting 5,000 further students.
“This is sensible, financially prudent and targeted assistance that will make a difference for rural schools,” Dawkins says.
“Federated Farmers has been working closely with the Rural School Leadership Association and Rural Women NZ over our successful campaign for a review of school bus routes and eligibility criteria.
“I think through that campaign we’ve heightened awareness among MPs that schools are an essential part of rural communities, and that they enable families and farm staff to live and work in more isolated areas.”
Earlier in the month the three groups had written to the Government seeking an increase in the conveyance allowance, which hadn’t been reviewed since 1985.
“The rural National Party MPs have been supportive of our advocacy and we thank Education Minister Erica Stanford and Cabinet for listening, and taking this action,” Dawkins says.
In the medium term, the Government is to invest $2.35 million per year for two initiatives to grow the workforce and ensure rural schools have a good pipeline of teachers, funded through reprioritisations.
The Go Rural programme, where student teachers receive $4,000 to cover the costs of undertaking a professional experience placement in a rural and isolated school is being expanded by a further 87 places per year, from the 2026/27 financial year.
The number of places available in the Teacher Bonding Scheme will increase by 50, from 185 places to 235 per year. This scheme supports teachers with up to an additional $40,000 over five years for working in hard to staff schools, the majority of which are rural and isolated.
“These changes are positive for the future of rural schools – an investment not just in education of rural school children but in farming and rural communities,” Dawkins says.
Posted on

Corrected date: Te Whau Pathway recognised for connecting Auckland communities to nature

Source: Herenga ā Nuku – the Outdoor Access Commission

Te Whau Pathway Environment Trust – which is promoting the construction of a landmark walking and cycling route following the Whau River – will receive an Outdoor Access Champion award. The award celebrates the Trust’s role in connecting West Auckland communities with their local environment and creating safe, accessible spaces for people of all ages.
Te Whau Pathway Project is delivered as a partnership with Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, Henderson-Massey and Whau Local Boards, Te Kawerau a Maki, and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei,
The Outdoor Access Champion Award, presented by the Outdoor Access Commission, Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, will be awarded at:
  • TIME: 3.00pm 
  • DATE: Friday, 24 April 
  • VENUE: Te Ipu Kura a Maki – Henderson Civic Chamber, Level 2, 1 Smythe Road, Henderson.
Once completed, Te Whau Pathway will link neighbourhoods from Te Atatū Peninsula to Green Bay, creating Auckland’s only off-road route connecting the Waitematā and Manukau harbours. As sections open, the pathway is already becoming part of daily life for local whānau – a place to walk, cycle, wheel, learn about the environment, and spend time alongside the awa.
Outdoor Access Commission chief executive Dan Wildy says the pathway stands out for the way it puts communities and accessibility at the centre.
“Te Whau Pathway shows what’s possible when communities design their own access to their local environment,” says Dan Wildy.
“It’s a project that opens up the Whau River for people who live nearby – including kids – in ways that are safe, inclusive and connected to homes and communities.”
A key focus of Te Whau Pathway Environment Trust has been working with local schools and tamariki, helping young people build the pathway and strengthen their connection to the river. The pathway provides safe, off-road options for walking and cycling and opportunities for learning about waterways, ecosystems and kaitiakitanga.
Chair of Te Whau Pathway Environment Trust, Tony Miguel, says the project is as much about people as it is about infrastructure.
“Te Whau Pathway is being built with the communities it runs through,” says Tony Miguel.
“We work with schools and tamariki to build the pathway. It’s not just about transport, it connects them with the Whau, so they can understand their local river, and know that this pathway belongs to them.”
Designed as a shared pathway for walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users, Te Whau Pathway improves access to neighbourhood parks, bird habitats and green spaces, while supporting low-carbon, everyday travel. Its staged construction approach allows people to start using sections as they open, while environmentally sensitive design helps protect the river and surrounding ecosystems.
Several on land sections are already open, with the first major boardwalk section was opened in March this year. As more of the pathway opens, it will continue to strengthen connections between suburbs such as Te Atatū, Glendene, Kelston and Avondale – linking people to schools, shops, parks and the waterfront.
The Outdoor Access Champion Award presentation will celebrate the collective mahi of community members, partners and supporters who have helped bring Te Whau Pathway to life.
Posted on

Opioid detections in New Zealand workplaces rise 35% Year-on-Year

Source: Botica Butler Raudon Partners for The Drug Detection Agency

Imperans Q1 Report, State of Workplace Drug Use from TDDA

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, 21 April 2026 – The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA), New Zealand’s largest workplace drug testing provider has launched its Q1 Imperans Report, a quarterly workplace drug trends report. The report empowers New Zealand employers to engage in proactive workplace risk management. It provides them with an analysis of drug and alcohol usage trends, combining results from across the country.

In Q1 2026, 3.0% of screens conducted by TDDA indicated the presence of drugs. While this is down from 4.0% in Q4 2025, what is concerning is changes in the types of drugs detected.

The data points to three broad shifts. A welcome easing in the overall detection rate is countered by a persistent and widening expansion of Opioid detections: a 34.5% Year on Year (YoY) increase compared to Q1 2025, the most significant shift of any substance nationally.  The third is a partial retreat in cocaine detections following Q4's significant spike, though at 1.9% in Q1 2026, levels remain above the 1.7% recorded in Q1 2025, suggesting a gradual upward trend that goes beyond seasonal effects.

Among all positive TDDA results, the most prevalent substances detected were:

·       Opioids, including oxycodone: up 34.5% YoY, from 14.3% in Q1 2025 to 19.2% in Q1 2026
·       Cocaine: up 11.4% YoY, from 1.7% in Q1 2025 to 1.9% in Q1 2026
·       THC (Cannabis): down 0.8% YoY, from 68.7% in Q1 2025 to 68.1% in Q1 2026
·       Amphetamine-Type Substances (ATS), including methamphetamine: down 25.8% YoY, from 31.2% in Q1 2025 to 23.2% in Q1 2026

“The overall number may suggest things are moving in the right direction, but a Year-on-Year lens and the regional picture tell a different story, “says Glenn Dobson, CEO of TDDA.

“Opioids, Cannabis and ATS are expanding across multiple regions, and that is a risk employers cannot afford to overlook. Unlike a sudden spike in cocaine detections, these are slow-moving and more consistent trends that embed themselves into workplace culture before most employers even notice. That said, cocaine is not a substance to dismiss. While Q1 detections (1.9%) have retreated from the Q4 peak (3.7%) – likely driven by the Christmas and summer holiday period – levels remain above this time last year, which may point to a steady and increasingly entrenched supply network.”

Regional highlights

TDDA tracks regional fluctuations in substance use to help employers better manage workplace safety risks through targeted testing, education, and early intervention.

Full regional stats can be found here: https://tdda.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Graphs-for-Indd-Q1-25-Q1-26_NZ.pdf

Q1 data shows that these trends are playing out unevenly across the country, with Opioids and Cocaine expanding nation-wide on a YoY basis, while Cannabis and ATS are showing an increase in specific regions.

Opioids

Opioids have increased in 11 out of 16 regions compared to Q1 2025. Among the regions recording the most significant increases:

·       Taranaki: up 386.9% YoY, from 6.3% in Q1 2025 to 30.4% in Q1 2026, the largest increase of any substance in any region
·       Northland: up 192.3% YoY, from 7.4% in Q1 2025 to 21.6% in Q1 2026
·       Auckland East: up 117.8% YoY, from 10.2% in Q1 2025 to 22.2% in Q1 2026

Cocaine

Nationwide Cocaine detections (1.9%) remain above Q1 2025 levels (1.7%), suggesting the trend has not fully reversed. Employers in previously flagged regions are especially encouraged to maintain vigilance, with notable increases in:

·       Auckland West: up 414.8% YoY, from 0.8% in Q1 2025 to 4.2% in Q1 2026
·       North Shore: up 197.3% YoY, from 1.1% in Q1 2025 to 3.3% in Q1 2026
·       Wellington: up 53.5% YoY, from 1.6% in Q1 2025 to 2.4% in Q1 2026

Cannabis

Cannabis remains the most prevalent substance nationally, present in 68.1% of positive tests. While broadly stable YoY (down 0.8% YoY, from 68.7% in Q1 2025 to 68.1% in Q1 2026), regional divergence is widening, with notable increases in:

·       Gisborne: up 29.8% YoY, from 64.7% in Q1 2025 to 84.0% in Q1 2026, the sharpest regional increase
·       Tasman: up 22.5% YoY, from 58.3% in Q1 2025 to 71.4% in Q1 2026
·       Manawatū-Whanganui: up 11.0% YoY from 64.4% in Q1 2025 to 71.4% in Q1 2026

ATS

While ATS detections have declined at the national level, regional divergence remains sharp, with notable increases in:

·       Gisborne: up 240.1% YoY, from 11.8% in Q1 2025 to 40.0% in Q1 2026, the largest regional increase
·       Bay of Plenty: up 27.5% YoY, from 37.2% in Q1 2025 to 47.5% in Q1 2026
·       Southland: up 48.0% YoY, from 18.9% in Q1 2025 to 28.0% in Q1 2026

Recommendations

” What this data reinforces is that a one-size-fits-all approach to workplace drug management is no longer sufficient,” says Dobson.

“Opioids are quietly but persistently spreading across the country. Unlike substances that tend to produce obvious signs, they can be harder to spot in the workplace, and by the time the problem becomes visible, it may have already been ongoing for some time. If your workforce operates machinery, drives vehicles, or operates in safety-sensitive environments, an employee who is silently struggling with opioid use is not just a health risk – they are a safety risk to everyone around them.”

TDDA recommends that employers regularly review their drug and alcohol policies to ensure they reflect the latest regional trends. Where detections are rising, whether opioids, cocaine, or other substances, implementing a testing programme, including pre-employment and regular and random testing, is one of the most effective tools for early warning and intervention.

If a testing programme is not yet in place, or has not been reviewed for some time, addressing this should be a priority. Combining this with ongoing training and education to ensure managers are equipped to have early, supportive conversations with employees, rather than waiting for an accident to happen, also creates a more comprehensive approach.

The earlier the intervention, the better the outcome for the safety and health of your employees.

Methodology: Tests from 27 sterile clinic locations and over 60 mobile clinics throughout New Zealand were used. All tests were taken between 1 January and 31 March 2026. Data from pre employment, post incident, regular and random testing has been combined. Testing methods included urine and oral fluid screening. Data is reported into, anonymised, and aggregated using TDDA’s Imperans system, a bespoke IT platform for testing services, data recording, and reporting. It represents a snapshot of drug trends across Australasian workplaces and industries.

Total figures on testing volumes or testing results by industry and region are commercially sensitive.

TDDA drug tests screen for amphetamines; benzodiazepines; cocaine; methamphetamine; opiates and opioids; Cannabis; and synthetic drugs.

About the Imperans Report

The Imperans report addresses an information gap for business. Government organisations like ACC and WorkSafe publish incident reports, but they do not quantify when substances are a factor. Reports build businesses’ understanding of substance use patterns regionally and temporally so that they can anticipate and reduce workplace risks. TDDA provides over 250,000 tests every year.

About The Drug Detection Agency

The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA) is a leader in workplace substance testing with more than 300 staff, 90 mobile health clinics, 65 locations throughout Australasia. TDDA was established in 2005 to provide New Zealand and Australian businesses with end-to-end workplace substance testing, education and policy services. TDDA holds ISO17025 accreditation for workplace substance testing in both AU and NZ. Refer to the IANZ and NATA websites for TDDA’s full accreditation details. As members of the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association (NDASA) and the California Narcotic Officers Association (CNOA), TDDA closely follows and acts on global drug trends.

Learn more about TDDA by visiting https://tdda.com/

Posted on

Universities – Tech founders back next generation of entrepreneurs – UoA

Source: University of Auckland – UoA

A $30,000 gift from two former students will support innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Auckland.

Thanks to two former students, a new fund at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, is set to improve access to innovation and entrepreneurship education.

The innovative alumni, Alliv Samson (Bachelor of Arts) and Hengjie Wang (Bachelor of Engineering), are gifting $30,000 through their family office and investment fund, Hiraya Ventures, to establish the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) Alumni Fund.

The fund will support the University's start-up programme Velocity, and other initiatives delivered by CIE, enabling more students to pursue their startup ambitions at no cost.

Samson and Wang are internationally recognised entrepreneurs. They founded education technology company Kami, an all-in-one platform designed to save teachers time and improve learning outcomes, supporting over 70 million users across 180 countries.

Kami began in 2012 as a student project, developed through the Velocity $100k Challenge. In 2022, TIME named it one of the world’s most influential companies following rapid growth and widespread classroom adoption. In 2025, Wang and Samson won the EY Entrepreneur of the Year.

Drawing on this experience, the duo established the CIE Alumni Fund to give back to the system that supported their early success, providing a formal pathway for like-minded alumni to reinvest in the programmes that nurture Aotearoa’s next generation of innovators.

Samson and Wang’s family office, Hiraya Ventures, invests in early to growth-stage Kiwi companies with global potential, combining capital with operational experience. The name Hiraya, drawn from Filipino, reflects a focus on enabling ambitious ideas to become reality.

Samson, director at Hiraya Ventures, and Chief Strategy Officer and co-founder of Kami, says: “One of the main reasons Hengjie and I founded Hiraya Ventures was to give back to the ecosystem that enabled Kami’s growth.

“As Velocity provided the spark that turned our student project into a global business, supporting the University’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship was a no-brainer. It’s our way of ensuring the next generation of ambitious Kiwi entrepreneurs have the support they need to turn their boldest dreams into reality.”

In 2025, CIE supported more than 8,000 individuals across its programmes and activities, with demand continuing to grow across faculties and disciplines. This scale reflects increasing interest in innovation-led careers, as well as the role of co-curricular programmes in helping students test ideas in practical settings.

The CIE Alumni Fund introduces a mechanism to sustain and expand that access with the initial $30,000 contribution distributed over three years. It’s then structured to receive future donations from other alumni and supporters.

CIE Director Darsel Keane says the gift signals a shift in how the University’s innovation ecosystem is supported over time.

“We are deeply grateful for this contribution, which establishes the foundation for a fund that others can contribute to. It creates a way for those who have benefited from innovation and entrepreneurship at the University to support the next generation coming through.

“The fund creates a starting point for a more connected alumni network, where experience, capital and mentorship can circulate back into the University.”

The CIE Alumni Fund will begin supporting programmes this year. As participation in innovation and entrepreneurship continues to increase across the University, it provides a mechanism to match that demand with sustained support.

Posted on

Health – GenPro welcomes final approval of new primary health organisation

Source: General Practice Owners Association (GenPro)

The General Practice Owners Association (GenPro) welcomes the final approval from Te Whatu Ora to establish thePHO, marking a major step forward for a more streamlined, patient-focused primary care system in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The decision follows provisional approval granted in December and confirms that thePHO will proceed to establishment, with operations expected to begin later this year.

Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora contracts primary health organisations (PHOs) to provide primary health services such as general practice across New Zealand. Primary health organisations play a vital role in connecting funders with front-line providers, shaping how care is delivered in communities: thePHO aims to simplify this structure while strengthening support for general practices.

GenPro Chair Dr Angus Chambers says the final approval provides certainty for practices and patients alike.

“This is an important milestone for primary care. Final approval from Te Whatu Ora confirms confidence in a model designed to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and ensure more funding reaches front-line patient care,” Dr Chambers says.

“The level of interest from general practices to join thePHO has been extremely strong, reflecting a clear appetite for a PHO that is leaner, more responsive, and better aligned with the needs of both patients and providers.”

Dr Chambers says the focus now turns to implementation and supporting practices through the transition.

“We are working closely with the establishment board to ensure thePHO is set up for success from day one. The priority is a smooth transition that maintains continuity of care for patients while delivering on the promise of a more efficient system.”

GenPro has backed the establishment of thePHO because it aligns with its commitment to sustainable, high-quality, and accessible primary care. However, thePHO will remain operationally independent of GenPro, allowing GenPro to continue its advocacy work on behalf of general practice owners without conflict.

“The is not the GenPro PHO, it is a PHO for GenPro members. Ultimately it is about improving outcomes for patients and creating a system that better supports the clinicians delivering care every day,” Dr Chambers says.