Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Awards – Exercise New Zealand Industry Awards 2025: Celebrating Industry Excellence

Source: ExerciseNZ

The Exercise New Zealand Industry Awards 2025 were held on Saturday 29 November in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, hosted at the luxurious Hilton on the vibrant waterfront. For more than two decades, the Exercise New Zealand Industry Awards have shone a light on the incredible work happening across the exercise industry in Aotearoa. With over a dozen categories spanning both individual and facility achievements, the awards recognise the breadth, passion, and professionalism that drive our industry forward.

This year's celebration once again showcased the people, teams, and organisations who go above and beyond to uplift the health and wellbeing of our communities. ExerciseNZ extends its warm congratulations to every winner and finalist across all categories. These achievements reflect not only excellence in your craft, but also the growing impact of innovation, connection, and leadership within the exercise industry in Aotearoa.

Supreme Winner

At the forefront of this year's facility awards, BodyFix Christchurch was recognised as the Supreme Facility of the Year, celebrating its commitment to high-quality service, forward-thinking innovation, and strong community leadership.

Outstanding Individual Achievements

Personal Trainer of the Year: Sierra Ryland
Up and Coming Personal Trainer of the Year: Jess Fajardo
Group Exercise Instructor of the Year (own choreography): Robyn Proffit  
Group Exercise Instructor of the Year (pre-choreographed): Heidi Fromm
Yoga Teacher of the Year: Hamish Kenworthy
Pilates Method Teacher of the Year: Mel James
Fitness Pilates Instructor of the Year: Sarah Mounsey
Student of the Year: Lisa Hartnett
Group Trainer: Bobby (Haizhou) Yang

Celebrating Facilities of Excellence

Studio Facility of the Year: Outfit North
Franchise of the Year: Flex Fitness Howick
Chain Facility of the Year: Les Mills Dunedin
Facility (Over 400 Members) of the Year: BodyFix

Special Recognition and Community Impact

Te Mahi Ako Te iti Kahurangi Award – Buttabean Motivation (BBM): BBM exhibits powerful commitment to growth, upskilling their team, empowering volunteers, and creating meaningful pathways that uplift both individuals and community.
Te Mahi Ako Manukura Award – James McDiarmid (BBM): James demonstrates inspiring leadership and a deep commitment to growth, uplifting others through education, personal experience, and a passion for meaningful change.
Leadership Award – Owen Bisman: Owen showcases authentic, passionate leadership with strong management, community connection, and a genuine commitment to mentoring his team.
Educator Award – Kirstyn Campbell: Kirstyn exudes authentic, confident teaching, adapting to diverse learners, showcasing her strengths, and bringing passion and energy to every aspect of her work.
Community Award – Kate Ivey: Kate delivers a polished, science-backed programme with strong marketing, measurable wellbeing outcomes, and high demand among peri- and post-menopausal women.

Special Awards Reflecting Contribution to the industry

YogaNZ Award – Yoga Education in Prisons Trust: This charitable trust delivers practical yoga and meditation education in prisons across Aotearoa, supporting healing, growth, and resilience. Their mahi helps people make positive behavioural shifts and contributes to safer, more connected communities.
Pilates Aotearoa Award – Abby Parsons: Abby demonstrates inspiring leadership and unwavering dedication, lifting pilates education, strengthening community, and championing high standards across Aotearoa.
ExerciseNZ Award – Ish Cheyne: Ish displays decades of authentic, influential leadership, lifting industry capability through education, mentorship, and a genuine commitment to helping others succeed.
REPs Award – Marja Captijn: Marja showcases dedicated, uplifting leadership, championing industry standards, uniting her team, and creating meaningful opportunities for trainers to grow and succeed.

The 2025 Exercise New Zealand Industry Awards once again celebrated the remarkable skill, passion, and leadership across the exercise industry here in Aotearoa. From outstanding individuals making a daily difference in their communities to facilities driving innovation, inclusivity, and exceptional member experience, this year's honourees embody the very best of our industry.

ExerciseNZ proudly congratulates all winners, finalists, and entrants. The dedication, creativity, and community-minded approach demonstrated throughout the awards reflect an industry deeply committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders. This collective effort continues to elevate standards nationwide and inspires ongoing growth across the sector.

For more information on the Exercise New Zealand industry awards, or to view all finalists visit https://www.exercise.org.nz/2025-finalists/.

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Awards – ExerciseNZ Educator Of The Year

Source: ExerciseNZ

Two Years At The Top For The EXNZ Educator of the Year!

The Exercise New Zealand Industry Awards 2025 were held on Saturday 29 November in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, hosted at the luxurious Hilton on the vibrant waterfront. For over two decades, the Awards have shone a light on the incredible work happening across Aotearoa's exercise sector.

This year, Kirstyn Campbell's continued commitment to empowering others shines through as she receives the Educator of the Year Award for the second year running. The Educator of the Year Award acknowledges individuals who demonstrate outstanding teaching practice, deep industry knowledge, and a commitment to elevating professional standards. Kirstyn's submission stood out for its clarity, authenticity, and impact.

Judges commended her strong sense of purpose and understanding of her audience:

“Kirstyn has a strong understanding of her market and clearly articulates what works well. She answered questions specifically and showcased her strengths with authenticity and confidence.”

Her video content particularly impressed the judging panel:

“Her videos were engaging, energetic, and conveyed her passion, making her highly relatable. She demonstrates awareness of diverse learning styles and adapts her delivery to meet student needs.”

Kirstyn's commitment to continuous improvement and high-quality education was woven throughout her entry:

 “Her entry was well-prepared and organised, highlighting not only challenges but also how she is actively working to improve.”

Judges also praised the depth and relevance of the courses she creates:

 “Kirstyn is of great energy, foresight, and commitment. She has developed an impressive library of contemporary and science-backed courses, and made some truly impressive connections with relevant health professionals to help her course design be as population and niche-focused as possible.”

Her leadership in building community, strong communication skills, and captivating content further reinforced her standing as a leader in exercise education:

 “Her content, written and video, is both engaging and captivating, this is testament to her unyielding energy and her undoubtable passion in this field.”

At ExerciseNZ, we proudly recognise Kirstyn Campbell as Educator of the Year 2025. Her consecutive wins speak to her sustained excellence, industry leadership, and ongoing contribution to raising the standard of education across Aotearoa. These awards celebrate the individuals and organisations who help make exercise more accessible, inclusive, and impactful for all New Zealanders. For more information on the Exercise New Zealand industry awards, or to view all finalists visit https://www.exercise.org.nz/2025-finalists/.
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BusinessNZ – Six-month checkups prescribed for new procurement rules

Source: BusinessNZ

Recently announced changes around procurement have come into effect today, with an added measure to ensure the revised rules remain effective. BusinessNZ says the focus on outcomes is refreshing.
Director of Advocacy Catherine Beard says tracking the compliance and impact of recently announced changes to the government procurement process is a new, and logical, step in the process.
“Instead of doing things the way we’ve always done them, these changes are focused on desired outcomes – more Kiwi businesses being considered for government contracts, and greater benefits to New Zealand’s economy. 
“The news today that Officials will need to report every six months on the impact these changes have had will be a boost to business confidence.”
Beard says government spending and procurement can be a powerful economic lever.
“For a long time, BusinessNZ advocated for procurement rules that emphasise greater economic value to New Zealand, as well as the value provided over the lifetime of a contract, rather than a lowest-cost procurement model.
“Starting today, the economic benefit test should result in more kiwi bidders winning contracts, and will ensure international companies have considered the wider value they provide to New Zealand as part of the application process.
“If local companies can more easily participate in bigger contracts, either directly or via subcontracting to an international lead supplier, then we will be growing larger companies, employing more people, paying more tax and potentially having more products to export.”
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.
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Arts and Funding – NZSA Mentor Programme 2026 – open for applications

Source: New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc)

For Writers! Apply now to be mentored by an experienced writer / industry expert and grow your writing practice.

The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) Mentor programme 2026 seeks applications from beginning or emerging writers, with commitment and potential, who are looking for professional development, a safe space to discuss their work, intellectual community, role models, accountability and substantive feedback.

An NZSA mentorship focuses on helping new and emerging writers, who will work closely with an experienced writer / industry expert as their mentor, to develop and work on skills and techniques that will sustain them throughout their future career. Working on a specific project, successful applicants have the opportunity to discuss ideas and problems, practical and editorial, and benefit from the experience and knowledge of an experienced writer / industry expert.

The NZSA seek to reflect and expand the depth and breadth of our sector and welcome applications from underrepresented / diverse writers working across a range of genres and writing disciplines, with two mentorships tagged to these emerging writers.

Applications for the 2026 programme are open to NZSA members (find out about membership here) and accepted from 1 December 2025 to 1 February 2026. Learn more about this programme.

The writers and creators who gained mentorships in 2025 polished and refined their skills under the mentorship of these talented professionals: Harriet Allan, Airini Beautrais, Michelle Elvy, Siobhan Harvey, Emma Hislop, Stephanie Johnson, Steph Matuku, James Norcliffe, Mikaela Nyman, Cristina Schumacher, Tina Shaw, Vanda Symon, and Geoff Walker.

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Appointments – Glen Kyne appointed to the New Zealand Film Commission Board

Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Jane Meares and Glen Kyne have been reappointed and appointed to the New Zealand Film Commission Board by Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Paul Goldsmith.
“I wish to congratulate Jane on her reappointment to the New Zealand Film Commission Board, and welcome Glen into his new appointment.” said Secretary for Culture and Heritage, Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae.
“Jane’s reappointment ensures the Board retains her valuable legal skills, while Glen’s operational knowledge, strategic insights in the screen and media sector, and commercial acumen will be great assets to the Board.”
“Thank you to outgoing member David Wright for his contribution during his two terms on the New Zealand Film Commission Board.”
Jane Meares has been reappointed for a further term ending 30 November 2026. Glen Kyne has been appointed to the Board for a three-year term ending 31 October 2028.
Notes:
Jane Meares is a Commercial barrister based at Clifton Chambers in Wellington, specialising in public and commercial law. She acts for a range of government departments, Crown entities, non-governmental organisations and corporate clients. She is also the Chair of Land Information NZ’s External Advisory Board, Deputy Chair of the NZ Electoral Commission, Chair of the Financial Services Complaints Limited, a financial Ombudsman service, and the Chair of the Royal New Zealand Ballet Foundation.
Glen Kyne is a respected executive in the media and film sector with expertise in business transformation, managing extensive financial portfolios and commercial strategy. He was Senior Vice President and Head of Network at Warner Bros Discovery for Australia, New Zealand and Japan, Senior Vice President at Discovery ANZ, Chief Commercial Officer at MediaWorks NZ and Director at Bravo TV NZ and Discovery New Zealand.
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Health – Hāpai Te Hauora launches ‘Foundations for Safe Sleep’ to strengthen whānau-led SUDI prevention

Source: Hapai Te Hauora

Hāpai Te Hauora is set to launch Foundations for Safe Sleep – a national milestone for SUDI prevention – at Te Oro in Glen Innes on Friday 5 December, 10am-12pm. The refreshed messaging has been informed using whānau insights and developed alongside clinicians, researchers, blending mātauranga Māori with evidence-based practice to strengthen consistency and trust in safe sleep messaging.
Every year, around 50 pēpi die from SUDI in Aotearoa. Māori babies are still the most affected, with rates far higher than for non-Māori. For more than a decade, the P.E.P.E. framework has provided a strong evidence base for safe sleep, but whānau told us it often felt clinical, disconnected, and not reflective of their real life.
In response, Hāpai worked alongside whānau through regional wānanga in Northland, Auckland, Tauranga and Gisborne to co-design messaging that feels practical, loving, and culturally grounded. The result is Foundations for Safe Sleep – four connected pillars that reflect real whānau life:
Face Up, Face Clear: Lay baby on their back with a clear face to protect their breathing. Sleeping them in their own bed like a wahakura, bassinet, or cot still keeps them close, but also safe.
Flat & Firm: Baby sleep safest on a flat, firm surface with firm sides made just for them. They don’t need pillows, toys, or loose blankets around them.
Free From Harm: Keep baby’s sleep space free. Free from smoke, vapes, alcohol, drugs, and harm and always handle baby with gentle hands. Free to breathe, free to flourish.
Partner & Family Support: safe sleep is a shared whānau responsibility and supporting māmā and pēpi to breastfeed adds protection against illness.
“Our aim was to create messaging that came from, and connected with whānau,” says Fay Selby-Law, National SUDI Lead. “It’s about practical care without fear or judgement. We want parents and caregivers to feel supported and confident, not shamed.”
The refreshed messaging takes a harm-reduction approach, less directive and recognising that support and information work better than prohibition.
“Safe sleep starts long before bedtime,” says Selby-Law, “It begins in pregnancy with knowledge for Mum and the whānau, connection, and shared responsibility, not just rules.”
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Privacy Act 2020 turns 5 – changes are needed

Source: Office of the Privacy Commissioner

The introduction of the Privacy Act 2020 was a big step forward in protecting New Zealander’s privacy, but five years on (1 December), it needs further changes to respond to today’s needs,” Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster says.
“The Privacy Act doesn’t provide sufficient incentives for many organisations to understand or meet even the most basic privacy requirements. This is one reason why my Office is getting record numbers of privacy complaints and increased breach notifications by agencies.”
“If New Zealand wants to be serious about privacy, then organisations need to be held accountable for their failings in handling personal information. That includes introducing significant fines, and real consequences. We see multimillion dollar penalties in Australia for organisations who fail to protect personal information, but in New Zealand there’s no civil penalty regime.
The New Zealand public also supports the need for Act reform. In our March 2025 privacy survey, three quarters of those surveyed said the Privacy Commissioner should have the power to:
– audit the privacy practices of agencies
– issue small infringement fines for a privacy breach, and
– ask the Courts to issue large fines for serious privacy breaches.
“Stronger penalties are a great start, but there are also other things that can be done to modernise the Privacy Act and strengthen privacy outcomes.”
In the European Union, people have the right to ask organisations to delete their personal data if certain conditions apply. Adding the ‘right to erasure’ to privacy rules here would provide New Zealanders with the right to ask organisations to delete their personal information in certain circumstances. This right would reduce the harm arising from privacy breaches through reducing the amount of personal information an agency is holding.
“We also need stronger protections for the significant privacy risks that arise from automated decision-making, which can cause problems such as inaccurate predictions, discrimination, unexplainable decisions, and a lack of accountability.
“Automated decision making is increasingly used to make decisions about people’s finances and allowances, which can really impact lives, and I think people should know why an automated decision is taken against them”, Mr Webster says.
The Commissioner is also suggesting that agencies need to be able to demonstrate how they meet their privacy requirements, such as the privacy management programmes recommended by the OECD.
“There’s been incredible technological change since 2020, and we need to keep up. Many other countries have modernised their privacy rules to capture the benefits and avoid the harms of new technologies and we need to do the same and make sure our privacy rules reflect the society we live in today.”
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Health – Labour’s GP-owned general practice incentive could open doors for long-term workforce growth

Source: Royal NZ College of General Practitioners

The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) is welcoming today’s announcement outlining how the Labour Party intend to support doctors to see more patients, specifically the “Family Doctor Loan Scheme” proposal that acknowledges the vital role that GPs and GP-owned general practices play across the health sector.
Throughout this year there has been an increased focus on the value of general practice and the wider primary care sector, along with a suite of changes that will have a positive impact on the workforce. The overarching goal across the political spectrum is to ensure patients have timely access to their GP when they need it. However, achieving these goals is dependent on training more GPs and to do this there needs to be a continued and targeted focus on showing the specialisation of general practice as a rewarding and attractive career.
The “Family Doctor Loan Scheme” would provide financial incentives, in the form of low-interest loans, for GPs to buy into an existing general practice or establish a new practice.
College President Dr Luke Bradford says, “GP owners undertake a huge amount of discretionary work in service to their communities and alongside their clinical care including, leadership and governance, the ongoing operational aspects of running a practice, and helping to maintain a pipeline and route into ownership for our younger doctors. Having acknowledgement of this work is gratifying and will go a long way to attracting more doctors into this profession.
“General practice is a phenomenal career. This step, if it comes into effect, would remove barriers and encourage more doctors into leadership roles while also allowing us to compete with other medical specialities for trainees.”
This policy proposal recognises that the increasing corporatisation of general practice in Aotearoa New Zealand does not have patients’ best interests at the centre of its decision-making, instead favouring profits over service.
“By changing the narrative and showcasing general practice ownership as a positive and more achievable option, our current and future GPs would have the opportunity to combine leadership and continuity of care, and it would also help create a more sustainable general practice workforce,” says Dr Bradford. 
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Health – GenPro welcomes renewed political focus on strengthening primary health care

Source: General Practice Owners Association (GenPro)

The General Practice Owners Association (GenPro) welcomes the renewed political attention on the critical role of general practice in improving health outcomes for New Zealanders.

“While GenPro is politically neutral, and does not endorse party policies, we welcome fresh ideas intended to support general practice—the foundation of an effective, efficient, and equitable health system,” said Dr Angus Chambers, Chair of GenPro.

The Labour Party announced today that, if elected, it would support general practitioners to buy into existing clinics or establish new ones. Under the proposal, GPs would have access to no- or low-interest loans aimed at reducing financial barriers to practice ownership.

“This policy links to what we’ve been saying for a long time: New Zealand faces a critical shortage of general practitioners and other clinicians,” Dr Chambers says. “It also addresses the growing threat to patients as individual general practices struggle to compete with large corporate businesses.”
 
He warned that the rapid expansion of corporate ownership is reshaping the sector.
 
“If the current trend continues, patients risk facing the same challenges we’re seeing in supermarkets or banking, where a handful of corporates dominate the market. That’s an oligopoly —and it’s not in the best interests of communities,” Chambers says.  
 
“Financially enabling GPs to become practice owners strengthens the workforce, supports continuity of care, and ensures clinics remain community-based small businesses capable of responding to local needs. GenPro supports any policy that helps rebuild capacity in primary care.”

Increasing opportunities for GP ownership, he added, will help stabilise the workforce and promote the sustainability of clinics across urban, rural, and high-needs communities, Chambers says.

GenPro also noted Labour’s commitment to reviewing telehealth settings to prevent perverse incentives that draw clinicians away from in-person care and toward online-only models.

“These commitments recognise that general practice – and the face-to-face care that it provides to communities – is not just another part of the health system. It is the part that keeps people well and relieves pressure on hospitals,” Dr Chambers said.

“We welcome this renewed political focus and look forward to working with all parties to ensure policies are designed and implemented in ways that truly strengthen community-based care.”

Dr Angus Chambers
Chair, GenPro

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Concern Raised Over Extension of NZDF Liaison Officer Deployment to Israel – PFNZ

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand
The Palestine Forum of New Zealand expresses deep concern at the Government’s decision to extend the deployment of a New Zealand Defence Force liaison officer to Israel for a further eight weeks. At a time when Israel stands before the International Court of Justice facing credible charges of genocide, New Zealand must ensure that none of its actions contribute—directly or indirectly—to the machinery of oppression, occupation, or military aggression.
The Government states that the officer’s role is to “provide informed advice” through the U.S.-led Civil Military Coordination Centre. However, the continued embedding of NZDF personnel within structures aligned with Israel’s military operations risks undermining New Zealand’s longstanding commitment to international law, human rights, and an independent foreign policy grounded in peace.
New Zealand must not allow itself to become complicit, even symbolically, in actions that support or legitimise the ongoing atrocities in Gaza. Instead, our nation should align with the global majority demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian access, and accountability for war crimes and violations of the Genocide Convention.
We call on the New Zealand Government to:
1. Immediately end the NZDF liaison deployment to Israel.
2. Uphold New Zealand’s obligations under international law, including the duty to prevent genocide.
3. Adopt a principled and independent foreign policy, free from pressure by states that continue to arm and support Israel’s military actions.
4. Stand unequivocally with the Palestinian people in their struggle for freedom, dignity, and self-determination.
New Zealand must choose the path of justice. Anything less is a betrayal of the values we claim to uphold.

Palestine Forum of New Zealand