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Africa – Record number of people displaced into neighbouring countries as Sudan conflict marks three years – Oxfam
Source: Oxfam Aotearoa
As Sudan’s gruelling conflict enters its fourth year, a record number of people have now been displaced by the world’s worst humanitarian and displacement crisis, accelerating hunger and suffering.
More than 30 million people – over half the population – in Sudan urgently need humanitarian support. Nearly 14 million people have been forced from their homes since the conflict began in April 2023. Almost a third – 4.5 million – fled to neighbouring countries Chad, the Central African Republic, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya and South Sudan; countries already struggling with under-funded emergencies.
The crisis is compounded by the decimation of lifesaving support from the UN and humanitarian agencies, including Oxfam, who have been forced to either stop or scale back programmes across the region due to funding cuts. Some aid agencies have closed entirely, while those still operating are now only able to assist only a fraction of those in need.
More than 1.3 million people have crossed the border to South Sudan, a country already grappling with hunger and insecurity with over 300,000 displaced by renewed fighting in Jonglei state. In Renk, the main transit centre is now operating at more than four times its capacity.
Oxfam staff in Renk have reported that, families are having to sleep out in the open areas as spaces run out. Water and food rations have significantly reduced with families receiving less than half of their monthly food rations while access to clean water has dropped leaving thousands to rely on unsafe water sources. 26 deaths were also reported since January linked to severe malnutrition and shortages of medical supplies.
Oxfam in Africa Director, Ms Fati N’Zi-Hassane said:
“This is a damning political failure. It is devastating that millions of people are in desperate need across so many countries, at a time when aid cuts have drastically reduced support. It’s completely unacceptable.
“In Renk, before the funding cuts, Oxfam was supporting over 40,000 people with lifesaving assistance, including water, food and cash assistance. That number has dropped to just over 7,000 people and no longer includes food support. Families are having to survive on five litres of water a day and a latrine that once supported 28 people is now used by over 70, more than double the maximum standard.”
Hamdi, a mother of three who recently arrived in Renk said to Oxfam staff:
“I lost most of my family to the conflict in Sudan. I walked for days to get to South Sudan but until now I have not managed to get a space for my three children in the transit center, we had to set up a makeshift home in the open area which is not safe for us all. The food we are getting is not enough but at least we are safe from the war for now.”
Chad alone has taken in over one million refugees from Sudan – more than in the previous two decades combined – while an estimated 3 million people in the country will need food assistance at the peak of the upcoming lean season from July to September with Sudanese refugees in the eastern province being the hardest hit.
Yet funding to Chad continue to drop. U.S. contributions to the refugee crisis dropped from $87.5 million in 2024 to $39.9 million in 2025 – covering only 9.8% of requirements in 2025 even as the number of refugees continues to increase, stretching the response.
Germany and the African Union have confirmed plans to co-host the third international Sudan conference in Berlin on 15 April. The meeting aims to support peace efforts and mobilize humanitarian aid amid ongoing conflict.
Ms N’Zi-Hassane said:
“As leaders gather In Berlin, they must go beyond boardroom discussions and ensure real progress towards both peace and an urgent funding increase for the crisis. Sudanese people and their neighbours have suffered long enough. They cannot afford more meetings that do nothing to both end the conflict and the misery millions are being forced to endure.”
Notes:
- Oxfam is supporting refugee response in Chad and South Sudan with clean water and hygiene facilities, food, cash assistance and protection services.
- In 2025, Sudan Regional Refugee Response plan was only 25% funded, leaving critical gaps in lifesaving support.
- 4.5 million people fled to neighbouring countries according to UNHCR
- FEWS NET estimates that nearly 3 million people will need food assistance at the height of the lean season in Chad – see here – Food insecurity deteriorates in Chad due to effects of refugee influx and conflict | FEWS NET
- Food Insecurity and malnutrition in South Sudan remain extremely high according to the IPC with 7.5 million people -53% projected to experience high level of food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above)
- US contribution to UNHCR Chad Refugee Response
- Emergency standards recommend no more than 50 people per latrine at the onset of a crisis, improving to 20 over time. In Renk, South Sudan that has risen to 70 or more per latrine-pushing facilities beyond safe limits and increasing the risk of outbreaks such as cholera and dysentery.
- For water, Sphere standards set a minimum of 7.5 litres per person per day in water-scarce emergency contexts, with an ideal target of 20 litres.
Tax Reform – Rebalancing our tax system to deliver for ordinary New Zealanders
Source: Tax Justice Aotearoa (TJA)
15 April 2026 – Tax Justice Aotearoa (TJA) has today released its Tax Policy Statement setting out a mix of proposals that together could rebalance our tax system so that it delivers for ordinary New Zealanders.
“Our policy statement shows that a tax system that works for everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand is possible,” says TJA spokesperson, Glenn Barclay.
“It is not a policy prescription, but sets a clear direction. We're keen to have the conversation with Aotearoa about how we gather the revenue we need to address the challenges we face – like increasing inequality and an ageing population; and gather that revenue more fairly – ensuring that those who have most to contribute make that contribution and addressing the impact of tax on the least well off.”
“But as successive polls have shown, there is solid support for tax reform and properly funding our public services, New Zealanders realise maintaining the status quo is not an option,” says Barclay.
“NZ is a low tax country compared to many other developed nations, and we're not gathering enough revenue to fund the things that matter for us to live good lives, like fully staffed hospitals and affordable housing, resilient infrastructure and nutritious school lunches.”
“We rely very heavily on income tax and GST, so working people are carrying more of the load of funding our public services. And our failure to properly tax wealth and big corporates directly contributes to increasing inequality, erodes living standards and opportunities for ordinary people, like working towards owning your own home,” says Barclay.
“As we confront yet another crisis, TJA is calling on the Government, and all political parties, to catch up with public sentiment, and to stop offering bandaids like tax cuts. It's time to embrace real solutions that will ensure we're gathering enough revenue to fund the things that matter, gathering it more fairly, and laying the foundation for a recovery that supports everyone in Aotearoa to have a better future,” says Barclay.
TJA's Tax Policy Statement sets out practical changes we can make to our tax system to catch-up with other developed countries' investment in public goods, services and infrastructure, to tackle inequality and to support a more productive and resilient economy. The proposed changes would close the gaps in tax on big corporates and ensure the wealthiest are paying their fair share, and include:
Tax surcharge on big corporates, for example a levy on major banks (as in the UK and Australia), a surcharge on sectors managing vital infrastructure or where there is a lack of competition, like supermarkets and gentailers.
Excess/windfall profits taxes, for example, on big corporates to discourage price gouging and excessive profits arising from the current fossil fuel crisis.
Taxing Big Tech and other multinationals by enforcing existing tax obligations and changing the law to require these corporate giants to be more transparent about the profits they're making, like the Public Country-by-Country Reporting adopted in Australia.
Close the shareholder loans tax loophole, to prevent tax avoidance and reduce financial risk to small and medium size businesses (e.g. using the UK model).
Tax wealth more, not work, through a comprehensive capital gains tax (as in most OECD countries), high-wealth tax, trusts tax, and wealth transfer tax (as in Ireland).
Adjust income tax settings to better reflect ability to pay, by introducing a tax free band, making tax bands more progressive and raising the tax rate on the highest income earners. Most workers would pay less or the same tax under this proposal.
Addressing the impact of GST on the least well off, by reducing the rate of GST or introducing rebate system for people on low incomes (like in Canada).
Other important areas for reform in the TPS include: health, environmental and other remedial taxes; international taxation; transparency and administration of the tax system.
The full policy statement can be accessed here: https://assets.nationbuilder.com/tja/pages/3281/attachments/original/1776134165/TJA_Tax_Policy_Statement.pdf?1776134165
Zero Waste – NZ must not export waste to Fiji
Source: Zero Waste Aotearoa
Zero Waste Aotearoa is calling on the New Zealand government to explicitly reject the export of New Zealand's waste to Fiji. A massive incinerator has been proposed for Fiji by Australian company TNG ltd.
It would be built in the Sawesi beachside area, a pristine coastline which is the ancestral arrival site for the people of the Vuda district. The application documents specifically mention New Zealand as a source of waste for the incinerator.
“This incinerator would burn 900,000 tonnes of waste per year, more than four times the waste that Fiji produces itself. Incinerating this much rubbish would leave Fiji with between 225,000-300,000 tonnes of highly toxic ash. This ash needs to be disposed of much more carefully than standard rubbish.” said Sue Coutts from Zero Waste Aotearoa
“Emissions to air, and ash from the incinerator will be toxic because mixed rubbish contains hazardous materials and chemicals of concern. When rubbish is burned these are concentrated in the ash and the filters and some escape into the air.”
“No wonder the locals are saying they don't want Fiji turned into a giant ashtray for Australia and New Zealand.”
“Burning this waste will generate hundreds of thousands of tonnes of CO2 emissions, so sending our waste to Fiji would also mean offloading our climate emissions to Fijians. The New Zealand Government has all but abandoned emissions reduction and waste minimisation plans. New Zealand needs to step up and take responsibility for the waste and GHG emissions we create .”
“The Australian billionaire developer, Ian Malouf of TNG Ltd, had his proposal for an Incinerator in Western Sydney turned down, so now he is taking his incineration plans to Fiji where regulations to protect health and environment are weaker. This is waste colonialism. It is racist, and it is wrong.”
“It is completely unacceptable for New Zealand to impose onto Fiji the social and environmental burden of dealing with our waste. This proposal locks in an arrogant approach to the Pacific where New Zealanders get to enjoy the imported consumer goods that we use, often for a short time, before sending our rubbish to someone else's country to burn and dump them so they bear the cost.” said Sue Coutts, spokesperson for Zero Waste Aotearoa.
“The global trade in waste and incineration technologies from countries with high GDP to those with lower GDP is based on power imbalances that are the result of historic political, economic and cultural injustice.”
“Imperial powers have treated the Pacific as a testing and dumping ground for 300 years. These practices trample on the human rights of the people of the Pacific and permanently damage the local environment. New Zealanders stood up against nuclear testing in the Pacific and we need to stand up against these toxic incinerators. It's all part of the same pattern.”
A solidarity campaign will be launched outside the Fijian High Commission on Friday morning at 9am in Wellington to express support for the communities in Fiji who are fighting this proposal. A demonstration in Fiji is planned for the same day at 10am.
Economy – RBNZ opens consultation on draft changes to insurance prudential legislation
Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) – Te Pūtea Matua
15 April 2026 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) – Te Pūtea Matua has opened consultation on an exposure draft of a Bill that amends the Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Act 2010 (IPSA).
“We're seeking technical feedback on the Bill to help ensure the changes work in practice and deliver the policy decisions made by Cabinet last year,” says Jess Rowe, Director of Prudential Policy.
“It will also help us identify and avoid unintended consequences and regulatory gaps.
“Insurance plays a key role in many of New Zealanders' biggest financial decisions. That's why a sound and efficient insurance sector matters to everyone, and New Zealanders need to have confidence in the sector,” says Ms Rowe.
The Bill is intended to modernise insurance regulation in New Zealand and bring it closer to international practice.
The draft Bill seeks to enhance how the RBNZ regulates insurers, including a move to a clearer and more transparent rules-based approach by expanding the range of standards that the RBNZ issues, helping keep the sector sound – now and into the future.
“The Bill will support the Reserve Bank to be a more transparent, risk-based, and proactive regulator.
“A strong regulatory environment must be both sound and efficient. The Bill introduces a proportionality principle into IPSA, requiring us to publish a framework showing how regulation is tailored to the size and nature of different insurers. This complements existing Reserve Bank obligations, including considering the impact of our decisions on competition in the insurance sector,” she says.
Consultation is open for an extended period of 12 weeks, closing on 7 July. The Bill is expected to be introduced to the House of Representatives in 2027.
More information
- Exposure draft of the Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Amendment Bill – Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Citizen Space
- Exposure draft Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Amendment Bill
- Consultation paper: IPSA Exposure Draft 2026
- Cabinet's August 2025 Policy decisions: Cabinet Paper – Modernising the Insurance Prudential Supervision Act 2010
- Review of the Insurance (Prudential Supervision) Act 2010
Transporting New Zealand calls for urgent repairs on Tiniroto Road, Gisborne
Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
Road freight association Transporting New Zealand is calling for Gisborne District Council to urgently repair Tiniroto Road between Gisborne and Wairoa, warning its deteriorating condition is creating serious safety risks and costs for freight operators and other road users.
Transporting New Zealand Membership Manager Lindsay Calvi-Freeman says members have raised concerns about extensive potholing, surface failure, and damage to vehicles.
“Our members and their customers are paying the price every day. Trucks are being damaged, costs are rising, and drivers are being put into stressful situations,” says Calvi-Freeman.
“A local member has told me that that as well as the extra wear and tear on the trucks, it’s taking a real toll on their drivers’ mental health.”
“Tiniroto Road carries heavy traffic including logging trucks, trucks carrying aggregate from the quarry, and livestock trucks. It is a key freight route that is simply not being maintained to the standard required.”
“Our members are dealing with around 50 kilometres of road that is absolutely riddled with potholes. For a route carrying this level of traffic, it is hard to understand how it has been allowed to get to this point.”
“It isn’t just freight operators being impacted – Tiniroto Community Association have also been pointing out how dangerous the road condition is for the local community.”
One Transporting New Zealand member alone makes approximately 60 trips on the road each day, highlighting the scale of use and impact.
Tiniroto Road is also the only viable alternative route between Gisborne and Wairoa when State Highway 2 is closed.
“During the recent cyclone event, authorities had to close Tiniroto Road to stop it being used as a detour. That highlights how serious the situation has become.”
Calvi-Freeman says the issue highlights the need to ensure Road User Charges are being effectively invested in maintaining regional roads.
Transporting New Zealand has written to local members of parliament Dana Kirkpatrick and Katie Nimon, requesting their support in advocating for repairs and improvements.
LINZ staff pay the price as agency agrees with Minister to do ‘less with less’
Source: PSA
Are Ministers now directing headcount targets? PSA calls for transparency
Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) admits service levels will fall in some areas as it embarks on a major head count reduction programme – today confirming 15 roles going in the first phase.
LINZ has agreed with its Minister in its performance plan to cut its workforce by 2 per cent over each of the next three years, meaning between 40 and 50 roles will be gone in total by 2028. It aims to reduce staff numbers to 800 by June this year.
The first phase confirmed to staff today sees 15 roles cut impacting jobs in ministerial and government services, business management services, and the team that maintains the digital backbone that keeps LINZ's technology systems working together.
“This is what managed decline of a key public service agency looks like, and the Minister is happy to see that happen regardless of the work that needs doing or the impact on services New Zealanders rely on,” said Duane Leo, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pukenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“We fear this is the thin end of the wedge – is the Government now happy for agencies to offer up specific headcount targets to meet its spending cuts or is it now actually directing headcount reductions? The PSA calls on the Prime Minister to be upfront with New Zealanders.”
LINZ management has told its workforce that to ‘ meet staff reduction expectations, LINZ will need to do less with less. We will need to stop or reduce service levels in some areas.’
“LINZ is responsible for critical functions that underpin property rights, land titles, overseas investment decisions, Crown land management and maritime safety. Cutting the people who do this work has real consequences.
“The agency's own staff have warned that the cuts create single points of failure, risk non-compliance with statutory obligations, and will lead to delays and errors.
“That's not efficiency, that's degradation of public services by design.”
The PSA's submission on the first phase of the restructure raised serious concerns about the impact on service delivery, including the risk of missed statutory deadlines for Official Information Act responses, ministerial briefings and select committee processes.
“Workers are exhausted by constant restructuring. Many have been through previous rounds of change and are now being told their roles are at risk again. The human cost of this relentless cost-cutting is enormous,” Leo said.
“These are dedicated public servants being told to look for work in a tough job market, at a time of rising costs impacting budgets, and impacting their ability to pay the rent or mortgage.
“This is just the same plan we have seen across the public service – a hollowing out the agencies New Zealanders depend on regardless of the challenges we face as a country.
“The PSA strongly opposes these cuts and will be demanding LINZ do all it can to redeploy impacted workers to other positions.”
Background
LINZ is New Zealand's lead agency for property and location information, Crown property and managing overseas investment. It manages land titles, the cadastre (official record of land boundary surveys), geodetic and hydrographic systems, and nearly three million hectares of Crown land.
In its performance plan for the Lands Information Minister, LINZ agreed to a 2 per cent staff reduction year on year for 2026, 2027 and 2028.
Phase one of the restructure impacts four areas: Digital Delivery (Digital Specialist roles reduced from 3 to 1), Ministerial and Government Services (2 roles disestablished), Delivery Capability (Data and Business Analyst roles reduced from 5 to 3, Solution Delivery Specialist roles reduced from 3 to 2). Three Enterprise Architecture roles are also being cut. This team is responsible for maintaining LINZ's critical technology systems, including the Landonline property rights platform used for every land transaction in New Zealand.
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.
Health – Public input critical as new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy released
Source: Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission
A once-in-a-decade Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy has been released for public consultation, and Te Hiringa Mahara is calling on New Zealanders to help shape the final document.
The strategy will set the direction for mental health and wellbeing across Aotearoa for more than a decade, making public involvement essential.
“This strategy will guide priorities and actions through to 2036, so it is imperative it reflects the realities and needs of those it is intended to serve,” says Te Hiringa Mahara CEO, Karen Orsborn.
“We and others have long called for a dedicated strategy, and it is positive to see this taken forward. However, for it to be truly effective, it must be shaped by the voices of people with lived experience and their whānau.
“While the strategy clearly acknowledges the inequitable outcomes experienced by Māori and outlines improved outcomes in its long-term vision, we want to see targeted, measurable actions to deliver meaningful change.
“Te Hiringa Mahara is calling for the inclusion of specific effort directed to improving outcomes for populations with the highest need through effective, accessible solutions that are designed both with and for those communities.
“We also need to see stronger action to address the underlying drivers of mental distress, particularly for young people, where demand and unmet need continue to grow.
To support meaningful engagement, Te Hiringa Mahara has released advice to help New Zealanders make submissions on the draft strategy and use their voices and lived experience to help shape this document.
“We strongly encourage everyone, particularly those with lived experience of mental distress, to have their say. Public input will be critical to make sure the final strategy can deliver the change we urgently need to see,” says Ms Orsborn.
Fire Safety – Fire ban lifted in parts of Otago
Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Fire and Emergency New Zealand is moving the Otago Central, Naseby and Lakes zones into a restricted fire season as of 8am on Wednesday 15 April, until further notice.
During a restricted fire season, anyone wanting to light an outdoor fire must first obtain a fire permit from Fire and Emergency.
The following special risk zones will remain in a prohibited fire season:
– Queenstown
– Lake Wānaka islands
– Lake Wakatipu islands
– Mt Iron and Albert Town reserve.
The section 52 prohibition of fireworks in Upper Waitaki, Central and Lakes fire zones will also be revoked at 8am on Wednesday 15 April, until further notice.
Fireworks will remain prohibited in the following special risk zones:
– Queenstown
– Lake Wānaka islands
– Lake Wakatipu islands
– Mt Iron and Albert Town reserve
– Glendhu Bluffs
– Naseby
– Lake Ōhau.
Otago District Commander, Deane Chalmers, says recent cooler weather has reduced the fire risk.
“South-westerly weather and shorter days mean the vegetation around the district is no longer as dry.
“Fires are less likely to start and will not spread as quickly in these conditions.
“But fires can start in Otago at any time of the year, which is why people must apply for a fire permit at www.checkitsalright.nz,” Deane Chalmers says.
“This website will also tell you whether the conditions are safe and provide safety tips for your burn.”