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Advocacy – Auckland council votes to investigate sanctioning Israel for war crimes – PSNA
Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa – PSNA
PSNA has congratulated Auckland City Councillors who voted this morning to investigate supporting sanctions against Israel for war crimes.
The Auckland Council Policy, Planning and Development Committee has just voted 14 to 2 to request a staff report by July on sanctioning companies on the UN’s Human Rights Council who are complicit with Israel’s illegal occupation and settlement of the Palestinian Territory.
“Israel has been stealing Palestinian land and moving Israeli settlers onto the land in defiance of international law”, says PSNA Co-Chair Maher Nazzal.
“The local Palestinian community and our supporters sincerely thank the Auckland councillors who today have voted for steps to refuse to procure goods or services from any of the companies involved in building and maintaining these settlements.”
“Auckland ratepayers deserve to know their rates are not being used to support Israeli war crimes, as designated by the UN General Assembly, Security Council, international conventions and the International Court of Justice.
Councillor Julie Fairey moved the resolution and rejected the arguments of councillors who opposed it, on the grounds that the Council should ‘stick to its knitting’, by stating decisions should be made so that ‘the needles and the wool do not have blood on them.
Councillor Maurice Williamson voted against the resolution. But as a cabinet minister of the Key/English government at the time, he stated he had supported New Zealand co-sponsorship of the UN Security Resolution 2334 in 2016, calling Israeli settlements ‘a flagrant breach of international law’.
Williamson then went on to attack the UN Human Rights Council, falsely claiming it is chaired by Iran, when in fact the UNHRC’s President is from Indonesia.
Nazzal says, “Already six different local bodies have taken this step – it’s good to see Auckland following along the same path.”
Environment Canterbury (March 2024)
Christchurch City Council (October 2024)
Nelson City Council (December 2024)
Wellington City Council (August 2025)
Environment Southland (September 2025)
Palmerston North City Council (September 2025)
The United Nations Human Rights Commission has produced a list of 156 companies involved in illegal settlement activities; the database is here in a pdf: https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session60/advance-version/a-hrc-60-19-aev.pdf
Maher Nazzal
Anzac Day 2026: Recognising all who have served, past and present
Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage
New Zealanders will gather across the country on 25 April to mark Anzac Day 2026, coming together in remembrance of all those who have served the nation in times of war, conflict, and peace support operations.
This year’s Anzac Day holds particular significance following the modernisation of the Anzac Day Act, which affirms that Anzac Day commemorates all who have served New Zealand, including service beyond traditionally defined wars to encompass warlike conflicts, peacekeeping, and humanitarian operations.
Secretary for Culture and Heritage Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae says Anzac Day 2026 reflects an inclusive and evolving understanding of service and remembrance.
“Anzac Day remains one of the most significant days in our national calendar. It is a time when we honour all those who have served – those who did not return, those who carried their experiences home, and those who continue to serve today.
“I encourage people to attend their local services around Aotearoa New Zealand. For those in Te Whanganui-a-tara Wellington, join us at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park for the dawn service at 6am and the national commemoration service at 11am.”
Anzac Day 2026 also marks a moment of renewal at Pukeahu. For the first time since 2020, the National War Memorial Carillon will ring out again – with the bells tolled during the dawn and national commemoration services and a 30-minute carillon recital after each service.
“It will be very special to hear the voices of the fallen echo through the Carillon bells once again at Pukeahu. For generations, their sound has helped anchor remembrance for communities across Wellington and the country. Hearing them again this Anzac Day reconnects us with a powerful tradition,” says Leauanae.
TVNZ 1 and RNZ National will broadcast Anzac Day services.
Social media updates and live coverage will ensure everyone can connect with the day. For further details, logistics, and updates, please visit: https://www.mch.govt.nz/events https://www.facebook.com/manatutaonga/ https://www.instagram.com/manatutaonga/
Health – Telehealth Failing to Meet Expectations, Not Reducing Pressure on Emergency Departments – GenPro
Source: General Practice Owners’ Association (GenPro)
Telehealth is falling far short of expectations, with fewer patients using the service than predicted—and it’s not easing pressure on New Zealand’s emergency departments, says Dr Angus Chambers, Chair of the General Practice Owners’ Association (GenPro).
“The government should redirect its $165 million investment in telehealth to what patients actually want: accessible, face-to-face care in their communities. Additional funding support would also help general practices keep fee increases to a minimum this year,” says Dr Chambers.
When the Government launched 24/7 telehealth services in mid-2025, it promised a convenient alternative for lower-acuity care and a way to reduce demand on emergency departments. But the latest figures reveal the initiative is struggling to deliver.
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A Government business case projected 410,000 subsidised telehealth consultations annually, yet only 60,600 consultations were delivered between May 2025 and mid-January 2026. Meanwhile, emergency department demand continues to rise. Between October and December 2025, 340,967 patients attended EDs, compared with 332,110 in the same period in 2024, despite a slight increase in throughput. |
“Telehealth was meant to ease pressure on our Emergency Departments. Clearly it isn’t achieving that,” Chambers says.
“Patients are still presenting to emergency departments in large numbers. The service is nowhere near as popular as predicted, and it’s therefore not achieving its core objective.”
Chambers says the reasons are clear. “A GenPro survey of 1,798 patients found that 87 percent prefer in-person consultations with their regular GP. People want continuity, trust, and face-to-face care. Telehealth is largely a second-best option for most patients.”
Compounding the issue, telehealth is mostly being used by urban, employed, young adults – people least likely to present at emergency departments. This limit’s the service’s ability to reduce ED demand.
“These figures expose fundamental flaws in the telehealth policy,” Chambers says.
“This was a significant public investment, yet it is not delivering value where it is most needed. Uptake is low, it is not evidence-based, and it’s failing to support the health system as intended.”
Ahead of the 2026 Budget, GenPro is urging the government to redirect funding into strengthening community-based general practice.
“At a time when GPs are under enormous pressure, investing in in-person care would improve access, support continuity, and help reduce cost pressures on patients—while more directly addressing the drivers of emergency department demand,” Chambers says.
“Telehealth can play a role in healthcare, but it should complement—not replace—traditional general practice.”
Research – The "Salary Growth Illusion": Why 81% of New Zealand workers don’t feel their pay rise – Robert Walters
Source: Robert Walters
Auckland, New Zealand – 14/04/2026 – New salary data shows that wages are rising, but most New Zealand workers feel no richer. This is revealing a widening disconnect between employer intentions and employee experience, exposing what recruitment experts are calling “The Salary Growth Illusion.”
Research from Robert Walters shows that at the start of 2026, 57% of professionals had received a pay rise from 2025. Yet, 81% say their pay still does not keep up with the rising cost of living. Shockingly, only 17% of employers acknowledge this gap – showing a significant disconnect between salary growth and actual salary growth.
Shay Peters, Robert Walters Australia and New Zealand CEO says, “Salary increases are happening, but for most people, they're being absorbed before they're even felt. On paper, it looks like progress, but in reality, employees are standing still. That disconnect is what we're calling the salary growth illusion, and it's starting to materially impact how people feel about their employer.”
Many New Zealanders are feeling the squeeze from higher prices across essentials. Annual consumer price inflation sat around 3.1% in the year to December 2025, slightly above the Reserve Bank's target range, meaning wages would have needed to rise by at least this amount just to maintain purchasing power.
Last year, most pay rises sat between 2.5-5%, translating to just $2,500-$5,000 extra per year on a $100,000 salary. This is insufficient to offset rising expenses.
Mid-senior roles see biggest increases, interns left behind
- 67% of businesses plan to increase salaries in 2026, while 56% of employees expect a pay rise.
- Pay rises are more likely at associate and mid-senior levels (77-79% expected to get one), while interns have a 53% chance.
- Recruiters warn this is creating lasting damage that will prove detrimental over time.
“If organisations allow this gap to persist, the consequences go beyond today's workforce. You risk disengaging early-career professionals at a critical stage, weakening your long-term talent pipeline and creating retention challenges that compound over time.”
Tech, finance and legal leaders drive above‑average pay growth in New Zealand
While overall salary increases remain moderate across New Zealand, select roles and cities are breaking away from the pack. Auckland's senior technology and finance leaders recorded some of the sharpest rises, with AI engineers, DevOps specialists and senior data professionals seeing increases of up to $25-30k. In financial services, Auckland-based General Managers of Finance and Commercial Managers rose by as much as $30-50k, while Christchurch legal leaders stood out with General Counsel salaries jumping up to $30k year on year.
“What we're seeing in pockets of the market is a very deliberate premium being placed on capability. Where skills are scarce and roles are business-critical, employers are willing to stretch. It reinforces a clear divide between those with in-demand expertise and those in more saturated areas.” says Peters.
Auckland leads salary momentum, with selective gains in Wellington and Christchurch
Auckland remains the clear centre of salary momentum in New Zealand, particularly across technology, executive finance and senior leadership roles. Wellington saw more selective growth, concentrated in cyber security and transformation roles, while Christchurch experienced fewer increases overall but delivered some of the largest single jumps in senior legal and finance positions.
The “Salary Growth Illusion” threatens retention and engagement
The perception gap has major implications for retention, engagement, and recruitment. With employees increasingly aware of the mismatch between their pay and the cost of living, businesses risk losing talent if they do not bridge this divide and with 53% of employees looking to move roles this year, retention is a big threat to employers.
“Addressing this isn't simply a question of increasing salaries. It's about aligning reward strategies with real-world pressures and being far more transparent in how those decisions are made. Employees don't just want more, they want to understand that their employer genuinely gets it” Peters concludes.
About Robert Walters
Robert Walters is a global talent solutions business, partnering with organisations across the world to deliver recruitment, recruitment outsourcing and advisory services. Established in 1985, the business has built a strong international presence, operating in over 30 countries.
In New Zealand, Robert Walters works with a broad range of organisations, supporting the recruitment of permanent, contract and temporary roles across disciplines including finance, technology, human resources, legal, business support and more.
About the research
Findings come from the 2026 Robert Walters Salary Guide which surveyed over 5,500 white collar professionals.
Property Market – First home buyers strong, investors middling, movers still cautious
Source: Cotality
First home buyers are still very keen
The latest figures show that first home buyers’ (FHBs) share of property purchases in the first three months of the year held up at more than 27% – well above their long-term average back to 2005 of around 22%. It’s easy to get a bit blasé about this continued strength for FHBs, but we shouldn’t; it’s more great news.
In Auckland, their share was even higher (about 30%), with Hamilton at 33%, and the wider Wellington area soaring, at 37% (including both Upper Hutt and Lower Hutt at 41%). Other areas of strength around the country in Q1 2026 included Gisborne, Napier, and Palmerston North (all 31%), as well as Hastings and Invercargill (both 29%).
There remain multiple supports for FHB activity. Obviously, lower house prices and reduced mortgage rates help, as does access to KiwiSaver for at least part of their deposit. But not even needing to save a 20% deposit in the first place is proving beneficial too – as part of the LVR rules, the latest Reserve Bank figures show that more than half of FHB loans over January and February were done at less than 20% equity.
Mortgaged investors are back
Turning to mortgaged multiple property owners – MPOs, including the cliched ‘Mum and Dad’ investors – from twin troughs of 21% of activity in Q2 2023 and again in Q2 2024, their share has recently risen back to around 24%, more or less in line with their long-term average. Auckland is up at 26%, Hamilton 28%, and Christchurch 25%.
The data also shows that it’s the smaller players driving the overall rise for mortgaged MPOs – i.e. those that now own two properties after their latest purchase (which would generally be their own home and their first rental property). The MPO 3-4 category has also risen from a trough back in the middle of 2024.
For the MPO buyer group, key supports also include lower house prices and mortgage rates, as well as the shift back to 100% deductibility for interest costs – with the net result being far smaller ‘top ups’ required from other income sources to keep the cashflow position going.
Indeed, our calculations suggest a ‘typical’ new investor may have had to find an extra $400-$450 per week when house prices were higher and mortgage rates were 7% or more (and interest deductions were being phased out), but now that’s perhaps $150-$200 instead – even though buildings insurance and council
rates have risen steadily. It remains a sizeable chunk of cash, but still a lot more feasible for more people.
Movers are still biding their time
Relocating owner-occupiers, or ‘movers’, are another key buyer group, although they’ve been quieter than normal in recent years – for example, accounting for around 26% of activity in Q1 this year, below their average of 28% or so.
History shows that they take their lead from wider consumer confidence levels, economic growth, and job security, with the patchiness of these factors helping to explain movers’ low presence lately – but also suggesting that if and when the economy recovers over the medium term, this group would tend to become more prominent again.
Where to next?
Taking a look ahead, the Iran conflict has put an extra layer of uncertainty over that potential economic recovery, as well as the housing market outlook too.
Obviously the hope is that the ceasefire becomes permanent and we can get back to ‘normality’. But there’s always the risk it doesn’t prove lasting and, even if it does, there’ll still be some economic dislocation in the near term as a rebuild process gets underway.
Overall, there now seems a fair chance that our pre-existing forecast that property sales volumes could rise from around 90,000 in 2025 to about 100,000 in 2026 may be starting to look a bit strong. In addition, rather than a modest gain of up to 5% this year, property values may now be closer to flat, or even slightly down again.
But whatever the final total for sales volumes proves to be, how could each of the main buyer groups shape up? All else equal, movers could see their market share rise a bit as the economy (hopefully) recovers, while it also wouldn’t be a surprise to see mortgaged MPOs tick along at around recent levels – they have some supports, but also a few headwinds, including weak rental growth, the political cycle (e.g. possibility of a capital gains tax), and debt to income ratio caps.
If movers do perk up a bit, it’s not totally out of the question that FHBs’ market share drops a little in the next 12-18 months (after a very strong run) – after all, market share must always add up to 100%. But in a bigger pie with potentially more sales taking place, there could still be a higher raw number of FHBs.
New meth testing regulations come into force after 16-year delay, raising questions over consistency and past concerns
Source: Envirocheck
New methamphetamine contamination regulations come into force this week, introducing a formal nationwide framework for those operating within the testing sector – more than 16 years after contamination concerns first emerged.
While the new regulations are expected to improve standards and accountability, the length of time taken to introduce a formal framework is now raising questions about how the issue has been managed over that period.
Todd Sheppard, a meth contamination testing specialist with more than a decade of experience and one of the early pioneers in the New Zealand industry, says the delay – combined with ongoing concerns around testing practices – warrants closer examination.
“If contamination concerns were identified many years ago, it is reasonable to ask why it has taken this long to introduce comprehensive regulation,” Sheppard says.
“Over that time, testing outcomes have influenced major decisions affecting housing, insurance claims, and the financial position of property owners and tenants.”
He says the issue is not the introduction of regulation – but how testing is carried out in practice.
“The concern is that different sampling approaches and interpretation methods can lead to different results,” he says.
“That matters because those results directly affect major decisions – including remediation, tenancy, and cost.”
“In some cases, a single test result can trigger full property remediation costing thousands of dollars, even where the underlying contamination risk may not be clear.”
“Where methods vary, outcomes can vary – even within the same property.”
“There are also concerns that deeper or subsurface contamination – which may not have been identified in earlier testing – could be detected later, raising questions about how responsibility is determined where contamination predates current occupants.”
Sheppard says concerns around meth contamination and testing practices have been part of industry discussions for many years, including as early as 2014.
“Given these concerns have been raised over time, it is reasonable to ask whether they were fully examined during the development of the current regulatory framework,” he says.
The issue reflects broader questions seen in other areas of housing compliance, where inconsistencies between assessors have led to different outcomes for similar properties.
With the new regulations now in place, Sheppard says there is an opportunity to ensure the system delivers consistent and reliable results.
“This is not about opposing regulation – it’s about making sure the system works as intended,” he says.
A public petition has been launched calling for an independent review of meth contamination policy, testing practices, and the consistency of results across the sector.
The petition also calls for consideration of fair review mechanisms where individuals or property owners may have been affected by past practices developed under evolving standards.
“These issues are explored in more detail in my publication, Buried Truth, which documents the policy timeline and includes case-based industry observations.”
Sheppard is available for comment and can provide further detail, including real-world examples and technical context.
University Research – New research exposes the deadly exploitation of migrant fishers in poorly regulated waters – UoA
Source: University of Auckland (UoA)
Isolated on a Taiwanese fishing vessel, eight days from the nearest landmass, 22-year-old Indonesian fisherman Sugiama was found dead in his bunk in 2019.
His death followed an 18-hour shift and an assault the night before, when he was hit across the head for not working fast enough.
For University of Auckland modern slavery expert Associate Professor Christina Stringer and Dr Sallie Yea of Charles Sturt University (NSW), Sugiama’s death is not only a tragedy, but part of a disturbing pattern affecting migrant fishers working in distant waters.
The researchers examined the cases of 55 Indonesian migrant fishers who died or went missing on East Asian distant water fishing vessels between 2015 and 2022.
Through the lens of necropolitics; the politics of death and the power dynamics surrounding the control and regulation of life and death, they argue these vessels can function as zones where marginalised workers can face violence, neglect and precarious conditions.
Of the 55 Indonesian men who died or went missing at sea, 15 causes of death went unreported. The researchers found 12 deaths were the result of unsafe working conditions, ten due to delayed medical care, nine a result of denied medical care, five related to preventable dehydration and malnutrition, two the result of torture or violence, and two were ruled suicides.
Only four investigations into the deaths of any of the deceased fishers were recorded.
“We document how isolation at sea enables the systematic disposability of migrant workers, with deaths occurring through direct violence, accidents and suicides and prolonged neglect leading to malnutrition and preventable illness,” says Stringer.
The study points to critical gaps in governance, including failures in mandatory death reporting and investigation, as well as jurisdictional complexities that can allow companies and captains to evade accountability.
The researchers say that when vessels operate outside regulatory oversight, when profit maximisation supersedes the rights of fishers, and when precarious employment strips workers of basic protections, death can become a structural outcome.
They also point to intense pressure on board many vessels. Workers can spend months to more than a year at sea, working long and exhausting hours to meet catch quotas in harsh, remote and weakly regulated environments.
“Meaningful change requires directly challenging the power structures that allow captains to make life-and-death decisions with impunity,” the researchers write in their paper Death and disposability of Indonesian migrant fishers at sea. (ref. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40152-025-00469-2 )
The death of a relative is a profound tragedy for families, with emotional and financial ramifications that can extend for years, and Yea and Stringer’s next research project will explore the support, or lack of, for family members who are left behind when their loved one dies at sea.
“We are currently investigating the long-term impacts on families, including economic hardship and legal battles for compensation,” says Yea.
“Understanding these relationships has important implications for accountability and culpability in the sector.”
Fire Safety – Manawatu-Whanganui coastal zone moves to open fire season
Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand
The Manawatu-Whanganui coastal zone will move into an open fire season from 8am Tuesday 14 April, until further notice.
An open fire season means you do not need to apply for a permit from Fire and Emergency New Zealand to light an outdoor fire.
District Manager Nigel Dravitzki says the current weather conditions have driven the change in fire season.
“The area has had sufficient rainfall over the weekend, with more rain expected over the coming week.
“This along with a change to cooler temperatures means the fire danger in the coastal zone has eased.”
Nigel Dravitzki reminds people to check the weather conditions before lighting an open-air fire.
“The conditions can change quickly, so if you’re planning on lighting a fire, remember to continue going to www.checkitsalright.nz to check if it’s safe to light.”
Save the Children responds after four children reportedly killed in Cyclone Maila
Source: Save the Children
Save the Children is deeply saddened that four children are reportedly among 11 people killed in floods and landslides triggered by Cyclone Maila in Papua New Guinea.
Cyclone Maila destroyed homes, roads and bridges, and severely disrupted food supplies as it tracked across parts of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands last week and over the weekend. The Solomon Islands Government has declared a State of Disaster for Western and Choiseul provinces, while the PNG Government said it was waiting for reports from remote communities, but some have suffered extensive damage.
Save the Children is now responding to needs in both countries, including by delivering shelter kits and cash assistance to Bougainville and delivering food and setting up Child Friendly Spaces at evacuation centres in affected areas of Solomon Islands.
The charity also welcomes the Australian Government’s announcement that it will provide an initial $1.5 million to Solomon Islands and $1 million to PNG in humanitarian assistance.
Save the Children Pacific Regional Director Kim Koch said she is devastated for the families affected by this disaster.
“This cyclone has torn through communities, leaving families without homes, food and, tragically, grieving loved ones,” she said. “It is a stark reminder of how exposed children are when cyclones strike. Children are the most vulnerable in disasters and, sadly, often pay the highest price.
“Our teams are working tirelessly and in close collaboration with government to deliver immediate assistance and get children back into safe homes and back to school as soon as possible. We will continue to respond to communities’ needs as the scale of the devastation emerges.”
About Save the Children NZ:
Save the Children works in 120 countries across the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and works with children and their communities to ensure they survive, learn and are protected.
Save the Children NZ currently supports international programmes in Fiji, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Areas of work include child protection, education and literacy, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and alleviating child poverty.