MIL Email Publisher (NZ)

Source: New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga

A new research report from the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga, shows that the growing costs of building infrastructure do not need to be inevitable.

“New Zealand invests heavily in infrastructure but doesn’t always get the best results. Compared with other high-income countries, we spend more but achieve less,” says Geoff Cooper, Chief Executive, New Zealand Infrastructure Commission.

The report brings together evidence on the factors that shape the cost and affordability of infrastructure. It highlights where there is opportunity to influence costs to help us make better choices and get more from our infrastructure investment.

“Our findings challenge the idea that infrastructure will always get more expensive over time. At some points over the last 150 years, we have evidence that infrastructure prices actually fell,” says Cooper.

“Some types of infrastructure have gotten significantly cheaper over time. Between 1980 and 2012, the price of solar panels dropped over 90%. Wind turbine costs fell over 30% between 2005 and 2017 even after adjusting for inflation.

By contrast, for more complex projects like motorways, costs per lane kilometre more than tripled in real terms over the past two decades.

“To understand why, we examined three key drivers of infrastructure costs: input costs such as materials and labour, construction productivity, and project scope and design.

“Construction material prices can move quickly and are largely a function of global prices. Labour costs tend to be closely linked to overall labour market dynamics. Productivity is more controllable, but it can take several years or decades for sustained improvements to be realised.

“In the short to medium term, our research highlights that the scope of projects and how we design them are particularly important levers for improving affordability,” says Cooper.

“The research points to making greater use of standardised and repeatable approaches, improving how projects are planned and sequenced, and taking a disciplined approach to scope and design to keep costs down.

“That said, infrastructure projects are complex and cost growth is rarely attributable to a single factor. That means improving and sustaining affordability over time will need to come from a combination of actions across the infrastructure system.

“New Zealand faces significant future infrastructure demands. Without improvements in productivity and the way we plan and deliver infrastructure, meeting those needs could require an increasing share of our resources, placing greater strain on the wallets of New Zealanders. This research improves our understanding of the actions we can take to get better bang for buck,” says Cooper.

The findings in this report will support the Commission’s approach to examine the drivers of cost growth in the land transport sector that the Government recently directed the Commission to undertake.

Notes

'Making every dollar count: A review of the drivers of infrastructure costs in New Zealand' will be available at www.tewaihanga.govt.nz.The cost of infrastructure delivery has been an ongoing area of focus for the Commission.The Commission has previously published research looking at how infrastructure delivery costs stack up compared to other countries and how factors like the cost of materials, cost of consenting, and productivity growth can impact New Zealand’s construction costs, and undertaken reviews of several major projects.This report builds on our previous research and each section summarises key findings from the previous research, provides updated data where possible, and describes relevant developments that have occurred since 2022/23.

Source: Gumboot Friday

In July 2026, Gumboot Friday delivered 3,500 free counselling sessions nationwide, supporting 2,205 young people aged 5–25.

Sessions are free, no referral is required, and young people choose who they want to talk to from Gumboot Friday’s network of registered counsellors.

Breakdown by age group:

• 594 young people aged 5–11 (27%)
• 655 young people aged 12–17 (30%)
• 956 young people aged 18–25 (43%)

July’s figures show Gumboot Friday continuing to do what it was built to do: connect young people with someone safe to talk to, without cost or referral getting in the way.

Since 2019, Gumboot Friday has funded 164,835 free counselling sessions for young New Zealanders as at 20 July 2026.

“July is another month where thousands of conversations happened because this service exists. That’s the bit people need to remember. Behind every session is a young person who got to sit down with someone before things got too big or overwhelming,” says I Am Hope founder Mike King.

“Gumboot Friday works because it gets help in front of kids without making them jump through hoops first. No referral, no cost, and they choose the counsellor they want to talk to. It removes all the barriers to reaching out when a young person is ready to ask for help.”

King says the July figures are another reminder of the good being done, and why New Zealanders’ support remains so important.

“From July last year to June this year, 37,630 counselling sessions were delivered. Since 2019, more than 164,000 free sessions have been funded for our ranagatahi. That is a lot of young people being heard, and we couldn’t do it without businesses and the community who keep backing us,” King says.

Government support helps pay for counselling sessions, but running Gumboot Friday takes more than session funding alone. Donations help support the platform young people use to book counsellors, the team who keeps it running, counsellor support, compliance, awareness, school

programmes, community outreach, and the prevention work that helps young people know support is there before things reach crisis point.

Every donation, fundraiser, shared post and gumboot sold helps keep Gumboot Friday moving and helps young people connect with free counselling when they need it.

If you or someone you know is 25 or under and needs someone to talk to, visit www.gumbootfriday.com to book a free counsellor today — no referral needed.

To donate, fundraise, or get involved with I Am Hope, head to www.iamhope.org.nz or text HOPE to 469 for a $3 donation.

Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

1 September 2026

PSNA points to a hint of future economic sanctions against Israel, in a statement of concern issued jointly by New Zealand, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway and Canada just over a week ago.

New Zealand did not put its name to another second and stronger statement of condemnation, against Israel constructing the highly strategic E1 settlement on the Occupied West Bank.

The second statement was issued at the same time, and had been signed by 22 western countries.

All the countries who signed the second letter, except New Zealand and Germany, also signed the first one.

PSNA spokesperson, Rinad Tamimi, says ether New Zealand was deliberately identifying and aligning with Germany, which is Israel's third largest arms supplier.

“Or, more likely, it's National outsourcing its foreign policy to New Zealand First, whose leader is blatantly pro-Israel. That haphazard arrangement results in mixed and ambiguous messages for the world and for New Zealanders.”

But Tamimi says there is a suggestion of economic sanctions in the second statement which did have New Zealand's signature.

The statement states 'businesses should not consider bidding for construction tenders. They should be aware of legal and reputational consequences, including the risk of involving themselves in various breaches of international law'.

Tamimi says this warning to presumably local companies in each country, is a notice that the governments of the signatory countries, could bring legal proceedings or amend legislation to thwart these companies.

“If governments follow this through, this is hugely important for investment funds in New Zealand which operate under Acts of Parliament, such as the Super Fund, ACC and KiwiSavers.

“The Super Fund lost a court case earlier this year, due to its attempts to keep investing in companies profiting from Israeli West Bank settlements. The writing is on the wall for other investors in Israel.”

“Investment in genocide and apartheid Israel is neither a prudent nor moral choice for anyone.”

Source: deVere Group

September 1 2026

Millions of investors are sitting on portfolios built for a world that seemingly no longer exists, warns the CEO of one of the world's largest independent financial advisory organisations.

Nigel Green of deVere Group's comments come as a broad gauge of global government bonds surges to 3.72%, its highest since mid-2008, with yields erupting in Japan, Australia and the US after Fed chairman Kevin Warsh's hawkish Jackson Hole speech collided with a fresh spike in oil prices driven by escalating geopolitical tensions.

He says: “This is a two-decade high, and it's moving fast enough to blow through mortgage rates, corporate loans and pension valuations before most people have even noticed it happened.”

Japan's 10-year yield smashed through levels unseen since 1996, while Australian debt spiked to heights last touched in 2011, and Nigel Green says the sheer breadth of the move is what should worry investors most.

“When Tokyo, Canberra and Washington are all repricing debt at the same time, that's a huge shift in what it costs governments and businesses to borrow anywhere in the world, not a coincidence.

“Anyone still treating long-dated bonds as the safe, boring corner of their portfolio needs a serious rethink.”

Gold tearing toward fresh record highs is telling its own story, he adds, though he warns against a stampede.

“Money doesn't flood into gold like this unless investors are genuinely rattled,” says Nigel Green.

“But piling in after the surge has already happened is how people lock in the worst possible entry price. The moment to prepare was before the panic, not during it.”

The deVere CEO is wary of reading the selloff as proof the Fed is about to hike in September, arguing bond markets have a habit of sprinting ahead of the central banks they're supposedly forecasting.

“Yields have already done the Fed's job for it without a single vote being cast,” he notes.

“Markets love to overreact to one speech, and investors who tear up their entire strategy chasing that reaction can end up wrong on the call and wrong on the timing, which is the expensive way to be wrong twice.”

For investors, he argues duration risk is the danger hiding in plain sight, and it's brutal for anyone who ignores it.

“Every extra year of maturity on a bond right now is an extra year of exposure to a market that's clearly still finding its floor.

“Shorter maturities, a wider geographic spread, and genuine diversification aren't optional extras anymore, they're the difference between weathering this and getting flattened by it.”

Rising borrowing costs in Japan, the UK and the US, driven as much by government spending worries as by inflation, add fuel to an already volatile fire, he notes.

“When bond markets start demanding a premium to lend a country money for the long haul, that's a verdict on fiscal discipline as much as interest rates,” says Nigel Green.

“Portfolios tied to those markets can't afford to sit on autopilot through a move this size.”

Asked what he'd say to investors rattled by the swings, Nigel Green doesn't soften it.

“Many savvy investors will be getting positioned for higher yields for longer, because this market isn't going to wait for certainty from the Fed.”

deVere Group is one of the world's largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients. It has a network of offices around the world, more than 80,000 clients, and $14bn under advisement.

The views expressed in this media release are solely those of the sender and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cision.

Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Te Tātai Hauora o Hine—National Centre for Women’s Health Research Aotearoa at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington says tonight’s announcement by the Government that it will make cervical cancer screening freely available to all women aged between 25 and 69 is a “big win.”

“Thank you to everybody who worked so hard to achieve this, both within the communities and within Government,” says Professor Bev Lawton (Ngāti Porou), director of the Centre, who was also named 2025 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year for her work including championing of the HPV self-test.

“People have been telling us for a long time that financial cost is a major barrier to cervical screening. Up until this point, this has been the only national screening programme not funded by the government.”

Professor Lawton and Francesca Storey wrote this piece for The Conversation in January 2025, about how to achieve elimination of cervical cancer in Aotearoa in our lifetime.

Each year, approximately 175 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Aotearoa and 55 die from this preventable cancer. “We hope the funding from government will also consider better resourcing for colposcopy clinics, where follow-up diagnostic tests are undertaken, and where there is real need right now,” says Professor Lawton.

To achieve elimination of cervical cancer requires effective prevention (the HPV vaccination), high screening rates, and prompt diagnosis and treatment. “While this announcement of free screening is fantastic, the elimination still requires resourcing, transparency and accountability. This is the only way to prevent our population suffering preventable harm and death,” says Professor Lawton.

An equitable cervical cancer elimination strategy and action plan in Aotearoa with community-led governance, ownership, and funding is essential. “Only then can we achieve the ultimate goal—elimination of cervical cancer. Let’s do it!”

Te Herenga Waka Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Sally McArthur, says that this announcement reflects the value of research on policy planning. “Without researchers like Bev and her team, governments don't have the evidence to be able to create effective policy.

“Great research continually impacts policy development and implementation, and I am delighted for all kiwis that we have such impactful research coming from our University.”

Source: Fabrik

Musical legends of Aotearoa and the Pacific will unite at Kingston Calling, a vibrant new two-day music and culture festival transforming Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on 19 and 20 February 2027.

Presented by Fabrik and Mai FM, Kingston Calling sets a new benchmark for live music in Aotearoa, bringing together world-class production and a marquee lineup of international artists including Maoli, Soja, Rebel Souljahz and Arrested Development alongside the very best of Aotearoa – Six60, Stan Walker, Fat Freddy's Drop and more.

Founder of Fabrik and renowned festival director, Toby Burrows (Ngāti Hauā), says the festival takes its name and its spirit from an old way of gathering.

“In times of old, people gathered around a call. Kingston Calling is built on that same idea, a call that has now been answered. We have the best international, Aotearoa and Pacific lineup uniting at the festival, it’s going to be one of the premier destination music festivals in Aotearoa,” says Burrows.

Matiu Walters (Ngāpuhi), lead singer and guitarist of headliner Six60, says Kingston Calling is the stage the band has been waiting for to take their live show to the next level.

“All of the boys are excited about playing with such a great lineup and what a great place to do it. It has been a while since we have been in the Mount, so Kingston Calling will be a special one for us. There is an amazing wairua in the Oval, with the view of Mauao and a sea of fans there to sing, dance and party as one, it’s going to be one to remember for sure,” says Walters.

14 artists across two days have answered the call to Kingston Calling alongside Six60:

Friday 19 Feb
Maoli, Stan Walker, SOJA, Arrested Development, Katchafire, Hori Shaw, A.R.T.

Saturday 20 Feb
Six60, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Rebel Souljahz, Te Wehi, Aaradhna, Marley NZ All Stars, Myshaan

Kingston Calling is proudly supported by the New Zealand Government's one-off Events Attraction Package. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says the festival is expected to attract visitors to Tauranga from all over the country, providing a welcome boost for local hospitality, accommodation and tourism businesses.

“Kingston Calling is the kind of event that showcases the best of our summer events calendar. It’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate music and culture, and experience everything the Bay of Plenty has to offer during the summer season,” says Upston.

Through initiatives such as Ask for Angela / Andrew and the Kingston Calling Safe Space Policy, Burrows says Fabrik is ensuring that Kingston Calling is a safe, welcoming festival.

“Within the Fabrik whānau, we are creating a space of manaakitanga, the same warmth extended from start to finish. Nau mai, haere mai, we can’t wait to celebrate the very best of music and culture with everyone in February,” adds Burrows.

Presale opens Wednesday 9 September, with general tickets on sale from Thursday 10 September. Full lineup and ticketing information is available at www.kingstoncalling.co.nz

About Fabrik

Fabrik is a leader in the event music space in New Zealand. The team at Fabrik have been behind some of the largest music festivals and events in New Zealand. Their mission is to deliver PREMIUM LIVE MUSIC experiences to passionate audiences.

Event details:

What: Kingston Calling
When: 19 and 20 February 2027
Where: Bay Oval Arena Tauranga

Ticketing:

Tickets: https://fabrik.flicket.co.nz/events/ad231c1e-5c68-45c3-bbfb-4272d80f0bab
Presale sign up: https://arep.co/p/kingstoncallingpresale-27
Presale: Wednesday 9 September, 7:00pm NZT
General on sale: Thursday 10 September, 7:00pm NZT

Source: Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand

Theme of Belonging Matters announced for 12-18 October

AOTEAROA, NEW ZEALAND – The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand (MHF) has announced the details for Mental Health Awareness Week 2026, running nationwide from 12 – 18 October. This year's theme, Belonging Matters, invites schools, workplaces, and communities across Aotearoa to focus on small, everyday moments of connection that foster a genuine sense of inclusion and boost mental wellbeing.

Grounded in the whakataukī Ko au ko koe, ko koe ko au – I am you, and you are me, the 2026 theme comes at a crucial time. Recent research highlights a growing challenge across Aotearoa of rising loneliness¹, declining trust² and only 53% of New Zealanders feeling that their neighbourhood has a strong sense of community³. This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week champions a simple truth: nurturing a sense of belonging is one of the most powerful protective factors for our mental health.

“Humans are social beings and being able to spend time with one another, connect and feel that we belong, is vital for our mental and emotional health. Connection works at many levels, whānau, friends, workplaces, schools, community, country. It is a two-way street, we need to reach out and we need to invite people in. This all builds connectedness, belonging, trust and wellbeing,” says Shaun Robinson, Chief Executive of the MHF.

Whether at school, work, or in local neighbourhoods, finding small ways to connect can make a world of difference. Belonging Matters because feeling connected to others reduces loneliness, strengthens self-confidence, and can provide valuable social support during hard times. From checking in on a mate and making time for a kōrero to reaching out to someone new, every action helps build stronger, more resilient communities.

Free downloadable resources and ideas for Mental Health Awareness Week are available now at mhaw.nz.

The details:

• What: Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 – Belonging Matters
• When: 12-18 October 2026
• Where: Everywhere across Aotearoa
• Action: Reach out, kōrero, connect, host an event for your school, workplace, or community
• More info, how to get involved and free resources: Visit mhaw.nz

NOTES:

About Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health Awareness Week has been run annually by the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand since 1993. It is a dedicated week for individuals, schools, workplaces, and communities to celebrate and focus on mental health and wellbeing. The campaign reaches hundreds of thousands of people across Aotearoa each year, encouraging positive mental health practices and fostering supportive environments.

Research & insights about belonging in Aotearoa

• Community cohesion: Only 53% of New Zealanders agree that their neighbourhood has a strong sense of community.³
• Foundational to wellbeing: A strong sense of belonging in schools, workplaces, and communities is directly linked to better mental wellbeing, including higher confidence, resilience, and life satisfaction.
• Protective factor: Social connection and community trust are recognised as some of the strongest protective factors against mental distress and loneliness.
• Impact of exclusion: Experiences of exclusion have a direct negative impact on wellbeing, particularly among rangatahi/young people, recent migrants, sole parents, and rainbow communities.
• Everyday connection: International research shows that performing small, weekly acts of connection and kindness in local neighbourhoods significantly reduces feelings of loneliness and strengthens community bonds.
• Collective responsibility: Belonging and hope grow through safe, inclusive shared experiences, trusted places, and collective action.

References:

1. Stats NZ. (2023). Wellbeing statistics: 2023.
2. Edelman. (2026). Edelman Trust Barometer Global Report.
3. Helen Clark Foundation. (2026). Social cohesion in New Zealand 2026.

About the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand

Established in 1977, the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand is a charity that works towards creating a society free from discrimination, where all people enjoy positive mental health and wellbeing. The Foundation delivers a wide range of evidence-based mental health and wellbeing programmes, campaigns, and resources for schools, workplaces, and communities across Aotearoa.

Source: ProCare

1 September 2026

ProCare has welcomed the decision to fund influenza vaccinations for children aged under five from today, saying it reflects the importance of making immunisation accessible for all families.

As winter illness continues to place pressure on the health system, protecting young children is a priority. Vaccination helps protect the people around them, including older adults, newborns and immunocompromised whānau, and remains one of the most effective tools available to general practice.

Recent results from a partnership between ProCare, The Fono and ProCare's Ara Hauora outreach team show the impact of taking immunisation services out into the community. Between 1 December 2025 and 30 June 2026, the partnership delivered 670 immunisations through proactive outreach, recalls and home visits.

Gabrielle Lord, Nursing Director at ProCare, says increasing immunisation rates requires more than simply making vaccines available.

“Our data shows it takes an average of three meaningful engagements to reconnect with a whānau once a child has fallen behind on their immunisation schedule.”

“This highlights the value of dedicated outreach and trusted relationships. Families are often juggling many competing priorities and when we take the time to connect and make access easier, they are much more likely to engage.”

Lord says the newly funded flu vaccine creates another opportunity for general practice teams to have conversations with families about protecting their health.

“Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of illness in our communities. It not only protects the individual receiving the vaccine but also helps protect vulnerable whānau members who are at greater risk of serious illness.”

Bindi Norwell, Chief Executive at ProCare, says funding the flu vaccine for under-fives is a positive step towards strengthening preventative healthcare for New Zealand families.

“Prevention is one of the most powerful investments we can make in supporting health and wellbeing. By removing cost barriers for families with young children, this funding will help more tamariki access protection against influenza before they become seriously unwell.”

“General practice plays a vital role in keeping people well, and initiatives like this support earlier intervention, reduce pressure on the wider health system, and help ensure every child has the best possible start in life,” concludes Norwell.

ProCare encourages parents and caregivers to contact their general practice to learn more about the funded flu vaccine and make sure their tamariki are up to date with their routine immunisations.

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 more than 640,000 patients across Auckland and Northland. These practices serve the largest Asian, and second largest Pacific populations enrolled in general practice and the largest Māori population in Tāmaki Makaurau. For more information go to www.procare.co.nz

Source: Workers First Union

Woolworths, one half of New Zealand’s supermarket duopoly, looks set to send around 130 New Zealanders’ jobs to Australia after announcing consultation today on a plan to close its Customer Care Centre, Workers First said today.

Over 130 workers who provide customer support to New Zealanders were called to a meeting at 1pm today and told that consultation is beginning on the offshoring of their jobs to Australia in a “cost-saving” proposal that the company believes will net them an extra $4.1 million by the 2029 financial year. Consultation on the proposal begins today and the deadline for feedback from affected workers is September 15.

Rudd Hughes, Workers First Deputy Secretary, said the proposal was another form of “corporate greed”, and called on New Zealanders to send their feedback to the company at: Workplace.Relations@Woolworths.co.nz.

“This is yet another example of New Zealanders losing out to Australia because companies like Woolworths see them as expendable,” said Mr Hughes.

“They’re happy to earn big profits in our country and make Kiwis reliant on their supermarkets, but they are planning to throw away more than a hundred of our jobs to save a very small amount of money over the next three years.”

“There should be a reasonable expectation that a large company like Woolworths should reinvest into the society where its customer base is generating those profits – but Woolworths seem to care only about their bottom lines.”

Woolworths recently announced their improving financial performance; returning $163 million in earnings before interest and tax in the year to June 2026 – up 8.8% from the previous year – which Consumer NZ said would “feel wrong” to New Zealanders given its $400 million plus spend on its store refreshes.

Mr Hughes said union organisers reported that at today’s 20-minute meeting, Woolworths representatives said that workers’ views are ‘very important’ but refused to answer questions and closed the meeting after reading from their script. Organisers said that some staff returned to work afterwards in tears and were wondering if their feedback would be considered at all.

“These are the same workers who were locked out by Woolworths at Christmas because they wouldn’t accept worse terms and conditions, and this proposal is a further slap in the face,” said Mr Hughes.

“Woolworths wasted over $400 million to re-rebrand themselves and are now axing over a hundred New Zealand jobs just to claw back around one percent of that cost.”

“Many of the Customer Care team are sole parents who work remotely and will not find redeployment or comparable employment in their regions – this proposal will be crushing to hear about today.”

Mr Hughes said that Workers First had provided feedback on the proposal to the company and would continue to advocate for union members during the consultation period.

“New Zealanders should take note that this could also mean worse service for Woolworths customers,” said Mr Hughes. “Someone calling from Paekākāriki to inquire about a product return, for example, may find it much more difficult to deal with an Australian who lacks local knowledge and local experience.”

“This kind of proposal is also an indictment of the weak Coalition Government, which has set the scene for businesses to flee NZ in search of more profit and failed abjectly to protect local jobs.”

“With a runaway unemployment rate at 5.6%, now is not the time to be putting New Zealanders out of work.”

The proposed closure of the New Zealand Customer Care Centre follows Woolworths’ recent restructuring of South Island store butchers, in which around 40 jobs have been lost.

Mr Hughes encouraged New Zealanders to write to Woolworths to express their concerns by emailing Workplace.Relations@Woolworths.co.nz.