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Transporting New Zealand welcomes the introduction of roadside drug testing

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

Road freight association Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is welcoming the announcement from the government confirming which drugs will be tested under the new roadside drug testing regime, which is to be gradually rolled out across New Zealand from this December.
The four drugs being screened are THC (cannabis), methamphetamine (meth), MDMA (ecstasy) and cocaine.
“The introduction of robust roadside drug testing is long overdue, with several other countries having already introduced this,” says Transporting New Zealand Policy & Advocacy Advisor Mark Stockdale.
“The Minister of Transport Chris Bishop says around 30 per cent of all road deaths now involve an impairing drug, and yet to date the only impairment being effectively enforced has been alcohol,” Stockdale says.
“Our members take road safety seriously – in fact the health, safety and wellbeing of drivers is currently one of the top three issues flagged in our 2025 Road Freight Industry Survey. Many road freight operators already undertake random drug testing in the workplace, and the plan by Police to perform 50,000 random roadside drug tests per year will help improve road safety for all road users,” Stockdale added.
To prepare for the introduction of the new random roadside drug test, Transporting New Zealand is running a webinar for truck and bus operators on Friday 28 November. The webinar will feature the NZ Police Commercial Vehicle Safety Team explaining how the new test will work, the drugs being tested, and what the penalties are.
Other speakers include The Drug Detection Agency discussing what their workplace testing shows and how to implement drug and alcohol policies in the workplace, and Gibson Sheat Lawyers explaining employers’ obligations and rights to undertake testing in the workplace.
About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter- regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country.
Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4,700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion. 
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Education – TEU Statement: Te Pūkenga acted unlawfully over removal of staff insurance: Unitec staff rights reaffirmed

Source: Unitec branch of the Tertiary Education Union (TEU)

TEU STATEMENT – Te Pūkenga acted unlawfully over removal of staff insurance: Unitec staff rights reaffirmed
The Unitec branch of the Tertiary Education Union (TEU) has achieved a landmark victory against Te Pūkenga in the Employment Court (judgment attached).
For decades, staff at Unitec had been covered by life and income protection insurance under group policies held by the institution.
In her judgment released on 7 November 2025, Judge Kathryn Beck found that Te Pūkenga predetermined the outcome and cancelled staff insurance in March 2023 before undertaking any genuine consultation.
Key Excerpts from the judgment (emphasis added):

  • “Indicative notice of cancellation was given to the insurers, even though the consultation had not yet started.”
  • “Te Pūkenga failed to comply with its consultation obligations prior to removing the insurance benefits.”
  • “Te Pūkenga entered the consultation having already determined the outcome, in breach of s 4(1A) of the Act.”
  • “Te Pūkenga’s consultation material was misleading in part and accordingly in breach of good faith obligations under s4(1)(b) of the Act.”

Unitec Branch Commentary:  
 
The Unitec TEU branch says the ruling sends a powerful message that employers cannot treat consultation as a mere box-ticking exercise. Consultation must be conducted in good faith, with a genuine openness to evidence and to changing position where justified.

The Branch acknowledges the exceptional work of the TEU lawyer Peter Cranney  in achieving this result.

Sadly, some members who passed away after the insurance was revoked were no longer covered, and their next-of-kin missed out on benefits that would have been payable under the life-insurance scheme. Had a proper consultation occurred, the branch believes it could have demonstrated the scheme’s affordability — and that the insurance likely would have been retained.

It is also deeply concerning that Te Pūkenga has already spent more than $150,000 + GST in legal costs defending what the Court found to be a fundamentally flawed process.

The branch urges Te Pūkenga to draw a line under this matter, and to engage in genuine discussions with the union on appropriate remedies to rebuild trust and good faith.

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Universities – Redacted Treaty Panels debut as art – Vic

Source: Te Pataka Toi—Adam Art Gallery at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

In a bold new exhibition, Whai Wāhi, Te Pataka Toi—Adam Art Gallery at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, will display the Treaty panels from Te Papa that were redacted by artists and activists nearly two years ago.

The panels are included within the gallery’s upcoming group exhibition, which explores Te Tiriti o Waitangi as a living document, and ideas extending outward from this.

“Te Tiriti is a central part of identity formation in Aotearoa. This exhibition highlights the complexity and conflict inherent in its modern-day interpretation,” says Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Māori and Kaitiakitanga, Professor Rawinia Higgins.

“We’re aware these panels are a challenging artwork to show, because of how it was conceived. It prompts essential but difficult discourse about how Indigenous and colonial ideas coexist within our society.

“We encourage every visitor to come with their questions, their curiosity, and an open mind. Our University is a space to have these constructive conversations with respect and manaakitanga.”

The exhibition, co-curated by Abby Cunnane (Te Pātaka Toi—Adam Art Gallery, Manutaki—Director) and Brooke Pou (Project Co-curator, Kaiāwhina Nahanaha Taonga), opens at the gallery on Saturday 22 November.

“Whai Wāhi features an intergenerational gathering of artists whose artworks are also articulations of mana motuhake, of the need for change, and of an enduring will to engage in critical dialogue about our shared colonial past,” says Abby Cunnane.

Alongside the panels redacted by artists and activists Te Waka Hourua, the exhibition will feature works by prominent Māori artists—including Kura Te Waru Rewiri, Robyn Kahukiwa, Diane Prince, Emily Karaka, and Ngataiharuru Taepa. It will also feature new work by contemporary artists, Madison Kelly and Melanie Tangaere Baldwin, and moving image works from beyond Aotearoa, by Sky Hopinka (Ho-Chunk Nation / Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians) and Inas Halabi (Palestine).

“Whai Wāhi goes beyond exhibiting the work of artists who are also activists, such as Te Waka Hourua and Diane Prince, to include artists who may not identify as activists but whose work nevertheless expresses their beliefs in their own ways,” says Brooke Pou.

“The exhibition brings together a group of powerful artworks as the starting point for kōrero. Our programme of public events—including lunchtime talks, an evening of sonic performances, and exhibition tours—extends an invitation to continue the conversation,” says Abby Cunnane.

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World Vision – Time is running out: children’s lives hang in the balance amid El Fasher crisis

Source: World Vision

  • Nearly 82,000 people have fled El Fasher and the surrounding areas in the past two weeks
  • Sudan is now facing one of the world’s most significant humanitarian crises, with 14 million people displaced.
Thousands of children fleeing conflict in El Fasher are arriving in East and South Darfur in Sudan at severe risk of dying from hunger and severe malnutrition.
Children and families have escaped the horrific conflict and siege, only to find refuge with little food, water, or life-saving aid.  World Vision Sudan Director, Inos Mugabe, says we are witnessing a tragedy unfolding in real time.
“Children and their families are escaping a siege, and need immediate support. They look weary and severely malnourished. Their bodies are failing, and without urgent, large-scale intervention, we will lose them.
“We are receiving the most vulnerable people imaginable, but the resources we have are completely inadequate to sustain them. The world must understand the gravity of this situation and act before it is too late.”
The rapid influx has placed immense strain on aid organisations, like World Vision, which are scrambling to provide life-saving support. World Vision is currently providing new arrivals with clean drinking water, buckets, and plastic sheets for shelter, as well as psychosocial support to help children cope with trauma.
World Vision’s Child Protection co-ordinator in the region, Bahareldin El Haj, says children have witness unimaginable horrors.
“More than 5000 children have arrived here, stripped of their homes, safety, and basic needs. Beyond physical hunger and thirst, their psychological wounds run deep. They have witnessed unimaginable horrors.
“They are unaccompanied or separated from family members, which raises their risk of abuse and exploitation.”
Bahareldin says child protection programmes are currently overwhelmed by the scale of need.”
“We are holding the hands of children who are severely malnourished and dehydrated and conducting urgent psychosocial support sessions to give them a moment of normalcy and safety, but the needs are overwhelming.
“We are unable to provide the immediate support needed to save the children’s lives now. Children urgently need therapeutic feeding, emergency food supplies, clean drinking water, and dedicated psychosocial support.”
One of those who has escaped El Fasher is Aisha Mohammed who travelled with her children on a donkey until they reached Al Nakheel camp in East Darfur. The camp is already home to more than 22,500 internally displaced people.
“I left El Fasher on a donkey and couldn't leave my children behind. It was hard. We had to leave behind several of our relatives. We need food and water so my children can survive.”
World Vision is calling on the international community to urgently address critical funding gaps and advocate for unrestricted humanitarian access to save the lives of children fleeing the crisis in El Fasher.
To support children in Sudan, visit: www.wvnz.org.nz/CHR
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Education – Open Letter to the Minister of Education: RPA Endorsement of Sector Concerns – Principals Fed

Source: NZ Principals Federation

Open Letter follows:
11 November 2025
Hon Erica Stanford
Minister of Education
Parliamentary Buildings
Wellington.
Open Letter to the Minister of Education: RPA Endorsement of Sector Concerns
Tēnā koe Minister,
I am writing on behalf of the Rotorua Principals' Association (RPA), representing school leaders across our region, to convey our unified concern regarding the current pace and direction of educational policy reform.
The environment of “change overload” we are currently operating under is unsustainable and poses a genuine risk to the quality of education for all our ākonga and the well-being of tumuaki and kaiako.
The Rotorua Principals' Association formally and fully endorses all recent communications issued by the New Zealand Principals' Federation (NZPF), led by Manukura Leanne Otene, concerning the following three specific areas of reform.
1. Curriculum Implementation
We are deeply concerned about the curriculum implementation process and the lack of genuine consultation.
This is the third time in two years that the English and Mathematics/Statistics curricula have been changed. With such significant and repeated changes, schools need adequate time to explore, understand, and unpack these documents, supported by bespoke and effective professional learning and development (PLD).
We recommend the timeframes for implementation are extended to at least Term 3, 2026.
With regard to the other curriculum areas, moving to a knowledge-rich curriculum is a massive undertaking.
We believe this entire process must be reviewed to enable genuine collaboration with key
stakeholders-namely principals, leadership teams, and teachers who know what works for ākonga.
The current consultation and implementation timelines for these other curriculum areas are unrealistic given the significant changes in content, approach, and design. We strongly suggest the current implementation plan is reviewed and that the consultation period is extended to at least January 2027 to ensure schools can realistically and effectively manage these changes.
Our collective membership shares the concerns articulated by NZPF, and in response, RPA endorses the NZPF actions for principals, which are:
● Do not engage with the Ministry on the October 19th third curriculum change to English and Mathematics/Statistics, including any invitations to attend Regional Te Mahau NZ Curriculum PLD, until our concerns are heard and acted upon.
● Call for urgent action to revisit the Mathematics and Statistics Curriculum and extend the implementation to Term 3, 2026.
● Honour any PLD commitments with Providers for the 2024 draft Mathematics and Statistics, and English curricula for years 0-10.
2. Te Tiriti o Waitangi
The recently announced plans to remove Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities from School Boards via amendments to the Education and Training Act are deeply troubling. The RPA stands firm in its commitment to Te Tiriti. Our principals and kaiako have consistently undertaken significant mahi to give effect to it within their unique school contexts, and we see this as integral to our professional responsibility.
3. Teaching Council
The RPA views the proposed changes to the Teaching Council's governance structure and functions as a significant threat to the independence and professional standing of the teaching profession.
We strongly oppose any move that diminishes the role of elected members or shifts professional standard-setting away from an independent, sector-led body and into the direct control of the Ministry of Education. As highlighted in the open letter from NZPF and other peak bodies, this risks eroding the necessary separation between the policy setter and the professional regulator, which will severely damage the trust between the sector and the government.
Minister, the principals of the Rotorua region are not resistant to change. We are, however, raising a critical professional concern about the current nature, pace, and perceived lack of genuine consultation and research-informed pedagogy underpinning these reforms.
We urge you to take immediate action by:
1. Pausing and reconsidering the mandated implementation timeline for the new curriculum to allow for genuine, collaborative refinement with the sector.
2. Committing to meaningful, solutions-focused dialogue with the New Zealand Principals' Federation and the broader sector to find an achievable and sustainable pathway forward.
The principals we represent are ready to assist in constructive consultation to ensure education policy is robust, sustainable, and, at its heart, improves outcomes for all ākonga.
Ngā mihi nui,
Hinei Taute
Senior Vice President
Rotorua Principals' Association
Te Kahui Tumuaki o Rotorua.
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Education – Open Letter to the Minister of Education: CPPA Support for Sector Concerns

Source: NZ Principals Federation

Open Letter follows:
11 November 2025
Hon Erica Stanford
Minister of Education
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
Open Letter to the Minister of Education: CPPA Support for Sector Concerns
He tono kia rongo, kia kōrero tahi, kia whakatika – A call for listening, dialogue, and action
Tēnā koe Minister,
On behalf of the Canterbury Primary Principals’ Association (CPPA), representing primary school leaders across Waitaha Canterbury, we write to express our collective concern about the current scale, pace, and direction of education policy reform.
The ongoing “change overload” facing schools is unsustainable and places at risk both the quality of education provided to our ākonga and the wellbeing of tumuaki and kaiako.
The CPPA fully endorses the recent statements and positions of the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF) regarding three key areas of reform currently before the sector.
Curriculum Implementation: Canterbury principals are deeply concerned by the continued revisions to the English and Mathematics/Statistics curricula-this being the third major change within two years. These constant shifts have created confusion, workload pressure, and uncertainty across schools. We urge that the timeframe for implementation be extended until at least Term 3, 2026, to allow schools sufficient opportunity to deeply engage with, understand, and embed these changes through relevant and high-quality professional learning and development (PLD).
Regarding the wider curriculum areas and the move toward a “knowledge-rich” curriculum, the current timeframes are unworkable. Successful implementation requires meaningful consultation with those most connected to teaching and learning-principals, teachers, and school leaders. Although we acknowledge the resources made available, the pace and sequencing of these reforms are unrealistic.
In alignment with NZPF, CPPA supports the following actions for principals:
– Refrain from engaging with the Ministry of Education on the October 19th curriculum changes to English and Mathematics/Statistics until sector concerns are addressed.
– Urgently call for the Mathematics and Statistics curriculum implementation to be extended to Term 3,2026.
– Continue any existing PLD commitments linked to the 2024 draft English, Mathematics, and Statistics curricula for Years 0-10.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi
The CPPA is gravely concerned by the proposed amendments to the Education and Training Act that would remove Te Tiriti o Waitangi responsibilities from school boards. Our association and members are firmly committed to Te Tiriti. This commitment is reflected in our constitution and daily practices, with Canterbury schools actively working to give effect to Te Tiriti within their own communities. Any move to weaken these responsibilities would be a significant step backward for equity and partnership in education.
Teaching Council
The CPPA strongly opposes the proposed changes to the Teaching Council’s governance structure and role. Diminishing elected representation or bringing the professional regulator under direct Ministry control threatens the independence, credibility, and integrity of our profession. Maintaining an independent, sector-led Teaching Council is essential to preserve trust between educators and government, and to ensure that professional standards remain the responsibility of those who work within education.
A Call for Constructive Change
Minister, Canterbury principals are not opposed to reform. However, the pace, sequencing, and lack of authentic consultation currently being experienced across the sector are deeply concerning. Sustainable, research-informed, and collaboratively developed change is essential for success.
We respectfully request that you:
– Pause and review the mandated curriculum implementation timelines to allow for genuine engagement and sector input.
– Commit to open, solutions-focused dialogue with NZPF and regional associations to co-design a sustainable way forward. Our members are ready and willing to contribute constructively to this process. Together, we can ensure that future policy decisions are practical, durable, and ultimately focused on improving learning outcomes for every ākonga across Aotearoa.
Kind regards
Lisa Dillon-Roberts
President: Canterbury Primary Principals’ Association.
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Trucking Licences – Transporting New Zealand calls for review of international licence conversion processes

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

National road freight association Transporting New Zealand is calling on NZTA to review its international truck licence conversion processes, as the Agency announced yesterday it has revoked 440 commercial licences after an audit in July uncovered fraudulent activity. The revocations involve heavy vehicle licences in classes 3 to 5.
Transporting New Zealand Chief Executive Dom Kalasih says the national body supports a rigorous licence conversion process, and says NZTA needs to be flagging issues during the application phase, rather than through large-scale auditing processes.
“We support NZTA’s move to ensure incorrectly licenced drivers aren’t operating on the road. Truck drivers are in a position of real responsibility, so all road users need to have confidence in the licencing system that qualifies them.
“NZTA has processes in place to ensure that truck license conversions are done safely, right from the beginning. Countries that require similar driving skills and have similar licencing systems are considered “exempt countries“. Drivers from these countries go through a conversion process involving a detailed application, theory test, and a practical test only in limited circumstances. There are 25 exempt countries, including Australia, Japan, South Africa and the United Kingdom.”
“NZTA’s conversion process for non-exempt countries is more rigorous. This starts with an application at a specialist overseas conversation site, a theory test, a licence with a supervisor condition, and then a practical test, finally resulting in a New Zealand driver license.”
“Our road freight company members want to know that NZTA is being appropriately thorough, so that they can have confidence in migrant drivers with converted licences. As well as the important safety considerations, truck drivers are transporting valuable cargo.”
Kalasih says that in addition to licence conversion, many road freight companies send their own driver assessors overseas to make their own assessment of migrant drivers' abilities.
“I know that our members have been going to real lengths to ensure migrant truck drivers have the necessary skills to operate safely.”
“We will be seeking reassurance from NZTA about ensuring their overseas licencing application processes are fit for purpose, and offering Transporting New Zealand’s assistance to NZTA in this regard.”
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Local News – Recount of votes in Porirua City Council’s Māori Ward

Source: Porirua City Council 

In a decision issued today, the District Court has ordered a recount of votes in the Parirua Māori Ward, following an application by candidate Jess Te Huia.
The court ruled that Ms Te Huia has an objective and credible basis for believing that the results were incorrect, so the application for a recount was granted.
The recount will take place on Thursday 13 November. 
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First Responders – Tongariro National Park Fire Update #13

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Drones with thermal imaging equipment have begun checking the flanks of the Tongariro National Park fireground for hotspots.
Fire and Emergency’s specialist drone crew completed one flank of the fire last night, flying over the containment lines which are up to 30 metres wide. They will return tonight to complete the second flank.
District Commander Nigel Dravitzki says that the information from the drones help ground crews target their efforts to consolidate the containment lines right around the fireground.
There are 35 crews of Department of Conservation firefighters working on the ground today. One helicopter is on standby, but conditions have been too misty with extensive low cloud to enable a visual flyover of the area.
“The weather is perfect for fire suppression, no good for getting an aerial view of the ground,” Nigel Dravitzki says. “Once we are able to get airborne, we will fly around the full perimeter and get an accurate measure of the area. Indications are that the size has not increased since Sunday night but I won’t be confident about that until we have seen it.” The last estimate was 2800 hectares.
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Politics and Employment – Plan to privatise meat inspectors risks food safety & export markets – PSA

Source: PSA

– Meat companies using own inspectors a clear conflict of interest
– Raises risk of contaminated and diseased meat being exported
– Jobs and wages of inspectors likely to be cut
The Government's proposal to require the replacement of independent government food safety inspectors with company-employed ones threatens New Zealand's hard-won reputation for food safety and puts export markets worth $10 billion a year at risk.
The Ministry for Primary Industries has issued a draft Animal Products Notice that proposes privatising export meat inspection services. This would require all meat processing companies to hire their own inspectors instead of using independent inspectors provided by AsureQuality.
“This is reckless deregulation – why would you put New Zealand's gold-standard food safety reputation at risk?” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“It’s irresponsible for the Government to force this on meat companies – there is no option proposed for companies to keep using the tried and trusted approach of respected AsureQuality inspectors.
“It just makes no sense. Independent meat inspection isn't broken. There is no good reason to privatise it, and every reason not to.
“For decades, independent meat inspection has given overseas buyers and consumers the confidence that our meat is safe and high quality.
“When inspectors are employed by the very companies they're scrutinising, there's an obvious conflict of interest. Company-employed inspectors will face pressure to prioritise production over food safety.
“We're talking about faecal contamination and diseased meat potentially reaching supermarkets because inspectors are under pressure from their employer. Faecal matter contains salmonella, campylobacter and e.coli which cause serious food poisoning. Why risk making shoppers in European supermarkets sick?”
The proposal may mean no independent inspectors on critical ‘detain rails’ where contaminated meat is inspected and defective product removed.
“New Zealand's red meat exports are worth $10 billion annually. One food safety scandal could wipe billions off our export earnings. Why take that risk?”
The proposal also threatens the jobs and working conditions of hundreds of experienced meat inspectors in rural and provincial New Zealand who face losing their jobs or having to work for the meat companies.
“Many inspectors are long serving and highly experienced. Some will retire or go offshore and be lost to the industry in the absence of any plan to retain them.
“The only winners here are the meat companies – mainly foreign-owned – who will boost their bottom lines by driving down the wages and working conditions of inspectors.
“This is the same pattern we've seen across the economy – deregulation that benefits business while workers and consumers carry the risk.
“The Government must scrap this dangerous proposal and maintain the independent meat inspection system that has served New Zealand so well.”
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.