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Palestine Forum of New Zealand Condemns Restrictions on Worship at Al-Aqsa Mosque

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand
Palestine Forum of New Zealand strongly condemns the ongoing restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation on access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, particularly during the final days of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.

The closure has prevented tens of thousands of Palestinian worshippers from accessing one of Islam’s holiest sites, in what has been widely described as a flagrant violation of religious freedom and fundamental human rights.

“At a time that should be marked by prayer, reflection, and community, Palestinians are instead facing restrictions and denial of their basic right to worship,” said a spokesperson for the Palestine Forum of New Zealand. “Such actions are deeply concerning and must not be normalised.”

The Forum calls on the New Zealand Government and the international community to take a clear and principled stand against these violations and to uphold the protection of religious rights and unimpeded access to holy sites.

“The sanctity of religious spaces must be respected,” the spokesperson added. “Silence in the face of such actions only enables further injustice.”

:
Palestine Forum of New Zealand

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Awards – Outstanding women recognised in annual awards

Source: New Zealand Minerals Council

Four outstanding women in extractives were recognised today for their achievements, receiving top honours at the industry’s annual awards.
New Zealand Minerals Council, Aggregate and Quarry Association (AQA), and MinEx hosted the Komatsu New Zealand Women in Extractives event and awards ceremony in Hamilton.
Megan Williams, from Reefton, was named MITO Emerging Star for her work as Senior Sustainability Advisor at Endura Mining’s Snowy River gold mine.
Megan is well known on the West Coast for building strong relationships with regulators, community groups, and colleagues and for being focused on the best possible environmental outcomes. Megan joined the team at Snowy River last year after playing a central role in the Reefton Restoration Project following the closure of the Globe Progress gold mine near Reefton. Her professionalism and approachable style have seen her work with colleagues to develop innovative ways to ensure Snowy River is a sustainable, environmentally responsible mine.
Nicole Pierce was named MinEx Kristy Christensen Memorial winner for her contribution to making everyone feel valued and included in her role as Quarry Operations Coordinator at Waiotahi Contractors in Whakatāne.
Nicole creates a safe, inclusive environment where people feel supported to speak up, are listened to, and are genuinely cared for. Her approachability, empathy, and practical leadership strengthen wellbeing, capability and team morale, making a lasting, positive impact across the quarry. She is a trusted sounding board and plays a key role in supporting mental wellbeing, encouraging open conversations and helping team members work through both work related and personal challenges.
Heather McKay, from the West Coast, was named IOQNZ Leader of the Year for her work as General Manager Environment and Sustainability at Westland Mineral Sands.
Heather’s leadership is grounded in initiative, influence, collaboration and a genuine commitment to bring people together to achieve outcomes that benefit both industry and the community. She works with iwi, community, and technical groups, helping shift sustainability from a function to a shared mindset. Through her work, Heather is helping demonstrate how extractive industries can operate responsibly, engage meaningfully with communities, and deliver lasting environmental and economic value.
Sue Bonham-Carter, from Nelson, is the AusIMM New Zealand Extractives Trailblazer, acknowledging her 35 years in the industry and her current role as Acting General Manager Resource Development at Bathurst Resources and Director BCP Associates (NZ).
In that time, Sue has worked around the world from Laos, Colombia and Africa, to Australia, Canada and New Zealand. She is the kind of trailblazer who reshapes an industry through unwavering technical excellence, calm judgement, and a belief in the potential of every person she works with. She leads with integrity, uplifts others, and shares her considerable knowledge at conferences and technical gatherings. Alongside an impressive career, Sue has had her eye on the next generation and has raised three brilliant STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) qualified daughters.
“In our fourth year of these awards, we continue to see the depth of talent from women in the extractives industry, which is extraordinary considering they are the minority of workers,” says AQA and MinEx CEO Wayne Scott. “We had 20 entries for these awards, and we want to acknowledge every one of them as a talent we want to keep.”
“It is interesting to see this year the work being done on the important environmental side of extractive operations and how women working in this space are collaborative and taking others with them for wider community outcomes and acceptance,” says New Zealand Minerals Council CEO Josie Vidal.
“Each woman has an inspiring story, and we hope people outside the industry will take the time to listen to them and learn about the many positive impacts of the extractives industry,” Vidal says.
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Energy Sector – ERGANZ welcomes launch of Billy to help Kiwis find power plans that fit their needs

Source: Energy Retailers and Generators Association of New Zealand (ERGANZ)

ERGANZ welcomes the launch of Billy, the Electricity Authority’s new free power bill comparison tool, saying the service promises to make it easier for New Zealanders to compare power plans and switch providers. (See; billy.govt.nz )

ERGANZ Chief Executive Bridget Abernethy says the launch is good news for households and a positive step in an open, competitive electricity market.

“Everything that gives New Zealanders more options when it comes to their power is a step in the right direction.”

Abernethy says ERGANZ members support improvements that make the market easier to navigate and more responsive to customers. Billy does not receive commissions or promote any particular power company.

“Our members are committed to a market where customers can see what is on offer, compare with confidence, and switch easily when a better option is available. It keeps retailers on their toes, encourages sharper offers, better service, and gives customers more agency.”

Abernethy says Billy has the potential to help more households shop around, test whether they are on the right plan, and engage with new pricing options, including plans that reward people for shifting some of their power use to different times of the day.

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Health Coalition – New report shows communities need better policy support to combat growing food insecurity

Source: Health Coalition Aotearoa

Health Coalition Aotearoa and Healthy Families South Auckland have released a new report highlighting key actions needed to improve access to affordable, nutritious food for communities across South Auckland.
Titled “He kai kei aku ringa – There is food in my hands”, the foundation report responds to rising levels of food poverty in the region and showcase innovative community-led initiatives that are improving access to healthy food.
Following a year-long research process and working with the Māngere community, the solutions needed to improve South Auckland’s food system have been identified in areas of planning and zoning reform, school and food protections, fiscal and regulatory levers, and economic system shift.
These include granting legislative tools to allow Auckland Council to unlock unused or underused public land for community kai initiatives, permanently funding and expanding Ka Ora Ka Ako – Healthy School Lunches Programme possibly through a sugary drinks tax, and giving communities a say in where and how many junk food outlets they want in their neighbourhoods.
Healthy Families South Auckland’s Matt Appleyard says the challenge is to ensure community-led solutions are inter-connected across sectors as these solutions can be platforms for wider change.
“The system analysis in He kai kei aku ringa reveals where we collectively need to strengthen the local food system to make the most impact for communities,” he says.
“Our conclusion is that a coordinated and systems-oriented approach, in combination with targeted national-level and regional-level regulation and policy changes, will rebalance the food system, so everyone thrives. It’s time we stopped looking past food choices as individuals, and instead see they are part of an economic system with shared responsibility.”
Professor Boyd Swinburn from University of Auckland and Health Coalition Aotearoa says New Zealand needs to recognise food insecurity is a major driver in our nation’s problems.
“Aotearoa is an export nation excellent at growing kai – enough to feed 40 million people, in fact. And yet we have 42% of children in South Auckland regularly going hungry, which clearly isn’t primarily caused by the 5% unemployment rate. We must debunk the narrative that our nation’s food issues are about parents not working hard enough.”
He is calling for collaborative action across local and central government to allow communities’ energy and innovation for local food systems to thrive, while also limiting the dominance of the industrial food system and its promotion of unhealthy food.
“Many of the solutions are well-known – like more community gardens on unused public land and removing junk food advertising from Auckland Council and Auckland Transport contracts, and within 500 metres of schools.”
Swinburn says He kai kei aku ringa provides the solutions, and Health Coalition Aotearoa is seeking partnership with organisations to progress the findings.
“What we’re seeking now is show of hands from those bold enough to tackle New Zealand’s food issues. The community has provided some feasible solutions. Now we want to implement change.”
The reports were commissioned by Health Coalition Aotearoa and Healthy Families South Auckland, and developed by Moana Connect, with support from Toi Tangata, Clare Foundation, the University of Auckland, JR McKenzie Trust, and MAS Foundation.
Read the foundation report at www.healthcoalition.org.nz/resources
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Energy Sector – Electricity Authority launches free power comparison and switching site ‘Billy’

Source: Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko

New publicly owned digital tool helps households check they’re on the right power plan

Thursday 26 March 2026 – New Zealanders can now compare and switch power plans with confidence using Billy, the new, free, publicly-owned comparison and switching site launched today by the Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko (the Authority).

Named as a nod to the power ‘bill’, Billy will make it easier for households to take control of their power costs.

“Billy gives people a simple way to check their plan and make sure they’re getting the best deal for them,” says Authority Chief Executive Sarah Gillies. “As Billy says, ‘there’s power in checking’

“We want people to be confident they’re getting good value for their power by providing clarity and choice.”

Gillies says Billy builds on other changes the Authority has made to strengthen competition and empower consumers with better bills and clearer information.

“Electricity is a lifeline not a luxury. It warms our homes, powers our lives and connects us to opportunity. But for too many people, it’s a source of stress. Heading into winter, many households will face an increase to their power bill. It’s more important than ever to check whether your plan is delivering good value for your household, and whether you could save money with a better deal.”

Owned and operated by the Authority, the interactive site uses real data from 27,000 Kiwi households to model how people use power and create personalised comparisons. The Authority does not receive commissions or promote any particular power company. Billy simply shows how different plans could work for each household.

“Electricity is one of the biggest regular costs for most New Zealanders,” says Gillies.

“Power bills rose by an average of about 10% in the first half of last year – around $17 per month for the average home.”

Research commissioned by the Authority in 2024 highlights why tools like Billy are needed. 

Of the households surveyed, half of those who switched power companies did so to save money.

Among those who hadn’t switched, the main barriers were:

• uncertainty whether savings would be real (50%)
• feeling the benefit might not be worth the hassle (37%)
• believing switching would be difficult (25%).

Billy makes it easy to see what you could save by either uploading a recent power bill, or answering a few simple questions. Within seconds, you will receive personalised comparisons based on your electricity use and guided through a simple process if you choose to switch.

“The Authority has no commercial interest in whether someone switches. For many people, the outcome may simply be reassurance that their current plan is working well.”

Gillies says trusted information makes a big difference. Billy will help people better understand their options and make informed choices.”

Minister for Energy Simon Watts says making energy affordable is a top priority for the Government: “Helping you save money is our priority. Billy is a simple tool that takes the guesswork out of power bills, making sure you’re on the best plan so you can keep more in your pocket without the hassle.”

Billy is live at www.billy.govt.nz

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Reserve Bank Advisory – "Keeping Cash Local" consultation extended to 31 July 2026

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

26 March 2026 – Due to strong interest from the public and key stakeholders, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Te Pūtea Matua has extended the closing date for responses to our Keeping Cash Local consultation.

The new closing date will be 31 July 2026.

The RBNZ has received requests for more information on the consultation, including requests under the Official Information Act. We will publish further material to support the consultation, including responses to OIA requests in early June.

Additionally, alternate formats of the consultation document – in NZSL, braille, easy read, audio and large print – will be made available in May to allow disabled people and their communities to have their say.

More information

Respond to our survey, make a submission or download consultation materials on CitizenSpace: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=9b34659441&e=f3c68946f8
Watch our video and learn more about the public consultation: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=364d75d716&e=f3c68946f8

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Providing false details, fishing without licence and fishing out of season lands angler in Court

Source: Fish and Game NZ

Central South Island Fish & Game have successfully prosecuted an angler who flouted the law while fishing at Loch Cameron near Twizel in October 2025.
Blake Thorman of Christchurch appeared in the Timaru District Court on 17 March and entered a guilty plea to three charges; providing false details, fishing without a sports fishing licence and fishing out of season.
Thorman was known to Fish & Game having previously been issued a warning for fishing outside of the family fishing licence provisions in 2020.
Judge Savage convicted Thorman on all three charges and ordered him to pay a total of $1,500 in fines and costs.
Central South Island Compliance Coordinator Hamish Stevens said, “It is disappointing this offender was detected just prior to the annual Kids’ Salmon Fishing Day. Hopefully this will prompt people to think twice before fishing without a licence or providing false details to a ranger.”
WHAT IS FISH & GAME?
Fish & Game manage trout, salmon and game birds to provide healthy recreation for Kiwis.
We work to protect the environment that anglers and hunters have enjoyed as a tradition for over 150 years.
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Love Their Game® – Momentum builds for Auckland-wide sideline behaviour initiative

Source: Aktive

Just over a year after eight Auckland Regional Sport Organisations partnered with Aktive to launch a collective push for positive sideline behaviour, the movement has surged to 18 Regional Sport Organisations, reaching more than 220,000 participants.
Love Their Game emphasises the importance of positive sideline support and its role in creating quality sport experiences and environments for all involved, particularly young people. Over the past 12 months, the initiative has grown significantly to include organisations from across the region.
Participating organisations are North Harbour Rugby Union, Counties Manukau Rugby Union, Auckland Rugby Union, Netball Northern Zone, Northern Region Football, Tennis Northern, Auckland Basketball Services, Auckland Water Polo, Counties Manukau Rugby League, Harbour Badminton, Harbour Hockey, Auckland Rugby League, Counties Manukau Badminton, Auckland Hockey, Counties Manukau Touch, Athletics Auckland, Surf Life Saving Northern Region and Auckland Golf.
Aktive Chief Executive Jennah Wootten explains why the initiative is going from strength to strength: “We know that poor sideline behaviour affects far more than just one or two sports. Love Their Game is a reminder to everyone, regardless of the code, to respect that the game belongs to those playing, refereeing, coaching and managing, and not those on the sideline.
“With more Regional Sport Organisations getting involved, the strength of consistent messages across codes and across Auckland is significant. It helps amplify the impact of our collective efforts, no matter which sport you support, what colour uniform you wear or which sideline you stand on.”
Mel Bennett, Community Manager, Auckland Basketball Services speaks to their experience:
“Through our alignment with Aktive and Love Their Game, Auckland Basketball Services has played an active role in bringing this kaupapa to life – supporting clubs and schools to create positive environments, building coach and volunteer capability, and prioritising wellbeing so tamariki and rangatahi can stay connected to the game for life.
“Our mahi has been intentional to safeguard the wellbeing of our participants – ensuring that environments are not only development-focused, but safe, inclusive, and grounded in positive experiences for all. We are proud to stand alongside other regional sporting organisations in this initiative, collectively strengthening the systems and support around our young people. From strengthening on-court delivery to shaping supportive spaces off the court, this work ensures that every young person not only participates but genuinely loves their game.”
Ms Bennett adds: “We look forward to continuing to grow our relationship and deepening our alignment, working together to create lasting impact across our communities.”
Auckland Golf is the most recent Auckland Regional Sport Organisation to come on board. Chief Executive Jacob Cameron says: “At Auckland Golf, we’ve always backed positive sideline behaviour, because the experience our young people have today shapes their love for sport tomorrow. The key is to create an environment that’s fun, welcoming, and supports parents to be aware of the impact they can have. That’s why we’re proud to join Love Their Game – it reinforces the values we already stand for and helps ensure every young golfer gets the chance to enjoy the game and stay in it for the long term.”
Love Their Game strengthens positive sideline behaviour messages that participating sports organisations can customise for their own codes and activate across their competitions and tournaments. The initiative is further supported through social media content, workforce development opportunities, and resources on CoachMate – the Kiwi coaching app designed to empower and educate the grassroots sporting community with worldclass coaching content, modern microlearning tools, and practical team management features.
Kicking off in late March, the latest Love Their Game social media content features Love Their Game Ambassador and international rugby referee Ben O’Keeffe; Broadcaster and Social Media Comedy Creator Ben Boyce; and five-sport international athlete and Olympian Tyla King.
Ms Wootten says: “Regional Sport Organisations and sports clubs, along with their many dedicated volunteers, work incredibly hard to deliver high quality sporting experiences for their communities. By working together, we can strengthen understanding of how adults can help create a positive, supportive environment that makes sport more enjoyable for everyone. Ultimately, we all want to support and protect our volunteers while ensuring young people have fun, feel encouraged, and develop a lifelong love of sport and activity.”
For more information visit www.lovetheirgame.org.nz
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Health Politics and Tech – Threats won’t fix Health NZ’s AI problem Investment will

Source: PSA

Health NZ is threatening health workers with disciplinary action for using AI tools like ChatGPT to write notes. But the PSA says the real question is why staff are turning to free tools in the first place.
A Health NZ senior manager has sent a memo to all Mental Health and Addiction Services staff in the Rotorua Lakes district, telling them they will face disciplinary action if they use free tools like ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini to write clinical notes on patients.
“Health workers are turning to AI tools because they are under enormous pressure and looking for ways to manage their workloads,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“A memo that opens by threatening formal disciplinary action is not a training programme. It’s a warning shot that will make staff afraid to ask questions or seek help.”
The PSA does not dispute that the use of AI in health settings must be carefully regulated. Patient privacy and data security are serious obligations. But proper regulation requires training, approved tools, and a culture where concerns can be raised without livelihoods being threatened.
“Health NZ needs to invest in proper training and approved tools, not threaten workers with Code of Conduct breaches,” said Fitzsimons.
“Let’s not forget that the Government has forced Health NZ to cut the very teams responsible for digital systems and IT support, cuts that have impacted every hospital in New Zealand. If staff are improvising with free tools, Health NZ needs to examine why that is the case.”
Threatening disciplinary action will not lead to honest conversations about AI use. It will simply drive the practice underground.
“The stakes are high for patients, for staff, and for the health system. The answer is clear guidance, proper resourcing, and supported professional development. Not threats.”
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.
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Workers First calls on finance sector to act on fuel crisis and support workers

Source: Workers First Union

Workers First – the union for finance workers – has written to financial institutions across Aotearoa, calling on them to support their staff amid rising petrol costs and warning that workers are spending an increasing proportion of their wages simply travelling to and from work.
Callum Francis, Workers First National Organiser for Finance, is asking institutions to suspend any attendance requirements, to offer improved working-from-home arrangements where possible, and to subsidise transport costs for staff required to be onsite.
Petrol prices in Auckland surged as much as 24 cents in a single weekend recently, with 91-grade fuel hitting a near four-year high. Industry forecasts suggest prices could reach $4 per litre, representing a near 50% increase in fuel costs for many workers.
“Finance workers offer care and consideration to customers every single day,” said Mr Francis.
“We're asking their employers to offer them the same. This is no longer a nice-to-have – it is becoming a necessity.”
Nick(*), a union member who works at a major financial institution, said that support from employers to work from home would be practical during an unprecedented economic crisis.
“We already do over half of our work from home anyway, and it would show good faith and care for us during a tough time for everyone,” he said.
“Colleagues sometimes have no option but to drive an hour or more into work but aren’t eligible for the Government support, and this would offer a sense of relief to our families.”
“This is a national emergency and we’re all supposed to help out – so why should workers be the ones taking the hit? Employers should do this for our country as well as their staff.”
Mr Francis drew a parallel with the Covid-19 pandemic, during which many financial institutions rapidly adapted their operations to support staff working from home, or if absolutely necessary, attending workplaces.
“Businesses showed during Covid that they could act quickly and pragmatically when workers needed them to. We're asking for that same approach now,” said Mr Francis.
“Billion-dollar institutions like banks and insurance providers can and should provide relief and convenience to their workers whenever it’s possible – especially during a crisis.”
Workers First Union is seeking meetings with financial institutions and expects responses in the coming weeks.
(*)Name changed due to employer restrictions on public speech.