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Aviation – Clearer rules and a new pathway to support innovation in NZ’s skies

Source: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)

Published date: 27 November 2025 – Updated drone and advanced aviation rules will take effect on 22 December 2025, introducing a new Part 107 to support research and development flight testing, and providing greater clarity for drone operators.

The changes follow the Government’s announcement of a modernised regulatory framework for advanced aviation technologies.

Developed jointly with the Ministry of Transport and informed by extensive engagement with industry and international partners, the updated rules maintain strong safety boundaries while providing clearer, more responsive pathways for innovation.

“These changes are about making the system clearer and more consistent,” said CAA Deputy Chief Executive John Kay.

“And Part 107 creates a world-leading and well-defined R&D pathway for innovators to experiment, iterate, and accelerate development” Mr Kay said.

NEW PART 107:

  • Allows approved research organisations to rapidly develop and test emerging aviation technologies within pre-defined areas.
  • Removes regulatory burden by no longer requiring regulatory approval every time an iteration is made.
  • Is technology agnostic, allowing for R&D on all aviation systems and ancillary systems.

KEY CHANGES UNDER CIVIL AVIATION RULE PARTS 101 AND 102:

  • Clarity on what operators can do under Part 101, and what requires certification under Part 102.
  • A new Transport Instrument under Part 101 allows CAA to be more responsive to sector developments.
  • A Trial Advisory Circular will help operators transition smoothly and share feedback in early 2026.

See the pending Rules on the CAA website: https://www.aviation.govt.nz/rules/pending-rules/

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Appointments – New Zealander to lead global sustainability standards body

Source: Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)

Jane Diplock appointed Chair of GRI Supervisory Board

Amsterdam, 26 November 2025 – The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has made a series of key appointments to non-executive oversight bodies that guide future direction and policy, effective from 1 January 2026.

GRI Supervisory Board

Jane Diplock is appointed Chair of the Supervisory Board – the decision-making body responsible for overseeing organizational priorities and strategy at GRI, the provider of the world's most widely used sustainability reporting standards. Jane – a former Chair of both IOSCO and the Securities Commission of New Zealand – steps up following two years on the Board, with Jessica Fries to stand down as her term as Chair ends.

Bola Adeeko continues as Vice Chair for the remainder of his second term on the Supervisory Board, while Jyrki Raina will depart after six years’ service. 

Two new members are appointed:

  • Peiyuan Guo, Chairman of SynTao Green Finance – China
  • Sue Longley, former General Secretary of the IUF (Academic Institute of France) – Switzerland.

Jane Diplock said: “I am delighted to be appointed Supervisory Board Chair of GRI and honored to succeed Jessica Fries in this role. The GRI Standards play a vital role in ensuring organizations provide valuable and accessible sustainability information, which addresses their impacts on people and planet.

As GRI looks ahead to celebrating our thirtieth year in 2027, we are well-positioned to steer the future of reporting through our consensus-building, collaborative approach. Together, we can ensure that sustainability reporting unlocks corporate accountability and is the catalyst for change.”

Jessica Fries added:

“Over the last six years, we have seen significant progress – and some big changes – in the reporting landscape. It has been a privilege to help steer GRI's response over this period, in particular serving as Chair of the Supervisory Board. During this time, we have seen an increased recognition of the importance of understanding and responding to sustainability impacts, but also more complexity as different standards are adopted around the world. GRI's new strategy seeks to address this complexity while also cementing a recognition of the importance of a multi-stakeholder, impact focus at the heart of the global reporting system.

In the face of political headwinds and global sustainability challenges, GRI's mission is more important than ever before. I am pleased to hand over the baton to someone with Jane's wisdom, experience and commitment to the role that reporting can play in creating a sustainable world.”

GRI Stakeholder Council

The Stakeholder Council, the multistakeholder forum that provides advice and recommendations to GRI governance bodies, sees four members added.

The new appointments are:

  • Rupam Baruah, Business Head – Sustainability Services, South Asia, environmental services group Bureau Veritas – India
  • Gabriel Hasson, Global Head of Governance and Shareholder Advisory, strategic communications advisory ICR – USA
  • Cesar Sanches, Founder and Managing Director, SFX (The Sustainable Finance Exchange) – Brazil
  • Michiel Slinkert, Founder and Director of sustainability consultancy Eevery – Belgium. 

The following Council members are to depart following the conclusion of their terms: Tuba Atabey, Clara Goyret, Paul Farella, Ozdemir Haluk, Crecentia Carina Mofokeng, and Denis Lu.

Erdem Kolcuoğlu, Chair of the GRI Stakeholder Council, said: “I am very grateful to the members standing down from the Stakeholder Council for their valuable counsel, and I welcome the new appointments who will join us from January. I also extend my congratulations to Jane, and I look forward to continuing to engage closely with her and the members of the Supervisory Board to ensure GRI’s priorities and strategic direction continue to be shaped and informed by the voices of all stakeholders.”

NOTES

About Jane Diplock

Jane Diplock AO is a highly experienced corporate governance professional who has served on numerous boards and committees for listed, private and nonprofit entities, with a focus on sustainability standards, regulation, impact reporting and digitization. She is a former Chair of both the IOSCO Executive Committee and the Securities Commission of New Zealand.

Jane’s current governance roles include positions with the World Benchmarking Alliance, A4S, Abu Dhabi Global Market Appeals Panel, Wellington Zoo Te Nukuao, and Persefoni AI. Earlier in her career, she led several government departments in New South Wales, Australia, and held executive leadership positions in Westpac Banking Corporation.

Jane holds degrees in Arts and Law and a Diploma of Education from Sydney University, and a Diploma of International Law, International Economics and International Relations from the Australian National University, while she was a Chevening Fellow at the London School of Economics. She resides in Wellington, New Zealand, and holds dual Australian and New Zealand citizenship. In 2004 she was awarded the Order of Australia for her contribution to business and commerce.

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is the creator of the common global language to assess and report environmental, social and economic impacts, as articulated through the GRI Standards – the world’s most widely used sustainability reporting standards. GRI is headquartered in Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and supported by a regional office network.

GRI engages in a multi-stakeholder approach to define and refine the best practice for sustainability reporting. In addition to standards, GRI provides tools and training that empower organizations of all sizes to build sustainable, long-term value – benefiting people and planet.

GRI’s governance has a two-tier board structure, with operational leadership being the responsibility of the Management Board and oversight and guidance provided by the Supervisory Board. In addition, the Global Sustainability Standards Board (GSSB) has independent responsibility for setting the GRI Standards (a separate process is underway to update the GSSB membership).

The Stakeholder Council, which has regionally diverse membership drawn from five defined stakeholder constituencies, is a sounding board on key issues for the Supervisory Board, Management Board, and GSSB. Finally, the Due Process Oversight Committee ensures the standard-setting activities of the GSSB are conducted in accordance with its due process.

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Economy – Progress on cash – Reserve Bank of NZ

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua

27 November 2025 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua is working to ensure that New Zealanders can continue to withdraw cash, pay with cash and deposit cash as and when they want to.

Cash is used for economic, social and cultural reasons, and as the cash steward we will keep issuing cash for as long as the public needs it. Research shows 72% of small businesses would be adversely affected if cash was unavailable as a means of payment. Our own survey tells us while over 80% of adults use cash sometimes, over half (56%) store cash and 8% rely on cash.

“People should be able to use cash as and when they want to but they can't if cash services aren't available. Our view is that it is getting too hard for people to withdraw and use cash, deposit cash or make change, as bank branches have closed especially in rural areas. Addressing this is not an easy task but it's one we're committed to,” says Ian Woolford, Director of Money and Cash.

In Waipukurau this month we started a 12-month research project for a cash depot in our first Community Cash Trial with Central Hawke's Bay District Council. Approved local businesses and community organisations can use the depot to get cash and make change in low denomination banknotes, free of fees. Until now, people and businesses in Waipukurau and Waipawa have been forced to travel up to 50km to Hastings, Havelock North and Dannevirke, since local bank branches closed and remaining ATMs were inadequate.

“We're grateful for the support from Central Hawke's Bay District Council and local residents. We are looking for solutions to real community cash issues and we'll learn from the Waipukurau trial as we plan similar research trials in a small number of towns across New Zealand next year,” says Mr Woolford.

The public expect banks to provide cash services to them. In addition to the Community Cash Trial we are looking at how best to expand cash services across New Zealand and one option is encouraging banks to voluntarily commit to providing their customers with good access to full cash services to a minimum standard. We will speak with banks about this approach soon, but we may need to use our existing powers to obtain the right outcomes if voluntary commitments fall short.

In another cash update, our collectable coin partnership with NZ Post will conclude on 30 June 2026. This follows a strategic review and reflects our commitment to focus on our core mandate and cash in circulation.

“We thank NZ Post for its contribution and collaboration throughout this 25-year partnership that has been valued by collectors and numismatists,” says Mr Woolford.

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Reserve Bank of New Zealand Board announcements

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua

27 November 2025 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua welcomes the elevation of Rodger Finlay as our new Board Chair, and the appointment of Rhiannon McKinnon to the Board.

Mr Finlay and Mrs McKinnon were appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister of Finance following their participation in an appointment process run by Te Tai Ōhanga – The Treasury.

Rodger Finlay was appointed to the RBNZ Transition Board in October 2021, the RBNZ Board on 1 July 2022 for a term of five years, and was elevated to Deputy Chair from 1 February 2023. He has been exercising the functions of Chair since 29 August 2025.  

Mr Finlay has an extensive executive background in international investment banking, having worked with leading financial institutions in London, including CS First Boston, Paribas, and UBS. He brings significant governance experience and is also currently the Deputy Chair of Rural Equities Limited. He has previously chaired several major New Zealand listed, and public sector organisations and advisory panels.  

“It is a privilege to be appointed as the RBNZ Board Chair,” says Mr Finlay.

“The past year has seen wide-ranging change for the Reserve Bank and I look forward to supporting a renewed focus on effectively and efficiently delivering the Bank's economic, financial stability, and broader central banking objectives. I am also looking forward to working with our incoming Governor, Dr Anna Breman.”

Rhiannon McKinnon has managed complex financial operations, including hedging programmes, bond issuance, and M&A transactions. She has held senior executive and board roles, including CEO of Kiwi Wealth, founder of executive coaching firm Cassiobury, and board member of the NZ Film Commission, CFA Society of NZ, and Dress for Success Wellington.  

Mrs McKinnon is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and holds an MA from the University of Cambridge.

“Mrs McKinnon is an experienced financial professional with a strong background in leadership and strategy. We welcome her appointment to the RBNZ Board and look forward to the contribution she will bring towards delivering on Te Pūtea Matua's strategic objectives,” says Mr Finlay.

Mr Finlay will serve as Chair until the end of his current term, 30 June 2027. Mrs McKinnon will serve for a five-year term from 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2030.

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Health Employment – 17,000 PSA health workers to strike on Friday – PSA

Source: PSA

PSA health workers will strike for the second time in four weeks this Friday after mediation has failed, sending a clear message to the Government that they won’t back down on issues such as chronic understaffing and under-resourcing.
About 17,000 health workers, including Allied Health staff; mental health and public health nurses and healthcare assistants; and Policy, Advisory, Knowledge and Specialist (PAKS) workers, will go on strike for a pay increase that recognises the increased cost of living facing workers and their families and safe staffing to ensure that patients get the quality care they deserve.
“These workers are standing up for the public health system that New Zealanders need and deserve,” Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons, says.
Pickets and rallies will be held at 30 locations around the country: Full details of the rallies from Whāngarei to Invercargill on the PSA website.
Life preserving service staff levels have been agreed between the PSA and Health New Zealand for the duration of the strike.
Since the strike on October 23, the parties have attended mediation through the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment but no settlement has been reached.
“Unfortunately, Health NZ and this Government still refuse to hear concerns about the state of our health system, we need to see a commitment to fill vacancies quickly and staff hospitals properly.”
“Health NZ’s offer would mean workers go backwards. The health system is currently being held together by these workers’ good will for their patients. It’s not sustainable, not fair on workers, and doesn’t serve patients well either,” Fitzsimons says.
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 care and community groups.
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Buy local this Black Friday – Buy NZ Made

Source: Buy NZ Made

As the global retail engine gears up for another wave of Black Friday spending, Buy NZ Made is urging New Zealanders to choose local alternatives that strengthen communities, protect jobs, and build long-term economic resilience. 
Buy NZ Made Executive Director Dane Ambler says Black Friday has become a major driver of offshore spending, often to the detriment of local businesses counting on the Christmas trading period. 
“Your purchase is a drop in the bucket for a large retail chain but for a small local business, it can provide them with a major boost at the end of the year. 
“Imported Black Friday deals might seem cheap in the moment, but the real cost is felt here in New Zealand: in lost jobs, struggling main streets, and weakened local industries.”
Ambler says every dollar spent with a Kiwi business supports wages, suppliers, tradespeople, and regional economies. But money spent with large offshore platforms will more often than not vanish from New Zealand’s economy.
“Shopping local isn’t just a feel-good choice, it’s an economic strategy. When we back Kiwi businesses, we’re backing ourselves.”
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Health Employment – New Zealanders say patients at risk because of nurse shortages – NZNO

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

Most New Zealanders – 83% – believe patient safety is at risk because there are not enough nurses, new polling by Talbot Mills Research has found.
The polling commissioned by Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO and released today in full, also found 94% of New Zealanders believe it is important to address staff shortages in the health sector. The poll of 1020 people also found only a third believe the Government values and listens to nurses.
More than 37,500 of NZNO’s Te Whatu Ora nurses, midwives, health care assistants and kaimahi hauora are in the second week of a fortnight of strike actions to highlight unsafe staffing levels throughout the public health system. The actions follow stalled collective agreement negotiations.
NZNO delegate and Rotorua emergency nurse Lyn Logan says since the beginning of last week, NZNO’s Te Whatu Ora members have been refusing to be redeployed away from their patients.
“Te Whatu Ora has become reliant on the goodwill of nurses, health care assistants and kaimahi hauora to leave the specialist care they do in their own wards and be moved around the hospital to cover roster gaps caused by chronic short staffing. They often work 12-hour shifts after picking up additional hours to plug the gaps.
“These roster gaps are a direct result of Te Whatu Ora’s recruitment freeze. They are putting patients at risk, and they are completely preventable.
“Emergency Departments (EDs) are almost always short-staffed. If they are lucky enough to get additional help, it's from ward nurses who are then working at short notice in busy and unfamiliar settings with trauma and acutely unwell patients.
“Sadly, this is not new. It is a practice that Coroner Ian Telford recently raised concern about following the 2020 death of Taranaki man Len Collett. The Coroner also found Taranaki Base Hospital ED now has 15 FTE nurses fewer than it did on the busy evening Len Collett died.
“Te Whatu Ora was warned by the Coroner that ‘consciously deciding’ to under-resource is creating a high risk of ‘another catastrophic event’. Yet almost 40 days of bargaining later, hospitals remain chronically short-staffed and vacancies are still not being filled.
“It is time for enforceable safe staffing nurse to patient ratios now,” Lyn Logan says.
Notes:
From Monday 17 to Sunday 30 November, more than 37,500 NZNO Te Whatu Ora members will only perform their duties and shifts as set out in their rosters. They will not accept:
  • Being redeployed to other areas.
  • Changes to their duties or shifts.
  • For the week of Monday 24 to Sunday 30 November they will not accept:
  • Proposed amendments to their rosters.
  • This action will occur at every place in New Zealand where Health New Zealand provides health services and/or disability support services.
  • As always, NZNO members will provide Life Preserving Services as agreed between NZNO and Te Whatu Ora.
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Health Employment – OIA Data reveals Health NZ delaying recruiting for vacant roles – PSA

Source: PSA

– Health NZ taking up to 30 weeks to approve starting a recruitment process
– The delays are in addition to the time it takes to do the recruitment
– Wellington data a snapshot of what’s happening nationally as health funding squeezed
Official Information Act data released to the PSA shows Health NZ is taking months to approve starting a recruitment process for vacant clinical roles in the Wellington region.
In some cases, it took up to 30 weeks for management to approve a hiring process for critical vacant frontline roles. These included medical imaging technologists who operate x-ray, CT and MRI equipment, roles vital for patient diagnosis and treatment.
“This is a disturbing snapshot of the staffing crisis health workers tell us is being replicated across the country, compromising patient care and putting workers under severe stress,” said Fleur Fitzsimons National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Mahi.
“All this can be sheeted home to the Government choosing to squeeze funding for the public health system while giving landlords tax relief.”
“This data alone explains why New Zealanders are having to suffer ever increasing waiting lists and slower treatment. It all comes down to the Government failing to invest in the health system New Zealanders need.”
The roles are from all over the health system, including radiographers, administrative staff, oral health therapists, doctors, nurses, and healthcare assistants – all key jobs that keep the health system working for patients 24/7 (see attached spreadsheet).
According to the OIA release, which covers the period from March to May 2025, there were 219 recruitment requests in the Capital & Coast District that took over two months to be approved.
Ninety-one of those vacant roles waited over 20 weeks for approval for recruit, and as of last month, 45 of the roles that were applied for in March have still not been filled.
“Dozens of teams across Wellington are waiting months for their recruitment request to just be approved internally, let alone filled.
“It’s understandable if recruitment is delayed because of labour market conditions, or because it’s difficult to find a specialist professional, but ultimately this shows it comes down to Health NZ being forced to stretch its budget and slow down recruitment.
“Allowing such long-standing vacancies in so many areas of the health system is a recipe for burnout and eventually, even higher vacancy rates as staff quit for overseas hospitals where their skills are valued.
The delays in recruitment mean there is not safe staffing levels which is a key reason over 17,000 health workers represented by the PSA – including allied health staff, mental and public health nurses, and policy, knowledge, advisory and specialist workers – will strike again this Friday 28 November for four hours.
“Workers are sick and tired of being ignored and must again send a loud and clear message to the Government that it must listen to their concerns and make patient care a priority. Enough is enough.”
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 care and community groups.
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Tech and Business – NZ business embracing AI but missing customer connections – InternetNZ

Source: InternetNZ

New Zealand small businesses could be missing out on connections with customers, new research from InternetNZ finds.
The 2025 .nz research surveyed businesses and consumers to get a snapshot of how New Zealanders use the Internet to run, or engage with, businesses.
The research found that nearly half of businesses, 47 percent, don’t have a website. This number is even lower for sole traders, with just one in four having a website.
“I understand the thinking,” says InternetNZ GM Customer and Product Tim Johnson.
“You’re just a one or two person operation, and most of your customers come through word of mouth so why would you need a website?
“The problem is, that’s not how your potential customers see it,” says Johnson.
Nearly three-quarters of the individuals surveyed said a business or organisation’s website is the most important tool for engagement.
More than half of consumers surveyed see a website’s usefulness in providing a means for online sales – but only a third of businesses see it that way.
“It’s potentially resulting in missed connections,” says Johnson.
“There’s a heavy reliance, especially for small businesses, on social media. But this research shows people are using social media less, and the last World Internet Project report found most people think social media makes the world a worse place – it’s not necessarily the right place to pitch business now.”
InternetNZ is the manager for New Zealand country code top-level domain, .nz – the research also tested perceptions of .nz.
The survey has consistently shown that there is high trust in websites with a .nz address – this year, 74% of businesses and 62% of consumers agreed a .nz domain name is more trustworthy than other domains, such as .com.
“Trust is a really big issue for Internet users right now,” says Tim. “With AI booming, there’s uneasiness about what’s legit and what’s not. Because we have such strong processes in place, people feel confident about websites on the .nz domain.”
The survey also asked about AI use for the first time, and found that while businesses seem to be embracing it, consumers’ use of it varies depending on their age group.
About the research
The research was carried out by Yabble, on behalf of InternetNZ. The last surveys were carried out in 2020 and 2022.
The research focuses on the connections between New Zealand consumers and businesses through various online channels, as well as their awareness, perceptions, and use of domain names.
The 2025 responses were collected using an online survey between July 31 and 21 August. There were responses from 750 businesses of different sizes and locations and 500 consumers, nationally representative of age, gender, ethnicity and location. The results have a +/- margin of error of 3.6% and 4.4% respectively.
This research is focused on business and the .nz brand, and complements the biennial Internet Insights, which takes a broader, community-oriented view on Internet use.
About InternetNZ | Ipurangi Aotearoa
InternetNZ | Ipurangi Aotearoa is the home and guardian of the .nz domain. We're not government-funded – we're an independent, not-for-profit organisation that operates .nz for the benefit of all New Zealanders, reinvesting domain revenue back into the community.
There are more than 750,000 .nz domain names registered.
Like other not-for-profits globally, InternetNZ manages the (often) unseen work that keeps the Internet running. Without it, we would not be able to send emails or access websites ending in .nz. 
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Greenpeace says Government’s war on nature has sparked a powerful nationwide resistance

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace says the Luxon Government’s “war on nature” has been met with an unprecedented wave of resistance from tens of thousands of New Zealanders over the two years since the coalition took office.
Today, Greenpeace released a timeline illustrating the scale of public pushback.
“From the moment it was sworn in, this Government launched an all-out assault on the environment,” says Greenpeace Aotearoa Executive Director Dr Russel Norman.
“But just as swiftly, New Zealanders stood up. And they haven’t stopped. The resistance to this Government’s anti-nature agenda has been powerful, determined, and nationwide.”
The timeline covers marches, petitions, occupations, court challenges, submissions, rallies, and acts of civil disobedience that have confronted the Government’s anti-environment agenda.
Dr Norman says the record shows a clear divide between a Government aligned with corporate polluters and a public fighting to defend the places and species that make Aotearoa home.
“People from every walk of life have refused to let this Government sacrifice our rivers, oceans, forests, and climate for corporate gain. They’ve shown courage in pushing back against Fast Track, seabed mining, coal mining, and dangerous nitrate contamination.”