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Pre-Budget Emergency! report launched – tackling the "time bomb" in our ambulance services – Workers First Union

Source: Workers First Union

WHAT: Workers First Union and CICTAR– are launching a new research paper this Friday 22 May: Emergency! Saving New Zealand’s Ambulance Services.
The report provides important new insights and details five significant issues facing our emergency ambulance services that the authors argue necessitate full governmental funding and in future, public ownership of New Zealand’s ambulances.
WHEN:
Friday 22 May, 1:00 – 2:00 PM
WHERE:
St Colomba Centre, 40 Vermont Street, Ponsonby, Auckland
WHY:
Anita Rosentreter, Workers First Deputy Secretary, said that the Emergency! report provided new insights into the scale and breadth of the challenges faced by our partially charity-funded ambulance services.
“New Zealand has an ageing population that will double in the next 40 years and increase both the number and the cost of ambulance callouts,” said Ms Rosentreter. “The cost to serve the over-65 population alone will increase 368% by 2065, meaning it will cost more than four times as much as today, growing at more than three times the rate of that population itself.”
“There’s a vast pay gap between us and Australia, and any paramedic would be 17-33% better off across the ditch. The most experienced paramedics face the largest financial incentive to leave, costing us millions in public investment that is not recouped.” 
Further information will be presented at the report launch and discussed by the panel, who are available to speak to attending media. These topics include the cost of electrifying New Zealand’s ambulance fleet, the collapse in charitable giving, and coordination issues with the rest of the health service. 
-Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research ( cictar.org)
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Analysis – Farcical 5 minute select committee submissions on India NZ FTA; Labour must say no

Source: Professor Emeritus Jane Kelsey

“The New Zealand India Free Trade Agreement has been a political stunt from start to finish”, says Professor Emeritus Jane Kelsey, who has over 40 years of expertise analysing such agreements.  

“Now we are told they plan  to rush it through the select committee in just two days, next week and the week after, presumably so they can pass the necessary legislation and the Prime Minister can secure some pre-election glory during Indian Prime Minister Modi's visit in July.”

“New Zealanders, especially the media, were fed carefully prepared propaganda about the deal before anyone could see the text. Once those of us with the skills and responsibilities to do so could  analyse the fine print, it was already signed. That revealed deep flaws in the agreement that will create major problems in the years ahead.”

“We were told we could have our turn during select committee examination of the agreement.”  

Jane Kelsey says that always seemed unlikely, given the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade committee has shown a blatant disregard for its obligations to independently review agreements, and decided not to conduct the review of the treaty examination process recommended by the last Standing Orders Committee review.

“ I indicated that I planned to come from north of Auckland to Wellington, at considerable expense, to discuss my submission with the committee.”

“Instead, the committee has continued to show contempt for submitters by allocating 5 minutes to me as an individual, and 10 minutes to groups, irrespective of our expertise or the significance of the agreement.”

Professor Kelsey urged the Labour Opposition,  whom the government is relying on to make that happen,  to get a backbone and refuse to be complicit in this abuse of parliamentary process. “They are the only ones who can stand up to this.  Their failure to do so will make them complicit in allowing a deeply flawed agreement to be waved through without  even a pretence of scrutiny”.

For Jane Kelsey’s submission see https://www.bilaterals.org/?10-key-takeaways-on-the-india-nz

Professor Emeritus Jane Kelsey
Faculty of Law
University of Auckland
Aotearoa New Zealand.
 
10 KEY TAKEAWAYS ON THE INDIA NZ FTA

Professor Emeritus Jane Kelsey

The Politics of the Deal                                                                                        1
The Economics of the Deal                                                                                  2
India’s Unilateral Clawbacks                                                                                3
Investment Commitment a Free Pass to India                                                     4
Te Tiriti o Waitangi Goes Backwards                                                                    5
Little Difference on Labour Mobility                                                                      6
Traditional Knowledge and Genetic Resources                                                   7
Rongoā and Traditional Medicine                                                                         8
The Mirage of Sustainable Development                                                             9
A Genuine Pre-ratification Review                                                                       10.

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New Year Honours recipients recognised – Fire and Emergency NZ

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand personnel from across New Zealand have been presented with New Year Royal Honours by the Governor-General, the Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, at Government House in Wellington.
“These recipients have dedicated decades to supporting their communities to become stronger, safer, and more resilient through their roles with Fire and Emergency and through their many other community contributions. It is wonderful to see their efforts recognised,” Fire and Emergency Board Chair, Rebecca Keoghan says.
“On behalf of Fire and Emergency and the people of New Zealand, we thank you for your outstanding service, your communities are stronger because of your work.”
Congratulations to this year’s recipients:
For appointment as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM)
Mr Donald George (Don) GEDDES
For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Land Search and Rescue and the community.
Mr Don Geddes worked with Ashburton District Council as both Principal Rural Fire Officer and Civil Defence Emergency Management Officer for 18 years. Through this role, Mr Geddes managed 10 rural fire forces and 180 volunteers. In 2016 he helped facilitate the implementation of a Welfare Trust, which supports the welfare of volunteer firefighters and their families. He has been a key liaison with Federated Farmers, developing long-standing relationships with the arable farming sector, particularly for the safe burning of crop residue. He has volunteered for Land Search and Rescue New Zealand (LandSAR) with the Methven Group for 50 years and chaired the Group for 20 years. He has served on the Canterbury Regional SAR Committee and chaired that Committee for a term. He served as a Gazetted Advisor (LandSAR) to the New Zealand Police. He was part of a five-person National LandSAR Advisory Panel in 2016, to the then Chief Executive Officer of LandSAR New Zealand. He is a Trustee and Chairperson of WanderSearch Canterbury, a volunteer organisation providing free radio frequency devices for vulnerable individuals at risk of wandering. Mr Geddes has served as a Trustee of the Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust and continues his involvement with the Trust as a volunteer.
For the award of the King’s Service Medal (KSM)
Mr Lloyd Bertram CLAUSEN, MStJ
For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.
Mr Lloyd Clausen has been a leader in the Leeston community for several decades, serving with a range of organisations.
Mr Clausen joined the Leeston Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1969, since serving in several roles including Deputy Chief Fire Officer and Chief Fire Officer, and being made a Life Member in 1994. He has promoted and led extensive Community Fire Safety programmes in the area. He has been on the Leeston Township Advisory Committee for 30 years, serving as Chair from 2004 to 2024. He has overseen and operated the Leeston Learners Pool for more than 30 years, organising volunteer operation and maintenance. He is the current President of the Ellesmere Returned and Services Association, after 20 years of membership, including organising the annual Poppy Day sales and ANZAC Day services. He is a long-serving member for more than 20 years of the Ellesmere and Selwyn St John Area Committee. Starting in 2011, he has been a Foundation Trust Board Member of the Ellesmere Heritage Park Trust. Mr Clausen has played with the Ellesmere Brass Band for 22 years and the Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Wigram Brass Band for 13 years, performing at various functions locally and nationally.
Mr Paul David HARRIS, JP
For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.
Mr Paul Harris has contributed to the Waipara community for 50 years.
Mr Harris has served with the Waipara Volunteer Fire Brigade since 1975 and as Chief Fire Officer from 1999. He is involved in a wide array of community groups, including the Glenmark Reserves Committee, which he chaired for 15 years. He has raised funds for the Friends of Glenmark Church to maintain this century-old structure. He has been a judge for the New Zealand Shearing Sports committee since 1995 and a referee for the World Sheep Shearing Record Society from 2007 to 2024, judging record attempts nationally and in the United Kingdom and Australia. He was Chief Referee for the World Shearing Championships in Invercargill in 2017. He has chaired the South Island Shearing Sports Committee and the World Sheep Shearing Record Society since 2021. He organised one of New Zealand’s earliest long-standing Speed Shear competitions, held in annually in Waipara for 25 years. Since 1980 he has been a member of the Glenmark Rifle Shooting Club and has helped organise various tournaments. Mr Harris has been a Justice of the Peace in the Waipara community since 1998.
Mr Patrick Gerard O'ROURKE
For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the community.
Mr Patrick O'Rourke has served with the Rissington Rural Volunteer Fire Force, north-west of Napier, since 1993.
Appointed Controller in 1999, Mr O'Rourke oversaw the relocation of the Rissington Fire Station to its current site, and led the Brigade through its integration with Fire and Emergency New Zealand. He ensured the geographically isolated Brigade remained a vital first response to a wide range of emergencies. Following Cyclone Gabrielle, he applied his emergency management training to mobilise the Brigade and wider community, establishing a temporary hub to connect residents with support services, during a three-week period of isolation from Napier and Hastings. His leadership contributed to an additional permanent Community Hub building constructed next to the fire station to enhance community resilience. He is a Trustee of the Tumanako Charitable Trust, established in response to Cyclone Gabrielle to financially support recovery efforts for families in the Rissington, Patoka and Puketitiri districts. He has volunteered extensively in the Rissington community since the early 1990s. As Chairperson of Rissington Community Group since its inception in 2011, he has overseen initiatives including scholarships, reunions and community events. Mr O’Rourke served on the Rissington School Board of Trustees from 1994, including nine years as Chairperson, supporting staff and students through fundraising, camps and other activities.
Mr Stanley Donald (Don) SCOTT
For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and civil defence.
Mr Don Scott has been involved with volunteer fire brigades since the 1960s across several regions.
While a paid firefighter in Auckland, Mr Scott established the Onewhero Rural Fire Brigade in 1985, serving as its first Rural Fire Controller. He then volunteered with the Eastland Rural Fire Brigade from 1994, helped establish the Tamatea Rural Fire Force in Central Hawke’s Bay in 2011, before relocating to Hokitika in 2019. He is Health and Safety Officer and Welfare Support Officer for Wairoa Volunteer Fire Brigade, having joined in 2024. Identifying that volunteer rural firefighters were not represented on rural fire matters as a national collective, he approached the Forest and Rural Fire Association of New Zealand in 1989 and established an agreement for the inclusion of Rural Forces as members. He then served as a Committee member from 1994 to 2015. He carried out volunteer civil defence functions between 1996 and 2024 with the District Councils of Gisborne, Wairoa, Hastings, Central Hawke’s Bay, Buller and Westland. He held various roles and provided leadership, notably, for the 2007 Gisborne earthquake, 2019 Fox River flood event, and the 2021 and 2022 Westport flood events, as well as supporting the response to the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes and Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. Mr Scott served as Treasurer of Hokitika Lions Club.
Mr Paul Gregory (Tomsie) TOMS
For services to Fire and Emergency New Zealand and football.
Mr Paul “Tomsie” Toms has volunteered with Te Aroha Volunteer Fire Brigade since 1981 and has been involved with Te Aroha Soccer Club since the late 1970s.
Mr Toms trained as a firefighter-driver and has maintained a high callout attendance percentage. He was Brigade Secretary from 1986 to 1990, Treasurer from 1993 to 1997, joint Secretary/Treasurer until 2001, and has since been Treasurer. He served on numerous Brigade committees for special projects, including to build a shed for the rural fire tanker, alterations to the ageing fire station, bi-annual fundraisers for rescue equipment, and the purchase of two other utility vehicles. He is a Life Member of the Brigade and has continued to promote fire safety and awareness in local schools and through school tours of the fire station. He coached Te Aroha Soccer Club’s first women’s team in the 1980s. He was one of the driving forces behind the building of the clubrooms and moving from Te Aroha College grounds to their present home on Boyd Park. After retiring from playing in the 1980s, he has been a referee with the local Waikato League and has continued to offer advice to the club and coaches on rules and interpretations. Mr Toms has been Membership Secretary of Te Aroha RSA since 1981. 
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Human Rights Commission – Definitions of Woman and Man legislation not necessary, risks further harm to Rainbow people

Source: Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission

All people have the right to a life of dignity and freedom from discrimination.

Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission says the Legislation (Definitions of Woman and Man) Amendment Bill falls short of the government’s human rights obligations, and risks harm to communities who continue to experience discrimination on the basis of their gender identity. The bill passed its first reading on Wednesday.

The NZ Bill of Rights Act 1990 and the Human Rights Act 1993 protect people in Aotearoa New Zealand, including transgender, non-binary, and intersex people, against unlawful discrimination. The Commission has long interpreted the prohibited ground of sex discrimination as being inclusive of gender identity, accepting complaints of discrimination from transgender people on this basis.

“There's no need to define ‘man’ and ‘woman’ in the law because the law already works well using the usual meaning of those words. Adding strict definitions can create confusion, leave people out, and cause problems without actually changing how the law works,” says Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner and Women’s Rights spokesperson, Professor Gail Pacheco.

“Consultation is needed with the communities that would be affected by the proposed legislation. Everyone has the right to be involved in decisions which affect their lives.”

Disability Rights Commissioner and Rainbow rights spokesperson, Prudence Walker adds: “This Bill does not advance human rights. I am concerned this legislation will trample on the mana of trans and intersex people, who already face well-documented discrimination in Aotearoa. It also attempts to completely erase non-binary people.”

“Tangata whenua have experienced firsthand what happens when language is weaponised against a people,” says Indigenous Rights Governance Partner, Dayle Takitimu. “There have always been diverse gender identities in Aotearoa, and this narrowing of peoples’ identities would be another colonial harm inflicted on those communities.”

Under international human rights standards, all people have the right to define their own gender and be free from harm based on their gender.

The Attorney-General wrote a 2006 opinion concluding that transgender people were covered by the Human Rights Act. More specifically, the opinion found that the prohibition of discrimination on the ground of sex in the Act includes prohibition on the ground of gender identity. The Commission has taken this position since 2005. Last year, the Ombudsman supported our interpretation of the Act, finding that it aligned with our statutory obligations and under international law.

We encourage trans people to make use of our resource Trans Rights are Human Rights. More data about trans and non-binary people’s experiences can be found in the Counting Ourselves Health Survey.

While Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission can’t make findings or decide if the law has been breached, we can help by providing information and support and in some cases can offer a dispute resolution process for complaints.

If someone believes they have experienced unlawful discrimination, they can make a complaint via our website ( https://tikatangata.org.nz/resources-and-support/make-a-complaint ) or by contacting us on 0800 496 877 or infoline@tikatangata.org.nz.

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Total exports reach $8.6 billion in April 2026 – Overseas merchandise trade: April 2026 – Stats NZ news story and information release

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Employment Disputes – Migrant bus drivers to protest at Britomart over "unfair" immigration policy – WORKERS FIRST UNION

Source: Workers First Union

WHAT:
Migrant bus drivers in Auckland will be protesting at Britomart Square on Friday afternoon, seeking support from the public for the Union Network of Migrants (UNEMIG) campaign: ‘ Migrants are not Disposable Workers’.
WHEN:
Friday 22 May, 16:00
WHERE:
Britomart, Te Komititanga Square along Customs Street, Auckland
WHY:
“Migrant bus drivers have helped to keep Auckland moving through staff shortages, but they are being treated as disposable because of unfair immigration policy,” said Max Santiago, Workers First organiser.
“The English language requirement for bus drivers seeking residency is unreasonable and discriminatory. The standards imposed are at an academic level while wealthy investors are able to access the Golden Visa pathway without any English language examination.”
“These workers contribute enormously to public transport and deserve dignity, respect, and proper support – not insecurity and fear for their livelihoods.”
“We invite workers, passengers, unions, migrant communities, and supporters to stand together in calling for fair treatment and decent working conditions for all bus drivers.”
“We are also calling for a suspension of the 12-month stand-down period that prevents experienced drivers from continuing to work and supporting their families.”
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Local News – New construction and demolition waste processing facility for Porirua

Source: Porirua City Council

Today a long-awaited construction and demolition processing facility was officially opened in Porirua. The facility will help to divert resources from landfill and seed the development of the circular economy in the local construction sector.
After Dr Te Taku Parai Ngāti Toa kaumātua blessed the facility, Hon Nicola Grigg, Minister for the Environment, Porirua Mayor Anita Baker and WasteCo COO Stephen Towsen speaking before the ribbon cutting to officially declare the facility open. Guests from industry also attended the event.
The processing facility is a partnership between Porirua City Council and WasteCo, who will lease the equipment and run the facility. Regional project partners include Kāpiti Coast District Council and Hutt City Council, who are also focusing on reducing construction and demolition waste to landfill. The facility was supported with funding from the Waste Minimisation Fund, which is administered by the Ministry for the Environment.
WasteCo’s CEO Roger Gower says the facility gives us the ability to process and recover waste material from construction and demolition work. As WasteCo continues to expand across Aotearoa, we remain focused on one thing: delivering waste solutions that make a real difference for our customers and for the environment.
“This facility will make construction and demolition recovery more viable, with valuable waste streams captured and processed on a constant basis. The facility will operate Monday to Friday and will initially process construction and demolition waste from WasteCo skips around the region, with the aim to open to a wider customer base as processes, controls and diversion markets are developed,” says Mr Gower.
Mayor Anita Baker says the new facility is a real win for Porirua and for the region.
“Construction is a key industry within the local economy and is one of the leading sources of employment in Porirua. By opening this new facility, we provide the industry with an alternative to landfill and enable pathways for resource recovery and a circular economy”.
Porirua City Councillor Geoff Hayward, Chair of the Wellington Region Waste Management and Minimisation Joint Committee, says this facility is a step-change for construction and demolition waste.
“We’ve been working on waste minimisation as a region, with all eight councils writing and working through the regional Waste Management and Minimisation Plan. Under the plan, councils have committed to a target of ensuring construction and demolition waste processing and recovery is available in the Wellington region,” says Cr Hayward.
National landfill waste analysis shows that up to 70% of material to landfill is from construction and demolition waste, with huge potential for beneficial re-use or recycling.
“We’re excited to provide an alternative, green infrastructure win for Porirua,” he says.Photo: Dr
Te Taku Parai Ngāti Toa kaumatua (left), WasteCo COO Stephen Towsen, Porirua Mayor Anita Baker and Hon Hon Nicola Grigg, Minister for the Environment at the official launch.
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Universities – Te reo influencer named first Professor of te reo Māori at Te Herenga Waka

Source: Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington

A te reo Māori expert who lights up the ‘gram with discussions of humour and idioms in te reo will join Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington as their first Professor of te reo Māori in late July.

Professor Hona Black (Tūhoe, Te Whānau a Apanui, Te Whakatōhea me Ngāti Tūwharetoa) is an esteemed academic, and a wellknown advocate for the revitalisation of te reo Māori. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this role, reflecting his lifelong commitment to advancing Māori language and education throughout Aotearoa.

“We’re thrilled to have Hona join us at Te Kawa a Māui as our first Professor of te reo Māori. We have a distinguished history of te reo Māori teaching, advocacy and innovation and Hona’s appointment will help us continue that focus,” says Mike Ross, Head of School, Te Kawa a Māui.  

He joins Te Kawa a Māūi from Massey University, where he was an Associate Professor, and taught into Te Aho Paerewa—Postgraduated Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Māori medium). He has a PhD in Applied Linguistics, a Masters of Māori Language Excellence, and a MA in Māori Studies, and has a notable record of teaching, research, and curriculum development.

As a prolific commentator on the quirks of te reo Māori, Hona is a regular on social media channels for Generation Reo, and Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori. As well as having authored several books, he has also developed board games to aid with the learning of te reo.

Professor Black’s publications include several Māori language learning books, including He iti te kupu: Māori metaphors and similes and Ngā hapa reo: Māori language errors. In September, he will release his book He kete kīwaha: A practical guide to Māori idioms.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to be joining Te Herenga Waka and Te Kawa a Māui. I’m especially mindful of the many people who have carried and nurtured te reo Māori here over the years, and it’s an honour to become part of that story.”

In his new role, Professor Black will lead Te Kawa a Māui’s efforts to foster academic excellence, enhance research in Māori language, and strengthen community engagement. His appointment marks a significant step in supporting the normalisation and intergenerational transmittion of te reo Māori across academic, whānau, and public domains.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Māori & Kaitiakitanga Professor Rawinia Higgins says, “The appointment of Professor Hona Black is timely as he will help us review the direction of our te reo Māori programmes. I am looking forward to his leadership and continued contributions to Māori language revitalisation and scholarship here at Te Herenga Waka.”

 

_________________________________________________________

 

He kaiwhakahau reo ka eke hei Ahorangi tuahi mō te reo Māori ki Te Herenga Waka

 

He mātanga reo e tiaho ai te māramatanga ki runga i te paeāhua i ngā kōrero e kikī ana i te manawa reka me te kīwaha. He mātanga reo ka whītiki mai ki Te Herenga Waka hei Ahorangi tuatahi mō te reo Māori hei te Hūrae e tū mai nei.

 

Nō Tūhoe, Te Whānau a Apanui, Te Whakatōhea me Ngāti Tūwharetoa a Ahorangi Hona Black. He tautōhito mātauranga a Hona e mōhio whānuitia ana mō tana ngākau nui ki te whakarauora i te reo Māori. He puna mātaranga, he pukenga wai ka kawea mai e ia ki tēnei tūranga, inā rā, ngā mahi katoa e whakaatu ana i te ariā o tana noho pūmau ki te kōkiri i te reo Māori me ngā mahi ako ki roto o Aotearoa.

 

E ai ki te Tumuaki ō Te Kawa a Māui a Mike Ross, “E poho kereru ana mātou kua piri mai a Hona ki Te Kawa a Māui hei Ahorangi tuatahi mō te reo Māori. Kua roa mātou e ahu atu ana ki te ao whakamārohirohi i reo mā roto mai i te ako, i te whakatairanga, me te whakamātau hoki i te ngākau auaha. Nā te whakarite i a Hona ki taua tūranga, ka māro ake taua whāina.”

 

Ka whakawhiti mai a Hona ki Te Kawa a Māui i Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa te wāhi i noho ai ia hei Ahonuku. I whakapau kaha ia ki te whakaako i Te Aho Paerewa. I riro mai i a Hona tana tohu kairangi mō te wete reo me tana tohu paerua mō te wete reo me te mātauranga Māori, otirā, e mōhitia ana tōna toa ki te ako, rangahau me te whakawhanake marau.

 

He manawa piharau a Hona ki te whakatakoto whakaaro mō ngā āhuatanga o te reo. He kanohi kitea a Hona i runga i te pae pāpāho pāpori, arā, mō Generation Reo me te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori. I tua atu i ngā pukapuka kua oti nei i a ia te tuhi, i whai wāhi hoki ia ki te whakawhanake i ētahi papa kēmu hei ako i te reo.

 

He maha ngā pukapuka kua oti nei i a Ahorangi Hona Black te tuhi mō te taha ki te ako i te reo. E whai ake nei ko ētahi o āna mahi kua tāngia, arā, He iti te kupu: Māori metaphors and similies me Ngā hapa reo: Māori language errors. Hei te Hepetema ka whakarewatia tana pukapuka – He kete kīwaha: A practical guide to Māori idioms.

 

E ai ki a Hona, “Nōku te waimarie ki te hono atu ki Te Herenga Waka me Te Kawa a Māui. E tino ngākau whakaute ana ahau ki ngā tāngata o Te Kawa a Māui nā rātou te reo Māori i romiromi i roto i ngā tau, nōku te hōnore ki te whai wāhi atu ki ngā kōrero e iri ana ki ngā pakitara o te whare.

 

I tōna tūranga hou, mā Ahorangi Black e kōkiri i ngā mahi a Te Kawa a Māui ki te whakatairanga i ngā mahi e eke ai te tiketiketanga o te mātauranga me ngā mahi rangahau mō te reo Māori, me te whakamāro i te mahi ngātahi me te hapori. He tohu tēnei whakawhiwhinga i te taunakitanga i te ora o te reo me te ako i te reo ki ngā rēanga i roto i te horopaki o te ao mātauranga, whānau me ngā wāhi tūmatanui.

 

E ai ki te Tumu Ahurei Māori ki a Ahorangi Rawinia Higgins, “ He mea nui te whakarewatanga o Ahorangi Hona Black ki tēnei tūranga, inā rā, kia whai wāhi mai ia ki te taki haere i ngā hōtaka reo Māori. E ngākau nui ana ahau i ōna pukenga ki te ārahi kaupapa me ngā mahi ka tāpaetia e ia ki te whakarauora i te reo me te whakatairanga ake i te kounga o te mātauranga ki Te Herenga Waka.”

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Universities – What’s stopping competition in New Zealand? – UoA

Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

As New Zealanders grapple with the cost of everyday essentials, from the supermarket checkout to power bills and bank fees, pressure is growing to address weak competition in critical sectors.

Rebalancing Markets: Competition, power, and a fair economy, hosted by Business School research centreJuncture: Dialogues on Inclusive Capitalism, will see experts in regulation, energy, consumer behaviour, law and economics examine why competition remains weak and what could help rebalance the system.

The discussion comes as the Commerce Commission’s latest report on the state of competition in New Zealand suggests market conditions favour larger established businesses, making it harder for smaller and newer firms to displace these dominant players. Electricity, gas, water, and waste services, and financial and insurance services were identified as the areas most lacking competitive pressure.

The Commission’s Deputy Chief Executive Raj Krishnan is bringing insights from the competition and consumer watchdog to the panel discussion.

Another panellist, Business School alumnus Tex Edwards, the founder of independent public policy and research group Monopoly Watch, and telecommunications company 2degrees, says the Commerce Commission has clearly identified the country’s competition problems.

“Parliament must now arm the Commerce Commission with the powers, and protect it from lobbyists, so the evidence can be translated into lower prices, more choices, and a fairer economy.”

Dr Eric Crampton, chief economist at the New Zealand Initiative and adjunct senior fellow at the University of Canterbury, says too often, governments create the market power they later condemn.
 
“District plans often have rules banning new supermarkets in particular locations, and consenting processes that force entrants to prove they will not compete with established businesses,” he says.

“When markets are open, underperformance by established players becomes an opportunity for entrants and better service for consumers. When entry is blocked by law, regulation, planning, licensing or procurement, market power becomes entrenched.”

Dr John Land, senior barrister at Bankside Chambers and teaching fellow at Auckland Law School, says competition could be improved through increased Commerce Commission powers and by removing barriers to entry and expansion. He says some areas of the competition framework, however, may go too far, particularly around franchise networks and intellectual property rights, with possible impacts on innovation and pro-competitive business conduct.

Professor Jodi Gardner (Auckland Law School) researches how the law responds to issues such as inequality, vulnerability, poverty, and financial exclusion. She will bring a consumer rights perspective to the panel, which will also explore how technology reshapes markets.

Jessica Venning-Bryan, CEO and co-founder of AI-driven energy forecasting and pricing platform Factor, brings energy industry insights and says technology is constantly changing how households participate in the energy system.  

“When households become producers, not just consumers of energy, they have economic leverage. As we reach a critical mass of empowered households, the market will respond with better products and services to attract these prosumers.”

The discussion is being facilitated by Dr Drew Franklin, senior lecturer in marketing and associate director at Juncture. Franklin says when people feel essential markets are stacked against them, trust in the whole economic system begins to weaken.

“Markets are one of the most powerful tools we have for coordinating economic life, but they don’t work well in isolation. They depend on rules that encourage openness, innovation and accountability.”

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Human Rights Commission calls for rights-based approach to Disability Support, condemns raft of rollbacks

Source: Te Kahui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission

The Disability Support Services Bill threatens to undermine the rights of disabled people, tangata whaikaha, their families and whānau, and worsen the lives of families who are already struggling, says Te Kahui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission.

The Commission is calling for a fairer, rights-based approach to disability support, as the Disability Support Services Bill progresses.  

The bill, introduced this week, aims to clarify that the Crown is not the employer of family carers, following a Supreme Court ruling (Fleming v Attorney-General) which held that two parents caring for their disabled children should be considered government employees.

The bill would remove the right of family carers to seek remedies (such as additional wages or compensation) through the Employment Relations Authority.

“Restricting the ability of disabled people and their families to seek justice and advocate for their rights is very concerning. Carers, including family members, need to be fairly paid as workers.” says Disability Rights Commissioner Prudence Walker. “Legislating to overrule Supreme Court decisions is not a just or fair way for government to work.”

“In addition, the bill’s aim to define disability support as a ‘contribution’ from the Government is likely to worsen the lives of families already struggling with financial hardship,” says Walker. “There is clear evidence showing disabled families are more likely to face poverty.”

The bill's provisions could be seen as contradicting New Zealand's obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which emphasises the importance of autonomy, independence, and equality for disabled individuals.  

“We echo the concerns of disabled people and their families about the lack of consultation before the bill was introduced, when the well-being and rights of disabled people are at stake,” says Walker. “A fairer and supportive rights-based approach is essential given the critical role family carers play in supporting disabled family members to live and participate in their communities.”

The bill’s introduction follows the recent announcement that Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities has dropped its annual targets for creating accessible homes, that financial subsidies for Total Mobility have been reduced, and the Lottery Grants Board will no longer fund Lottery Individuals with Disabilities, which provided support for assistance dogs, communication equipment, vehicles, vehicle modifications, scooters and other mobility equipment.

Walker stresses the importance of upholding the rights of disabled people, as enshrined in the Human Rights Act 1993 and the NZ Bill of Rights Act 1990.

“At the moment, disabled people’s rights, autonomy and ability to pursue a good life are being reduced instead of progressively improved – especially the right to seek redress.”

“It's crucial that any legislation respects and promotes these rights. The right to autonomy and the ability for disabled people to pursue a good life must be supported.”