|
|
|
|
Research and development survey: 2025 – Stats NZ information release
ANZAC Day – Anzac Day Hīkoi for Peace – Peace Action Wellington
Source: Peace Action Wellington
The Hīkoi for Peace is happening on Saturday, 25 April starting at 2pm at Waitangi Park walking to Pukeahu for a free concert and peace activities from 3pm-4pm. A collection of organisations working for peace, justice, ecological well-being and decolonisation is hosting the whānau-friendly event.
“We believe that Anzac Day must be a day where we commit to working for peace, justice, decolonisation and ecological sustainability. People can see that hatred and conflict are threatening to poison unity between peoples for the private profit of a very few. We do not want war,” said Valerie Morse, a member of the Hīkoi organising committee.
“We believe a better, beautiful flourishing world is not only possible, it is urgently necessary for us, for our children and for generations to come. Our world is the most astonishing garden that can care and provide for all of us – but it can't do that when billionaire war criminals are driving us to global war and nuclear destruction.”
“The Hīkoi is also about ethical remembering of our history and demanding ‘never again’ for anyone. Ethical remembering means to learn what World War 1 was really about, the horrors that happened there, and taking action to ensure those never happen again.”
“Many of us know that World War 1 was a huge imperial war that wasted millions of young people's lives unnecessarily. There is a lot more to that story that directly impacts the whole world today. People are making the connections between the US and Israeli war on Iran, the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, crushing climate change events and growing poverty. We are united in a determination to build a different
future.”
The Hīkoi organising committee includes Peace Action Wellington, Pōneke Anti-Fascist Coalition, Justice for Palestine, Alternative Jewish Voices, Asians Supporting Tino Rangatiratanga, Climate Liberation Aotearoa, Pōneke4Palestine, Aotearoa Irish for Justice & Peace, International Socialist Organisation Aotearoa and Aotearoa Healthcare Workers for Palestine. We work under the tikanga of Te Kahu o Te Raukura (a cloak of aroha and peace) acknowledging the call from mana whenua and Parihaka for peace and respect in the rohe.
Awards – Granicus announces seven Digital Government Award winners delivering measurable impact for citizens across Australia and New Zealand
Source: Granicus
Granicus' annual Digital Government Awards recognise public sector organisations and teams delivering measurable improvements in citizen engagement, service delivery and transparency
Granicus today announced the winners of its annual Digital Government Awards, recognising public sector organisations, citizen engagement, operational efficiency and public trust across Australia and New Zealand.
This year's honourees are delivering tangible results, cutting case processing times from weeks to days, expanding resident participation from hundreds to thousands, and saving hundreds of staff weeks through smarter digital services. It is proof that practical, measurable digital transformation is happening at every level of government across Australia and New Zealand. Now in its 15th annual year, the program draws from thousands of public sector organisations that work with Granicus to deliver better outcomes for citizens and communities.
Ian Roberts, ANZ Managing Director at Granicus, said:
“Faster services, with processing times cut from weeks to days; clearer communications, with engagement reaching thousands more residents; and stronger trust, built through more open and inclusive decision‑making. Every year we see the ambition, creativity and commitment of public sector teams across Australia and New Zealand. This year's winners show what is possible when digital is used with purpose. They are improving how citizens engage with services and building more transparent, responsive government. We are proud to recognise their achievements.”
The 2026 Digital Government Award winners, recognised across seven categories of excellence: Changemaker, Community Engagement, Operational Excellence, Service Delivery, Total Government Experience, Trust and Transparency, Website of the Year include:
Changemaker
Winner: Clarence Valley Council
Enabled residents to contribute thousands of verified koala sightings through a live, interactive mapping platform, generating high‑quality conservation data that feeds directly into NSW BioNet and informs state‑wide environmental planning.
Community Engagement
Winner: Sutherland Shire Council
Expanded participation in transport planning from traditional consultation to hyper‑local, map‑based engagement, reaching 64,000 residents on under $400 ad spend and converting 365 location‑specific insights into real changes to its 10‑Year Bike Plan.
Operational Excellence
Winner: Hunter's Hill Council
Modernised fragmented digital systems into a single, secure platform, increasing online applications from under 4% to over 50%, reducing manual payments by 46%, and halving request turnaround times.
Service Delivery
Winner: Corangamite Shire Council
Transformed consultation into an always‑on digital participation service, with half of all engagement now driven by young people through tools like quick polls, idea boards and analytics‑driven feedback loops.
Total Government Experience
Winner: Hunter's Hill Council
Unified website, forms, payments and engagement into one end‑to‑end digital experience, cutting online form completion times from up to 60 minutes to under five and reducing inbound phone enquiries by 33%.
Trust and Transparency
Winner: Voice of Queenslanders with Disability 2025 Project Team
Delivered transparent, annual reporting from more than 1,700 people with disability, using lived‑experience data and analytics to track policy outcomes across housing, health, employment and inclusion over three years.
Website of the Year
Winner: City of Parramatta
Re‑platformed and redesigned a 1,000‑page council website in eight months, driving a 79% increase in visits, tripling search usage, and making services easier to find for more than 260,000 residents.
The winners were selected for their demonstrable impact on citizen experience, organisational efficiency and public trust. They demonstrate how digital transformation can deliver practical benefits at scale across local and central government.
Notes
About Granicus:
Granicus is the global leader in customer experience technologies for government, supporting more than 7,000 public sector organisations worldwide. Through its Government Experience Cloud, Granicus helps governments deliver trusted, accessible and impactful digital services that strengthen engagement, improve operational efficiency and enhance outcomes for the people they serve. Now powering almost 30 billion digital interactions globally each year and connecting more than 500,000 government professionals with 300 million opt-in subscribers, Granicus is proud to serve as a critical strategic partner to governments as they work to deliver equitable and secure government experiences. Granicus empowers stronger relationships between government and constituents across the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. By simplifying interactions and communicating critical information, Granicus brings governments closer to the people they serve—driving meaningful change for communities around the globe.
Appointments – Link Financial Group appoints Geoff Waller to lead next phase of growth
Source: NZHL
Link Financial Group (LFG) has appointed senior banking executive Geoff Waller as its new General Manager, effective 18 May 2026, as the business focuses on its next phase of adviser-led growth.
Kip Hanna, NZHL Group CEO, which LFG is part of, said the appointment reflects LFG’s ambition to grow in a way that strengthens advisers and expands access to financial advice across New Zealand.
“For us, growth isn’t about scale for its own sake,” Hanna said. “It’s about ensuring more New Zealanders can access high-quality financial advice by backing advisers with the right support, expertise and leadership.
Geoff’s appointment reflects our ambition to grow while strengthening advisers and protecting the culture that underpins the business.”
Waller brings deep experience across retail banking and insurance, most recently as Chief Customer Officer at The Co-operative Bank, and previously as General Manager Retail at Kiwibank. He is widely regarded as a people-focused leader with a strong track record in customer outcomes, operational execution and team leadership.
The appointment follows Josh Bronkhorst stepping back from the CEO role to focus on his health, after contributing more than 30 years contribution to the financial services sector.
Under Bronkhorst’s leadership, LFG grew into one of the largest New Zealand-owned aggregation businesses, building on the foundations of Mortgage Link and Insurance Link. His tenure was defined by an adviser-first operating model, expanded adviser choice, strengthened compliance and professional development, and the creation of Advice Link, a New Zealand-built CRM now used by hundreds of advisers nationwide.
Commenting on his appointment, Waller said LFG’s culture, values and adviser focus were key drivers in his decision to join.
“The common thread throughout my career has been working with great people and strong cultures, and that’s exactly what attracted me to LFG,” Waller said.
“Josh has built a business with a genuine commitment to adviser success and an environment where people feel supported and valued. I know there are big shoes to fill, and I’m excited to carry that forward while staying true to the values that have underpinned the business.”
Waller said his immediate focus would be on building relationships across the adviser network and understanding where he can add the most value.
“My leadership approach centres on people, collaboration and execution,” he said.
“Over my first few weeks, I’m looking forward to spending time with advisers and teams, listening carefully and understanding what’s working well and where we can continue to improve. I’m also keen to work closely with the NZHL Group team to ensure clarity on our strategic direction and leverage the strength of the wider group.”
About LFG
Established over 30 years ago by a group of visionary mortgage advisers, Mortgage Link was one of the founding aggregators for financial advisers in New Zealand. Expanding its offerings to offer a holistic approach to financial services, Insurance Link (2015), FG Link (2016) and Advice Link (2017) were launched, forming Link Financial Group (LFG) as a broad Financial Services Aggregator in 2017.
As a Financial Advice Provider (FAP), LFG empowers advisers with the flexibility to operate under its brands or their own brands as an Authorised Body under the LFG Licence or under their own brands and Own FAP Licence, offering them robust compliance support, innovative technology like the custom-built Advice Link CRM, continuous professional development and business growth support.
LFG's commitment to empowering financial advisers through knowledge, skill, and compliance-focused support has solidified its position as one of New Zealand's most enduring and successful financial aggregators.
For more information, visit https://www.lfg.co.nz/
BusinessNZ congratulates Labour for backing India FTA deal
Source: BusinessNZ
BusinessNZ welcomes the Labour Party’s public support for the NZ-India Free Trade Deal, saying it represents our best chance to secure meaningful access to one of the world’s most important growth markets.
BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich says trade has long been a strength of New Zealand’s economic policy, and bipartisan support has underpinned our success.
“Earlier in April, the BusinessNZ Network published an open letter signed by 28 exporters and industry associations, asking for all parties to support this deal.
“Since then, more than 100 businesses have signed on and joined the call, and it’s great to see Labour has decided to back these Kiwi businesses too.”
ExportNZ Executive Director Josh Tan says one in four jobs in New Zealand are tied in some way to our export sector, and the agreement is ultimately about backing the people behind New Zealand’s export economy.
“The reduction of barriers secured in this Free Trade Agreement will directly benefit sectors including horticulture, sheep meat, seafood, wine, honey, wood products, seeds and natural fibres, machinery, digital technology, and services.
“This deal is critical to New Zealand’s success. It opens the door to one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies and creates real opportunities for our exporters.
“We cannot afford to delay this deal, and I welcome a major opposition party joining the call to sign this deal and get it into force.
“BusinessNZ and ExportNZ look forward to fully analysing the benefits of this Free Trade Agreement and a full, but expedited, parliamentary process.”
BusinessNZ’s campaign to ” Back the India Deal” is an open letter to all political parties, asking them to uphold New Zealand’s bipartisan approach to trade by supporting the agreement. You can read more about it on the ExportNZ website: https://exportnz.org.nz/back-the-india-deal/
The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.
Health Tech – Major diagnostic imaging expansion brings advanced imaging closer to home for Otago and Southland patients
Source: RHCNZ
Patients across Otago and Southland are set to benefit from a major expansion of diagnostic imaging services, with PET-CT technology now permanently based in the region for the first time at Pacific Radiology’s new Dunedin Central clinic.
Pacific Radiology Group (PRG), the South Island’s largest diagnostic imaging provider, officially opened its purpose-built clinic on Wednesday 22 April, with an opening event attended by the Mayor of Dunedin, Sophie Barker, local councillors, local iwi and representatives from the health sector.
For patients going through serious health events such as cancer, the need to travel to Christchurch to access advanced diagnostic imaging has added pressure at an already challenging time. Establishing permanent PET-CT services in Dunedin will reduce the need for this trip, helping patients and their whānau receive diagnosis and care closer to home.
In addition to PET-CT, the Dunedin Central clinic offers MRI, CT, Breast Imaging, Fluoroscopy, Interventional Procedures, Ultrasound and X-ray services. The clinic has been designed to support improved access, timely diagnosis and a more seamless experience for patients and referrers across Otago and Southland.
The clinic also strengthens Pacific Radiology’s close partnership with Health New Zealand, including its role in delivering services for BreastScreen Aotearoa. This partnership supports access to vital breast screening and follow-up imaging services for women across the region, helping ensure continuity of care close to home.
The Mayor of Dunedin, Sophie Barker, says the opening of the clinic represents an important investment in health infrastructure.
“The opening of this clinic is an important investment in health infrastructure for Dunedin and the wider Otago and Southland region,” Mayor Barker says.
“Improving access to specialised diagnostic services closer to home makes a real difference for patients and their whānau and strengthens Dunedin’s role as a regional centre for healthcare.”
Located in the Mataukareao Building at 30 Great King Street, the clinic has been developed in partnership with the landlord, Hāpai Commercial Property LP and reflects a significant investment by a large-scale collective iwi property fund, including mana whenua, Ōtākou Rūnaka.
Bevan Hames, General Manager for Hāpai Commercial Property LP, says the development reflects a long-term commitment to supporting health services that meet the needs of the community, as well as sustainability objectives driven by a 5-star green rating.
“We see this as an important long-term investment in health infrastructure for Dunedin,” says Hames.
“Developments like this are about supporting essential services and creating facilities that deliver lasting value for the community.”
Dr Jacquie Copland, PRG’s Regional Managing Radiologist for Otago and Southland, says establishing PET-CT services in Dunedin permanently is a step forward for cancer care in the region.
“PET-CT imaging plays a critical role in cancer diagnosis and treatment planning, and until now patients in Otago and Southland have often needed to travel long distances to access this level of care,” Dr Copland says.
“Providing these services locally on a permanent basis will make a real difference for patients and their whānau.”
The Dunedin Central clinic is open and providing diagnostic imaging services for patients and referrers across Otago and Southland.
About Pacific Radiology Group
Pacific Radiology Group is part of RHCNZ Medical Imaging Group, New Zealand’s largest private radiology provider, delivering over 35% of the country’s radiology services. With more than 1,300 employees, including over 180 specialist radiologists, RHCNZ operates over 65 clinics nationwide across Auckland Radiology Group, Bay Radiology and Pacific Radiology Group, delivering advanced imaging services to support accurate diagnosis and improved health outcomes.
About Hāpai Commercial Property LP
Hāpai is a large-scale property fund that is unique in Aotearoa being 100% Iwi owned and controlled and singularly focused on empowering enduring Māori success in the property sector. Hāpai Property concentrates on combining Iwi capacity with proprietary opportunity to drive collective growth for our Investors. Hāpai Property was founded in 2019 by six Iwi and has since grown to 36 iwi and Māori partners, to undertake their property investment collectively, enabling scale, diversification and effective execution. Hāpai’s investment mandate covers commercial and industrial property, mixed-tenure housing (including build-to-rent and retirement villages), and land improvement / development (land banking, and rezoning).
The Hāpai Property portfolio includes eight large commercial properties, over 400 residential properties built or under development, alongside close to 1000 houses in the development pipeline, as well interests in over 270ha of land designated for rezoning.
What is PET-CT imaging?
A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that can help reveal how your tissues and organs are functioning. The PET scan uses very small, safe amounts of radioactive tracers and is used most frequently to detect and assess disease within the body. The PET images are fused with anatomical CT images to produce 3D images of your body. These images are viewed by a radiologist who produces a detailed report.
Master Plumbers welcomes practical changes to proposed self-certification scheme for plumbers and drainlayers
Source: Master Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers
Master Plumbers welcomes the government’s moves to strengthen a self-certification scheme that will enable certified plumbers and drainlayers to sign-off on their own work.
“We have advocated strongly for self-certification for years and have worked closely with the Minister to ensure it will deliver the cost and time-saving benefits intended,” Master Plumbers Chief Executive Greg Wallace says.
The scheme will align plumbers and drainlayers with gasfitters, who have been able to self-certify their work for 13 years. It includes plumbing and drainlaying work that is considered low-risk and routine, such as pumped systems, septic tanks, water tanks, as well as solar hot water and greywater collection systems. More complex work will still require consents and local council inspection.
“The scheme strikes a sensible balance between maintaining standards and enabling efficiency and will be well received by plumbers, drainlayers, and consumers alike.”
Self-certification is when a certifying tradesperson signs off on their own work without a council consent or inspection. It is already used by electricians and gasfitters, the latter of which are often plumbers as well.
Master Plumbers appreciates the engagement it has had with Building and Construction Minister Hon Chris Penk throughout the scheme’s development.
“The Minister has listened to industry feedback and worked collaboratively with the sector to ensure the new scheme is practical and effective,” says Mr Wallace.
“We anticipate most certified plumbers and drainlayers will sign up to the scheme. I’ve always said that if your plumber, gasfitter or drainlayer isn’t prepared to back their work, why would you employ them to do the job?”
The Building and Construction Sector (Self-certification by Plumbers and Drainlayers) Amendment Bill is currently progressing through Parliament with the scheme expected to be introduced later this year.
About Master Plumbers:
Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers NZ Inc (Master Plumbers) is the national membership organisation for plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying businesses, with 19 regional Branches across Aotearoa New Zealand. Companies go through a Quality Assurance programme in order to become a member. We provide members with a wide range of resources and training opportunities to support them in staying up with the latest technologies, products and compliance requirements. We advocate on behalf of our members and our industry.
About Masterlink:
Masterlink, a group training scheme owned by Master Plumbers, provides managed mentored apprenticeships across New Zealand, with Regional Managers supporting the apprentices and the businesses who host them during their training.
About NZ Plumber:
NZ Plumber is the award-winning, bi-monthly magazine for New Zealand's plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers. It is owned by Master Plumbers.
Recreation – Ducks In A Row For Bumper Game Bird Season
Source: Fish and Game NZ
What’s been a “rubbish” summer for campers and beachgoers has duck hunters in the lower North Island rubbing their hands together in anticipation of a bumper waterfowl season, which starts next weekend (May 2/3).
Wellington Fish & Game manager Phil Teal says a range of factors have aligned in the lead up to the season to get hunter excitement levels ratcheted up.
“By our standards in this part of New Zealand, it’s been a pretty rubbish summer, with frequent weather events ranging in intensity from mild to severe.
“The wet conditions have come at a crucial time for young ducks, though, meaning there’s been plenty of places they can feed which greatly improves survival rate.”
That’s lead to a reasonable jump in duck numbers across much of the lower North Island.
“Every year we monitor the mallard duck population by conducting transect surveys using small aircraft – this helps us set sustainable harvest limits for hunters. Overall, we’re looking at around a 16 per cent increase in mallard numbers this year compared to last season.”
Mr Teal says another bonus from the average weather has been a delayed crop harvest in the region.
“Mallards are opportunistic feeders and will move in to feed briefly on maize and grain from recently harvested paddocks,” he says.
“The fact that the harvest has been quite late could see more ducks remain locally, for longer, because they don’t need to search for food elsewhere.”
While there are plenty of ducks around on the eve of next weekend’s Opening (May 2/3), the torrential rain means some hunters may have to adapt to wider bird distribution.
“There’s a lot more standing water around this season, giving ducks more options for where they feed and roost. Hunters may need to take that into account and have a few back-up spots if the ducks aren’t coming into their chosen possie on Opening morning.”
He’s also encouraging hunters to hunt throughout the season: “Often we see blue skies and calm condition over Opening Weekend which favours the ducks because they can fly high, and this makes hunting a little more challenging.
“The better waterfowl hunting weather comes later in the season, so hunters should make the most of their investment in a game bird hunting licence and get out often after Opening too.”
Over 5000 duck hunters are expected to be out in the Wellington Fish & Game region – roughly the area between Cook Strait and Waiouru – over Opening Weekend.
“Duck hunting is an important tradition for many Kiwis – one of the few recreational pursuits that sees some senior rugby cancelled over the weekend. Friends and families come together from all walks of life, often the only time they see each other for the year, to harvest some healthy food and socialise after the hunt.
“It’s an important bridge for the rural-urban divide too, with many landowners generously allowing hunters onto their properties. Opening Weekend of the game bird season is certainly a big part of Kiwi culture and has a significant following in the lower North Island.”
Anyone hunting ducks must have a valid game bird licence, available from the Fish & Game website – www.fishandgame.org.nz – or outdoor supplies stores.
Mr Teal points out that Fish & Game Rangers will be active across the region, checking compliance, with support from Police officers.
“Make sure you’ve got your game bird licence, you’re familiar with the regulations and bag limits for the season, and always follow the firearms safety rules.”
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.
Fire Safety – Fire ban lifted in three areas of Otago
Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Fire and Emergency New Zealand is revoking the restricted fire seasons for Otago Central, Lakes, and Upper Waitaki zones from 8am, Thursday 23 April, until further notice.
This means you do not need to apply for a permit from Fire and Emergency New Zealand to light an outdoor fire in these areas.
Otago District Commander, Deane Chalmers, says recent cooler weather has reduced the fire risk in these three zones. However, he says the following special fire risk zones remain in prohibited fire seasons and restricted fire seasons.
Prohibited fire season:
– Queenstown
– Lake Wānaka islands
– Lake Wakatipu islands
– Mt Iron and Albert Town reserve
– Lake Ohau.
During a prohibited fire season, all outdoor fires and fireworks are completely banned.
Restricted fire season:
– Naseby
– Glendhu Bluffs.
During a restricted fire season, anyone wanting to light an outdoor fire must first obtain a fire permit from Fire and Emergency.
Deane Chalmers says no matter the fire season, people should always remain cautious.
“Fires can start in Otago at any time of the year.
“The conditions can change quickly, so we would still ask that anyone planning to light a fire in the open ensures they do so safely and with consideration for others.
“If you’re planning on lighting a fire, remember to continue going to www.checkitsalright.nz to check if it’s safe to light.”