| Source: University of Auckland (UoA)
Researchers are investigating how New Zealand patients feel about, and respond to, ‘self-referrals’ – when doctors refer patients to healthcare providers in which they have a financial stake. Take the survey here: https://auckland.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0SxL35DrXpIbhfo Principal investigator, Professor Jaime King (University of Auckland, Law School), says the issue of self-referral has been a growing concern in the medical profession as doctors increasingly have investments in the clinics, labs, and specialists to which they refer patients. Although the Medical Council of New Zealand requires doctors to disclose such conflicts of interest, research suggests disclosure alone may not be enough to protect patients. International studies show that patients often feel uncomfortable questioning their doctor’s recommendation, even when they are advised of, or suspect that a financial motivation may be influencing the medical advice. “Patients don’t want to seem like they’re implicitly accusing their doctor of bias or unethical conduct,” says co-investigator Professor Jo Manning. “Prior research shows they often go along with the referral anyway, even if it raises concerns for them about trust, bias and whether the medical advice is in their best interests.” To better understand the experience of New Zealand patients and whether it reflects the international findings, King and Manning have launched a survey to gather patient perspectives on self-referral. They are particularly interested in the views of Māori patients, who may face additional barriers to questioning their healthcare providers. “This survey seeks to understand people’s experiences of self-referral and to help us consider solutions that could improve trust and transparency and prevent patient harm in the healthcare system,” says Manning. Instead of limiting disclosure to consultations, the researchers are interested in a publicly searchable register. This could list each doctor’s conflicts of interest, including its nature, value, and duration, with any new conflicts added as they arise. This kind of register would allow patients to review information about a practitioner’s conflicts of interest before choosing to enrol with, or consult that practitioner, giving them the time and knowledge to make better-informed decisions. King and Manning are also interested in the implications of self-referral for competition in the provision of medical services, for patients’ trust in medical practitioners and the medical profession, and for the sustainability of the public health system in New Zealand. |
Transporting New Zealand welcomes freight announcement but calls for a more ambitious approach
Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
Today’s announcement by Transport Minister Chris Bishop that the government is taking three steps to keep our freight system “trucking along” has been met with cautious optimism by national road freight association Transporting New Zealand.
Chief Executive Dom Kalasih said that while the announcement was positive news, the Government’s target to double the value of New Zealand’s exports in 10 years meant that ambitious freight reforms were essential.
“Transporting New Zealand is concerned about whether this announcement will deliver the transformative changes we need and how long they will take to implement.”
“If the Government wants to meet its export goals, we need larger, more productive trucks on the road, and heavy vehicle driver licensing reform that help address long standing skills shortages. This can be achieved through the Government’s ongoing land transport rule reform programme – we just need the timeframes moved up.”
Transporting New Zealand is also welcoming the refresh of the National Freight Demand Study. The freight association raised concerns with the Minister when the work was paused by Ministry of Transport earlier in the year.
Demand studies had previously included data on mode share between road, rail and coastal shipping, and inter-regional freight flows.
“The Government is currently relying on pre-COVID freight data (2017/2018) to inform transport investment, so an update is well overdue.” says Kalasih.
“Having up-to-date mode share data will also show whether the significant investment into rail over the past few years has resulted in yielded any results, or whether it shows that road has extended its competitive advantage.”
“Despite best efforts and significant financial support to increase rail freight activity, there’s been a steady decline in rail freight of about 20 percent over the last 5 years. KiwiRail’s FY2023 freight target was 4.36 billion net tonne kilometres, but its actual activity in FY2025 was only 3.37 billion net tonne kilometres.”
“In order to handle the forecast 55 per cent growth in freight over the next 20 years, the Government needs to be ensuring value for money from transport investment, across road, rail, and coastal shipping.”
“The Minister of Transport has a great opportunity to show some leadership and put rail on notice – all freight investment needs to produce results.”
Kalasih said that the establishment of the Freight Advisory Council could also be useful, particularly if it replaced some of the current transport stakeholder groups.
“Let’s keep the Council focussed on a few priority issues, and hold ourselves to account on the results.”
Property Market – NZ property values edge up in September, ending five-month slide – Cotality
Source: Cotality
Property values in Aotearoa New Zealand edged up by 0.1% in September, breaking a run of five consecutive monthly falls, according to Cotality NZ’s latest hedonic Home Value Index (HVI).
The national median value now sits at $810,141.
Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist, Kelvin Davidson, said that September’s slight rise is consistent with lower mortgage rates as well as early tentative signs of an economic turnaround and an upward trend in property sales volumes.
“That said, September’s rise in values was clearly marginal, and it’s far too early to conclude that this marks the start of a new, sustained lift.”
“After all, the stock of available listings – while falling – remains relatively high, and caution continues to pervade the market.”
He said September’s small rise needs to be viewed in the context of a cumulative -1.6% drop over the five months from April to August.
“On top of that, even though some economic measures – including filled jobs – are looking encouraging, others are less positive.”
“In short, we’re not on solid economic ground just yet.”
“Of course, there’s always two sides to the housing market coin, and it’s a good time to be a buyer, provided they can get the finance. In particular, first home buyers remain a strong presence in the market and mortgaged multiple property owners have returned in greater numbers too.”
Across the main centres, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington dipped by -0.4% in September, with Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland also down (-0.2%). Kirikiriroa Hamilton was flat in September, with Ōtepoti Dunedin rising by 0.3%, Ōtautahi Christchurch lifting by 0.6%, and Tauranga recording a more substantial 1.3% increase.
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s various sub-markets were patchy in September, with Waitakere rising by 0.3%, Rodney by 0.2%, and Franklin sneaking up 0.1%. But Papakura edged down by -0.1%, as did Auckland City, while Manukau (-0.4%) and North Shore (-0.6%) recorded larger falls.
The -0.2% drop recorded in September across Tāmaki Makaurau as a whole reflected the fact that the largest sub-markets were the weakest – almost 70% of dwellings in the super-city are in Auckland City, Manukau, or North Shore.
Compared to the previous peak, the falls across Tāmaki Makaurau continue to range from -20% down to -24%.
“The stock of available listings across the super-city has been gradually declining this year, potentially lessening buyers’ pricing power to a degree. But several economic sentiment indicators or surveys for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland remain subdued, and this cautious mood is clearly pervading the property market too,” Mr Davidson noted.
Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington
The wider Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington area remained soft in September, with only Te Awa Kairangi ki Uta Upper Hutt managing to record a rise (0.5%) in property values.
The other main sub-markets all fell, with those declines ranging from -0.2% in Wellington City down to -0.9% in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt.
The falls from peak remain significant across the region too, ranging from around -23% in Kāpiti Coast and Porirua, to -26% in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt.
“Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington is another area where the stock of available listings has drifted lower this year. But the market still remains in favour of buyers, with plenty of choice out there. The subdued state of the Wellington economy and muted confidence both remain a factor in its sluggish housing market too.”
Regional results
Moving away from the main centres, there’s a growing body of evidence that the two-speed economy – with provincial areas outperforming on the back of strong agricultural returns – might be starting to filter into the property market too.
Indeed, apart from a drop in values in Rotorua and small dip in Whangārei, many other provincial towns and cities rose in September – including Ngāmotu New Plymouth (0.7%), Waihōpai Invercargill (0.8%), and Tairāwhiti Gisborne (2.5%).
In both Ngāmotu New Plymouth and Waihōpai Invercargill, property values are at least 3% above this time last year too.
“We shouldn’t get carried away with any flow-on effects from the farming upturn into the provincial property markets, given there’s still a degree of uncertainty across the wider economy. But September nevertheless showed a pretty clear urban-rural property market divergence, which we’ll keep a close eye on.”
Property market outlook
Looking ahead, Mr Davidson noted: “It now seems pretty likely the official cash rate will go below the previously-expected trough of 2.5%, as the Reserve Bank tries to shore up the economy and reduce spare capacity – hence lowering the chances that inflation undershoots the 1-3% target range sometime down the track.”
“This also suggests that mortgage rates could have a bit further to fall yet, especially for floating or short-term fixed loans. With around 45% of existing mortgages either floating or fixed and set to reprice within the next six months, those borrowers will be feeling a little happier.”
“For now, property values remain pretty subdued. But provincial areas seem to be turning a corner, and there does seem to be growing scope for values to start rising more consistently in 2026, albeit a fresh boom seems unlikely – especially with the economy and labour market only set to recover slowly.”
“The recent rise in the physical supply of property relative to population, as well as the lurking restraint of debt to income ratio limits for mortgage lending are other reasons for caution about house price growth over the medium term”, Davidson concluded.
For more property news and insights, visit www.cotality.com/nz/insights
Note to Editors:
The Cotality Hedonic Home Value Index (HVI) is calculated using a hedonic regression methodology that addresses the issue of compositional bias associated with median price and other measures. In simple terms, the index is calculated using recent sales data combined with information about the attributes of individual properties such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, land area and geographical context of the dwelling.
Consumer NZ – Spark, 2degrees and One NZ stall on billing transparency
Source: Consumer NZ
A review of New Zealand’s biggest mobile phone service providers found it’s not as easy as it should be to make informed decisions about your phone plan and provider.
(ref. https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/it-s-getting-harder-to-tell-which-mobile-plan-you-should-be-on )
Each year, in partnership with the Commerce Commission, Consumer NZ reviews how well New Zealand’s biggest telecommunications providers (Spark, 2degrees and One NZ) empower their customers to choose the best phone plan for their needs.
Nick Gelling, product test writer at Consumer, says this is the first time since the review began in 2022 that there’s been no improvements across the board.
“Usually, we see gradual positive progress in each review. But in 2025, Spark ended an initiative we were excited about last year, 2degrees moved to a new app that’s significantly less helpful than the old one and One NZ hasn’t made any changes at all.”
“Your telecommunications provider knows how much data you use and how much you spend. You deserve to have easy and clear access to that information, too, so you can switch plans or providers to get the best deal for your specific needs.”
Telecommunications commissioner Tristan Gilbertson says, “it's disappointing that the historic leader, 2degrees, has fallen to the bottom of the pack, and Spark is planning to move away from its right-planning initiative, which we praised last year.
“This highlights the value of independent testing because it keeps an eye on the changes providers are making and the impact this is having on Kiwi consumers. It helps let us know whether competition is working or whether we need to take steps to protect consumer interests.”
Data without direction
2degrees recently completed a migration to a new app to unify its mobile, broadband and electricity customers, but, says Gelling, the new app experience has taken a step back.
“Usage data is now only available in a daily view, instead of the monthly view that was previously offered. Spend data also used to be presented as a chart – now it’s just a list of transactions,” he says.
“These changes feel like a step in the wrong direction – knowing how much you’re spending or using over time is much more useful when choosing a plan than knowing what you’re spending on any given day.”
Upgrades undone
Spark paused its annual summaries “for review” in February.
“We were impressed by Spark’s ‘Made For You Review’ last year,” says Gelling. “It included a personalised recommendation that advised customers to either stay on their current plan or switch to another one that better suited their usage patterns. It felt like the future had arrived.
“New summaries are expected to roll out this month, but without the ‘right-plan’ recommendation. Honestly, it’s a wasted opportunity. Right-planning should be the norm by now.
“In another backward step, the new summaries don’t actually include historical information. Instead, they encourage customers to follow a link to find their details.”
Consumers on hold
Even though Consumer’s review found One NZ still has the most comprehensive annual summary email (which notably includes details of other plans), the app continues to only show its customers the latest 2-3 months of their history.
As Gelling explains, “One NZ customers are unfairly limited to viewing stats by the season. They have to assess their usage with blinkers on.
“One NZ's excellent annual summary shows it's collecting really useful information. We’d like to see that communicated in the customer app, too.”
We want clearer signals
Consumer surveying has revealed that more New Zealanders than ever are finding annual summaries helpful in reviewing their mobile phone plans.
“Despite seeing progress over the last few years of review, we're disappointed to see providers removing useful features and stalling on promising innovations like right planning,” says Gelling.
“Telecommunication companies know exactly what their customers use and spend. They shouldn't make it difficult for consumers to access this information.”
Commissioner Gilbertson adds “We hope this is a one-off dip by providers, but we're concerned enough to think it’s time for us to issue guidelines to industry. We plan to do that in the coming weeks so that requirements in this area are clear.”
Notes
The Mobile Retail Service Provider Transparency Review is a partnership between Consumer NZ and the Commerce Commission.
About Consumer
Consumer NZ is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to championing and empowering consumers in Aotearoa. Consumer NZ has a reputation for being fair, impartial and providing comprehensive consumer information and advice.
University Research – Digital safety gaps leave vulnerable at risk – UoA
| Source: University of Auckland (UoA)
Online scams, weak passwords and cyberbullying hit vulnerable groups hardest, and New Zealand has almost no research to guide local solutions, according to the authors of a new study. Digital Safety and Vulnerable Groups: A Systematic Review of Barriers, Enablers, and Multi-Level Interventions looks into who's most vulnerable online and why. It examines how factors such as age, gender and disability shape digital safety, explores current interventions and highlights gaps in support for vulnerable groups. Lead author and University of Auckland Business School doctoral candidate Pacharee Phiayura, working with co-authors Dr Farkhondeh Hassandoust and Dr Angela Liew, peer-reviewed 72 studies published between 2015 and 2025. Despite the global scope and breadth of research they examined, the review revealed an absence of any New Zealand-specific studies on digital safety and vulnerable groups. It also showed that existing research overlooks the structural inequalities that influence digital vulnerabilities. “We know that older people, women, people with disabilities, Indigenous communities, migrants and refugees are more exposed to online harms,” says Phiayura. “But the interventions that exist are still very fragmented, often focused narrowly on individual training or support rather than addressing the wider social, organisational and policy settings that shape people's experiences online.” The study identifies five main barriers to digital safety among vulnerable groups: limited access to technology and infrastructure, social and cultural challenges such as language barriers, low digital literacy, psychological or cognitive constraints, and limited cybersecurity awareness. It also highlights what helps: strong peer and family support networks, targeted awareness and training programmes, supportive infrastructure and policies, and inclusive technology design that considers the needs of diverse users. Phiayura, who completed her masters degree in cybersecurity before beginning her doctoral research, says her background influenced her interest in the human side of online safety. “I grew up in Thailand where online scams are very prevalent, and I've seen how people in my parents' generation believe a lot of the information they see online, without knowing how to verify it. That made me want to focus my research on how vulnerable populations experience digital threats, and what can be done to protect them,” she says. Phiayura says older adults are particularly vulnerable due to age-related cognitive decline and lower digital literacy, often leaving them reliant on family members for online security decisions. Women, meanwhile, are disproportionately targeted by online harassment, sexual violence and scams. People with disabilities frequently encounter inaccessible technology, while migrants and refugees may lack resources in their own languages, leaving them at greater risk of fraud and exclusion. Despite these risks, most existing interventions stop at the individual level – for example, teaching people how to avoid phishing emails. The study calls for a multi-level approach, combining personal training with community initiatives, organisational support, and government policy. “Imagine community libraries running workshops for migrant families, taught by mentors who speak their language,” says Phiayura. “That's the kind of multi-level intervention that makes a difference, connecting training with cultural and community support.” The authors argue for participatory design in technology, ensuring vulnerable users are involved in shaping the tools and policies intended to protect them. They also emphasise a rights-based approach that frames digital safety as a fundamental entitlement, not just an individual responsibility. “We need to move beyond siloed solutions and build coordinated, inclusive strategies,” says Phiayura. The findings carry lessons for New Zealand, where little research has been done on the digital safety of groups such as Māori, Pacific communities, older people and low-income households. “We don't have a clear picture of who our vulnerable groups are, and how they're affected,” she says. “That's a real concern because without local evidence, it's difficult to design interventions that will work in a local context.” In future research, Phiayura plans to investigate the unique barriers faced by vulnerable populations in Aotearoa. She hopes the findings will help to pinpoint the issues here so that local solutions can be designed with community input. |
Health and Employment – 11,500 essential health workers vote to strike on 23 October – PSA
Source: PSA
More than 11,500 Allied Health workers will strike for 24 hours on Thursday 23 October in support of their claim for safe staffing levels and better pay and conditions.
“The workers, who are PSA members, voted overwhelmingly to take strike action following the failure of Health NZ Te Whatu Ora to table a fair offer after bargaining since June. The strike will run from midnight to midnight all over New Zealand,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
Allied health workers cover over 60 professions that help keep the public health service functioning including social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, scientists, anaesthetic technicians, Māori health specialists, clinical support workers and health assistants (see list of other roles below).
“These are critical health workers who see first-hand how the health system is failing New Zealanders every day – they want to see the Government fund health services properly.
“Health NZ needs to listen to the voice of workers and come back to the bargaining table with an offer that provides for safer staffing levels, ends delays in recruiting new staff, and a better pay offer that reflects their value to the health system.”
The pay offer was for a 2% rise then a 1.5% increase over a 30-month term. This is well below inflation and means workers would be taking an effective pay cut.
“There are simply not enough health workers to provide the level of care New Zealanders need, and recruitment is frustratingly slow. To make up numbers, staff often have to pull double shifts and work unsustainably long hours.
“They can’t give their best to patients when they’re so thinly stretched and burnt out. We can’t afford more workers to cross the Tasman and work in a health system there that better values what they do.”
PSA vice-president and occupational therapist Dianna Mancer says the industrial action is just as much about patients as it is workers.
“Allied Health staff are deeply concerned about the chronic underfunding of the sector. It puts a lot of pressure on workers, but we’re also worried about the effects of short-staffing and budget cuts on patients.
“This offer is not good enough – it doesn’t recognise all the work we do under increasingly difficult circumstances. We are standing up for a better healthcare system that properly cares for workers, so we can care for New Zealanders.”
PSA delegate and mental health social worker Andy Colwell says the work he and his colleagues does is only getting harder.
“In recent years we’ve seen an increase in the severity of need in our communities, but very little acknowledgement of the impact of this on staff from Health NZ.
“What we’re asking for is a pay offer that at the very least keeps up with the rate of inflation. Our work is challenging, and at the current pay rates, we’re losing people to private practice, early retirement, or overseas.
“We need a work environment that is safe in practice so we can provide the best possible service for our communities.”
Fleur Fitzsimons said: “By striking, our members are sending a strong message, that they and New Zealanders deserve better.”
Background – the various roles of Allied Health workers
Allied
Alcohol & Other Drug Clinicians, Audiologist, Dental/Oral Health Therapists, Dietitians, Dual Diagnosis Therapists, Early Intervention Teacher, Family Therapists, Needs Assessors/Service Co-ordinators(NASC), Occupational Therapists, Optometrists, Orthoptists, Paediatric Therapists, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Play Specialists, Podiatrists, Professional Advisors, Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Social Workers, Specialist Assessors, Speech Language Therapists, and Visiting Neurodevelopment Therapists.
Public Health
Drinking Water Assessors, Food Act Officers, Health Informatics Officers, Health Promotion Officers, Health Protection Officers, Policy Analysts, Sampling Officers, Smokefree Officers and Technical Officers
Scientific
Embryologists. Medical Laboratory Scientists, Scientific Officers, Scientists
Technical
Anaesthetic Technicians, Anaesthetic Technician Trainees, Audiology Technicians, Audiometrists, Biomedical Technicians, Clinical Engineers, Charge ECG Technicians, Clinicial Physiology Technicians, Dental Technicians, ECG Technicians, Electrical Technicians, Food Supervisors, ICU/PICU Technicians, Maxillofacial Technicians, Medical Illustrators/Photographers, Medical Laboratory Technicians, Mobility Technicians, Mortuary Technicians, Neurophysiology Technicians, Ophthalmic Technicians, Orthotic Technician, Orthotists, Pharmacy Technicians, Phlebotomists, Physiology Technicians, Renal Dialysis Technicians, Sonographers, Specimen Services Technicians, Sterile Sciences Technicians and Vision & Hearing Testers
Hauora Māori
Apiha Kaitohu, Cultural Advisors, Kaiawhina, Kai Manaaki, Kaiatawhai, Kaimahi Toiora Maori, Kaitakawaenga, Kaiwhiriwhiri, Kaumatua, Kuia, Māori Advisors,, Māori Community Health, Te Tauawhiri, Kaimahi Hauora, Kaitiaki, Te Pou Kokiri, Whai Manaaki, Whanau Support Worker, Whaea Matua, Kaioranga Hauora Māori and Pukenga Atawhai.
Clinical Support Workers
Activities Officers, Bone Density Scanners, Care Co-Ordinators, Care Managers, CFMH Support Workers, Child Birth Educators, Community Health Workers, Consumer Advisors, Counsellors, Creative Therapists, Cultural Advisors, Diversional Therapists, Family Advisors, Home Support Co-ordinators, Instructors, Lactation Consultation, Mental Health Professionals, Occupational Therapy Instructors, Recreation & Welfare Officers, Rehab Support Workers, and Rehab Therapists
Assistants
Allied Health Assistants, Biomedical Technician Assistants, Clinical Assistants, Dental Assistants, Dietitian Assistants, Diversional Therapists, Health Auxiliary, Hospital Dental Assistants, Hydrotherapy Assistants, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Pharmacy Assistants, Physiotherapy Assistants, Public Health Assistants, Radiography Assistants, Social Work Assistants and Therapy Assistants.
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
Annual and monthly home consents lift in August 2025 – Building consents issued: August 2025 – Stats NZ news story and information release
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Government Cuts – Government funding cuts force job losses at trusted RNZ – PSA
Source: PSA
Radio New Zealand is making its first forced redundancies in years, with staff learning today that six roles will be axed including the entire TAHI podcast team and producers from beloved programmes like Culture 101 and At The Movies.
These job losses come on top of a recent round of voluntary redundancies – all driven by the Government's $18 million funding cuts over four years.
“RNZ is one of the most trusted media outlets in New Zealand at a time when trust in media is declining – yet the Government is undermining it by slashing funding,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“The axing of the entire TAHI podcast team – all young Māori and Pasifika journalists – is particularly concerning when we need diverse voices in our media landscape more than ever.
“These aren't just statistics – they're talented people losing their jobs because the Government decided to cut 7% from RNZ's operating budget in Budget 2025 without thinking about the consequences.
“RNZ is a vital public broadcaster, even more so these days with deep cuts across New Zealand’s media over the last year which are shrinking the voice of journalists. RNZ reaches into communities right across the country with trusted, quality journalism and programming that commercial media simply cannot provide.
“Yet once again we see this Government making short-sighted funding decisions that will have long-term impacts on services New Zealanders rely on.
“The PSA is deeply concerned about the ongoing stability of roles at RNZ. How many more cuts can this essential public service sustain before New Zealanders lose access to the independent, trusted journalism they deserve?”
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
Advocacy – PSNA issues second open letter to NZ PM and FM over Gaza peace flotilla
Source: Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)
PSNA has released an open letter sent to New Zealand Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters. The open letter follows:
Rt Hon Christopher Luxon
Prime Minister
Rt Hon Winston Peters
Foreign Minister
Tēnā kōrua,
We, call on the NZ Government to urgently demand the Israeli authorities immediately end the inhumane blockade of occupied Gaza, and allow the international civilian flotilla boats currently sailing to Gaza, safe and unhindered passage to their destination.
Supported by NGOs in Gaza and by civil society around the world, and with several Kiwis on board, the Freedom Flotillas is currently heading for Gaza with a message of hope and solidarity for the Palestinian struggle for peace and justice, and to end Israel’s illegal siege, genocide and occupation of Gaza.
The combined flotillas plus global solidarity action confront what governments, corporations and institutions have failed to do —to stop genocide, end apartheid and demand accountability under international law.
Like previous peace flotillas, the unarmed civilian boats to Gaza pose no threat whatsoever to Israel. However, in light of Israel’s record of illegal interceptions, attacks and seizure of previous Gaza-bound boats in international waters, we call on the NZ Government to urgently demand the Israeli authorities immediately end their inhumane blockade of Gaza, and allow the flotilla vessels safe and unhindered passage to reach their destination.
Roger Fowler
Coordinator
Kia Ora Gaza Trust
John Minto
National Co-Chairman
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa
Maher Nazzel
National Co-Chairman
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa
Advocacy – Palestine Forum of New Zealand Urges Government to Protect Gaza Freedom Flotilla
Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand
The Palestine Forum of New Zealand is calling on the New Zealand Government to urgently demand that Israeli authorities end the inhumane blockade of occupied Gaza and allow the international civilian flotilla boats, currently sailing to Gaza, safe and unhindered passage to their destination.
Supported by NGOs in Gaza and civil society organisations worldwide, and with several New Zealanders on board, the Freedom Flotillas are sailing with a message of hope and solidarity for the Palestinian struggle for peace and justice, and to end Israel’s illegal siege, genocide, and occupation of Gaza.
“These unarmed boats carry nothing but courage, dignity and the voices of millions who refuse to accept silence in the face of genocide,” said [Spokesperson Name], spokesperson for the Palestine Forum of New Zealand. “New Zealand must not remain silent. Our government has a moral duty to demand that Israel guarantee the safe passage of the flotillas and bring an end to its unlawful blockade of Gaza.”
The Palestine Forum emphasised that the flotillas, like previous peace convoys, pose no threat whatsoever to Israel. However, Israel’s record of illegal interceptions, violent attacks, and the seizure of Gaza-bound boats in international waters makes urgent diplomatic intervention essential.
“These flotillas, supported by global solidarity, are doing what governments and international institutions have failed to do, to stop genocide, dismantle apartheid, and demand accountability under international law,” the spokesperson added.
The Palestine Forum of New Zealand calls on Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters to immediately issue a public demand that Israel allow the flotilla vessels safe and unhindered passage to Gaza.
Palestine Forum of New Zealand