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Greenpeace Statement: Activists convicted and discharged over seabed mining action
Source: Greenpeace
Four ocean advocates have been sentenced in court in Wellington today, after locking down the Wellington headquarters of the mining industry lobbying firm Straterra (since renamed the New Zealand Minerals Council) in September 2024.
They were found guilty of trespass, convicted and discharged.
Greenpeace Aotearoa programme director Niamh O’Flynn, who was one of the activists, says:
“I’m proud to wear this conviction. We never take such action lightly but if standing up for the oceans is a crime then that’s what we have to do. If business as usual isn’t going to stop the people who most want to profit from the destruction of our environment, then this is the kind of action that we have to take.
“The NZ Minerals Council lobbied the Luxon government behind the scenes on behalf of Australian-owned wannabe seabed mining company Trans-Tasman Resources (TTR), and we wanted to disrupt that influence,” O’Flynn continued.
“The Luxon government’s Fast Track process opened up the South Taranaki Bight for seabed mining by enabling TTR and its Australian owners, Manuka Resources, to revive its zombie seabed mining plans. This was after being turned down repeatedly , even by the Supreme Court, because they were unable to alleviate concerns that seabed mining would cause harm to marine life.”
“TTR pulled out of the Environmental Protection Authority hearings last year and is banking on the Luxon government’s Fast Track Process. But even here TTR is failing to convince the Fast Track Panel of their credibility. A new report to the panel describes TTR’s application as containing “outdated information, internal inconsistencies and unproven technology”.
Activist Kate Paris, of Pātea says: “Taranaki communities – including iwi, environmentalists, fisher people, boaties and surfers are united in our opposition to seabed mining. We will continue to take action until we know Tangaroa is protected.”
Trans-Tasman Resources is planning to extract 50 million tonnes of iron sand from the South Taranaki Bight every year for decades and dump 45 million tonnes a year back into the ocean.
Seabed mining in the South Taranaki Bight would damage rich ecosystems and threaten precious marine life such as the pygmy blue whale, Māui and Hector’s dolphins and kororā.
“The opposition to seabed mining is immense and people will continue to stand up and fight against Trans-Tasman Resources’ seabed mining project. Just as thousands of New Zealanders united to fend off international oil companies through unrelenting peaceful protest and iwi-led opposition, we will make sure seabed mining never starts in Aotearoa,” said O’Flynn.
Health – We’re making it easier to get same-day appointments at Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa
Source: Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa
At Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa, we’re always looking for more ways to improve equity, access, and choice for our clients. Open access scheduling is our next step to make it easier for clients to get the appointments they need, when they need them.
Earlier this year, we launched our online booking system. This was a game-changer, as it let our clients book, reschedule, and cancel appointments from the Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa website at their convenience.
Now, we’re rolling out open access scheduling across all our clinics. This means a portion of all our clinicians’ schedules are left open for same-day appointments. This includes doctors, nurses, and nurse practitioners.
Open access scheduling is designed to reduce the time it takes for clients to get an appointment, improve same-day appointment availability, and minimise appointment backlogs. This will be especially helpful for clients who need urgent services such as symptomatic STI testing.
Before rolling out open access scheduling nationwide, we ran trials in our Gisborne, Manukau, Henderson, and Lower Hutt clinics. We saw a significant reduction in the time it took for clients to get all appointment types, with the vast majority able to get same-day appointments or book for a time and date that suited them.
For clients who need regular appointments or prefer to book ahead, this option is still available. Open access scheduling sits alongside our regular booking service, allowing clients to more easily access appointments when they need them most.
This also means we’re moving away from drop-in times at most of our clinics. Instead of dropping into a clinic and waiting around for an appointment, clients can now use our online booking system or call our contact centre in the morning to get a same-day appointment, freeing up more of their time for the rest of their day. To see if your clinic still offers drop-in appointments, please check the clinic page on our website.
Local News – Wellington Region in Strong Shape for Summer Water Supply
Source: Hutt City Council
Wellington residents are heading into summer with greater water security as investment in leak repairs and treatment upgrades begin to pay off.
Two summers ago there was a 33 percent chance of Level 4 restrictions being triggered. This summer, that risk is now below one percent under normal conditions.
Lower Hutt Mayor and Wellington Water Committee Chair Campbell Barry says the shift is thanks to a concerted effort over the past two years.
“We’ve made real progress. Thanks to major investment from Councils, Wellington Water has exceeded its annual savings target, cutting losses by 11 million litres a day. That’s a big win for the region,” Mayor Barry said.
Open leaks are down 30 percent from this time last year, and 79 percent lower than they were at the height of summer in January 2024. The fully upgraded Te Mārua Water Treatment Plant is now adding 20 million litres a day of treatment capacity to help meet peak demand.
From 28 September, Level 1 restrictions will return across the region. These are light-touch rules like limiting sprinkler use to certain times of the day.
“Our water use is still high – about 25 percent more than in Auckland. But small changes at home still make a difference. We all have a part to play in protecting our water supply,” Mayor Barry said.
Wellington Water’s long-term work continues, with a goal to cut water loss by another two million litres a day each year through to 2035.
Lifestyle – World Heart Day: Couples Who Move Together, Thrive Together
Source: Exercise NZ
“…couples-based exercise programs significantly improved exercise adherence, self-efficacy, functional capacity, and mental wellbeing, compared to those doing rehab alone.”
“…romantic partner involvement boosts sustained engagement and reduces cardio-metabolic risk.”
“On World Heart Day, we're not just promoting physical health, we're strengthening relationships, too.”
“When we move together, we keep our hearts, and each other, stronger.”
The 29th September marks World Heart Day, and Exercise New Zealand is shining a spotlight on heart health while offering a fresh twist: those who exercise together tend to stay healthier, happier, and more consistent.
Exercise: Your Heart's Best Ally
It is no mystery that physical activity remains one of the most powerful defences against cardiovascular disease (CVD). Engaging in regular aerobic or combined workouts (like walking, cycling, resistance training) can reduce your relative risk of cardiovascular mortality by about 27%
Even small boosts in activity matter: just 75 minutes of moderate exercise per week (equivalent to only 11 minutes a day) can slash CVD risk by 17%, lower cancer risk, and reduce premature death by 23%. For those tracking steps, reaching 7,000 daily steps delivers a 25% drop in cardiovascular disease risk, far beyond the benefits of inactivity. But lowering CVD risk is only part of the story. Increasingly, research shows that exercising with a romantic partner doesn't just improve health, it strengthens relationships too.
One study highlighted in BMC Cardiovascular Disorders found that couples who joined exercise programmes after coronary interventions had significantly higher adherence, greater self-confidence, improved fitness, and better mental wellbeing compared to those who trained alone.
Similarly, other pilot studies reported in BMC Public Health show that romantic partner involvement boosts sustained engagement and reduces cardio-metabolic risk. Qualitative feedback also underscores improved mood and relationship satisfaction on days people exercised together.
Exercise activates the brain's reward pathways by releasing endorphins and oxytocin, neurochemicals linked to bonding, trust, and affection. Those who engage in physical activity may often experience what research coined “arousal transfer,” where the excitement and energy from physical activity spill over into their relationship, strengthening feelings of closeness and attraction. In essence, moving together not only improves health but also deepens intimacy and enhances relationship quality.
Why This Matters in Aotearoa
Heart disease remains our leading cause of death. According to the New Zealand Heart Foundation, Heart disease is responsible for nearly one in three deaths in New Zealand. Each year around 11,900 Kiwis die from cardiovascular disease, equating to one life lost every 90 minutes. The impact is not just mortality: Cardiovascular disease doesn't just cut lives short, it causes years of illness and lost quality of life, making up around 15% of all health loss in New Zealand while costing our health system an estimated NZ$3.3 billion every year.
Yet cardiovascular disease is largely preventable. Worryingly, fewer than half (46.5%) of New Zealand adults currently meet national physical activity guidelines, while about 14% report doing little to no weekly exercise. Compounding this risk, 32.6% of adults are obese, a major driver of heart disease. These numbers show the scale of the problem, but also the enormous opportunity. Even small changes, like just 11 minutes of movement a day whether its bike rides, dance classes, gym sessions or hitting 7,000 steps, can dramatically cut risk.
On World Heart Day, ExerciseNZ is not just promoting prevention, but highlighting a simple, powerful solution: move together. Exercising with a partner makes it easier to build habits, sustain activity, and protect heart health, while strengthening relationships at the same time. And if you or a loved one need an extra push, this is the perfect time to take advantage of Exercise New Zealand's subsidised gym membership programme, designed to remove cost barriers and help more Kiwis improve their health, together.
“On World Heart Day, we're not just promoting physical health, we're strengthening relationships, too,” says Richard Beddie, Chief Executive of Exercise New Zealand. “When we move together, we keep our hearts, and each other, stronger.”
International Law – Israeli attacks kill Oxfam partner colleague, destroy clinics in Gaza
Source: Oxfam Aotearoa
Oxfam is deeply appalled and mourns the killing of Tasneem, 27, and her two children, Sham (5), and Suleiman (3), in an Israeli airstrike on 20 September. Tasneem was a psychologist at Oxfam's partner organization, Juzoor for Health and Community Development.
“Tasneem was a courageous and devoted humanitarian. Despite constant danger, she served those in desperate need to the end. Her death, along with her children, is a heartbreaking tragedy. This violence is destroying those who are trying to help. It is incomprehensible and it must end. Enough is enough,” said Dr Umiayeh Khammash, Director of Juzoor.
Tasneem was pregnant when she died and had already lost her son Muslam in a previous attack last year. Tasneem’s husband remains critically injured from the recent attack.
In the last three days, two other Oxfam partners also had their premises destroyed in indiscriminate attacks by Israel. On Monday, the offices of Oxfam partners, Al Ataa, a women's association which works to empower and protect vulnerable groups, and a Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS) clinic were destroyed. On Wednesday, the PMRS administrative headquarters/ main medical centre building was destroyed by Israel, bringing the total number of PMRS centres destroyed to ten: nine in northern Gaza and one in Khan Younis, southern Gaza.
PMRS had been treating thousands of people in northern Gaza every day, providing primary healthcare, services for pregnant women and other vulnerable people, women’s health services, malnutrition clinics, psychosocial support, and specialist care in cardiology, endocrinology, pulmonology, nephrology, nutrition, and ophthalmology. The destruction of their final two centres in northern Gaza this week, along with the forced displacement of staff and patients, is a devastating blow to the communities already struggling with very few health services and living in genocide.
“We are overwhelmed with grief, sorrow, and a deep sense of injustice,” said Dr Bassam Zaquot, PMRS Gaza Strip Manager. “In a single moment, the sacred and noble work carried out by our doctors and humanitarian workers was destroyed, our facilities completely wiped out. At the same time, we are forced to suspend the work of our mobile medical teams in Gaza out of fear for their lives. The deliberate destruction of the services we provide is a message of extermination that endangers everyone,” Zaquot said.
Jason Myers, Executive Director at Oxfam Aotearoa said: “As we continue to bear witness to the ongoing horror in Gaza, the killing of a partner colleague and her family brings the reality of the situation just that bit closer. I find it almost impossible to comprehend the situation from afar. Oxfam staff and their partners in Gaza continue to work in unimaginable circumstances, their lives literally on the line on a daily basis. Among the tens of thousands of confirmed killings since the war began, almost 1600 have been aid and healthcare workers. The international community must take urgent steps to end the genocide in Gaza and allow critical aid in.”
Ruth James, Oxfam MENA’s regional humanitarian coordinator in Gaza, said: “These are just some of the hundreds of attacks on aid workers killed in their homes or while doing their jobs during Israel’s almost two-year onslaught on Gaza, each carried out with impunity.
“Our partners take incredible risks to deliver life-saving aid to Palestinians in Gaza whose suffering is unimaginable. The killing of aid workers and the destruction of vital humanitarian infrastructure, like clinics, are senseless and brutal, and ultimately mean thousands of Palestinians are less likely to get the support they desperately need,” said James.
Several Oxfam partners have been attacked by Israel since the beginning of the war, killing partner colleagues or destroying critical humanitarian infrastructure. These incidents reflect a deeply disturbing pattern of attacks on aid workers and humanitarian facilities, reported with increasing regularity by humanitarian organizations in Gaza.
Intensified Israeli military operations in Gaza City threaten almost one million people with forced displacement into overcrowded and ill-equipped so-called ‘humanitarian areas.’ Aid workers must be able to respond to the unimaginable needs of Palestinians in Gaza without the constant threat of Israeli attacks.
“The international community must take urgent steps to end the genocide in Gaza by demanding a ceasefire, lifting the siege to allow critical aid into Gaza and ensuring all aid workers are protected so they can carry out their vital work without fear,” said James.
Notes:
Palestinians make up almost one fifth of aid workers killed since records began:
Privacy Commissioner – Exercise your right to know
Source: Office of the Privacy Commissioner
Right to Know Day on 28 September is a good reminder to New Zealanders of their right to access and correct their own information, the Privacy Commissioner says.
International Right to Know Day recognises the right to request access to information. The Privacy Act reinforces the importance of transparency and building trust in organisations.
“Organisations make decisions about people based on the information they hold, but these details and circumstances can frequently change, so it’s important people can access their personal information and check it’s accurate, Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster says.”
“All New Zealanders can ask what personal information organisations and businesses hold about them, and they can also ask to have this information corrected if it’s wrong.
“You can ask small and large businesses, government departments, schools, sports clubs, charities, and community groups and they must respond to your request within 20 working days.
“An incorrect date of birth, address or name could affect a person’s ability to access services, funding or support, so it’s important people are able to check their details and make sure they’re accurate.”
Access to personal information is an important provision under the Privacy Act as people should be able to see what information agencies hold about them, while the correction of personal information gives people the right to ask agencies to correct information they think is wrong.
Background notes
This information from our website may also help you to build your story:
PSA – Culture shift critical to ensuring speaking up culture in public service
Source: PSA
The PSA is welcoming the Government’s move to introduce new ‘speaking up’ standards but says more needs to be done to restore the workplace culture across the public service which has been severely damaged by job cuts.
Public Service Minister Judith Collins and Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche have announced new ‘speaking up’ model standards will be introduced across the public service which will set clear expectations for regular communication with complainants, legal support in specific circumstances and stronger pathways for complaints to escalate issues.
“We agree with the Minister that all who suffer sexual harassment in the workplace need to be treated with dignity, and respect, but a much broader culture shift is needed,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“If the Government is really serious about ending harassment, bullying and discrimination then it should be taking a close look at workplace culture.
“Cutting thousands and jobs, increasing workloads, and cutting back workplace flexibility have all contributed to low morale. Public service workers are anxious; they fear for their livelihoods under this government’s cost cutting approach.
“There are significant problems in the wider public sector including at ACC where an independent culture review found low trust in internal complaints processes and that many staff were unaware of the avenues for raising concerns about inappropriate behaviour.
“Public service workers need to be able to speak up with fear of punishment. Their concerns need to be taken seriously, but often environment, culture and processes for this to happen are lacking.
“Leaders need to lead – supporting managers with the right training and education so workers can escalate issues without fear. Right now, the approach is inconsistent across the public sector.
“There needs to be a concerted effort across the public service to improve the approach.
“The PSA wants to work with agencies to ensure policies and practices are robust, fair and include the right to natural justice. We need to get this right.”
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.
Social Issues – Poverty crisis leaves people with intellectual disability behind – IHC
Source: IHC
The latest Ministry of Social Development social cohesion report confirms what disability advocates have long warned: poverty is deepening across Aotearoa, and disabled people are hit hardest.
IHC Director of Advocacy Tania Thomas says the situation for people with intellectual disability (PWID) is even more severe – and has been for decades – yet government strategies continue to ignore this crisis.
“Two in five New Zealanders now say they don’t have enough income to meet everyday needs, and the number of people cutting back on food is soaring,” says Tania. “For people with intellectual disability, poverty is not a new reality – it’s a constant one.”
IHC’s data from The Cost of Exclusion report shows that people with intellectual disability are:
Twice as likely to live in hardship up to age 39 and almost three times as likely at ages 40–64 compared to other New Zealanders
Four times more likely to miss meals because they cannot afford meat or a vegetarian equivalent every second day
Three times more likely to cut back on fresh fruit and vegetables due to cost
Twice as likely to put up with being cold because they cannot afford heating
Almost four times more likely to live in a rented home and seven times more likely to spend life in social housing.
Children with intellectual disability face some of the most extreme impacts:
6.5 times more likely to miss school events due to cost
Almost three times more likely to wear clothes or shoes that are worn out or the wrong size because new ones are unaffordable
Twice as likely to lack internet or a computer for homework.
“These are not just numbers – they represent thousands of New Zealanders who have always been left in poverty,” says Tania. “Our statistics go back 10 years, which means this hardship is long-term, structural and remains unaddressed.”
IHC’s feedback on the draft New Zealand Disability Strategy asks for the inclusion of a section on poverty alleviation that is broader than focusing on employment alone.
“Employment is important but when nearly half of disabled people report they cannot meet their daily needs, we need a comprehensive strategy that seeks to address this,” says Tania. “We cannot just tell people to get a job when many cannot access the support they need to work, and when the work available often doesn’t lift them out of poverty.”
IHC is calling for:
A government-led plan to reduce poverty for disabled people, including targeted financial supports
Annual monitoring and public reporting on hardship rates for people with intellectual disability
Integration of poverty reduction into the Disability Strategy alongside employment.
“Poverty for people with intellectual disability is not inevitable – it is a policy failure,” says Tania. “We need urgent action, not another decade of data telling us that disabled people often live in severe poverty.”
Note: the MSD Social Cohesion in Aotearoa New Zealand 2024 report can be found here: https://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/about-msd-and-our-work/work-programmes/community/social-cohesion/2024-social-cohesion-indicator-report-final.pdf
About IHC New Zealand
IHC New Zealand advocates for the rights, inclusion and welfare of all people with intellectual disabilities and supports them to live satisfying lives in the community. IHC provides advocacy, volunteering, events, membership associations and fundraising. It is part of the IHC Group, which also includes IDEA Services, Choices NZ and Accessible Properties.
Property Market – New rating valuations on the way for Waimakariri District – QV
Source: Quotable Value
Waimakariri District property owners will soon receive new three-yearly rating valuations in the post.
Updated values have been prepared for all 30,369 properties in the district by independent valuers Quotable Value (QV) on behalf of Waimakariri District Council. They reflect the likely price a property would have sold for on 1 June 2025, not including chattels.
Since the district’s last revaluation in 2022, the value of residential housing has decreased by an average of -1.53%. The average house value is now at $746,000, while the corresponding average land value has increased by 1.22% to a new average of $362,000.
“Property values have remained relatively stable in Canterbury and Waimakariri over the past three years and values have generally had minimal changes since the 2022 revaluation,” said Upper South Island Regional Manager, Brendon McCurley.
“Properties that are in good condition and modern dwelling s are seeing more growth than the average property in Waimakariri. Poorly maintained or more dated properties are likely to have seen larger decreases.”
The average capital value of an improved lifestyle property has increased by 0.12% to $1,129,000, while the corresponding land value for a lifestyle property increased by 1.77% to $589,000.
“The overriding lifestyle market has been relatively stable since the 2022 revaluation despite wider volatility throughout New Zealand. Desirable localities within the district have shown a slight increase in values, whereas less desirable localities have seen slight reductions in overall value levels. This has been due to Waimakariri District experiencing only small changes to demand and supply, coupled with relatively affordable value levels in comparison to neighbouring localities.”
Meanwhile, commercial property values have increased by 0.5% and property values in the industrial sector have risen by 9.9% since the district’s last rating valuation in 2022. Commercial and industrial land values have also increased by 5.2% and 10.8% respectively;
The rural property market is generally positive. Properties with proven performance and good infrastructure are transacting quickly and at higher values, driven by increasing commodity prices and a good short-to-medium outlook for dairy and beef production.
Properties with inferior infrastructure, poorer irrigation and water supply , or limited potential alternative land uses are being discounted accordingly. Harder hill properties that are limited to mainly sheep farming have decreased the most, due to competing forestry land use inflating these values at the 2022 revision, as well as two years of poor commodity prices in the sheep industry.
The value of most dairy and pastoral farms has increased since 2022, with dairy farm values up by 9.5% and pastoral farm values up 1.5%.
On average, forestry properties have experienced the biggest decline, with a -15.1% decrease in value since 2022.
The total rateable value for the district is now $29.533 billion up 1.8%, with the land value of those properties now valued at $15.322 billion.
What are rating valuations?
Rating valuations are usually carried out on all New Zealand properties every three years to help local councils assess rates for the following three-year period. They are not intended to be used for any other purpose, including raising finance with banks or as insurance valuations.
They reflect the likely selling price of a property at the effective revaluation date, which was 1 June 2025, and do not include chattels. Any changes in the market since that time will not be included in the new rating valuations, which often means that a sale price achieved today will be different to the new rating valuation.
Rating valuations are calculated using a highly complex and detailed process that utilises all relevant property sales from the area. A large number of properties will also be physically assessed, particularly those that have been issued building consents in the last three years.
The updated rating valuations are then independently audited by the Office of the Valuer General to ensure they meet rigorous quality standards, before the new rating valuations are confirmed and posted to property owners.
If owners do not agree with their rating valuation, they have a right to object through the objection process before 7 November 2025.