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Health Policy – Dental Roadshow Finds "Neglected" Under-18s Service, "Nationwide Crisis" in Oral Health

Source: Dental for All
A national roadshow on access to dental care sets off on its final trip next week – and has confirmed longstanding concerns about barriers to dental care across the country.
Advocacy group Dental for All – backed by dentists, oral health therapists, unions, and frontline service providers – begins a final roadshow through the South Island on Saturday 27 September.
The roadshow has visited 18 towns or centres as part of a journey that has gone so far from the Far North to the East Coast, and from Wellington to Rotorua. 
The third and final leg of the roadshow will visit at least 8 further towns and centres from Invercargill to Nelson, meaning the roadshow will have visited at least 26 towns and cities, across some 35 events. Events have included free dental days, community discussions, and marae and school visits.
A strong theme of the roadshow has been an under-resourced under-18s dental service, for which there appears to be little government planning or accountability.
“We have heard story after story about the under-18s service being neglected, particularly in smaller centres, where in some cases we're hearing mobile dental vans haven't visited for years,” says Hana Pilkinton-Ching, Dental for All campaigner and spokesperson. “Making dental truly public – building an integrated child, adolescent, and adult community dental service – would improve planning and accountability for the under 18s service, and mean the government has to square up to the fact that oral health is part of general health, and needs urgent attention.”
Across the country, community members have spoken about painful attempts to extract their own teeth because of cost barriers – a cost barrier that the most recent New Zealand Health Survey stops almost half of all New Zealanders from accessing the dental care that they need.
“It's alarming how often we have heard of people being left to pursue DIY dentistry, because of the prohibitive cost barrier,” says Pilkinton-Ching. “The need is enormous, and the Government knows it, so the longer the Government chooses not to act on dental, the more the Government is condoning the significant suffering people are going through across the country when it comes to oral health.”
Dental for All is calling for the government to implement free, universal dental, delivered consistently with Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 
When New Zealand's public healthcare system was established in 1938, some dentists lobbied for the exclusion of dental from the service, though dental care for under-18s is free. That exclusion of dental continues to today.
Research commissioned by Dental for All shows the cost of universal dental, at $1-2bn, is less than what the current exclusion of dental from the public system is costing society, with FrankAdvice research showing that the current approach to dental is costing the country $2.5bn in lost productivity and $3.1bn in reduced quality of life. 
In the Far North and on the East Coast local providers have told Dental for All that they are seeking to establish accessible local oral health services because the need is urgent – but there is little or no government support for those measures.
“Local communities and health providers, especially Māori health providers, are seeing the problems in oral health and acting on them by trying to set up local accessible dental services,” says Pilkinton-Ching. “But it shouldn't be down to local providers to fundraise or volunteer time – this is a nationwide crisis that demands a nationwide solution.”
Major Dental for All community discussions will be held in Dunedin on the evening of Monday 29 September and Christchurch on the evening of Wednesday 1 October, with the roadshow closing with an event in Nelson on the evening of Monday 6 October.
Note

– Hana Pilkinton-Ching and Kayli Taylor are available for interviews. Hana can be contacted on 027 253 4641, and Max Harris can be contacted on 022 426 8939 on background or to arrange interviews.
– Details of many of the remaining Dental for All community events can be found online here: https://our.actionstation.org.nz/calendars/dental-for-all-roadshow
– In the 2024 NZ Health Survey, 45% of New Zealand adults reported unmet dental need due to cost: https://www.health.govt.nz/publications/annual-update-of-key-results-202324-new-zealand-health-survey
– Details of the cost of excluding dental from the public healthcare system in terms of lost productivity ($2.5bn) and reduced quality of life ($3.1bn) can be found in this FrankAdvice report at p 4: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6716db8303911558a264ceeb/t/6893fb04bd24865e5efa7e1f/1754528521108/FrankAdvice_report_for_Dental_for_All_Coalition.pdf
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Chief Ombudsman publishes OIA and LGOIMA complaints information for January to June 2025

Source: Office of the Ombudsman

The Chief Ombudsman John Allen has published his half-yearly data on Official Information Act (OIA) and Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) complaints.
The data covers the number of complaints received under each Act from 1 January to 30 June 2025, as well as the number of complaints completed by the Ombudsman during this period.
The number of complaints about the way government agencies handle OIA requests has continued to rise year on year. However, in the most recent six-month period, there was a slight decrease in complaints compared to the previous half year (1,025 complaints, down from 1,029 in the previous half year).
The top three types of OIA complaints related to refusals in full (260, down from 315), partial refusals (258, up from 198), and delays in making a decision (210, up from 208). We also received a number of complaints about incomplete or inadequate responses (96, up from 94).
Of the total received, 794 were from individuals (up from 752), 113 from media (down from 131), 54 from companies, associations, incorporated societies or collectives (down from 55).
There were 251 complaints made under LGOIMA, up from the previous six-monthly period when 215 complaints were received.
Of the 251 LGOIMA complaints received, 209 were from individuals (up from 192), 20 from companies, associations, incorporated societies or collectives (up from nine), and 14 from the media (up from 13).
The top four types of LGOIMA complaints were refusals in full (66, consistent with last year), refusals in part (52, down from 54), delays in making decisions (53, up from 34), and inadequate or incomplete responses (47, up from 36).
Complaints data (1 January – 30 June 2025)
Complaints received
Complaint type Individual Media Other Total received LGOIMA 209 14 28 251 OIA 794 113 118 1,025
LGOIMA or OIA complaints received may also be from: political party research units; trade unions; special interest groups, companies, associations, incorporated societies, Members of Parliament, etc. These are categorised as ‘Other’ in this table. See this half year data set for more detail.
Reasons for complaints
Complaint type Delay in decision Refusal in full Refusal in part Incomplete/ inadequate response Extension Other LGOIMA 53 66 52 47 7 26 OIA 210 260 258 96 47 154
Complaints completed
Complaint type Individual Media Other Total completed LGOIMA 230 17 59 306 OIA 1,032 161 155 1,348
The ‘Other’ category may include complaints about decisions to make information available subject to a charge; the manner or form in which information was released; alleged delay in releasing information; extensions of the time limit to making decisions on requests; refusal – statement of reasons; refusal – internal rules and guidelines; refusal – personal information about body corporate. See this half year data set for more detail.
About the data
The data released by the Ombudsman concerns both OIA and LGOIMA complaints received and completed from 1 January to 30 June 2025. It includes information on the number of complaints received by Minister or agency, the nature of the complaint and type of complainant (media, private individual, etc). For the complaints completed, the data also includes the outcome of the complaint.
The data does not enable a direct comparison between agencies, as complaints data on its own does not give the full picture. The number of complaints received by the Ombudsman may be a very small proportion of the total number of OIA or LGOIMA requests received by an agency.
Te Kawa Mataaho | Public Service Commission publishes its own data on OIA requests received by agencies and their response times on the same day as the Ombudsman publishes. 
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Security Tech – When Automation Fails: Lessons in Cyber Resilience from Europe’s Airport Ransomware Attack

Source: Cyber News. Article by Mantas Sabeckis

This past weekend, millions of travelers faced a modern nightmare: delays, cancellations, and chaos at some of Europe's busiest airports – Heathrow, Brussels, Berlin – triggered by a ransomware attack on Collins Aerospace's check-in and boarding software. It's very much the reality of today's hyperconnected infrastructure.

This shows how hidden cyber risks can be. It also shows how unprepared many important systems are for these kinds of threats.

This also shows how the vulnerability of supply chains can put businesses in trouble. Collins Aerospace isn't an airport or airline but a software vendor, a third-party provider whose systems connect together vast and complex air travel operations.

This sort of third-party risk is increasingly a preferred target for ransomware gangs. A flaw in one vendor's software can cascade through the global transportation ecosystem, unleashing disruption across an entire continent.

The lesson here is that just making your own computers and firewalls stronger isn't enough. Real protection means keeping a close eye on every part of your supply chain. Are vendors' security practices robust? Do contracts demand transparent vulnerability disclosure? Is patch management swift and audited? Those questions are foundational.

Then, there's the often-overlooked fallback mode: manual operations. This hack blew up the digital convenience airports pride themselves on: automated check-ins, seamless boarding. The reversion to handwritten boarding passes and paper manifests was crude but necessary.

Investing in these manual backups and making sure staff are trained to execute them under pressure is as essential as any other security measure. In the race to digitize, this old-school readiness often gets pushed aside, until it becomes a lifeline.

Experts are trying to find out who's responsible. Terror law watchdog Jonathan Hall KC says it's possible state-sponsored hackers could be behind the attack. Places like Heathrow in the UK are quite obvious targets during big political and economic tensions. Figuring out who's behind attacks like this is always tough, but it shows that important systems like airports are now key targets in global cyber battles.

This incident shows that being ready for cyberattacks isn't just about building stronger defenses. It means taking care of the entire system – making sure every part, including suppliers, is secure, planning for the worst, and having backup plans that keep important services running no matter what.

The aviation sector might be racing toward a more automated future, but we have to keep in mind that the digital runway isn't invincible, and resilience must be built in from the ground up.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mantas Sabeckis is a security researcher at Cybernews, specializing in identifying data leaks, detecting vulnerabilities, and enhancing the security of AI systems. With a strong commitment to responsible disclosure, he collaborates with both large corporations and small organizations to help them address security issues before they can be exploited. Mantas's work centers on understanding how sensitive data is exposed and sharing insights that contribute to stronger cybersecurity practices. His mission is clear: to make the internet a safer place for everyone by advancing research, promoting responsible security measures, and supporting initiatives that protect digital ecosystems.

ABOUT CYBERNEWS

Cybernews is a globally recognized independent media outlet where journalists and security experts debunk cyber by research, testing, and data. Founded in 2019 in response to rising concerns about online security, the site covers breaking news, conducts original investigations, and offers unique perspectives on the evolving digital security landscape. Through white-hat investigative techniques, Cybernews research team identifies and safely discloses cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities, while the editorial team provides cybersecurity-related news, analysis, and opinions by industry insiders with complete independence. For more, visit www.cybernews.com.

Cybernews has earned worldwide attention for its high-impact research and discoveries, which have uncovered some of the internet's most significant security exposures and data leaks. Notable ones include:

  • Cybernews researchers discovered multiple open datasets comprising 16 billion login credentials from infostealer malware, social media, developer portals, and corporate networks – highlighting the unprecedented risks of account takeovers, phishing, and business email compromise.

  • Cybernews researchers analyzed 156,080 randomly selected iOS apps – around 8% of the apps present on the App Store – and uncovered a massive oversight: 71% of them expose sensitive data.

  • Bob Dyachenko, a cybersecurity researcher and owner of SecurityDiscovery.com, and the Cybernews security research team discovered an unprotected Elasticsearch index, which contained a wide range of sensitive personal details related to the entire population of Georgia. 

  • The team analyzed the new Pixel 9 Pro XL smartphone's web traffic, and found that Google's latest flagship smartphone frequently transmits private user data to the tech giant before any app is installed.

  • The team revealed that a massive data leak at MC2 Data, a background check firm, affects one-third of the US population.

  • The Cybernews security research team discovered that 50 most popular Android apps require 11 dangerous permissions on average.

  • They revealed that two online PDF makers leaked tens of thousands of user documents, including passports, driving licenses, certificates, and other personal information uploaded by users.

  • An analysis by Cybernews research discovered over a million publicly exposed secrets from over 58 thousand websites' exposed environment (.env) files.

  • The team revealed that Australia's football governing body, Football Australia, has leaked secret keys potentially opening access to 127 buckets of data, including ticket buyers' personal data and players' contracts and documents.

  • The Cybernews research team, in collaboration with cybersecurity researcher Bob Dyachenko, discovered a massive data leak containing information from numerous past breaches, comprising 12 terabytes of data and spanning over 26 billion records.

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Oxfam – Colonialism hijacks energy transition: 70% of minerals for renewables lies in Global South but the majority of profits are captured by the world’s richest

Source: Oxfam Aotearoa

  • Although Global South countries hold roughly 70% of transition minerals reserves, the majority of the investments in renewable energy are concentrated in the Global North (50%) and China (29%) – with those profits largely falling into the hands of the richest 1%.
  • In 2024, Latin America received 3% of global clean energy investment, and Southeast Asia, Middle East and Africa each received just 2%, despite Sub-Saharan Africa being home to 85% of the world’s population without access to electricity.
  • Latin America holds nearly half of the world’s lithium but captures only about 10% of the value.
  • The energy consumed by the wealthiest 1% alone would be enough to meet the basic energy needs of people without electricity access seven times over.
The vital transition from fossil fuels into renewable energy is being captured by super-rich polluters – individuals, companies and countries – reproducing colonial patterns that are entrenching inequalities and fuelling human rights violations, says Oxfam’s new report ” Unjust Transition: Reclaiming the Energy Future from Climate Colonialism”, published today.
For example, Tesla, the firm owned by the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, made $5.63bn from Electric Vehicles (EVs) sales in 2024. For each EV, the company earned profits of $3,145 – 321 times more than the entire Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) got for supplying the 3Kg of cobalt in each car. The DRC captures as little as 14% of the cobalt value chain, but retaining the full value could generate more than $4 billion a year -enough to provide clean energy to half of its nearly 110 million population.
The Oxfam report describes the “plunder” of minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare earths, land grabs for bioenergy, carbon removal projects, and seizure of large-scale resources for hydropower, wind and solar. These projects often involve violence, forced labour, and environmental harm, with little consent from local people living inside these new “sacrifice zones”.
Currently, mining, renewable energy projects and industrial development linked to the energy transition – overwhelmingly driven by the Global North and powerful elites – are threatening the rights of Indigenous peoples in as much as 60% of their recognised lands; at 22.7m km². This is roughly 85 times the size of Aotearoa.
“The richest countries and super-rich individuals are driving the climate crisis to its current tipping point, over-consuming the carbon budget through deeply unequal and extractive systems. Now they are trying to capture and control the energy transition at the expense of the poorest and most climate-vulnerable countries, driving up inequality further,” said Oxfam Executive Director Amitabh Behar. “A truly just transition starts with an end to the patterns of injustice, misrule and excess.”
Rich countries and powerful elites also dominate the international financial architecture, pouring billions into their own transitions while locking Global South countries into a growing debt crisis and leaving them little to fund their own development. So-called developing countries owe $11.7 trillion in external debt-more than 30 times the estimated cost of providing universal clean energy by 2030.
“Many Southern countries are being locked out of transition altogether despite having significant potential – 70% of the world’s wind and solar potential lies in the Global South. Their governments can’t take advantage of falling renewable costs because of high debt and unfair lending terms. Our research shows that the cost of powering people is almost twice as high in African countries, compared to the price in advanced economies. If they do engage with foreign investment, it is all led by extraction and the pursuit of profits for the few over the public good for the many,” Behar said.
Securing a just transition also means tackling today’s shocking inequality in energy access. The richest 10% of citizens consume half of all global energy, while the poorest half of humanity consumes just 8%. If redistributed, the energy consumed by the wealthiest 1% alone would be enough to meet the basic energy needs of people without electricity access seven times over.
“Addressing inequality and colonialism in the transition offers an opportunity to radically reshape the energy landscape. Indigenous People, communities, women, workers and progressive local governments are already building new energy systems rooted in local control, progressive economics and ecological care, and where decent work, social protections, indigenous rights, and reskilling are placed at the core,” said Behar. “We must support them so that the transition stops serving profit and starts serving life.”
The report provides case studies of renewable energy projects that benefit local communities and avoid exploitation. One of those case studies is the Nga Awa Purua geothermal energy project near Taupō, which is operated as a joint venture with Mana Whenua.
“A just transition to renewable energy needs to prioritise decolonisation and include Indigenous communities” said Oxfam Aotearoa Climate Justice Lead Nick Henry.
“Projects like Nga Awa Purua show that when Indigenous communities control their own land and resources, they can fully participate in energy transition and share the benefits.”
Oxfam’s report calls on policymakers to adopt a new decolonised and decentralised energy system, which recognises and repairs the harms of the historical power imbalance and prioritises global cooperation and solidarity by:
  • Adopting a public-first financing approach to climate and development goals and rejecting the ‘Wall Street Consensus’ model where public money is used to guarantee private profits.
  • Rich polluting individuals, companies, and countries need to recognize their responsibility for the climate crisis and pay for the damage.
  • Radically reforming international tax, trade and financing models to unlock current barriers for the just energy transition in Global South countries. These tools include domestic value addition, technology transfer and industrial sovereignty
  • End exploitative practices and uphold labour rights and human rights in the energy transition, including recognizing the land rights and sovereignty of Indigenous peoples.
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Appointments – GUARDIANS APPOINTS NEW HEAD OF RISK

Source: Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation

The Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation, manager of the $85 billion New Zealand Superannuation Fund, has named Maaike van Tol as its new Head of Risk, effective 29 September 2025.

Ms van Tol joined the Guardians' asset allocation team in April 2024, following nine years with ANZ Investments, where she finished as Head of Asset Allocation and Co-Head of Diversified Portfolio Management, responsible for the strategic and tactical asset allocation of the bank's KiwiSaver, Private Bank, Retail and Wholesale investment portfolios.

Prior to her time with ANZ, Ms van Tol spent 10 years in the Netherlands where she worked for NN Investment partners, IMC and ABN AMRO.

Guardians Chief Risk Officer Michael Mitchell said Ms van Tol will take responsibility for risk across the organisation, covering portfolio risk and model risk, compliance, operational due diligence and enterprise risk. 

“Maaike's analytical background and financial markets experience leave her very well equipped to guide the ongoing development of our risk management policies and processes,” Mr Mitchell said.

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Energy Sector – Permits Have Opened. Now Let’s Rebuild New Zealand’s Gas Security

Source: Energy Resources Aotearoa

Energy Resources Aotearoa welcomes the Government’s move to allow new prospecting and exploration permits nationwide, not just in onshore Taranaki. This change creates a faster route to allocate acreage and restart the work needed to rebuild our gas supply.
Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive John Carnegie said the announcement is a necessary pivot from crisis management to enabling the recovery of New Zealand’s gas reserves.
“Gas keeps the lights on, firms our renewable grid and supports thousands of high-value jobs. Opening up the permit area and adding an open market pathway are practical steps that can put capital and operators back to work in New Zealand.
Without new supply, New Zealand faces higher prices for homes and businesses, uses more coal, and has greater energy insecurity.”
Today’s announcement unlocks the potential for exploration and introduces a three-month competing application window to ensure permits are awarded to the strongest work programmes.
Carnegie says the Government’s focus on quality and pace is the right balance for a tight market.
“The open market application process balances urgency with fair competition. Operators can apply as soon as they are ready, while a three-month window for competing bids ensures permits go to those offering the strongest plans for success.”
Carnegie says that upcoming details on co-investment support from the Crown will also help restore investor confidence.
“Exploration is capital-intensive. Clear signals that the Crown is prepared to share that risk alongside industry will help to bring capital back into New Zealand.”
Investors now need confidence that these policy settings will remain in place, Carnegie says, allowing them to commit the billions of dollars required for exploration and development that will underpin our energy security.
“The 2018 exploration ban caused lasting damage – the unintended impacts of which are being felt acutely by all New Zealanders.
These measures from the Government are a step in the right direction, but durable, bipartisan policy settings will be essential to unlock a secure system that provides the energy abundance New Zealand needs to thrive.”
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Rural News – Rural connectivity crisis demands urgent action – Federated Farmers

Source: Federated Farmers

Rural New Zealand is being left behind on connectivity, with a new survey showing urgent action is needed from both mobile companies and the Government.
Federated Farmers’ 2025 Rural Connectivity Survey, completed by more than 600 farmers in August and September, highlights ongoing issues.
“Many of our members are telling us loud and clear that their mobile coverage is still patchy and unreliable, both on-farm and on provincial highways,” says Federated Farmers telecommunications spokesperson Mark Hooper.
“It’s very concerning that more than a third of farmers say their mobile coverage has actually worsened over the past year.
“Farmers need telcos to step up urgently and provide solutions that ensure reliable service across the country.”
According to the survey findings, mobile coverage currently averages only 57% of farmland, unchanged since 2022.
While more farmers are connected to 4G and 5G, dropouts remain widespread, causing major issues for everyday operations and health and safety.
“For example, farmers are required to comply with NAIT – a digital livestock recording system – but unreliable connections are obstructing that.
“And what happens if a farmer has an accident on the farm and can’t get a signal to call for emergency help?” Hooper says.
Internet access is now nearly universal (99%) but continues to frustrate farmers with variable quality, weather-related outages, and high costs.
Wireless broadband use has slipped to 44%, while satellite services such as Starlink have jumped to 36% of respondents, up from 19% in 2022.
“Farmers are increasingly reliant on services like Starlink, but simply relying on an overseas provider isn’t in the best interests of the country,” Hooper says.
“While many appreciate the coverage and performance they get from Starlink, that’s not a sustainable solution for New Zealand.
“Nor does it support the many small Kiwi businesses that are working hard to provide internet service solutions for their local communities.”
He says fibre expansion is also now a critical issue.
“Fibre currently reaches only 3% of surveyed rural households, leaving most farmers locked out of the benefits urban people and businesses are enjoying.
“Access to fibre could transform rural connectivity, but right now it’s beyond reach for most farmers.”
Federated Farmers says New Zealand urgently needs a national rural connectivity strategy.
“We need investment in an independent service to give farmers clear information on local internet providers, the best options for retaining a landline number, and advice on backup power to cover emergencies,” Hooper says.
“It’s crazy that we’re still even talking about rural connectivity problems. I think everyone assumed the service would be so much better by now – but in some cases it’s even got worse.
“Both industry and the Government need to take this really seriously.”
The survey highlights growing concerns as traditional copper landlines disappear.
Only 40% of farmers now use a landline, down from 64% in 2022, and more than a third of copper users have already received disconnection notices.
“It’s really concerning that the vast majority of rural people about to lose their copper landline still haven’t found a replacement,” Hooper says.
“VoIP doesn’t work in a power outage and mobile isn’t available on large areas of farmland. That leaves people feeling dangerously exposed.”
The survey also found farmers consistently report paying high prices for unreliable service, with some describing the situation as “rural discrimination”.
“These stories should be a wake-up call,” Hooper says.
“Rural communities keep this country going, and they deserve connectivity that’s reliable and fair value for money.”
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Dairy – Fonterra reports continued strong performance in FY25

Source: Fonterra

  • Total Group revenue: NZ $26 billion, up 15% 
  • Total cash returns to shareholders: $16 billion, up 30.6% 
  • Operating profit: NZ $1,732 million, up 13% 
  • Profit after tax: NZ $1,079 million, down 4%, up 13% tax-adjusted 
  • Normalised earnings per share: 71 cents, no change, up 13 cents tax-adjusted 
  • FY25 full year dividend, fully imputed: 57 cents per share, up from 55 cents unimputed 
  • Return on capital: 10.9%, down from 11.3%, up from 10.0% tax-adjusted 
  • 2024/25 final Farmgate Milk Price: NZ $10.16 per kgMS 
  • 2024/25 season milk collections: 1,509 million kgMS, up 2.6%.

  • 2025/26 forecast Farmgate Milk Price range: NZ $9.00 – $11.00 per kgMS 
  • FY26 forecast earnings range: 45-65 cents per share 
  • 2025/26 season forecast milk collections: revised up to 1,525 million kgMS.

Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd has today released its FY25 annual results which show the Co-op generated $26 billion in revenue and delivered $16.2 billion in total cash returns to shareholders.

The final Farmgate Milk Price for the 2024/25 season was $10.16 per kgMS, equating to $15.3 billion in milk payments to New Zealand farmers, up $3.8 billion on last year.  

The Co-op also announced a FY25 full year dividend of 57 cents fully imputed, and at the upper end of its dividend policy, equating to $916 million of cash to shareholders and unit holders. This is comprised of a 22 cent interim dividend and 35 cent final dividend.  

CEO Miles Hurrell says FY25 has been one of the Co-op’s strongest years yet in terms of shareholder returns.  

“We continue to see good demand from global customers for our high-quality products made from New Zealand farmers’ milk and this is driving returns through both the Farmgate Milk Price and dividends.  

“Our vision is to be the source of the world’s most valued dairy. Our strategy is designed to grow end-to-end value for farmers by focusing on being a B2B dairy nutrition provider, working closely with customers through our high-performing Ingredients and Foodservice channels.

“During the year, we’ve taken important steps towards this goal, including running a robust divestment process for global Consumer and associated businesses. This resulted in an agreement to sell the businesses to Lactalis for $4.22 billion, subject to approvals.  

“We’re also positioning the Co-op to deliver further value through our Foodservice and Ingredients businesses, including continuing to invest in new manufacturing capability to meet growing customer demand for our high-value products.

“We have a pipeline of potential growth investments we’re assessing, with plans to invest up to $1 billion over the next three to four years in projects to generate further value and drive operational cost efficiencies,” says Mr Hurrell.  

Projects include:

Growing the value of our existing protein portfolio, in addition to the recently announced investment at Studholme, to support our Ingredients business.

Adding value to milkfat through new butter and cream cheese investments to support both our Foodservice and Ingredients businesses.  

Investments in site operations including our Enterprise Resource Planning system replacement, data, AI and automation.  

Mr Hurrell says that through focused execution of strategy, the Co-op is targeting earnings to be back at current levels within three years, offsetting the earnings impact of divesting the Consumer and associated businesses.  

“Our balance sheet strength gives us the confidence to return capital, invest in the future of the business and maintain our dividend policy,” says Mr Hurrell.

Performance

Fonterra has delivered strong performance in FY25, with Total Group reported operating profit increasing to $1.7 billion, up from $1.5 billion the year prior.  

Reported profit after tax was $1.1 billion, equivalent to earnings per share of 65 cents. This was down slightly on the prior year, reflecting Fonterra’s higher tax expense in FY25 after the Co-op elected not to deduct distributions to farmer shareholders from taxable income and instead attach imputation credits to dividends.

When excluding the costs associated with the Consumer divestment, Fonterra’s normalised earnings per share were 71 cents, in line with last year’s result.  

The Co-op delivered a Return on Capital of 10.9%, in line with the target range of 10-12%.

“This result was driven by higher operating profit in the Ingredients business, due to demand for our protein portfolio and our use of margin hedging tools and indexed-based pricing,” says Mr Hurrell.

“Foodservice sales volumes continue to grow off the back of continued demand in Greater China for our high-value products including UHT cream, butter and mozzarella.  

“The business proposed to be divested, Mainland Group, benefited from sales volume growth in the Consumer business and the Australia business having a stable milk price against higher global commodity prices.

“Operating costs largely increased due to investment in a once-in-a-generation Enterprise Resource Planning software replacement as well as costs associated with the Consumer divestment process.  

“Fonterra’s balance sheet and leverage metrics are in line with the prior year, maintaining the Co-op’s robust position and providing optionality for the future,” says Mr Hurrell.  

Strategy

During FY25, Fonterra took further steps to support value growth through its global Ingredients and Foodservice businesses.  

This included appointing Richard Allen as President, Global Ingredients and Teh-han Chow as President, Global Foodservice.

“Fonterra commenced construction on new manufacturing capacity at its Studholme and Edendale sites, with the first protein products from Studholme expected in early 2026, and UHT cream from Edendale expected late 2026,” says Mr Hurrell.  

“The Co-op is also investing in its foundations, with construction underway on a new coolstore at its Whareroa site, and new coal-free boilers at its Clandeboye and Edendale sites to support secure energy supply.  

“In addition to the investments at Studholme and Edendale, we’re also planning new manufacturing capacity investment for both specialty protein and butter. This will support further improvement in the Co-op’s product mix by allowing Fonterra to allocate more milk to Foodservice and non-reference Ingredients products,” says Mr Hurrell.  

Divestment

In line with its strategy to focus on its Ingredients and Foodservice businesses, during FY25 Fonterra undertook a dual-track divestment process for its global Consumer and associated businesses.  

This resulted in an announcement in August 2025 that the Co-op has agreed to sell the businesses to Lactalis for $4.22 billion, subject to approvals.  

As previously shared, Fonterra is targeting a capital return of $2.00 per share from the divestment proceeds if it progresses, which is equivalent to $3.2 billion.  

The Fonterra Board intends to make a final decision on the amount and timing of the capital return once the sale agreement is unconditional, cash proceeds are received in New Zealand and having regard to other relevant factors including Fonterra's debt and earnings outlook at the time.

The sale is subject to approval from farmer shareholders, certain regulatory approvals, and separation of the businesses from Fonterra. The farmer shareholder vote is due to take place via a Special Meeting on 30 October 2025.  

Outlook  

The Co-op has today revised its forecast milk collections for the 2025/26 season from 1,490 million kgMS to 1,525 million kgMS.  

“Favourable weather conditions experienced during the previous season are forecast to continue through spring, supporting pasture growth,” says Mr Hurrell.  

The 2025/26 forecast Farmgate Milk Price is $10.00 per kgMS with a range of $9.00 – $11.00 per kgMS.  

“Global Dairy Trade prices continue to be robust, as does demand from customers for our products sold off GDT. However, the risk of potential volatility in commodity prices and exchange rates from geopolitical dynamics remains.”  

Fonterra’s FY26 forecast earnings from continuing operations, which excludes the businesses to be divested, is 45-65 cents per share.

“Our forecast earnings for the year ahead exclude earnings from the businesses to be divested and is in line with the strong performance we’ve delivered in FY25.”  

Looking further ahead, as well as targeting earnings to return to current levels in three years, Fonterra has confirmed it is maintaining the strategic targets and policy settings announced in September 2024, if Mainland Group is divested.

This includes a target average Return on Capital of 10-12% from FY26, which is above Fonterra’s 5-year average.

We have amended our Debt to EBITDA target to less than 3 times and maintained our target gearing ratio of 30-40%, reflecting an appetite to maintain conservative balance sheet settings.

While there are always risks that may impact future performance, Fonterra continues to target dividend payments within its policy range of 60%-80% of earnings in the medium term.

“Our ongoing balance sheet strength, combined with our focused strategic direction, means the Co-op is well prepared for the future and positioned to continue delivering positive returns to shareholders,” says Mr Hurrell.

About Fonterra  

Fonterra is a co-operative owned and supplied by thousands of farming families across Aotearoa New Zealand. Through the spirit of co-operation and a can-do attitude, Fonterra’s farmers and employees share the goodness of our milk through innovative consumer, foodservice and ingredients brands. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re committed to leaving things in a better way than we found them. We are passionate about supporting our communities by Doing Good Together. 

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Advocacy – World Maritime Day: Solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza – PFNZ

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand (PFNZ)

25 September 2025 – On World Maritime Day, the international community reflects on the vital role of our oceans in connecting people, sustaining livelihoods, and ensuring freedom of navigation. This year’s theme, “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity,” underscores the responsibility to safeguard maritime rights for all.

As the world observes this day, the Palestine Forum of New Zealand stands in solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla as it sails toward Gaza, carrying humanitarian aid and a message of justice. Their journey is a direct affirmation of maritime principles: that the seas are a shared heritage of humanity and must never be weaponized to enforce siege or collective punishment.

For nearly two decades, the people of Gaza have been denied access to their own waters and cut off from the outside world by an illegal naval blockade. This blockade violates the very spirit of World Maritime Day, where oceans are meant to unite, not divide; to sustain life, not deepen suffering.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, through steadfastness and courage, highlights the urgent need to uphold international maritime law and humanitarian principles. On this day, we call upon governments, maritime organisations, and civil society to stand with those who risk their lives at sea to break the silence around Gaza.

The seas must be a path to freedom and solidarity. On World Maritime Day, the Palestine Forum of New Zealand affirms its support for the Global Sumud Flotilla and the right of all people to live with dignity, safety, and hope.

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New Zealand children and parents love playing video games together

Source: IGEA

NZ Plays 2025 report reveals parents see video games as a positive force in learning, connection and creativity

New Zealand, 25 September 2025 – Video games are now a regular part of life in most New Zealand homes and new research shows parents are not only on board with their kids playing video games, but are actively embracing it and participating. The 2025 NZ Plays study, conducted by IGEA and Bond University, shows 91% of New Zealand households include someone who plays games. The study also shows that many New Zealand parents see video games as a way to help their kids learn, connect with others and develop useful life skills. NZ Plays has been running for fifteen years and captures the trends and behaviours of New Zealand video gamers.

Families that play together

Video games have created more ways for families to interact. More than half of New Zealand parents (54%) say they play video games with their children as a fun way to connect as a family, while 52% say it's simply a good way to spend time. Nearly half of parents (47%) believe games are a fun way for children to learn, pointing to benefits such as problem-solving (45%), enhanced cognitive skills (37%), and social connection with friends and family (36%).

Parents also report confidence in managing their children’s play. The majority are familiar with family controls (76%) and in-game controls (65%), and many households set rules around play, with 39% enforcing them “very much” and 38% “to some degree.”

“This year’s research shows that a key driver of New Zealand parents playing video games is to build connections with their children. Video games continue to provide a platform and space where families can enjoy doing something fun together,” said Ron Curry, CEO of IGEA.

Why New Zealanders play

For most New Zealanders, the main motivation for play is to have fun, and to feel and experience joy. Video games are widely valued as a way to relax and destress, to relieve boredom and to provide a challenge. Respondents also noted that video games can support mental health, helping both adults and children manage stress, depression and anxiety by building resilience and self-confidence.

Popular genres include puzzle, board and card games, reflecting the combination of mental challenge, stimulation and enjoyment that players seek.

Connection through games

Playing video games also helps New Zealanders form and maintain relationships. For younger adults, the impact is even stronger. Nearly half (48%) of 18-34 year olds have made connections through games. 32% have become involved in a community or social group and 71% prefer collaborative games. Older players also benefit, with 15% of players aged 65 and above using games to stay connected with family and friends and 58% show a strong preference for collaborative play.

“Mental health was a key theme for New Zealand players this year. Respondents provided great insights into the potential benefits they see and experience through playing video games. Connection with others, managing stress and depression, developing emotional intelligence, increased resilience, and building self-confidence were all identified as mental health benefits of playing video games,” said Dr. Jeffrey Brand, Professor at Bond University.

The face of the modern player

Working-age adult averaging 36 years old
Just as likely to be female (47%) as male (52%)
Living in a house with at least two devices
Plays for fun and socially, collaboratively and competitively
Plays with family for connection
Is quite familiar with family controls on devices
Plays outside of the home – in the classroom and on the job

“We know New Zealanders love playing video games and now we can see how much they appreciate the benefits beyond fun and entertainment. New Zealanders also value the power of games to connect with others, to educate, and to provide mental health benefits,” concluded Curry.

If you would like to learn more about New Zealand Plays 2025, you can visit the. IGEA website

About IGEA

IGEA (Interactive Games & Entertainment Association) is the peak industry association representing the voice of Australian and New Zealand companies in the computer and video games industry.  IGEA supports the games industry's business and public policy interests through advocacy, research and education programs. For more information, please visit www.igea.net

About New Zealand Plays

New Zealand Plays is a study of 820 New Zealand households represented by adult participants aged 18 and over. Household-level statistics include demographics, household device profiles, attitudes, and knowledge questions. Parents represent 282 of the 820 household adult respondents. Data on play time (including frequency and duration, location, time of day, genre preferences, and common playing experiences) were drawn from adult participants and one other nominated household member (n=1,309). Age, gender and player status were drawn from the participants and all members of the household (n=1,731). Participants were drawn randomly from the Qualtrics XM panel in May 2025; research was designed and conducted at Bond University. The margin of error is 3.5%.