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Employment Law – Minister’s intervention in ASMS’ bargaining unlawful – Union says

Source: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon must give assurances the Minister of Health will stop breaching employment law by undermining the collective bargaining process.
Simeon Brown’s actions yesterday represent an unlawful intervention in the bargaining between Te Whatu Ora and ASMS.
Bargaining has not “broken down”. Just last week ASMS met with Health New Zealand and the Public Service Commission to discuss next steps. The day before the Minister’s letter arrived Dale Bramley spoke with ASMS to discuss further steps for bargaining.
ASMS says Brown does not understand employment law and should have received advice before making comments.
As well as being misinformed, the Minister’s proposal is disingenuous. The fundamental barrier to a settlement between Health New Zealand and the senior doctors is the failure of his government to allocate adequate funds for the safe staffing of our public health system.
If Health New Zealand had appropriate funding and staffing levels this dispute would not be happening.
The Minister’s actions are highly unusual and a direct intervention in bargaining, which is unlawful.
Collective bargaining is a process governed by law and the parties to collective bargaining have specific rights and responsibilities. The Minister seems unaware of this fact.
The Minister does not appear to understand the law. His actions in combination with the response of Health NZ Chair Lester Levy could be interpreted as undermining the bargaining process.
ASMS takes issue with the minister’s misinformation about disruptions to patient care. “In his letter the Minister claims more than 4,000 surgeries, appointments and treatments were cancelled due to the May 1 strike,” ASMS Executive Director Sarah Dalton says. “An Official Information Act Request revealed this figure to be a quarter of that at 1,037.
“A further request to discover how many appointments were made on a typical day, and cancelled, for comparison is months overdue because Health New Zealand cannot locate the data. If that is the case, where is the Minister getting his advice about cancellations from?
“It screams of recent cover up attempts we saw by HNZ to withhold data from the New Zealand Nurses Organisation about safe-staffing.”
The biggest impediment to patients accessing health care is the Government’s failure to safely staff our hospitals on a day-to-day basis. “Every day theatres and clinics are cancelled due to staffing gaps.
“At the same time Health NZ has paid out more than $200M in the past 12 months on temporary staff (locums) and additional duties payments for existing staff to cover the work of missing colleagues.
“It makes no sense to pay ever increasing locum rates while clamping down on improved terms and conditions that will attract and retain desperately needed specialist doctors and dentists – especially in smaller and rural hospitals.”
ASMS lodged a revised claim with Health New Zealand during facilitated bargaining with a view to reach a compromise.
“We are happy to get back around the table with HNZ,” Dalton says. “They tell us they have a shared commitment to see improved staffing levels around the country. We need to see evidence of that.”
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Federated Farmers push for national pest strategy

Source: Federated Farmers

With rising numbers of feral animals hammering farm pasture, fences and native bush, Federated Farmers is calling for a national pest strategy.
“Farmers are constantly reporting bigger mobs of feral deer, wild pigs eating lambs, and huge flocks of Canada geese and ducks fouling farmland and waterways,” Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Richard Dawkins says.
Federated Farmers has asked Parliament’s Primary Production Committee to set up a joint agency briefing to clarify the scale of New Zealand’s pest problem, what it means for climate change, and where the current governance framework is falling short.
“We need action that covers all pest species, all land tenures, and brings every stakeholder into one coordinated effort.”
Dawkins says the current fragmented approach, with responsibility divided by land tenure and function, is holding back progress.
“One example – the Department of Conservation (DOC) is tasked to manage pests on public conservation land, but its statutory responsibilities don’t extend to private land.
“This leads to pests moving freely across public estate boundaries and imposing massive costs on farmers.”
Regional councils, Biosecurity New Zealand (MPI), the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and OSPRI (targeting TB vectors – mainly possums), all have roles.
“Responsibility is split across these multiple agencies, with no central leadership or clear lines of accountability,” Dawkins says.
“The result is gaps, inefficiencies, and inconsistent coverage – and productive land pays the price.”
He says farmers are particularly angry that some forestry companies and investors – particularly carbon forestry speculators who blanket the land in pines and walk away – leave it to farmer neighbours to suffer the pest consequences.
“It is hugely damaging and only appears to be getting worse.”
There’s also uncertainty about which agency and Minister are responsible for pest pressures that primarily affect the productive sector, especially outside of conservation land.
Similar to DOC's different priorities, forest owners often invest in pest control until trees are no longer vulnerable to browsing damage.
“The forests become habitat for pest species. These then travel across boundaries and wreak havoc.”
Last year’s inaugural Federated Farmers National Pest Survey of more than 700 farmers left no room for doubt on the scale of the problem.
One finding was that, at a conservative estimate, farmers are spending almost $74 million on pest control each year, and shouldering another $139 million a year in costs from damaged fencing, pasture consumed and loss of trees.
“Our survey was a great start, but it’s past time that agencies worked together to build a national pest inventory for an accurate picture of where we’re at,” Dawkins says.
“There’s no consolidated national dataset to confirm or quantify just how fast pest animal populations are rising, and what regions are worst affected.
“There’s truth in the saying ‘you can’t manage what you don’t measure’.
“While there's no doubt that is important, we also need action. We need lead in the air, we need to eradicate these problem species.
“It's not overly productive spending most of our resources on monitoring and planning. It's also up to every landowner to play their part.”
Climate change and emissions factors are another reason Federated Farmers wants action.
“Our food producing sector is being asked to make big cuts in emissions, but what about the methane and nitrous oxide coming from pests like deer, goats and pigs?
“That’s surely having a serious impact on New Zealand’s greenhouse gas inventory, especially when you consider that feral animals are also smashing our native forests, regenerating scrub and grasslands.
“We need data on how pests are affecting the carbon dioxide sequestration ability of this vegetation.”
The potential for greater sequestration across DOC-managed native bush is considerable.
“Instead of replacing productive sheep and beef farms in monoculture carbon forestry, we should be looking at other opportunities.
“The eight million hectare DOC estate surely presents better opportunities for improving and measuring carbon capture.”
Wilding pines and other weeds also need to be part of cross-agency campaigns, Dawkins says.
“Federated Farmers has consistently warned that we’re losing the battle on wilding pines – an ecological crisis is unfolding on that front alone.
“We have presented cost-effective alternatives such as streamlining the grazing consent process, reintroducing crown pastoral leases, tactical burning and the use of new technology and techniques for wilding control.
“We need a pest animal and weed strategy, and cross-party support for long-term action.
“As time goes on, these issues only become larger and more expensive. The time for action is now.” 
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Advocacy – Protests in 30+ centres across the country for Global Day of Action for Gaza tomorrow – Saturday 6 September

Source: Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

In more than 30 centres across Aotearoa New Zealand tomorrow Palestine solidarity protests will support the Global Day of Action for Gaza with demands for sanctions against Israel.

“Sanctions are the issue – and the only issue – which can stop the genocide in Gaza” says PSNA Co-Chair John Minto. “Israel ignores appeals and condemnations, but sanctions are its Achilles heel”

 

“The public are already on side with sanctions. An opinion poll released by PSNA last month showed that of people who gave an opinion, 60 percent supported sanctions against Israel. That number will have increased as Israel’s mass starvation has turned to an Israeli-created famine.”

 

“The shocking images of starving children from Gaza are an affront to humanity”

 

But our government is unmoved.

 

“Winston Peters is dangling the prospect of recognising a Palestinian state.  It's his distraction from any sanctions and accountabilities which he refuses to apply to Israel.

 

New Zealand voted for a Palestinian state in the UN back in 1947.  But then, as well as the rest of the western countries, New Zealand did nothing to support it and let Israel take over.

 

The priority now is to end the mass starvation, bombing and ethnic cleansing in Gaza – recognising a Palestinian state won’t do this – sanctions and accountabilities on Israel will.

 

“Our government has failed Palestinians and failed us all – tomorrow, across the country, New Zealanders will demand our government step up with sanctions”

 

Details of the protests across the country tomorrow are on our PSNA events page here.

 

John Minto

Co-Chair PSNA

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Defence News – NZDF supports PNG’s independence celebrations

Source: New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF)

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has been alongside Papua New Guinea’s Defence Force as the country celebrates its 50th anniversary of independence this week.

A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) C-130J Hercules, a Boeing B757, two NH90 helicopters and more than 40 NZ Army and Air Force personnel have deployed alongside 10 militaries from the Pacific region and around the world to participate in a number of ceremonial and public events.

The NZ Army Band was among those performing in a military tattoo alongside other international military bands.

As well as participating in the anniversary events, the Hercules and NH90 helicopters have been involved in a multinational air logistics support operation, transporting stores and equipment across the country and to outlying islands.

The Hercules has been delivering a range of medical, building and humanitarian supplies around Papua New Guinea, in support of the country’s government and a range of non-governmental organisations.

The NH90s delivered 2000kg of mosquito nets to remote villages, where fixed wing aircraft are unable to land. They also transported an 800kg mini excavator to rural farmland by an underslung load.

The No. 3 Squadron aircrew also notched up a milestone in the helicopters, travelling for the first time from one country to another, flying more than 450 nautical miles from Australia to Papua New Guinea’s capital Port Moresby.

Chief of Army Major General Rose King, in Papua New Guinea for the celebrations, said it had been a busy period for the Kiwi contingent.

“We are pleased to be here, not only celebrating Papua New Guinea’s independence with our Pacific neighbours, but also working with them in a significant air logistics support operation that has moved cargo to hard-to-reach areas.  

“We are proud to stand alongside our partners, reinforcing our partnerships, helping out where we can and celebrating this important milestone.”

The celebrations also include an air show with RNZAF aircraft performing flypasts and a winching display by an NH90; and a static air display featuring the NH90s.

The NZDF contingent also includes two Royal New Zealand Navy catering support staff, a chef and a steward, working on board Australia’s HMAS Choules.

The NZDF’s Papua New Guinea Defence Advisor Lieutenant Colonel Haden Dempsey said it was impressive to see the NZDF and other militaries taking part in the celebrations and working together flying equipment and aid to remote areas of the country.

“The Pacific is our neighbourhood, and we aim to make a valued contribution to the region and Pacific communities.”

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Advocacy – Major Unions, NGOs Endorse March for Humanity, Demand Sanctions on Israel

Source: March for Humanity

Pressure on the NZ government to sanction Israel for its war crimes is mounting.

With just over a week to go before The March for Humanity, organisers have already received over 50 endorsements from major unions, NGOs, faith groups, and community organisations, including The Council of Trade Unions, PSA, Amnesty, Greenpeace, Oxfam, FIANZ, Dayenu, and Christians for Peace Aotearoa, along with major Palestine solidarity groups such as PSNA, Justice for Palestine, and SJP branches.

“The overwhelming support for the March for Humanity clearly demonstrates that the people of this country will not accept and will not allow the New Zealand government’s ongoing complicity in Israel’s genocide in Gaza” said March for Humanity spokesperson Nadine Mortaja.

Māori political leaders are also backing The March for Humanity, with endorsements received from the Pou Tikanga of The National Iwi Chairs Forum, and from Toitū Te Tiriti who led the Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti – the largest protest in the nation’s history – in 2024.

“Māori stand with Indigenous Palestinians against the genocidal violence of the Israeli settler state, and call on the New Zealand government to impose economic sanctions on Israel,” said March for Humanity Māori spokesperson, Dr Arama Rata.

The March for Humanity is expected to be the largest Palestine protest in New Zealand history, with many groups planning to travel to the march from outside of Auckland.

March organisers are also encouraging politicians who are opposed to the genocide to join the march to demand sanctions on Israel.

“We’re more than disappointed that so few political parties have shown themselves to be anti-genocide, but we extend this opportunity to politicians to listen to the people and demonstrate their commitment to humanity” stated Mortaja.

Organisations who would like to give their endorsement to the March for Humanity are encouraged to contact Aotearoa for Palestine via Facebook, Instagram or email at marchforhumanity@proton.me

Event Details:
Who: Aotearoa for Palestine
What: March for Humanity
When: 9:30 AM, Saturday, 13 September 2025
Where: Assemble at Stafford Park, march across the Auckland Harbour Bridge, finish at Victoria Park
Why: Demanding sanctions on Israel for genocide in Gaza.

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Health Sector – New campaign shines light on gambling’s silent harm

Source: Hapai Te Hauora

Hāpai Te Hauora, in collaboration with Te Rangihaeata Oranga Trust and Poutiri Charitable Trust, has launched a bold new campaign and digital platform to tackle gambling harm in Aotearoa.
The campaign features two ads – Their House Always Wins and The Game is Rigged, Don’t Get Played – highlighting how the gambling industry is designed to keep people hooked. Alongside the ads, the new digital platform Pātea provides a first-of-its-kind tool to help whānau pause, reflect on gambling behaviours, and connect with support.
Speakers at the launch described gambling as a silent harm – often hidden from view but deeply felt by whānau. The kaupapa is already gaining traction online, with comments calling it “super important kaupapa,” “powerful, creative, relatable,” and “hard truth.”
Jason Alexander, Chief Operating Officer at Hāpai Te Hauora, said both the campaign and the app are about rebalancing power towards whānau.
“These two things are both important to help shift the balance back towards whānau. Firstly, a campaign to help whānau understand the harm from gambling – it’s not just harmless fun. And then the Pātea, our digital app to give them some tools to help them get through any harms they’re suffering from.”
Jessikha Makoare, General Manager of Hāpai Te Hauora, said the campaign comes at a critical time as gambling exposure for tamariki and whānau is set to increase.
“Our tamariki and whānau are already exposed to gambling harms, and with new regulations allowing advertising and up to 15 more online casino licences, this will only get worse. The new normal we need to see is a collective understanding that gambling is harmful – and that the industry is operating exactly as it was intended to.”
The campaign was created by Mahitahi Agency in partnership with Hāpai Te Hauora, Te Rangihaeata Oranga Trust, and Poutiri Charitable Trust.
With gambling losses in Aotearoa sitting at over $2.6 billion each year, Māori and Pasifika continue to be disproportionately affected. Hāpai Te Hauora says the campaign is about reframing the conversation away from individual blame and toward system-level accountability, while equipping communities with tools to resist and reclaim control. For more information, to view the campaign videos or to try the Pātea app, visit: https://hapai.co.nz/gamblingharm/
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Advocacy – PSNA congratulates Gemma New on withdrawing from apartheid Israeli concerts

Source: Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

Following the media release we issued yesterday – PSNA received confirmation early this morning that New Zealand Symphony Orchestra conductor Gemma New has pulled out of her concerts scheduled for Israel in January 2026 where she was to conduct the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra.

The concerts are still on the IPO website but in response to a letter from PSNA last week, Gemma New has replied through a New York artists agency this morning…

“We congratulate Ms New on her withdrawal from the concert series in apartheid Israel” says PSNA Co-Chair Maher Nazzzal. “After 23 months of mass killing and mass starvation of Palestinians in Gaza she has reconsidered her decision to go and we welcome that.”

“The result is a significant win for the BDS movement to isolate apartheid Israel.”

“New is joining artists and performers from all over the world who turn their backs on apartheid Israel.”

“The ‘official travel guidance’ reason given by the agency for the concert withdrawal doesn’t stack up. It’s simply public relations spin to cover what was a dreadful decision to go in the first place.”

“As we pointed out yesterday any performance in Israel would be seen as support for Israeli war crimes.”

“The IPO plays concerts with Israeli soldiers in full uniform and puts them on YouTube.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLjucRUyd4Y

“Music and performance in the apartheid state is tightly linked to the brutal oppression of Palestinians,’ says Nazzal. “It’s the same for every aspect of life for under an Israeli military occupation”.

Maher Nazzal
Co-Chair PSNA

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44 Fire and Emergency New Zealand personnel recognised with international award

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

The New South Wales State Emergency Service has announced that 44 Fire and Emergency New Zealand and 7 National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) personnel will be recognised with the Commissioner’s Unit Citation for their actions during the 2022 Flood Response.

In November 2022, Fire and Emergency and NEMA personnel deployed to New South Wales to support the widespread flooding response in the Central West and Rivierina regions.
Personnel assisted in a variety of support roles including operations, planning, public information, logistics, resources, and air support.
This award is in recognition of the utmost professionalism and unwavering dedication in Incident Management support that our people provided to the affected communities in New South Wales.
Congratulations to those personnel, past and present, who are receiving this award. This citation recognises your hard work, dedication and willingness to support our international colleagues in their time of need.
Details of the Fire and Emergency recipients can be found below:

  • Kaye Ahsam, National Manager, Women’s Development – Northland
  • Kim Boyce, Advisor Community Readiness and Recovery – Northland
  • Stephen Corin, Volunteer Support Officer, Senior Firefighter & Rural Crew Leader – Northland
  • Dave Woon, Group Manager – Auckland
  • Scott Marchant, Group Manager – Waitemata
  • Tarah Jones, Deputy Chief Fire Officer – Waitemata
  • Rochelle Martin, District Manager – Waitemata
  • Emma Jane Goldsworthy, Advisor Community Readiness and Recovery – Counties Manukau
  • David McKeown, Group Manager – Counties Manukau
  • Chris Lane, Station Officer – Counties Manukau
  • Jessica Chaplin (former employee), Senior Media Advisor – National Headquarters
  • Rosie Rattray (former employee), Senior Media Advisor – National Headquarters
  • Liam Hyslop, Senior Media Advisor – National Headquarters
  • Nick Bryant, Principal Advisor Board and Ministerial Services – National Headquarters
  • Cullum Peni-Wesche, National Advisor Reports and Data – National Headquarters
  • Craig Monrad (former employee), USAR Operations Manager – National Headquarters
  • Blair Kiely, Chief Advisor to Service Delivery DCEs – National Headquarters
  • Sonya Porteous, Rural Crew Leader – Otago
  • Barbara Olah, Station Officer – Otago
  • Hamish Angus, Group Manager – Southland
  • Damian Daly, Volunteer Support Officer & Senior Station Officer – Southland
  • Philip MacDonald, Operational Support – Tairāwhiti
  • Nicole Dobson (former member), Qualified Firefighter – Bay of Plenty
  • John Sutton (former employee), Community Risk Manager – Bay of Plenty
  • Brendon Grylls, Group Manager – Bay of Plenty
  • Jarron McInnes, Operational Support – Bay of Plenty
  • Mark Tinworth, Community Risk Manager – Waikato
  • Alan Doherty, Group Manager – Waikato
  • John Goddard (former employee), Advisor Risk Reduction – Waikato
  • Dean Carr, Senior Firefighter – Mid-South Canterbury
  • Phillip Mackay, Timaru District Council
  • Chris Hayles, Group Manager – Nelson Marlborough
  • Paul Manson (former employee), Group Manager – Nelson Marlborough
  • Gordon Munn, Volunteer Support Officer & Station Officer – Nelson Marlborough
  • Kerri Pring, Advisor Community Readiness and Recovery & Senior Firefighter – Canterbury
  • Atila de Oliveira, Group Manager – West Coast
  • Chris Faithfull, Station Officer – Manawatū Whanganui
  • Aaron Summerhays, Senior Station Officer – Manawatū Whanganui
  • Harry Howard, Station Officer – Wellington
  • Craig Cottrill, Group Manager – Wellington
  • Gareth Hughes, Group Manager – Wellington
  • Sue Stewart, Business Services Coordinator – Wellington
  • Jason Hill, Group Manager – Hawke’s Bay
  • Kylan McKeen (former employee), Advisor Risk Reduction – Hawke’s Bay.
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Government Cuts – Disestablishing IR’s Māori research team will disadvantage whānau – PSA

Source: PSA

The PSA is criticising Inland Revenue’s move to shut down its dedicated kaupapa Māori research domain, Te Mana Rangahau.
“It’s regressive, short-sighted, and a gutting blow to the Māori-Crown relationship. A clear signal that Inland Revenue is turning its back on meaningful engagement with whānau Māori,” Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi acting Kaihautū Māori, Marcia Puru, says.
Inland Revenue plans to shut down Te Mana Rangahau and push the work to a broader Customer Interventions group from 1 September, without first building the cultural capability needed to do it effectively.
“Instead of following its own research to embed Tiriti based, values-driven change, it’s reverting to a transactional, compliance-heavy model that prioritises punitive debt collection over the holistic, intergenerational wellbeing of whānau Māori.
“This is not just a reshuffle, it’s a dismantling of kaupapa Māori leadership inside Inland Revenue,” Puru says.
“Te Mana Rangahau is part of a wider Kaupapa Māori ecosystem within Inland Revenue focused on supporting Māori aspirations and carrying Māori voices right into the heart of strategic decision-making. Scrapping the team sends a loud message that those voices don’t matter. Let’s be clear: this is a cultural rollback and the team feels disrespected and aggrieved.
“The years of hard work done gave Inland Revenue the tools to make better, fairer strategic decisions. Now they’re throwing that progress out the window clearly prioritising more Western-led approaches.”
The PSA says this move reflects a wider political agenda that ignores evidence, guts kaupapa Māori leadership, and leaves whānau Māori further behind, many of whom are already facing economic hardship.
“The PSA is very concerned that Inland Revenue is not protecting its dedicated kaupapa Māori space. We’d like to see them recommit to working with Māori and not against them.
“Above all, Inland Revenue must stay focused on work that produces Tiriti based, values-drive change, and continue uplifting the cultural capability of its entire organisation.”
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health care and community groups.
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Advocacy – International Day of Charity: Solidarity with Palestine

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

The Palestine Forum of New Zealand joins the international community in marking the International Day of Charity.

Charity is not only about financial assistance – it is about compassion, solidarity, and standing with those most in need. Around the world, individuals and organisations dedicate themselves to uplifting vulnerable communities, easing suffering, and building a more just and humane society.

Today, as we reflect on the meaning of charity, our hearts turn to Palestine, where generations of families live under occupation and blockade. In Gaza and the West Bank, shortages of food, medicine, shelter, and clean water have become daily realities. More than half the population are children, and they carry the heaviest burden of this ongoing humanitarian crisis.

On this International Day of Charity, the Palestine Forum of New Zealand calls on New Zealanders to:

  • Show solidarity with the Palestinian people through charitable giving and humanitarian support.
  • Raise awareness of the urgent and ongoing needs in Palestine.
  • Advocate for justice and dignity, recognising that true charity includes striving to remove the root causes of suffering.

As the UN reminds us, charity brings people together, strengthens bonds of solidarity, and creates inclusive communities. This spirit of compassion must extend to the people of Palestine, who deserve peace, security, and a future of hope.

Palestine Forum of New Zealand stands committed to ensuring that New Zealand’s voice for justice and humanity continues to echo strongly, especially on this International Day of Charity.

Maher Nazzal
Palestine Forum of New Zealand