MIL Email Publisher (NZ)

A fine handed to Jetstar for misleading passengers about their rights is one of the largest penalties issued under New Zealand’s Fair Trading Act.

“This is a landmark case. A $2.25 million penalty sends a clear message that airlines cannot mislead passengers and expect to get away with it,” says Consumer NZ chief executive Jon Duffy.

The fine follows a Commerce Commission investigation triggered by numerous complaints, including one put forward by Consumer in October 2022. Jetstar admitted to multiple breaches of the Fair Trading Act after misleading passengers about what they were entitled to when flights were delayed or cancelled for reasons within the airline’s control.

According to the commission, Jetstar misled tens of thousands of consumers about their rights to compensation under the Civil Aviation Act 2023 and their rights to make a claim in the first place.

“This wasn’t just poor service. These were embedded practices that left people out of pocket when the law actually offered them protection,” says Duffy. “Passengers often didn’t know their rights and were actively misled by this conduct.”

Under the Civil Aviation Act, travellers have clear rights when delays or cancellations are within an airline’s control. But currently, airlines are not required to tell passengers about those entitlements. Consumer has long called for this to change.

We met with associate transport minister James Meager last month and urged him to recommend regulations that would require airlines to communicate passengers’ rights clearly. He could do this easily and quickly under existing powers in the Civil Aviation Act.

“We need rules that protect travellers and ensure fair treatment. Without that, airlines profit from passengers’ confusion. There should be no place for that kind of behaviour in a competitive aviation market,” says Duffy.

We acknowledge Jetstar has improved its service since the complaint was filed. The airline has engaged with Consumer and the Commerce Commission, sought advice on complaints, improved communication with passengers and committed to putting things right for affected passengers. As a result, we have noticed a significant reduction in the number of complaints we receive about Jetstar.

“Jetstar has made changes and, in doing so, has shown that, when held accountable, airlines can lift their game. This outcome sets a higher standard for the whole industry and reinforces the fact that doing right by passengers is good for business,” says Duffy.

The cost of building a home remains relatively stable, giving builders and developers greater certainty on price.

In QV CostBuilder’s latest quarterly update for August, approximately 11,700 new material and labour prices were applied to its database of more than 60,000 rates across Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin.

The average cost of constructing a standard one- or two-storey 150–230m² home in these centres rose just 0.2% over the past three months, following a 0.3% rise in the first half of 2025 and is in sharp contrast to the 44% increases seen between 2020 and 2024.

“Construction cost inflation has remained very subdued this quarter, with annual growth continuing to ease, down slightly to 1.2%, compared to 1.3% last quarter,” says QV CostBuilder quantity surveyor Martin Bisset.

The most notable price movements this quarter were Grade 500 reinforcing rods, up nearly 14%, and with the 16mm reinforcing rods up more than 30% in both Wellington and Dunedin. Other main contributors to the overall cost changes in Q3 were reinforcing mesh, fill material, and insulation,” he said.

Recent regulatory reforms may impact building costs in the medium term including the overhaul of building consents, the shift to proportionate liability, and the new rules on overseas products under the Building Product Specifications (BPS).

While these changes are intended to improve efficiency, competition, and supply resilience, the new overseas product rules aren’t expected to materially affect costs within the next six months. “Their success will depend on how well they are implemented and adopted across the industry. QV CostBuilder will track these materials alongside current ones if we can obtain rates from our suppliers,” he said.

More efficient consent processes should mean quicker approvals and earlier start dates, reducing upfront costs, though not the overall cost of a build. However, Bisset said, “Proportionate liability is harder to assess until details are finalised. If warranties are required, those costs will likely be passed on to developers and homeowners, and history tells us there can be challenges—for example, councils often carried the burden of leaky building claims when builders were no longer in business.”

Looking ahead, Bisset says many firms remain under financial strain, with conditions still subdued in the short term.

“The industry is waiting for the economy to improve before committing to new projects. Government moves to amend the RMA, open the door to overseas materials, and streamline consents are helpful, but restarting stalled projects would also provide much-needed confidence.”

“From 2026, stronger growth is expected as major transport, health, and education projects ramp up. For now, cost growth remains in check, providing welcome stability after several turbulent years.”

In the meantime, costs for non-residential buildings (excluding educational buildings) also rose modestly by 0.2% this quarter, with an annual cost increase of 1.0%. “Bear in mind that all of these figures are averages and the true cost of construction will always depend on the level of finishes, internal layout, and all manner of other elements,” Mr. Bisset added.

QV CostBuilder is New Zealand’s most comprehensive subscription-based building cost platform. In this update, more than 11,700 current material prices were applied to its database of more than 60,000 rates, generating about 14,900 changes to the data across six centres.

Powered by state-owned enterprise Quotable Value, QV CostBuilder’s comprehensive database covers everything from the building costs per square metre for banks, schools, and office buildings, to the approximate cost per sheet of GIB and more than 8,000 other items. It also includes labour rates, labour constants, and much more.

Visit QV CostBuilder at costbuilder.qv.co.nz.

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Emma Dunlop-Bennett as Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Pasifika).  

Dr Dunlop-Bennett, of Samoan (Sā Petāia, Sā Te’o, Sā Atoā) and Māori (Ngāti Maniapoto) descent, is a former New Zealand High Commissioner to South Africa and other African countries. Prior to becoming the AVC (Pasifika), she worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, where she held leadership roles in strategic policy and climate change. She joins Te Herenga Waka on Monday 1 September after 25 years working in foreign policy, diplomacy, and community development. A pōhiri and ‘ava ceremony will be held in the coming weeks to formally welcome Emma into her new role.
 
Dr Dunlop-Bennett’s PhD research was on Samoan perspectives on child wellbeing. It was the first research in New Zealand that positioned Pasifika children as experts on their wellbeing and created a space—grounded in Pacific research methods—for them and their parents to share their knowledge. She also holds a Master of Philosophy majoring in International Development, and a Bachelor of Science in Geography.

“My vision for Tangata Moana is simply this: that they recognise the brilliance within them and harness this to succeed,” she says. “I joined Te Herenga Waka because I firmly believe that this is the place where Tangata Moana can soar.”

With several family members as alumni or current students, Dr Dunlop-Bennett has strong connections to the University, and to tertiary education in Aotearoa. Her mother, Tagaloatele Professor Peggy Fairbairn-Dunlop, was the inaugural director of Te Herenga Waka’s Va’aomanu Pasifika in 2006 and received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2019. All four of her sisters graduated from the University, as well as her eldest daughter Elena Bennett. Her second daughter Grace Bennett is currently completing her undergraduate degree, and her niece, Emele-Moa Makisi Setefano works at the University.  

“Success is not only possible—it is inevitable when Tangata Moana are empowered and supported. I’ve spent much of my career working alongside Pacific communities—both here and across the region—where I’ve seen the power of education to transform lives and open up new futures.”  

She has extensive experience leading projects and policy work throughout the Pacific and is looking forward to bringing her connections and wealth of experience to support and promote Pasifika education and research at the University. Dr Dunlop-Bennett was raised in Samoa, in the village of Tanugamanono, and has worked in Fiji and Vanuatu.

The AVC (Pasifika) is part of the Provost’s team and Provost, Professor Bryony James, is delighted to welcome Emma to the ‘aiga’. She says, “We are all looking forward to working with Emma and excited to have such an accomplished Pacific woman joining the team.  

“With Emma’s leadership we will be able to build on the remarkable legacy of Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban as we ensure Te Herenga Waka is a welcoming and aspirational home for Pacific staff and students.”

Just two weeks into the new vaping laws, 125 complaints poured in – and dozens of retailers were caught breaking the rules.

Forum calls for compulsory second language learning in school years seven to 10.

Language learning in New Zealand is at “crisis point” – with fewer students studying languages now than in the 1930s, a new report says.
 
Language Learning for New Zealand’s Future recommends that second language learning become a core requirement of the national curriculum from years seven to 10, with three to four hours of teaching every week.
 
The call for compulsory language learning comes as the Government undertakes a major curriculum refresh.
 
“Languages is the only one of eight learning areas in the curriculum that are not a core requirement. This education policy gap is costing New Zealand academically, culturally and economically,” says Juliet Kennedy, President of the New Zealand Association of Language Teachers.
 
The report’s findings mirror views expressed at a recent language learning forum in Auckland, which brought together more than 100 education leaders, language experts, teachers, business people, government officials and rangatahi. Key findings were that:

Enrolments in languages have been in long-term decline due to no mandate in the curriculum and languages not counting as literacy-endorsed University Entrance subjects.
New Zealand is out of step with the rest of the English-speaking world: Australia, Britain, United States, Canada, Singapore and South Africa all require language study, and in Europe, multilingualism is the norm.
The teaching workforce is at risk: while there is a strong pool of language teachers, many are being lost to other subjects or leaving the profession due to low demand.

 
“Language learning makes students smarter — boosting literacy, problem solving and academic performance across the board. It fosters cultural identity and belonging, and it strengthens New Zealand’s ability to succeed in global trade, diplomacy and business. We cannot afford to fall further behind,” Kennedy says.
 
Published at the launch of New Zealand Chinese Language Week, the report’s key recommendation is that second language learning should be compulsory for school years seven to 10. Other recommendations call for the development of multiple learning pathways, increased teacher supply, and embedding a comprehensive national languages policy.
 
“Strong government leadership and commitment to language teaching in New Zealand is an essential basis for change. The current curriculum refresh presents an opportunity to address this gap,” Kennedy says.
 
New Zealand Chinese Language Week Trust Chair Jo Coughlan said: “While the Trust has an emphasis on promoting Chinese languages, we were pleased to play a convening role in bringing together the broader community of language learning interests for the national forum and these recommendations. The learning of any language, including Pacific languages, will benefit individuals in their broader learning, and help New Zealand remain globally competitive and engaged.
 
“This report highlights the wider benefits of second language learning,” Coughlan says.