Posts

Posted on

Pacific – Republic of Nauru becomes first Pacific country to launch digital asset regulator

Source: Republic of Nauru

 

In a landmark move for the Pacific region, the Nauru Parliament on Tuesday June 17 passed legislation to establish a dedicated virtual asset regulatory authority. 

 

The Bill establishes the Command Ridge Virtual Asset Authority (CRVAA), named after the highest point of land in Nauru, as an autonomous regulator overseeing virtual assets, digital banking, and Web3 innovation. 

 

It will provide a licencing scheme that will allow virtual asset service providers (VASPs) to register and offer their services using Nauru as a base.

 

Nauru President David Adeang said the regulation would pave the way for Nauru to be a digital asset leader in the region and is another step towards strengthening financial integrity, investing in future generations, and forging new pathways for resilience.

 

He pointed out that Nauru is one of the Pacific’s most at-risk nations, acknowledged under the United Nations Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI), for its heightened exposure to economic and environmental shocks, and that the Government needed to embrace innovation. 

 

“This bold step aims to harness the potential of virtual assets to diversify revenue streams and fortify economic resilience,” he said.

 

“By implementing robust oversight of VASPs, Nauru aims to foster sustainable growth, channel new financial inflows into strategic instruments such as its Intergenerational Trust Fund, and reduce its reliance on climate financing, which is often challenging to secure.”

 

The President said Nauru aspires to secure a more sustainable and self-reliant economic future.

 

“We want to be a government of solutions and innovation, be proactive not passive, and positively approach the future with boldness,” he said.

 

Minister for Commerce and Foreign Investment Maverick Eoe told Parliament that more countries are recognising the potential of virtual assets from blockchain technologies to decentralised finance.

 

“This Bill proposes to introduce a framework that will put Nauru on par with other countries leading in the development of their digital economies and generating revenue from such developments,” he said. 

 

“The licensing framework….ensures Nauru becomes a competitor, attracting businesses that bring investment, job creation, and financial innovation,” he said.

 

“By regulating VASPs, token issuance, and secure digital transactions, we can position Nauru as a hub for these types of innovation and development within this part of the world.

 

He said the legislation is a commitment to the future prosperity of the country and a statement that Nauru does not fear the digital transformation, but embraces it and leads within the Pacific region. 

 

CRVAA will be tasked with ensuring cybersecurity standards, monitoring financial transactions and enforcing compliance with international anti-money laundering and financial transparency protocols.

 

The Bill, which provides unmatched legal certainty for the token-issuer, introduces a groundbreaking token classification system that provides long-awaited clarity for the global crypto industry, stating that:

 

  • Cryptocurrencies are presumed commodities, not securities;
  • Utility and payment tokens are excluded from investment contract status;
  • Governance and reward tokens are protected from misclassification

 

The Nauru law defines the activities subject to CRA authorisation as follows:

 

  • Operation of centralised or decentralised virtual asset platforms
  • Exchange services between virtual assets and/or fiat currencies
  • Custodial and non-custodial virtual asset wallet services
  • Issuance of virtual tokens, including ICOs, STOs, and NFTs
  • Lending, staking, yield farming, and decentralised finance (DeFi) services
  • Stablecoin issuance and cross-border payment solutions
  • Operation of digital banks and digital payment platforms
  • Issuance and management of E-money.
Posted on

Amnesty International – Urgent need to protect civilians amid unprecedented escalation in hostilities between Israel and Iran

Source: Amnesty International
As more and more civilians bear the cruel toll of the terrifying military escalation in Iran and Israel since 13 June 2025, and amid threats of further escalation in the conflict, Amnesty International is urging the Israeli and Iranian authorities to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians.
On 16 June, an Iranian government spokesperson reported that Israeli attacks had killed at least 224 people, including 74 women and children, without specifying how many of them were civilians. The health ministry also stated 1,800 people have been injured.
In Israel, the Israeli Military Home Front reported that Iranian attacks had killed at least 24 people, including women and children, stating that they were all civilians, with nearly 600 injured.
“As the number of deaths and injuries continue to rise, Amnesty International is urging both parties to comply with their obligations and ensure that civilians in both countries do not further pay the price of reckless military action,” said Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
“Further escalation of these hostilities risks unleashing devastating and far-reaching consequences for civilians across the region and beyond.
“Statements by the US and the G7 so far have failed to recognise the catastrophic impact this escalation will have on civilians in both countries.
“Instead of cheering on one party to the conflict over another as if civilian suffering is a mere sideshow, states must ensure the protection of civilians. Preventing further suffering must be the priority – not the pursuit of military or geopolitical goals.
“Both Israeli and Iranian authorities have time and again demonstrated their utter disregard for international human rights and humanitarian law, committing grave international crimes with impunity.
“The world must not allow Israel to use this military escalation to divert attention away from its ongoing genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip, its illegal occupation of the whole Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and its system of apartheid against Palestinians.
“Likewise, the international community must not ignore the suffering that decades of crimes under international law by the Iranian authorities have inflicted upon people inside Iran, that is now being compounded by relentless bombardment.”
Under international humanitarian law, all parties must take all feasible precautions to spare civilians and minimize their suffering and casualties. International humanitarian law strictly prohibits attacks directed at civilians and civilian objects, as well as attacks which do not distinguish between military targets and civilians or civilian infrastructure.
For this reason, weapons that are extremely inaccurate and have large warheads that produce large area effects, such as ballistic missiles, should never be used in areas with large populations of civilians. Attacks on military objectives that are likely to result in disproportionate civilian casualties or destruction of civilian objects are also prohibited.
In the deadliest incident in Israel, eight people including three children, were killed in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, on 15 June.
In Iran, at least 12 people including children and a pregnant woman were killed in one attack in Tajrish square in Tehran on 15 June.
In the shadow of this latest escalation, Israeli authorities continue to forcibly displace and starve Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip as part of their ongoing genocide. They have imposed a full closure on the West Bank, where state-backed settler violence continues to rise, further entrenching Israel’s illegal occupation and apartheid system.
Meanwhile, Iranian authorities have responded to Israel’s latest military attacks by imposing internet restrictions, arresting journalists and dissidents within the country. They have also restricted prisoners’ communication with the outside world, including those in prisons near sites of the bombings. On 16 June, the Iranian authorities executed a man for alleged espionage for Israel, raising concerns about the fate of others on death row for similar charges. The Iranian authorities must release all human rights defenders and others arbitrarily detained and should relocate other prisoners away from locations at risk of being attacked by Israel.
Sinister and fear-inducing ‘ warnings’
Over the past three days, Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Defence Israel Katz, and Persian-language spokesperson of the Israeli army Kamal Pinchasi have issued alarming threats and overly broad, ineffective evacuation warnings to millions of civilians in Tehran a major city with a population of around 10 million people, located in Tehran province which is home to around 19 million people. In some cases, warnings were issued in the middle of the night when residents were asleep or did not clarify if they referred to the city or the province of Tehran.
On 16 June, Israel Katz, Israel’s Minister of Defense threatened on X that “the residents of Tehran will be forced to pay the price” for the actions of the Iranian authorities. Hours later, the Israeli military’s Persian-language spokesperson warned civilians to evacuate Tehran’s District Three – an area of approximately 30 square km and home to over 350,000 people- via a video showing unclear danger zones. The video included a map indicating danger zones for civilians but did not clearly specify targeted locations or areas of blast and fragmentation hazard, leaving residents uncertain about which areas to avoid. Iranian civil society activists later republished the map with cleared boundaries and locations named.
Prior to the “evacuation” warnings on 16 June, the Israeli army had issued another overly broad warning in Persian, instructing people across the country to “immediately leave areas … [housing] military weapons manufacturing facilities and their support institutions”. The statement sowed panic and confusion among people, as the locations of military facilities are not known to the general public, and no clear guidance was provided on where civilians should or should not go to ensure their safety.
Evacuation warnings, even if detailed and effective, do not release Israel from its other obligations under international humanitarian law. They must not treat as open-fire zones areas for which they have issued warnings. Millions of people in Tehran cannot leave, either because they have no alternative residences outside the city or due to limited mobility, disability, blocked roads, fuel shortages or other constraints. Israel has an obligation to take all feasible precautions to minimize harm to these civilians.
Early morning Tehran time on 17 June, US President Donald Trump caused further panic with a Truth Social post stating: “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the White House amplified the message on X, amid media reports that the United States may join Israel in striking Iran.
In reaction to the Israeli warnings, Iranian state media reported on 15 June that the Iranian armed forces had issued warnings urging residents of Tel Aviv to evacuate. In a video aired on state media, Reza Sayed, spokesperson of the Communication Center of the General Staff of the Armed Forces stated: “Leave the occupied territories [referring to Israel and the OPT], as they will undoubtedly become uninhabitable for you in the future … Do not allow the criminal regime to use you as human shields. Avoid residing or moving near the aforementioned locations and know that even underground shelters will not provide you with safety.”
In Israel, these Iranian warnings have not triggered the same level of chaos and mass evacuation, largely due to the presence of the Iron Dome defense system and available shelters. However, there have been cases where civilians, particularly Palestinian citizens of Israel and Bedouin communities, who do not have access to underground shelters, such as the Khatib family in the Palestinian town of Tamra, were killed as a result of an Iranian missile strike. Israeli civil society groups are calling on the government to urgently address the chronic lack of protected space for non-Jewish Israeli citizens
Parties to armed conflicts are prohibited from issuing threats of violence which are designed to spread terror among the civilian population. They cannot hide behind overly general warnings to claim that they have met their obligations under international law. To constitute effective warnings under international humanitarian law, parties must provide civilians with clear and practical instructions on moving away from military objectives that will be targeted rather than unlawfully calling for the mass exodus of millions – an approach that appears designed more to incite panic and terror among civilians than to ensure their protection.
Internet shutdowns and media censorship
In Iran, the authorities have disrupted access to the Internet and instant messaging applications, preventing millions of people caught up in the conflict from accessing essential information and communicating with loved ones both inside and outside the country and thereby exacerbating their suffering.
“Access to the Internet is essential to protect human rights, especially in times of armed conflict where communications blackouts would prevent people from finding safe routes, accessing life-saving resources, and staying informed. The Iranian authorities must immediately ensure full restoration of internet and communication services in all of Iran,” said Agnès Callamard.
The Israeli authorities are also using vague security pretexts to target people over social media posts or sharing videos deemed to breach strict censorship rules.
“Israeli authorities must refrain from using military escalations, as they have done in the past, as a further pretext to crack down on freedom of expression, disproportionately targeting Palestinian citizens of Israel, including through arbitrary detention over unsubstantiated allegations of incitement,” said Agnès Callamard.
Background
On 13 June 2025, Israeli authorities launched air and drone strikes against Iranian territory. Shortly afterwards, Israeli officials announced that they launched the operation to target Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities and decapitate Iran’s military leadership. The Israeli strikes began as Iran and the US were in the process of negotiating a new deal to limit Iran’s nuclear program and enrichment activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
Iranian authorities have retaliated by launching hundreds of missiles and drones against Israeli territory.
Israeli attacks have struck cities in multiple provinces across Iran, including the provinces of Alborz, East Azerbaijan, Esfahan, Fars, Kermanshah, Hamedan, Lorestan, Ilam, Markazi, Qom, Tehran, West Azerbaijan and Khorasan Razavi.
Iranian attacks have struck several urban areas in Israel, such as Tel Aviv, Bat Yam, Tamra, Petah Tikva, Bnei Brak, Haifa, Herzliya.
Posted on

Matariki weekend forecast mixed for star-gazing across New Zealand

Source: NIWA

New Zealanders hoping to see the Matariki stars over the long weekend will have mixed conditions, with the best viewing likely on Friday and Saturday in many areas, according to NIWA’s 2025 Matariki cloud cover forecast.
With the Matariki star cluster visible on New Zealand's eastern horizon just before the rising of the sun, NIWA's forecast for each region covers the pre-dawn period 3am to 6am.
Eastern regions such as Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, and the lower North Island, along with parts of the upper and eastern South Island, can expect clearer skies for Matariki celebrations, says NIWA meteorologist and forecaster Chris Brandolino.
“Stargazers can check NIWA’s cloud cover forecast for the best viewing conditions in their region Matariki Viewing Conditions on Vimeo, which is updated at 3:30pm each day for the following morning.”
2025 Matariki Forecast for the hours between 3:00 am to 6:00 am
Upper North Island (including Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Coromandel Peninsula)
  • Early Friday morning: Mostly cloudy with showers possible. Showers most likely over Northland and the Coromandel. Temperatures ranging from 11-13° in Whangārei and Auckland, to 7-9°C for the interior Waikato (e.g., Hamilton).
  • Early Saturday morning: Variable cloud cover, i.e., at times partly cloudy, other times mostly cloudy. Threat for scattered showers, mainly for the Auckland and Waikato regions. Best chances for ideal viewing conditions likely over eastern Northland and the Coromandel. Temperatures ranging from 10-12° in Whangārei and Auckland, to 7-9°C for the interior Waikato (e.g., Hamilton),
East Coast (including Gisborne, Napier, Wairarapa)
  • Early Friday morning: Cloud cover looks to gradual thin in the lead up to sunrise. A few showers possible, especially Tairāwhiti/Gisborne. Temperatures ranging from 6-9°C.
  • Early Saturday morning: Partly cloudy, with overall for most, favourable viewing conditions likely. Temperatures ranging from 8-11°C.
Western North Island (including New Plymouth, Whanganui)
  • Early Friday morning: Cloud will likely have the upper-hand. Threat for a few showers. Temperature between 9-11°C.
  • Early Saturday morning: Cloud will likely have the upper-hand. Threat for a few showers. Temperature between 6-8°C.
Lower North Island (including Wellington)
  • Early Friday morning: Generally ideal viewing conditions with clear to partly cloudy skies. Temperature between 10-11°C.
  • Early Saturday morning: Generally ideal viewing conditions with clear to partly cloudy skies. Temperature between 7-9°C.
Upper South Island (including Nelson, Blenheim)
  • Early Friday morning: Variable cloud cover, so viewing conditions are likely to range. Temperature between 5-7°C.
  • Early Saturday morning: Generally ideal viewing conditions with clear to partly cloudy skies. Temperature between 3-5°C.
Eastern South Island (including Christchurch, Timaru)
  • Early Friday morning: Generally ideal viewing conditions with clear to partly cloudy skies. Temperature from 8-10°C.
  • Early Saturday morning: Variable cloud cover, so viewing conditions are likely to range. Temperature from 6-8°C.
West Coast (including Greymouth, Hokitika)
  • Early Friday morning: Variable cloud cover, so viewing conditions are likely to range. Showers are likely to be around. Breezy, with a temperature around 8-9°C.
  • Early Saturday morning: Ideal conditions likely Hokitika/southwards, with more cloud likely farther north. Temperatures around 4-6°C.
Lakes Region (including Queenstown, Wanaka)
  • Early Friday morning: Cloud is likely to have the upper-hand for most locations. Showers are likely to be around. Breezy with a temperature around 5-6°C.
  • Early Saturday morning: Variable cloud cover, so viewing conditions are likely to range. Temperature around 4-5°C.
Lower South Island (including Dunedin, Invercargill)
  • Early Friday morning: Cloud is likely to have the upper-hand for Southland areas (e.g., Invercargill/Gore) with showers around. Eastern Otago and Dunedin is more likely to have less cloud and favourable viewing conditions. Breezy, with a temperature between 8-10°C
  • Early Saturday morning: Cloud is likely to have the upper-hand with less than ideal viewing conditions. Threat for a shower or two. Temperature between 8-10°C.
Posted on

Economic growth still in the hole dug in 2024 – CTU Economist

Source: NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi

Data released by Stats NZ today shows that the economy grew on a quarterly basis by 0.8% but fell on an annual basis by 1.1% said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney. “This is positive data for the first quarter of this year, but the fact that the economy is about the same size it was in March 2023 tells you that essentially we have had almost zero economic growth (0.3%) over the past two years.”

“GDP per capita ($52,872) is now lower than it was in March 2022 ($53,100). It took another fall on an annual basis of 2.4%. There were falls in 11 of the 16 sectors of the economy annually – led by construction (-9.3%), wholesale trade (-3.6%) , and business services (-2%). Both goods producing industries and service industries saw contraction this year.”

“The data shows that workers incomes aren’t keeping up with profits. Stats NZ shows that compensation of employees rose 1.5% this quarter before inflation. Gross operating surplus and gross mixed incomes (a broad measure of profit) rose 2%. Employee compensation was revised down in the December quarter to -0.2%.”

“The lack of business confidence in the economy is present in the business investment data. Business investment fell this year. Non-residential building investment fell 2.9%. Transport equipment purchases fell 6%. Households are feeling it to, with purchase of durable goods being lower than they were in December 2023,” Renney said.

“This data shows us how far we fell over the past year in economic terms. The growth in GDP this quarter is welcome – but the economy is still smaller than at the election in real terms. With more recent data suggesting that the economy is struggling to grow, there is a real danger that we return to slow, no, or negative growth.”

“It’s time for the Government to realise that its economic growth plan isn’t working. There are 23,000 more people on Jobseekers this year. 48% of workers in New Zealand got a pay cut in real terms. Business and consumer confidence are at levels associated with recessions. One quarter of data shouldn’t blind the government of the need for change.”

Posted on

Universities – Aotearoa to host world-leading conference on women’s entrepreneurship – UoA

Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

A major international conference in Auckland is putting the spotlight on how to better support female founders and highlighting wāhine Māori perspectives on entrepreneurship.
What do female entrepreneurs really want and why is the system still stacked against them? These are a couple of the big questions due to be tackled at the world's leading research conference on women's entrepreneurship held in Aotearoa New Zealand for the first time ever this year.

The Diana International Research Conference from 1-4 July, brings together top researchers and industry experts from around the world to tackle funding inequities, structural barriers and discuss the future of women-led enterprise, with a spotlight on te ao Māori perspectives.

“This is the only conference that focuses solely on women's entrepreneurship research, and it's an opportunity to garner insights from interested attendees, researchers and founders,” says Professor Chris Woods, the Business School's Theresa Gattung Chair for Women in Entrepreneurship, and Diana Conference co-chair.

“We'll be asking: What do women entrepreneurs want? How do we bridge the gap between academic research and industry, and how can we tackle the barriers women face when building businesses?”

Hosted by the Business School's Aotearoa Centre for Enterprising Women, the conference includes keynote talks, academic sessions, and a public-facing Impact Day on Friday 4 July, a one-day forum featuring panels on capital access, wāhine Māori leadership, and entrepreneurial futures.

The day opens with 'A boomer, Gen X, millennial and Gen Z walk into a panel': Mana wāhine across the generations'.

Business School senior lecturer Dr Kiri Dell (Ngāti Porou) says the panel will spotlight the unique strengths wāhine Māori bring to entrepreneurship. The kōrero will also explore te ao Māori concepts of sovereignty and entrepreneurship.

“It's about being role models, sharing networks and giving each other emotional support, challenging mainstream models of the 'hyper solo, winner takes all' entrepreneur model,” says Dell. “We'll discuss what values-led approaches, honouring both the past and the present, can look like.”

Next up, 'The Supply and Demand Challenge: Getting More Capital to Women-Led Businesses' panel will discuss why women still receive just 2 percent of global venture capital investment, with insights from venture capital, angel investment, and female founders actively raising capital.

In the final session, business leader, author, philanthropist and investor Dame Theresa Gattung joins Darsel Keane (Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship), Sophie Bradley (co-CEO, Girls Mean Business), and research fellow Dr Amanda Elam (co-founder, Galaxy Diagnostics) to explore what the future holds for wāhine entrepreneurs in Aotearoa and beyond.

Panel MC and conference co-host Dr Janine Swail, a senior lecturer at the Business School, says it's a privilege to host a conference that spans academic research, PhD students, practitioners and community voices.

“This is the only global conference that bridges academic research with real world insights and perspectives, with a dedicated focus on women's entrepreneurship, and it's happening here in Tāmaki Makaurau.”
Posted on

GDP increases 0.8 percent in the March 2025 quarter – Stats NZ media and information release: Gross domestic product: March 2025 quarter

GDP increases 0.8 percent in the March 2025 quarter – media release

19 June 2025

New Zealand’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose 0.8 percent in the March 2025 quarter, following a 0.5 percent increase in the December 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

Activity increased in the March 2025 quarter across all three high-level industry groups: primary industries, goods-producing industries, and services industries.

“At a more detailed industry level, nine of the 16 industries increased, with the largest rises in business services and manufacturing,” economic growth spokesperson Katrina Dewbery said.

The rise in manufacturing was led by an increase in the production of machinery and equipment. This was reflected in increases for components of both investment and exports associated with this type of manufacturing output.

Visit our website to read this news story and information release and to download CSV files:

Posted on

Economy – RBNZ Bulletin: Reflections on 35 Years of Flexible Inflation Targeting – Lessons from the RBNZ Research Conference

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua

19 June 2025 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua hosted a research conference on 6-7 March 2025 commemorating “35 Years of Flexible Inflation Targeting – Challenges and Opportunities”.

This Bulletin summarises the key themes and insights that emerged during the conference.

The conference marked a significant historical milestone. Reflecting on the decades leading to inflation targeting, Governor Christian Hawkesby described how New Zealand experienced high and volatile inflation when monetary policy was set under the direction of the Government, not an independent central bank.

Reforms undertaken from 1988 set out, in the words of the then Minister of Finance, Roger Douglas, to “ensure that future politicians don't interfere with the primary objective of the Reserve Bank”.

In March 1990, when the Minister of Finance and the Reserve Bank Governor signed the first Policy Targets Agreement (PTA), the Reserve Bank of New Zealand became the first central bank to have a numerical target for inflation specified in its monetary policy mandate. (ref. https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=f7a74960f1&e=f3c68946f8 )

Against this backdrop, 35 years after the first PTA, the research conference aimed to understand the inflation targeting experience across central banks, the challenges, and the opportunities to refine monetary policy frameworks and strategies in the post-pandemic world.
 
Read the Bulletin: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=78cd896bea&e=f3c68946f8

Posted on

Health – Integration of Māori healing and mainstream healthcare delivers social impact

Source: Rata Foundation

Te Arateatea Trust is successfully bridging traditional Māori healing practices with mainstream healthcare, offering an inclusive, holistic health service, particularly for expectant and new mothers.
The organisation operates Te Ara Teatea, a Whare Hauora (health clinic) established in response to community needs, with an additional focus on training practitioners in rongoā Māori, the traditional Māori system of healing. Rongoā Māori is a holistic approach that interconnects physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing, along with rongoā rākau (herbal remedies), mirimiri and romiromi (physical therapies), and spiritual healing practices.
Trust Founder Ruatau Perez [Ngāi Tuhoe, Ngāpuhi] says this integration offers a more complete approach to wellbeing, addressing the whole person rather than just physical symptoms. “It's quite empowering seeing how the two modalities are slowly coming together – the traditional and the mainstream way of health. When you support the spiritual health, the mental and the psychological health as well as the physical, and understand the interconnected relationship between people and the natural environment, it’s really empowering.”
Based in Woolston, Ōtautahi, the organisation provides services ranging from injury rehabilitation to Corrections work, and support for fertility and pregnancy, including vulnerable young women who might not otherwise engage in ante- and post-natal care. A key component is their Oriori mentoring programme, which supports young mothers and their pēpi while training community members and staff in traditional practices.
Danielle O'Halloran-Thyne, who received mentoring through the Oriori programme to specialise as a hapūtanga (pregnancy) practitioner in rongoā Māori, says the programme creates a safe learning environment for practitioners. “Our services aim to provide one of the alternatives that complements other forms of healthcare that can really uplift the mana of the wahine and allow them to feel that it is a time of empowerment for them, not just a hard time. The resurgence of rongoā Māori and the acknowledgement that yes it does assist, that's a game changer for access to rongoā Māori, so that people can feel it's normal. What Te Arateatea is holding for us as practitioners is a really safe space to learn and grow and be part of that resurgence.”
Juliette, who has been with the hapūtanga (pregnancy) programme for three years, says the clinic offers a warm, welcoming healing environment. “They helped me through the pregnancy side of things – the joys that come up through pregnancy but also the emotional side. It has helped a lot of us accept what happened because it is out of your control and sometimes it's hard to acknowledge those things. It has helped me to see the journey in a positive light. It’s such a good, calm space. I recommend it to everyone.”
This integration of traditional practices with modern healthcare addresses various needs identified in the Waitangi Tribunal Hauora report, including isolation, lack of family support, and poverty. With funding from Rātā and other partners, these services are available at no cost to mothers who may not be able to access support during pregnancy and after birth, removing financial barriers.
“The funding from Rātā has really been incredible in helping us to really get it out into the community so that people can access these services that they may not otherwise have been able to access,” says Ruatau. “It's great to see the benefits of these two approaches working together to provide better care for our whānau.”
Te Arateatea Trust is supported through Rātā Foundation’s Strategic Health Pou (funding priority), which aims to remove barriers to mental health support and enable access to diverse support options, including rongoā and innovative locally based solutions.
Rātā Chief Executive Leighton Evans says the key focus of this funding area is to ensure people in need get the right support when they need it. “We want individuals, families and whānau to thrive so they can participate positively in the community. A key part of this is being able to access support and services in a way that is comfortable and familiar, and aligned with community, culture and identity.
“Providing support to organisations such as Te Arateatea Trust enables them to focus on their effectiveness and extend the impact they have in communities of need. Their focus on training the next generation of healers, and preserving traditional healing knowledge, also aligns with our focus on helping organisations to grow their capacity for intergenerational benefit.”
Posted on

Sustainable Business – 17th Climate Change & Business Conference: Where Ambition Meets Action

Source: Sustainable Business Council

Aotearoa New Zealand’s premier Climate Change and Business Conference returns in 2025, bringing together global and local leaders to accelerate climate action and business innovation.
The conference is taking place on 8-9 September at the Viaduct Events Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. This year’s theme Ambition. Accountability. Action. promises to inspire and challenge business to take meaningful steps toward addressing the impacts of climate change.
Chief Executive of the Sustainable Business Council (SBC), Mike Burrell, says this year’s conference theme is timely and critical, given the increasingly complex geopolitical environment businesses are navigating.
“Forward thinking businesses recognise the focus on climate action must remain. The science has never been more urgent or clear – we must continue to pursue better business for a better world, and this year’s conference reflects the need for that ambition to now meet action.”
The two day-event will offer a unique opportunity to learn from global and domestic leaders and changemakers across business, government, iwi, media and civil society, who are turning climate strategies into solutions and real-world impact.
The 2025 international speaking line-up includes:
– Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, MP: Vanuatu’s Minister for Climate Change Adaptation, Energy, Environment, Meteorology, Geo-Hazards and Disaster Management.
– Prof. Elizabeth Robinson: Acting Dean of the London School of Economics’ Global School of Sustainability.
– Lord Adair Turner: Chair of the Energy Transitions Commission (a global coalition of companies, NGOs and experts working to achieve a net zero economy by 2040).
Environmental Defence Society (EDS) Chief Executive Gary Taylor says, “The conference brings together visionaries and leaders in the climate space at a time when serious engagement is needed more urgently than ever, given the profound changes taking place globally.”
“This event is about having challenging conversations, tackling the gnarliest of climate issues facing our country, and driving real and meaningful change.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in more than 30 different plenary, workshops and breakout sessions, all designed to equip business leaders with the tools and insights needed to lead out on climate.
Genesis CEO and Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC) Steering Group Convenor Malcolm Johns says, “As business leaders we are facing a variety of pressures and shifting geopolitical dynamics, but it is imperative that we stay the course, remain focused and maintain our momentum on climate action.”
“This conference underscores the continuing role business has to play in this journey, and provides a critical platform for leaders to connect, innovate and lead the charge toward securing a resilient net-zero economy.”
Delivered in partnership between the Environmental Defence Society (EDS), the Sustainable Business Council (SBC) and Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC), the Climate Change and Business Conference is Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading and longest running climate and business event.
More than 650 people attended the 2024 event in person and online.
The 2025 event is supported by Foundation Sponsors Westpac NZ and Beca.
Posted on

Advocacy – The Israeli Assault Against Iran… Playing with Fire

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

The Israeli assault launched against Iran shortly before dawn on Friday, 13/6/2025, targeted three levels:

First: The military command-and-control system, including senior army and Revolutionary Guard leadership;

Second: The core infrastructure of Iran’s nuclear program—particularly nuclear stations and reactors, as well as missile and drone launch bases;

Third: The qualitative level, represented by senior nuclear scientists involved in Iran’s nuclear project. This multi-phase assault—carried out in five waves at the time of writing—sought to deliver a severe preemptive strike against the nuclear program, disrupt command and control systems, and disable key elements of Iran’s deterrent capability. With the confirmed assassination of Iran’s Chief of Staff, the head of the Revolutionary Guard, several top-tier military and Guard commanders, along with a number of nuclear scientists, and with direct damage inflicted on the targeted nuclear reactors, Israel began celebrating its achievement, even as anticipation mounted over Iran’s potential response. This article, written just hours after the attack, offers only a preliminary reading of the assault.

Netanyahu, who named this assault Operation Rising Lion, described it as a pivotal moment in Israel’s conflict history and a necessary measure to confront the “existential” threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program and to secure Israel’s safety. He obtained unanimous approval from the security cabinet for the attack. Israeli sources justified the offensive by stating that intelligence had recently detected an acceleration in Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons capabilities, claiming Iran was nearing the “point of no return.” Reports by international inspectors also indicated that Iran possesses enough material to produce 9 nuclear bombs, an assertion Netanyahu emphasized in his speech.

The Israeli aggression aligns with Netanyahu’s long-term security vision, which ext