Posts

Posted on

Earth Sciences – It’s breeding season for invasive clam

Source: Earth Sciences New Zealand

View the  Silent Super Spreaders video
Earth Science NZ researchers are seeing signs that breeding season for the invasive freshwater gold clam ( Corbicula fluminea) has begun.
Earth Sciences NZ Principal Technician Karen Thompson says gold clams are breeding machines.
“It’s breeding time in the Waikato River, but this is no cause for celebration. Tiny clams have recently been seen in both adult clam and water column samples collected from Lake Karāpiro, meaning we are in a period of heightened risk of spread. Our team have found the next generation is already maturing in adult clam brood pouches getting ready for release,” says Karen.
Invasive gold clams are hermaphroditic, so they possess both male and female reproductive organs and self-fertilise, a significant advantage for their rapid population growth.
Adult clams have a lifespan of one to five years and are known to spawn multiple times per breeding season, depending on environmental conditions. They have high reproductive rates, with an average individual producing around 70,000 larvae per season.
Karen says that the juvenile phase presents a distinct biosecurity challenge.
Each clam releases larvae by the thousands into the water column that are easily dispersed by water currents and human activities. During this stage, the clams are fully formed, allowing them to spread rapidly within waterbodies and establish in new areas.
“At roughly 0.2 mm, which is smaller than a grain of sand, these juveniles are not visible to the naked eye, meaning they can easily go undetected on clothing, equipment, craft or in water removed from infested areas,” she says.
Invasive gold clams were first confirmed in Aotearoa-New Zealand in May 2023 at Lake Karāpiro, and by the end of that year had been visually identified throughout much of the Waikato River downstream of Lake Maraetai. They were recently detected in Lake Rotomanu, Taranaki.
An Earth Sciences NZ-led five-year research programme aims to stop the invasive clam from spreading further and protect our important native species.
Programme lead and Principal Scientist – Freshwater Ecology Dr Deborah Hofstra says they are working to find effective, culturally attuned ways to manage this invader.
“We all have a role to play by following ‘Check Clean Dry’ procedures any time we are in our lakes and rivers. This is particularly important during the heightened risk of the clams breeding season,” says Deborah.
Invasive gold clams have been given the legal status of an Unwanted Organism under the Biosecurity Act. This means that people must not knowingly move them or water that may contain them. They are also not safe to eat.
People can still use the Waikato River for recreation, including boating and fishing, or gathering of kai if they follow the requirements of the controlled area notices ‘Check Clean Dry’ procedures before moving their equipment or craft.
When using or moving between waterways you must follow ‘Check Clean Dry’ procedures.
Posted on

Tech – Free grassroots AI training is changing nonprofits in regional NZ

Source: Rata Foundation

A grassroots community-led AI education programme specifically designed for not-for-profits is helping organisations save thousands of dollars while building confidence in emerging technology.
The Not-For-Profit AI Capacity Building Programme, developed by Nelson AI Sandbox (NAIS), is a free education initiative aiming to bridge the digital divide by equipping non-profits and community groups with practical AI knowledge, tools, and governance frameworks.
Founder Richard Brudvik-Lindner says: “The Nelson AI Sandbox appears to be the first and only grassroots, community-supported AI capacity-building organisation of its kind anywhere in the world. Our goal is to provide an unintimidating space for people to learn about AI tools and software, with the long-term aim of increasing productivity and opportunity in the region. The workshops are a way for us to do this, while also trying to create intergenerational cohesion and a place for everybody at the digital table.”
Phase one of the programme was delivered between February and March this year to around 120 participants from over 60 organisations in Nelson. Phase two extended the programme to include Marlborough and Motueka, to include around 300 participants from 150 organisations.
The programme includes in-person workshops, online tutorials, a champions network, and a train-the-trainer programme. It also addresses concerns about AI technology through training on safety and ethics, including data bias, privacy, security, data sovereignty and environmental impact. In addition, the second phase will include the creation of online resources.
NAIS is co-located in Nelson’s main public library and the Nelson-Marlborough Institute of Technology’s Mahitahi Colab and operates with approximately 20 active volunteers who bring diverse expertise from coding to business and marketing backgrounds.
Mr Brudvik-Lindner brings 25 years of experience from Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sega to the community initiative, establishing the Sandbox in 2023 just months after the launch of ChatGPT. “Within a couple of months of ChatGPT's release, a few of us were talking about this being a total game changer and asking how we could best prepare our community to leverage this tool. If a community wants to become prosperous and have an equitable economy, then everybody's going to need to know how to use AI.”
Sloane Bayley, who leads the workshop delivery, says the focus is on ensuring the technology is available and accessible to everyone. “We realised there might be businesses and organisations that get training rolled out, but not-for-profits don't have access to that – it's either costly or time prohibitive. By providing the training for free, we're hopefully taking away the main barrier.
“The great thing about AI is you don't need to be a coder or technical expert. We're giving them tips on how to prompt and very quickly showing them how to do things like write grant funding proposals and meeting minutes and also coming up with AI policies for the safe use of this technology – the key things we'd heard organisations were struggling with, especially around the board table.”
Funding for the education programme is through Rātā Foundation’s Strengthening the Sector funding, aimed at supporting organisations to build capability and capacity. Head of Community Investment Kate Sclater says high demand for additional sessions and the significant benefits reported by course attendees are clear indicators of the programme’s success.
“To enable long-term sustainability and create conditions for community organisations to thrive, Rātā invests in opportunities to strengthen the community sector. AI has the potential to transform the not-for-profit sector by enhancing data analysis, improving decision-making, and automating routine tasks, yet many organisations don’t know where to even start, with the real risk that they could be left behind with this new technology.
“This programme provides practical tools and skills for organisations to integrate AI into their day-to-day operations, regardless of limited resources or financial constraints, and we are already seeing the tangible benefits for many of the organisations who attended the programme. Increasing AI literacy is a key way we can support and empower organisations to build their capability, enhance their resilience, and innovate in response to the changing environment.”
Mr Brudvik-Lindner says the response to the pilot programme has been “incredibly positive”, with the new round of funding enabling them to build on that success.
“This additional funding lets us build on what we've achieved and reach more organisations to make sure not-for-profits can use AI effectively and ethically, while also ensuring they don’t miss out on all the benefits of AI integration. We believe this programme could be a model of AI capacity-building for all of New Zealand, if not the world.”
After completing phase one of the course, attendees reported that the benefits of AI integration included cost and time savings, increased productivity and an increase in staff confidence. Whenua Iti Outdoors Systems Improvement Lead Geraldine Stones estimates AI will help to save the organisation around $20,000 a year, through improved troubleshooting and reduced reliance on external support. “The knowledge I have gained from attending AI Sandbox workshops and subsequently using ChatGPT has been transformational for my role. Tasks that once took hours now take minutes. I've saved around $150 an hour on coding and process solutions that I previously would've needed to outsource to external contractors.”
Y-Nelson implemented AI tools including ChatGPT and Fireflies.ai after attending the workshops, using them for report compilation, lesson planning, social media communications, and meeting recordings. Executive Director Sean Trengrove says they have seen firsthand the positive impact the training has had on staff and their wider community. “AI isn’t replacing our people – it’s strengthening them. It’s giving our team the confidence and tools to be more creative, efficient, and mission-focused. That’s a win for us and for the community we serve.”
Nelson Environment Centre Funding and Data Coordinator Kelli Campbell says the use of AI has enabled the organisation to reduce time spent on tasks, such as planning events and writing government submissions. “The NAIS workshop helped me start using AI. Before the course, I was cautious and didn't understand the power of AI. I now use it daily and it helps me to do so many parts of my job. It is a powerful tool that can help not-for-profits to grow. It frees up time for those in the not-for-profit space to actually focus on the important work that they do.”
Posted on

Employment Disputes – Fire and Emergency urges firefighters to call off their strike on Friday

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is urging the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) to call off its scheduled one-hour strike at midday this Friday 21 November.
“A full strike will impact public safety,” Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler says.
“Striking is unwarranted given we have our next meeting to discuss our application for facilitation with the Employment Relations Authority on 25 November, and we continue to engage with the NZPFU in good faith.
“We will answer 111 calls during the hour and respond to fires in strike affected areas, but our responses will be delayed because our callouts will have to be covered by volunteers.
Our dispatch system will respond volunteers from their own stations in their own trucks to help as they regularly do when there are multiple emergencies at one time, and it will take them longer.”
“We’re asking people and businesses in cities and towns primarily served by paid firefighters to remain extra careful.”
Businesses should take care with any work practices that could result in fire, and make sure their tenants understand their evacuation schemes and procedures,” she says.
“We are advising everyone that, should there be a fire, to evacuate early and, once out, stay out. Then call 111.
“People should also check their smoke alarms and their escape plans.”
“Community safety is of the utmost importance to us,” Megan Stiffler says.
As we did during the last one-hour strike on Friday 17 October, Fire and Emergency will prioritise emergencies and as a result may not respond to less serious incidents in cities and towns during the one-hour strike.
“For example, private fire alarms where there is no evidence of a fire, small rubbish fires, assisting traffic management, and animal rescues. This will ensure our resources are focused where they are needed most,” Megan Stiffler says.
“We have notified Hato Hone St John and Wellington Free Ambulance that, for the one-hour strike, our volunteer crews won’t be able to respond to medical calls outside their patch.”
“I want to reassure people that this strike action will not affect most of the country. The vast majority of communities are served by our more than 11,000 volunteers in nearly 600 stations across New Zealand who will respond as usual.”
Bargaining with the NZPFU:
Megan Stiffler says that on 3 November 2025, Fire and Emergency tabled a revised offer that included an increased pay offer, as well as several additional provisions focused on addressing some of the key elements of the NZPFU’s settlement proposal tabled earlier in September. The NZPFU rejected the offer outright.
“We again met with the NZPFU on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 November 2025 to discuss the costings of our different proposals.
“The NZPFU presented an alternative proposal which was three times the cost of Fire and Emergency's 3 November 2025 offer, and well outside Fire and Emergency's bargaining parameters,” she says.
Both parties acknowledged that they are still far apart, and bargaining concluded with the NZPFU confirming they will strike this Friday.
“We are deeply disappointed that the NZPFU has chosen to compromise public safety and go ahead with a one-hour strike on Friday, followed by another complete withdrawal of labour next week on Friday 28 November, all the while opposing the application for facilitation and the support that the Employment Relations Authority would provide to bargaining,” Megan Stiffler says.
“Any settlement must be sustainable, balance cost of living pressures being faced by individuals alongside fiscal pressures faced by Fire and Emergency and be consistent with the Government Workforce Policy Statement.”
“Regardless, we continue to work on ensuring we have sufficient staff. In addition, we anticipate delivering 78 new firefighting trucks by the end of this financial year.”
“Fire and Emergency's goal is, and has always been, to reach a fair, sustainable, and reasonable settlement with the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union. We are bargaining in good faith and doing everything we can to achieve an agreement without disrupting the services communities rely on.”
Our application for facilitation will be heard by the Employment Relations Authority on 25 November 2025.
Notes
  • Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union have been negotiating a collective employment agreement for career firefighters since 16 July 2024.
  • Fire and Emergency has improved its original offer of a 5.1 percent pay increase over the next three years, as well as increases to some allowances.
  • Fire and Emergency considers the offer is sustainable; balances cost of living pressures being faced by individuals alongside fiscal pressures faced by Fire and Emergency and is consistent with the Government Workforce Policy Statement.
  • The previous 2022 collective employment agreement settlement provided a cumulative wage increase of up to 24 percent over a three-year period for career firefighters.
  • Fire and Emergency has also been investing in replacing our fleet, with 317 trucks replaced since 2017 and another 78 on order. We are currently spending over $20 million per year on replacement trucks. There is also a significant programme of station upgrades underway, as well as investment in training.
  • For the 2025/26 financial year Fire and Emergency’s operating budget is $857.9 million. Of that operating budget, 59 percent will be spent directly on the frontline, while another 32 percent is spent on frontline enablers. This means that over 90 percent of Fire and Emergency’s budget is spent on the frontline and the people directly supporting the frontline.  
Posted on

History and Heritage – Interim Radiocarbon Dating Results Shed New Light on Waka Discovery

Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage

“Interim radiocarbon dating results have been released ahead of the final archaeological report, offering significant insights into the waka discovered at Site CH744 on Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Island.” said Glenis Philip-Barbara, Pou Mataaho o Te Hua Deputy Secretary Delivery and Investment, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
Lead Archaeologist Dr Justin Maxwell, Sunrise Archaeology says “recent archaeological research has suggested that the first arrival of people on Rēkohu occurred between 1450 and 1650 AD. Additional evidence from ancient peat samples shows that significant changes to the environment began after 1500 AD.”
“The newly obtained interim dating results include:
  • Short-lived materials: Most results show narrow ranges between 1440 and 1470 AD, indicating this as the likely growth period of these plant tissues.
  • Cordage sample: One piece of cordage predates 1415 AD.
  • Bottle gourd: A sample suggests cultivation around 1400 AD or earlier. This is the first known bottle gourd found in an archaeological site on Chatham Island.”
“Short-lived local plant materials tested are of similar age and suggest the cultural layer surrounding the waka was formed shortly after its arrival.”
“Testing short-lived plant materials is important to get accurate dates for a find such as this. We don’t want to date the timbers because trees can live for a long time. Radiocarbon dates obtained from wood can be much older than the event we are interested in – which is when this waka was in use.”
“Together, these findings point to the arrival of the waka on Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Island between 1440 and 1470 AD. It is important to note that nearly all dated samples from the waka were on short-lived materials, such as cordage that may have been replaced over time. Some materials were older, suggesting the main components of the waka itself could be considerably older than the dated items” Maxwell says.
“The final report released by February 2026 will provide finalised radiocarbon results with further analysis and context. These interim results mark a significant milestone in understanding the early settlement and cultural history of Rēkohu Wharekauri Chatham Island” Glenis Philip-Barbara concludes.
Posted on

Universities – All New Zealand universities feature in top 450 in QS Sustainability Rankings in 2026

Source: QS Sustainability Rankings

QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026 – All New Zealand universities feature in top 450 in QS Sustainability Rankings in 2026

London, 18th November 2025: QS Quacquarelli Symonds, global higher education experts, have released the 2025 edition of the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability*. *The link will be live when the embargo lifts.  

This year, some 2,000 universities in 106 locations feature, up from around 1,750 in the previous edition. Lund University in Sweden has taken the top spot for the first time since the ranking was established in 2023. The University of Toronto had been the best in the world in 2024 and 2025 and now drops to second place, followed by UCL in the UK which has climbed two positions to third overall. With Lincoln University rising 40 places to rank 423rd overall, all eight universities in New Zealand now feature in the top 450 for the first time.

Top 10 institutions in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026

2026 Rank

2025 Rank

1

=3

Lund University

Sweden

2

1

University of Toronto

Canada

3

=5

UCL

UK

4

=7

The University of Edinburgh

UK

5

=5

University of British Columbia

Canada

6

=39

The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

UK

=7

=7

Imperial College London

UK

=7

=12

The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)

Australia

9

=15

McGill University

Canada

10

=9

The University of Manchester

UK

Overall, 240 universities from the US feature in the ranking, followed by China with 163, the UK with 109, India with 103 and France with 77. 

QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026 by location

No HEi ranked

No of HEi  with lower YoY rank

Lower %

No of HEi  with same YoY rank

Same %

No of HEi  with higher YoY rank

Higher %

Delta %

NEW

USA

240

168

70%

23

10%

38

16%

-54%

11

China (Mainland)

163

73

45%

12

7%

29

18%

-27%

49

UK

109

40

37%

4

4%

52

48%

11%

13

India

103

30

29%

15

15%

32

31%

2%

26

France

77

40

51%

11

14%

7

9%

-42%

19

///

///

///

///

///

///

///

///

///

///

New Zealand

8

7

88%

0

0%

1

13%

-75%

–

The UK has the most entries in the top 10, with five, followed by Canada with three. Sweden and Australia each have one university in the top 10.  All of New Zealand’s eight universities rank in the top 450, all 13 ranked universities from the Netherlands, and all of Belgium’s 10 entries rank in the top 1000.

Countries with the most top tier rankings 

Country

No HEi ranked 

Top 10 

Top 20 

Top 50 

Top 100 

Top 200 

Top 500 

Top 1000 

United Kingdom 

109 

5 

8 

17 

30 

44 

62 

82 

Canada 

41 

3 

3 

4 

9 

19 

25 

30 

Sweden 

23 

1 

1 

3 

5 

6 

8 

11 

Australia 

38 

1 

4 

6 

11 

21 

31 

36 

Switzerland 

13 

 

1 

1 

4 

4 

8 

11 

United States of America 

240 

 

3 

9 

16 

30 

80 

136 

Belgium 

10 

 

 

2 

3 

4 

6 

10 

Finland 

12 

 

 

1 

2 

2 

7 

9 

New Zealand 

8 

 

 

1 

2 

6 

8 

8 

Ireland 

10 

 

 

2 

2 

6 

8 

8 

Netherlands 

13 

 

 

1 

2 

5 

12 

13

Leigh Kamolins, QS Director of Analytics and Evaluation, and co-chair for the United Nations Higher Education Sustainability Initiative Action Group on Rankings Ratings and Assessments, said: “New Zealand is well renowned for its innovative, forward-thinking sustainability strategies. Once again, its universities excel in the QS World university Rankings: Sustainability 2026. Not only do all of its eight universities feature in the top 500 globally, but this year Lincoln University’s improved position means New Zealand’s universities all feature in the global top 450.”

QS’ methodology for the World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025 is based on university performance across three assessment categories: 

  • Environmental Impact (45% – Aggregating three indicators: Environmental Sustainability, Environmental Education and Environmental Research)
  • Social Impact (45% – Aggregating five indicators: Equality, Knowledge Exchange, Impact of Education, Employability & Outcomes and Health & Wellbeing)
  • Governance (10% – Considering factors related to good governance: ethics, hiring practices, transparency, decision making etc.)

QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025 – New Zealand

NZ institution in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026

2026 Rank

2025 Rank

Institution

=110

=78

University of Otago

=194

132

Victoria University of Wellington

131

=129

Massey University

28

17

The University of Auckland

=277

=262

Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

=116

=112

University of Waikato

=90

=78

University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha

=423

=463

Lincoln University

New Zealand is once again one of the best performing higher education systems on the planet with all of its eight universities ranked among the top 450. Among higher education systems with at least eight ranked institutions in the ranking, it ranks first on average in both the Environmental Impact and Governance lenses and second on average for Social Impact. However, faced with heightened global competition, only one institution improves its rank overall this year. No university from New Zealand feature in the top 100 for Knowledge Exchange, Employability or Outcomes or Health & Wellbeing. Seven of eight universities feature in the top 100 in the Equality indicator.

New Zealand performances across lenses and indicators 

Lens/ indicator 

Weighting 

Institution in New Zealand in top 100

Rank in indicator 

Social impact 

45% 

The University of Auckland

30 

University of Otago

90

Equality 

12% 

The University of Auckland

12

Victoria University of Wellington

35

Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

35

University of Waikato

52

University of Otago

64

Lincoln University

64

Massey University

89

Impact of Education 

7% 

The University of Auckland

29

University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha

66

Massey University

86

University of Otago

93

Environmental Impact 

45% 

The University of Auckland

36

University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha

43

University of Waikato

50

Environmental Sustainability 

15% 

University of Waikato

34

University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha

99

Environmental Education 

17% 

The University of Auckland

14

University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha

22

University of Otago

88

Environmental Research 

13% 

The University of Auckland

44

Governance 

10% 

University of Otago

50

Victoria University of Wellington

60

Kamolins added: “From the University of Auckland’s Sustainability Hub, to University of Waikato’s research on the circular economy or smart energy, or University of Otago’s interdisciplinary approach to sustainability, New Zealand’s higher education system boasts outstanding examples of social and environmental sustainability. 

“However, research suggest that the proportion of New Zealanders who think that the country should be doing more to tackle climate change has dropped to 54% in 2025 from 64% in both 2024 and 2023. As more global peers drive ahead with their sustainability efforts and rise in the rankings, universities in New Zealand need to ensure that the entire population is on board with the sustainability mission. This would also benefit New Zealand’s universities’ scores in the knowledge exchange area.”

Jessica Turner, CEO of QS, said: “As the first country to give all women the vote, New Zealand is among the world’s best for perceptions of gender equality. The QS Sustainability Rankings shows that it universities also excel in equality, with all eight featuring in the global top 130 in this important indicator. 

“New Zealand’s higher education system promotes its commitment to sustainability through campaigns such as Education New Zealand’s #SustainableTomorrow and its I AM NEW initiative, celebrating Māori culture. The country’s commitment extends from environmental to social sustainability and recognises the role of higher education in making a better tomorrow.”

Detailed methodological information can be found here: https://support.qs.com/hc/en-gb/articles/8551503200668-QS-Sustainability-Rankings

The full rankings will be available on 18th November at 10:00 GMT and can be found at QS Sustainability University Rankings 2025 | Top Universities: https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/sustainability-rankings/2025

            

QS Quacquarelli Symonds is the world’s leading provider of services, analytics, and insight to the global higher education sector, whose mission is to empower motivated people anywhere in the world to fulfil their potential through educational achievement, international mobility, and career development.           
The QS World University Rankings portfolio, inaugurated in 2004, is the world’s most popular source of comparative data about university performance. 

Their flagship website, www.TopUniversities.com – the home of their rankings – was viewed more than 170 million times in 2024, and over 134,000 media clippings pertaining to, or mentioning, QS were published by media outlets worldwide in 2024.  

Posted on

ChildFund – Children in the Pacific and beyond in urgent need

Source: ChildFund New Zealand

“Increasing global volatility, ongoing wars and reduced access to water and nutrition are hurting children in our region and across the world,’ says Josie Pagani, CEO of ChildFund New Zealand.
Today is World Children’s Day.
– 1 in 4 children live in a country affected by conflict or disaster
– Children in crisis settings account for half of all under-five deaths
– 339,000 children are born into displacement every year.
“World Children’s Day is a reminder that every child, no matter where they are born, deserves access to clean water, decent food, and an education” says Josie Pagani.
Last week, ChildFund NZ launched two controversial campaigns (Her First Sip and Deadly Weapon), to highlight the preventable child sicknesses and deaths in the Pacific region due to limited access to clean water.
“Only 16% of school children in the Solomon Islands have access to clean, safe drinking water. We're only a few hours away by plane from children, in our own region, who are suffering or worse, and missing out on school, simply from lack of access to clean water.”
“In Kiribati, only 27% of households have access to safe drinking water.”
“Since launching this campaign, we have received very positive feedback, but also some alarming hate mail.”
Previously, Josie Pagani said “We make no apology for offending you” in response to the shock of ChildFund NZ's campaign.
Some negative comments on their social media include ” what kind of fkn ads that?”
ChildFund New Zealand is a member of the ChildFund Alliance, a network of ten child focused organisations across the world focusing on helping children in places like Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and anywhere children are at risk.
The ChildFund Alliance reached 36 million children across 66 countries last year, with programmes protecting children from violence or abuse; providing emergency education during wars and disasters; psychosocial support to help children heal from trauma; and bringing clean water and decent food to children who have neither, and much more.
“On this global day of recognising children at risk across the world, we ask New Zealanders to support the work of charities like ours,” says Josie Pagani
Donate and learn more at https://childfund.org.nz/her-first-sip/
Posted on

Weather News – A calm and quiet end to a wet week – MetService

Source: MetService

Covering period of Thursday 20th – Monday 24th November – The sun is emerging over most of Aotearoa New Zealand today (Thursday), bringing the opportunity to get outdoors after a wet start to the week. Christchurch is already enjoying clear skies, and the cloud will burn off this afternoon over the North Island.

MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley details, “The trend of morning cloud burning off to clear skies will continue for the North Island as a high pressure settles in for a few days. Fluffy cumulus clouds will sprout inland in the afternoon, with the odd sprinkling of showers, particularly in Northland.”

This will be welcome news for cricket fans hoping to make it to Hamilton for the Blackcaps vs. West Indies match on Saturday afternoon.

On Friday, Southland will be the exception to the rule. Rain will move in from the west, but fine spells follow once the rain has cleared.

MetService has an Orange Heavy Rain Warning in place for Fiordland until noon on Friday, with the added risk of thunderstorms. The band of rain will weaken as it moves north up the South Island. There is minimal risk of severe weather over the weekend, but the moist air could make for cloudy conditions.

Warm temperatures will continue for eastern parts on Friday. Christchurch has a forecast maximum temperature of 29°C. Gisborne, Masterton, Blenheim and Ashburton are all expected to reach 28°C.

Most centres return to typical spring temperatures over the weekend, and we can all sleep easier with less muggy overnight conditions.  

Monday will be a chilly day in Christchurch, with a forecast maximum of 13°C after the southerly surge of a cold front in the early hours of the morning which will bring a line of showers.

Posted on

University Research – Global rise of junk food a major health hazard – UoA

Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

Ultraprocessed food is displacing healthy food and driving up rates of diabetes, depression and heart disease in New Zealand and internationally, a new report shows.

‘Ultra-processed foods’ are dominating diets worldwide and driving a rapid rise in obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic illnesses, according to a new landmark report.

Ultra-processed foods are made from cheap ingredients using industrial methods, contain a lot of sugar, salt, fat and additives, and are heavily promoted.

“In Aotearoa, New Zealand, it is likely that consumption of ultra-processed food is around 50 to 60 percent of the nation’s diet, similar to other high-income, English-speaking countries,” says Professor Boyd Swinburn, a population nutrition researcher from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.

Swinburn is an author of one of the three papers comprising The Lancet’s Series.

The actual figure is not known, because New Zealand has not had a nutrition survey in adults for 18 years and in children for 23 years, Swinburn says.

“We do know that unhealthy diets and obesity are our biggest risk factor for disease and death in New Zealand, and this is driven by our high intake of ultra-processed foods,” Swinburn says.

“So, we really need to face the issue, measure the intake with a national food survey, and take steps to reduce the intake from that high level.”

Junk food displacing healthy food: urgent action needed

The Lancet Series highlights that ultra-processed foods are displacing fresh and minimally processed foods, worsening diet quality, and increasing risk of multiple chronic diseases.  

“In Aotearoa New Zealand, we really need policies to create healthier food environments if we want to make a difference to our increasing rates of obesity, diabetes, and mental health problems,” Swinburn says.

The Lancet series’ 43 authors say improving diets cannot rely on consumer behaviour change alone but rather requires coordinated policies to reduce ultra-processed food production, marketing and consumption.

Swinburn says many countries are taking serious action on ultra-processed foods, especially across Latin America, and they are getting results.

The Ministry of Health is currently revising New Zealand dietary guidelines for children and youth and they need to include recommendations on ultra-processed foods, Swinburn says.

“The free school lunches for 25 percent of children, through the Ka Ora, Ka Ako programme, have to meet nutrition guidelines, but, in the rest of the schools, ultra-processed foods are frequently on the menu or in the tuck shop.

“The existing regulations which require schools to promote healthy foods should be extended to the provision of food – the canteen should match the curriculum.”

Mandatory warning labels, taxes and curbs on marketing required

Many countries have mandatory warning labels showing foods high in fat, sugar and salt and New Zealand should follow suit, Swinburn says.

“Half the world has taxes on sugary drinks – New Zealand needs a UK-style Sugary Drinks Industry Levy with the funding going towards the efforts of communities and local food growers to provide inexpensive healthy foods,” he says.

Ultra-processed foods are harmful products and their marketing to children should be banned – New Zealand has the second highest rate of child obesity in the OECD, yet no policies to address this, Swinburn says.

“It is important to look beyond the ultra-processed foods themselves and into the high profit system that drives their production and promotion,” he says.

“Ultra-processed food corporations are highly expert at manipulating cheap ingredients and industrial additives into hyperpalatable foods, exploiting consumers with sophisticated marketing, and turning poorer neighbourhoods into swamps of fast food.”
Posted on

Employment Disputes – Fern Energy workers vote to strike for better pay and good faith bargaining

Source: Workers First Union

Workers First Union members at Fern Energy, a leading fuel distributor and logistics provider, have voted to take strike action by withdrawing their labour from 26 November to 1 December. They are seeking industry-standard pay and conditions and have criticised the company’s refusal to attend mediatiated bargaining with the union unless workers withdraw their notice of industrial action.
Fern Energy is involved in the delivery of bulk fuel supplies to industrial sites, farms and transport operators nationwide. They are considered an essential service, and as such, fourteen days’ notice of industrial action is required by law due to the risk of disruption of fuel supplies to several key industries.
“We’re tried in good faith to reach a settlement for our fuel workers at Fern, but there are significant unresolved issues preventing a fair outcome for workers,” said Justin Wallace, Workers First Union organiser.
“They lag behind the industry standard on pay and conditions, and company representatives have behaved in a petulant manner by refusing to attend mediated bargaining with union members unless they withdraw their strike notice.”
“If I was a farmer relying on Fern to deliver my fuel, I would not be happy to learn that the company was refusing to attend mediation and engage in good faith bargaining, which risks disruption to their supply of fuel.”
“Other critical issues remain like overtime parity with other operators in the fuel delivery sector, and a fair allocation of hours for workers.”
Mr Wallace said that currently, non-union Fern Energy workers on Individual Employment Agreements (IEAs) receive preferential treatment and compensation by the employer, with IEA workers receiving potentially higher pay rates based on skills and experience while unionised workers on a Collective Agreement achieve progression through years of service and ‘step-by-step’ progression.
“It’s an unlawful approach that is splitting the workforce, and a fairly clear attempt to undermine pay negotiations,” said Mr Wallace.
“This is a tactic straight out of the 1980s playbook and members won't stand for it in 2025. It’s a very old-school approach to employment relations.”
“Workers who do the same job should receive the equivalent pay and not be disadvantaged for bargaining collectively through their union.”
Workers First members remain committed to dialogue with the company but will not withdraw their strike notices in the absence of a fair offer to workers, Mr Wallace said, despite the company’s pleas.
“Refusing to participate in mediated bargaining until strike notices are withdrawn is stand-over behaviour, and we will not back down,” said Mr Wallace.
“We strongly urge the company to reconsider their approach and engage constructively with the union to avoid significant disruption to fuel supplies in several key industries.”
Posted on

JOINT STATEMENT: COP 30 – SOLOMON ISLANDS GOVERNMENT AND WORLD VISION SOLOMON ISLANDS URGE WORLD LEADERS TO STRENGTHEN CLIMATE FINANCE TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND FOOD SECURITY

Source: World Vision

 

  • Fund adaptation now: Leaders at COP 30 must urgently deliver grant-based climate finance to secure children's food and health, integrating intergenerational dialogue and 1.5 °C ambition into all decisions to support frontline communities in the Pacific facing existential climate threats.
  • Invest in people-centred, climate-responsive social protection systems: to ensure children's immediate needs are met, including water security, health, and safe food access.
  • Urgent Emissions Cuts to Save Food Systems: Countries must submit enhanced NDCs with deep, rapid emissions cuts aligned with the 1.5 °C target to prevent the catastrophic failure of food security in vulnerable regions like the Pacific.

 

As world leaders convene for the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP 30) in Belém, Brazil, the “Amazon COP”, the Solomon Islands Government and World Vision Solomon Islands are calling for an urgent course correction to close the finance gap, protect global food systems, and deliver on the 1.5 °C goal before it is too late for the world's most vulnerable children.

 

The conference, which is taking place ten years since the Paris Agreement, must serve as a turning point from pledges to action. The Solomons government and World Vision say the failure to curb emissions and adequately finance adaptation is fueling a global hunger crisis, poor diet and malnutrition, which directly impacts children and youth across the Pacific.

 

Honourable Polycarp Paea, Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, says: “Our commitment is rooted in the wise stewardship of our oceans and forests. We are protecting these vital resources for future generations through strategies like reforestation and sustainable fisheries, as outlined in our NDC 3.0. Recognising that over 70% of our population are youth, we are actively breaking down barriers by integrating climate education, supporting advisory groups, and ensuring young people lead in the decisions that shape our nation's climate resilience.”

 

The $1.3 Trillion Question: Delivering Adaptation Finance Now

 

The primary focus of COP 30 is climate finance, particularly the “Baku to Belém Roadmap” which aims to mobilise $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 for developing countries.

 

The Solomon Islands Government and World Vision Solomon Islands insist this goal must be met with urgency, transparency, and a focus on grant-based adaptation:

 

  • Scale-up adaptation grants: Developed nations must prioritise grant-based funding for adaptation, not loans, to support frontline communities in the Pacific and low-lying regions facing existential threats from sea-level rise and extreme weather.

 

  • Fund human-centred adaptation: Finance must flow directly to climate-responsive social protection systems and programs that address the immediate needs of children, including water security, health, and safe food access—core themes emphasised by the Belém Declaration.

 

Food Systems and the 1.5°C Imperative

 

COP 30’s focus on the transformation of agriculture and food systems provides a crucial opportunity to link climate action directly to the fight against hunger.

 

Current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted by countries are insufficient to limit warming to 1.5 °C which threatens to further destabilise the fragile food security of millions, including the most vulnerable children.

 

World Vision and Solomons Government say countries must submit enhanced NDCs that include deep, rapid emissions cuts aligned with the 1.5 °C target and recognize that exceeding this limit guarantees catastrophic failure of food systems in vulnerable regions.

 

They also say that the voices of indigenous people and local communities’ must be prioritized in line with the Amazon COP's commitment to a “Global Mutirão.”  This means meaningful participation with Indigenous Peoples and local leaders, whose traditional knowledge is essential for stewarding forests and developing sustainable agricultural practices.

 

Intergenerational Dialogue and the Lived Reality of Loss and Damage

 

The Solomon Islands delegation is committed to ensuring the voices of those currently impacted drive COP outcomes. On 18 November 2025, the Government of Solomon Islands and World Vision co-hosted a key COP30 side event: Natural Resource Management: Intergenerational Dialogue at the Moana Pavilion. This dialogue helped to connect policymakers with children, youth, and community leaders on climate-smart stewardship.

 

Child advocate Lynthia,12, shared their Joint Statement from Children, Youth and PWDs to the Government of Solomon Islands, which was earlier presented during the National Loss and Damage Dialogue in Solomon Islands last month.

 

Lynthia said: “My dream is to become a doctor, but to heal the world, we must first heal the land. Our future requires a transition of learning—teaching every child about climate change and the wise stewardship of our resources. We are here as young people who live the climate crisis every single day. For us climate change is our lived reality—our homes are washed away by saltwater, our food gardens are destroyed, and our families are being displaced. We, the children and youth, demand that the leaders at COP 30 invest now to support us in protecting our identity, livelihood, and future.”

 

Irene Marbun, World Vision Solomon Islands Operations Manager, says: “Children did not create this crisis, yet they are paying for it. Our unified climate action proves that the solutions are ready at the community level. We stand with the Solomon Islands Government, our Pacific leaders, children and youth in demanding one thing from this COP: a commitment to investing in human-centred adaptation that guarantees our children a future free from climate-driven hunger.”

 

World Vision and the Solomon Islands Government also extended their sincere appreciation to Lynthia, her parents and school for fostering an exceptional young woman with a deep commitment to advocating for the environment and serving the people of the Solomon Islands and the broader Pacific region.