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Reaction from Cindy Baxter, chair, Kiwis Against Seabed Mining, reaction to the government's announced plans to change the Fast Track Approvals Act.

“This is a fundamental undermining of democracy.

“On behalf of tens of thousands of Kiwis, we have opposed destructive seabed mining for 20 years.  The idea that we are ‘stalling progress’ simply because we may appeal is absurd. The Government wants to lock the public out entirely, but the EPA panels are doing their job thoroughly, despite the constraints already placed on them.”

“Wannabe seabed miners Trans Tasman Resources knows its application is full of holes: it hasn't done its homework. It needs Shane Jones to intervene in order to get this destructive project over the line.”

Dunedin City property owners will soon receive new three-yearly rating valuations by post.

Updated valuations have been prepared for all 57,395 properties in the district by independent valuers Quotable Value (QV) on behalf of Dunedin City Council. They reflect the likely price a property would have sold for on 1 June 2025, excluding chattels.

The total rateable value for the district is now $48,862 billion, down 0.1%, with the land value of those properties now $24,472 billion, a decrease of 4.8%.This reflects a downturn in the market since the district’s last revaluation on 1 July 2022.

Residential properties
Following the nationwide peak of late 2021, Dunedin’s residential home values began to decrease during 2022, bottoming out in mid-2023, with values declining by approximately 6% during that period.

Since then, there’s been a slight recovery, with the market remaining relatively flat, decreasing by less than 1% in the 12 months to the end of June. Some downward pressure remained at the new rating revaluation effective date of 1 June 2025, with August QV House Price Index data showing an average further -0.7% change in the three months after 1 June.

The most active part of the market is first-home buyers, driven by the sub-$600,000 segment. Investors have slowly returned on the back of increasing rents.

Listings rose in late 2024 but began to decline from March 2025. Sales volumes are up 15.6% on the same period in 2024. Overall, we consider the market to be entering a stable period of supply and demand.

Overall, residential values decreased by an average of -2.63% from July 1 2022 to June 1 2025. The average home value is now $664,651, while the corresponding average land value has decreased by 6.37% to $340,650.

“Property values have remained relatively stable within Dunedin City over the past three years and values have generally had minimal changes since the 2022 rating revaluation,” said QV Urban Valuations Manager, Tim Gibson.

“Properties that are in good condition, and modern dwellings, are seeing more demand and growth than the average property in Dunedin. While poorly maintained or more dated properties are likely to have seen larger decreases,” he said.

“Land value changes were also varied, with increases in areas where townhouse development is still occurring and in prime locations such as Māori Hill, Roslyn, and St Clair. Conversely, areas like South Dunedin and some particularly steep-contour locations saw greater-than-average reductions,” Mr Gibson said.
Lifestyle Properties
The lifestyle market has largely mirrored the residential market, with capital value (CV) decreases of 5 to 10% relative to 2022 levels, and values over the past 18 months have remained steady. Quality modern properties remain sought after, although with longer marketing periods. Older properties requiring maintenance and modernisation are being discounted by purchasers in line with building costs.

The lifestyle vacant-land market has been subdued in recent years, with very low building activity. By extension, there is minimal appetite for new lifestyle developments and subdivisions. The cost of earthworks and service connections is also a key factor. The average capital value of an improved lifestyle property has decreased by 4.5% to $1,102,378, while the corresponding land value for a lifestyle property decreased by 5.7% to $658,385.
Commercial and Industrial Properties
There are 2,676 commercial and industrial assessments within Dunedin City, with commercial and industrial property capital values showing average increases of 1.20% and 4.30% respectively since QV’s last revaluation in 2022. During the same period, land values increased by an average of 1.70% for commercial and 2.0% for industrial, compared to their 2022 land values. The Central Business District retail and office sector has experienced higher vacancy levels, along with a higher Official Cash Rate than in 2022. This has led to higher-than-expected yields for investors and minimal rental growth. Overall, this has resulted in a slight decrease in commercial capital values of -1.50% and land values of -2.0%.

Suburban commercial properties are faring better, with minimal vacancies and stronger rental growth observed from a lower base level. The greatest increases in capital values were noted in Mosgiel (+12.3%) and Green Island (+14.0%).

Industrial property remains investors’ preferred choice, with some strong sales for development sites noted along Hillside Road and good sales in Dukes Road North showing yields of 6.25%–6.50%. Sales volumes overall have been at lower levels than during the 2022 revaluation period.
Pastoral and Dairy Properties
Pastoral and dairy property values remain close to 2022 levels with minimal change. Low sales volumes, high-cost structures, and fluctuating commodity prices have been key factors over the past three years. Combined with ongoing legislative uncertainty, the market has not seen value growth.
Throughout 2025, rural confidence improved with higher commodity prices; however, this has not yet translated into increases in property sale prices. A key reason is the elevated cost of livestock in going-concern purchases, and farmers are acutely aware that commodity prices can drop as rapidly as they have risen.
What are rating valuations?
Rating valuations are usually carried out on all New Zealand properties every three years to help local councils assess rates for the following three-year period. They are not intended for other purposes, such as raising finance with banks or as insurance valuations.

They reflect the likely selling price of a property at the effective revaluation date, which was 1 June 2025, excluding the value of chattels. Any market changes since that time will not be included in the new rating valuations, which often means a sale price achieved today will be different from the new rating valuation.

Rating valuations are calculated using a detailed process that uses all relevant property sales in the area. A large number of properties will also be physically assessed, particularly those that have been issued building consents in the last three years.

The updated rating valuations are then independently audited by the Office of the Valuer General to ensure they meet rigorous quality standards, before the new rating valuations are confirmed and posted to property owners.
New rating values will be posted to property owners after 29 October 2025. If owners do not agree with their rating valuation, they may object by 5 December 2025.

If you’d like more information on rating valuations, head to www.qv.co.nz/about/about-rating-valuations/#, or for details on how to object to your new rating valuation, go to www.qv.co.nz/services/rating-valuations/object-rating/

Many New Zealanders take paracetamol outside the recommended dose and aren't aware of its high potential for toxicity.

Many New Zealanders take more paracetamol than recommended, because they perceive it is safe, when in fact it is a leading cause of acute liver failure, new research shows.
 
Despite its wide availability, little has been known about the New Zealand public’s understanding of paracetamol’s safe use, so researchers from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland studied New Zealanders’ attitudes to paracetamol and practices. See New Zealand Journal of Primary Health Care. (ref. https://connectsci.au/hc/article/doi/10.1071/HC25060/230062/Paracetamol-associated-knowledge-attitudes-and?searchresult=1 )
 
“People think it's safe, which it is, if you take it at the right dose; but, because of the way it's broken down by the body, when you take more than the recommended dose, the liver gets overwhelmed and can be damaged,” says Dr Samantha Marsh, a senior research fellow in the Department of General Practice and Primary Care at the University of Auckland.
 
The study revealed significant gaps in understanding, particularly in identifying paracetamol-containing products and adhering to dosing guidelines.
 
The recommended dosage is two tablets every four hours up to a limit of eight tablets per day.
 
However, misuse is common with a third of New Zealanders commonly taking more than two tablets at once and 11 percent exceeding the daily limit, the study finds.
 
“People say, ‘I take more than two tablets, because I am a big person,’ but it doesn’t work like that,” Marsh says.
 
The study was based on an online survey of almost two-thousand people who broadly represented the makeup of the New Zealand population.
 
Two-thirds of respondents (70 percent) agreed that paracetamol was a very safe drug and almost as many (65 percent) thought that you can buy paracetamol from the supermarket because it is safe.
 
Many people (32 percent) will ask their doctor for a paracetamol prescription, even when they went for something else.
 
A similar proportion (27 percent) have asked for a paracetamol prescription then shared it with friends and family.
 
Another finding was that around half of respondents struggle to identify paracetamol in common cold and flu products, like Lemsip or Coldral, which could mean many more people are taking more paracetamol than they should, but they aren’t even aware of it
 
Marsh would like to see stickers on the front of such products with a warning – “Do not take with paracetamol” or “contains paracetamol”.
 
There was strong support for greater regulation.
 
While most considered it safe, more than half (55 percent) thought there should be restrictions on how much you can buy at once. A third thought there should be restriction on where you can buy it.
 
Regulation has had mixed success overseas, Marsh says. “There needs to be more research to ascertain what the best way to regulate is,” she says.
 
A particularly at-risk group is children, according to data from the National Poisons Centre.

About 60 percent to 65 percent of calls to the New Zealand National Poisons Centre relate to children under five. Paracetamol is the most common substance involved in poisoning in this age group.
The New Zealand National Poisons Centre receives about 1000 calls a year about paracetamol poisonings. About half of these calls involve children helping themselves to medication.

Marsh says parents need to keep track of how much paracetamol, often as Pamol, they have given their children, for example by writing it down where the other parent can see.
 
With measles cases on the rise in New Zealand, many parents may reach for paracetamol to ease fever and discomfort.
 
“It’s important to remember that paracetamol is safe only when used at the correct dose – even a small error can cause harm,” Marsh says.
 
“When a child is very unwell, it’s easy for tired or stressed parents to lose track of doses, particularly in the middle of the night, so keeping a written record can help prevent harm.”
 
Two-thirds of people said their doctors and pharmacists had never spoken to them about the dangers of taking too much paracetamol.
 
There needs to be an education campaign on when and how to take paracetamol, Marsh says.
 
“When you get paracetamol from either the doctor or a pharmacist, they should always remind you that you must take it according to the package.”
 

Paracetamol fact sheet: https://healthify.nz/assets/Brochures/paracetamol-english-factsheet.pdf

AMSTERDAM, November 4, 2025 – Skytree, a pioneer in direct air capture (DAC) technology, announces its official market entry into New Zealand. The launch, coinciding with the EU-NZ Business Summit, marks a significant step in the nation's journey towards a circular economy and reinforces the growing partnership between the Netherlands and New Zealand on sustainable innovation.

At the inaugural EUNZ Business Summit in Auckland, Skytree’s VP Carbon Solutions, Camille Hanna, joined the panel discussion on Clean Tech innovation, presenting the company's pioneering carbon capture technology to New Zealand’s political and business leaders. The discussion highlighted the specific opportunities for applying this technology within the country's vital horticulture sector.

Following the panel discussion, New Zealand’s Minister of Energy, Hon. Simon Watts, acknowledged the significance of the technology in his address: “There are some really exciting opportunities, like the work Camille Hanna highlighted around CO₂ capture for the Horticulture space. New Zealand is a big player in horticulture, and this is definitely a challenge and opportunity that we face.”

Joint collaboration on green growth and decarbonization across oceans

Skytree’s arrival directly supports the recently signed Joint Cooperation Statement between Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, which highlights a shared commitment to green growth and decarbonization. By deploying its advanced DAC technology, Skytree will provide local industries with a reliable source of circular carbon dioxide (CO₂), helping to reduce emissions and build a foundation for the sustainable fuels and chemicals of the future.

“We have received an incredibly warm welcome, and we are thrilled to begin this journey in New Zealand. We chose New Zealand for its ambitious climate targets and the clear opportunity for our technology to make a significant impact across multiple sectors. This is a partnership in the truest sense—we are here to innovate with local industries, create new jobs in cleantech, and support New Zealand's transition to a circular economy.”

—Camille Hanna (VP Carbon Solutions at Skytree)

A commitment to New Zealand's green transition

The decision to launch in New Zealand was driven by the country's strong commitment to combating climate change, its proactive stance on adopting clean technologies, and abundant geothermal resources. Skytree will focus on fostering deep collaboration with the local workforce and native communities, ensuring that its investment creates lasting economic activity and supports a just transition.

Skytree's expansion was facilitated by the support of the Dutch embassy, which played a key role in aligning the launch with the bilateral objectives of both nations. The project exemplifies the type of international cooperation needed to accelerate the global CO₂ transition.

**Header Photo: Panel on Powering Change – Clean Tech and Renewable Innovation; Speakers: Camille Hanna (Skytree), Mark Hoskins (Fabrum), Reuben Tucker (Westpac New Zealand), Facilitator: Tara Druce, Trade Commissioner, New Zealand Trade and Entreprise

About Skytree

Skytree engineers the CO₂ transition by developing Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology that captures CO₂ from the air and repurposes it for good: whether carbon is reused across different industries or stored permanently.

With over a decade of innovation rooted in the European Space Agency (ESA), Skytree's patented DAC technology transforms atmospheric CO₂ into a valuable resource: powering applications like renewable fuels and chemicals, greenhouses, beverage carbonation and water treatment.

Skytree’s modular DAC machines and unique DAC Park architecture allow companies to deploy in any climate, at scale – offering a bankable path to carbon capture and accelerating the transition to a circular CO₂ economy.