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Defence News – Regional interoperability front of mind as Anzac Army chiefs strengthen special ties with Fijian Forces

Source: New Zealand Defence Force

Australia’s Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart and his New Zealand Army counterpart Major General Rose King have met with senior Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) leaders in Suva this week to kick-start a week-long tour of the Pacific.

On Tuesday and Wednesday the joint Australia-New Zealand delegation held a series of engagements, including with Commander Land Forces Brigadier General Onisivoro Covinisaqa and Commander RFMF Major General Jone Kalouniwai Logavatu.

The talks reinforced the shared commitment to the region’s security and stability, acknowledged a deepening of strategic dialogue between the three nations and cast an eye to future engagements and opportunities.

“We had great, insightful and honest discussions about our current landscape and what direction we’re all heading in. We were also able to discuss some of our common challenges and shared some lessons learned, which has been really valuable,” Lieutenant General Stuart said.  

“We only have the ability to have such conversations because of the incredibly strong relationship we’ve built over an extended period of time between our three nations. You cannot build trust and relationships overnight when you need them – our commitments to each other, our comradeship and fri

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Fire Safety – Older people are more likely to die in a house fire this winter – check they are fire safe today

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

More than half of the fatalities in house fires in the last five years were people over 60, Fire and Emergency New Zealand says.
Acting Deputy Chief Executive Nick Pyatt says the harm happening to older people from housefires is far too high, and all New Zealanders could do much more to protect them.
“Fifty-five per cent of house fire deaths in the last five years were people over 60,” he says.
“Every one of these tragedies was preventable.
“We’re asking people to ensure whānau, fri

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Agriculture – Feds back launch of new fertiliser spreading standard

Source: Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers says the launch of a new fertiliser spreading standard is a key step in efforts to improve nutrient management across New Zealand farms.
“Fertiliser is a significantly large spend for farmers,” Federated farmers board member Colin Hurst says.
“Having confidence that it’s being applied accurately and responsibly is essential – for productivity, profitability and for meeting environmental expectations.
“The launch of a modernised Spreadmark Assurance Programme at Fieldays is a milestone moment and we fully support it.”
Spreadmark, founded by Groundspread NZ and now managed by the Fertiliser Quality Council, is the national fertiliser spreading assurance programme.
The new Spreadmark Code introduces updated standards that will help farmers and contractors lift the bar even further when it comes to nutrient precision and environmental care.
Hurst says Federated Farmers was proud to host the official launch at its Rural Advocacy Hub at Fieldays.
“We’ve had a long-standing connection with the Fertiliser Quality Council, which was formed by Federated Farmers in 1992.
“It’s a partnership rooted in practical, farmer-driven solutions – so it’s fitting that we helped launch this next chapter at the heart of New Zealand’s farming community.
“It was also great to have National Party MP Barbara Kuriger there to launch the Code.”
Hurst says assurance programmes like Spreadmark will play an important role as new regulatory requirements come into effect.
“As farm planning and environmental standards become more embedded across the sector, programmes like Spreadmark will be essential.
“They’re not just tools for compliance-they’re tools for good farming.”
“We see this modernised Spreadmark Programme as a strong example of how the sector can lead from the front – delivering better outcomes for farmers, the environment, and the communities they support.
“We’re proud to be part of its continued evolution and success.” 
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Weather News – Thunderstorms, Rain Watches, and a weekend weather shift – MetService

Source: MetService

Covering period of Thursday 12th – Sunday 15th June – Thunderstorm activity is set to continue across parts of the North Island today (Thursday), bringing hail and heavy downpours in some areas. Meanwhile, a Heavy Rain Watch remains in place for North Otago until 5pm. 

This region has seen persistent rain overnight and into this morning, with further rainfall expected that could reach warning thresholds, keep an eye on local severe weather information.
Looking ahead to Friday, Cloudy and wet for eastern parts of the South Island, while the rest of the island enjoys settled and sunny weather. The North Island's unsettled spell continues, with more showers and thunderstorms expected throughout the day.
 
Weekend Outlook
MetService meteorologist Kgolofelo Dube says “The South Island is in for a treat this weekend, with plenty of sunshine, perfect for enjoying snow-capped views, getting outdoors, or hitting the ski fields across Canterbury, the Southern Lakes, and Central Otago.”
While ski conditions are expected to be excellent, some valleys may experience thick fog at times.”
Meanwhile, the North Island is likely to continue seeing periods of rain across several regions. Fieldays in Hamilton has so far experienced showery and windy conditions. The good news is that more settled weather is expected to arrive from late Friday into Saturday, a welcome change for event-goers.

By Sunday, a high-pressure system is expected to move in from the south, bringing more settled and sunny conditions to much of the country, though a few showers may linger in places.

Temperatures for the South Island will remain low, with overnight temperatures near or below freezing. This will keep snow on the mountain tops and frosty conditions in sheltered areas. A noticeable temperature drop is expected across the North Island early next week, something to keep an eye on as we head into the new week.
 
Stay up to date with the latest developments via the MetService website or weather app.
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Agriculture – New legal requirement to record raw milk movement

Source: OSPRI New Zealand

An ongoing risk in the fight to eradicate the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis has led to some new requirements for raw milk destined to be used as cattle feed.
Disease eradication agency OSPRI is alerting farmers to new legal requirements which apply from 1 July 2025 to keep records of the movement of raw milk on and off farm.
OSPRI’s national manager, Mycoplasma bovis, Mackenzie Nicol, says it’s known that M. bovis can spread between properties when raw milk is used for cattle feed, so, from 1 July, the new National Pest Management Plan for M.bovis requires anyone receiving raw milk on to a farm with the intention of feeding it to cattle, to accurately record it.
“Farmers and industry have worked so hard to eradicate M.bovis, what we are doing with this requirement is all about closing one of the last loops, where we know there is risk of disease spread. It makes good sense to be vigilant.
“We know this change will affect businesses transporting raw milk to be used for cattle feed, the farmers receiving it, and will rely on dairy processing operators offering up information about the milk they supply.
“Luckily most of this information is already recorded – so the requirement should fit with good farm biosecurity practices,” Mackenzie says.
To help with the record-keeping, OSPRI has created a template form which can be downloaded from its website.
“When you use our form, you’ll be noting down all the information we need to collect, like the date and time of delivery, where the raw milk came from, how it got to your farm and how much was delivered.
“It would also be worthwhile to make notes on sales invoices or receipts for raw milk purchases, the farm diary, or a driver’s logbook.
“We need to do the best we can to keep track of all the risks we know of when it comes to extremely tough diseases to fight, like M.bovis,” Mackenzie says.
Recording these movements could also play an important role in containing and limiting the spread of other infectious diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease or bovine viral diarrhoea.
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Reserve Bank – Statement from RBNZ Chair Neil Quigley about OIAs on Adrian Orr’s resignation as Governor

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

12 June 2025 – “RBNZ was late in producing a response to some of the OIAs we received on Adrian Orr's resignation. I regret that this delay occurred,” Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua Chair Neil Quigley says.

“The circumstances and the volume of information associated with the OIAs on Adrian Orr's resignation were complex, and we needed to be sure that our consideration of relevant information was comprehensive.

“As well as our obligations under the Official Information Act, we needed to take into careful consideration the former Governor's exit agreement and privacy law. For this reason, we extended consultation on the information and our response, including review by senior external counsel,” he said.

“On 5 March I was limited in what I could say about the former Governor's resignation both by the terms of his exit agreement and the fact that we were still working through finalisation of the detail of the next Five-Year Funding Agreement (FYFA).

“We were conscious of the need to explain to staff of the RBNZ the potential implications for staffing levels of a lower level of funding and needed time to consider the details of that.

“We are taking into account the feedback that we have received on our management of these OIA requests and looking carefully at how we can improve our response times in the future,” Mr Quigley said.

More information: 
OIA requests for information about the resignation of Adrian Orr – Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua

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Consumer NZ – 11 sunscreens sold in New Zealand didn’t meet SPF claims, as revealed by an Australian test

Source: Consumer NZ

Australian consumer group Choice’s test of household sunscreens has shown 16 out of 20 tested sunscreens didn’t meet their SPF claims.  

These include products sold in New Zealand, including Banana Boat, Nivea and Neutrogena sunscreens.  

Consumer NZ research and test writer Belinda Castles says consumers expect sunscreens to protect them. But Castles isn’t surprised the protection falls short of what’s claimed on the bottle.

“Consumer NZ ran a sunscreen testing programme until 2022, and the results found by Choice are consistent with what we’ve found previously,” she says.

The Choice test found:

Nivea Sun Protect & Moisture Lock SPF50+ tested at SPF40

Sun Bum Premium Moisturising Sunscreen Lotion SPF50+ tested at SPF40.  

Consumer’s 2021 tests of both these sunscreens also got SPF results in the 40s.

Banana Boat, Bondi Sands and Neutrogena sunscreens also failed to meet their SPF label claims in both Choice and earlier Consumer testing.

While most of the products in the Australian tests still provide moderate or high SPF protection, one product – Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF50+ Mattifying Zinc Sunscreen – only returned an SPF of 4. Choice tested the sunscreen again at a second lab to confirm this result and got a similar low SPF of 5. This sunscreen is also sold in New Zealand.  

Castles says the test results for the big sunscreen brands is particularly concerning, given these companies’ lack of transparency about when and where their products are tested.

“Sunscreens sold in New Zealand are now regulated under the Sunscreen (Product Safety Standard) Act 2022 and must meet the Australian and New Zealand sunscreen standard, which has requirements for independent testing. However, when we updated our sunscreens database last year, the companies that market Banana Boat, Bondi Sands, Neutrogena, Nivea and Sun Bum refused to provide this information.”

Consumer has also been campaigning for companies to be required to test their sunscreens regularly to ensure the products continue to meet their label claims.  

“Our sunscreen research found some companies were relying on test results that are several years old. The latest Choice tests back our call.”

Invisible Zinc Face + Body Mineral Sunscreen SPF50+ tested at 38 in the Australian test. The company told Consumer this product was last tested in 2017.

Woolworths Sunscreen SPF50+ Everyday Lotion tested at 27 in the Australian test. The company told Consumer this product was last tested in 2018.

Choice is calling on Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration to urgently carry out its own sunscreen compliance testing. Choice has also asked the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to investigate if any SPF claims are misleading.  

Consumer will be raising the same issues with New Zealand regulators and the Commerce Commission.  

Products tested available in New Zealand

SPF results in 50+

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Wet Skin Sunscreen SPF 50+ – tested at 72  

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Lotion SPF 50 – tested at 56  

Mecca Cosmetica To Save Body SPF 50+ Hydrating Sunscreen – tested at 51

SPF results in the 40s  

Nivea Sun Kids Ultra Protect and Play Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ – tested at 41  

Nivea Sun Protect and Moisture Lock SPF 50+ Sunscreen – tested at 40  

Sun Bum Premium Moisturising Sunscreen Lotion 50+ – tested at 40  

SPF results in the 30s  

Banana Boat Sport Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ – tested at 35  

Bondi Sands SPF 50+ Fragrance Free Sunscreen – tested at 32  

Invisible Zinc Face + Body Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 – tested at 38  

SPF results in the 20s  

Banana Boat Baby Zinc Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ – tested at 28  

Bondi Sands SPF 50+ Zinc Mineral Body Lotion – tested at 26  

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Lotion SPF 50 – tested at 24  

Woolworths Sunscreen Everyday Tube SPF 50+ – tested at 27

SPF results <10

Ultra Violette’s Lean Screen SPF 50+ Mattifying Zinc Skinscreen – tested at 4

In partnership with Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora, Consumer NZ’s sunscreen database allows users to filter sunscreens by factors such as price, water resistance, SPF protection and the last time a sunscreen was tested.

About Consumer

Consumer NZ is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to championing and empowering consumers in Aotearoa. Consumer NZ has a reputation for being fair, impartial and providing comprehensive consumer information and advice.

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Government Cuts – New Zealand’s ability to monitor geohazards weakened by science job cuts – PSA

Source: PSA

The centre providing 24/7 monitoring of geohazards will have to close at times as Government cuts force the centre workforce to be cut to the bone.
The National GeoHazard Monitoring Centre, operated by GNS Science, provides round the clock monitoring of potential tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and landslides, and was set up after the Kaikoura Earthquake in 2016.
Last year GNS Science announced plans to cut a quarter of the 20 strong team of Geohazard Analysts by attrition following funding cuts. Yesterday, with 18 of the team left, it called for voluntary redundancies and indicated that forced redundancies could follow if sufficient voluntary redundancies are not agreed.
“Cutting the team to the bone means there is a high chance the centre will close at times when a team member falls sick or is unavailable for whatever reason – how is this keeping New Zealanders safe?” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
Analysts work in teams of four, that is falling to three, but there must be at least two on each monitoring shift raising the risk of the centre closing due to staff absences.
“The Government needs to explain to New Zealanders why it views that this service is not as important as it was two years ago, before its funding cuts.
“Geohazard Analysts play a critical role in reviewing earthquake measurements to determine things like the magnitude and location of earthquakes and provide science advice to our emergency management services.
“The Government’s decisions mean that this critical information may not be available to emergency management in times of need when lives are at risk. This is reckless for a country so vulnerable to geohazard risks like earthquakes and eruptions.
“This government does not value the role of science as we have seen with more than 400 jobs cuts throughout the sector, and a restructure announced this year with no new funding.
“The undermining of the National GeoHazard Monitoring Centre is yet another sad example of the Government’s short-sighted cuts that we have seen across the public sector with little regard to the impacts on New Zealanders.”
Background
In September last year GNS Science announced plans to axe 59 roles, 10% of its workforce following Government funding cuts. The cuts shocked the international science community – 85 scientists from seven countries wrote an open letter to the Government stating that the cuts risk ‘compromising essential geoscientific expertise and partnerships needed to address geohazards risks, which is critical for a country whose economy and community safety is so vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanoes, and climate change’.
See PSA statement:
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
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Advocacy – Wellington hīkoi to parliament tomorrow against prison expansion

Source: People Against Prisons Aotearoa (PAPA)

On Friday, June 13, People Against Prisons Aotearoa (PAPA) is inviting concerned members of the community to a rally outside the Department of Corrections National Office in Pōneke (Wellington), to protest the Coalition Government's expansion of Waikeria and Christchurch Men’s Prisons. After speeches, there will be a hīkoi to the lawn outside parliament.

PAPA Wellington branch member Mallory Stevenson said “Adding more capacity to prisons will not address the injustices of our so-called justice system. We already know that the police and the courts lock up Māori extremely disproportionately. Expanding these systems just breaks apart more whānau, pushes Māori further into poverty. We need to meet people’s real needs, rather than just dumping billions of dollars into locking up the poor.”

“The prison population is only growing because of totally reversible decisions this government has made. Despite evidence that longer sentences make it harder for people to reintegrate into society, they are choosing to lock more people up for longer.”

An 810-bed expansion planned for Waikeria was announced in May of last year, and a 596-bed facility opened just a week ago. This year’s budget also announced a 292-bed expansion to Christchurch Men’s Prison. Paul Goldsmith’s recently passed Sentencing (Reform) Amendment Bill effectively provides a blanket increase to minimum sentences, interfering with the courts’ ability to make appropriate decisions.

“If there’s an issue with prison overcrowding, it is an issue this government has created. We could be granting bail to the thousands of people on remand who haven’t been convicted of any crime and pursuing community-based solutions wherever possible. This government has taken every opportunity to defund services that actually help people and reduce crime. This government has defunded society so it can funnel cash to its billionaire supporters, and the prison crisis is the result. We deserve better.”

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Agriculture – Wool carpet decision a ‘parachute’ for farmers – Federated Farmers

Source: Federated Farmers

Kāinga Ora’s decision to use wool carpet in its social housing is a massive win for wool growers but won’t be enough to save the industry on its own, Federated Farmers says.
“Our wool industry is in major freefall, and this move from Kāinga Ora is the parachute we desperately need,” Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Toby Williams says.
“This will slow our drop a bit but, in reality, what we really need now is an updraft to lift wool back up into being the number-one fibre globally.
“It’s certainly a massive step in the right direction, though, and we’re very pleased with the announcement yesterday.”
Williams says Kāinga Ora is New Zealand’s largest landlord, so its contract has the capability to soak up large volumes of wool, which in turn will help drive up prices.
As well as transitioning to using wool carpet in its new social housing, Kāinga Ora will also use wool carpet in existing homes if the whole house needs recarpeting, such as when renovating older properties.
The decision comes after a recent Request for Proposal (RFP) inviting both wool and nylon carpet providers to tender for the supply of carpet and underlay in its properties.
“Last year Federated Farmers slammed Kāinga Ora for initially deciding to categorically rule out using woollen carpets in its social housing,” Williams says.
“Our homegrown wool is an incredible product and it beggared belief that Kāinga Ora weren’t even giving wool the chance to compete against nylon products.
“That was a total slap in the face for struggling Kiwi sheep farmers and rural communities, and we made it very clear it was a ridiculous, short-sighted decision.
“It’s great they saw sense and allowed wool to have a crack – and even better that a wool provider has won the contract.
“It just goes to show that when wool is given a fair chance, it comes out on top as a natural, sustainable and renewable alternative to cheap and nasty plastic alternatives.”
Williams says the decision is the result of a massive collaborative effort across the entire wool industry.
“Federated Farmers and other groups have been working really hard for years to get the Government engaged with, and listening to, wool growers.
“We recently launched our SOS: Save Our Sheep campaign to hammer home the message that we need urgent action if we’re to keep our sheep and wool industry from collapsing entirely.
“Farmers are sick of woolly ideas – they want solid actions like this.
“It just shows that strong leadership from the Government can be a factor in restoring confidence to our embattled wool industry.”
Williams says the housing agency’s decision is also a big step forward for environmental sustainability.
“Using cheap, nasty plastic carpets might save a few bucks, but at what cost to the environment?
“If Kāinga Ora had picked a fossil fuel-derived synthetic carpet over a sustainable New Zealand-grown woollen product, just because it’s cheaper, it would have been a disaster.”
Williams says he’s also really pleased that high-quality, sustainable Kiwi wool will be in the homes of some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable tenants.
Kāinga Ora will transition to using wool carpet in its new homes from 1 July 2025, when the supply arrangements come into effect.