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Employment – Allied health workers ballot to strike after mediation fails to deliver better deal – PSA

Source: PSA

More than 11,500 Allied Health workers will today begin voting to work to rule and for a four-hour strike on 28 November after mediation with Health NZ yesterday failed to make progress on a fair pay offer and safe staffing levels.
The work to rule in the week before and after the planned strike means they would not do unpaid overtime and would take their lunch and tea breaks.
“We had hoped that mediation would result in a better offer for allied, technical and scientific and public health workers in hospitals all over New Zealand but sadly insufficient progress was made,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“Health workers are reluctant to take more strike action, but Health NZ Te Whatu Ora has once again failed to recognise the immense pressure health workers are under and the struggle they face with the cost of living.”
Allied Health workers cover over 60 professions that help keep the public health service functioning including social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, scientists, anaesthetic technicians, Māori health specialists, clinical support workers and health assistants
“These are critical health workers who work long hours and often have to do unpaid overtime to ensure New Zealanders get the health care they need.
“They have been bargaining since June and went on strike on October 23 and attended mediation yesterday hoping it would bring Health NZ back to the table with an improved offer. While Health NZ did offer to shorten the term to expire on 31 October 2027 rather than the original expiry of 31 December 2027 the pay increases would be delayed until the date of settlement.
Today's mediation shows workers’ concerns are again falling on deaf ears.
“The pay offer on the table still does not keep pace with inflation and means workers are effectively taking a pay cut. Meanwhile, there are simply not enough health workers to provide the level of care New Zealanders need,” said Fitzsimons.
“If Health NZ continues to undervalue these workers, we'll keep losing them to Australia where the health system respects what they do.
“We urge Health NZ to come back to bargaining with an offer that reflects the value of these workers and addresses the staffing crisis that is compromising patient care across the country.”
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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ASB – Kashin money boxes return to celebrate 150 years of ASB setting up tamariki for a more resilient future

Source: ASB

ASB is bringing back New Zealand’s most beloved elephant, launching a limited-edition Kashin money box to celebrate 150 years of helping Kiwi kids with their finances.

ASB Chief Executive Vittoria Shortt says the bank has a long history of commitment to financial education and wellbeing. Tools like Kashin, alongside ASB’s digital banking features and educational programmes help start crucial conversations with children about finances.  

“We know the importance of good money habits, and Kashin has encouraged generations of Kiwi kids to learn these skills. The more that whānau can have these conversations and help kids understand concepts like budgeting and saving, the more confident they’ll be in making good financial decisions that will set them up for life.

“It’s not just about young people. We’re investing heavily in financial wellbeing tools for customers of all ages with ASB MoneySpace, offering people practical ways to improve their financial insights and planning. We’ve seen first-hand the impact this can have on outcomes.”

This commitment to comprehensive financial support across all of life’s stages isn’t new to ASB, it’s built on over a century of experience. The Kids Penny Bank Account was launched in 1876, school banking began in 1926, the Kashin money box was created in 1964, and the GetWise education in schools programme was launched in 2010.

“Our GetWise programme has reached more than 1.3 million children across 1,800 schools. In 2023 we expanded this with the introduction of our Tikitiki o Pūtea education programme grounded in Kaupapa Māori and delivered exclusively in te reo Māori for kura because we’re committed to giving every young person the financial tools to succeed.

“We believe financial confidence should start from a young age and we’re pleased to see financial literacy becoming part of the school curriculum. GetWise is fully booked through 2025 and demand from schools wanting to book the programme has increased by 60% since the Government’s announcement.”

Kashin brings years of wisdom about the importance of starting small, thinking long-term, and making smart choices with money. Not bad for an elephant who fits on a bedroom shelf.

The limited edition money box is available now to customers aged up to 17 opening an ASB Headstart account, while stocks last.

About GetWise

GetWise lessons are designed to complement the New Zealand school curriculum and are created in collaboration with experts in primary education. Independent, trained facilitators deliver the interactive workshops to students in years three to eight, integrating cutting edge augmented reality content, and a free online learning platform for year seven and eight students.

Teachers are also given access to resource packs to help them provide ongoing financial literacy lessons in the classroom, at their own pace.

Primary and intermediate schools can sign up to the ASB GetWise financial literacy programme by visiting getwise.co.nz, calling 0508 GetWise

For more information please visit asb.co.nz/GetWise.

Timeline

1876 – ASB launches kids Penny Bank Account  

1926 – ASB brings banking to the classroom with the introduction of school banking  

1964 – Our advertising symbol becomes an elephant called Kashin  

1972 – The ‘real’ Kashin arrives at Auckland Zoo  

2010 – Students GetWise with the launch of ASB’s financial literacy programme  

2015 – Kashin goes digital with the Clever Kash money box  

2025 – ASB celebrates 150 years of helping kids with money with a new Kashin money box.

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Media release – Public consultation opens on design of the next census


This email was sent by Stats NZ, 8 Willis Street, Wellington, CBD 6011, New Zealand to nz@enz.mil-osi.com


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September home consents climb as trend turns – Building consents issued: September 2025 – Stats NZ news story and information release


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Renewable Energy – Pahiatua wind farm granted resource consent – EPA

Source: Environmental Protection Authority

An independent panel has granted resource consent, subject to conditions, for the Pahiatua Wind Farm project in Pahiatua in the Tararua District.
Pahiatua Wind Limited applied for resource consent under the Natural and Built Environment Act 2023.
The project involves the development, operation, and maintenance of a wind farm comprising up to 11 turbines, with an estimated generation capacity between 32 and 56 megawatts.
The resource consent conditions are in the decision report on the page linked below.
The decision comes 124 working days after the application was lodged with the Environmental Protection Authority.
The Environmental Protection Authority is not involved in the decision-making. We provide procedural advice and administrative support to the panel.
Note that this application was made under the now repealed Natural and Built Environment Act 2023 and not the more recent fast-track legislation.
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Fire Safety – Restricted Fire Season for most of the Hawke’s Bay District

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Much of the Hawke’s Bay District will move into a restricted fire season from midday 4 November until further notice.
A restricted fire season means a permit is required from Fire and Emergency New Zealand to light a fire in the open air.
Areas going into a restricted fire season are Esk-Tutaekuri, Ahuriri-Heretaunga, Tukituki West, Tukituki East, Southern Hawke’s Bay Coast and Pōrangahau.
To check if you are now in a restricted fire season, go to www.checkitsalright.nz
Community Risk Manager Nigel Hall says the area is experiencing warm, windy weather with little rainfall expected over the next month.
“Last month alone we saw 37 vegetation fires across the Hawke’s Bay District many escaping from old burn piles, driven by wind,” he says.
“The slightest spark in windy and hot weather conditions can cause a fire that will spread very quickly in areas that are already extremely dry for this time of year.
“There are a lot of burn piles across the district that are the result of numerous storms over the last few years.
“If you’ve been burning vegetation any time in the last few months or so, check the fire is completely extinguished,” he says.
“Spread it out and extinguish completely with water.
“We expect anyone planning on lighting a fire to have a permit if they are in the restricted fire zone.”
All people planning fires must go to www.checkitsalright.nz check the conditions for their location, and hold off lighting if it is windy or hot.
For fire safety tips and more information about the activities you can and can’t do in a restricted fire season, go to www.checkitsalright.nz
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Weather News – A warm and dry start to November – MetService

Source: MetService

Covering period of Monday 3rd – Thursday 6th November – After a turbulent October, this week we see a turn to dry and settled weather. This news will be especially welcomed by both Wānaka and Queenstown who had their second wettest Octobers on record. (Records began in 1992 and1968 respectively) 

The sunshine has come out for Marlborough Anniversary Day today (Monday) and there are plenty of blue skies across the rest of the country. MetSevice is forecasting these warm and dry conditions to persist for most regions this week.  These sunny days are a good reminder to stock up on sunscreen for the summer.

MetService Meteorologist Michael Pawley details, “The northwesterly wind will drive up temperatures this week. Invercargill looks to rise to 24°C on Wednesday. Christchurch and Hastings are set to get to 27°C on Thursday.” 

With Guy Fawkes on Wednesday night, these warm and dry conditions are something to be cautious about. Check the latest fire conditions from Fire Emergency New Zealand at https://www.checkitsalright.nz/.

Westland can expect to get wet on Wednesday as a front moves on to the South Island. There is minimal risk of severe weather however, and this front will weaken as it moves north on Thursday. On Thursday, a low pressure system approaches from the north, which looks likely to bring rain to the North Island for the latter part of this week. 

“Cricket fans will be keeping a close eye on the forecast for the upcoming T20 when the Blackcaps will face the West Indies at Eden Park. Conditions are looking pretty good on Wednesday, but Thursday could be a bit dicey. Wet weather will be moving in from the north later this week.” advises Michael. 

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Climate – Seasonal Climate Outlook (November – January): La Nina is here – Earth Sciences

Source: Earth Sciences New Zealand

The Seasonal Climate Outlook for November 2025 – January 2026 is attached, along with graphics for your use.
Highlights:
– La Niña conditions have emerged in the tropical Pacific and will be a driver of the next three months' weather
– A sudden stratospheric warming above Antarctica heavily impacted October's weather, and may have further influence through November
– Seasonal air temperatures are equally likely to be near or above average for most of New Zealand
– Rainfall is expected to be fairly normal throughout New Zealand, with regional variation and some uncertainty.
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Economy – RBNZ publishes 2025 Bank Stress Test Results

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ)

03 November 2025 – The RBNZ has published the results from the 2025 Bank Industry Stress Test. The exercise assessed the resilience and responses of the country's five largest banks to two severe but plausible scenarios involving geopolitical risks.

“Recent developments in global trade policies have heightened the importance of evaluating banks' resilience to geopolitical shocks,” says Director of Financial System Assessment, Kerry Watt.

In the first scenario, banks model the impact of a recession triggered by a breakdown in trade, disruption to global supply chains and instability in the geopolitical environment. The scenario saw bank capital ratios fall significantly. While capital remained above the minimum regulatory requirements, it would take some time and significant actions to restore them to current levels.

In a second scenario, each bank faces a cyber-attack triggering a severe outflow of retail deposits to other banks and closure of wholesale funding markets to the affected bank over three months. This is against the backdrop of the recession described in Scenario 1. Bank capital was depleted further but remained above regulatory minimums. Banks' liquidity buffers were sufficient to meet the cash outflows. However, their liquidity ratios fell significantly with some banks requiring mitigating actions to remain above the regulatory minimum. The recovery period takes longer with the additional liquidity stress, leaving banks at a disadvantage to peers. The results can help inform banks' preparedness for managing a combined stress of their solvency and liquidity, a new feature of this year's test.

In Scenario 2 the overnight borrowing facility of the Reserve Bank is important in managing a sharp liquidity shock and providing stability to the financial system. However, since this is not a committed facility, banks could consider a more diversified range of funding options, particularly in a scenario where other financial entities are not under liquidity stress.

“The exercise provides valuable insights for both participating institutions, the Reserve Bank and the wider financial system, helping to build our capability and preparedness to manage complex risks,” says Mr Watt.  

More information

Assessing banks' resilience to geopolitical risks: 2025 bank industry solvency stress test results – Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=5952544b14&e=f3c68946f8

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Employment and Law – ACC restriction on working from home prompts legal action by PSA

Source: PSA

The PSA has filed legal action in the Employment Relations Authority alleging that ACC has breached its collective agreement by failing to consult the union before imposing new working from home rules on staff.
ACC told staff on 7 October that they would be required to work from their office three days a week, up from two. This amounted to a significant change to ACC’s Remote Working Policy and is in breach of existing agreements between staff and ACC.
The PSA received less than an hour’s notice of the decision, which was made without consultation with the union which is clearly required under the collective agreement.
“ACC has ridden roughshod over its legal obligations under the collective agreement and completely ignored the views of workers by taking this unilateral step,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“Flexible working arrangements are a win-win for employers and workers and in many cases, ACC had advertised this flexible work as a benefit of working at ACC. People who work at ACC deserve to have existing legal arrangements upheld and to be consulted on changes that will significantly impact their working lives.
“We are asking the Authority to require ACC to suspend the new rule due to take effect from 1 December 2025 and instead require ACC to begin a proper consultation.
“This is not the behaviour we expect from any public sector employer when the obligations spelt out in collective agreements are crystal clear. The collective also requires ACC ‘to promote and maintain mutual trust and co-operation between ACC and its staff’.
“Staff morale at ACC is at rock bottom, 1200 workers went joined the mega strike on October 23.
“ACC needs to hear their voice – fix the culture problems, reverse the decision on working from home and come back to bargaining with a fair pay offer.”
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.