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PSA backs CTU blueprint to drive economic growth through better labour relations

Source: PSA

A better New Zealand is possible if the Government stopped fearing unions and adopted reforms suggested by the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions that respected the rights of workers.
The PSA today said it strongly supported the CTU’s New Deal for Workers launched at its annual conference.
“Law changes are desperately needed after the damage inflicted by the most anti-worker government in a generation,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“If the Government really wants a productive, high-wage economy, it needs a positive labour relations environment that respects all workers. The New Deal for Workers provides the blueprint.
“Last week's strikes by public sector workers showed just how bad labour relations have become. This Government disrespects the very workers who are key to an efficient public sector and critical to a productive economy that meets our challenges.
“There needs to be a fundamental reset.”
The PSA backs the CTU's three key priorities for the first 100 days of a new government: restoring Fair Pay Agreements, introducing Automatic Union Membership, and preventing sham contracting.
“These reforms will improve workers' rights, lift labour productivity, and help build a higher wage economy. Countries that perform well economically respect their workers through strong collective bargaining.
“Yet the Government has made it a priority to erode the rights of workers, axing Fair Pay Agreements, reinstating 90-day fire-at-will, scrapping pay equity for women, and suppressing the minimum wage – all while claiming to support economic growth, growth that has failed to materialise.
“The CTU is right to demand political parties commit to these reforms in their first 100 days. It’s time governments stopped fearing workers and worked in partnership with unions to achieve our common goal of raising living standards for all.”
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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Environment – Following Gore nitrate concerns, Greenpeace announces free drinking water nitrate testing in Southland, Canterbury

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace Aotearoa will run more free drinking water testing events in areas most at risk of nitrate contamination this November. The organisation is announcing that it will be testing drinking water in Gore – where nitrate levels in the town water supply escalated rapidly over the weekend – and in Waimate and Darfield in Canterbury.
Both Waimate and Gore have been put under ‘do not drink’ notices in the last year due to unsafe levels of nitrate in the public water supply. The Selwyn District – where Darfield is located – has also seen concerningly high levels of nitrate, with the Darfield town supply consistently testing at levels associated with an increased risk of pre-term birth.
Greenpeace spokesperson Will Appelbe says, “In the wake of Environment Canterbury’s recently declared ‘nitrate emergency’, and dairy conversions restarting en masse, the issue of drinking water pollution has captured the attention of people across the South Island.
“Everyone, no matter where they live, should be able to safely drink the water coming out of their kitchen tap. But right now, many in rural communities aren’t able to do so without risking their health, and still more are in the dark about potential nitrate contamination in their drinking water.”
A growing body of scientific evidence has linked nitrate contamination in drinking water with several health risks. These include bowel cancer, preterm birth, and at high levels, blue baby syndrome.
Appelbe says, “Communities are concerned about the quality of their drinking water, and Greenpeace aims to empower them to take action as needed. We run these free testing events so that everyone, no matter where they live, can know whether their water is safe to drink.”
“Those most at risk of nitrate-contaminated drinking water are those in rural communities, where there is a high concentration of dairying – as the intensive dairy industry and synthetic nitrogen fertiliser are the main drivers of nitrate contamination.
“Those on private bores – who currently bear both the responsibility of testing their drinking water, and the cost of removing contamination if there is any – are more at risk than those on town supplies, but we test both private bore and town water.”
Details for each of the water testing events are below:
Gore:
Thursday 20th November, 10am-4pm
James Cumming Community Centre
Waimate:
Saturday 22nd November, 10am-4pm
Venue to be confirmed.
Darfield:
Sunday 23rd November, 11am-4pm
Darfield Recreation Centre.
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Health – Review of aged care must invest in Home Support workers, the PSA says

Source: PSA

The Government must ensure that changes in aged care funding include increased investment in the Home Support workers who care for the elderly, the PSA said today on the International Day for Care and Support Workers (29 October).
Associate Health Minister Casey Costello yesterday announced a ministerial advisory group to make recommendations on how aged care is funded.
Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi Assistant Secretary Melissa Woolley said Home Support workers are now largely being paid close to the minimum wage after the Government scrapped their pay equity claim in May.
“We need a well-trained and qualified workforce to support an ageing population with increasingly complex requirements live at home. Paying the Home Support workers minimum wage just won’t cut it,” Woolley, herself a former Support Worker, said.
“While the number of those needing aged care is increasing low wages and poor conditions are seeing workers leaving the sector to work in better paying positions elsewhere,” Woolley said.
Prior to Associate Minister Costello’s announcement, a group of unions and provider representatives for the care and support sector including the PSA, wrote to ministers responsible for Care and Support workers, and to New Zealand First Ministers On the August 26. (Letters attached. See note below for more detail.)
“We urged this Government to provide funding to employers to pass on a pay increase to care and support workers,” Woolley said.
Woolley said the Home Support sector is an essential but under-represented part of the solution to enable older people to live at home longer.
“Letting people live in their own homes not only benefits those supported but also saves the State from the cost of having these people supported in hospitals and frees up beds for other needs.
“Home Support workers terms and conditions must be included in the review carried out by Minister Costello’s ministerial advisory group. This should include reviewing pay, mileage rates, training and how to move away from piecemeal work to permanent shifts.
“Paid training for Home Support workers, won as part of the 2017 pay equity settlement, is no longer a legal requirement because the settlement has expired.
“The right of Home Support workers to be treated as permanent employees with guaranteed hours won as part of a 2015 travel time settlement was never properly implemented leaving workers with uncertainty of work and low job security.
There have been multiple inquiries into the Home Support sector, such as the Director General’s Reference Group Report, the Settlement Parties Action Group, the Caring Counts Report.
“The recommendations of these reports have never been fully implemented. The changes the workforce needs to have decent work that provides job security and a liveable income have never happened,” Wolley said.
Notes in the letter
The letter was sent on behalf of PSA. The New Zealand Nurses Association, Ē tu, Atamira Platform, Home and Community Health Association, and the New Zealand Disability Support Network.
It was sent to Health Minister Simeon Brown, Minister for Social Development Louise Upston, Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey, Minister for ACC Scott Simpson, Associate Minister Costello and New Zealand Frist Leader Winston Peters.
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.
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Household living costs increase 2.4 percent – Household living-costs price indexes: September 2025 quarter – Stats NZ news story and information release


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Employment indicators: September 2025 – Stats NZ information release


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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Advocacy – PSNA requests Prime Minister overrule Judith Collins and end BlackSky Technology satellite launches

Source: Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

 

After what PSNA calls the shocking TVNZ interview with Minister of Defence Judith Collins on Friday, it has written to the Prime Minister today.

 

PSNA has requested Luxon direct Collins to withdraw approval for forthcoming Rocket Lab satellite launches for BlackSky Technology from Mahia, which could be used by Israel in Gaza.

 

Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa Co-chair John Minto says Collins ‘can’t be trusted to uphold New Zealanders’ values’.

 

“She went for any excuse to justify approving the launches, and the Prime Minister must rein her in.”

 

“She said the UN Security Council does not encourage sanctions, so she believes New Zealand has a free hand to be militarily complicit in Israel’s resumed genocide in Gaza.”

 

“But New Zealand has complained for decades about the veto powers of one country in the Security Council. Then, our government uses the very same US veto, which it opposes, to justify licencing the launch of spy satellites to target Gaza.”

 

“In particular, the New Zealand government is ignoring the International Court of Justice, which directs countries to do what they can to prevent Israel’s occupation from continuing.”

“Signing off on delivering the technology, which the IDF uses for its bombing runs on a civilian population, can hardly be interpreted as helping Israel end its occupation of Gaza.”

 

Minto says Collins’ alternative excuse, that New Zealand is not at war with Israel, so can’t sanction it, is equally nonsensical.

 

“It may come as news to the Defence Minister, but New Zealand is not at war with Iran or Russia either.  Yet the government routinely imposes sanctions on both of these countries, with putting new sanctions on Iran just a few days ago.”

 

“Luxon obviously thought, in the TVNZ interview, that the New Zealand Export Controls regime should apply to the satellite launches.”

 

“If the launches have not been tested against this legislation, then they should be, and Collins should be told to keep her pen in her pocket.”

 

The PSNA message to the PM says:

Tēnā koe e Christopher Luxon,

We were shocked at the interview with Minister of Defence Judith Collins on TVNZ last Friday where she justified approving satellite launches for BlackSky Technology from Mahia Peninsula despite human rights warnings from government officials.

BlackSky Technology has a lucrative contract with the Israeli Occupation Forces to provide high resolution images for use in Israel’s targeting of Palestinians and civilian infrastructure in Gaza.

Since the initial approvals by Ms Collins the situation in Gaza has become catastrophic for Palestinians. So bad that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is wanted by the International Criminal Court for trial on charges of using starvation as a method of warfare as well as the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts.

Collins’ approvals mean New Zealand is directly implicated in Israel’s Gaza genocide.

This is a moral outrage to the big majority of New Zealanders.

We are urging you as Prime Minister to direct Ms Collins to decline all future satellite launches for BlackSky Technology.

John Minto

Co-ChairPSNA.nz

 

John Minto

Co-ChairPSNA.nz

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Advocacy – Mount Roskill community hold MP accountable

Source: Roskill Community Group


Tuesday 28 October 2025 – The Puketāpapa / Mount Roskill Community Rally Together to Demand MP Dr. Carlos Cheung Support Sanctions on Israel


Residents from the Puketāpapa / Mount Roskill electorate will gather at Dr. Carlos Cheung’s electorate office at 4pm tomorrow (Wednesday 29 October) to deliver an open letter calling on him to support the proposed Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill. 


Put forward by Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick in December 2024, the bill imposes targeted sanctions on Israel in response to their illegal occupation of Palestinian Territories. With the official backing from Labour, Te Pāti Māori, and Green MP’s, just six more Government MPs’ support is needed to progress the bill.


Signed by over 1835 constituents, the letter expresses concern of the systematic human rights abuses committed by Israel and calls on Dr. Cheung to publicly endorse the bill, advocate for its support within the National Party, and commit to voting in favour of the bill at all stages of its progression through Parliament. Notably, the number of signatories surpasses the 1564 vote-margin that won Cheung his seat in the 2023 election. 


“Israel has repeatedly broken international law, not only in the past two years but since its very establishment” states local resident and spokesperson, Youssef Sammour. “We have signed this letter as voters who expect our elected officials to reflect the values of the community and stand for human rights, international accountability, and justice.” 


Similar open letters are being circulated in electorates across the country, showing the growing frustration over the lack of meaningful action from the government in the wake of increased violations of international law and human rights by Israel since October 2023. Many human rights groups and genocide scholars have concluded Israel’s actions meet the legal definition of genocide and urge for stronger international efforts to protect Palestinians. 


Organisers have requested a formal response from Dr. Carlos Cheung within 10 days.

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Health – Focus on broken primary care funding system overdue – NZNO

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

Political debate on fixing Aotearoa New Zealand’s broken funding model for primary health care is an important first step but needs a bipartisan approach, NZNO says.
The Labour Party today announced a policy to provide all New Zealanders three free GP visits a year, funded through the introduction of a capital gains tax on property.
Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO primary care spokesperson Tracey Morgan says Labour’s policy acknowledges what all New Zealanders already know and Te Whatu Ora’s own review found around cost barriers and inequitable access to GPs.
“Funding for primary and community health care is completely broken. It can cost up to $100 to see a doctor and patients are likely to have to wait weeks for an appointment.
“Skyrocketing fees are pushing doctor visits out of reach for many whānau, the working poor and now – because of the cost of living crisis – even the middle class. New Zealanders are turning up sicker at our hospital Emergency Departments needing even greater care.
“For years GPs have had to absorb underfunding through the capitation system which leaves them no choice but to raise their fees to enable their practices to remain financially viable.
“It has also meant the wages of nurses have slipped further and further behind their hospital counterparts, leading many to leave the primary and community sector for better paid jobs or to work in Australia,” she says.
Tracey Morgan says Labour’s policy is a welcome first step in a national discussion around the funding of primary care.
“However, there needs to be a bipartisan conversation around the need for a sustainable funding model that addresses affordability and access issues in primary care. Otherwise the health outcomes of every day New Zealanders will continue to deteriorate while health policy remains a political football,” she says.
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Weather News – Classic Kiwi Weather Returns After a Tumultuous Labour Day = MetService

Source: MetService

Covering period of Tuesday 28th – Friday 31st October
 
An unstable showery and snowy south to southwest flow dominates Aotearoa New Zealand today (Tuesday), with thunderstorms set to spark up in the afternoon in some parts. Most of the unsettled weather will have passed by the end of today, with a mix of showers and sunshine through the rest of the week before more settled conditions arrive this weekend.

As of 10am on Tuesday morning, there were 18,782 lightning strikes reported across the country, many happening early in the morning as an active front passed over the North Island. Meanwhile in the South Island, snow has been reported to nearly sea level as far north as Christchurch, with Mount Cook Airport reporting at least 20cm of snow. Crown Range saw between 20 and 30cm, while the Milford Road saw 10cm of snow. As the day goes on, the Desert Road will see up to 4cm of snow at the summit, through to 4pm. Similarly, Arthur’s and Lewis Passes will see between 6 and 10cm of snow above 600 metres until 4pm.

MetService meteorologist Dom Barry says, “It’s looking like a chilly night ahead for many South Island areas with everyone seeing single digits. Lows of minus one degrees Celsius for Timaru and Wānaka, and zero degrees Celsius for Christchurch will see the woolly blankets out again for sure!”

A ridge of high pressure begins to take hold over the North Island tomorrow, with westerlies developing. This brings showers to western and southern parts of both islands throughout the day, which creep into the east and north of the North Island in the afternoon, while clearing in the west. It remains mainly fine elsewhere.

Heading into Thursday, rain persists in the south and west of the South Island, while showers linger in the western North Island. But the sun is out in most other areas.

Barry continues, “A complex low-pressure system sits to the north of the country and brings some showers to Northland. The ridge goes into battle with this low and wins, keeping it north of the country, with only the edges of it impacting the Far North. This pattern continues into Friday, with many of the showers clearing up just in time for trick-or-treating on the spookiest night of the year.” These showers remain confined to the mountains throughout the evening.

As for the weekend – it’s a taste of summer. Mainly fine for most, with some afternoon showers inland. Temperatures hit the late teens and early twenties for everyone. Quite the contrast to the Octoberfest of weather we have just had!

Understanding MetService Severe Weather Warning System 

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings (Localised Red Warning) – take cover now:

  • This warning is a red warning for a localised area.
  • When extremely severe weather is occurring or will do within the hour.
  • Severe thunderstorms have the ability to have significant impacts for an area indicated in the warning. 
  • In the event of a Severe Thunderstorm Red Warning: Act now!

Red Warnings are about taking immediate action:

  • When extremely severe weather is imminent or is occurring
  • Issued when an event is expected to be among the worst that we get – it will have significant impact and it is possible that a lot of people will be affected
  • In the event of a Red Warning: Act now!

Orange Warnings are about taking action:

  • When severe weather is imminent or is occurring
  • Typically issued 1 – 3 days in advance of potential severe weather
  • In the event of an Orange Warning: Take action.

Thunderstorm Watch means thunderstorms are possible, be alert and consider action

  • Show the area that thunderstorms are most likely to occur during the validity period.
  • Although thunderstorms are often localised, the whole area is on watch as it is difficult to know exactly where the severe thunderstorm will occur within the mapped area.
  • During a thunderstorm Watch: Stay alert and take action if necessary.

Watches are about being alert:

  • When severe weather is possible, but not sufficiently imminent or certain for a warning to be issued
  • Typically issued 1 – 3 days in advance of potential severe weather.
  • During a Watch: Stay alert

Outlooks are about looking ahead:

  • To provide advanced information on possible future Watches and/or Warnings
  • Issued routinely once or twice a day
  • Recommendation: Plan.
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University Research – Racial discrimination escalating in Aotearoa – report – UoA

Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

A shadow report for the UN warns racial discrimination is worsening.

A significant, ideologically driven attack on Māori rights, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and racial equity is occurring in Aotearoa New Zealand, according to the co-authors of a shadow report for the UN.

The report, written by members of the Aotearoa Centre for Indigenous Peoples and the Law (Te Wai Ariki), will inform the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Te Wai Ariki co-director Professor Claire Charters (University of Auckland Law School) says the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has repeatedly found that constitutional transformation is needed in New Zealand to achieve equality for Māori.

She says the report will inform New Zealand’s 23rd and 24th periodic UN reviews, scheduled for November 2025.

The breaches of Māori rights by this Government are profound, says Charters:
“They include an egregious abuse of its power to deliberately, explicitly, and brazenly trample on our rights under Te Tiriti and international law. It will undoubtedly be of concern to the Committee that the Government can do so with impunity, given the lack of constitutional protections of Māori rights.”

Te Wai Ariki’s submission argues that the current Coalition Government’s policies negatively impact Māori rights and remove certain protections. It states: “the Government is actively and profoundly aggravating New Zealand’s constitutionally racist foundation in a way we have not seen for at least half a century.”
It calls for constitutional transformation, not incremental reform, “to protect Māori tino rangatiratanga and prevent further legislative breaches of human rights”.

The report warns that “without transformation, Parliament remains unchecked and continues to pass laws in breach of Indigenous peoples’ rights.”

It also says the Government has been openly hostile to UN oversight, pointing to Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour’s controversial response to the UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples in July 2025.

Two other reports – submitted by the People’s Action Plan Against Racism in Aotearoa (PAPARA), Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa (the Māori Law Society) will also inform the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Across all three reports, the organisations highlight legislative and policy reforms by the Government that they say breach New Zealand’s obligations under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

Te Hunga Rōia Māori describe the reforms as a “scorched-earth approach” to law and policy that has “systematically targeted Māori-specific policies, institutions and rights across health, justice, education, and the environment.”

In particular, their report cites the repeal of section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act (removing statutory obligations to support Māori children in state care), the disestablishment of Te Aka Whai Ora (the Māori Health Authority), and the introduction of the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Amendment Bill, which would alter legal recognition of customary marine title.

The People’s Action Plan Against Racism in Aotearoa, supported by the National Iwi Chairs Forum, describes the current situation as “a coordinated campaign of Treaty racism”.
Collectively, the reports ask the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to:

  • Record that the 54th Government’s reforms are racially discriminatory and in breach of ICERD;
  • Reaffirm the constitutional status of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Waitangi Tribunal;
  • Recommend an independent investigation into racial discrimination and legislative harm in Aotearoa;
  • Urge constitutional transformation consistent with Matike Mai Aotearoa; 
  • Establish enhanced UN monitoring and in-country consultations with Māori and affected communities.