MIL Email Publisher (NZ)

Source: Tom Kay – Choose Clean Water

Last-minute changes by Minister Chris Bishop to the Resource Management Act will strip local councils of the power to have any meaningful say over the future for their communities and environment, says freshwater campaign group Choose Clean Water.

Spokesperson for the group, Tom Kay, says the changes represent a significant overreach of power, are undemocratic, and will create a policy mess that will take years to clean up. Meanwhile, communities and the environment will suffer.

Changes introduced to the Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill by the Minister in two amendments papers today will, among other things, prevent councils writing or changing plans and policy statements until 2027, give the Minister the power to modify or remove provisions of a Regional Policy Statement or regional or district plan, and weaken restrictions on commercial fishing and farming industries.

“Despite claiming to be for the benefit of council efficiency, these changes effectively grind vital planning to a halt while allowing increasing pollution. Councils won’t be able to move ahead with protecting things that are important for their communities—like drinking water sources or coastal fisheries—until the Government says so.”

“Making any changes to plans will only be allowed if they fit within the Government’s fundamentally-flawed worldview—like if they enable narrowly focused short-term economic growth regardless of any impact on communities or the environment.”

“It’s more than clear now that the Government was dishonest about wanting decisions made at a local level. This is smash and grab law making: Bishop seizing decision-making power for himself as Minister and making the changes to policy that polluters want, while the public and councils are effectively cut out.”

Several changes made through Bishop’s Amendment Paper #328 will further weaken the public’s protection from agricultural pollution, and reflect changes asked for by agricultural lobby groups Federated Farmers, Beef & Lamb, and Dairy NZ in their submissions on the Bill.

“The Coalition Government’s clear goal is to strip away all meaningful protection for the environment and the public. Their undemocratic process is making a mess of the law and a mess of the places we live in and love.”

12 August 2025 – Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand – The Palestine Forum of New Zealand expresses its full support for Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick following her ejection from Parliament’s debating chamber and suspension for the remainder of the week after her principled stand on Gaza.

In her speech, Ms Swarbrick called on members of Parliament to show moral courage in the face of the ongoing genocide, ethnic cleansing, and starvation of the Palestinian people. Her words, though uncomfortable for some, reflected the reality of a people enduring over ten months of relentless bombardment, siege, and dispossession.

We commend Ms Swarbrick for refusing to be silenced when speaking truth to power. Her stance embodies the values of justice, humanity, and solidarity, and her removal from the chamber is a stark reminder of how dissent on Palestine is too often suppressed.

The Forum reiterates that calling for an end to war crimes, lifting the blockade, and sanctioning Israel are not radical demands; they are obligations under international law.

We urge all members of Parliament, and indeed all New Zealanders, to stand with Ms Swarbrick and demand that our government:

• Recognise the State of Palestine without delay.
• Impose targeted sanctions on those responsible for war crimes.
• Call unequivocally for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.

The Palestine Forum of New Zealand will continue to speak out alongside those inside and outside Parliament, who refuse to remain silent in the face of injustice.

He who does not thank people does not thank God. We thank Chlöe Swarbrick for her courage, integrity, and unwavering voice for peace and human rights.

Maher Nazzal
Palestine Forum of New Zealand

Selwyn in Canterbury, Nelson-Tasman and areas of the Waikato have been identified as emerging premium property hotspots, with an increase in property sales over $2 million.

The increase is likely attributed to internal migration to these regions, as affluent Kiwi buyers relocate for lifestyle, space and quality new builds.  

New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty managing director Mark Harris says buyers are looking to these regions as they seek more in a property; whether it’s more land, more features or a larger home.

“Many buyers at the moment are less focused on the postcode and more interested in the features of a property,” he says. “What you pay for a villa in Grey Lynn might buy you a lifestyle block with a swimming pool in Selwyn. With the digitisation of the workspace, lowering interest rates and better roads and transport – particularly in Canterbury and the Waikato in relation to city and airport accessibility – it’s never been easier for Kiwis to relocate.”

In Selwyn, the population has grown by 19,381 internal relocators between 2018-2024, driving a 44% rise in median property prices to nearly $800,000 and a significant increase in homes selling above $2 million – a price point rarely seen there just a few years ago. In comparison, just seven homes sold for over $2 million in 2018, yet in 2024 there were 44 sales over $2 million – an increase of more than 500%.

“The wider Canterbury region is seeing a resurgence in interest, and in Selwyn, people are excited about the prospects of the area, now that it has re-established after the earthquake,” says Harris. “It has good schools, jobs, lifestyle and is good value in comparison with the more traditionally sought-after suburbs of Merivale and Fendalton.”

A similar trend is emerging in the Nelson-Tasman region, where lifestyle estates and coastal homes are now commanding higher prices. The region has welcomed 2,740 Kiwis relocating from other areas of NZ between 2018 and 2024, and it has consistently experienced solid year-on-year price growth of around 5.5%. High-end, $2 million-plus sales in the region have nearly tripled since 2018.

“These are not just statistical gains, they're people making intentional moves, often mid-to-upper income earners seeking quality of life,” says Harris. “Our Nelson office has had one if its best six months on record, with the volume of sales up and some significant prices being achieved in the area.”

The Waikato has also experienced a surge in domestic migration; 10,475 internal people moved to the region between 2018-2024. Sales of $2 million and over hit record highs in 2021, and while there's been some correction, 2024 still outperforms pre-Covid levels, with a steady average yearly increase in the median sales price by over 5%.

Harris says many Kiwis are viewing the Waikato as a viable place to live due to improved road and transport connectivity with Auckland.  

“The Waikato is also seeing a good pick up in results after a tough few years,” he says. “Cambridge and Tamahere are where young families are establishing themselves on lifestyle blocks close to great schools, with enough room for pools, animals and orchards, yet still close to Auckland and the coastal beaches.”

New Zealand could produce enough renewable gas from waste to supply all Kiwi households’ natural gas use two-to-three times over.

Jeffrey Clarke, chief executive of GasNZ, says that was a key message at GasNZ’s Biogas Bridge conference in Wellington last month, and was endorsed by Minister of Energy, Simon Watts in his opening speech.

“We welcome the Government’s endorsement of the role of biogas in ensuring our energy system is secure, affordable and increasingly renewable.

“If we are looking for proven solutions, we urgently need to make the rapid expansion of biogas a core part of New Zealand’s energy strategy, with really clear long-term signals from the Government that New Zealand wants biogas produced at scale.

“Biogas – renewable gas made from waste – is not some far-fetched idea,” Clarke says.

“It’s a key part of the natural gas supply in many developed countries, but right now New Zealand has only one facility: the Ecogas plant at Reporoa.

“Every year, we send over a million tons of food and organic waste to landfill.

“It’s appalling that we are not converting that valuable resource into the gas energy that our economy desperately needs.

“Converting waste into biogas also produces valuable biofertiliser, and bioCO2 that our primary sector needs.

“It really is a win-win-win strategy.

“If New Zealand decided to make renewable gas a priority, we could rapidly be producing two-three times the amount of natural gas used in Kiwi homes,” he says.

“The technology is well proven, and is used all around the world.

“Denmark currently supplies over 40% of its natural gas from biogas, and they are aiming for 100%.  

“New Zealand could certainly have dozens of biogas plants up and running in just a few years if we can really bring some focus, some coordination, and get all the pieces in place.

“The faster we can accelerate biogas production, the better.”

Notes

Biogas Bridge was a forum organised by GasNZ and the Bioenergy Association of New Zealand to identify barriers in New Zealand to the rapid expansion of biogas production – especially biomethane, which can be fed straight into our natural gas network.

Minister Watts’s opening speech at the Biogas Bridge forum is here: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/speech-biogas-bridge-forum  

Important terminology

Biogas is a renewable gas. Unlike fossil gas, its carbon comes from organic matter, so its use and release does not contribute to atmospheric CO2 level increase.

Biogas is typically produced by anaerobic digestion, which allows for the capture all gas and nutrients produced.
Biogas is also produced by landfills, and in wastewater treatment.  In New Zealand, much of this biogas is flared (burned), which is a tragic waste of energy.

Biomethane is biogas that has been purified, by removing moisture, carbon dioxide and any other gases.

Chemically, biomethane is the same molecule as natural gas, so can be injected straight into the national gas grid.

“Gas” vs “LPG”:

When commentators talk about “gas shortage” in New Zealand they are invariably talking about natural gas supply, not LPG supply.  This is an important distinction.

Although the uses are similar, LPG is not natural gas, and LPG is plentiful.
All gas used in the South Island is LPG, and all gas delivered to homes and business in cylinders is LPG.

Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa is mounting a ‘day of action’ in more than 25 centres across the country this Saturday (16^th August) to protest what it calls ‘shameful dithering’ by the New Zealand government.

PSNA centres throughout the country will be demanding the government impose sanctions on Israel immediately because of its genocide in Gaza, according to PSNA Co-Chair Maher Nazzal.

“New Zealand joined 24 European nations over this weekend to protest Israel’s latest announcement that it was going to occupy all of Gaza, and immediately planning to invade Gaza City,” Nazzal says.

“But those solely posturing government protests are not new.  Foreign Minister Winston Peters was telling the United Nations in April 2024, that there was an ongoing human catastrophe in Gaza and that it was a wasteland.”

“He sternly told the UN that Israel must not invade Rafah, the western countries ‘red line’ for Israel back then.”

“Of course, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, completely ignored Peters, the then US President Joe Biden, and everyone else.  That was 16 months ago back in the genocide,” Nazal says.

“Netanyahu will ignore this recent red line too.  He will posture some public relations tweaks and call people anti-semitic.”

“But the self confessed Israeli war goals have always been to ethnically cleanse Gaza.”

“Only serious sanctions will stop the Israeli bombing and its constructed famine.  None have yet been imposed.”

Nazzal says the most immediate dramatic measures the New Zealand government could take would to ban military use products and services exports for Israel, stop Israeli soldiers visiting here and close the Israeli embassy.

“But there are many other equally important steps, such as cutting off trade, instructing the Superfund to quit its Israeli investments, or ending bilateral arrangements, such as technology cooperation.”

“If it needs legislation to deliver some of these sanctions, then the Green Party has already drafted up a bill for sanctions on Israel, based on the Russia Sanctions Act.”

“It’s not as though the government lacks options.  Though we are physically a long way from Israel we are closely entwined with it.”

Nazal says the government should support the recent call by the Irish President, Michael Higgins, for the United Nations to invoke Chapter VII of the UN Charter and send protected convoys into Gaza to stop the famine.

“Or Peters could join other countries to convene an emergency session of the Uniting for Peace resolution to send in protected aid convoys.”

“It is not as though New Zealand has ever been shy about sending troops to the region.”

Last year, this government sent soldiers to fight Ansar Allah (Houthis) to keep sea lanes to Israel open.” Nazzal says.

“And for decades, New Zealand troops have been patrolling Israel’s border zones to protect Israel.”

“This time, we should be protecting and helping the occupied and starving, and not backing their occupying tormentors and starvers.”

Maher Nazzal

Co-Chair PSNA

As New Zealand joins a growing number of countries offering GLP-1 weight loss injections (such as Ozempic and Wegovy), Exercise New Zealand is urging Kiwis and health professionals to understand the hidden health risks that could come with this quick-fix solution, particularly the alarming loss of muscle mass, and long term increased health costs.

“People are losing fat, yes, but they're also losing muscle, which is vital for long-term health,” said Richard Beddie, CEO of Exercise New Zealand.

“This isn't just about aesthetics. It's about strength, mobility, immunity, and long-term cardiovascular health.”

“A more holistic approach to weight loss is urgently needed, especially for those using GLP-1 medications.”

“Protecting muscle through strength training, high-protein diets, and regular monitoring should be a core part of any weight loss plan.”

GLP-1 drugs mimic a gut hormone that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite, helping people shed weight quickly. While effective in controlling obesity and diabetes, new research shows a significant downside: rapid loss of lean muscle mass, even in young users. Recent studies suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) effectively reduce weight by suppressing appetite, however up to 60% of weight lost can be of lean muscle mass, not fat.

Sarcopenia: not just for the elderly anymore

Sarcopenia, or muscle loss, is typically associated with aging, but emerging research shows that weight loss drugs like GLP-1 receptor agonists can cause similar effects in people of all ages. Without proper exercise and nutrition, even younger users risk losing significant muscle mass, accelerating age-related decline.

Low muscle mass has been linked to increased risks of heart disease, insulin resistance, falls, and early frailty. Reduced strength can also limit mobility and quality of life. Entering adulthood with poor muscle reserves makes later-life decline faster and harder to reverse.

The economic consequences for New Zealand are just as serious. As more New Zealanders struggle with frailty and reduced mobility, healthcare costs will rise. While local data is limited, UK research adjusted for New Zealand's healthcare system suggests sarcopenia could cost households an additional $4,000 to $6,000 per year, driven by hospitalisations, rehabilitation, and long-term care. Frailty alone has been shown to increase healthcare costs by up to 56% annually.

For younger people on GLP-1 medications, unchecked muscle loss could result in long-term health and financial burdens. That's why protecting muscle through strength training, high-protein diets, and regular monitoring should be a core part of any weight loss plan.

What should be done?

Research based evidence has shown that users on GLP-1 should adopt a strength-based training routine alongside adequate protein intake.

It's well known that weight loss via dieting often results in the 'yo-yo effect', with around 80% of those who lose weight gaining it back again in the long term.

Concerningly, the latest research shows this to be the case with GLP-1 drugs too, with a meta-analysis by Oxford University showing almost all GLP-1 participants gain their weight back within 12 months.

One of the benefits of pairing strength training with these drugs is that it introduces a behaviour change element, which helps keep the weight off long term.  A Finnish study showed that those who incorporated exercise at the same time as GLP-1 had far more effective long term weight loss than those on the drug alone.

ExerciseNZ is urging healthcare providers, patients, and policymakers to adopt the following evidence-based measures:

Incorporate resistance training into all weight loss plans: Engage in full-body strength training at least twice a week, focusing on major muscle groups. Resistance exercise is scientifically proven to preserve and rebuild muscle mass, especially during calorie restriction or pharmacological weight loss.

Monitor muscle mass, not just the number on the scale: Weight loss that includes too much lean mass can increase health risks. Clinicians should track body composition regularly, using tools like bioimpedance or DEXA scans, to ensure muscle is maintained or improved throughout treatment.

Prioritise high-protein nutrition and supervised programmes: Adequate protein intake (1.2–1.6g per kg of body weight) is essential to support muscle maintenance. Structured programmes combining nutrition education and exercise supervision provide the safest and most effective outcomes.

“It's clear that drugs, just like dieting, seldom work by themselves in the long term,” says Beddie. “Weight loss shouldn't come at the cost of your strength, vitality, and future health.” He adds, “GLP-1 drugs should come with a warning label: Must be used in conjunction with a strength based exercise routine.”