Posts

Posted on

Education – Open Polytechnic launches new Introduction to Generative AI micro-credential

Source: Open Polytechnic

A new micro-credential developed by Open Polytechnic, New Zealand’s specialist online learning provider, in conjunction with Spark, offers businesses and individuals the opportunity to understand and utilise Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The Introduction to Generative AI micro-credential, now open for enrolment, provides ākonga (learners) with an introductory understanding of how generative artificial intelligence can drive efficiency and innovation in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Topics covered in the micro-credential include practical guidelines for getting the most out of generative AI, the ethical use of AI, and Māori data sovereignty.
“Open Polytechnic is a world leader in online and distance education with significant expertise in educational technology,” says Open Polytechnic Executive Director Alan Cadwallader.
“We are pleased to be able to combine our expertise with a company like Spark NZ to provide opportunities for busy adult learners to upskill in AI and learn more about the latest advancements.”
“By completing this micro-credential, ākonga will learn how to integrate generative AI tools into their workflows, enhance communication, and leverage these technologies to streamline operations and enhance overall performance. This highly relevant micro-credential will also teach ākonga about the ethical implications and limitations of generative AI uniquely applied in an Aotearoa New Zealand context.”
Once ākonga (learners) have completed this micro-credential, they will have a basic understanding of Generative Artificial Intelligence to support their productivity, in both personal and work contexts, and know how to assess the generated content for accuracy, quality, and relevance.
This micro-credential is relevant for people in different industries including media and entertainment, advertising, education, healthcare, and finance.
Open Polytechnic has been pleased to work with Spark in the development of this NZQA accredited micro-credential.
Spark is on its own AI journey, with a focus on upskilling its people through Te Awe, a skills acceleration programme within Spark that is building the “hard to access” specialist digital skills needed in today's world.
“As the use of AI accelerates, we want to ensure that the skills shift we are experiencing does not further entrench existing inequities within the technology sector and our community. When we created Te Awe, our ambition was to eventually extend offering the digital skills and opportunities to learn them, to those groups who currently have low participation rates in the tech sector, to ensure we are intentionally growing a more inclusive high-tech workforce pipeline for the future,” says Heather Polglase, Spark People and Culture Director.
“We are excited to build on Spark’s Te Awe foundations and take that next step now with the creation of an NZQA accredited Generative AI micro-credential. We have taken our learnings from Te Awe and collaborated with Open Polytechnic, as a business division of Te Pūkenga, to create a nationally recognised micro-credential, that will equip more New Zealanders with the skills and knowledge to co-create and engage with AI meaningfully.”
Spark will be sponsoring micro-credentials for 30 digi-coaches (digital teachers) from around the country, who are a part of a Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and Digital Inclusion Alliance Aotearoa programme to support digital literacy in local communities. These digi-coaches will work in public libraries and community venues to help upskill digital literacy skills for local citizens.
“We're excited to be one of the first to engage with this new GenAI micro-credential”, said Laurence Zwimpfer, Operations Director for the Digital Inclusion Alliance Aotearoa.
“We have invited 30 jobseekers on our Digi-Coach programme to complete this course as part of their 13-week training, which includes work placements in libraries and other community organisations. We believe this will give them a real advantage in securing jobs and helping the communities and organisations that they work with to better understand and use GenAI tools.”
Ākonga who complete the micro-credential receive a digital badge that can then be shared on social media or mentioned on a work-related CV.
The Level 3 micro-credential can be completed online in 40 learning hours, with two intakes each month, making it ideal for personal or professional development.
If you are a business or individual that is interested in utilising AI technology, then go to the Open Polytechnic website. Terms and conditions apply. 
At a glance
Open Polytechnic
Introduction to Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) micro-credential
Level: 3
Credits: 4
Total learning hours: 40 – study online at your own pace, up to 16 weeks to complete
Cost: $99 including GST 
Posted on

NZNO backs people’s pay equity select committee

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

Representing a third of the pay equity claims scrapped by the Coalition Government, NZNO is throwing its full support behind the People’s Select Committee on Pay Equity.
Members of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) had 12 pay equity claims being progressed across the health sector including aged care, primary health care, hospices, Plunket, community health and laboratories when the scheme was gutted on 6 May.
These claims covered almost 10,000 nurses, health care assistants, allied health workers and administration staff. A further 35,000 NZNO Te Whatu Ora members had their pay equity review halted by the changes, meaning their pay would again fall behind.
NZNO Primary Health Care Nurses College chair Tracey Morgan says it was devastating to the 5000 primary health care members that their claim was scuppered without warning or legitimate reason.
“It was antidemocratic and an attack on women for the Government not to have consulted the workers whose lives they were changing. Primary and community health care nurses, like their hospice, Plunket and aged care counterparts, accepted lower wage increases in their collective agreements on the understanding they were likely to receive pay equity settlements.
“Now they can have their say through the People’s Select Committee on Pay Equity.
“The committee of 10 former women MPs from across the political spectrum are strong wahine who helped establishment the previous system to address the gender discrimination which has kept down their wages their whole working lives.”
Most New Zealanders – 68 percent – believe the Government should have consulted on the changes, a new poll released today found.
Tracey Morgan says NZNO urges all its members to submit their views to the Select Committee so they can be heard when it meets in August.
Posted on

Transporting NZ – Mid-term pass mark for transport but Govt must try harder

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

Transporting New Zealand says the Coalition Government is making good progress on transport, halfway through their first term and six months since Minister Chris Bishop was appointed to the portfolio.
However, the road freight body is warning that ongoing ferry delays and roading cost pressures are shaping up as big challenges.
Head of Policy and Advocacy Billy Clemens says that of the eight practical commitments identified in Transporting New Zealand’s (February 2025) Briefing to the Incoming Minister, the Government has achieved or progressed half, two were ongoing, and two had earned fail grades.
“Upon Minister Bishop’s appointment we identified eight quick-win commitments, across transport and other portfolios, that would provide practical support and reassurance to our road freight members.”
“This followed a similar list of priorities in our Briefing to Minister Brown in December 2023.”
Transporting New Zealand noted excellent progress on random roadside drug testing, tax incentives for business investments, vocational training reform, and road maintenance.
Progress on Cook Strait Ferry replacements, freight exemptions for congestion charging, and responding to cost pressure on roading projects had been disappointing.
“You’re starting to see the delay in ferry procurement start to bite, with the Awatere’s retirement leaving KiwiRail with only two vessels for the next four years.”
“NZTA’s proposed downgrades to the tolled Ōtaki to North of Levin new highway also demonstrate the need for the Government stump up with additional funding to deliver their roading promises.”
Transporting New Zealand says the Government also has an excellent opportunity to support safety and productivity outcomes through driver licensing and High Productivity Motor Vehicle reforms.
Transporting New Zealand’s Scorecard (as per quick-wins listed in their February 2025 Briefing to the Incoming Minister)
Transport
1. Additional roading investment in Budget 2025 – Partially Achieved
While there were important boosts for road repair in Hawke’s Bay and the East Coast, the Budget should have provided additional support to the Roads of Regional and National Significance, that NZTA are now under pressure to downgrade, with serious implications for efficiency and safety.
2. Random roadside drug testing – Achieved
Legislation enabling random roadside drug testing passed in March, with the support of National, ACT, New Zealand First, and Labour. The roadside drug testing regime is expected to be in place by December, with the government wanting police to undertake 50,000 tests a year.
3. Freight exemptions to time-of-use charging – Ongoing
Congestion charging enabling legislation is currently being considered by the Transport and Infrastructure Select Committee. Transporting New Zealand’s suggested amendments would prevent congestion charges acting as a de facto goods tax.
4. Tax incentives for efficient heavy vehicles – Achieved
The Government’s Investment Boost tax incentive will help get more productive, efficient heavy vehicles on the road, and support investment across the entire economy.
5. Incentivising fleet renewal through emissions regulations – Ongoing
Work on vehicle standards and reducing regulatory barriers to importing efficient heavy vehicles is currently being worked through.
Transport, State-Owned Enterprises and Rail
6. Prioritise the prompt delivery of replacement Cook Strait ferries – Not Achieved
It has been 539 days since Cabinet advised KiwiRail that the Government was pulling the plug on the iReX Project following repeated cost blowouts. Despite contrary advice from a Ministerial Advisory Group, the Government is proceeding with rail-enabled vessels, that have still not been procured.
Immigration and Workforce Development
7. Support vocational training and allowing migrant drivers to fill critical workforce shortages – Partially Achieved
The Government’s tertiary education reforms will ensure automotive vocational education is relevant to both trainees and employers alike. However, the termination of the temporary residence pathway for migrant truck drivers has left businesses in hard-to-staff regions facing recruitment challenges.
ACC
8. Save ACC’s Fleet Saver levy reduction programme – Not Achieved
ACC is proceeding to close the safe fleet management incentive to new members from this year, and close it completely in 2029. The Minister for ACC still has the opportunity to defer this decision until an effective alternative can be developed, that will maintain safety benefits for all road users. 
About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter- regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country.
Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion.
Posted on

University Research – Multiple sclerosis prevalence on the sharp increase: study – UoA

Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

The number of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in New Zealand increased by a third between 2006 and 2022, according to research from the University of Auckland.

The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in New Zealand has sharply risen since 2006, especially in some communities, according to a University of Auckland study.

Lead author Dr Natalia Boven, a postdoctoral fellow from the University’s COMPASS Research Centre, says the study found the MS prevalence rate had climbed to 96.6 per 100,000 people as of June 2022, an increase from 72.4 per 100,000 in 2006. 

“And notably, while European New Zealanders are being diagnosed with MS at a higher rate (132.4 per 100,000), we found MS increased substantially for Māori, Pacific peoples and Asian ethnic groups over the same period,” she says.

Boven says Māori rates rose from 15.0 per 100,000 to 33.1 per 100,000 in 2022, the Pacific rate rose to 9.2 per 100,000 and the Asian ethnic group rate increased to 16.0 per 100,000.

“And of concern is the data shows people living in more deprived areas were less likely to be diagnosed with MS,” says Boven. “This pattern was more pronounced for Māori and Pacific peoples, which suggests they may face barriers accessing services to receive a MS diagnosis.”

As a social scientist, she says more research is needed to find out whether this is the case, and what the barriers might be, as an early diagnosis can make all the difference in terms of delaying disease progression and therefore improving quality of life.

Experts agree that multiple sclerosis is a manageable and treatable condition in most cases, especially with early diagnosis.
 
Recently published in the New Zealand Medical Journal, the study was backed by Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand (MSNZ).

National manager Amanda Rose says patients regularly report the biggest barriers to diagnosis are a lack of MS awareness in the community, and critical shortages of specialist services which can delay diagnosis from a couple of weeks to as long as several years in some instances.  

“Too many New Zealanders face delays in being diagnosed with MS due to limited access to specialist neurologist appointments and MRI scans,” says Rose.

“The longstanding shortage of neurologists in Aotearoa has created long waiting lists for many people with neurological conditions, including MS. We’ve been advocating for over ten years to increase our number of neurologists, with little to no progress.” 

The study used the Stats NZ Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) and included anonymous data from hospitalisations, disability support, pharmaceutical dispensing of MS treatments and needs assessments.  

To build on the study’s findings and support targeted advocacy for those with the condition, Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand has now contracted University researchers at COMPASS to expand their scope.

They will again be using IDI data to explore the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of people living with MS in Aotearoa; including geographic distribution, education, income, and employment history, access to disability support, allied healthcare, and income support.  

Identifying multiple sclerosis in linked administrative health data in Aotearoa New Zealand by Natalia Boven, Deborah Mason, Barry Milne, Anna Ranta, Andrew Sporle, Lisa Underwood, Julie Winter-Smith, and Vanessa Selak is published in the 28 March edition of the New Zealand Medical Journal.

Posted on

Healthline celebrates its 25-year anniversary of trusted service and impact – and launches a GP booking initiative

Source: Whakarongorau Aotearoa

An estimated 3.45 million people have contacted Healthline since it launched 25 years ago
Whether it is for a 2am check on their baby’s continuous crying, a rash on an arm, or information about where to get more help, the people of Aotearoa know they can rely on the free, 24/7, trusted support from Healthline clinicians. They have relied on that for 25 years – a milestone that is being acknowledged this month.
There are thousands of people across Aotearoa who have a Healthline magnet on their fridge, who have the 0800 611 116 number in their phone, and who rely on unseen Healthline nurses and paramedics. Healthline plays a critical role in improving access to care.
Hannah Sleeman, lives in a remote area of the Waikato and has used Healthline several times including when her sore ear symptom was quickly identified by a Healthcare clinician as shingles, and she was advised to see a doctor. She was given the costs and locations of local clinics and was able to get the care she needed quickly.
The Healthline service has grown from an initial 16 nurses managing 20,000 calls in its first year, to over 150 nurses and paramedics managing 400,000 contacts annually – that's 1,000 every day.
What started as a phone service in May 2000 has expanded to include online services, with callers able to share videos and photos to help Healthline clinicians provide the most accurate advice. In addition to calling the trusted 0800 611116 number, people now access Healthline’s healthy.org.nz website for reliable health information, and can request a call back from a clinician, if their query isn’t urgent. The service also now includes the option for people to speak with a Māori clinician.
Healthline is funded by Health New Zealand and since 2015 has been run by Whakarongorau Aotearoa / New Zealand Telehealth Services.
Whakarongorau CEO Glynis Sandland said “Healthline is a virtual first responder for health queries, across multiple digital channels. It also plays a critical role in health sector – with 84% of Healthline callers managed through self-care at home or directed to community care, significantly reducing strain on our hospital emergency departments. We know that Healthline is considered by many as a taonga / treasure for the people of New Zealand.”
Elle Edwards is a mother who was unsure what to do when she accidentally took a double dose of medication late in the night. She called Healthline to ask if she could breastfeed her baby. “They were so helpful and patient and reassuring,” said Elle.
“Our clinicians are all experienced and specifically tele-triage trained experts and are seriously good at what they do. That’s why 98% of people who contact Healthline follow the advice they are given,” said Sandland.
“Over the last 25 years Healthline clinicians have seen it all and they have supported people through major events including the Canterbury earthquakes, measles outbreaks, and the COVID pandemic.
“Healthline has a proud and impactful past, and a very important future. That is definitely something to celebrate.”
Helen Parry was one of the first nurses on the Healthline team in 2000 and her family were surprised when she said she was going to be providing health triage over the phone. “I was really pleased to be part of such an innovative new way to care and a wonderful service,” said Parry.
The Healthline 25th anniversary was celebrated at an event at parliament 4 June 2025 hosted by Associate Minister of Health Matt Doocey. At the event Whakarongorau – who run Healthline – announced a new booking initiative
From next month, when a Healthline nurse or paramedic recomm

Posted on

Local News – Porirua’s BizFest announces two outstanding speakers

Source: Porirua City Council

One of New Zealand’s most iconic athletes will be speaking at Porirua’s BizFest on 1 July, joining the founder of an international dance company who grew up in Cannons Creek.
BizFest 2025: Kōpū i te pae – Light up the Horizon will take place on 1 July, a day that aims to inspire and connect business people in our city. Topics of discussion on the day will include what’s on the economic horizon, how business leaders are navigating uncertain times in the business world, and what are the key ingredients for innovation and success now and into the future.
Dame Valerie Adams is recognised worldwide for her feats in shot put and is a leader and role model in the Pacific community for her work outside athletics.
From 2006 to 2016, Dame Valerie was unbeaten in major championships and won Olympic gold at Beijing 2008 and London 2012. A seven-time Halberg sportswoman of the year, her story is one that inspires – post her shot put career, she works in the community to support a number of causes and with commercial partners, while also being chair of the World Athletics Athletes’ Commission, a World Athletics Council member and on the board of High Performance Sport New Zealand.
Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says having Dame Valerie speak in Porirua is a coup, bringing value to the event by being able to share her experiences as an athlete at the very highest level, her commitment to her community and health and wellbeing, and her advocacy for athletes, especially among women in sport.
“Someone like Dame Valerie will add immense value to BizFest – she is someone who has demonstrated perseverance, discipline and an amazing work ethic, prioritising health and wellbeing, and commitment to helping others. I can’t wait to hear what she has to say about pushing through challenges and building resilience,” Mayor Baker says.
Black Grace’s Neil Ieremia, meanwhile, will add a homegrown flavour to BizFest, with his journey one of inspiration and perspiration.
Born in Cannons Creek and of Samoan heritage, Ieremia left home and his banking job at 19 and enrolled in a fulltime dance programme.
Founding dance company Black Grace in 1995, he has enjoyed sell-out performances in the US, Mexico and Canada and won numerous accolades at home and abroad for what Black Grace has achieved across the world.
Appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2016, Ieremia received the inaugural Moana Creative Enterprise Award at the 2022 Pacific Business Trust Awards and is an honorary member of Dance ICONS, the international organisation of choreographers, along with numerous other honours.
Mayor Baker says Ieremia’s talk at BizFest should not be missed.
“Neil was rightly inducted into our Hall of Fame at Te Rauparaha Arena in 2022 – he is a local who has gone on to impressive heights around the world and will have a beautiful and authentic story to tell about seizing opportunities and taking our stories from Porirua to the global stage.” 
Posted on

New Zealand’s population likely to reach 6 million before 2040 – Stats NZ media and information release: National population projections: 2024(base)–2078

New Zealand’s population likely to reach 6 million before 2040 – media release

4 June 2025

The population living in Aotearoa New Zealand is likely to grow from 5.3 million currently to eclipse 6 million by 2040, according to projections released by Stats NZ today.

Two-thirds of that growth is likely to come from net international migration (migrant arrivals less migrant departures), with the remainder from natural increase (births less deaths).

“New Zealand’s net migration has fluctuated widely from year to year,” population estimates, projections, and coverage spokesperson Victoria Treliving said.

“But international migration has been the main contributor to New Zealand’s population growth this century, and this is projected to continue.”

Visit our website to read this news story and information release:

Posted on

Local News – The Wellington Water Committee welcomes new Directors to Wellington Water’s Board

Source: Hutt City Council

The Wellington Water Committee is pleased to announce the appointment of three new directors to the Wellington Water Board.
Wellington Water Committee Chair and Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry says the new appointments strengthen the board’s overall depth of experience.
“We were looking for directors in key areas of expertise and skills that complement the strengths of existing board members and make for a well-rounded team to tackle the challenges ahead.
The newly appointed directors are:
– Gillian Peacock
– Ben Pitchforth
– David Adamson
“Gillian brings crucial expertise in organisational change management, Ben has extensive experience in IT systems and management, and David’s significant background in infrastructure will be a valuable asset at the Board.”
These appointments bring the board back up to full strength, with Board Chair Nick Leggett now supported by six independent directors.
Board members are appointed by the Wellington Water Committee, made up of the region’s mayors and iwi representatives.
Current Board members have warmly welcomed the new appointments, with Board Chair Nick Leggett sharing particular praise for the breadth and depth of relevant knowledge these new appointments bring to the board.
“After a long wait, we are delighted to have our board back to full strength. With Gillian, Ben and David’s expertise we can move full steam ahead and make the right decisions now to ready the organisation for the transition to the new entity.”
Posted on

French authorities block Greenpeace ship from participating in UN Ocean Conference

Source: Greenpeace

French authorities have blocked Greenpeace International’s ship Arctic Sunrise from entering the port of Nice, where the “One Ocean Science Congress” and the UN Ocean Conference are being hosted. This was retaliation against Greenpeace France, highlighting the weaknesses of the French network of Marine Protected Areas last month in the Mediterranean Sea, in an expedition on board the Arctic Sunrise.
Greenpeace International will write a formal letter of complaint to the United Nations, deploring the behaviour of the hosting French government. Civil society participation is a core element of the UN Ocean Conference.
The presence of the Arctic Sunrise in Nice would coincide with the 40th anniversary of the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior by French secret services in Auckland.
Greenpeace Aotearoa spokesperson Ellie Hooper says, “It’s ironic that so close to the 40th anniversary of the French Government’s attempt to silence Greenpeace here in Auckland by bombing the Rainbow Warrior, the French Government is again trying to shut us down by blocking our ship from entering Nice.”
“But just like we were not silenced then, neither will we be silenced now. Climate change, ecosystem collapse, and accelerating species extinction pose an existential threat, and our work has never been more important.”
The Arctic Sunrise had been invited by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs to participate in the “One Ocean Science Congress” and in the Ocean wonders parade taking place right before the UN Ocean Conference.
Greenpeace International had intended to deliver the messages of three million people calling for a moratorium on deep sea mining to the politicians attending the conference. The ship’s entry to Nice has now been blocked.
Mads Christensen, Greenpeace International’s Executive Director, says, “The French authorities’ attempt to silence fair criticism ahead of this UN Ocean Conference is clearly a political decision and is utterly unacceptable. Greenpeace and our ships have been working peacefully to protect the oceans for decades. The Arctic Sunrise highlighted the failure of the French government to properly protect its Marine Protected Areas – where bottom trawling is still permitted – and now we are being punished.
“France wants this to be a moment where they present themselves as saviours of the oceans, while they want to silence any criticism of their own failures in national waters. We will not be silenced. We believe the voices of the three million calling for a stop to deep sea mining must be heard in Nice. Greenpeace and the French government share the same objective to get a moratorium on deep sea mining, which makes the ban of the Arctic Sunrise from Nice even more absurd.”
Millions of people around the world have joined Greenpeace’s campaign to stop deep sea mining from starting. In 2023, the Arctic Sunrise crew took action at sea to bear witness to the threat of the deep sea mining industry. They peacefully protested against The Metals Company, which had been publicly accused of “environmental piracy” by the French government a few weeks ago, given their attempt to bypass international law by requesting an exploitation permit through President Trump’s administration.
Right now, the Rainbow Warrior is in the Tasman Sea to expose the damage being done to ocean life there and will be in New Zealand to mark the anniversary of the bombing in Auckland on 10 July.
Onboard photographer Fernando Pereira died in the attack, which came soon after Operation Exodus, in which the Greenpeace flagship had evacuated victims of American nuclear tests on Rongelap Atoll and was preparing to oppose French nuclear tests on Mururoa Atoll.
Following the first-ever deep sea mining licence application by The Metals Company to the United States, Greenpeace says that now is the time to resist and stop this industry from starting.
This UN Ocean Conference will be a key moment to galvanise support ahead of the July meeting of the International Seabed Authority, the UN regulator.