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Legal and Finance Sectors – MinterEllisonRuddWatts advises Camco on innovative blended finance fund

Source: MinterEllisonRuddWatts

MinterEllisonRuddWatts is proud to have assisted Camco, a leading UK-based impact fund manager, with the establishment of an innovative blended finance fund called TIDES (Transforming Island Development through Electrification and Sustainability).
TIDES is an innovative fund aiming to help unlock USD100 million of public and private sector finance to support renewable energy developments in the Pacific Islands. The fund has received contributions from the New Zealand and UK governments in the form of first loss equity.
This first-of-its-kind fund for the region is designed to deliver deep impact by strengthening the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors. It will provide flexible financing to local renewable energy developers behind zero-emissions projects across a full range of sizes, from mini-grids to large grid-connected systems.
Partner Lloyd Kavanagh and Senior Associate Ken Ng attended the signing ceremony of TIDES at the British High Commission in Wellington yesterday, alongside Minister for Climate Change, the Honourable Simon Watts, British High Commissioner HE Ms Iona Thomas OBE, and the Managing Director of Camco Management Limited, Geoff Sinclair.
Lloyd Kavanagh commented: “We are delighted to support Camco in launching the TIDES fund, a pioneering initiative that bl

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Health – Clare Foundation and Health Coalition Aotearoa launch bold partnership to tackle food system inequities in South Auckland

Source: Health Coalition Aotearoa

Health Coalition Aotearoa (HCA) is proud to announce a new five-year partnership with Clare Foundation to address structural barriers to healthy food environments in South Auckland.
This strategic collaboration will help South Auckland communities reclaim agency over their local food systems by creating systems and policy change. Clare Foundation’s tagged funding will help HCA find policy and regulatory obstacles, strengthen the evidence base, and advocate for local and national solutions – so South Auckland can have a healthier food environment.
Alice Montague, CEO at Clare Foundation, says the opportunity to support the work of the Health Coalition Aotearoa was a natural fit with the goal to ignite lasting systems change in oral health.
“The impact of food and lifestyle choices on total wellbeing, especially on oral health, makes the work of the Unified Food Systems Strategy especially critical for communities where access to education, information and healthy options can make a meaningful difference for generations to come,” says Alice Montague of Clare Foundation.
The initiative is supported by co-funders Healthy Families South Auckland, University of Auckland School of Population Health Pacific Health, MAS Foundation and JR McKenzie Trust. Applied research will be led by Moana Connect, Toi Tangata, and Māngere-based community leaders and organisations – recognising the deep expertise communities already hold in food sovereignty and wellbeing.
“Communities in South Auckland are already doing the mahi to care for their people,” said Dr Lisa Te Morenga, Co-Chair of HCA. “This partnership ensures systems and policies do their part too.”
One clear example of structural inequity is the 10:1 ratio of fast-food to fresh food outlets in South Auckland. Such easy access to fast food (and difficult access to fresh food) is a key driver of diet-related diseases and poor oral health outcomes.
The partnership responds directly to the Public Health Advisory Committee’s 2023 Rebalancing Our Food System report, which recomm

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Pay Equity – Documents reveal Govt efforts to avoid scrutiny on pay equity – CTU

Source: NZ CTU

Newly released Government documents reveal the lengths to which ministers went to avoid scrutiny and ignore official advice on their decision to gut the Equal Pay Act and cancel pay equity claims.

“These documents reveal that the Government did everything in its power to shut down public debate on pay equity in an effort to stop over 300,000 women from being paid what they’re worth,” said NZCTU Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges.

“Ramming the legislation through Parliament under urgency with no select committee process was bad enough, but it is now clear that the Government intentionally denied the public transparency and accountability in a highly orchestrated and underhanded campaign.

“Ministers went to extraordinary lengths to keep their plans secret and prevent workers from taking claims while they still had an avenue to do so.

“The documents also reveal that officials warned that the secretive and rushed process limited proper scrutiny of the policy and could lead to unintended consequences, but this advice was evidently ignored.

“Officials also noted that the changes retrospectively removed people’s rights and could be breaches of the Human Rights Act and Bill of Rights Act.

“Attempts to silence opposition have failed – women workers and their allies continue to rise up and demand the reversal of claim cancellations and will be coming together in an unprecedented Women’s Day of Action on September 20,” said Ansell-Bridges.

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Property Market – Doors wide open for first home buyers

Source: New Zealand Property Report July 2025

National stock levels drop by almost 2,000 listings for third consecutive month
Around 60% of new listings on realestate.co.nz priced below the national average asking price

Latest data from realestate.co.nz shows a steady drain on housing stock is tightening the property pool for buyers across Aotearoa. Stock has fallen by almost 2,000 properties for the third month in a row to 30,430, a 0.4% decline on July last year.

 Stock listed on realestate.co.nz

Jan-25 

Feb-25 

Mar-25 

Apr-25 

May-25 

Jun-25 

Jul-25 

32,412 

35,712 

36,870 

35,924 

34,415 

32,384 

30,430

Vanessa Williams, spokesperson for realestate.co.nz, says despite the seasonal slowdown, buyer demand remains steady, and opportunities are waiting for those ready to act.

“Although we’re seeing fewer homes coming onto the market, that doesn’t mean buyers have disappeared,” says Williams. “The real estate industry is telling us that vendors who are realistic with their price expectations are selling, and with less competition, it can actually be a smart time to list your property if you're ready.”

First home buyers in with a chance

During July, 58.5% of all properties listed on realestate.co.nz were under $850,000 – well clear of the national average asking price for July of $858,189. Williams says for first home buyers and investors, this represents a window of opportunity before the traditional spring surge.

“First home buyers have a prime opportunity to look at their options with a solid band of homes listed for under $850,000,” says Williams. “For buyers who have their finances in order and a clear idea of what they’re after, now is a great time to secure a foothold before competition heats up again.”

Price variation in the regions

The national average asking price was up 0.6% year-on-year and while this marks continued price stability, several regions showed a different story.

Asking prices in the West Coast rose 25.3% year-on-year, reaching $500,000 for the first time since January 2025. It is one of just three regions to record growth month-on-month and year-on-year alongside Nelson & Bays, which rose to $874,818 (up 2.6% YoY and 1.0% MoM), and Northland, which increased to $843,362 (up 9.8% YoY and 9.2% MoM).

In contrast, four regions saw declines both month-on-month and year-on-year, a notable drop from seven regions last month. These included:

  • Central Otago/Lakes District $1,437,577 – down 8.5% YoY and 2.3% MoM
  • Marlborough, $725,377 – down 13.6% YoY and 1.4% MoM
  • Wairarapa $711,778 – down 3.2% YoY and 1.5% MoM
  • Wellington $807,503 – down 3.0% YoY and 2.7% MoM.

“Nationally, prices are holding steady, but when you zoom in, the picture becomes more dynamic,” says Williams “We’re seeing some standout regional growth which is a clear reminder that every region has its own rhythm, and local conditions matter more than ever.”

Buyers encouraged to act while stock remains tight

Despite a decline in total stock there were pockets of the motu to buck the trend. Gisborne (up 35.5% with 123 properties listed) and the West Coast (up 20.6% with 316 properties listed) topped the leaderboard for year-on-year stock growth.

“We have just 31 days until spring, and traditionally we see a surge of properties come to the market at that time,” says Williams. “For buyers who are ready now, there’s a window of opportunity, especially with so many homes priced below the national average.”

New listings down year-on-year but realistic pricing gets results

While the total number of new listings nationally (7,737) was down 4.2% year-on-year, Northland, Gisborne, and Taranaki all showed year-on-year increases of 26.3%, 54.5%, and 34.3%, respectively.

Williams says while the number of new listings coming onto the market has slowed, vendors who align their price expectations with buyers are more likely to get their sale across the line.

“As spring approaches, our attention will turn to whether sellers come to the market in greater numbers and how buyers respond. For now, buyers remain active, and the market continues to reward those ready to move, but it will be interesting to see what happens in September as we move into the expected spring surge.”

About realestate.co.nz

We’ve been helping people buy, sell, or rent property since 1996. Established before Google, realestate.co.nz is New Zealand’s longest-standing property website and the official website of the real estate industry.

Dedicated only to property, our mission is to empower people with a property search tool they can use to find the life they want to live. With residential, lifestyle, rural and commercial property listings, realestate.co.nz is the place to start for those looking to buy or sell property.  

Whatever life you’re searching for, it all starts here.

Want more property insights?

Market insights: Search by suburb to see median sale prices, popular property types and tr

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Pay Equity – Treacherous betrayal of women over pay equity laid bare in official documents – PSA

Source: PSA

The appalling and deliberate behaviour of key Ministers, operating in secret, to rip up pay equity rules and stop thousands of women getting the pay rise they deserve has been exposed by the document dump of official advice.
“We knew it was constitutional vandalism and wage theft, now we know the Government actively suppressed human rights and went to extraordinary lengths to hush it up in the Beehive,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“This was a treacherous betrayal from the get-go – conceived in secret, rushed through in indecent haste without consultation – all to save money at the expense of women – shame on the Government.
“The official papers spell out a deliberate campaign of secrecy – a clear plan to do this under urgency without consulting the very people impacted by their decisions.
“They knew they were riding roughshod over democracy, and they knew ripping up the rules violated basic human rights protected under the Bill or Rights. But they didn’t care.
“This was a carefully orchestrated, deceitful, and anti-democratic plan to deprive women of the pay they deserve.
“The Government will be hearing the voices of women loud and clear on this betrayal every day until election day when it must be punished for this appalling wage theft.”
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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Federated Farmers – Proposed police cuts a blow for rural Canterbury

Source: Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers is deeply concerned by a proposal to shut down rural police stations across Canterbury, calling it a major blow to the safety and wellbeing of farming families.
According to The Press, Canterbury Police intend to reduce personnel at a number of rural stations and disestablish some roles in favour of larger 24/7 hubs based in Rolleston and Rangiora.
Bex Green, North Canterbury Federated Farmers president, says the plan has left rural communities reeling.
“This is not good enough – our community is extremely angry and disappointed about what’s being proposed.
“Farming families rely on local police stations to feel safe and supported. Closing them down s

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Climate – Warmer than usual weather ahead, wetter in north and east, as La Niña signals strengthen: Seasonal Outlook Climate August to October 2025 suggests warm, damp weather, with La Niña’s possible return

Source: Earth Sciences New Zealand

Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly NIWA) Seasonal Outlook Climate August to October 2025 suggests warm, damp weather, with La Niña’s possible return
Parts of New Zealand are likely to experience more wet, warm weather over the next three-month period, with shifting ocean conditions hinting at a possible return to La Niña by the end of the year, according to the latest Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly NIWA) Seasonal Climate Outlook for August to October 2025.
More frequent northeasterly to easterly air flows are expected over the next three months as winter turns into spring, says meteorologist Chris Brandolino, principal scientist at Earth Sciences New Zealand. “The likelihood of tropical and subtropical systems influencing New Zealand remains elevated, and this is associated with an increased risk of heavy rainfall events, including those linked to atmospheric rivers, and flooding.”
Above normal rainfall is expected in the north and east of the North Island. “These anticipated rainfall patterns are driven by circulation anomalies that heighten the risk of heavy rainfall events in the north and east of the North Island. Conversely, a shift toward more persistent easterly flow anomalies is expected as the season progresses, increasing the likelihood of dry conditions in the southwest of the South Island.”
Above average seasonal air temperatures are expected across most of the country, except the east of the South Island, for which above average or near average temperatures are about equally likely, says Brandolino. “Cold snaps and frosts may still occur, but less often than usual.”
Soil moisture levels and river flows are expected to be near normal in the north and west of the North Island, and near normal or below normal in the east of the North Island. Near normal or above normal soil moisture levels and river flows are forecast for the South Island.
While conditions in the tropical Pacific remain officially ENSO-neutral, oceanic tr

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Animal Welfare – Seventeenth death marks grim end to greyhound racing season – SAFE

Source: SAFE For Animals

The greyhound racing industry has ended its 2024/25 season with yet another dog killed – bringing the season’s death toll to 17; the deadliest year for greyhounds since 2021.
The final fatality was Opawa Justin, a two-year-old greyhound who won his race at Addington Raceway in Christchurch on 31 July before suffering a catastrophic injury. He fell at the lure and fractured his left elbow. Veterinarians determined the injury was too severe to treat, and he was euthanised.
SAFE says the circumstances surrounding his death expose the brutal nature of racing, where even a winning dog isn’t safe.
“This young dog gave everything on the track, and it cost him his life. No matter how fast they run or how many races they win, greyhounds are always one fall away from tragedy,” says Campaign Manager Emma Brodie.
The total number of dogs killed has increased compared to last season, rising from 13 to 17. Over the course of the season, more than 800 dogs suffered race-related injuries, including 114 broken bones. SAFE says the scale of harm is staggering – and disturbingly routine.
“The death toll is going up, not down. If anything proves the failure of self-regulation, this is it,” says Brodie.
The Government was right to call time on this industry, and the rising body count only reinforces that.”
Racing Minister Winston Peters announced a phase-out of the industry in December 2024, with a full ban to come into effect by July 2026. The next season will be greyhound racing’s last.
SAFE is urging GRNZ to take immediate steps to slow the pace of racing and pour every resource into rehoming efforts.
“This is GRNZ’s last opportunity to show they care about the dogs they’ve profited from. They can either wind down with dignity or be remembered for prolonging suffering until the very end.” 
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Fire Safety – Stark warning as people burned removing flaming material from homes

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Three instances of people attempting to remove flaming objects from their homes is prompting a stark warning from firefighters.
In recent weeks, people have been badly burned after attempting to remove a dryer, a mattress and a burning pot of oil from their homes in three separate incidents in Dunedin.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand Otago Risk Reduction Advisor Matt Jones says each incident had the potential to end in tragedy.
“These people have sustained serious injuries, but we were fortunate to not be responding to fatal fires,” he says.
“Let this be a reminder to people that if a fire is bigger than a football, then you can’t put it out. You must get out and stay out.
“That means closing the door to the room if safe to do so, getting everyone out of the house and calling 111. Let the firefighters do their job and put the fire out safely.”
Matt says the mattress fire was caused by a vape’s lithium-ion battery overheating while charging on the bed.
“That caused a very intense, hot fire inside the mattress,” he says.
“The person attempted to remove the mattress three times, but this put themselves and others in danger, not only from the fire, but from the toxic smoke being emitted.
“Everything in that house can be replaced, except for the people inside. People should never risk their lives to save their property – it’s just not worth it.”
Matt says to complicate matters further, the property also did not have working smoke alarms.
“It was just fortunate the person arrived home when they did as there was another person asleep inside the house at the time,” Matt says.
Fire and Emergency recomm

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Retirement Commission – Sorted Money Month kicks off today – boost your emergency savings this August

Source: Retirement Commission
The Retirement Commission’s annual Sorted Money Month campaign starts today and is putting the spotlight on emergency savings.

 
Research has found that 64% of people who had set up an emergency savings fund in the last three months felt confident about their future (almost identical to those with established funds at 65%) in comparison to only 22% of those without a fund. However, 44% of New Zealanders do not have an emergency savings fund, which threatens their financial resilience.
 
Sorted Personal Financial Lead Tom Hartmann says, “Building up your emergency savings this Sorted Money Month will help you to deal with financial challenges when they arise.” 

“Having emergency savings in place can be the difference from feeling stressed or sorted when the unexpected happens. It can then be used for a variety of situations, such as trips to the vet, urgent home repairs, car breakdowns, or sudden job loss. Having this financial cushion ensures that you are prepared for life's uncertainties and can handle them without undue stress.” 
Alongside the national marketing activity which includes billboards, radio ads and social media, the financial services sector involved with the National Strategy for Financial Capability are hosting events, workshops, and sharing resources aimed at promoting emergency savings and encouraging saving habits. Details of what’s taking place can be found on the Sorted event calendar.    

Sorted is also hosting two free webinars during Money Month providing independent financial information on starting an emergency savings fund. The first one, 'Stressed to Sorted – Emergency Savings 101,' is on 12 August. Then, on 26 August, there's 
'How an Emergency Fund Can Save Your Life,' featuring a panel of experts from community and financial organisations sharing their tips on building and keeping emergency savings.

There’s also a range of in-person events to choose from, including in Auckland Vaiola Pacific Island Budgeting Service: Empowering Pasifika mums event; Tamaki Budgeting: Beating the emergency event, (an Amazing Race-style experience with stations providing information on a range of common emergencies) and Ngā Tāngata Microfinance Trust’s Build Your Buffer event.  

Waikato events include Kainga Aroha Community House is giving away the chance to win free butter as part of its Money Month event and Waihi Budget Services is offering free pork buns and a chat with a financial mentor every Tuesday in August.
Tom Hartmann knows that economic conditions are tough for many people.
 
“But if you can take one action today to protect your future, open an emergency savings account and start regularly putting aside money to help deal with the unexpected,” he says.  
 
“Having your own emergency money at the ready keeps you from sliding into debt and paying heaps in interest and fees. The more you have saved for the unexpected, the easier it is when things go wrong.”

About Sorted

Sorted is a free service run by Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission, the government-funded, independent agency dedicated to helping New Zealanders get ahead financially.  

As New Zealand’s trusted personal finance site, Sorted has the information needed to tackle debt, plan and budget, save and invest, dial up your KiwiSaver, plan for retirement, protect what's important, and manage a mortgage. Providing tools, guides and blogs, Sorted can help no matter where you are at when it comes to money.  

About Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission  

Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission aims to help New Zealanders to retire with confidence. Retiring with confidence means New Zealanders feel secure they’ll have resources to live and the know-how to make