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Government Cuts – Axing same-day enrolment to vote exposes impact of Govt starving another key agency of enough funding

Source: PSA

The PSA is condemning proposed changes to New Zealand’s electoral laws as undemocratic and the result of a systematically underfunded public service.
“We were shocked to see the Government propose several changes to electoral laws, especially the end to same-day voter enrolment,” Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi national secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons, says.
“They say that the system – in other words, the Electoral Commission – can’t handle the strain of same-day enrolment in the years to come.
“Why has the Government chosen to build obstacles around people’s basic right to vote, instead of funding the Electoral Commission properly?”
Like many other public service agencies, the Electoral Commission has been forced to tighten its budget by the National-led Government and restructured its staff last year.
“At the time, we criticised that restructure process as rushed – and it eventually resulted in several highly skilled staff leaving the organisation.
“New Zealanders are rightfully proud of our democracy. But we also know that to maintain our democracy, we need to care for it and invest into it.
“New Zealanders want the public service to be given the tools – including the funding – to make sure voting is as easy as possible for everyone.
“100,000 people used the same-day enrolment process at the 2023 election. This is not a nice-to-have – this is a basic function of our democracy.”
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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Government Cuts – Govt funding squeeze sees DOC cutting a further 71 roles – PSA

Source: PSA

The need to meet Government spending cut requirements means the Department of Conservation (DOC) will be cutting a net 71 support roles around the country, many in small rural towns.
DOC confirmed to staff today that it will be disestablishing 143 support roles and creating 72 new positions, meaning a net reduction of 71 roles. Of the 72 new support roles, 25 are half-time.
Removing support staff, who monitor the radios used by DOC staff working away from the office to stay safe, poses health and safety risks, PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says.
“The current support staff have sizeable health and safety responsibilities, such as monitoring staff radio systems and helping to manage emergencies like fires. The loss of these team members will mean that these important duties will fall on others – and pose a significant health and safety risk.
“DOC Rangers, contractors and volunteers rely on the radios to stay in regular contact with their offices and ensure they can get help if they run into trouble,” Fitzsimons says.
“It’s one example of how the loss of business support staff will mean administrative work will have to be done by other DOC staff.
“This will mean they have less time to focus on vital work like protecting threatened species, repairing tracks and pest control,” Fitzsimons says.
The cuts also mean the public will no longer be able to access DOC offices, apart from Visitors’ Centres, because the loss of support staff will mean there will be no one to manage reception.
“A farmer in town for errands will no longer be able to drop into the DOC office to talk with staff about matters of concern. A wealth of local knowledge and wisdom will be lost with the axing of support staff,” Fitzsimons says.
“Downgrading 25 roles to half-time is a blow to the many workers who cannot make

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Economics – Tariffs and uncertainty likely to dampen medium-term inflation pressures – Reserve Bank of NZ

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

24 July 2025 – Global tariffs and economic uncertainty are likely to mean less inflation pressures in New Zealand and a pullback in business investment and household spending, RBNZ Chief Economist Paul Conway says.

However, the economy is currently supported by high export prices and lower interest rates, he says.  

In a speech delivered to Business New Zealand in Wellington today, Mr Conway says that as a small, open economy, we are heavily influenced by global developments.

“Being tied in with the global economy helps us prosper. It also means that when something big happens offshore, such as the imposition of tariffs, its ripple effects impact the New Zealand economy,” he says.

The US has made a decisive shift towards a more trade protectionist stance, which is a major change in the global trading environment with significant implications for the global economy, Mr Conway says.

Tariffs may make global supply chains less efficient and could nudge up the cost of imports. This is why tariffs are expected to add to inflation pressures in the US.

But for New Zealand, the main impact is likely to be weaker global growth, which could reduce demand for our exports and lower import prices. Import prices could fall further as other countries redirect their exports away from the US. This is expected to reduce inflation pressures here.

At the same time, uncertainty is elevated, making it harder for households and businesses to plan.

“When businesses aren't sure what's coming, they hold off hiring and delay big investments. Households tend to respond to increased uncertainty by putting off big sp

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Property Market – Rental market softens tipping in favour of tenants – Cotality

Source: Cotality.

New Zealand’s rental market has started to swing in favour of tenants, as easing migration and rising supply take the heat out of rents, according to Cotality’s July Housing Chart Pack. (ref. http://www.cotality.com/nz/resources/industry-insights/monthly-housing-chart-pack )

Data from the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment (MBIE) shows that the national median rent in the three months to May edged down by -0.3% from last year, not a big fall but still the first since late 2009.

After significant increases over 2021-23, rental growth has generally petered out in recent months, or turned negative in some key centres.

There has been a rare shift in markets such as Auckland where the median weekly rent has dropped -2.0% over the past year to $650. Wellington City has also seen a decline of -0.8%, down to $602. Tauranga and Christchurch are other main centres with soft rents at present.
 
Median weekly rents in three months to May, % change from a year ago

Sources: MBIE, Cotality (formerly CoreLogic)

Cotality Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson said this shift is being driven by a range of interrelated factors.

“There was a sharp rise in rents post-COVID as borders reopened and net migration spiked. Many new migrants tend to rent, especially given the foreign buyer ban, and that demand placed pressure on key centres such as Auckland.”

“At the same time, rental supply was tighter. Investor activity had dipped due to rising mortgage rates and tax rule changes, which arguably meant fewer rental properties were added to the available pool than otherwise might have been the case.”

Mr Davidson noted that these dynamics pushed rents up to high levels, both in dollar terms and relative to household incomes, placing strain on tenant affordability.

“This affordability ceiling is now acting as a natural brake on further rent increases.”

“And while it’s still expensive to be a tenant, the balance of power has shifted slightly. It’s not suddenly easy to rent, but it is nevertheless a friendlier market for tenants than it has been in recent years,” he said.

Recent falls in net migration have reduced marginal rental demand growth, while the supply of available listings rises.

“Supply has risen as investors are starting to return to the market, and at the same time we’re seeing the completion of many new-build properties.

“Overall, this has contributed to a softening in the rental market, with conditions gradually shifting in favour of tenants,” Mr Davidson concluded.
Highlights from the July 2025 Housing Chart Pack include:

New Zealand’s residential real estate market is worth a combined $1.65 trillion.
The Cotality Home Value Index shows property values across New Zealand ticked up by +0.2% in June. Over the three months to June, however, there was a -0.1% dip in median property values across NZ.

The total sales count over the 12 months to June is 85,951.
Total listings on the market were 27,006 in June. The total number of properties listed on the market remains elevated, although the seasonal fall for new listings flows means that agreed sales have just started to eat into stock levels.
The pace of rental growth remains subdued, with net migration having fallen a long way from its peak, and the stock of available rental listings on the market still elevated.
Buyer Classification data shows first home buyers made up 26% of purchases from April to June, while smaller investors (‘Mums and Dads’) are having a comeback, targeting cheaper, existing dwellings.

Gross rental yields now stand at 3.8%, which is the highest level since mid-16.
Inflation is back in the 1–3% target range. The Reserve Bank looks set to cut the official cash rate again to 3.0%, potentially as soon as August.

The Chart of the Month for July highlights MBIE data showing the annual % change in median weekly rents over the three months to May. After years of sharp increases, rents are now softening in some main centres, with Auckland down -2.0% to $650, alongside modest declines in Wellington City (-0.8%) and Tauranga (-0.2%).
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Farming and Finance – Federated Farmers release rural banking report cards

Source: Federated Farmers

A Federated Farmers survey has revealed how the country’s biggest rural lenders are performing in the eyes of farmers – ranking the banks from best to worst.
“A farmer’s relationship with their bank is one of the most important relationships within their business, and for many farmers interest payments will be their single-biggest expense,” says Federated Farmers banking spokesperson Mark Hooper.
“Farmers, along with politicians and the general public, deserve full transparency of what each of the rural lenders is doing well – and just as importantly, what they’re not doing so well.
“That’s why, for the first time, we’ve asked farmers to tell us how the banks are stacking up.
“We’re now releasing these report cards because we want to create more visibility of rural banking issues and competition.”
Federated Farmers’ May banking survey of 681 farmers found Rabobank and ANZ were the top-performing rural banks, sharing first-place on the podium.
Rabobank received the highest scores for overall satisfaction, communication quality and overdraft rate.
ANZ scored the best farmer ratings for mortgage rates, the level of undue pressure felt by farmers, and mental health scores.
Westpac came in at the middle of the pack, scoring well with their mortgage rates and communication.
BNZ and ASB were nearly tied in last place, showing they’ve got some work to do with farmers.
Hooper says the banks’ CEOs should keep an eye out for a report card coming their way.
“The purpose of these report cards isn’t to tear down the banks – it’s to really help them see what they need to focus on to deliver a better service to Kiwi farmers.
“Over the coming weeks we’ll be providing each of the banks with a copy of their report card, and some constructive feedback on how they could improve.
“We hope this is a helpful process and results in a benefit to both farmers and their lenders.”
ANZ
  • Mortgage  Rate: A+
  • Overdraft  Rate: A
  • Undue  Pressure: A+
  • Comm.  Quality: B
  • Mental  Health: A+
  • Overall  Satisfaction: A
  • Final  Grade: A-
Rabobank
  • Mortgage  Rate: B
  • Overdraft  Rate: A+
  • Undue  Pressure: A
  • Comm.  Quality: A+
  • Mental  Health: A
  • Overall  Satisfaction: A+
  • Final Grade: A-
Westpac
  • Mortgage  Rate: A
  • Overdraft  Rate: C
  • Undue  Pressure: D
  • Comm.  Quality: A
  • Mental  Health: B
  • Overall  Satisfaction: B
  • Final  Grade: C+
BNZ
  • Mortgage  Rate: D
  • Overdraft  Rate: D
  • Undue  Pressure: B
  • Comm.  Quality: D
  • Mental  Health: D
  • Overall  Satisfaction: C
  • Final  Grade: C-
ASB
  • Mortgage  Rate: C
  • Overdraft  Rate: B
  • Undue  Pressure: C
  • Comm.  Quality: C
  • Mental  Health: C
  • Overall  Satisfaction: D
  • Final  Grade: D.
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Weather News – Calm conditions set to turn wet, windy and warm – MetService

Source: MetService

Covering period of Thursday 24th – Monday 28th July – Calm conditions set to turn wet, windy and warm:

  • Cold, settled weather holds through Saturday for most
  • Rain and wind move in from the south late Saturday
  • More widespread wet weather expected early next week, with possible heavy falls for the north of both islands.

Aotearoa New Zealand has enjoyed a run of calm, frosty mornings and crisp, clear days under a broad ridge of high pressure. Places like Dunedin Airport, Timaru, and Wanaka dipped to their lowest temperatures of the year this morning (Thursday), at -6.7°C, -4.7°C and -5.1°C respectively. While Aucklanders have seen consistent low morning temperatures, dropping below 4°C every day so far this week.

However, this spell of settled weather is coming to a close, as conditions gradually turn over the weekend with warmer temperatures, rain and wind firmly returning to the forecast from early next week. After what has been a notably cold and settled week of July, the shift to a more active pattern may feel like a dramatic change for many.

MetService meteorologist Devlin Lynden says, “We can enjoy the clear days for a little bit longer. But that ridge is on the move, and we’ll start to feel the effects as early as Saturday in the south.”  He adds, “Our focus is on the next system which will bring rain and wind back into the picture for many areas by late Sunday and into Monday, with more severe weather possible on Tuesday.”

The first signs of change eventuate in Fiordland late Friday, with cloud and showers spreading northward. By Sunday, areas like Northland and the West Coast can expect scattered showers, while eastern regions such as Canterbury and Hawke’s Bay stay dry a little longer.

Next week looks more unsettled overall, with warmer temperatures brought in by strengthening northerly winds. Showers spread further east on Monday, and by Tuesday, there is the risk of heavier rain developing for the north of the North Island, the Tasman District and the West Coast, areas that have already seen plenty of severe weather this winter.

“Warnings and Watches for Heavy Rain and for Strong Winds may be issued in the coming days. Keep up with the latest information at metservice.com, especially as we head into a more active and changeable weather week,” advises Lynden.
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Research – Study of ancient sea creature’s DNA links New Zealand to oceans around the world

Source: New Zealand Institute for Earth Science Limited (Earth Sciences New Zealand)

A world-first study of marine life, including sea creatures found in New Zealand's dark, cold, pressurised ocean depths, has revealed that deep-sea life is surprisingly more connected than previously thought. The research, led by Australia's Museums Victoria Research Institute and just published in Nature, found that while marine life in shallow waters is regionally unique, deeper ocean life shows more global connectivity, with some deep-sea species found across vast distances, even on opposite sides of the world.
A previous lack of global data meant that the connections of deep-sea species weren't fully known, but the researchers from 19 different institutions, including Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly NIWA), were able to discover how marine life is connected across the sea floor. The landmark study mapped the global distribution and evolutionary relationships of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea), an ancient, spiny animal found from shallow coastal waters to the deepest abyssal plains, and from the equator to the poles.

In the most comprehensive study of its kind, brittle star DNA from four dozen collections, including from Earth Sciences New Zealand's invertebrate collection in Wellington, was examined. By analysing over 2,500 DNA samples collected from over 300 research voyages in all oceans and at various depths, the researchers were able to uncover how the deep-sea invertebrates have evolved and migrated across the oceans over the past 100 million years, linking ecosystems from Iceland to Tasmania.

'You might think of the deep sea as remote and isolated, but for many animals on the seafloor, it's actually a connected superhighway,' said study lead Dr Tim O'Hara, Senior Curator of Marine Invertebrates at Museums Victoria Research Institute. 'Over long timescales, deep-sea species have expanded their ranges by thousands of kilometres. This connectivity is a global phenomenon that's gone unnoticed, until now.'

The brittle star was chosen because the animals, which have lived on Earth for over 480 million years, are found on all ocean floors, including at depths of more than 3,500 metres, says Dr O'Hara. “These animals don't have fins or wings, but they've still managed to span entire oceans. The secret lies in their biology; their larvae can survive for a long time in cold water, hitching a ride on slow-moving deep-sea currents.”

With the yolk-rich larvae able to drift on deep ocean currents for extended periods, the brittle stars have been able to colonise far-flung regions. Unlike marine life in shallow waters, which is restricted by temperature boundaries, deep-sea environments are more stable and allow species to disperse over vast distances, the study found. “The research shows that deep-sea communities, particularly at temperate latitudes, are more closely related across regions than their shallow-water counterparts. This may be due to historic ocean currents and temperature patterns that allowed species to spread over time. For example, marine animals found off southern Australia share close evolutionary links with those in the North Atlantic, on the other side of the planet.”

However, the deep sea is not uniform, and while species can spread widely, factors such as extinction events, environmental change, and geography have created a patchwork of biodiversity across the seafloor.

Deep-sea ecosystems are more connected than first thought, says study co-author Sadie Mills, invertebrate collection manager at Earth Sciences New Zealand (formerly NIWA). “Understanding how species are related and their connections in the ocean at different depths and different latitudes is key to protecting marine biodiversity across the entire planet. These global links should be taken into account in planning.”

As threats from deep-sea mining and climate change increase, this new appreciation of how life is distributed and moves through this vast environment is essential if we want to protect it, says Dr O'Hara. “It's a paradox. The deep sea is highly connected, but also incredibly fragile.”

(Ref. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09307-1 )

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Law Business and Media – MinterEllisonRuddWatts advises Warner Bros. Discovery on sale of Discovery NZ to Sky

Source: MinterEllisonRuddWatts

MinterEllisonRuddWatts is pleased to have advised Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. on the sale of its New Zealand subsidiary, Discovery NZ Limited, to Sky Network Television Limited (Sky).
The transaction, announced this week, involves the sale of 100% of the shares in Discovery NZ to Sky, with completion expected on 1 August 2025.
Discovery NZ operates the broadcast-video-on-demand (BVOD) platform ThreeNow, free-to-air channel Three, and a suite of FAST channels in New Zealand.
As part of the deal, Warner Bros. Discovery and Sky have entered into a significant and ongoing content supply agreement, ensuring continued access to premium content for New Zealand audiences.
Michael Brooks, Managing Director Australia and New Zealand for Warner Bros. Discovery commented: “This is a fantastic outcome for both Warner Bros. Discovery and Sky. While Discovery NZ is no longer commercially viable as a standalone asset in our New Zealand portfolio, we see the value Three and ThreeNow can bring to Sky’s offering. The transaction includes a content supply agreement that benefits both parties.”
MinterEllisonRuddWatts advised Warner Bros. Discovery on all legal aspects of the transaction, including deal structuring, negotiation of the share sale agreement, transitional services arrangements, employment aspects, content supply arrangements and regulatory engagement.
Corporate Partner Mark Forman who led the deal, says: “We are proud to have supported Warner Bros. Discovery in this strategic divestment. The transaction reflects our firm’s expertise in cross-border M&A and media sector transactions, and we are pleased to have helped deliver a successful outcome that creates a unique opportunity for Sky.”
The law firm’s deal team included Mark Forman, Tayla Johnston, James Marriner, Nick Stewart, Caitlin Reid, Jennifer Hambleton, Gillian Service, Joshua Kimpton, Simon Akozu, Andrew Ryan, Chris Young, Briar Richardson, David Gilbert, Tom Maasland, Sean Gollin, and Kate Lane.
MinterEllisonRuddWatts is a top tier New Zealand law firm known for providing clients with technically excellent legal solutions and innovative advice. We are trusted advisors and work alongside our clients to ensure success. We are proud to be a New Zealand law firm offering a global outlook. Our offices in Auckland and Wellington can access an international network through our firm’s strategic alliance with MinterEllison, a leading firm in the Asia-Pacific. The firm supports numerous charitable endeavours and organisations through its pro bono and fundraising initiatives.
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Consumer NZ reveals the best and worst laundry detergents

Source: Consumer NZ

Three laundry detergents have scored no better than water in Consumer NZ’s laundry detergent test.

We put 46 detergents through the wringer. Two detergents ended up with an overall score of 27 out of 100 – the same score given to a wash with only water. Those two products were Shotz Laundry Liquid and EcoLiving Laundry Detergent Sheets with lavender scent.

Another laundry sheet product – Re-Stor Laundry Detergent Sheets fresh linen scent – scored even lower. These sheets were rated ‘poor’ at removing everyday grime and most of the stains we use in our detergent tests, including grass and mud, olive oil and tomato.  

Our head of testing James le Page said he wasn’t surprised laundry sheets once more took out two of the bottom spots in the test.

“They only weigh a couple of grams, so when you put them in your machine, they’re just not going to do a good job compared with a capful of laundry liquid or scoop of powder, both of which have the potential to contain more active ingredients,” James said.  

However, James wouldn’t be surprised if laundry sheets one day climbed up the test results.

“They’re early in their developmental journey as a product. They’re years behind the other options, so they’re playing catch-up.”

Persil products took out the top three spots in the test results, with Persil Ultimate powder proving to be New Zealand’s most effective laundry detergent.

Persil Active Clean powder wasn’t far behind, followed by Persil 3 in 1 Ultimate capsules.  

Ten detergents were given ‘Consumer Recommended’ status, including some New Zealand-made Laundromate and Ecostore products.  

The cheapest Recommended detergent was Ecostore Ultrapower Citrus Fresh – it costs just 8c per wash. It was particularly good at removing everyday grime as well as grass and tomato stains.  

See here the laundry detergent test results available for anyone to view: https://consumernz.cmail20.com/t/i-l-fultrid-ijjdkdttjk-y/

“We encourage people to have a look at the results and see how the detergent they’re using now scores. You might find something that will do a better job for a better price,” James said.  

Best powder detergent – Persil Ultimate  
Best liquid detergent – Ariel Original  
Best capsule detergent – Persil 3 in 1 Ultimate  

 

Notes

Consumer NZ test results are usually exclusively available to our members. However, this time, we have made the laundry detergent test results available for all New Zealanders. You can view them at www.consumer.org.nz/products/laundry-detergents/review.