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Health – ProCare welcomes fast-tracked registration for overseas doctors

Source: ProCare

ProCare welcomes the Medical Council’s decision to recognise overseas-trained doctors from Chile, Croatia, and Luxembourg as part of the “Comparable Health System pathway”. Alongside the fast-track registration for GPs from the USA, Canada, and Singapore, this will deliver a much-needed boost to general practices across Aotearoa who are facing a significant GP shortage.

The decision means ProCare will be better placed to support its primary care network to recruit offshore GPs; further helping to ease workforce pressure and improve access to care for communities.

Bindi Norwell, Chief Executive at ProCare, says the organisation is ready to support practices to take full advantage of the change.

“We know our practices are under pressure and this change gives us a practical way to bring in skilled clinicians faster,” says Norwell.

Under the changes, GPs from the United States, Canada and Singapore will have their registration applications processed within two months, while specialists from countries such as the UK, Ireland and Australia will benefit from a fast-tracked 20-day assessment process. Japan and South Korea were added to the list in February 2025.

“At ProCare, we are deeply committed to investing in the primary care workforce. We’ve long advocated for practical solutions that support our network and improve health outcomes for our communities. This announcement aligns with that vision.”

Earlier this month, ProCare became an Immigration NZ Accredited Employer, allowing it to directly support practices with international recruitment and immigration processes.

“We’re actively investing in solutions for primary care that make a difference,” says Norwell. “Our investment includes tailored support for general practice teams, leadership development, and tools to improve retention and resilience. We’re committed to building a strong, sustainable workforce that delivers better health outcomes for all New Zealanders.”

ProCare will continue working closely with its network and partners to ensure overseas-trained doctors are welcomed, supported, and integrated into the communities where they’re needed most.

Learn about ProCare's Investment in Workforce: https://www.procare.co.nz/about-us/investment-in-workforce/

About ProCare

ProCare is a leading healthcare provider that aims to deliver the most progressive, pro-active and equitable health and wellbeing services in Aotearoa. We do this through our clinical support services, mental health and wellness services, virtual/tele health, mobile health, smoking cessation and by taking a population health and equity approach to our mahi. As New Zealand’s largest Primary Health Organisation, we represent a network of general practice teams and healthcare professionals who provide care to more than 830,000 people across Auckland and Northland. These practices serve the largest Pacific and South Asian populations enrolled in general practice and the largest Māori population in Tāmaki Makaurau. For more information go to www.procare.co.nz
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IHC – Cost-of-living crisis deepens longstanding struggle for intellectually disabled New Zealanders

Source: IHC

IHC says the cost-of-living crisis is worsening an already serious situation for intellectually disabled New Zealanders and their families, many of whom have faced financial hardship for years.

As charities sound the alarm on families huddling in single rooms to stay warm, skipping meals, and borrowing to pay power bills, IHC Senior Advocate Shara Turner points out this level of struggle is nothing new for those living with intellectual disability, it’s long been the norm.

She says the IHC-funded Cost of Exclusion report, released last month, used older data and shows people with intellectual disabilities were living with significant financial stress five years ago.

“We are calling on the government and policy makers to adjust income support to reflect the true cost of disability and to recognise the long-term, cross-sector disadvantage disabled people experience.”

The Cost of Exclusion report paints a bleak picture:

People with an intellectual disability are twice as likely to live in hardship up to age 39 and almost three times as likely at ages 40 to 64, compared to the rest of the population.
Rates of severe hardship are double in young adulthood and triple in middle age.
Nearly half of intellectually disabled people cannot pay an unavoidable bill within a month without borrowing.
They are over four times more likely to go without a meal containing meat or a vegetarian equivalent.
They are more than twice as likely to feel cold due to heating costs.

“The current cost-of-living spike will have just added to the struggle. Stats NZ figures show electricity prices have increased by almost 9 percent and petrol by 15.5 percent in the last year. Social services have seen dramatic funding cuts and one provider told RNZ they are now supporting 800 fewer families than last year due to a $1.5 million drop in government funding.”

“It’s not a blip. We are looking at entrenched, generational poverty and targeted action is needed to change the outcomes for some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable people.”

IHC’s research, which includes powerful interviews with caregivers, offers insight into the systemic barriers that push families into poverty and keep them there. One mother described the toll:

“I ended up working full-time for three years, which just about killed me… 50 hours a week plus 15 to 20 hours advocating for Simon. It was like running a small business just for his care.”

Another described how her child’s multiple diagnoses made returning to work impossible for years, significantly eroding their family’s financial stability.

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ASEAN Young Business Leaders to meet in Viet Nam, marking 50 years of ASEAN-New Zealand relations

Source: Asia New Zealand Foundation

Business leaders from New Zealand and Southeast Asia will gather in Viet Nam this July for the ASEAN Young Business Leaders Initiative (YBLI) Summit, taking place from 23-27 July 2025 in Da Nang and Hue. The event is hosted by the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono in partnership with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).
The Summit brings together YBLI programme alumni and entrepreneurs from a range of industries – including agribusiness, technology, tourism, fashion, health, and food and beverage – to connect, collaborate, and explore new growth opportunities.
“Through this Summit, we aim to build lasting connections among entrepreneurs from New Zealand and ASEAN,” says Suzannah Jessep, Chief Executive at the Asia New Zealand Foundation. “Viet Nam is an important partner in the region and strengthening relationships, trade and economic ties here benefits both sides.”
Nick Siu, Director of Business and Entrepreneurship at the Foundation, adds, “This is a chance for emerging leaders to learn from each other, find ways to collaborate, and develop new ideas that could lead to partnerships.”
“YBLI opened doors for my business, helping to secure our first export customer in Singapore. I look forward to strengthening these connections at the upcoming event,” says Nick Carey, Managing Director, Green Meadows Beef, New Zealand.
“The Summit is a great opportunity to connect with fellow changemakers and discover ways to advance our sectors together,” says Bicky Nguyen, Co-founder, Cricket One, Viet Nam.
“Since attending the last YBLI event, I’ve grown my consulting firm and am now expanding into Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region,” says Kaye-Maree Dunn, Managing Director Making Everything Achievable and Āhau NZ Limited.
The Summit marks 50 years of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and both ASEAN and Viet Nam, as well as the 30th anniversary of the Asia New Zealand Foundation.
“New Zealand is proud to be a close friend and partner of ASEAN for more than 50 years,” says New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam, Caroline Beresford. “Strengthening these ties goes beyond diplomacy – the Summit empowers young leaders, builds partnerships, and creates mutually beneficial opportunities for both ASEAN and New Zealand.”
-END-
About the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono
Established in 1994, the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono is New Zealand’s leading provider of Asia insights and experiences. Its mission is to equip New Zealanders to excel in Asia, by providing research, insights and targeted opportunities to grow their knowledge, connections and experiences across the Asia region. The Foundation’s activities cover more than 20 countries in Asia and are delivered through eight core programmes: arts, business, entrepreneurship, leadership, media, research, Track II diplomacy and sports.
About the ASEAN Young Business leaders Initiative
The ASEAN Young Business Leaders Initiative (YBLI) is a key part of the New Zealand Government’s ASEAN strategy. The aim of the programme is to facilitate trade and build connections between business leaders and entrepreneurs in New Zealand and Southeast Asia. This is achieved through short, targeted visits to New Zealand and Southeast Asia for ASEAN entrepreneurs and Kiwi entrepreneurs respectively.  
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Heritage – KAKANUI CHURCH LISTED AS CATEGORY 1 HISTORIC PLACE

Source: Heritage New Zealand

The owners of the former Kakanui Church, Michael Simpson and Anna Miles, are thrilled to see their restoration project entered on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero as a Category 1 place.

The Presbyterian church at Kakanui was designed by Robert Arthur Lawson, an important Scottish Dunedin-based architect, who designed many ecclesiastical buildings over his career. The wooden, gothic-style church at Kakanui was built in three months to accommodate 100 people. It was built at a time when Kakanui had just built a port in the hopes of becoming a major export port. This growth never eventuated but the Presbyterian church remained a key community hub.
The church’s architecture was part of what attracted Michael and Anna to the property when they first saw it was for sale. “We like that it’s Robert Lawson’s smallest, most modest surviving building” says Michael. “It was pretty exciting when we looked at it and saw that it was one of his before we bought it.”
For Michael and Anna, the purchase and restoration of the church has been a pleasure – they describe the restoration as their “hobby”. When they bought the church, it needed significant work but that didn’t scare the couple. Michael is an experienced carpenter with heritage expertise, and Anna is also hands-on. Gradually they have put new subfloor bearing joists in, replaced corner studs and weatherboards, restored windows, painted, and improved the drainage. “We never had a particular plan except to restore it,” says Michael. “There was no timeframe, no budget and that’s why it’s been such a pleasure. It is going really well at this stage.”
Part of the journey of restoration has been discovering the emotional ties so many people have to the church. In addition to regular services, the church ran Sunday School classes, which were so popular that in 1933 a dedicated Bible Class Hall was added to the main church. In 1955, two further small buildings were purchased to accommodate the growing Sunday school numbers. The local branch of Brownies used one of these huts as their den.
When Michael and Anna work on their church they have an open-door policy, they’ve found that people come to visit and chat. “The more we’ve got to know the building, the more we’ve realised it’s a special space that means a lot to a lot of other people”, says Anna. “For us, we’re looking after it at the moment and fixing it up. We see ourselves as stewards of the building.” Now that the church is weathertight and stable, Anna and Michael have opened it up to community use.
Michael says, “we’ve had weddings in it, gigs, art exhibitions, and carol services. It doesn’t need to be a commercial space, but we’ve realised it should have a life of its own and a reason to exist. We get quite emotional seeing all the life in the building. We never expected that side of what is our hobby. It’s not what we went looking for but it’s rewarding to see.”
The listing process has highlighted the social and historical value to the Kakanui community. Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Heritage Assessment Advisor, Alison Breese, has loved working on the project. “This place is highly significant to the Kakanui community and has outstanding aesthetic, architectural and historic significance. As one of only two surviving Presbyterian timber churches in New Zealand designed by Lawson it’s been a pleasure seeing the love and hard mahi the owners have put into it.”
For Michael and Anna, the church entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/ Rārangi Kōrero is an important recognition of the significance of the church and will support its ongoing protection and recognition.
ABOUT HERITAGE NEW ZEALAND POUHERE TAONGA
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga is the leading national historic heritage agency for Aotearoa New Zealand, operating as an autonomous Crown Entity. Our mission is to identify, protect, and promote heritage – Kia mōhiotia atu, kia tiakina, kia hāpaingia ā tātau taonga tuku iho.
We actively engage with communities, foster partnerships, and provide valuable resources to support those who are passionate about exploring, learning, and connecting with our rich cultural heritage. For more information, please visit our website at www.heritage.org.nz
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Fire and Emergency – Canterbury Local Advisory Committee appointed

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has confirmed the eight inaugural members of the new Canterbury Local Advisory Committee (LAC).
The LAC members were selected by the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board and will provide the Board with independent advice about what their communities value, their needs and the risks they face.
Te Ihu Region Manager, Brad Mosby says the Canterbury LAC will provide a voice for the communities across both Canterbury and Mid-South Canterbury.
“Our Canterbury LAC members are well connected and respected within their communities, and we look forward to working with them.
“They’ll engage with community groups about local needs and support our local teams in building a shared understanding with communities about the service we deliver.”
You can read more details about the newly appointed members on Fire and Emergency’s website.
Fire and Emergency has also established a new LAC for Wellington this month concluding the national implementation of all 16 LACs.
Every community in New Zealand is now represented by a Local Advisory Committee. As well as the two new LACs in Wellington and Canterbury, there are LACs in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Tairāwhiti, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, Whanganui-Manawatū, Nelson-Tasman, Marlborough, West Coast, Otago, Southland and the Chatham Islands.
An additional three new Chatham Islands committee members were also appointed to the Chatham Islands LAC this month.
Canterbury Local Advisory Committee
Darin Cusack (Chair)
Wendy Smith (Deputy Chair)
Ross Paniora
Mark Adams
Brett King
Cherie Leckner
Andrew Cocking
Habib Marwat.
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Fire and Emergency – Wellington Local Advisory Committee Appointed

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has confirmed the seven inaugural members of Wellington’s new Local Advisory Committee (LAC).
The LAC members were appointed by the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board and will provide the Board with independent advice about what their communities value, their needs and the risks they face.
Te Ūpoko Region Manager, Bruce Stubbs says the Wellington LAC will provide a voice for the communities across Wellington, Porirua, Kapiti Coast, Hutt City and Wairarapa.
“Members represent a diverse range of interests, offer strong local knowledge and will bring real value to the table. We look forward to working with them,” he says.
The committee’s first task will be to plan how to best engage and seek feedback about local needs from people in their communities, and to build a shared understanding with them about the service Fire and Emergency delivers.
You can read more details about the newly appointed members on Fire and Emergency’s website.
Fire and Emergency has also established a new LAC for Canterbury this month concluding the national implementation of all 16 LACs.
Every community in New Zealand is now represented by a Local Advisory Committee. As well as the two new LACs in Wellington and Canterbury, there are LACs in Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Tairāwhiti, Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, Whanganui-Manawatū, Nelson-Tasman, Marlborough, West Coast, Otago, Southland and the Chatham Islands.
An additional three new Chatham Islands committee members were also appointed to the Chatham Islands LAC this month.
Wellington Local Advisory Committee
Adrienne Staples (Chair)
Shamia Love Shariff (Deputy Chair)
Maleeha Ahmad
Asher Wilson Goldman
Sara Williams
Andrew Brown
Maria Mitimeti.
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Weather News – A mixed bag of weather on the way – MetService

Source: MetService

Covering period of Thursday 17th – Monday 21st July – A mixed bag of weather on the way

Key points
– Heavy Rain and Strong Wind Watches, and a Road Snowfall Warning for parts of the north on Thursday and Friday
– Fine spells return for many, with chilly southwesterlies bringing frosts this weekend
– An extreme first half of the year, with at least 38 weather records broken

A grab bag of winter weather is in store for Aotearoa New Zealand over the coming days, as the country shifts between weather systems, each bringing its own set of features. Rain, wind, fine spells, chilly mornings, and frosts are all on the cards from Thursday through to early next week.

The wettest and windiest weather is already being felt across the north, as a low-pressure system sweeps across the island. This system is bringing widespread rain and strong southwesterly winds, with Heavy Rain and Strong Wind Watches in place for parts of the North Island, particularly across Northland where gusts may reach severe gale in exposed places. In contrast, much of the South Island is enjoying sunny skies.

MetService meteorologist Devlin Lynden says, “Thursday is the most active weather day in the mix, with some decent rain for the North Island and strong gusty winds in the far north. We are expecting some settled conditions to follow heading into the weekend, with a chilly edge, thanks to persistent cooler southwesterlies.”

A weekend of calmer weather is on the horizon. A ridge moves in behind the departing low, setting the stage for a cold and frosty country, with Hamilton well into single digits on Saturday night. “Make sure to wrap up if you’re attending the rugby,” advises Lynden.

The colder conditions arrive alongside a more settled pattern, with sunshine expected for large parts of both islands over the weekend. Motorist in inland South Island areas should also watch for black ice on the roads, as freezing overnight temperature could create hazardous driving conditions.

Some patchy cloud, fog and showers will linger in a few places, especially for eastern areas like Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne, but for most, it’s looking like a crisp winter weekend with cold starts, blue skies, and a return to calmer weather.

A more settled weekend may come as a relief for many, as 2025 so far has seen at least 38 weather records broken across weather stations in the MetService network. These span the wettest, driest, coldest, and warmest weather. What they do not include are record-breaking runs of weather, such as the coldest start to the year experienced in places like Wellington and Gisborne in January. It also does not feature the fact that the top of the South Island is seeing its wettest midway point in the year for more than 30 years, so the tally of records broken could well be far higher.

It is worth mentioning that the length of the measurement record varies between stations. For example, Ashburton only has data from 2006 onwards, while Nelson and Blenheim have records going back to 1941.

Stay up to date with the latest forecasts, Watches and Warnings at metservice.com.
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Marine Environment – Alliance renews call for bottom trawling ban in Hauraki Gulf

Source: Greenpeace

Members of the Hauraki Gulf Alliance have deployed a massive ‘Ban Bottom Trawling’ banner on the deck of the Rainbow Warrior, demanding an end to destructive bottom trawling in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.The Alliance, which includes Forest & Bird, LegaSea and Greenpeace, has a long-running campaign to remove trawling from Hauraki Gulf and the renewed call comes as bottom trawling faces increased public scrutiny.
Speaking from the Rainbow Warrior, in the Gulf, “Heal the Hauraki” documentary producer Mandy Kupenga says:”For too long, the practice of bottom trawling has bulldozed the rich and fragile ecosystems beneath the surface of the Hauraki Gulf. Entire ocean communities have been devastated. What happens beneath the waves doesn’t stay there-when we lose biodiversity in the sea, we lose part of what sustains life on land as well.
“We cannot continue turning a blind eye. It’s time to restore the mauri-the life force-of the Gulf, and honour our responsibility to future generations. Ending bottom trawling in and around the Hauraki Gulf isn’t just a conservation decision. It’s a moral one.”
Gulf advocate Shaun Lee says the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries “needs to listen to 97.2% of 8,909 submitters who have asked for a full ban on bottom impact fishing in the Gulf”. LegaSea spokesperson Benn Winlove says he is disappointed the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries is willing to ignore such strong public sentiment against bottom trawling.
“Public opposition to environmental destruction is growing and it’s incredible that a Minister in charge of ensuring sustainability of fish populations and their habitat is willing to let bottom trawling continue in the Gulf, let alone in the Marine Park.”
Bianca Ranson, campaigner from Forest & Bird, says:
“97% of submitters have called for a complete ban of bottom impact fishing in the Hauraki Gulf yet the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, Shane Jones, mocks Tīkapa Moana calling it ‘just a mud-stained bottom’. That is an insult to every living thing that dep

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Tourism – Southern Discoveries puts new emergency survival equipment to the test

Source: Southern Discoveries

Southern Discoveries has become the first tourism company in Milford Sound to be AF8-ready with specialist emergency survival equipment.

The longest-running Milford Sound cruise operator has fitted out its entire fleet of vehicles, including five coaches seating up to 250 people, with survival gear specifically designed for major earthquake events.
 
And the initiative has already got the attention of tourism trade partners.
 
Yesterday, Southern Discoveries’ coach team and senior managers attended a simulated training exercise near Queenstown to familiarise themselves with the life-saving gear they may need in an emergency situation. The drill at Wilson's Bay saw staff simulate realistic earthquake scenarios, practising shelter setup and testing rescue tools with the new equipment.
 
The specialist survival equipment has been supplied by Christchurch-based company The Survival Co., whose owner Peter Gillman was on-site during yesterday's training exercises.
 
Gillman says Southern Discoveries' investment in such an extensive range of survival and medical gear puts them ahead of others in the industry.
 
“Southern Discoveries is the first tourism operator to take this level of equipment from The Survival Co.,” he says. “They've taken the approach that if you're going to do it, you should do it properly, and that's exactly what's been achieved.”
 
The Survival Co. created a tailor-made package for the company, considering the additional challenges of remote locations like Milford Sound.
 
“We looked at the scenarios people might find themselves in and what particular hazards exist in these areas. This gear provides an opportunity to keep people safe and comfortable during an emergency situation until help arrives.”
 
Each of Southern Discoveries' five coaches is now equipped with long-life food supplies, bottled water, purification tablets, emergency shelter, headlamps, waterproof ponchos, survival blankets, personal hygiene items, and stretchers. The gear also includes four-person survival self-rescue backpacks, enabling passengers and drivers to evacuate safely if required, plus satellite communication devices with SOS and two-way texting capabilities to maintain contact in remote areas.
 
Survival packs will be placed in nine company vehicles and all coaches will carry Heartshine Samaritan AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) for immediate medical response capabilities. Grab-and-go packs have been placed in staff housing in Milford Sound.
 
Southern Discoveries CEO Kerry Walker says the delivery of the gear aligns with the company's goal of continuously improving and ensuring safety for guests and staff at all times.
 
“We operate in a region with significant seismic risks, so it's our responsibility to be prepared for any eventuality. This equipment provides genuine peace of mind for our staff, guests, and the local community,” Walker explains.
 
The proactive safety initiative has already received strong support from Southern Discoveries' international trade partners, particularly agents from the United States and Japan, who value the company's commitment to safety standards.
 
“We know our travel agent partners place high value on safety for their clients, so we're delighted to be able to provide this level of comfort,” Walker adds.
 
While Gillman notes his company is seeing increased interest from city councils and Civil Defence organisations, and is encouraged to see more tourism operators starting to invest in high-level survival equipment.
 
Walker adds: “We're proud to position ourselves as industry leaders in emergency preparedness, but we also want to encourage others to work with The Survival Co., who are experts in this area. One of Southern Discoveries' major trade partners has already contacted The Survival Co. to discuss obtaining safety gear for their organisation.”
 
About Southern Discoveries

Southern Discoveries is a local, family-owned company dedicated to sharing some of New Zealand's most iconic scenery and extraordinary experiences with the world. Operating for more than 70 years, Southern Discoveries is Milford Sound's original cruise operator, offering a wide range of incredible sightseeing and adventure activities in Fiordland. The company maintains an ongoing commitment to the conservation of Aotearoa's environment through sustainable tourism initiatives and the support of the Tawaki Project in partnership with DoC, the Fiordland Conservation Trust and the University of Otago.
www.southerndiscoveries.co.nz
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Property Market – Investor comeback: ‘Mums and Dads’ are eyeing up cheaper, existing properties – Cotality

Source: Commentary from Kelvin Davidson, Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist

Cotality's latest Buyer Classification data for June is in and it offers a full view of buyer behaviour across New Zealand for Q2. The figures point to a resilient and active first home buyer segment amid ongoing (but slightly lesser) affordability challenges. At the same time, ‘Mum and Dad’ investors continue to raise their activity levels, gravitating towards more affordable parts of the market.

First home buyers still strong
Over the three months to June, the broad tr