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Arts – New work by talented writers win NZSA manuscript assessments

Source: New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ) Inc

The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ) Inc announce the writers who will receive manuscript guidance through this year's CompleteMS programme.

Powerful manuscripts crafted by these accomplished writers, have been chosen to be part of this year's programme. Writers spend months polishing their stories for entry into this competitive and successful programme (open to NZSA members). 

The thirteen successful writers receive a detailed assessment of their manuscript from one of Aotearoa / New Zealand's leading writers and approved assessors, followed by a Q+A session with follow-up support.
Our congratulations to the NZSA CompleteMS 2025 recipients: Anna Zam (Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland), Annabel Wilson (Swannanoa), Lisa Slavich (Whangārei), Barbara Scrivens (Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland), Tōrea Scott-Fyfe (Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington), Sarah Pratt (Ōtautahi Christchurch), Gráinne Patterson (Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt), Bede Ngaruko (Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland), Shelly McNee (Hokitika), Kaye McLaren (Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington), Jacqui Gregory (Turangi), Denise Harrison Flett (Quebec, Canada), and Virginia Green(Whakatū Nelson).

Always fiercely contested, this year's CompleteMS programme received a record number of applications with 98 advanced and completed manuscripts submitted for the programme. 

The highly skilled judging panel of convenor Harriet Allan (independent editor and ex-senior Penguin Random House editor), Lee Murray (multi award-winning speculative fiction writer and poet) and Melinda Szymanik(multi award-winning writer of picture books, short stories and novels for children and young adults) had a complex judging task to complete and commented: 'The huge number of applications was daunting, the selection challenging but cheering, for so many people are keen to hone their manuscripts and develop their skills. 
And so many of the manuscripts showed such promise that there was a lot of jostling for the thirteen places available. 
The judging panel would have loved to have had the capacity to award more assessments. Those who missed out should feel confident that their works are still close to completion, as the quality of manuscripts submitted was high.' – Harriet Allan.

NZSA would also like to congratulate shortlisted writers: Penelope Scott, Keryn Powell, Nikki Crutchley, Janine Williams and Carolyn Cossey.

Many past recipients have produced final manuscripts that have achieved publication and acclaim.

CompleteMS Manuscript Assessments are offered by The NZ Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (Pen NZ) Inc every year with the intent of fostering and developing emerging talent with the support of established practitioners.

The NZSA has run highly successful manuscript assessment and mentoring programmes for writers since 1999 and our programmes are supported by funding from Creative New Zealand.

The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa PEN NZ Inc is the principal organisation representing writers in Aotearoa.

Founded in 1934, it advocates for the right to fair reward and creative rights, administers prizes and awards, works closely with the literary sector, and runs professional development programmes for writers.    
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Health and Employment – Mental health worker numbers don’t tell full story of service under stress and strain – PSA

Source: PSA

The Government’s trumpeting of a rise in numbers of mental health and addiction service workers contrasts the everyday experiences of PSA members at the frontline.
The Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey today said Health NZ payroll data showed total full-time staff employed in mental health growing by more than 9 per cent year on year between Quarter 3 in 2023 and Quarter 1 2025.
But PSA members tell a different story.
“Any increase in numbers is long overdue but this only scratches the surface and vacancies and roster shortages remain. With demand for services growing, partly due to a rise in drug use, we need far more mental health workers,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“The Minster’s own officials are also telling him something else.”
In May 3 News obtained a draft report showing the scale of the workforce crisis, but the official report to the Minister removed the numbers. The draft report said 1,485 more frontline mental health and addiction workers were needed right now, including 470 specialist nurses, 145 psychiatrists and 145 clinical psychologists.
“Conditions and pay must improve or more workers will face assaults, burn-out and depart for Australia where pay and resources are far better.
“Our members tell alarming stories of the pressure they are under including:
– Long delays filling vacancies, sometimes more than a year
– Constant threats to safety from patients at EDs and in patient clinics
– Concerns falling on deaf ears of managers
The Government is also relying on data that is more than a year out of date to trumpet a minor fall in the vacancy rate from 11% to 10%.
“These problems have been exacerbated by the phased police withdrawal of support, which is happening without an increase in resources at the frontline. This needs to be paused immediately.
“The Minister needs to take his rose-tinted glasses off and properly invest in this critically important health service. New Zealanders deserve better.”
The PSA represents mental health workers including mental health nurses, community mental health workers, psychologists, social workers, and child and adolescent specialists.
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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Fire and Emergency New Zealand specialist teams in Nelson to support community

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has deployed an eight-person specialist water rescue team from Christchurch to Nelson in advance of more heavy rain warnings.
Director Service Delivery Operations Brendan Nally says the team got into place early as Nelson has only two roads into the district, and they are prone to flooding and cutting the district off.
“Our specialist team is on the ground ready to support local brigades if needed when the rain comes,” Brendan Nally says.
We are warning people not to drive through any floodwater and to respect all “road closed” signs. “It’s impossible to judge the depth of water so when people become stranded, they are in danger of drowning.”
Fire and Emergency is also deploying a four- person wide area damage assessment team to Nelson this morning. These teams are part of Fire and Emergency’s urban search and rescue capability, and they assess whether buildings impacted by floods, landslips and earthquakes are safe to enter.  
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Education Events – School boards conference opens in Christchurch

Source: Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa (NZSTA)

More than 700 school board members, education leaders and sector experts are converging on Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre this weekend for the 35th Annual Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa – New Zealand School Boards Association (NZSBA) Conference, the largest event of its kind dedicated to school governance in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The conference opens today under the theme Creating a Difference, reflecting the crucial role that boards play in shaping the future of schools and student success across the country.
Over the next three days delegates will take part in a wide-ranging programme of keynote presentations, workshops and networking events designed to equip school board members with the knowledge, tools and inspiration to lead effectively. Highlights include keynote addresses by Minister of Education Hon Erica Stanford, education thought leader Professor Mere Berryman and renowned neuroscience educator Kathryn Berkett.
Alongside the learning programme, the conference also provides opportunities for connection and celebration, including the Gallagher Insurance Gala Dinner themed Once Upon a Change, which will bring delegates together to recognise the impact of governance done well.
NZSBA President Meredith Kennett says this year’s event comes at a pivotal moment for education governance.
“We’re seeing major shifts across the sector – from changing legislation to new technologies and increasing expectations of transparency and engagement. This conference is about supporting our boards to rise to these challenges and continue to make a positive difference in their communities.”
The conference runs from Friday 11 July to Sunday 13 July.
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UNICEF – 70 per cent of children in Ukraine lack access to basic goods and services as material deprivation soars

Source: UNICEF

Urgent investment in critical services and systems for children is vital to protecting and building the country's future.

Around 70 per cent of children in Ukraine – or 3.5 million – now lack access to basic goods and services, including adequate food or shelter, according to new data published by UNICEF. This proportion of children experiencing 'material deprivation' increased from some 18 per cent in 2021, prior to the escalation of the war in February 2022.

Material deprivation is a stark indicator of poverty and includes a lack of access to nutritious food, appropriate clothing, heating at home, and educational materials, among other essentials. It deprives children of a minimum standard of living and affects their long-term development, education, health, and future opportunities.

“The war in Ukraine continues to devastate the country's children. Investing in them and the services they rely on, is the best way to secure Ukraine's future,” said UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell. 

“The ongoing humanitarian response is tailored to meet immediate needs while supporting lasting results. But it must not be at the expense of investing in Ukraine's long-term recovery that will benefit children today and generations to come.”

Some 2,786 children have been killed or maimed since February 2022. A third of Ukraine's children live in homes without functioning water supply and sewage and nearly half of children lack access to an area to play at home or outside. Continued and relentless attacks on critical water, sanitation, and energy infrastructure, children's homes, schools and healthcare facilities, combined with rising poverty, have caused an increase in material deprivation.

Ukraine is also facing serious demographic challenges, with a 35 per cent birthrate decline and millions of women and children having fled the country.  

Continuous access to quality and inclusive social services, education and health care for all children and their families is essential, especially for children living near the frontlines, children with disabilities, those in institutions and foster families, and children displaced from their homes.

“The opportunity to protect and nurture Ukraine's children and young people – from the early years through adolescence – is now. The country's future dep

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Security – Banking Ombudsman Scheme welcomes establishment of the New Zealand Anti-Scam Alliance

Source: Banking Ombudsman Scheme

The Banking Ombudsman Scheme welcomes the announcement of the New Zealand Anti-Scam Alliance, recognising it as a significant and timely step toward a more coordinated and proactive response to scams in Aotearoa.
“We have been calling for stronger, sector-wide action to prevent scams for some time,” says Nicola Sladden, Banking Ombudsman. “The establishment of the Anti-Scam Alliance reflects growing recognition of the need for collaboration, and we’re pleased to support its work.”
In addition, the Scheme welcomes an upcoming expansion of its jurisdiction to include complaints about receiving banks-those whose accounts are used to receive stolen funds. This change enables a more complete assessment of scam-related complaints and supports accountability across the banking system.
“Preventing scams requires a united approach across industry, government, and consumer groups,” says Sladden. “We remain committed to supporting the Alliance and continuing our work to protect New Zealanders from financial harm.”
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Banking and Security – ASB welcomes Anti-Scam Alliance

Source: ASB

ASB is welcoming the launch of a comprehensive Anti-Scam Alliance which it says is a positive move in the fight against fraud and scams.

Chief Executive Vittoria Shortt says while the banking sector has invested significantly in fraud and scam prevention, detection and awareness for many years, having a formal alliance between Government, police, consumer groups and a range of impacted industries will make a real difference.

“Banks and telcos have been working very hard, both individually and together, for some time, to tackle fraud and scams. We’ve partnered with others in the industry like consumer groups and police, but the real power comes in a true all of ecosystem approach, as Minister Simpson has announced today.

“We’re pleased to see digital and social media companies join the charge. Each member of the alliance brings unique skills and experience which will improve our collective ability to fight fraud and scams. The formal involvement of Government will also enable stronger collaboration and commitment and more resource and expertise so we can continue to work together to keep New Zealanders safe.”

ASB has spent around $140 million fighting fraud, scams, financial crime and cybercrime this financial year, and has invested in a number of customer initiatives. This includes tools such as Caller Check, which was launched in March and combats bank impersonation scams, and ASB’s 24/7 fraud line, which has received more than 21,000 calls outside of regular bank hours since it was launched in February.

The industry has also been working closely together on Confirmation of Payee and increasing information sharing to better target money mules as part of ongoing collaborative work.

“We know there is still more to be done, but today’s announcement is another step forward and we will continue to build on the work we’re already doing in this space,” says Shortt.

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ExerciseNZ – Thrive in Dry July – Why Exercise is the Perfect Partner for Sobriety

Source: ExerciseNZ

As thousands of New Zealanders take on Dry July, ExerciseNZ is encouraging exercise professionals and facilities to recognise the powerful role exercise plays in supporting alcohol-free living. Since landing in New Zealand in 2012, Dry July has inspired over 61,000 Kiwis to go alcohol-free while raising over $11 million to support people affected by various forms of cancer.

Mounting evidence shows that physical activity not only helps people reduce or abstain from alcohol but also improves mood, reduces cravings, and builds the resilience needed for long-term lifestyle change.

“Exercise is one of the most effective, evidence-based ways to support both mental health and behaviour change,” says ExerciseNZ CEO Richard Beddie. “Dry July is a great opportunity for our industry to step up and offer supportive environments for those choosing to go alcohol-free.”

Recent studies have shown:

  • Just 12 minutes of aerobic exercise can significantly reduce alcohol cravings and anxiety in adults with alcohol use disorder
  • Structured exercise programmes used alongside alcohol treatment are more effective than treatment alone, with over 75% of studies reporting reduced alcohol intake when exercise is included.
  • Campaigns like Dry July often lead to increased exercise levels among participants, as people swap drinking for more mindful habits.

These benefits are more than physical. Regular movement boosts endorphins, improves sleep, enhances emotional regulation, and builds routine. All are critical to the success of alcohol-free commitments.

ExerciseNZ is encouraging exercise professionals and facilities to support Dry July participants in ways that promote inclusiveness and wellbeing. This includes, but is not limited to the following support methods. 

  • Create welcoming spaces for new members or returning exercisers who may be seeking positive lifestyle change.
  • Offer Dry July promotions or challenges.
  • Encourage group training or classes that help replace social drinking with supportive, community-based activities.
Movement and exercise play a powerful role in helping people reconnect with themselves, often becoming a long-term replacement for unhealthy habits. As the leading voice of the exercise industry in Aotearoa, Exercise New Zealand is well placed to support and guide that positive shift. Dry July can be more than just a fundraiser for cancer support services; it also opens up important conversations about wellbeing, mental health, and reducing alcohol harm. These are all areas where the exercise industry has a crucial and growing role to play.
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Environment – EPA bans crop insecticide after reassessment

Source: Environmental Protection Authority

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is banning a crop insecticide, chlorpyrifos, after reassessing the chemical.
The ban will come into effect progressively during an 18-month phase-out period.
Chlorpyrifos is a broad-spectrum organophosphate insecticide used to control pests in pasture and grain crops such as wheat and for biosecurity treatment of pests.
The chemical is banned in the European Union and Canada, and its use is heavily restricted in Australia. It is in the process of being phased out internationally via the Stockholm Convention, of which New Zealand is a signatory.
As part of the reassessment, the EPA considered new information, called for submissions, and held a public hearing. A decision-making committee found that risks to people and the environment of using the insecticide outweighed the benefits.
“Operators spraying the insecticide and bystanders are most at risk from immediate and long-term health issues,” says Dr Shaun Presow, Hazardous Substances Reassessments Manager. “New evidence shows that even full personal and respiratory protective equipment don’t fully mitigate the health risks.
“The health risks for children exposed to chlorpyrifos in particular are concerning, which is why we have put in place an immediate ban on using the chemical in public places,” says Dr Presow.
“Chlorpyrifos also has harmful effects on plants and animals on land and in waterways.”
An EPA decision-making committee set an extended phase-out period for the use of chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-containing substances to allow users to transition to alternative products.
“We acknowledge the concerns of some farmers who will need to find alternatives to chlorpyrifos products to control New Zealand grass grub,” says Dr Presow. “This is why we have approved and extended the 18-month phase-out period for farmers to find other ways to manage native grass grub.
“We are equally mindful of the risks to human health and the environment, and that the phasing out of chlorpyrifos is supported by some industry groups. Furthermore, our international trade partners are already imposing restrictions on the use of chlorpyrifos on food crops.”
From 10 July 2025 the use of chlorpyrifos will be phased out:
– over 18 months for those using the active ingredient to control grass grub
– over six months for all other industries
– immediately in public places.
Notes:
– Chlorpyrifos is used only by professional users.
– Pronunciation guide for “chlorpyrifos”: clore-pir-ee-fos 
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BusinessNZ – Relevant skills in short supply

Source: BusinessNZ

Legislation aimed at improving NZ’s vocational education and training system needs to focus on delivering the right skills needed for business and employment growth, BusinessNZ says.
BusinessNZ says New Zealand’s new vocational education system should not be dominated by polytechnics to the detriment of work-based training and should focus on delivering better-skilled graduates who are more likely to get a job.
BusinessNZ’s submission to the Education & Workforce Select Committee on the Education and Training (Vocational Education and Training System) Amendment Bill says many of the skills that people currently get trained in are not the skills needed by business, and this is holding back graduates from successfully gaining employment – an industry-led, government-enabled vocational system for setting standards is required, to allow for more relevant, up-to-date skills to be taught.
The Bill also allows for a training levy to be imposed on businesses, however BusinessNZ says its members strongly oppose this provision, as they believe the system first requires significant improvement to achieve the business and employment outcomes required from vocational training.