Household labour force survey estimated working-age population: June 2025 quarter – information release
9 July 2025
The household labour force survey estimated working-age population table shows the population benchmarks used to produce household labour force survey estimates for the upcoming labour market statistics release.
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Health – NZNO welcomes Te Whatu Ora backdown on Wellington maternity services – NZNO
Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation
Te Whatu Ora's decision to pull the plug on a trial to take beds away from Wellington Hospital's maternity and gynaecology wards is the right decision, NZNO says.
It was revealed yesterday that Wellington Hospital was cutting beds from its maternity and gynaecology wards in a trial designed to make more room for patients from its overcrowded Emergency Department.
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōputanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) raised concerns it would put the health care of women and their newborn babies at risk.
NZNO Chief Executive Paul Goutler says Te Whatu Ora's backdown is welcome.
“This is the right thing to do. Mums and their new babies will be provided with better health care and it will improve the wellbeing of their whānau.
“It's good that Te Whatu Ora listened to health care workers on matters such as this. However, it still doesn't address staffing issues for midwives and nurses,” Paul Goulter says.
Tech Policy – Workers absent from government’s AI “strategy” – CTU
Source: New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi is concerned that the artificial intelligence (AI) “strategy” document released today by the Government ignores impacts on working people and replicates the corporate hype of Microsoft and other tech giants.
“It is crucial that no workers are left behind as AI usage increases, and so it is deeply concerning that workers are absent from the document released by the Government today,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff.
“AI technologies do provide opportunities for improving productivity and the quality of service. But this will only happen if workers are actively engaged on the implementation and governance of these technologies.
“Workers also need to be properly trained on how to use AI safely and productively, but the strategy released today fails to set out a coherent plan for achieving this.
“Some workers, particularly in clerical and administrative roles, are at a high risk of being displaced by AI. We need to deliver a just transition for any workers negatively affected by AI by supporting them to retrain and find good work.
“The strategy also skates over the very real risks that AI technologies pose for workers. This includes the severe health and safety risks associated with AI surveillance systems, productivity monitoring, and automated management.
“The “light touch” approach proposed by the Government will do nothing to protect New Zealand workers from the serious risks posed by AI,” said Wagstaff.
Health and Employment – Te Whatu Ora offer further devalues Māori – NZNO
Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation
Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora’s removal of both clauses involving Māori from their offer in collective bargaining shows not only disrespect but a spurning of their legal obligations, NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says.
New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) has been involved in protracted talks with Te Whatu Ora for months. The new offer from Te Whatu Ora to NZNO members on 30 June failed to include Tikanga Allowance and Kaupapa Māori dispute resolution process clauses.
“These clauses were included in the previous offer in May but have been removed without explanation in the latest offer,” Kerri Nuku says.
“With massive Māori health needs and a huge shortage of Māori nurses this move devalues them and would further motivate them to move on to overseas countries like Australia. With cultural obligations to their community, the big picture is that this would further perpetuate gaps in health care, including Māori continue to die at a faster rate.”
Te Whatu Ora has an obligation to Māori, starting from Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022, she says.
These obligations require Te Whatu Ora to actively protect Māori interests, ensure equitable health outcomes, and support Māori self-determination in health matters.
“But moves such as these seem to be strategic in the systemic eradication of Māori rights by the coalition Government.”
Kerri Nuku says two weeks before the offer from Te Whatu Ora, the Health Minister promised changes to the Healthy Futures Act ‘would also strengthen the Hauora Māori Advisory Committee (HMAC)’.
“I strongly doubt this is what the HMAC would advise. It seems that they’re either speaking with forked tongues, or one hand does not know what the other is up to.
“We call on the Minister to encourage Te Whatu Ora to reinstate the clauses back into the offer.”
Child Fund – World’s poorest hit by double whammy – trade war plus a war on aid
Source: ChildFund New Zealand
President Trump has announced his latest tariffs after a 90 day pause, confirming an increase for 14 countries, including some of the poorest.
Today’s announcement includes 40% tariff on goods from Myanmar and Laos, and a 36% tariff on goods from Thailand and Cambodia.
“We are still waiting to see if he will carry through on his threat to increase tariffs on Pacific Island countries,” says Josie Pagani, CEO of ChildFund.
In April Trump announced tariffs in the Pacific, with Fiji likely to be charged the most at 32 per cent. Nauru, one of the smallest nations in the world would be hit with a 30 per cent tariff, while Vanuatu would get a 22 per cent tariff.
The US is Fiji's top export destination, with Fijian exports totalling $US360 million in 2023.
Kava represents 70 per cent of Vanuatu exports, and the US is one of its primary export destinations for the local drink.
“If Vanuatu gets lumped with a 22% tariff on top of cuts to US aid, while it is still struggling to recover from last year’s earthquake, it will be a real blow to its economy,” says Josie Pagani.
“Being hit with a double whammy – cuts to aid budgets and a trade war – could wreak havoc on the world’s most indebted countries.”
Low to middle-income countries’ debt levels have more than doubled since 2009 and the cost of servicing that debt has grown.
“These tariffs make it harder for countries to trade their way out of poverty. It decreases the value of their exports, therefore reducing countries’ access to foreign currencies, which they need to pay back their external debt.”
“There is some hope. Some developing countries will find new markets in Europe, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, including New Zealand and Australian markets. There are also other development banks who can lend to poor countries, for example the European Investment Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The U.S. is not a member of either.
“But there is no doubt that today’s tariff announcement will make it hard for countries to wean themselves off aid by increasing trade. The world is set to become a more dangerous place. The last thing we need now,” says Josie Pagani.
Tech Policy – National AI strategy will boost business large and small – BusinessNZ
Source: BusinessNZ
BusinessNZ welcomes a national strategy for artificial intelligence, saying the potential boosts to innovation, productivity and wellbeing can positively impact all sectors.
Director of Advocacy Catherine Beard says the emerging technology could be worth billions to New Zealand's GDP over the next decade.
“BusinessNZ strongly supports guidance material from the Government to help answer any questions businesses may have, and be more confident in their AI decision-making process.
“Artificial intelligence is already reframing the way we work, learn and interact daily. We've seen an increased uptake of generative models and more across the economy, but currently large businesses are more willing to make use of AI than smaller businesses.
“AI and the benefits that come with it are for all businesses. There are ways in which small businesses could benefit from even a basic understanding of the technology to boost productivity.
“While we should set rules that best advantage New Zealand, we don’t need to be entirely bespoke in the way we approach AI. So, it's reasonable that New Zealand adopts policy aligned with other OECD countries.
“By reducing regulatory barriers, leading the way and promoting the responsible use of AI, the Government can support businesses as they 'go for growth' with modern tools at their disposal.
The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central, Business Canterbury and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.
Legislation – Sound law-making needed – BusinessNZ
Source: BusinessNZ
Sound law-making is needed for NZ to attract investment and achieve economic growth, BusinessNZ says.
Chief Economist John Pask presented BusinessNZ’s submission on the Regulatory Standards Bill to the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee today.
He said the Bill was an important step towards improving the quality of regulation and reducing the compliance burden on businesses.
“While Parliament is sovereign and can change legislation at any time it sees fit, there is benefit from placing appropriate scrutiny on decision-makers when law is made,” Mr Pask said.
“This Bill is not a silver bullet, but it is another good tool in the toolbox to improve the quality of regulation in NZ.”
He said it was important that the Bill more clearly covered regulatory takings, where an individual or business had their property restricted or confiscated by regulation, and provided for the principle of compensation in such cases.
BusinessNZ recomm
Aggregate and Quarry Sector – Natural sand still required
Source: Aggregate and Quarry Association of NZ
Manufactured sand is currently only able to meet a fraction of New Zealand’s need for sand and naturally-sourced supplies will be required for many years, says the Aggregate and Quarry Association.
AQA CEO Wayne Scott says currently manufactured sand is only meeting between 5 and 10% of New Zealand’s demand for sand, most of it going into concrete production.
“There is no way manufactured sand can replace the need for natural sand in concrete. It will likely form an increasing percentage of supply but it comes at considerable extra cost and like any economic activity, its own environmental consequences.”
He says most sand manufactured in New Zealand would need to be made from virgin rock or stone as the crusher dust created from making aggregate is used in road construction.
“That means a lot of energy either from electricity or diesel. If the sand has to be transported any distance, that further adds to environmental and economic costs.”
Wayne Scott says natural sand is sourced from coastal and river extraction or quarries, which all have their opponents.
He says coastal-sourced sand is contentious in New Zealand but in places such as England, which have similar environmental protections, it provides 20% of supply.
“Most of the sand on coastlines comes from rivers and is replenished.”
Until recently, half of Auckland’s sand needs came from its north coast, barged into the city. With this supply now reduced by two-thirds as a result of an Environment Court decision, many more trucks are on the region’s roads.
Some of the alternative sand is river-sourced, which again can have its opponents.
“Yet removing sand and gravel from rivers is a flood-protection measure which deluged residents, most recently in Tasman, urge their councils to do.”
Wayne Scott says like many rock quarries, resource consent applications to extract sand from a quarry are often opposed by nearby neighbours.
“Councils have to weigh up those voices against the need for a critical resource for the growth of their districts. They certainly shouldn’t believe another solution is at hand.”
He says while manufactured sand will likely develop its current market of 5-10% of New Zealand’s sand requirements, it is no magic bullet.
“We will need a strong supply of naturally-sourced sand for many years yet.”
First Responders – Seven-person specialist team to assist in Canadian wildfires
Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Fire and Emergency New Zealand is deploying a seven-person specialist team to Manitoba, Canada to support the province’s wildfire response.
Canada is currently experiencing a severe wildfire season and all their national resources are fully deployed.
The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre have now requested international support.
There are almost 500 wildfires raging across multiple provinces and more than 160 of these are considered out of control.
Our specialist team consists of an Incident Commander, Operations Sections Chief, Planning Sections Chief, Logistics Sections Chief, Safety Officer, and two Division Supervisors.
They will help manage and coordinate the on-the-ground firefighting teams and keep them safe.
They will be deployed for approximately five weeks.
Local News – Adapted Kindy Gym classes coming to Te Rauparaha Arena – Porirua
Source: Porirua City Council
Porirua City Council has partnered with Special Olympics New Zealand to launch an Adapted Kindy Gym option in term 3.
The classes at Te Rauparaha Arena will provide a fun, supportive play and movement programme designed especially for preschoolers with intellectual or learning disabilities and/or autism.
The calm, engaging classes help little ones to build confidence, coordination and connection – all while having a great time in a safe and inclusive space.
“We aim to give attendees a safe and fun environment to learn, try new challenges and bond with their parents, caregivers and others in their own space and time,” says Arena Events and Programmes Administrator Lynda McAndrew.
“This allows them to learn and grow through play.”
The one-hour classes will focus on developing children's fundamental movement skills – such as throwing and catching, kicking, striking, running, jumping, and balancing.
The sessions will be held on Mondays, 11am-12pm and start on 14 July. They are suitable for tamariki aged 1-4 years old.
Regular Kindy Gym classes are usually held Monday to Friday during term time, 9.30-10.30am.