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Universities – Te Herenga Waka graduates light up Wellington

Source: Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington
This week, the newest cohort of Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s graduates will stop traffic with glam fits, billowing cloaks, and bright smiles, on their way to celebrate their achievements at the Michael Fowler Centre and Te Herenga Waka marae.  

The group of over 1,100, which includes over 540 students who have achieved postgraduate qualifications, will be supported by friends, whānau, and Te Herenga Waka staff as they parade through Wellington—from Government Buildings to Queens Wharf—on Thursday 11 December.

Among those crossing the stage will be two honorary doctorate recipients: business leader Dame Theresa Gattung, who will be presented with a Doctor of Commerce, and legal luminary Sir David Carruthers KNZM, who will receive a Doctor of Laws.

This graduation period includes the first Doctor of Nursing to be conferred by the University Council which was awarded to James Rice-Davies for his research on the need for increased access to HIV testing programmes.

“This is a time to recognise academic achievement, but also to acknowledge the perseverance and resilience it has taken our graduates to achieve their goals,” says Chancellor Alan Judge.

“We are in a time of global change, but our graduates have developed values and relationships that will sustain them throughout their lives.

“To our graduates—our future leaders and innovators, I look forward to walking alongside as you lead us into the future with integrity, perseverance, and empathy.”

December graduation will be a time of celebration for the 99 students who will receive their Doctorates, with their significant bodies of work adding to Te Herenga Waka's rich research output.

Vice-Chancellor Nic Smith says this cohort of graduates should be extremely proud of their achievements as they move to the next phase of their lives.

“Graduation always reminds me of the extraordinary potential our students bring to society, whether they joined us straight from school or decided to study later in life. As they move into the world as ambassadors of our university, we are grateful for the energy, creativity, and perspective they contributed to our community. We are immensely proud to see them carry their skills, connections, and commitment to service into the public, creative, and commercial sectors.

“I look forward to witnessing the contributions they will make as they join our global network of over 150,000 alumni.

“Congratulations to all our graduates—we celebrate your achievements and look forward to your future successes.”


 

About Graduation ceremonies

Monday 8 December

Pasifika Celebration, 5.30 pm, The Hub
This is the first Pasifika graduation hosted by Dr Emma Dunlop-Bennett, the University’s new Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Pasifika).


Wednesday 10 December 

Ceremony 1 – 9.30 am, Michael Fowler Centre

 

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Health

 

Ceremony 2 – 3 pm, Michael Fowler Centre

 

Faculty of Science, Faculty of Engineering

 

 

Thursday 11 December

Parade – 1 pm, Old Government Buildings – Queen’s Wharf Square

All graduates and their whānau

 

Ceremony 3 – 3 pm, Michael Fowler Centre

 

Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation

Faculty of Law

Wellington School of Business and Government


Friday 12 December—Te Hui Whakapūmau

Ceremony 4 – 9.30 am, Te Herenga Waka Marae

 

Faculty of Education

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Health
Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation

 

Ceremony 5 – 2 pm, Te Herenga Waka Marae

 

Faculty of Science
Faculty of Engineering
Faculty of Law
Wellington School of Business and Government 

 

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Agencies unite to secure future of Macetown road

Source: Herenga ā Nuku – the Outdoor Access Commission

The Outdoor Access Commission will be one of several organisations to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Arrowtown, marking a major step toward securing long-term public access to the historic Macetown Road. The agreement brings together Queenstown Lakes District Council , the Department of Conservation (DOC), Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), the Outdoor Access Commission, and private landowners.
Macetown Road, an iconic farm track linking Arrowtown to the gold rush-era ghost town of Macetown, is a popular route for 4WD enthusiasts, motorbike riders, trampers, mountain bikers, runners, and gold prospectors. Despite its popularity, the track has never been legally constituted as a road. Heavy use and more than 20 river crossings have led to significant wear. Without coordinated action, the route risks becoming impassable.
The current situation is complicated. No entity is currently responsible for maintenance. There is a complex mix of landowners involving private farmland, LINZ-managed pastoral lease land, DOC-managed marginal strips, and LINZ-managed hydro parcels.
Herenga ā Nuku chief executive Dan Wildy highlighted the importance of collaboration:
“This MOU secures access for everyone who values this part of Otago’s heritage. We are committing to work together so that 4WDers, bikers, and other recreationists can continue to enjoy Macetown Road without compromising its future.”
Alongside the MOU, the community is also working on installing gates to manage 4WD traffic and extend track life. The Overseas Investment Office previously recommended formalising access on the Macetown Road as part of an overseas purchase of some of the private land along the road
The agreement formalises public access and develops a framework for sustainable use of the road. Funding and maintenance responsibilities remain to be resolved, but the MOU commits the partners to the safe management and long-term preservation of the track. 
The Outdoor Access Commission has played a pivotal role advocating for access along the road, supporting the memorandum and committing to cover a portion of the survey costs of Coronet Peak Station access easements .
“The Outdoor Access Commission’s leadership has been critical,” Wildy said. “Everyone involved is ensuring that public access isn’t just protected for today, but for generations to come.”
This MOU will help keep the road open, accessible and sustainable for the thousands of locals and visitors who treasure it.
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Employment – PSA seeks Commerce Commission investigation into ACC over misleading job ads about working from home – PSA

Source: PSA

  • Workers promised flexible work – only to have rug pulled from under them
The PSA has written to the Commerce Commission seeking an investigation into ACC for breaching the Fair Trading Act after it advertised jobs promising staff could work from home up to three days a week, only to propose cutting this to two days.
The PSA has filed the complaint with the Commerce Commission after ACC told staff in October that they would be required in the office three days a week from December 1, up from two days.
This contradicted job advertisements that explicitly promoted working from home up to three days a week as a key benefit of working at ACC (see examples attached). The advertisements ran from June 2023 until at least July 2025.
“ACC deliberately advertised flexible work arrangements to attract staff, and is now looking to break that promise – this is exactly the kind of misleading conduct the Fair Trading Act is designed to prevent,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“Workers made major life decisions – resigning from jobs, relocating, arranging childcare – based on ACC's advertised working conditions. Many feel deceived and betrayed with the proposed change to its remote working policy.”
After the PSA lodged legal action with the Employment Relations Authority, ACC backed down and agreed to pause the changes and consult with staff, with implementation delayed until early next year.
“While we welcome ACC's decision to finally consult staff, the consultation proposal is the same and doesn't change the fact that they misled job applicants about working conditions in the first place,” Fitzsimons said.
“The Commerce Commission needs to investigate whether ACC breached the Fair Trading Act, which applies to employment advertising. Job seekers deserve accurate information about working conditions, which employers are obliged to honour.”
The PSA represents around 1,200 ACC workers who joined the mega strike in October amid rock-bottom morale following a damning culture review. The PSA also remains in facilitated bargaining with ACC through the Employment Relations Authority in relation to a new collective agreement for its members.
“We hope the decision to consult workers over the remote working policy marks a turning point – but the Commerce Commission still needs to determine whether laws were broken when ACC advertised working conditions they failed to honour,” said Fitzsimons.
Background:
The Fair Trading Act 1986 prohibits misleading and deceptive conduct in trade, including employment advertising. Section 12 Misleading conduct in relation to employment states “No person shall, in relation to employment that is, or is to be, or may be offered by that person or any other person, engage in conduct that is misleading or deceptive, or is likely to mislead or deceive, as to the availability, nature, terms or conditions, or any other matter relating to that employment.”
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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New Zealand Government abandons 71 years of NZDF work for Israel – Peace Action Wellington

Source: Peace Action Wellington

Date: Sunday 7 December – The NZ government has abstained from a UN vote to declare Israeli occupation of the Syrian Golan illegal – the first time it has ever done this. This is despite the NZDF deployment to the Golan since 1954 as part of the United Nations Truce Organisation (UNTO), the UN’s longest peacekeeping mission.

Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights is illegal.

NZDF military observers patrol and monitor ceasefires and military activity in Golan Heights and Lebanon, as part of efforts to help preserve peace between Israel and its neighbours Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and Syria.

“The decision by the NZ government is a significant shift signalling very close alignment with the US and Israel, and against international law and against the work of the NZDF. 

“NZ has not yet voted with the US and Israel against the resolution, but this abstention at this time is a clear signal that NZ is on their side. This government has fully bankrupted itself of any international credibility following on the failure to recognise the state of Palestine in September, in direct contravention of explicit advice. This vote simply cements NZ’s total loss of moral standing in world affairs,” said Valerie Morse, member of Peace Action Wellington.

“More than 26 countries changed their position compared to last year and have come out in support of this resolution. NZ is moving in the opposite direction.”

“Will the longest ever NZDF deployment to a UN mission be terminated? The NZDF liaison officer position in Israel with US forces has just been extended.”

“If anyone needed any further evidence that Luxon's Coalition is prepared to greenlight Trump and Netanyahu's plans for Israeli annexations of the West Bank and Gaza, this is it.”

During US president Donald Trump’s first term in 2019, he moved to unilaterally recognise the Golan Heights as Israeli territory. The US presidential proclamation marked the first instance of any country recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights; the territory is viewed as part of Syria under international law, though it has been under an Israeli military occupation since the 1967 Arab–Israeli War. Trump’s decision was highly controversial and seen as a victory for longstanding aspirations for Israeli annexation.

Notes

UN vote on Golan Heights: https://press.un.org/en/2025/ga12737.doc.htm
NZDF deployment to the Golan Heights: https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/nzdf/operations-and-engagements/united-nations-truce-supervision-organisation-untso/

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Economy – ASB Quarterly Economic Forecast: A Brighter 2026 in Sight

Source: ASB

• Economy in recovery mode after last year’s recession.
• Kiwi are spending more, and exports are holding strong.
• Lower interest rates mean better times ahead for households and first-home buyers.

 

After a bumpy ride through last year’s recession New Zealand’s economy is finally turning a corner, according to ASB’s latest Economic Forecast.

 

ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley says with green shoots of growth emerging, Kiwi can look forward to a brighter 2026, fuelled by lower interest rates, resilient exports, and a renewed willingness to spend.

 

“We’re seeing clear signs that the recovery is gathering pace. Consumer spending is up, especially on big-ticket items like cars and electronics, and rural incomes are holding strong despite global uncertainty. With interest rates at their lowest in years, more New Zealanders are set to benefit as mortgages refix at better rates.”

 

Despite persistent global trade challenges and tariffs, New Zealand’s exports – particularly beef and dairy – have continued to thrive, showing impressive resilience and strength.

 

“Around a quarter of our US-bound exports are now exempt from the added 15% tariff, and we’re seeing strong growth in markets like China and Europe,” says Tuffley. Tourism is also rebounding, with visitor numbers back to 88% of pre-Covid levels.

 

The housing market is expected to pick up speed in 2026, with first-home buyers in a particularly strong position thanks to lower interest rates and plenty of choice. “We anticipate modest price growth of around 3–4%, as confidence returns and employment growth lifts household earnings,” Nick notes.

 

“Inflation rebounded to 3% in the third quarter of 2025, but further softening is expected as wage growth slows and spare capacity in the economy keeps price pressures in check. The Reserve Bank’s recent cuts to the Official Cash Rate are expected to hold, with the risk of further easing if recovery falters.”

 

With the worst seemingly behind us, ASB forecasts annual growth of over 2.5% in 2026. “The chapter of ‘bad news’ is closing, and Kiwi can look forward to a year of renewed momentum,” says Nick. “It’s time to enjoy a smoother ride after the potholes of the past year.”

 

The latest ASB Quarterly Economic Forecast, along with other recent ASB reports covering a range of commentary, can be accessed at the ASB Economic Insights page: https://www.asb.co.nz/documents/economic-insights.html

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Nitrate levels in Glenavy dangerously close to Blue Baby risk level – Greenpeace

Source: Greenpeace

Almost exactly one year after the Glenavy water supply exceeded the government’s legal health limits for nitrate, the town’s water supply nitrate levels are rising – and fast.
The Canterbury town’s water supply reached 8.8 mg/L of nitrate (N03-N) in drinking water on Friday afternoon (or 39 mg/L of nitrate). New Zealand’s current legal limit for nitrate in drinking water is 11.3 mg/L of nitrate-nitrogen.
Greenpeace Aotearoa spokesperson Will Appelbe says “It’s been just over a year since Glenavy was put under a ‘do not drink’ notice for exceeding the Government’s legal limit for nitrate, and there’s a very real possibility that this could happen again.
“This level is already putting pregnant people in the area at risk, and if it continues this community will be unable to drink the water from their kitchen taps.”
Two weeks ago, Greenpeace water testing in Waimate found Glenavy town supply was at 6.07mg/L of nitrate. Waimate District Council’s own testing on 20 November found the supply was 6.35 mg/L. Since then, nitrate levels have skyrocketed.
Nitrate contamination in drinking water above 5mg/L has been linked to an increased risk in preterm birth, if pregnant people consume that water during pregnancy. The New Zealand College of Midwives advises pregnant people to consider an alternative water source if their primary water source is above this level for nitrate.
“The Lower Waihao Scheme has consistently tested around 5 mg/L since April, but nitrate levels have shot up in the space of less than a month,” says Appelbe.
“The council has done what they can in an attempt to reduce the contamination, but this is the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. The only way to permanently improve nitrate contamination is to address the source of the pollution: the intensive dairy industry.
“Nitrate contamination is the result of an oversized dairy herd and too much synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. To stop nitrate from getting into groundwater – and into rural communities’ drinking water – we need to change the way New Zealand does farming.
“Fonterra and the Government must support farmers to transition to ecological farming that works with nature instead of against it. That means ending the use of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser and reducing herd sizes.”
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Local authority statistics: September 2025 quarter – Stats NZ information release

Source: Statistics New Zealand

Local authority statistics: September 2025 quarter – information release

5 December 2025

We are considering changes to this release.

Provide your feedback in our survey We are considering changes to Local Authority Statistics.

You can also contact us at CustomerEngagement@stats.govt.nz.

Local authority statistics provides information on the performance of core non-trading activities of New Zealand’s territorial and regional councils.

Visit our website to read this information release and to download CSV files:

For media enquiries contact: Media team, Wellington, media@stats.govt.nz“>media@stats.govt.nz, 021 285 9191

The Government Statistician authorises all statistics and data we publish.

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Advocacy – PSNA says sanctions on Israel needed now more than ever

Source: Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa – PSNA

 

PSNA is renewing calls to the government for sanctions, as Israel breaches the ceasefire in Gaza, with killing and still preventing essential aid getting into Gaza.

 

Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa Co-chair John Minto points to Israeli claims that it is ‘enforcing’ the ceasefire.

 

“Israeli soldiers have violated the ceasefire more than 500 times since the US plan came into effect.  They have killed 356 Palestinians in the same period.”

 

“Most times, the Israelis claim they had to shoot Palestinians ‘acting suspiciously’ near the Israeli delineated ‘yellow line’ of continued Israeli occupation of Gaza,” Minto says.

“But other times, Israel has bombed areas and killed people well away from the Israeli positions.  It looks like business as usual, except at a temporarily lower level.”

 

“Amnesty International has said the world must not be fooled. Israel’s genocide is not over.  We know that the indirect death toll is a number of times the official 70,000 recorded fatalities.”

 

“There is the additional crisis now of winter floods destroying the tent cities in parts of Gaza.  Experts are saying the risk of disease is dire, made worse by Israel restricting aid supplies, when the ceasefire arrangement was for the supplies to fully resume.”

 

Minto says while attention has been on Gaza, the uncontrolled Israeli settler terrorism against Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank, should be of serious concern to our government.

“National has strongly condemned Israeli land grabs in the West Bank in the past.  And more recently banned two Israeli cabinet ministers from ever entering Aotearoa New Zealand.  Luxon’s government needs to live up to its stated position on West Bank violence.”

 

“Instead, New Zealand has just abstained on a vote in the United Nations, to declare Israeli occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights as illegal,” Minto says.

 

“This is a vote which comes up in the General Assembly every year.  We used to vote with the vast majority to tell Israel that it has no valid claims on Syrian territory.”

 

“Now, our government is showing every sign to Israel that with the unenforceable Gaza deal, New Zealand can now declare all Israeli occupation, wherever it is, as no longer of any concern and can be forgotten about.”

 

“So our government is relying on the distractions of the approaching holiday season to maintain its wall of silence on Israel’s genocide and land grabbing.” 

 

“The government’s ‘season of goodwill’ applies to the perpetrators of genocide, but not to its victims”

 

“Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins don’t want media attention on Gaza, so they can avoid accountability for complicity with Israeli”

 

“New Zealanders want sanctions against Israel.  That terrifies Peters and Collins.”

 

“Our national protest to parliament and the US Embassy next Wednesday will put the focus back on sanctions and this worst atrocity of the 21st century.”

 

John Minto

Co-Chair PSNA

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Fire and Emergency received calls to 26 incidents during today’s strike

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand received calls for 26 incidents between 12pm – 1pm today, Friday 5 November, the time of the strike action by members of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU).
Of these, 13 incidents were in areas impacted by the strike.
Seven of these incidents were fire alarms that did not result in a fire. The remaining six incidents related to one motor vehicle crash, two minor incidents, and three medical emergencies.
An Assistant Commander responded to the car crash in Hillcrest, Auckland, supported by two volunteer crews.
Hato Hone St John responded, as per our contingency plan for this industrial action.
The two minor incidents were a trapped cat and a ring removal. Crews responded to both after the strike hour was completed.
Following the strike period, three Christchurch crews assisted Hato Hone St John with a hazardous substance incident in Woolston. 
Our volunteers responded as normal to incidents within their brigade areas.
Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler thanked New Zealanders for their extra care during the strike hour.
“On International Volunteer Day thank you also to our more than 11,000 volunteers across the country, and their employers for supporting them to respond over today’s strike hour,” she says.
“I would also like to thank our Operational Commanders and Communication Centre Managers, who contributed to the response.
“We are disappointed that the NZPFU has issued further strike notices for one-hour strikes at 12pm on 12 and 19 December.
“The Employment Relations Authority yesterday referred both parties to facilitation to help make progress in ongoing negotiations..
“Fire and Emergency’s application for facilitation was aimed at achieving a settlement sooner and we’re pleased the ERA has scheduled the initial meetings for this for next Tuesday and Wednesday 9 and 10 December,” Megan Stiffler says.
“We ask the NZPFU to call off all planned future strikes while both parties are preparing for facilitation.
“There is no good reason for continuing to put the community at risk while we go through that process.”
Bargaining
Fire and Emergency welcomes the recent Employment Relations Authority’s decision to refer it and the NZPFU to facilitation to help make progress in bargaining for a collective employment agreement.
“Attending independent facilitation with the Authority is the next logical step in coming to an agreement, and we will participate in good faith with the NZPFU,” Megan Stiffler says.
“We hope the facilitation process introduces some realism into discussions. The NZPFU’s most recent settlement proposal was more than three times higher than our last offer, which we believe was fair, sustainable, and reasonable, and in line with other settlements across the public service.
“Our latest offer of a 6.2 percent increase over three years would have taken the average senior firefighter remuneration from a range of approximately $80,700-$87,400 to $85,800-$92,900 at the end of the period, excluding overtime and allowances which currently adds an average of $38,800 to annual remuneration. We believe this represents a fair and sustainable increase for our people.
“We value our people, which is why over the past decade average senior firefighter pay has cumulatively increased by 37 percent – more than 10 percent above the average increase for all workers.”
Notes
  • Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union have been in bargaining talks for a collective employment agreement for paid firefighters since 16 July 2024.
  • Fire and Emergency’s most recent offer amounts to a 6.2 percent increase over three years and compares favourably with equivalent public sector agreements.
  • Fire and Emergency considers the offer is sustainable, balances cost of living pressures being faced by individuals alongside fiscal pressures faced by Fire and Emergency and is consistent with the Government Workforce Policy Statement.
  • The previous 2022 collective employment agreement settlement provided a cumulative wage increase of up to 24 percent over a three-year period for paid firefighters.
  • Fire and Emergency has also been investing in replacing our fleet. We’ve taken delivery of 317 new trucks since 2017 and have another 78 on order. We are currently spending over $20 million per year on replacement trucks. There is also a significant programme of station upgrades underway, as well as investment in training.
  • For the 2025/26 financial year, Fire and Emergency’s operating budget is $857.9 million. Of that operating budget, 59 percent will be spent directly on the frontline, while another 32 percent is spent on frontline enablers. This means that over 90 percent of Fire and Emergency’s budget is spent on the frontline and the people directly supporting the frontline. 
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Awards – Nova Energy Dominates the NZ Compare Awards 2025, Celebrating the Best of Broadband, Power and Mobile

Source: NZ Compare

Now in their 9th year, the NZ Compare Awards have once again shone a spotlight on the best providers across broadband, power, and mobile services in Aotearoa. This year’s awards recognised organisations going above and beyond to deliver value, innovation, and outstanding customer experiences for Kiwi households and businesses.
Nova Energy: The Standout Winner of 2025
The biggest story of the awards was Nova Energy, which secured multiple category wins across both the Mobile and Broadband sectors – a powerful affirmation of its growing position as one of New Zealand’s leading all-utility providers.
Nova’s wins across Best Customer Support – Broadband, Best Customer Support – Mobile, and both People’s Choice Awards for Power and Mobile demonstrate the company’s unique ability to support customers across multiple essential services with consistency, care, and value. Their success highlights a rising consumer trend toward integrated utility providers that deliver simplicity and reliability across the board.
While the awards showcased a wide range of impressive achievements across the industry, it was disappointing that some of New Zealand’s major providers chose not to enter the NZ Compare Awards in 2025. Their absence was noted, but it also created space for a more diverse range of rising and innovative providers to step into the spotlight. This year’s results highlight just how varied, competitive, and consumer-focused the market has become, with both fresh and returning winners demonstrating excellence across broadband, power, and mobile services.
2025 NZ Compare Awards Winners
BROADBAND AWARDS
Best Value Broadband Provider – 360Net
Best Rural Service Provider – Lightwire
Best Bundled Plan – Sky Broadband
Best Customer Support – Broadband – Nova Energy
Best Fibre Broadband Provider – Sky Broadband
Best Business Broadband Provider – Voyager
People’s Choice Award – Broadband – Voyager
POWER AWARDS
Best Value Energy Provider – Kaumatua Energy Limited
Best Customer Support – Power – Kaumatua Energy Limited
People’s Choice Award – Power – Nova Energy
MOBILE AWARDS
Best Value Mobile Provider – Rocket Mobile
Best Customer Support – Mobile – Nova Energy
People’s Choice Award – Mobile – Nova Energy
SUPREME AWARD
Making a Difference Award – Te Ara Hihiko by TUANZ
Celebrating Industry Excellence
Gavin Male, Managing Director of NZ Compare, acknowledged the outstanding calibre of entries and the commitment shown across the industry: “The NZ Compare Awards continue to highlight the dedication of providers striving to deliver better experiences and better value for Kiwis. This year’s finalists and winners represent the very best in customer focus, innovation, and service delivery across New Zealand’s essential utility industries.”
NZ Compare once again extends its thanks to the independent judging panel whose expertise and diligence ensured a robust and fair assessment process. Gratitude is also shared with all entrants, finalists, and partners for their ongoing contributions to improving outcomes for consumers nationwide.
About the NZ Compare Awards
The NZ Compare Awards celebrate the very best of the New Zealand broadband, mobile and energy sectors. Used by hundreds of thousands of Kiwis every month, NZ Compare comparison services help consumers discover new products and compare their options to make a fully informed choice. We are the power behind Broadband Compare, Power Compare, Mobile Compare and PriceMe. The awards are respected across the industry and take place annually. Winners are selected by a combination of our distinguished, independent judging panel and public votes.