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Health Appointments – GenPro Welcomes New Board Member and Confirms Leadership for 2026

Source: General Practice Owners Association (GenPro)

The General Practice Owners Association (GenPro) has strengthened its governance team with the co-option of a new board member and the confirmation of its Chair and Deputy Chair for the 2026 year.

Following the Annual General Meeting, the GenPro Board confirmed the reappointment of Dr Angus Chambers as Chair and Dr Stephanie Taylor as Deputy Chair, and welcomed Dr Richard Lowe as its newest co-opted board member.

Dr Lowe is a specialist GP and co-owner of a large, multi-site Very Low Cost Access practice in Mt Roskill, Auckland. At 33, he brings fresh perspective and strong future-focused advocacy to the GenPro Board.

“GenPro is doing an outstanding job uniting the voice of GP owners, making our message stronger, and ensuring practices like ours are heard at the top table,” says Dr Lowe. “I bring a fresh perspective on today’s challenges and a determination to see general practice thriving in 10, 20 and 30 years’ time.”

Dr Lowe believes the coming years will be pivotal, with many long-serving owners approaching retirement.

“With many owners set to retire, it’s vital that as many of these practices as possible remain in GP hands. This means encouraging GPs to step into ownership and ensuring each and every new owner is engaged with GenPro. Without this, we risk the gradual erosion—and even extinction—of independent general practice.”

Alongside his practice leadership role, Dr Lowe has recently broadened his governance and sector experience, including serving as temporary Clinical Director at ProCare (contractor), representing the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners on a Health NZ funding working group on palliative care, completing training with the Institute of Directors, teaching General Practice Education Programme Year one  registrars, and providing care in two residential aged-care facilities.

He sees significant opportunity for GenPro to support stability and strong leadership in the sector.

“GenPro can play a leading role in connecting GP owners, supporting younger GPs into ownership, helping retiring owners keep practices in GP hands, and developing future leaders across the health system.

“We know that well-resourced general practice delivers better care, closer to home, and improves the health of New Zealanders. The next generation of GPs can bring new fuel to GenPro’s mission—and I offer a direct, relatable connection to this group.”

GenPro Board for 2025/26

Dr Angus Chambers – Chair
Dr Stephanie Taylor – Deputy Chair
Dr Mary English
Dr Richard Lowe
Dr Vicky Jones
Dr Richard Lowe (co-opted)
Dr Hiria Nielsen (co-opted)
Dr Mark Peterson
Bethan Rajwer
Michelle Te Kira

GenPro represents the owners and providers of general practices and urgent care centres across Aotearoa New Zealand.

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Environment – The 12 pests ruining Christmas for farmers

Source: Federated Farmers

Pine trees and deer might stir up warm feelings of festive joy for many Kiwis, but for farmers they represent mostly cost, destruction and heartache.
That’s why Federated Farmers has launched a new campaign, swapping ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ for ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ to highlight the most troublesome farm pests.
Richard Dawkins, Federated Farmers’ spokesperson on pest issues, says the campaign is about raising awareness of New Zealand’s growing pest problem and hopefully spurring some action.
“Sure, we’re taking a cheeky and playful tone with our messaging, but this is a serious issue that needs some urgent attention from the Beehive.
“These pests and weeds aren’t just a minor nuisance; they’re an economic and environmental crisis causing serious problems for farmers and conservationists.
“They’re spreading disease, destroying native forests, killing native birds, chewing through farmer’s pasture, and in some cases eating newborn lambs – it’s absolutely devastating.”
To highlight the problem, Federated Farmers has booked a large digital billboard outside the Beehive and will feature a new pest each day in the lead-up to Christmas.
“Unfortunately, these pests are out of sight and out of mind for most New Zealanders, running rampant through farms and forests, not cities and suburbs,” Dawkins says.
“That’s why we wanted to put them up in bright lights in central Wellington – to make politicians and the public really sit up and take notice.”
Dawkins says New Zealand’s pest problem is getting worse by the day, and we need a coordinated national pest management plan to protect our farms, forests and biodiversity.
“Pests are costing farmers hundreds of millions of dollars every year in lost pasture, damaged fences and stock losses – but there is a large cost to indigenous biodiversity too.
“And the problem is only getting worse. New Zealand’s pest control systems are severely underfunded and too fragmented to do the job properly.
“Responsibility is scattered across DOC, regional councils, MPI, OSPRI and others, but there is no single lead agency with overall responsibility – so we keep going backwards.
“We’re calling for a national pest strategy that unites all the main players under one co-ordinated plan covering all species and land tenures.”
Dawkins says most urban New Zealanders would be horrified if they saw the true scale of the pest problem facing farmers and conservationists.
“For example, I’m well aware of many farmers – like those in the Lawrence area of Otago – who are losing large numbers of newborn lambs to feral pigs coming out of forestry blocks.
“These farmers are heading out during lambing season to find their paddocks strewn with the picked-clean carcasses of dead lambs. It’s terrible stuff.”
And pigs are just one of the 12 pests robbing farming families of Christmas joy.
Other pests on Federated Farmers’ naughty list include wilding pines, possums, feral deer, feral goats, wild cats, wallabies, rabbits, and Canada Geese.
Dawkins says he hopes the ‘The Twelve Pests of Christmas’ campaign will spark some serious conversations about the issue.
“If we can get everyday New Zealanders talking about our national pest problem as they stand around a barbeque drinking a beer this summer, then we’ve done our job.
“And if we can get Ministers talking about the issue around the Cabinet table, that’s even better, because they’re who we need to step up and sort this out.
“Farmers are doing their bit – trapping, shooting, poisoning, fencing, clearing, monitoring, you name it – but this can’t be solved farm by farm.
“A national problem of this scale requires a national solution – but that will require much more coordination, funding and leadership.”
Full lyrics to Federated Farmers’ The Twelve Pests of Christmas
On the first day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: bush pigs rooting in the field 
On the second day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: 2 wall-a-bies 
On the third day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: 3 wild deer 
On the fourth day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: 4 kill-er cats 
On the fifth day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: FIVE WILD-ING PINES! 
On the sixth day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: 6 chewing goats 
On the seventh day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: 7 T-B possums 
On the eighth day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: 8 rab-bits breed-ing 
On the ninth day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: 9 Can-a-da geese 
On the tenth day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: 10 ducks de-stroy-ing 
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: 11 koi carp swir-ling 
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my neighbour sent to me: 12 rats a-gnaw-ing.
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Greenpeace – Another dead rat banquet for NZ First? Resource Management bills expected tomorrow

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace is questioning whether NZ First has acquired a taste for the ACT Party’s dead rats, as the Government prepares to unveil its new Resource Management bills tomorrow.
Greenpeace understands the RM replacement bills are expected to include a “Regulatory Takings” clause, whereby if councils introduce rules to limit environmental harm, foreign and domestic companies will likely be able to claim financial compensation.
It’s a provision that Greenpeace says would directly contradict NZ First’s long-held stance of defending Kiwi communities from foreign corporate interests.
Greenpeace campaigner Genevieve Toop says: “Under this plan, if regions like Gisborne want stronger rules to stop forestry slash destroying homes and rivers, ratepayers would likely be forced to pay offshore forestry companies 'compensation’. It’s absurd.”
“Regulatory takings is a ‘polluters get paid’ scheme, where ordinary New Zealanders would have to pay companies to get them to stop polluting. It’s a truly fringe and radical idea that the ACT Party is trying to import into Aotearoa.”
“NZ First only just finished choking down David Seymour's last dead rat, the Regulatory Standards Act. We’re surprised that they appear back for more so soon,” says Toop.
NZ First recently voted the highly controversial Regulatory Standards Bill into law. While the party succeeded in softening a similar regulatory takings provision in the Bill, it announced its commitment to repeal the law only weeks after providing the votes required for it to pass.
“New Zealanders should never be expected to pay financial compensation to the very corporations causing the damage to their communities,” Toop said.
“We are about to find out if NZ First chooses to stand with New Zealanders or with foreign corporations demanding public handouts for the simple act of ceasing to trash Aotearoa.”
With the Government planning to cap council rates, Greenpeace is warning that most councils will be financially unable to introduce new protections – effectively blocking locally specific regulations to prevent slash, flooding, and the nitrate contamination crisis.
Greenpeace is calling on NZ First and National to remove all regulatory takings provisions from the RM replacement bills. Further details of the reforms will be released when the Government introduces the bills to the House tomorrow.
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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

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

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