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Emergency Management – New Partnership Unites Sectors to Strengthen New Zealand’s Disaster Resilience – NEMA

Source: National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)

 

A Natural Hazards Resilience Partnership has been signed today to enhance New Zealand's response to and recovery from natural disasters.

 

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake (NHC), and the Insurance Council of New Zealand Te Kāhui Inihua o Aotearoa (ICNZ) have formed the Natural Hazards Resilience Partnership (the Partnership) to lift the coordination and cooperation in responding to and recovering from major disasters in New Zealand.

 

The Partnership brings together key government and private sector organisations to improve national resilience by streamlining the sharing of information, aligning resources, and strengthening the overall response and recovery system following natural hazard events.

 

“The Partnership is a proactive step in ensuring that New Zealand is better prepared to respond to and recover from major natural disasters,” NEMA’s chief executive Dave Gawn said.

 

“Collaboration is crucial in emergency management, so we can support New Zealanders and their communities when they most need it. By working together, we can improve outcomes for affected communities and reduce recovery timeframes.”

 

“New Zealand is a country at high risk of natural hazards. Very few areas are without risk, and we know that after personal and whanau safety, the safety and security of your home very quickly becomes a key focus for people impacted by natural disasters. So insurance plays a critical role in helping communities to recover,” NHC Chief Executive Tina Mitchell said.

 

“Climate change makes it ever more important that we work together to prepare for and respond to natural hazard impacts. This Partnership leverages New Zealand’s unique public-private insurance system, which has been in place for 80 years, and strengthens how we’ll work together across the system to support community recovery.

 

“All the members of this Partnership share a commitment to learning the lessons from past events and building our ways of working, so that we’re better prepared for future major events, together,” she said. 

 

The Partnership will boost New Zealand's resilience including the opportunity to collaborate before an event occurs to improve the system’s readiness, ICNZ Chief Executive Kris Faafoi said.

 

“Insurance funds a sizeable portion of the recovery from most disaster events. Integrating insurers into the response and recovery allows for the best possible coordination of the entire system.

 

“The insurance sector can relieve a significant burden from the agencies leading response and recovery by looking after insurance customers and providing certainty to get Kiwis back on their feet as quickly as possible.”

 

Dave Gawn said this is one of several initiatives the Government is pursuing to lift the country’s emergency management system by investing in change.

 

“The Partnership is a great example of where opportunities for improvement have been identified, and the sector is collaborating to make these changes happen. 

 

“It helps ensure role clarity across the insurance and emergency management sectors, and it supports prosperity by ensuring that there is no daylight between response and effective recovery.

 

“The Partnership is a key example of how investing in building trusted relationships in quiet times, means we will benefit from the consequent increase in resilience in turbulent times.”

 

The Partnership will improve coordination across the insurance system and will allow the pursuit of shared goals across the 4Rs of emergency management (Risk Reduction, Readiness, Response, and Recovery).

 

The emergency management system is an integral part of the broader national resilience system. Other related work includes local government reform, resource management reform (including national direction on natural hazards) and National Adaptation Framework, science sector reforms, and Crown risk financing and incentives for pre-event risk reduction.

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Education – Whitireia Foundation scholarships enable study for nearly 900 students across 20+ years

Source: Whitireia and WelTec

Since its inception in 2002, the Whitireia Foundation has awarded scholarships to nearly 900 ākonga (students), supporting their journeys through tertiary study and into careers that make a meaningful impact in their communities.
From nursing and paramedicine to construction, hospitality, IT and more, the Foundation’s impact spans a wide range of industries. More than half of all scholarship recipients have gone on to study in healthcare and social services, helping to fill essential roles in our communities.
The annual Whitireia Foundation Scholarship Awards ceremony took place this month, celebrating ākonga who have received scholarships to support their study at Whitireia and WelTec in 2025. The event brought together ākonga, whānau, sponsors, Foundation trustees, staff and community leaders including Porirua Mayor Anita Baker and Ngāti Toa Rangatira Dr Te Taku Parai to acknowledge the achievements of this year’s recipients.
Dr Leanne Ivil, Whitireia and WelTec Operations Lead and Director Teaching and Learning, says the Foundation plays a vital role in helping ākonga succeed.
“Not only do these scholarships provide financial assistance, but they also give ākonga a sense of belonging, of being seen and supported. For many, the moment they realise that others believe in their future is a significant turning point.”
Chair of the Whitireia Foundation, Kelvin Irvine, says the power of the scholarships lies in the connections they represent.
“Education isn’t a solo journey. These awards reflect a wider community of sponsors, staff, mentors and whānau who come together to champion our ākonga. We’reincredibly proud to have supported nearly 900 ākonga to date, and we look forward to continuing that legacy.”
Delia (Dee) Pahina-Kopa, a third-year Bachelor of Nursing Māori student, was awarded a Whitireia Foundation Scholarship sponsored by Tū Ora Compass Health for her second and third year of studies.
“This scholarship has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders,” she says. ” It's allowed me to focus fully on my learning and I'm incredibly grateful to the Whitireia Foundation and Tū Ora Compass Health for making that possible.”
The Whitireia Foundation relies on the strong relationship between its trustees and sponsors who work together each year to support ākonga in their studies. Kelvin Irvine says sponsors come from a wide range of industries and their ongoing support reflects a shared commitment to helping ākonga succeed.
“Many of our sponsors have supported the Foundation for years, while others have come on board more recently. What they all have in common is a belief in the value of education and a commitment to invest in the future of our young people and communities,” says Kelvin.
This year’s scholarships will support students across a range of programmes at Whitireia and WelTec, including nursing, social work, IT, business, construction, creativity, hospitality and trades.
The Whitireia Foundation, a volunteer-run Charity, aims to promote knowledge, interest and support for the educational activities of Whitireia and WelTec ākonga. The Whitireia Foundation would like to acknowledge the generous support of 2025 sponsors:
– Alpha NZ
– Aspiring Wallpaper Ltd
– Britton House Movers Ltd
– Dr Sally Hasell
– Focus Projects Ltd
– Ford Sumner Lawyers
– Foster + Melville Architects
– Gee & Hickton Funeral Directors
– Geraldine Lyndhurst
– Graduate Women Wellington
– J A Russell Ltd
– James and Janet Goggin
– Kirk-Burnnand Family
– Maude Legal
– Montage NZ
– Ngāti Toa Rangatira
– Nikau Foundation
– P & M Waite
– Porirua City Council
– Red Wolf  Security
– Tanya and Neil Macdonald
– The Y Foundation (YMCA)
– Tu Ora Compass Health
– Whitireia Foundation

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Health and Government – Recognition of the GP workforce’s value to communities welcomed in funding announcement

Source: Royal NZ College of General Practitioners

Health Minister Hon Simeon Brown’s funding announcement prioritising patients’ health and recognising the crucial role of our specialist general practice workforce has been welcomed by The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.
College President Dr Samantha Murton says, “Healthcare starts, and often

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Animal Welfare – SAFE calls for investigation into sexually explicit dairy farm content

Source: SAFE For Animals

SAFE has been made aware of apparent dairy farm workers who are producing video content of a sexual nature directly involving cows at a New Zealand dairy farm for their social media platforms Instagram and Only Fans.
It is deeply concerning to see mother cows who are already being exploited for their reproductive systems being further victimised for the production of sexually explicit video content.
SAFE finds the actions of all individuals involved, whether directly or indirectly, to be reprehensible and entirely unacceptable. We demand full accountability from those responsible for the care of these animals for allowing such conduct to take place on the farm.
SAFE condemns the dairy industry's exploitation of mother cows and their calves, including the separation of all newborn calves from their mothers so their milk can be taken for human consumption, and the annual slaughter of around two million bobby calves who are regarded as waste products by the industry.
The public places a great deal of trust in those who work with animals. This trust is eroded when animals are treated as props for profit-driven content that degrades their dignity.
We have reported this matter to Ministry for Primary industries. As we both urge for and anticipate an investigation, we will not be making any further public comments at this time.
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Government Funding – Nurses need share of primary health care funding increase – NZNO

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

Increases in primary care funding announced today must be passed onto nurses to fix chronic staff shortages so New Zealanders can get in to see health care professionals faster, the Nurses Organisation Tōputanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) says.
The Government funds GP clinics based on the number of enrolled patients they have, regardless of the services they receive, through what’s called the capitation system.
Health Minister Simeon Brown today announced capitation funding for this year is set to increase to 13.89%.
NZNO College of Primary Care Nurses chair Tracey Morgan says nurses are urging primary care employers to pass this funding increase onto them via their wages, Tracey Morgan says.
“This will help stem the flow of nurses out of primary care and into hospitals.
“A skilled nursing workforce is desperately needed to keep care in the community, ensure vaccination targets are met, ease pressure on hospital emergency departments and prevent long term conditions worsening.
“During collective agreement bargaining last year, primary care nurses were 16-18% behind their hospital-based colleagues in pay. The employers told the union that if the money was available, they would willingly pass it on to nurses.”
Primary care nurses will receive a 3% increase in July through their collective agreement which also gave them a further 5% on ratification earlier this year, Tracey Morgan says.
“However, this will still have them 10% behind hospital nurses with the same qualifications.
“Simeon Brown says this funding boost is help patients see their doctor and nurse earlier. The ability to recruit and retain primary health nurses is vital to achieving this,” Tracey Morgan says.
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Federated Farmers call on Minister Watts to rule out yet another tax

Source: Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers is calling on the Revenue Minister to rule out yet another tax, this time a controversial Inland Revenue proposal hitting the not-for-profit sector.
Under the proposal, organisations like Federated Farmers would be taxed on their membership subscription income for the first time.
“We’re calling on Simon Watts to move quickly and categorically take this off the table,” Federated Farmers board member Richard McIntyre says.
“This is not a routine tax consultation – this is a significant new interpretation that overturns 20 years of settled practice.”
Ideally, Inland Revenue would withdraw its draft interpretation but, failing that, the Minister must step in, McIntyre says.
“This isn’t a minor tweak – it’s a fundamental shift in how the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) interprets the law.
“It would have serious consequences for New Zealand’s not-for-profit sector.”
Under current practice, not-for-profits structured as mutual associations – organisations set up to serve their members rather than make a profit – aren’t taxed on income they receive from members.
This principle, known as mutuality, is based on the idea that a group of people cannot make profit from dealing with themselves.
However, IRD is proposing that if a not-for-profit is constitutionally prohibited from distributing profits to members, as most are, its member income should be taxed.
“This would pull the rug out from under about 9000 not-for profits, advocacy groups, professional associations, unions, community organisations, and political parties who rely on membership fees to fund their operations,” McIntyre says.
“This is not just about Federated Farmers – it’s sector-wide and is creating huge concern.”
The IRD’s draft relies heavily on an Australian legal precedent – the Coleambally Irrigation case – which found mutuality does not apply when there is a legal bar on profit distribution.
But Federated Farmers argues this is a poor precedent to import into New Zealand, noting that Australia’s Parliament had to step in and reverse it with legislation after significant backlash.
New Zealand’s not-for-profit framework is different – but the harm from adopting this interpretation would create exactly the same confusion and harm, McIntyre says.
Federated Farmers’ submission urges the IRD Commissioner to withdraw the proposal and reaffirm the non-taxable status of genuine mutual income.
“Ultimately, this is now a political question. The Government cannot allow the Inland Revenue to unilaterally rewrite tax policy that affects thousands of organisations,” McIntyre says.
“This is why the Minister needs to rule this out publicly. Tax policy decisions of this magnitude belong with elected representatives, not faceless tax officials in Wellington.”
Federated Farmers has submitted on this consultation draft.
The submission questions why IRD is pursuing the change now, after more than 20 years of consistent guidance and practice and ecosystem has been allowed to flourish under the existing rules.
“After two decades of stability, we have to ask: why now? This has the hallmarks of a desperate revenue grab dressed up as a legal interpretation,” McIntyre says.
“That’s why the Minister needs to make it clear this won’t proceed.”
Federated Farmers is not alone in its concerns.
“We’re hearing from a growing coalition of not-for-profits across the country, who are just as alarmed as us about the proposed change and its implications,” McIntyre says.
“From unions to professional bodies to political parties, the feedback is unanimous: this proposal would be devastating.
“The mutuality principle has served our country well for decades, and it should be preserved.”
Federated Farmers’ submission concludes with a stark warning: if the Commissioner proceeds with the reinterpretation, it will become a political issue – one that Ministers and MPs will need to address urgently.
“The public deserve to know where the Government stands on this. We’re calling on Minister Watts to give that clarity now,” McIntyre says.
The full submission is available here, and Federated Farmers will continue to engage with the Government, other affected organisations, and the wider public as the consultation process unfolds. 
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Environment – Brand new Stats NZ groundwater reporting highlights serious risk to public from Govt proposal to weaken freshwater protections

Source: Choose Clean Water – Tom Kay


Stats NZ’s latest groundwater reporting shows New Zealanders are already at risk from contaminated drinking water sources and highlights the threat to the public should the Government continue with its proposals to weaken policy that protects freshwater, says campaign group Choose Clean Water.


“The Government is consulting on plans to remove the prioritisation of the health of waterways and protection of drinking water sources in current freshwater policy and instead change it to give power to commercial polluters of freshwater. 


“Given the state of our groundwater, where many of our communities draw their drinking water from, this Government proposal will inevitably increase the health risks to people. It’s unbelievably irresponsible.” says Choose Clean Water spokesperson Tom Kay.


The new Stats NZ groundwater quality reporting presents monitoring data for groundwater sites across the country between 2019 and 2024. It shows the Maximum Allowable Values for New Zealand drinking water were exceeded at least once between April 2019 and March 2024 at 45.1 percent of sites (450 of 998) for E. coli and 12.4 percent of sites (146 of 1173) for nitrate. 

Almost half of the monitoring sites show likely or very likely increasing tr

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Politics and Employment – NZ government out of touch on employment rights – CTU

Source: NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi

The commitment at the 113th International Labour Organization conference to develop a binding Convention for securing decent work in the platform economy shows how disconnected and out of touch the New Zealand government is when it comes to employment rights.

“This decision is a huge step towards establishing internationally recognised labour rights for digital platform workers,” said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges. 

“This is the mandate for much-needed regulation of digital labour platforms and by doing so, ensuring that innovation is not achieved at the expense of workers’ rights.

“It’s really telling, that while the international community comes together to support platform workers, Brooke van Velden has introduced a new Employment Relations Amendment Bill that will undermine the rights of those very workers in Aotearoa.

“Her Bill, which int

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1 in 10 young adults are LGBTIQ+ – Stats NZ media release and report: LGBTIQ+ population of Aotearoa New Zealand: 2023

1 in 10 young adults are LGBTIQ+ – media release

24 June 2025

The LGBTIQ+ population is comparatively young, with 1 in 10 people aged 15 to 29 years being LGBTIQ+ (10.2 percent) in the 2023 Census, compared with 1 in 20 adults in the overall adult population (4.9 percent), according to a report released by Stats NZ today.

LGBTIQ+ population of Aotearoa New Zealand: 2023 brings together information about the LGBTIQ+ population in the 2023 Census, as well as information on the LGBT+ population from the Household Economic Survey and the General Social Survey. The 2023 Census data has enabled detailed breakdowns of the LGBTIQ+ population and the groups within it, across age, ethnicity, and other census measures for the first time.  

Gender, sex, and LGBTIQ+ concepts in the 2023 Census has more information on the census concepts used for these breakdowns.

Visit our website to read this news story and report and to download CSV files:

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Improved groundwater quality indicator reveals a mixed picture of New Zealand’s aquifers – Stats NZ media release: Groundwater quality: Data to 2024

Improved groundwater quality indicator reveals a mixed picture of New Zealand’s aquifers – media release

24 June 2025

An improved groundwater quality indicator, with more comprehensive data, additional measures, and refined methodology, has been released by Stats NZ today.

“This release has greatly improved data coverage, helping us better understand the current state of groundwater and how it’s changing over time,” environment statistics spokesperson Tehseen Islam said.  

“It’s a step forward in how we assess and report on groundwater quality.”

Groundwater is water stored underground in aquifers – layers of water-bearing rock or sand. It is commonly accessed through wells and can also emerge naturally through springs.  

Groundwater plays a crucial role in supporting rivers, lakes, and wetlands, and supplies drinking water to nearly half of New Zealand’s population.

Visit our website to read this news story and the indicator page: