MIL Email Publisher (NZ)

Responding to the devastating earthquake that struck eastern provinces of Afghanistan, Babu Ram Pant, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, said:

“Amnesty International expresses its deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones in the devastating earthquake that has come at a time when Afghanistan faces a multitude of existing crises.

“More than 22 million people, almost half of the country’s population, already remain in need of humanitarian assistance in the country. The humanitarian crisis is further deepened by the mass deportation of more than 1.9 million Afghan refugees and asylum seekers from Iran and Pakistan – many of whom had been living in makeshift tents near the borders. Additionally, many donor countries, including the US, have cut or scaled back aid and assistance for the people of Afghanistan.  

“The Taliban de-facto authorities have also been responsible for the shrinking of operations of humanitarian and aid agencies in the country due to restrictive policies and a ban on Afghan women working for the UN as well as other NGOs in Afghanistan. This is part of the Taliban’s systematic attack on human rights in the country.

“Amnesty International calls on the Taliban de facto authorities to ensure immediate and unimpeded access to all humanitarian organizations and to remove administrative barriers delaying needs assessments. They must attend to the needs of the affected communities and ensure that rescue and relief efforts are carried out without discrimination. Special measures must be put in place to ensure that the human rights of the most at-risks groups who often face compounded challenges in crisis situations, including women, children, older persons, and people with disabilities, are guaranteed in relief and recovery efforts.

“In times of crisis, it is vital that human rights protections are at the heart of the response. The Taliban de-facto authorities must ensure that they uphold their human rights obligations and take steps to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance in a manner that is non-discriminatory and effective in responding to people's needs.”

Background:

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck just before midnight local time in eastern Afghanistan near the border with Pakistan. At least 800 people have been killed and 2,500 injured as several villages are completely destroyed.

Afghanistan suffered a devastating magnitude-6.3 earthquake in October 2023, which flattened villages and left thousands killed. Due to sanctions, international isolation and Taliban interference, rescue workers said at the time, that there was little to no aid available for the people and thousands remained trapped for days without help.

A New Zealand real estate leader is applauding the Government’s decision to amend the ban on foreign property buyers.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today confirmed that foreign investors with an Active Investor Plus residency visa will now be able to buy or build one home in NZ, with a minimum value of $5 million.
 
New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty managing director Mark Harris says it’s a prudent move by the Government.
 
“We are delighted by the announcement,” he says. “Given the state of NZ’s economy, we need as much productive investment as we can get. By allowing foreigners to own a holiday home here, it encourages them to invest in other business ventures in NZ, which then leads to capital expenditure and job creation.
 
“We have many examples of foreign holiday homeowners here who – prior to 2018 – contributed greatly to the community with business investment. In recent years, Australia has benefitted from the investors NZ has turned away.”
 
Harris says the impact from allowing foreign buyers to enter the NZ housing market is negligible, but the economic boost is significant. The minimum value of a foreign investor-purchased property is set at $5 million, which equates to less than 1% of NZ homes.
 
“The ban was introduced to assist first home buyers but it’s had minimal effect – prices have still increased dramatically over the past six years,” he says. “Allowing foreign buyers into the country while introducing a value hurdle protects the domestic buyer and limits the number of investors who can purchase.”

About New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty                

01 SEPTEMBER 2025 – Equinor has assessed the proposal put forward by the Board of Directors of Ørsted A/S on 11 August 2025 for a Rights Issue with pre-emptive rights for existing shareholders (the “Rights Issue”).

Following dialogue with Ørsted, Equinor has decided to support the proposal to strengthen Ørsted’s balance sheet in response to the current industry challenges.

As a long-term industrial shareholder, Equinor intends to participate in the Rights Issue and maintain its 10% ownership share in Ørsted. Ahead of the next annual general meeting, Equinor will also nominate a candidate to Ørsted’s board of directors.

Equinor’s support of the Rights Issue reflects confidence in Ørsted’s underlying business, and the competitiveness of offshore wind in the future energy mix, in selected geographies.

In response to the challenges facing offshore wind, the industry will see consolidation and new business models. Equinor believes that a closer industrial and strategic collaboration between Ørsted and Equinor can create value for all shareholders in both companies.

Equinor is following recent developments around the offshore wind industry in the US closely and will remain in dialogue with Ørsted as the situation evolves.

Subject to the final terms of the Rights Issue, Equinor will subscribe for new shares at a consideration of up to DKK 6 billion, or around USD 939 million, based on a USD/DKK exchange rate of 6.39.

Equinor will participate in the Rights Issue within its communicated financial framework and remains committed to delivering competitive capital distribution.

Equinor’s offshore wind portfolio consists of 0.4 GW net installed capacity, and a further 3.0 GW under development. The current focus is on completing the ongoing development projects in North-West Europe and Empire Wind 1 in the US.

New Zealand and the Republic of Korea have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to strengthen international cooperation on emergency management says Director Civil Defence Emergency Management John Price.

The agreement between New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Ministry of the Interior and Safety of the Republic of Korea was signed at the APEC Senior Disaster Management Officials Forum on 30 July 2025.

“At the heart of emergency management is always people and their safety. NEMA expresses our deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased in Korea following the landslides and floods that occurred as a result of torrential rain in July,” John Price says.

“With the growing impacts of emergencies globally, it is critical that countries work together to build resilience, reduce risk, and improve preparedness for emergencies. The Memorandum of Cooperation with the Republic of Korea is an example of this, as emergencies and disasters have no boundaries.

“New Zealand and Korea face shared challenges from hazards such as severe weather, flooding and tsunami. This partnership enables us to learn from each other, improving and developing how we respond to and recover from these events.”

“The Memorandum of Cooperation will provide avenues for sharing best practices and lessons between our two countries, as well as opportunities for joint research and participation in training, workshops, and exercises, so we can prepare for and respond better in the future.

“The agreement reflects our shared commitment to improving resilience across the Asia-Pacific region through a more coordinated and collaborative approach. The emergency management system is both national and international.”

The agreement is part of NEMA’s work as an internationally recognised leader in emergency management. NEMA supports Emergency Management initiatives in the global arena with a specific focus on the Pacific and commitments under the United Nations and regional frameworks.

NEMA also has Memorandums of Cooperation with the Australian National Emergency Management Agency, Fiji National Disaster Management Office, the United States’ Federal Emergency Management Agency, Public Safety Canada, and The Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Interior Disaster and Emergency Management Authority.

“On New Zealand’s worst day it will be our friends and colleagues from these countries who will come to our aid and support us. The whole of the system is greater and stronger than its parts. We all work as one together.”

1 September 2025 – Tyrewise, Aotearoa New Zealand’s first regulated product stewardship scheme for tyres, is celebrating its first year of operation with nearly 4 million end-of-life tyres collected for recycling or repurposing into other useful products and over 5,000 registered partners across the country.

“Tyrewise isn’t just New Zealand’s first regulated product stewardship scheme, it’s also the most successful product stewardship scheme in the country to date,” says Adele Rose, CEO of 3R Group, Tyrewise Scheme Managers.

The scheme has surpassed its targets for tyres collected and processed into tyre-derived materials since it began operating on 1 September last year, Adele says. “That’s encouraging, as it has a target of 80% of tyres recycled and repurposed into other useful products within Aotearoa New Zealand by its fourth year, and over 90% by its sixth year.”

As part of the strategy to develop end markets and support the domestic economy, expressions of interest in funding were recently invited. This attracted over 60 applications across research and development, emerging markets, and community development categories.

“It’s exciting to see such an interest in the fund. A major goal of Tyrewise is to help develop innovative, high-value onshore uses and unlock the value in the circular economy for end-of-life tyres. Tyres are going from being a waste stream to a resource which creates jobs and adds value to the New Zealand economy, rather than being illegally dumped, stockpiled or landfilled,” Adele says.

Mark Gilbert, Chair of Auto Stewardship New Zealand, which governs the Tyrewise scheme, says the success of the scheme comes down in large part to its registered partners. “Those registered partners, the importers, retailers, tyre fitters, transporters, recyclers and public collection sites make up the scheme. Without them doing the mahi, what we have achieved so far wouldn’t be possible, and we thank them for their work thus far and look forward to continuing the momentum,” Mark says.

Tyrewise operates a nationwide collection and recycling system, funded through a Tyre Stewardship Fee which is charged on all new tyres sold in the New Zealand market, replacing previous ad hoc disposal fees.  Critically, this has removed the impact of free riders who don’t participate under a voluntary scheme.

It means members of the tyre industry around the country have access to a collection service through a network of registered partner transporters, with retailers retaining end of life tyres from customers for collection. Members of the public can also dispose of up to five tyres at a time for free at public collection sites around the motu.

About Tyrewise

Tyrewise is Aotearoa’s first regulated product stewardship scheme. It minimises the environmental impacts of end-of-life tyres by working with the whole tyre industry to ensure tyres are collected from registered partners so they can be recycled and repurposed into other useful products.  

The scheme is accredited by the Ministry for the Environment, and is operated by Auto Stewardship New Zealand, a not-for-profit trust which acts as the Product Stewardship Organisation. It is funded by the tyre stewardship fee charged on imported tyres.