Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Three instances of people attempting to remove flaming objects from their homes is prompting a stark warning from firefighters.
In recent weeks, people have been badly burned after attempting to remove a dryer, a mattress and a burning pot of oil from their homes in three separate incidents in Dunedin.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand Otago Risk Reduction Advisor Matt Jones says each incident had the potential to end in tragedy.
“These people have sustained serious injuries, but we were fortunate to not be responding to fatal fires,” he says.
“Let this be a reminder to people that if a fire is bigger than a football, then you can’t put it out. You must get out and stay out.
“That means closing the door to the room if safe to do so, getting everyone out of the house and calling 111. Let the firefighters do their job and put the fire out safely.”
Matt says the mattress fire was caused by a vape’s lithium-ion battery overheating while charging on the bed.
“That caused a very intense, hot fire inside the mattress,” he says.
“The person attempted to remove the mattress three times, but this put themselves and others in danger, not only from the fire, but from the toxic smoke being emitted.
“Everything in that house can be replaced, except for the people inside. People should never risk their lives to save their property – it’s just not worth it.”
Matt says to complicate matters further, the property also did not have working smoke alarms.
“It was just fortunate the person arrived home when they did as there was another person asleep inside the house at the time,” Matt says.
Fire and Emergency recomm
Retirement Commission – Sorted Money Month kicks off today – boost your emergency savings this August
Source: Retirement Commission
The Retirement Commission’s annual Sorted Money Month campaign starts today and is putting the spotlight on emergency savings.
Research has found that 64% of people who had set up an emergency savings fund in the last three months felt confident about their future (almost identical to those with established funds at 65%) in comparison to only 22% of those without a fund. However, 44% of New Zealanders do not have an emergency savings fund, which threatens their financial resilience.
Sorted Personal Financial Lead Tom Hartmann says, “Building up your emergency savings this Sorted Money Month will help you to deal with financial challenges when they arise.”
“Having emergency savings in place can be the difference from feeling stressed or sorted when the unexpected happens. It can then be used for a variety of situations, such as trips to the vet, urgent home repairs, car breakdowns, or sudden job loss. Having this financial cushion ensures that you are prepared for life's uncertainties and can handle them without undue stress.”
Alongside the national marketing activity which includes billboards, radio ads and social media, the financial services sector involved with the National Strategy for Financial Capability are hosting events, workshops, and sharing resources aimed at promoting emergency savings and encouraging saving habits. Details of what’s taking place can be found on the Sorted event calendar.
Sorted is also hosting two free webinars during Money Month providing independent financial information on starting an emergency savings fund. The first one, 'Stressed to Sorted – Emergency Savings 101,' is on 12 August. Then, on 26 August, there's
'How an Emergency Fund Can Save Your Life,' featuring a panel of experts from community and financial organisations sharing their tips on building and keeping emergency savings.
There’s also a range of in-person events to choose from, including in Auckland Vaiola Pacific Island Budgeting Service: Empowering Pasifika mums event; Tamaki Budgeting: Beating the emergency event, (an Amazing Race-style experience with stations providing information on a range of common emergencies) and Ngā Tāngata Microfinance Trust’s Build Your Buffer event.
Waikato events include Kainga Aroha Community House is giving away the chance to win free butter as part of its Money Month event and Waihi Budget Services is offering free pork buns and a chat with a financial mentor every Tuesday in August.
Tom Hartmann knows that economic conditions are tough for many people.
“But if you can take one action today to protect your future, open an emergency savings account and start regularly putting aside money to help deal with the unexpected,” he says.
“Having your own emergency money at the ready keeps you from sliding into debt and paying heaps in interest and fees. The more you have saved for the unexpected, the easier it is when things go wrong.”
Tom Hartmann knows that economic conditions are tough for many people.
“But if you can take one action today to protect your future, open an emergency savings account and start regularly putting aside money to help deal with the unexpected,” he says.
“Having your own emergency money at the ready keeps you from sliding into debt and paying heaps in interest and fees. The more you have saved for the unexpected, the easier it is when things go wrong.”
About Sorted
Sorted is a free service run by Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission, the government-funded, independent agency dedicated to helping New Zealanders get ahead financially.
As New Zealand’s trusted personal finance site, Sorted has the information needed to tackle debt, plan and budget, save and invest, dial up your KiwiSaver, plan for retirement, protect what's important, and manage a mortgage. Providing tools, guides and blogs, Sorted can help no matter where you are at when it comes to money.
About Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission
Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission aims to help New Zealanders to retire with confidence. Retiring with confidence means New Zealanders feel secure they’ll have resources to live and the know-how to make
Employment – Are Foodstuffs reneging on agreement to rehire Victoria Park New World staff displaced by fire?
Source: Workers First Union
Workers First Union members who worked at Victoria Park New World, which was severely damaged by a fire in mid-June, say that Foodstuffs North Island managers appear to be reneging on their commitment to rehire all supermarket staff who are losing jobs and income as a result of the fire, with final paycheques due on Monday 4 August and around 40% of workers still without job offers.
Union members say that of the 80 new positions available at New World Point Chevalier, only around half have been filled by staff from New World Victoria Park, with many workers left in the dark and seeming not to have been rehired by other Foodstuffs stores, as was initially suggested to union representatives. The brand-new New World Point Chevalier was due to open in September but was brought forward to 19 August as a result of the fire at Victoria Park.
One worker from the New World Victoria Park store alleged that in particular, many workers aged 40 or older and those with disabilities and learning difficulties have not yet received offers of employment from Point Chevalier or other Foodstuffs stores in Auckland, while younger workers appeared to have been more likely to be recruited.
Workers First Union is calling for Foodstuffs North Island – the cooperative comprised of New World and Pak’N’Save stores in the North Island – to prioritise hiring all displaced workers from Victoria Park and live up to their commitments to the union that no worker would lose income as a result of the fire.
“They coordinate on pricing, stock, advertising and specials – why the hell can’t they coordinate rehiring experienced staff who’ve lost their jobs as a result of a fire?” said Jas Giri, Workers First Organiser.
“We’re really concerned that the apparent indifference by Foodstuffs store managers in the region means an estimated 40% of Victoria Park workers will be without any income from Monday, when their final paycheques arrive.”
“It’s unnecessary, disheartening and confusing behaviour from a company that many of these workers have given decades of their lives to and believed they would be looked after by when the worst happened.”
“There is no defensible reason to leave a group of vulnerable workers without income during a cost-of-living crisis in the middle of winter under an austerity government – it’s Dickensian stuff.”
Mr Giri said Workers First was urging the Foodstuffs North Island cooperative to “get their act together” and urgently confirm or arrange practicable roles for these workers in nearby New World and Pak'N'Save supermarkets. He said it was particularly difficult for workers to seek comparable roles in Woolworths stores because there was a “de facto” hiring freeze in place at the Australasian chain.
Lindsay Rowles, Foodstuffs North Island retail and property general manager, told media in July that “it’s been great to see how the co-op pulls together and looks after its own” and that over 100 of the 189 staff who worked at Victoria Park had already been “engaged in employment”.
One worker, who has worked at New World Victoria Park for more than a decade and has not yet been re-hired at another Foodstuffs store, said there were implications of “ageism” and workers were “in turmoil” ahead of their last paycheque on August 4th.
“They went to the press, they said they look after their team, they said they’ll make sure everyone has a job, but many of us feel hopeless now with our last pay day coming up on Monday and no job to go into,” said the worker, commenting anonymously for their own protection.
“I’m happy for the ones who have been rehired, but some of us have worked at Victoria Park for 26 years, since the store opened its doors, and do not have jobs lined up.”
“We want to work but we don’t know where to go from here. Lots of people are feeling let down after working so many years for a company and being loyal for so long.”
Federated Farmers – Poll shows Aucklanders back farmers on export growth
Source: Federated Farmers
A new poll shows strong public support – especially in Auckland – for cutting green tape to boost agricultural exports and help grow the economy.
The independent poll asked 1000 New Zealanders if regulations, including environmental regulations, should be reduced to allow increases in agricultural production, in line with the Government’s ambition to double exports over the next decade.
Nationwide, 47% of respondents said yes, 35% said no, and 18% were unsure – but the biggest surprise came from Auckland.
“In Auckland, 62% of people backed cutting regulation to enable export growth. Only 23% were opposed,” Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says.
“That’s a huge vote of confidence from New Zealand’s largest city – and from the block of voters who often decide elections.”
The poll results should challenge some of the old assumptions about urban-rural divisions, Langford says.
“Sometimes we hear people in the provinces grumbling about the ‘JAFAs’ not understanding farming, but these numbers tell a different story.
“It turns out Aucklanders do understand where their bread is buttered, quite literally.”
He says the poll result s
Export – ABB named ExportNZ ASB Exporter of the Year 2025 at ExportNZ ASB Hawke’s Bay Export Awards – Business Central
Source: Business Central
ABB has been named as Exporter of the Year at the 2025 ExportNZ ASB Hawke’s Bay Export Awards
The supreme winner was crowned in Hawke’s Bay at the Toitoi Hawke’s Bay Arts and Event Centre at a sold-out gala dinner.
MC Matt Chisholm opened the event – followed by a virtual address from Trade and Investment Minister Hon Todd McClay, in front of a sold-out crowd.
The longstanding and highly successful awards are presented by ExportNZ in partnership with ASB to reward and recognise the region’s outstanding exporters.
ASB Head of International Trade Mike Atkins, who presented the Exporter of the Year award, said the quality of entries this year underscored the spirit and purpose of the awards.
“We uncovered a rock star in ABB while both Starboard Bio and Ovenden Seeds have potential to make a meaningful difference in the world.
“At ASB, we are passionate about enabling exporters to scale up, be it through working capital funding or other advisory initiatives across clean tech, food & fibre, productivity, and sustainability.
“Our partnership with ExportNZ in celebrating these awards continues our commitment to the region’s exporters.”
ASB Exporter of the Year ABB Napier is a largely autonomous company specialising in power systems design in production, says the judges.
“Originally VecTek in Onekawa, they have retained their engineering skills, and through a strong focus on innovation and quality produced a unique world leading UPS product. All these products are designed, built and tested to exceptional quality right here in Hawke’s Bay.
“All the winners and finalists are truly exceptional, and we as judges felt spoilt for choice – congratulations to all involved”
Winners and nominees alike across all categories were celebrated by judges and the audience.
ExportNZ Hawke’s Bay Regional Manager Amanda Liddle said “It is outstanding to see another cohort of such amazing finalists and winners.
“Going global is a tough business – more so than ever, but tonight’s exporters show the best of what our region has to offer.
“Congratulations to ASB Exporter of the Year ABB, who also picked up the Ziwi Excellence in Innovation award, your products and clarity of vision were awe inspiring and the win is well deserved.
“All of us at ExportNZ would also like to give our special congratulations to Stephen Jacobi, this year’s NZME Service to Export Award winner. Stephen's tireless advocacy has unlocked many opportunities for New Zealand exporters and businesses the world over, and his tenure on the ExportNZ Advisory Board has been invaluable to the organisation.”
Winners of each category will now go on to the final stage of the New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE) International Business Awards, held in Auckland on November 27 th for a night of national celebration and international recognition.
The full list of winners:
- 2025 ASB Exporter of the Year: ABB – ABB Napier designs and manufactures innovative solutions to make AI-driven data centres more affordable and energy efficient, addressing AI’s high-power demands. Operating in New Zealand for over 90 years, ABB has invested around $34 million in Napier since 2020 and employs 145 people locally, with plans to expand by up to 50 more as production grows.
- T&G Global Best Established Business Award: Starboard Bio – Starboard Bio produces and exports animal-derived pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and functional food ingredients, supplying frozen raw materials and powdered ingredients for encapsulation to the EU and US markets. The company operates with a team passionate about their products, the New Zealand brand, and enhancing value within the NZ red meat industry.
- ContainerCo Best Emerging Business: Ovenden Seeds – Ovenden Seeds is a specialist seed multiplication company growing, processing, and exporting herb and vegetable seeds, particularly smaller, hard-to-handle varieties. Seeds are dried, cleaned, and packed at a custom facility near Waipawa. With farms in Hawke’s Bay and grower partners in Canterbury, Ovenden focuses on growth and exports to the UK, EU, and US
- Judges’ Choice Award: Haumako – Haumako is the Tātau Tātau Trust’s commercial entity and develops and grows horticultural products for the export market. Tātau invests directly in horticulture to further diversify their economy, foster sustainable regional growth, and create valuable local jobs. By expanding the horticulture industry in Wairoa, Tātau encourages better use of Māori-owned land by sharing opportunities, learning, knowledge gained in their own orchards.
- Ziwi Excellence in Innovation Award: ABB
- NZME Service to Export Award: Stephen Jacobi
- Napier Port Unsung Heroes Award: Tamsyn Illston, Natural Pet Foods & Nick Elliot, ABB.
Notes:
ExportNZ Hawke’s Bay is overseen by Business Central, which represents around 3,500 organisations across the lower North Island. Business Central offers advice, learning, advocacy, and support to a wide range of organisations across Central New Zealand. Business Central is part of the BusinessNZ Network.
Foreign Police Forces in NZ – Peace Action opposes establishment of FBI office in NZ
Source: Peace Action Wellington
“Peace Action Wellington completely opposes the opening of a US FBI office in Aotearoa New Zealand. The decision by the NZ government to allow a foreign country's police force to operate here is terrifying.
This is particularly true given the authoritarian regime in power in the US and the FBI's behaviour since Trump's election,” said Valerie Morse, member of Peace Action Wellington.
“The FBI anti-terrorism units have been involved in numerous raids and arrests of student activists at universities across the US. These brutal investigations have nothing to do with criminal actions by anyone and everything to do with student support for Palestine.”
“The NZ government's statement that a key area of collaboration is anti-terrorism is therefore extremely alarming. We have seen the kidnappings and deportations by US federal agents for those involved in nonviolent protests in the US. We want no US policing here.”
“The FBI is a US domestic police force. Its operation here raises very serious questions about its jurisdiction and powers here. We are concerned that FBI officers may be operating here with complete diplomatic immunity from prosecution and may be carrying firearms.”
“New Zealand's most recent public experience with the FBI was the botched raids on Kim Dotcom's house in 2011. What we learned from that was NZ's intelligence agencies engaged in illegal surveillance for the FBI, and the charges brought against Dotcom were not even things that are illegal in this country. In short, the entire case, which is still going on, has been one violation of rights after another.”
“We would like to know if there are other foreign police forces operating here. We expect that there will be widespread opposition to the establishment of an FBI office.”
Crown Minerals Amendment Bill a Step in the Right Direction
Source: Energy Resources Aotearoa
Energy Resources Aotearoa welcomes the passage of the Crown Minerals Amendment Bill into law, describing it as an important contribution to restoring investment confidence and strengthening New Zealand’s energy security.
The Bill reverses the 2018 ban on new petroleum permits, restores the promotional purpose of the Act, provides greater flexibility in how petroleum permits are allocated, and recalibrates the decommissioning rules while retaining suitable safeguards.
Energy Resources Aotearoa Chief Executive John Carnegie says the legislation goes some way towards rebuilding the confidence to invest in New Zealand's petroleum sector, which is essential for backing up the country’s renewable electricity system, especially during periods of low hydro inflows and peak winter demand.
“This Bill reverses policy that has done real damage to New Zealand’s long-term energy security, our economic resilience, and our reputation as a place to invest.
Energy prices tell this story. Without a secure domestic gas supply, the alternative is greater reliance on emissions-intensive imports – most likely from coal.
To meet our growing energy needs, we must make better use of the resources beneath our feet to enhance economic, social, and environmental resilience.”
Carnegie acknowledged the Government’s willingness to engage with the sector throughout these changes.
“We appreciate the time Minister Jones and officials have taken to listen to industry concerns and understand the on-the-ground realities. That engagement is reflected in final legislation, which is more workable for our sector.”
Carnegie says the changes are a pragmatic step forward, but more will be needed to achieve the Government’s objectives of restoring investor confidence and revitalising the sector.
“Securing New Zealand’s energy future will require a system firing on all cylinders – which means backing technologies like carbon capture and ensuring all energy options remain on the table, including hydrogen, green gas, biomass, and large-scale renewable generation.
This new Act is an important part of the puzzle, but to attract the kind of long-term investment New Zealand needs, there must be durable, predictable policy settings that survive beyond election cycles.”
Carnegie says energy policy shouldn’t be treated as a political football.
“The stakes are too high, and it’s ordinary Kiwis who end up paying the price when supply is unnecessarily constrained or uncertain.
Today’s reform is a big step in the right direction. Now we need to build on it with consistent policy and a clear long-term plan for how domestic natural gas will help deliver affordable, secure energy and economic growth.”
Mining positivity internationally recognised
Source: New Zealand Minerals Council
Today’s passing of the Crown Minerals Amendment Act is the cherry on top of a great week for mining, says New Zealand Minerals Council chief executive Josie Vidal.
“To make the most of international interest in mining in New Zealand, untap the potential of critical minerals, and make a greater contribution to jobs, exports and the economy, we need enabling legislation such as the Crown Minerals Amendment Act,” Vidal says.
“One of the significant aspects of this law for us, is that the emphasis on promoting mining goes back into the purpose statement of the Act. This is important because it shows the world that the New Zealand Government understands the value of our mining industry and that gives export markets and investors confidence.
“The positivity around mining has been reflected in the respected international analysis of policy and investment attractiveness in 82 mining jurisdictions globally by the Fraser Institute in its Annual Survey of Mining Companies, 2024, released this week.
“After languishing near the bottom of rankings for too many years, due to uncertainty about the environment for mining, New Zealand has made a massive leap and is now ranked higher than any Australian jurisdiction on the Investment Attractiveness Index – at 12th of 82, compared with 43rd of 86 in 2023 – and 15th of 82 on the Policy Perception Index, compared with 50th of 86 in 2023.
“This week we also hosted an event to discuss science in the sector, and it was heartening to see the buzz around the critical minerals the world needs and what is available in New Zealand, and how we can add value and be part of the global supply chain.
“Professor Chris Bumby, Chief Scientist (Materials) at the Robinson Research Institute within Victoria University of Wellington spoke about the potential for value-add processing of New Zealand’s critical mineral resources. He pointed out why metals production matters – ‘today’s world is built from metals and tomorrow’s world will require a whole bunch more’, he said.
“He highlighted New Zealand opportunities included critical minerals vanadium, titanium, zirconium, tungsten, and antinomy, among others, and the value New Zealand minerals bring to the world’s steel production.
“New Zealand science and research stands out globally and Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Shane Reti also spoke about the work the Government is doing to further enable science and technology to advance our country in a rapidly changing high-tech world.
“There is so much exciting work happening in our minerals industry and it is important to have enabling laws that back our claims that New Zealand is open for business, and that the Fast-track Approvals Act is allowed to work as it is intended and is not derailed by vexatious detractors,” Vidal says.
Federated Farmers back Government health & safety review
Source: Federated Farmers
Federated Farmers is backing moves to review health and safety rules for farmers, saying it’s unfortunate some seem to have completely misunderstood the Minister’s announcement.
“Taking a closer look at these rules is really important, so it’s disappointing a lot of people have gotten the wrong end of the stick,” Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says.
“The Government aren’t trying to add layers of bureaucracy or wrap farm kids up in cotton wool. They’re actually trying to do the exact opposite of what’s been portrayed in the media so far.
“This is all about making sure health and safety rules are practical, common sense, and easy to understand – and Federated Farmers absolutely welcome that conversation.”
Langford says the current health and safety rules for farmers have gone way too far and are unnecessarily confusing for smaller family-owned farming operations.
“We’re talking about small mum and dad type businesses which might only employ one or two staff members. They’re certainly not big corporates with a health and safety manager on staff.
“They’re hands-on farmers who actually spend their days farming rather than sitting in an office. That’s why it’s so important these rules are practical and easy to understand.”
He says confusion about health and safety obligations has meant some farmers no longer allow children on the farm like they would have in the past, for fear of falling foul of the law.
“There’s something very special about growing up on a farm and having that classic rural childhood many farmers enjoyed themselves,” Langford says.
“That’s the childhood I had, and my own kids have had something similar, but I think we’re at risk of losing that kind of upbringing if we don’t get these rules right.”
Langford says preserving that traditional rural Kiwi upbringing, while still keeping kids safe, is exactly what Minister Brooke van Velden is trying to achieve.
“I think it’s unfortunate the Minister’s examples were things like collecting eggs and watering plants – because that’s not really what we’re talking about here.
“The fact those are the talking points the Minister was provided with by bureaucrats tells you everything you need to know about why we need to get Wellington out of farming.
“In reality, we’re talking about things like feeding calves, shifting stock, or helping mum and dad hose down the shed after milking – perfectly safe everyday farming activities.”
Federated Farmers 100% backs what the Minister has announced and look forward to engaging in the consultation process.
Education – Simone Kaho awarded 2025 Fulbright-Creative New Zealand Pacific Writer’s Residency in Hawaii
Source: Creative New Zealand
Fulbright New Zealand and Creative New Zealand are delighted to announce Simone Kaho is the recipient of the 2025 Pacific Writer’s Residency.
This annual award is for an established New Zealand writer of Pacific heritage to carry out work on a creative writing project exploring Pacific identity, culture or history at the University of Hawai'i for three months.
Simone Kaho says many writers she admires and follows have won the award in previous years.
“It's a fabulous thing to receive institutional support for work that is so challenging. What if our most profound connections aren’t just with family, but in deep attunement with nature, recognising patterns in the unseen, and finding new ways to move forward? In this project, I'll be drawing theoretical lines between Pacific people who are neurodiverse, and the traits of Pacific wayfinders—and I hope to find evidence of these in Hawaii's research archives,” says Simone.
Fulbright NZ Executive Director Penelope Borland says it is heartening to see the residency taken up by a poet of Simone’s distinction.
“We are thrilled to be granting the 2025 Pacific Writer’s Residency to Simone Kaho, enabling her to continue her work that has already received widespread acclaim, most recently seeing her take up the 2022 Emerging Pasifika writer in Residence at the prestigious International Institute of Modern Letters. With this award, Simone will travel to Hawai'i, where I am sure a deeply meaningful experience awaits her,” says Penelope.
Makerita Urale, Creative New Zealand’s Senior Manager Pacific Arts, herself an alumna of the residency, says the award is timely for Simone’s literary career.
“Simone’s work is fearless and deeply grounded in lived experience and cultural insight. This residency is a fitting next step for an artist of her calibre, and we look forward to seeing how her time in Hawai'i will further shape and strengthen her work,” says Makerita.
Previous recipients of the prestigious Pacific Writer’s Residency have been some of New Zealand’s most celebrated writers, including Tusiata Avia, Karlo Mila, Oscar Kightley, David Eggleton, Mīria George, and playwright Victor Rodger.