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Business – Simplifying local government will make it easier to do business – EMA

Source: EMA

Today’s announcement by Local Government Minister Simon Watts and RMA Reform & Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop to make it easier for local authorities to voluntarily amalgamate will remove a layer of complexity for businesses.
EMA Head of Advocacy and Strategy Alan McDonald says businesses often mention the difficulties of navigating multi-layered local government structures. They want systems that are simpler, more cost-effective, and better aligned with how regions actually function economically.
“This is a pragmatic step that will help to reduce red tape and give councils the confidence to reorganise,” McDonald says.
“While not everyone is a fan of the amalgamated Auckland Council, few would argue for going back to the previous fractious system.
“The massive legal bills incurred as Auckland City Council and Auckland Regional Council fought each other in court were one of the key drivers behind the amalgamation.
“At one of our recent CEO member events in Whangārei, it was clear the local government representatives in the room were well down the path of working together at a regional level. Many other councils are also heading in that direction.
“Some aren’t ready, but the Government’s proposal to enable councils to voluntarily move towards consolidated regional arrangements, when they are ready, is a welcome move.
“It also makes sense to align this nationally with the RMA reforms, where regional local governments drive the plans that are integral to the new Planning Bill.”
From a business perspective, McDonald says the changes should help reduce costs and improve decision-making.
“Fewer layers of governance and clearer regional coordination should translate into lower costs and more coherent infrastructure and planning decisions,” he says.
“Not every region will want or need the same structure, and that’s exactly why enabling legislation is the right approach.”
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Northland Regional Council media briefs – 5 May 2026

Source: Northland Regional Council

Last chance to apply for the Northland Regional Council’s Tū i te ora Scholarships
Are you studying to help the environment thrive? There is still one week left to apply! A total of four scholarships is up for grabs valued at $5000 each to help with study costs plus a paid work experience opportunity over summer.
Applications close Monday 11 May. Apply at www.nrc.govt.nz/scholarship  
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Education – Whitireia and WelTec Graduation ceremony celebrates the future of information technology, engineering, business, creative and hospitality

Source: Whitireia and WelTec

With whānau and friends cheering them on, graduates proudly crossed the stage at last Thursday’s whakapōtaetanga (graduation) ceremony held at the Lower Hutt Events Centre. This milestone recognised Whitireia and WelTec graduates from information technology, business, engineering, creativity and hospitality, each bringing their own stories to the stage.
Across their programmes, graduates learned through hands-on experience – from designing new concepts and testing techniques, to mastering technologies and bringing creative ideas to life, they developed practical skills that translate directly into the workplace.
For Bachelor of Information Technology graduate Joshua Glasgow, graduation marked more than earning a qualification – it represented confidence gained and a belief that he belonged in tertiary education. Mr Glasgow said beginning with the New Zealand Certificate in Information Technology (Level 4) gave him a strong foundation and helped shape his success. “I’ve always been interested in IT, and starting at Level 4 helped me build confidence in my abilities and showed me this was the right path,” he said. “It proved I was capable of progressing further.”
While study was sometimes overwhelming, encouragement from classmates and kaiako (tutors) made a big difference. He said the practical, supportive learning environment at Whitireia and WelTec had a lasting impact. “The hands-on approach really suited me. Using real tools and systems helped me understand how IT works in the real world, and the tutors’ industry experience made learning feel relevant and achievable.”
He encouraged future ākonga (students) to seek advice early. “If you’re unsure about your study pathway, talk to a tutor or programme manager about what’s possible. That support allowed me to move from the New Zealand Certificate in IT Essentials (Level 4), to the New Zealand Diploma in IT Technical Support (Level 5), and finally to the Bachelor of IT.”
Bachelor of Information Technology graduate Adya Sinha moved to Aotearoa from Navi Mumbai, India, after completing Year 12. Studying at Whitireia and WelTec was her first experience living independently in a new country. “Moving on my own was a big step, but Whitireia and WelTec felt very welcoming,” she said. Although the transition was initially challenging, early support from kaiako helped her settle in, build confidence and explore different IT specialisations before choosing one aligned with her interests.
Ms Sinha also valued the programme’s hands-on approach, which helped her apply theory to real-world tasks and prepare for industry work, and she enjoyed the diversity of the student community. “It created an open and collaborative learning environment,” she said. “I had opportunities to grow outside the classroom, including being involved in the Student Leadership Council, which helped me make connections.”
Her advice to future ākonga was simple: “Be open to learning, ask questions and step outside your comfort zone.”
Hutt City Mayor, Ken Laban, said it was a pleasure to attend this year’s Whitireia and WelTec whakapōtaetanga and celebrate a talented and diverse group of graduates. “This milestone reflects not only the hard work of ākonga, but also the dedication of tutors, teachers, and support staff, alongside the support of their whānau.”
“As graduates take their next step into the workforce, they carry with them resilience built through challenge, lessons gained along the way, and a commitment to keep doing their best in whatever comes next”, he said.
The 30 April ceremony followed recent graduations for Health, Pacific Health, Social Practice and Te Wānanga Māori, as part of Whitireia and WelTec’s 2026 graduation programme. Later this year, another milestone will be marked with the inaugural graduation of the Bachelor of Nursing Māori ‘Matariki’ cohort at Waiwhetu Marae on 10 September.
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Privacy Commissioner – Free programme of webinars announced for Privacy Week 2026

Source: Office of the Privacy Commissioner

New Zealand’s annual week of privacy education and awareness is set to happen from 11-15 May with a programme of free webinars.

The event, run by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, helps people better understand how privacy applies to them and their organisation, what their rights are, and what their obligations are.

“This year there’s a lot of high-value sessions for businesses and organisations looking to better understand AI across global boundaries,” says Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster.

“We’re also talking about cybersecurity, why privacy breaches are still happening when we have so much technology to help us, and who is responsible when your business is using third-party providers.

“A special session for not-for-profit groups will step through the principles of good privacy practice in a way that’s realistic for charities, schools, and others. The speakers will break down the legal requirements, explain governance while keeping it practical, and give an honest view about managing privacy and risk when capacity is limited,” said Mr Webster.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner is also opening the (virtual) doors and asking about what guidance New Zealanders want the Office to be writing that would support them and their work.

Many of Privacy Week’s speakers are experts in their fields. They include Dan Solove, one of the world’s foremost privacy experts and former Wellington mayor Tory Whanau amongst other local business owners and privacy specialists.

Privacy Week is free and runs from 11-15 May 2026. Find more information and register for webinars at: www.privacy.org.nz/privacy-week

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Economic impacts on New Zealand from conflict in the Middle East – Stats NZ report

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Marriages continue downward trend – Marriages, civil unions, and divorces: Year ended December 2025 – Stats NZ news story and information release

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Tech – Liverton Security Launches SGE Plus on the NZ Government (NZGovt) Marketplace

Source: Liverton Security

A new framework designed to strengthen email security for government and commercial organisations.

Liverton Security, a New Zealand-based cybersecurity product development and consultancy specialising in email security and data protection, has launched SGE Plus, a Secure Government Email framework now available on the NZ Government (NZGovt) Marketplace, providing New Zealand government agencies and regulated commercial organisations (including those in finance, healthcare, infrastructure, and government supply chains) with a practical pathway to strengthen the security of their email systems.
Email remains one of the most targeted and exploited channels for cyber threats, from phishing attacks to sophisticated impersonation attempts. SGE Plus helps government agencies and organisations reduce these risks by implementing a framework aligned to recognised government security standards and best practices, improving authentication, governance, and visibility across email environments.
Developed by Liverton's security specialists based in New Zealand, SGE Plus supports the implementation of key email authentication protocols including Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance (DMARC), Domain Keys Identified Mail (DKIM), and Sender Policy Framework (SPF).
The framework supports organisations at different stages of maturity, enabling them to move from basic protection toward a more resilient and trusted email ecosystem.
It also helps organisations who need to meet their obligations under the New Zealand Information Security Manual (NZISM) and the Protective Security Requirements (PSR), which set out expectations for managing information security risks, protecting sensitive data, and ensuring appropriate governance and oversight, while lifting overall cyber resilience and security practices.
Key features of the SGE Plus package includes LiveDMARC Reporting, giving organisations real-time visibility into email delivery issues; and automatic dynamic updates to mail connectors that ensure Exchange configuration adapts to changes to SGE member agencies.
“Email continues to be one of the most common entry points for cyber incidents,” says Murray Wills, General Manager Sales and Consulting, at Liverton Security.
“SGE Plus represents a significant step forward in how organisations can implement and maintain modern email security controls. It provides a structured approach to strengthening defences, while helping ensure systems align with current government and industry expectations.”
Unlike point solutions that focus on a single layer of protection, SGE Plus combines advisory expertise, implementation support, and ongoing optimisation. This ensures organisations not only deploy the right controls but also maintain them as threats evolve and requirements change.
SGE Plus also includes the latest release of Liverton Security's proven data loss prevention tool, MailAdviser.
Integrated directly with Microsoft Outlook, MailAdviser provides an intuitive pop-up interface that analyses emails and attachments in real time, alerting users before sending to help prevent accidental data loss and support compliance with organisational policies.
SGE Plus is already supporting agencies preparing to transition from the Government Secure Email service, SEEMail.
For further information about SGE Plus or Liverton Security's cybersecurity solutions, visit www.livertonsecurity.com.
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Tax Reform – Migrant surcharge discriminatory, says tax reform campaign

Source: Better Taxes for a Better Future Campaign

ACT's new immigration policy, which would require a $6 per day surcharge on temporary visa holders, is discriminatory says the Better Taxes for a Better Future Campaign.

“This policy singles out one of the most vulnerable groups in Aotearoa New Zealand for an extra charge that many will struggle to pay,” says Glenn Barclay, spokesperson for the Better Taxes for a Better Future Campaign. “These workers are often poorly paid, and to single them out is discriminatory.”

“Sectors such as horticulture and viticulture rely heavily on temporary visa holders and this tax will not only impact on these vulnerable workers, but also on businesses operating in those sectors,” says Barclay.

ACT's stated intention behind the surcharge is addressing the country's infrastructure needs, but the Better Taxes campaign says this is just a smokescreen to avoid addressing the real cause of inadequate funding for infrastructure, and the $80m revenue it would generate would be a tiny fraction of our $200b infrastructure deficit.

“The main reason for our infrastructure problems in this country is lack of investment over many years. We have failed to ensure the wealthy and big corporates, who rely heavily on our public infrastructure to generate wealth and run their businesses, are paying their fair share of tax to maintain it. This is the problem we need to address to fund infrastructure,” says Barclay.  

“Workers already pay the vast majority through income tax and GST, and Treasury released a report earlier this year demonstrating that foreign born New Zealanders comprised 32% of the workforce, yet their share of tax paid was 38%. We shouldn't be putting more of the load on the shoulders of some of the most vulnerable workers in Aotearoa New Zealand.”

“Political parties scapegoating migrants to shield the super rich and corporate giants from scrutiny over how little tax they pay and their role in declining living standards is one of the oldest tricks in the book,” say Barclay. “But in the context of the current fuel and cost of living crises, it's increasingly clear to ordinary people in Aotearoa New Zealand that the push for ever greater profits by corporations, their ultra wealthy executives and shareholders is to blame for the pressure we're experiencing, not hardworking migrants.”

“In fact, as so many New Zealanders are seeking opportunities overseas and our population ages, our economy stands to benefit from welcoming migrants who come to work, live and pay tax here. If only the super rich and big corporates were willing to make the same contribution,” says Barclay.

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Performances – Teens reinvent Shakespeare for today’s world – Vic

Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

Young thespians are proving that Shakespeare still has the power to resonate with youth culture, because the first world problems of love, jealousy, and identity didn’t disappear with corsets and quills—they just changed platforms.

This King’s Birthday Weekend, a new generation of rangatahi will take to the stage at the National Shakespeare Festival in Wellington, hosted by Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand (SGCNZ) with support and sponsorship from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

From Romeo’s crush on Juliet and his attempts to slide into her DMs through her nurse; to Richard III’s sleepless nights thinking of those he cancelled—or the guy who gets caught in a custody battle between Titania and Oberon—the actors will give attendees a taste of how tuned-in Shakespeare was to the concerns of young people.

Dawn Sanders, founder and CEO of SGCNZ, says the kaupapa of the festival runs deep.

“This festival is about giving young people the tools to think critically, collaborate, take risks, and speak with confidence. Shakespeare holds something new for every generation, so he’s a great vehicle for these life lessons. In this, our thirty-fifth year of festivals, we are delighted to see the gifts of Shakespeare continue to be given to our teens,” says Dawn.

“Tragedy, comedy, protest, satire and joy collide across the festival programme, which showcases teams selected from 23 regional festivals held across the country. Around 4,000 students have taken part nationwide this year—making the festival one of Aotearoa’s largest youth-led cultural events!

“For the national festival, students from schools, homeschool clusters, and community youth drama groups will perform bold, contemporary takes on Shakespeare’s work, filtered through today’s language, politics, humour, and social realities.”

Professor Sarah Ross from Te Herenga Waka, one of Aotearoa’s leading Shakespeare scholars, is currently researching the role that the Bard played in Māori and Pākehā education in the late 1800s—connecting his global legacy to our local histories.

“Four centuries on, Shakespeare isn’t being preserved behind glass. He’s being remixed, re‑spoken, and re‑owned—by teenagers who recognise themselves in his characters and aren’t afraid to make the stories their own,” she says.

Two alumni of the programme and current students at Vic, Hune Edwards and Jimmy Muir, will return to emcee performances at the St James Theatre from 30 May—31 May, underscoring the festival’s long‑term impact. Many SGCNZ alumni go on to study at Te Herenga Waka.

The festival is a launchpad for young actors, Dawn says.

“Talent is actively scouted throughout the programme, with 46 students from the National and Regional Festivals selected to attend the SGCNZ National Shakespeare Schools Production intensive course later in the year. Students from this group—plus a winner from the Costume Design and Music Composition Competitions—are then selected to travel to London for further artistic development at the Globe Theatre, placing Aotearoa’s next generation of storytellers on one of the world’s most iconic stages.”

Festival details:
9.30 am – 5.30 pm, Saturday 30 May, 9.00 am – 5 pm, Sunday 31 May
Prizegiving, 7 pm – 9.30 pm, Sunday 31 May
St James Theatre, Courtenay Place, Wellington

Tickets are now available here: https://www.universe.com/events/sgcnz-victoria-university-of-wellington-national-shakespeare-festival-tickets-24RDNP?ref=universe-discover

And the National Festival performance schedule can be found here: https://www.sgcnz.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/35NPerfsPublicAll-1.pdf

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Maritime NZ – KiwiRail sentenced over 2024 grounding of Aratere

Source: Maritime NZ

The KiwiRail ferry, Aratere, ran aground on the evening of 21 June 2024 while undertaking a freight sailing between Picton and Wellington. At the time, there were 39 crew members and eight passengers on board. The vessel grounded at Titoki Bay in Picton Harbour.

The ferry was refloated the following evening. There were no oil spills and no breaches to the vessel’s hull because of the grounding.

The event followed changes to a safety‑critical steering system on Aratere.

In June 2025 Maritime NZ prosecuted KiwiRail for breaches under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. KiwiRail pled guilty to charges under sections 48 and 36. KiwiRail was sentenced on 4 May in the Wellington District Court.

Maritime NZ’s investigation found failures in KiwiRail’s change‑management processes and organisational controls, including training and familiarisation, documentation, control of critical steering functions, and bridge resource management.

“Steering systems are safety-critical. The crew must have a clear understanding of how the systems work and how to override any automatic commands,” Maritime NZ Director, Kirstie Hewlett, says.

“In this case, there was a clear knowledge gap about how the newly installed steering console worked, including in an emergency.

“This event sends a clear message to operators to ensure Masters and crews are properly trained and provided sufficient time and opportunity to familiarise themselves when introducing safety critical equipment, so that they can correctly undertake all safety critical actions on the vessel.”

Sentencing notes:

The judge ordered KiwiRail to pay a fine of $375,000 and $25,000 costs. It was sentenced under sections 48 and 36 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.