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Health and Employment Advisory: Senior medical and dental officers 24-hour strike in Te Tai Tokerau

Source: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists

Senior medical and dental officers who are members of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists – Toi Mata Hauora (ASMS) and are employed in the Te Tai Tokerau district of Health New Zealand will be on strike for 24 hours from 10.00am Wednesday 18 June until 10.00am Thursday 19 June.
During that time and as required ASMS members will ensure life preserving services are maintained across the region’s four hospital sites in Whangarei, Dargaville, Kaitaia and Bay of Islands.
ASMS has 240 members in the Te Tai Tokerau district.
Members voted 83 per cent in favour of the strike.
On Tuesday 17 June at 6pm in the Calfer Suite of Forum North in Whangārei ASMS and the New Zealand Nurses Organisation are hosting a public meeting “Your Health System in Crisis” to give members of the public a chance to hear from doctors and nurses about what is really happening in their hospital.
At 10am on Wednesday 18 June ASMS members will stage a mass walk out from Whangārei Hospital and picket on the corner of Maunu and Hospital Rds. There will also be a picket outside Kaitaia Hospital on Redan Rd. Both pickets will run for forty-five minutes.
This district strike is part of an ongoing industrial dispute.
The collective employment agreement between ASMS and Health New Zealand expired in August 2024. Health New Zealand’s pay offer is well below CPI . The parties are still far apart and are currently in facilitated bargaining. Facilitated bargaining is a confidential process.
On 1 May ASMS members undertook a 24-hour nationwide strike. And on 28 May ASMS members in Tairāwhiti held a 24-hour district strike. 
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Peace Action Wellington – Israel’s pre-emptive war illegal, unjustified

Source: Peace Action Wellington

14 June 2025 – Israel’s unprovoked and extensive bombing of Iran yesterday is illegal under international law. There is no allowable claim of self-defence for a pre-emptive attack; such a claim would validate Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, and the US’s attack on Iraq in 2003. 

“The New Zealand Government needs to be unequivocal in its condemnation of Israel now,” said Valerie Morse, member of Peace Action Wellington.

“The bombing of Iran has no justification. The Israeli state appears to consider itself beyond reproach in its conduct: in the past six months, it has bombed Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iran all while it conducts the most vile genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and daily attacks against civilians in the occupied West Bank.” 

“No one believes Israel’s lies anymore. Time after time, Israel’s claims have been shown to be completely fabricated. We didn’t buy US President George W. Bush’s claims about Iraq having ‘weapons of mass destruction’ in 2003 that precipitated the US invasion and murder of 1 million Iraqi people; and we are not about to buy Netanyahu’s claims about an ‘existential threat’ now. ”

“No one is buying Israel’s false victimhood either: it possesses nuclear weapons and continues to be the largest recipient of US aid and weapons. Netanyahu has spent all of Israel’s political capital with his craven determination to remain in power. The international consensus that has funded and facilitated the ongoing occupation of Palestinian lands is crumbling. Now he is trying to drag the entire world into war. He will be the last Israeli prime minister because he will destroy the Israeli state with his self-serving violence and war-making.”

“Aggressive war cannot be tolerated. Genocide cannot be tolerated. New Zealanders want our government to take concrete actions: expel the Israeli Ambassador, sanction the Israeli state and recognise Palestine.”

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Economy – Monetary policy affects some parts of the economy differently: RBNZ Analytical Note

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

16 June 2025 – Some parts of the economy and prices for some products are more sensitive to a rise in the Official Cash Rate (OCR) than others.

Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua research found that sectors that make or trade goods, as well as housing and real estate related sectors are among the most sensitive to changes in the Official Cash Rate.

“When the OCR increases, these sectors tend to cool more quickly. On the other hand, sectors like primary production including dairy and meat, are less sensitive,” the Analytical Note authors say.  

The research also looked at how monetary policy affects prices across a wide range of domestic goods and services, which do not face as much foreign competition as internationally traded goods.

“We found that prices for accommodation are quite sensitive. So, when the OCR increases, it puts downward pressure on the cost of going on holiday or business,” the authors say.  

An OCR increase also has a strong impact on the cost of building a home. This means when the OCR increases, there is relatively more downward pressure on these costs than for prices of other domestic goods and services in the economy. Some services, like household power prices and insurance, are slower to respond to increases in the OCR.

We carried out this research because identifying which parts of the economy are relatively more sensitive to monetary policy allows us to better understand how various parts of the economy may react when interest rates change. It also means we can see more clearly if past policy decisions are working through to the economy as expected.

More information:

Read the Analytical Note
A research paper by Magnus Astebol and Nimesh Patel: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=30c1814904&e=f3c68946f8

Watch a short video: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=f4070f8fec&e=f3c68946f8

Other Analytical Notes: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=8a021ec357&e=f3c68946f8

Key findings:

We investigate the sensitivity of output and prices to monetary policy at a disaggregated level, focusing on GDP sectors and CPI non-tradables subgroups in New Zealand. Identifying which parts of the economy are relatively more responsive to monetary policy allows us to better understand how various parts of the economy may evolve in response to policy decisions and to better assess whether past policy decisions are transmitting to the economy as expected.  
For GDP, we find that goods-producing and goods-trading sectors are the most sensitive to monetary policy, while primary production and public services are the least sensitive.
For CPI non-tradables inflation, we find subgroups such as housing construction costs and accommodation services are more sensitive to monetary policy, while subgroups such as energy and insurance are less sensitive.
The small sample size leads to greater variation in estimated effects across model variations. As such, this analysis aims to serve as a starting point for further work in this area.

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Immigration changes a win for productivity and workforce development – EMA

Source: EMA

The expansion of the Work to Residence immigration pathway to include more skilled tradespeople reflects the real needs of businesses, says the EMA.
From 18 August, 10 trades occupations, including welders, fitters, metal fabricators, panel beaters and paving plant operators, will be added to the Green List’s Work to Residence pathway.
EMA Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement Lead Joanna Hall says the announcement acknowledges what businesses have long been expressing.
“These are roles that our members have been struggling to fill for some time,” she says.
“The EMA has been pushing hard for greater recognition of these skilled trades roles in our immigration settings.
“These aren’t just labour shortages, these are productivity chokepoints.”
The policy change supports the government’s effort to better balance the immigration system, which has traditionally favoured tertiary-qualified applicants.
“Immigration Minister Erica Stanford’s comments around ensuring the system better reflects a broader set of valuable skills – not just those tied to a university degree – is a positive step in the right direction,” says Hall.
“Skilled trades are essential to New Zealand’s manufacturing, construction and infrastructure sectors. These businesses make up the bulk of our membership, so we’re well aware of the struggles they have faced in filling key roles.
“Migrants help lift productivity and pass on knowledge that strengthens the local workforce.”
The new Work to Residence eligibility criteria require applicants to have two years of relevant experience in New Zealand and meet health, character, and wage thresholds.
Hourly wage thresholds range from $38.59 to $43.63 depending on the role, with annual salaries between $80,267 and $90,750 based on a 40-hour week.
However, Hall says some of these thresholds may be out of sync with real market conditions.
“While we support mechanisms that uphold quality, the wage thresholds do seem high for certain roles and could limit access if they aren’t aligned with industry rates.
“We urge Immigration NZ to ensure these thresholds are grounded in reality.
“In addition, it’s important that the value of these trades is recognised not only in the Green List but also in the Skilled Migrant Category.”
The EMA continues to support balanced and evidence-based immigration policy that reflects workforce realities and helps New Zealand businesses grow.
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Retirement – New Sorted retirement navigator a one-of-a-kind tool for spending in golden years

Source: Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission
A groundbreaking new Sorted tool has been released to help New Zealanders nearing or already in retirement feel more confident about their financial future and how to plan for it. 
Launched by Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission, the retirement navigator is free to use on sorted.org.nz. 
Working out how to turn a saved lump sum into a steady income to live on in retirement is a financially and mathematically challenging task. Partnering with the Retirement Income Interest Group (RIIG) of the New Zealand Society of Actuaries (NZSA), the Retirement Commission has created a customisable tool that takes care of the calculations.  
Based on extensive modelling and drawdown ‘rules of thumb’ created by the RIIG, the retirement navigator addresses a common dilemma – how not to spend too much and run out of money or spend too little and unnecessarily compromise quality of life. 
Taking into account people’s invested savings (for example, KiwiSaver) and NZ Super, the tool helps users determine the optimal income they can draw down over their retirement. By adjusting variables such as when they expect their retirement to start and their desired lifestyle, people can see how long their savings might last in different scenarios. 
Sorted’s new retirement navigator is the first digital tool of its kind to be built by the Retirement Commission, and the first entirely new Sorted tool in several years. There are currently no other publicly available tools like it. 
“There’s a lot at stake for retirees when they start living off their invested savings,” says the Retirement Commission’s Personal Finance Lead Tom Hartmann. “They don’t get any practise at it, or the option to go back in time and grow that money all over again. There are uncertainties about how long they’ll live, how high prices will rise with inflation, how investment markets will do, and how much all of this will shape their lifestyle. 
“It’s been such a privilege to work alongside the RIIG actuaries and bring their modelling to life to enable people to forward plan. The retirement navigator puts it to real use for pre-retirees and retirees, so they can plan their spending wisely.” 
Recognising that retirement takes different shapes and forms, the new tool offers four rules of thumb to match personal preferences and lifestyles: 
  • * The Inflated 4% Rule: For those who are concerned about longevity and want to leave an inheritance. 
  • * The 6% Rule: For those wanting to spend more in their early retirement years. 
  • * The Life Expectancy Rule: For maximising income throughout retirement. 
  • * The Fixed Date Rule: For those planning to rely on NZ Super after a certain period. 
Each option comes with clear guidance and practical solutions to real-life financial challenges.  
The NZSA’s Ian Perera, Convenor of the RIIG says, “We’re thrilled to see our work on rules of thumb for drawdown come to life thanks to Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission. 
“We always hoped people thinking about their retirement would find our work helpful, and the Sorted retirement navigator tool takes it to the next level of access and understanding. Moving from accumulating savings to drawing them down is not straightforward. We admire how Sorted’s experts have embraced our actuarial work while making the retirement journey as easy to navigate as possible.” 
Sorted’s retirement navigator tool aims to help New Zealanders: 
  • * Effectively integrate their NZ Super with other retirement savings 
  • * Make more informed decisions about their savings 
  • * Better understand their options for creating sustainable retirement income  
  • * Adapt their spending strategies as circumstances change 
  • * Approach and enjoy retirement feeling less stressed and more secure.  
Potential applications include use by KiwiSaver providers and financial advisers throughout Aotearoa when offering tailored guidance to clients and customers.  
Although intended for those who are nearing or already in retirement, the retirement navigator can be useful to people of any age who wish to examine how they might best manage their projected savings. Those who are more than a decade away from stopping paid work can forecast how much they’re on track to have by using Sorted’s existing retirement calculator and KiwiSaver calculator. 
To try the new retirement navigator, visit sorted.org.nz/tools/retirement-navigator.
About Sorted and the retirement navigator 
Driven by Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission to improve New Zealanders’ financial wellbeing through accessible, actionable, relatable financial education, Sorted offers a range of free digital tools and calculators. Click here to view them. 
To read the new guide to using the retirement navigator, click here. 
About the New Zealand Society of Actuaries 
The New Zealand Society of Actuaries (NZSA) is the professional body for actuaries practising in New Zealand. It supports a highly specialised pool of around 400 members, of which around 250 are fully qualified actuaries. It sets, maintains and upholds actuarial professional standards and conduct, and supports members as they advance their skills and knowledge. 
NZSA also contributes to the development of actuarial thinking and its application through thought leadership activities, and provides a source of reference on actuarial matters for government and other interested bodies. 
NZSA’s Retirement Income Interest Group (RIIG) provides a forum for Society members’ concerns and ideas relating to retirement income, longevity and related issues. The RIIG has published significant work on retirement income including its drawdown ‘rules of thumb’. See the RIIG’s work here. 
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Animal Welfare – Three greyhounds dead within three days: SAFE says shut it down

Source: SAFE For Animals

SAFE is calling for immediate action following the deaths of three greyhounds in the space of just three days. With the industry now resorting to legal action to delay the Government’s promised ban, SAFE says the Government must step in and finish what they started.
On 11 June, Homebush Sydney suffered a spiral fracture of her left femur during a race at Ascot Park Raceway in Southland. The injury was so severe that she was euthanised. Just two days later, Homebush Feijoa collapsed and died at the lure at Addington Raceway in Christchurch. The cause of death is unknown. That same day at Hatrick Raceway in Whanganui, Midnight Brockie sustained a catastrophic fracture to his right hock and tibia and was also euthanised.
These deaths bring the number of fatalities this racing season to 16, already surpassing last season’s death toll of 13, with six weeks still to go.
“Three dogs in three days is not just a tragedy – it’s a damning indictment of an industry that treats these animals as expendable,” says SAFE Campaigns Manager Emma Brodie.
“We must remember that behind every number is a dog who felt pain, fear, and suffering in their final moments. That should shake us to our core.”
This surge in deaths comes just weeks after Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) filed proceedings in the High Court seeking a judicial review of the Government’s decision to ban greyhound racing.
“GRNZ is dragging the Government through the courts while greyhounds are dying on their watch,” says Brodie. “But the court of public opinion has already delivered its verdict: this cruelty has to stop.”
SAFE is urging the racing industry to accept the Government’s decision and begin working in good faith to rehome the thousands of dogs who remain trapped in the system. At the same time, urgent direction is now needed from Government to begin winding the industry down and to progress legislation that will bring an end to greyhound racing once and for all.
“Every dog still in this system is a life at risk. We need the Government to step in now to give these dogs a fighting chance at life beyond the track.”
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Palestine Forum of New Zealand: Government Must Ensure Safety of Its Citizens in the Global March To Gaza

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand

The Palestine Forum of New Zealand reminds the government of its duty to protect all New Zealand citizens, wherever they may be.

Among those currently participating in the Global March to Gaza are New Zealand citizens who travelled from across the country, alongside others who joined the mission from overseas. The government of New Zealand bears full responsibility for their safety and well-being.

In light of escalating risks in international waters and Israeli aggression against humanitarian convoys, we call on the New Zealand Government to immediately take all necessary diplomatic and consular actions to safeguard its citizens and demand their protection in accordance with international law.

Maher Nazzal
Palestine Forum of New Zealand

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UNOC3: "Fine words must now translate into action", Greenpeace comment

Source: Greenpeace

Nice, France, The UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) concluded yesterday with significant progress made towards the ratification of the High Seas Treaty and a strong statement on a new plastics treaty signed by 95 governments. Once ratified, the Treaty will be the only legal tool that can create protected areas in international waters, making it fundamental to protecting 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. To date 50 countries, plus the European Union, have now ratified the Treaty. 
New Zealand has signed but is yet to ratify.
Deep sea mining rose up the agenda in the conference debates, demonstrating the urgency of opposing this industry. The expectation from civil society and a large group of states, including both co-hosts of UNOC, was that governments would make progress towards stopping deep sea mining in Nice.
UN Secretary General Guterres said the deep sea should not become the wild west. French President Macron said a deep sea mining moratorium is an international necessity. Four new countries pledged their support for a moratorium at UNOC bringing the total to 37. Attention now turns to what actions governments will take in July to stop this industry from starting.
Megan Randles, Greenpeace Head of Delegation regarding the High Seas Treaty and progress towards stopping deep sea mining said: “High Seas Treaty ratification is within touching distance, but the progress made here in Nice feels hollow as this UN Ocean Conference

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ERA releases recommendations to settle Te Roopu Taurima dispute due to public interest

Source: PSA

The PSA welcomes the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) making public its recommendations for settling a Collective Agreement with workers employed by disability support provider Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau.
The recommendations, made after four days of hearings with an independent ERA Facilitator involving Te Roopu Taurima and the PSA representing 38 workers, had been confidential.
However, the ERA has now released them as they are a matter of public interest, said Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons.
The trust was seeking to unduly restrict secondary employment that many of the underpaid workers rely on, and to impose a 90-day trial period for new workers into the Collective Agreement.
The ERA recommendations include reference to the current salary for kaitaataki (leaders in the houses providing residential disability support) not having increased for two years. It recomm

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Advocacy – PSNA appalled at deportation of Palestinian New Zealander from Egypt

Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

 

PSNA has conveyed to the Egyptian government its shock and anger at the deportation of a Palestinian New Zealander from Egypt yesterday (Thurs eds).

PSNA says Rana Hamida was deported because she planned to take part in the Global March to Gaza. Others deported include Spanish, Swedish, Finnish, Moroccan, Greek and US citizens.

 

The Global March to Gaza is due to start today in Egypt with thousands of people from throughout the world taking part.

 

“PSNA Co-Chair John Minto says the march is to express humanity’s outrage at the ongoing Gaza-wide bombing and starving of the Palestinian population by Israel in Occupied Gaza.

 

“Egypt’s action in deporting activists can only be seen as assisting Israel’s attacks against the Palestinian population.”

 

“Unfortunately, Egypt has a long history of collaboration with the US and Israel to stifle the Palestine liberation struggle. This is in sharp contrast to the Egyptian people who are as appalled and angry as the rest of humanity at Israel’s horrendous war crimes.”

 

“We received this message from Rana as she makes her way home:

 

“They Egyptian authorities along with other governments think that blocking humanity from this act of solidarity will stop because of them blocking people from being there and doing the job that they continue failing to do !!! 

They are so mistaken – the more complicit and enabling they get in their inactions and in this case their active participation, the more we will rise, and roar. 

We are escalating as you awaken the dragons within us. 

We will sing louder and we will walk longer — with our hiking shoes in the Sinai desert, or barefoot towards your embassies. We will disrupt your meetings, we will crowd your phone with calls and emails, and we will be the light that blinds your robotic heart and melts it alongside the lies you stand for. 

This is not about us, it is about HUMANITY within us that is dying and being oppressed in various forms, it is about the humans enduring hell in Gaza, West Bank and Falastine as a whole. 

Muslims, Jews and Christians together.

It is about NEVER AGAIN !!!

Boycott, divest — We will not stop we will not rest.

 

John Minto

Co-Chair

Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa