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Electronic card transactions: January 2026 – Stats NZ information release
Sewage spill stinks of double standards – Federated Farmers dairy chair
Source: Federated Farmers
By Karl Dean, Federated Farmers dairy chair
This month Wellington’s Moa Point wastewater treatment plant failed catastrophically, sending an estimated 70 million litres of untreated sewage straight into the ocean each day.
Mayor Andrew Little called it an environmental disaster and Wellingtonians have been told it could be months before the south coast waters are swimmable again.
This is a major stuff-up, but one question keeps coming back to me: will those responsible be held to the same standards we demand of Kiwi farmers?
As farmers, we’re no strangers to regulation. Our businesses must comply with strict environmental rules, and we know there are consequences for non-compliance.
Breaches can carry hefty fines, legal action, reputational damage – and in some cases, a criminal conviction against a farmer’s name for life.
We take this seriously, as we should, because farmers have a responsibility to protect waterways and communities.
But is what we’re seeing in Wellington a glaring example of a double standard in environmental accountability?
If a dairy farmer had pumped raw effluent into a local waterway, even by accident, there’d be no debate.
Resource consent conditions would have been breached, immediate investigations would follow, and criminal charges would likely be laid.
So, will we see the same scrutiny of large, publicly managed infrastructure?
Will the manager of the wastewater treatment plant be held personally responsible?
Will Wellington’s mayor, councillors or chief executive be held accountable for long-term underinvestment in critical water infrastructure?
Will there be enforcement action against the council or contractors involved?
It’s fair to assume the answer will probably be a resounding no – or at least, not in a timely or visible way.
I commend Nick Leggett for resigning as chair of Wellington Water following the sewage crisis. He’s done the right thing, but real accountability shouldn’t stop with one resignation when the failure runs far deeper.
Andrew Little has called for an independent inquiry, which is promising, but I highly doubt we’ll see any individuals held to account.
Much was made of The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai being the three waters regulator, which includes wastewater.
The Three Waters Review raised system-wide concerns about whether the regulatory regime was fit for purpose.
Taumata Arowai was presented as a key part of the fix, yet they’ve been strangely silent throughout this debacle, effectively saying: ‘It’s not our job’.
They say it’s Greater Wellington Regional Council’s (GWRC) role to be the primary regulator when it comes to wastewater overflows or breaches of wastewater consents.
That means it’s GWRC’s job to take enforcement action, but the council is a one-sixth shareholder in Wellington Water, the company responsible for the discharge.
That seems like self-regulation to me and doesn’t inspire a great deal of confidence.
Let me be clear: this isn’t about farmers versus councils. It’s about fairness and consistency.
If we’re going to demand one sector follows strict rules under threat of penalties, those standards must apply to everyone.
Anything less erodes trust in our environmental system.
There are plenty of cases where individual farm employers or managers have been prosecuted for breaches of resource consent or environmental regulations, when the consent is in the name of a company. That same logic should apply here.
If a publicly managed facility can discharge untreated sewage – millions of litres a day, for an extended period – without consequence, what message does that send? That the rules are good for some, but not for all?
It also raises serious questions about advocacy and media coverage.
Activist groups usually quick to criticise farmers for environmental missteps because it suits their political narrative have been notably quiet.
Greenpeace, for example, haven’t said a thing about the millions of litres of untreated human waste flowing into the ocean each day in Wellington.
Yet they somehow found time to vandalise a salmon statue in Rakaia this week while ranting and raving about the evils of the dairy sector.
Why the silence? Because this disaster doesn’t align with their preferred villains.
New Zealanders care about clean water, and so do farmers.
We work hard every day to meet our obligations, often under challenging conditions, knowing the consequences of failure are real and enforceable.
But accountability must be universal; environmental laws and consent conditions can’t be selectively enforced.
If we want the public to trust that environmental protections are fair and effective, we must apply the same standards to all operators – farm or council, private or public.
The Wellington sewage spill is a clear reminder that environmental stewardship is everyone’s responsibility.
Farmers are already doing our part – but we also expect the same of every other sector.
Universities – What New Zealand can learn from Japan on earthquake insurance – UoA
Source: University of Auckland – UoA
Rohan Havelock is investigating how New Zealand's earthquake insurance stacks up against Japan's
Shortly after Associate Professor Rohan Havelock arrived in Japan to study its earthquake insurance system, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake damaged nearly 4,000 homes and buildings in Aomori Prefecture.
For the University of Auckland insurance law specialist, it was a reminder of the value of an insurance system that works for homeowners.
New Zealand's earthquake insurance combines private insurance with government-provided statutory cover. Statutory insurance, says Havelock, pays first, up to a set limit for residential buildings and land, and private insurance typically covers additional building damage only.
After the Canterbury earthquakes, more than 460,000 claims were lodged with the former Earthquake Commission, far exceeding its capacity. Slow claims processing, significant litigation, and the insolvency of two insurers followed. Some claims remained unresolved after a decade.
New Zealand's subsequent reforms included the Natural Hazards Insurance Act 2023 and the Contracts of Insurance Act 2024, but the dual system continues and Havelock believes similar problems are likely to occur after the next big quake.
“There's a need for more carefully considered reform, especially relating to standard terms, handling of claims and dispute resolution.”
What can New Zealand learn from Japan?
Havelock says New Zealand could follow Japan's lead in three ways:
First, Japan's earthquake premiums are priced to match risk: they're based on a building's location, age, construction and earthquake strength. In New Zealand, Natural Hazards Insurance is funded through a flat levy: 16c for every $100 of insured building value.
“This means that owners of more risky homes are subsidised by owners of less risky homes, and also that there's no incentive to strengthen homes against earthquakes, or for owners to move away from earthquake-prone areas,” he says.
Second, Japan's earthquake insurance is based not on quantifying actual loss, which can be resource-intensive and time-consuming, but on classifying loss into four types: total loss, large half loss, small half loss, or partial loss.
Settlement is invariably by payment (instead of the insurer undertaking repairs or reinstatement), which Havelock says means assessment and claims settlement is rapid and there are fewer disputes over what is necessary.
Third, he says Japan's dispute resolution process is notably efficient and arguably more claimant friendly.
“Insurers routinely offer re-inspection or review of decisions, which resolves a large proportion of disputes.”
If disagreement continues, Havelock says the main pathway is through the 'Financial Alternative Dispute Resolution' system, involving an experienced mediator. This is non-adversarial and is free of filing or hearing fees, says Havelock. “Very few disputes proceed to litigation.”
Northland News – Hapū-led biosecurity response framework sets new standard for community action
Source: Northland Regional Council
After tonnes of the invasive seaweed exotic caulerpa washed up on Bay of Islands beaches last year, one call on the ‘kumara vine’ was all it took for Te Taitokerau hapū to spring into action, with hundreds mobilising to help with the clean-up and prevent further spread.
That rapid response saw the birth of Te Tira Taiao o Te Taitokerau – a first-of-its-kind, hapū-led biosecurity response framework – marking a significant shift in how biosecurity risks are identified, communicated and responded to at a community level.
Te Ruarangi co-chair and Te Tira Taiao o Te Taitokerau lead Nyze Manuel says the framework draws on long-established hapū relationships, tikanga and local knowledge, first tested during Covid through the Te Taitokerau Border Control.
Manuel says Te Tira Taiao o Te Taitokerau is an extension of that mahi, bringing together hapū, Northland Regional Council (NRC) and the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) to respond quickly and effectively to emerging biosecurity threats.
“This network isn’t something new – it’s whakapapa, it’s whanaungatanga and it’s been stood up because of the condition of our taiao,” Manuel says.
“It’s a model based on hapū concern. We’ve been working in what people might call ‘underground’, but really we were just doing what our tūpuna have always done ki mai rānō (forever) – noticing changes in our taiao and discussing our concerns collectively.
“What’s different now is that this way of working is being formally recognised and supported by councils and other agencies.”
Education as the first line of defence
A key focus of the framework, Manuel says, is normalising conversations about biosecurity risks so people know what to look for, why it matters and what to do if they find something.
Te Tira Taiao o Te Taitokerau is also unique in its approach as it prioritises prevention, education and mobilisation, led by people who know their environment and communities best.
When the exotic caulerpa response pilot launched last year, Manuel says many people didn’t know what it was, what signs to look for, or how to report it.
In response, the group has rolled out locally tailored signage (funded by MPI), hapū-led engagement and clear reporting pathways across high-use areas in Northland, including boat ramps, marinas and coastal access points.
“That was the gap – people just didn’t know what it was,” Manuel says.
“Now our hapū are out there on the ground as kaitiaki, we’re normalising conversations around biosecurity, using caulerpa as our springboard.
“Each sign includes a local contact person, which then feeds into a centralised MPI database.
“People can’t report what they don’t understand, so education is our most powerful tool.”
Working alongside NRC and MPI
While leadership sits with hapū, the framework works in partnership with regional and central government agencies, including NRC and MPI, to ensure information flows quickly and appropriate action can be taken.
NRC Deputy Chair Jack Craw, who chairs the council’s Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Party, says the framework significantly strengthens early detection by increasing the number of trusted ‘eyes on the water’, particularly in remote coastal areas.
“It reflects the reality that locals are often the first to notice change,” he says.
“People who’ve dived, fished or gathered kai in the same places their whole lives will notice something different straight away. That local knowledge has already been critical in identifying exotic caulerpa early in places like Aotea and the Bay of Islands.”
The framework also recognises that biosecurity threats are not just environmental or economic, but impact cultural practices, identity, wellbeing and intergenerational relationships with the whenua and moana.
For hapū and iwi, protecting coastal environments is about safeguarding whakapapa and ensuring future generations can continue practices such as gathering kai, fishing and caring for wāhi tapū.
Looking ahead
Manuel says while the framework offers lessons for other regions, it is not a one-size-fits-all model, with success dependent on long-term relationships, shared accountability and deep community connection.
Instead, it demonstrates what is possible when hapū leadership is resourced, respected and partnered with.
“People have tried to replicate the model and failed because they don’t have the relationships or trust of those leading the kaupapa,” Manuel says.
“This kaupapa holds the tikanga of old, whereby back in the day, each hapū or whānau held different portfolios- whether on the moana, whakapapa or elsewhere.
“We do the same today because there’s no ‘I’ in this mahi. We can’t do everything on our own and will always need each other.”
With biosecurity risks expected to increase, the framework provides a strong foundation for responses to both current and emerging threats.
By centring hapū leadership, collective action and preventative education, it positions communities as active protectors of their environments, working alongside councils and agencies.
The framework is supported through MPI funding, with NRC focused on enabling and resourcing community-led action.
Storm News – Multi-day Severe Weather Event Continues – MetService
Source: MetService
Covering period of Monday 16th – Tuesday 17th of February
- Heavy Rain Warnings and Strong Wind Warnings continue for the central and southern North Island and eastern South Island
- Heavy Swell Warnings in force for the southeastern coasts of the North Island.
A deluge of rain and relentless winds continue to impact a vast area across the central and eastern North Island and northeastern South Island today (Monday), with large waves affecting the southern and eastern coasts of the North Island. Eyes gradually turn towards the South Island through the day as the moisture-rich low tracks southwards. Heavy Rain is expected to continue through into Tuesday for the eastern South Island.
What happened overnight Sunday (15th of Feb) into Monday (16th of Feb)?
The tables below show some rainfall accumulations and gust speeds from last night.
– Gisborne, Taupō, Waiouru, Wellington, Whanganui and Kaikōura have already exceeded the amount of rainfall they would typically expect to receive in February.
– Baring Head Wave Buoy in Wellington Harbour recorded a Significant Wave Height of 7.54 metres at 11:06 pm (Sun). Note, Significant Wave Height is the average height of the highest one-third of waves.
– Mt Kaukau and Wellington Airport measured their strongest winds since June 2013 when they reached 202 km/h and 143 km/h respectively.
– The Kelburn weather station recorded its strongest winds from a southerly direction since June 2013 when a southerly wind of 141 km/h was measured.
What is expected over the next 24 hours?
Heavy Rain and Strong Winds are expected to ease in the central North Island through this (Monday) afternoon and the lower North Island and northeastern South Island this evening. The focus of Heavy Rain moves southwards and is forecast to continue to affect the Canterbury Plains and Banks Peninsula, as well as Dunedin into Tuesday and Warnings and Watches are place.
MetService meteorologist Alanna Burrows says, ‘Please stay alert and keep up to date with the latest warnings in your area at metservice.com/warnings as well as advice from the Civil Defence and other local agencies.’
For media enquiries or to arrange an interview with one of our meteorologists please call 04 4700 848 or email metcomms@metservice.com
Understanding MetService Severe Weather Warning System
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings (Localised Red Warning) – take cover now:
This warning is a red warning for a localised area.
When extremely severe weather is occurring or will do within the hour.
Severe thunderstorms have the ability to have significant impacts for an area indicated in the warning.
In the event of a Severe Thunderstorm Red Warning: Act now!
Red Warnings are about taking immediate action:
When extremely severe weather is imminent or is occurring
Issued when an event is expected to be among the worst that we get – it will have significant impact and it is possible that a lot of people will be affected
In the event of a Red Warning: Act now!
Orange Warnings are about taking action:
When severe weather is imminent or is occurring
Typically issued 1 – 3 days in advance of potential severe weather
In the event of an Orange Warning: Take action.
Thunderstorm Watch means thunderstorms are possible, be alert and consider action
Show the area that thunderstorms are most likely to occur during the validity period.
Although thunderstorms are often localised, the whole area is on watch as it is difficult to know exactly where the severe thunderstorm will occur within the mapped area.
During a thunderstorm Watch: Stay alert and take action if necessary.
Watches are about being alert:
When severe weather is possible, but not sufficiently imminent or certain for a warning to be issued
Typically issued 1 – 3 days in advance of potential severe weather.
During a Watch: Stay alert
Outlooks are about looking ahead:
To provide advanced information on possible future Watches and/or Warnings
Issued routinely once or twice a day
Recommendation: Plan.
Storm News – ASB activates support for customers affected by severe weather
Source: ASB
With severe weather affecting regions across North Island, ASB is offering support options for customers who are impacted by the weather and worried about finances.
Targeted support for personal, farming and business customers affected by the extreme weather will be offered on a case-by-case basis, with options including:
- Deferring loan repayments for up to three months or interest only for three months.
- Immediate consideration of requests for emergency credit card limit increases.
- Tailored solutions for eligible ASB business and rural customers including access to working capital of up to $100,000.
ASB Executive General Manager for Personal Banking Adam Boyd says ASB wants to hear from any affected customers needing financial assistance or extra support.
“We recognise this will be a challenging time for some communities. Any personal, business or farming customers who are worried about their finances following the severe weather are encouraged to get in touch. Our teams have practical options available and are here to help.”
ASB’s branches in Masterton and North City are closed today. Lambton Quay is open with reduced staff. All other ASB branches remain open, and customers are advised to check ASB’s branch locator tool for their nearest branch and opening hours.
To discuss support options, personal customers should call ASB's contact centre on 0800 803 804. Alternatively, customers can email hardship@asb.co.nz. Affected ASB business and rural customers should speak to their relationship manager or call 0800 272 287.
Further detail on ASB’s extreme weather support is available here: https://www.asb.co.nz/page/extreme-weather-support.html
More information and full terms, fees and charges can be found on ASB's website.
Storm News – Firefighters respond to over 800 calls for assistance
Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Firefighters are continuing to respond to calls for assistance from people affected by the storm moving across the country.
Between 6pm last night and 8am today, Fire and Emergency New Zealand received 852 emergency 111 calls in the North Island. Most of them (804) related to storm damage, including fallen trees and powerlines, lifting roofs and property damage.
Assistant National Commander Ken Cooper said more than half of the calls came from people in the Wellington Region as the storm moved south, but every part of the North Island except Northland reported storm damage or flooding. A summary of the calls is included below.
“We had a very busy night, and our firefighters are continuing to respond to calls. We appreciate the work they are doing to support their communities and we urge people to follow the advice from civil defence to prepare and keep themselves safe, wherever they may be.”
When life or safety is at threatened, people should call 111 immediately. Staying off the roads, avoiding floodwater and watching for flying debris are simple actions people should take to keep themselves safe.
If people are without power and relying on alternative means of cooking, heating and lighting, they should be mindful of fire safety:
– Switch off all appliances including stoves and heaters that were in use when the power went off.
– Torches are preferable to candles. If candles are your only alternative, put them upright in a secure holder, like a jar, well away from curtains or anything flammable
– Do not use outdoor heaters or cooking equipment indoors
Note to editors – 111 calls relating to the weather received between 6pm Sunday and 8am Monday:
Urgent Response (threat to life or serious damage) – total 97
Auckland/Waitemata/ Counties-Manukau – 2
Waikato – 5
Bay of Plenty – 2
Tairawhiti / Hawkes Bay – 3
Taranaki / Manawatu-Whanganui – 10
Wellington – 75
Less Series property damage – total 300
Auckland/Waitemata/ Counties-Manukau – 8
Waikato – 13
Bay of Plenty – 7
Tairawhiti / Hawkes Bay – 9
Taranaki / Manawatu-Whanganui – 49
Wellington – 214
Minor Impacts – total 407
Auckland/Waitemata/ Counties-Manukau – 6
Waikato – 16
Bay of Plenty – 17
Tairawhiti / Hawkes Bay – 12
Taranaki / Manawatu-Whanganui – 90
Wellington – 266.
Universities – Yili-Lincoln University research collaboration informs global health policy
Source: Yili
Riddet Institute Fellow Laureate Paul Moughan has led a research collaboration with Yili’s Innovation Centre in New Zealand which will help shape World Health Organisation policy on infant nutrition.
Distinguished Professor Moughan, who chaired the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations' expert consultation which published guidelines on protein quality for humans in 2013, has been working closely with global experts in a joint research effort co-ordinated by the Yili Innovation Centre Oceania (YICO) at Lincoln University.
In a series of papers published in the Journal of Nutrition (2023), Frontiers in Nutrition (2024) and the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (2025), the work of Professor Moughan and his team has led to breakthrough research that provides a better understanding and far more accurate way of assessing how well babies can absorb and utilise the essential building blocks of protein from breastmilk.
Professor Moughan’s original work in 2013 provided the gold standard for evaluating protein quality in infant formula: the Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS).
His latest research with YICO, the Yili Global Maternal and Infant Nutrition Institute and Professor Yin Yulong, a Fellow of the Chinese Academy of Engineering at the Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has produced new data which deepens this understanding further and has already led to new approaches to infant nutrition production within Yili.
“This has been a hugely productive international research alliance and will no doubt lead to further advances in FAO policy,’’ Professor Moughan said.
“Professor Yin is a digestive physiologist of significant international standing and his thoroughness, attention to detail and scientific leadership was crucial to the success of the collaboration.
“The alliance’s work will also lead to global impacts on the production of infant formula leading to improvements in the long-term health of babies and children.
“It has also been very enjoyable working with the scientific team within Yili. I have been very impressed by the technical capabilities of the team and working with them has actually been quite delightful.’’
Head of YICO, Dr Philip Wescombe, said the Yili Innovation Centre Oceania principal aim was to act as a hub for research collaboration across Oceania.
“After 10 years, we are now well-established in driving innovation by strengthening ties with startups, expanding business opportunities, and fostering greater interaction between researchers, industry, and consumers,’’ Dr Wescombe said.
Resident Director of Yili Group Oceania Region, Zhiqiang Li, said Yili was proud of the work of YICO and of Yili’s teams across Oceania and in Inner Mongolia.
“We are honoured to learn of the warm and respectful relationships the company’s internal technical staff have developed with leading global researchers in China and New Zealand, the support we can provide as Asia’s largest dairy producer, and the fifth largest dairy company in the world,’’ Mr Li said.
References
Hodgkinson, S. M., Xiong, X., Yan, Y., Wu, Y., Szeto, I. M.-Y., Li, R., Wescombe, P., Duan, S., Liu, H., Yin, Y., Lim, W. X. J., & Moughan, P. J. (2023). An accurate estimate of the amino acid content of human milk collected from Chinese women adjusted for differences in amino acid digestibility. The Journal of Nutrition, 153, 3439–3447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.10.009
Moughan, P. J., Deglaire, A., Yan, Y., Wescombe, P., Lim, W. X. J., Stroebinger, N., Duan, S., Szeto, I. M.-Y., & Hodgkinson, S. (2024). Amino acid requirements of the infant: The amino acid composition of human breast milk. Frontiers in Nutrition, 11, 1446565. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1446565
Wu, Y., Yan, Y., Xiong, X., Li, R., Duan, S., Tang, M., Szeto, I. M.-Y., Liu, H., Hodgkinson, S. M., Moughan, P. J., Wescombe, P., Wang, J., & Yin, Y. (2025). Effect of different ratios of αlactalbumin to βcasein in infant formula on true ileal digestibility and intestinal morphology of suckling piglets. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 73, 6144–6150. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.4c10520
Environment – Mine e-waste for gold, not beautiful landscapes – Zero Waste
Source: Zero Waste Aotearoa
As a fast-track consent is sought for a major gold mine in Central Otago and another has already been granted in Coromandel, Zero Waste Aotearoa is calling upon the government to mine electronic waste, not beautiful landscapes, for gold and other precious metals.
E-waste contains a significant concentration of gold, with one metric tonne of electronic waste containing up to 800 times more gold than a tonne of mined ore. While precious metals (including gold, silver, copper) make up approximately 60% of the composition of some e-waste, gold specifically is highly concentrated, with a single tonne of circuit boards containing roughly 39 grams of gold.
New Zealand currently generates 99,000 tonnes of e-waste every single year. Approximately 98 percent ends up in landfill or is disposed of illegally, according to the Ministry for the Environment.
“At present the voluntary product stewardship scheme means that we have one of the lowest rates of e-waste recovery in the world. We are literally throwing gold away into landfills while proposing to dig it up elsewhere in some of the country's most beautiful landscapes. It is the height of madness,” says Sue Coutts of Zero Waste Aotearoa.
“Like many people across the country, we are gravely concerned about the environmental impact of gold mining. We think that there are much better ways to get these valuable resources – and ensure that they stay in circulation forever, not dumped in landfills.”
“The World Gold Council says that only 7% of gold is used in tech but 27% of worldwide gold production is already from recycling. This is more than 4 times what we need for tech – there is no valid reason to dig up any more of our precious ecosystems.”
“Product stewardship would create a pathway for a new industry: one built on resource recovery of valuable materials and a circular economy.”
NZ company MINT Innovation relocated to Sydney because they could tap into flows of e-waste from extended producer responsibility schemes that collect electronic waste in Australia.
They chose not to invest in NZ because there is no regulated e-waste scheme here. That's $60m in turnover that will be dropping into the Australian economy every year instead of ours.
E-waste was declared a priority product in June 2020 requiring the establishment of a regulated product stewardship scheme under the Waste Minimisation Act. Yet six years on, a mandatory scheme is not in place and no further work is being done.