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Events – Excitement builds ahead of Electrify Queenstown 2026

Source: DESTINATION QUEENSTOWN & LAKE WĀNAKA TOURISM

Queenstown, New Zealand (4 May 2026) – Tickets are nearly sold out for the third Electrify Queenstown (17-19 May), with a major political debate and a packed three-day programme set to spark fresh thinking on New Zealand's energy future.

The award-winning event will bring together government decision-makers and party leaders, international innovators, renewable energy experts, local businesses and residents to explore how electrification can cut costs, lift productivity and build a more resilient energy system.

A centrepiece of this year's programme will be The Future of New Zealand's Energy System: A Leaders' Debate on Monday 18 May at the Queenstown Events Centre, moderated by journalist Paddy Gower.

Confirmed speakers include Hon David Seymour, Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon Chris Hipkins, Leader of the Labour Party, Hon Simeon Brown, Minister for Energy, Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick, Hon Shane Jones, Associate Minister for Energy, and The Opportunities Party Leader Qiulae Wong.

The debate comes at a timely moment, with conflict in Iran disrupting global oil supply and adding pressure to fuel prices, household budgets and business costs. Electrify Queenstown will put energy affordability, security and sovereignty at the centre of the conversation, asking what it will take for New Zealand to move faster, smarter and more confidently toward an electric future.

All four hundred tickets for the debate day have now sold out, but a limited number remain for days one and three.

Backed by Aurora Energy as principal sponsor, Electrify Queenstown's three day programme will cover practical steps for homes and businesses, green finance and funding pathways, electric transport, local energy projects, and the latest renewable technologies.

Speakers include New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year Mike Casey, CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa, who will speak on the competitive advantages of electrification, and leading international energy innovator Dr Saul Griffith, who will share insights on the global direction of electrification.

On Sunday 17 May, the event also features hands-on experiences, including tours of high-performance homes, off-grid hospitality at Kinloch, electric boats and bikes, and the free community How-To Hub, where attendees can get practical advice across solar and batteries, EVs, heating and hot water, and finance.

Electrify Queenstown 2026 is designed for people who want to understand not just why electrification matters, but how to make it happen.

More information and full programme: www.electrifyqueenstown.co.nz

Event details

What: Electrify Queenstown

When: Sunday 17 May – Tuesday 19 May

Where: Queenstown Events Centre and locations across the district

Feature session: The Future of New Zealand's Energy System: A Leaders' Debate, Monday 18 May, 2pm-4.30pm
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Update – Rethink of Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill urged

Source: New Zealand Institute of Safety Management

A coalition of New Zealand's peak workplace health and safety organisations – representing employers, workers, and health and safety professionals – has written jointly to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon Brooke van Velden, and members of the Education and Workforce Committee, calling for refinements to the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill currently before Select Committee.
The letter has been written by representatives of employers, workers and health and safety experts and endorsed by nearly all the key players in the health and safety system.
“We support the intent of the Bill; to reduce unnecessary compliance burden and to continue to support reduction in workplace harm,” said Mike Cosman, spokesperson for the New Zealand Institute of Safety Management.
“However, there are four areas of the Bill that we believe could unintentionally undermine those goals if not fixed.”
The four areas of concern are:
-The definition of “critical risk” – the current definition of critical risk is ambiguous and may miss the biggest sources of workplace harm (musculoskeletal and psychosocial risks). This is likely to result in greater harm to workers and significant flow on costs to employers and ACC.
-The carve-out for small PCBUs – limiting small businesses' duties to critical risks only would remove protections for more than 90% of businesses and 25% of the workforce. Small businesses are generally less safe than their larger counterparts: We propose that they are helped more to keep their workers safe, not excused from doing so.
-The relationship between other laws and health and safety – allowing compliance with other laws to trump obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act may weaken protections in many sectors (including transport, healthcare, and education).
-Greater legal weight for Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs) – provisions which lock in Approved Codes of Practice as ‘safe harbours’ risk locking in outdated standards and discouraging innovation.
“Now is a critical time to get the Bill right. We have offered to engage further with the Minister and the Select Committee to help develop workable, enduring solutions.”
The joint letter is signed by the Business Leaders Health & Safety Forum, the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, the New Zealand Institute of Safety Management (NZISM), and the Health and Safety Association of New Zealand (HASANZ).
The letter is endorsed by the majority of the key players in the New Zealand health and safety; the EMA, the GM Safety Forum, Te Rōpū Marutau o Aotearoa, Women in Safety and Health Excellence NZ, Hazardous Substances Professionals NZ, the Institute of Organisational Psychologists, the NZ Occupational Hygienists Society, the NZ Occupational Health Nurses Association, Physiotherapy NZ, the NZ Society for Engineering Safety, Minex, Construction Health and NZ, ShopCare Charitable Trust, and the Forest Industry Safety Council.
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Workforce Safety – Rethink of Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill urged

Source: New Zealand Institute of Safety Management

A coalition of New Zealand's peak workplace health and safety organisations – representing employers, workers, and health and safety professionals – has written jointly to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon Brooke van Velden, and members of the Education and Workforce Committee, calling for refinements to the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill currently before Select Committee.
The letter has been written by representatives of employers, workers and health and safety experts and endorsed by nearly all the key players in the health and safety system.
“We support the intent of the Bill; to reduce unnecessary compliance burden and to continue to support reduction in workplace harm,” said Mike Cosman, spokesperson for the New Zealand Institute of Safety Management.
“However, there are four areas of the Bill that we believe could unintentionally undermine those goals if not fixed.”
The four areas of concern are:
-The definition of “critical risk” – the current definition of critical risk is ambiguous and may miss the biggest sources of workplace harm (musculoskeletal and psychosocial risks). This is likely to result in greater harm to workers and significant flow on costs to employers and ACC.
-The carve-out for small PCBUs – limiting small businesses' duties to critical risks only would remove protections for more than 90% of businesses and 25% of the workforce. Small businesses are generally less safe than their larger counterparts: We propose that they are helped more to keep their workers safe, not excused from doing so.
-The relationship between other laws and health and safety – allowing compliance with other laws to trump obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act may weaken protections in many sectors (including transport, healthcare, and education).
-Greater legal weight for Approved Codes of Practice (ACOPs) – provisions which lock in Approved Codes of Practice as ‘safe harbours’ risk locking in outdated standards and discouraging innovation.
“Now is a critical time to get the Bill right. We have offered to engage further with the Minister and the Select Committee to help develop workable, enduring solutions.”
The joint letter is signed by the Business Leaders Health & Safety Forum, the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, the New Zealand Institute of Safety Management (NZISM), and the Health and Safety Association of New Zealand (HASANZ).
The letter is endorsed by the majority of the key players in the New Zealand health and safety; the EMA, the GM Safety Forum, Te Rōpū Marutau o Aotearoa, Women in Safety and Health Excellence NZ, Hazardous Substances Professionals NZ, the Institute of Organisational Psychologists, the NZ Occupational Hygienists Society, the NZ Occupational Health Nurses Association, Physiotherapy NZ, the NZ Society for Engineering Safety, Minex, Construction Health and NZ, ShopCare Charitable Trust, and the Forest Industry Safety Council.
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Health: Asthma and Respiratory Foundation – "Please don’t die today" a mother’s fight against asthma

Source: Asthma and Respiratory Foundation

“I love you, Mummy. Please don’t die today.”
That’s what Jade Stevens' five-year-old son whispered to her one morning before school.
For Jade, a mother-of-three from Wellington, those words captured the fear that comes with living – and parenting – while battling asthma.
This World Asthma Day (on Tuesday 5 May), Jade, 38, is sharing her story to raise awareness of those living with asthma.Jade was diagnosed in her late 20s with brittle asthma – a rare and severe form of the disease, more commonly referred to now as severe or difficult-to-control asthma.
At the time, she was being admitted to hospital nearly every month, with long stays in intensive care and repeated courses of oral steroids. All this while raising three young boys.
“I wanted to be the kind of mum who could be there for everything – every school pickup, every bedtime story – but instead, hospital beds replaced family dinners.
“I’ll never forget the moment I dropped my youngest off at school one day. He was just five. He kissed me goodbye, paused, and whispered, ‘I love you, Mummy. Please don’t die today.’
“I reassured him, but inside I was breaking. That fear – his and mine – was all too real.”
Today, thanks to a biological treatment, Jade's condition is under control and her symptoms are manageable.
“The treatment gave me my life back.
“The hospital visits have become rare, and I’ve finally been able to stop taking steroids.”
Her children are now teenagers and she’s able to be the mum she always wanted to be at the beginning, she says.
“I can go to my eldest son’s band Intercite gigs, school events, quad bike adventures, or just sit on the couch and watch a movie without them having to worry that Mum might be going to hospital again.”
Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ Chief Executive Ms Letitia Harding says Jade’s story shows the reality of asthma that many New Zealanders are still unaware of.
“Jade’s experience is a reminder that asthma can affect people in very different ways, and for some, it’s far more serious than many realise.”
That’s why World Asthma Day is so important in raising awareness, Ms Harding says.
“We need to lift the stigma, increase awareness, and ensure everyone understands just how serious this condition can be.”
This year, the Foundation is marking World Asthma Day by hosting a Blue Shirt Day on Tuesday 5 May.
Blue Shirt Day calls on all Kiwis to wear blue, share stories like Jade’s, and support better research, education, and access to life-saving treatments.
In New Zealand, asthma affects 1 in 8 adults and children, kills an average of 96 people each year, and is responsible for the hospitalisations of thousands of children – many of whom will have had a potentially life-threatening asthma attack.
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Health – Overwhelming Public Support for Prostate Cancer Screening Programme in New Zealand – especially from women

Source: Prostate Cancer Foundation

New Zealanders, especially women, have sent a clear and urgent message: it is time for a national prostate cancer screening programme.

New independent polling of 1,000 eligible voters shows that 84% of New Zealanders support the development of a prostate cancer screening programme, with only 5% opposed and 12% unsure.

This strong consensus cuts across gender, age, region, and political affiliation.

Each year, more than 4,000 Kiwi men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, and over 750 lose their lives to the disease. Yet unlike breast cancer, New Zealand still lacks a formal nationwide screening programme—despite clear evidence that early detection dramatically improves survival rates.

The poll reveals particularly strong support among women (91%) and older New Zealanders, with support rising to 89% among those aged 60 and over. Even among younger adults aged 18–39, more than three-quarters (76%) back screening.

Support is also consistent across the country, with particularly high levels in Wellington (92%) and provincial cities (91%). While support is slightly lower in rural areas (68%), it still represents a clear majority.

“This is not a marginal issue—it is a national priority,” said Danny Bedingfield, President of the Prostate Cancer Foundation. “When more than eight in ten New Zealanders support screening, the mandate for action is undeniable. And it’s not just a bloke issue. 91% of women support as well. They care about and support the men in their lives”.

Crucially, backing for a screening programme spans the political spectrum. Majorities of voters from all major parties support the initiative, including 95% of Te Pāti Māori voters, 91% of Labour and New Zealand First voters, and 84% of National voters.

“This is one of those rare issues where New Zealanders are united,” Bedingfield said. “Prostate cancer does not discriminate—and neither should access to early detection.”

The Prostate Cancer Foundation is calling on the Government to act decisively and begin the development of a nationwide screening programme, ensuring equitable access for all men, regardless of location or background.

“Every life lost to prostate cancer is one too many—especially when early detection could save it,” Bedingfield said. “New Zealanders have spoken. Now it’s time for leadership.”

“Budget 2026 is the opportunity to allocate resources to fund a four-year pilot of a PSA-based screening programme and join in with pilot efforts underway in Europe.

“Significant advances in technology and improved diagnostic methods mean that previous risks have been reduced, and the latest research is clear that a comprehensive early detection programme holds the promise of halving mortality from the disease
 
“An initial pilot of prostate cancer screening costing only $6.4 million over four years would save the lives of many fathers, husbands, and sons, returning over $100 million to the health system.
 
“Focusing on Tairāwhiti and Waitematā, the pilot would aid understanding of early detection, optimal ways to engage with at-risk men, the potential benefits of a specialist workforce, and increased use of modern diagnostic technologies.
 
“It’s only 24 days till the Budget in 2026, so we are hoping that this year the coalition government is listening,” Bedingfield concluded.

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Activist Sector – NZ must reject any Hormuz involvement – Peace Action Wellington

Source: Peace Action Wellington

The NZ Government has received an invitation from the US to participate in a multilateral force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The US State Department invited partner countries to join a new coalition called Maritime Freedom Construct (MFC) to enable ships to navigate the Strait.

“The New Zealand Government must reject any proposal to be part of this US plan. Responsibility for this situation sits squarely with the US and Israel. Their illegal and unprovoked war was the catalyst for this situation,” said Valerie Morse of Peace Action Wellington.

“The Iranian Government has been clear that it is prepared to open the Strait when the US and Israel stop the war.”

“Reports that the Maritime Freedom Construct would sit squarely under US Central Command illustrates that this is a just another US military operation. Reports say that it would share maritime intelligence, coordinate diplomatic pressure and enforce sanctions, jointly operated between the US State Department and US Central Command.”

“The US is decrying the lack of freedom of navigation while its partner in crime, Israel, continues to enforce an illegal land, sea and air blockade of Gaza that has been going on for 18 years. Just two days ago, Israel illegally boarded dozens of ships in international waters, hundreds of miles from Israel's coast, kidnapping people on board
carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. Some are now being detained by the Israeli Occupation Forces while others were dumped on the island of Crete.”

“Irrespective of whether Trump eventually receives UN support for this initiative or manages to cobble together a 'coalition of the wiling', New Zealand should have no role in any monitoring of the Strait of Hormuz. This would shift responsibility for the US and Israel's mess and be post facto endorsement of the war.”

“This was the US strategy in Iraq in 2003 following its illegal invasion. It bombed and destabilised the country, then handed it over to the UN to clean up the enormous horror it had created. New Zealand was involved in the ongoing occupation for close to 20 years.”

“New Zealand must stand up against the US and Israeli war on Iran. That is where New Zealand's diplomatic efforts should be exerted.”

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Health Tech – Live cross-continent robotic surgery at Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Congress 2026

Source: Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)

The 94th Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) 2026, held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre from 29 April to 3 May 2026, featured a landmark demonstration of live, remote-controlled robotic surgery, highlighting how surgical care may evolve through emerging digital technologies.
 
In the plenary session Collaborating with patients and industry, Dr Mohit Bhandari, Director of Mohak Bariatrics and Robotics, India, demonstrated a live procedure where he briefly controlled robotic instruments via remote control from Australia to perform part of a surgery on a patient in India.
 
The demonstration, conducted live in front of an audience of surgeons, Trainees and healthcare professionals, was for educational purposes. It provided delegates with direct insight into how tele-enabled systems may support surgical practice in tightly controlled clinical environments.
 
Dr Ravi Rao, Bariatric Surgery Convenor for RACS ASC 2026, said the session represented an important moment in the ongoing evolution of surgery.

“What we have seen here is not just a technological advancement, but a shift in how surgical expertise can be shared across borders. The implications for training, collaboration, and patient care are significant.”

The demonstration highlighted the potential for more equitable access to specialist expertise, although such procedures remain in early stages of clinical application and are undertaken in controlled environments with appropriate oversight. Local surgical teams remain central to patient care, and emerging technologies are intended to complement, not replace, existing surgical pathways.
 
The RACS ASC brings surgeons, Trainees and healthcare professionals together from across Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally, reinforcing its position as a leading forum for innovation, knowledge exchange, collegiality and the advancement of surgical practice.

 

About the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)

RACS is the leading advocate for surgical standards, professionalism and surgical education in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. The College is a not-for-profit organisation that represents more than 8000 surgeons and 1300 surgical trainees and Specialist International Medical Graduates. RACS also supports healthcare and surgical education in the Asia-Pacific region and is a substantial funder of surgical research. There are nine surgical specialties in Australasia being: Cardiothoracic Surgery, General Surgery, Neurosurgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Paediatric Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Urology and Vascular Surgery. www.surgeons.org

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New home consents up 11 percent in year ended March 2026 – Building consents issued: March 2026 – Stats NZ news story and information release

 

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Transport Sector – Proposed congestion charges for trucks will hit freight customers and consumers

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

Transporting New Zealand says that a Ministry of Transport proposal to set congestion charges for trucks at four times the rate of cars will increase costs for businesses and consumers, while being out of step with comparable overseas schemes.
Under the proposal, if a base time-of-use charge for a car was set at $4.50 for entering a charging area, a motorcycle would be charged $2.25 and a truck $18.00. Subject to any maximum charge, the fee could apply each time a vehicle entered, exited, or travelled within the area during charging hours.
Transporting New Zealand Head of Policy & Advocacy Billy Clemens says the proposed ratio is unlikely to meaningfully reduce congestion, while placing cost pressure on freight users and consumers.
“This proposal applies a higher relative charge to freight than most time-of-use schemes internationally. In cities such as Stockholm, London, and Gothenburg, vehicles are charged at a flat rate. Even schemes that do set different charges in Singapore and New York City set their ratios considerably lower than this Ministry of Transport proposal.”
“We would expect any price settings to reflect whether travel demand can realistically move off-peak, rather than relying on a simple multiplier based on vehicle type.”
Clemens says available evidence suggests freight operators already avoid peak travel where possible due to the high hourly cost of running truck fleets.
“Auckland traffic data shows that heavy vehicles largely avoid peak periods (6-9am and 4-7pm). Where trucks are operating in congestion, this is driven by customer constraints.”
“For example, freight movements are tied to fixed shipping windows, freighting perishable or time sensitive cargo, or the times at which businesses are staffed to safely load and unload goods. These constraints limit the ability to shift demand in response to pricing signals.”
“Setting a quadruple charging ratio for large freight vehicles seems very high and appears like less of a demand-shift measure and more of a cash-grab that will ultimately be met by freight customers and consumers.”
“At this level, any travel time savings achieved through reduced congestion are likely to be offset by the additional charges faced by freight operators. Those costs are then passed through the supply chain.”
“We have seen similar outcomes where variable access charges have been introduced at ports, including in Auckland and Tauranga, where increased costs have ultimately flowed through to customers.”
“At a time where increased transport costs are driving inflation up, we would expect Ministry of Transport to be carefully considering freight cost implications of their proposals. Particularly as the road freight industry has raised these concerns previously.”
Transporting New Zealand will be urging Ministry of Transport to cap heavy vehicle charges at no more than 2 times the rate for other vehicles, in line with its submission on the time of use charging enabling legislation. Details on how to make a submission can be found here: https://www.transport.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Consultation/Consultation-proposal-time-of-use-charging-regulations.pdf
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Environment – Container Return Scheme Bill would double recycling rates and put money back in households

Source: Zero Waste Aotearoa

Around four million drink containers are landfilled or littered every day in New Zealand and ratepayers are footing the bill for it.

Zero Waste Aotearoa welcomes today's announcement by NZ First and says a Container Return Scheme (CRS) is the practical fix: it shifts the cost of waste, recycling and litter clean up, from councils onto the producers responsible for it, while putting money back in the pockets of households and communities.

“We appreciate the leadership being shown by Jamie Arbuckle in putting this Container Return Scheme Bill forward. A well designed container return scheme will support local economies and reduce the burden that small communities with high tourist and visitor numbers face in providing recycling and litter services.”

Sue Coutts, External Affairs, Zero Waste Network, says the scheme is simple and it works.

“Return your empty container, get your deposit back, and make sure those materials can be used again. It's a straightforward idea that puts money back in people's pockets while massively reducing the number of bottle, cans and cartons that end up in our streets and landfills.”

Double recycling rates and halve litter

Currently only around 45% of drink containers are recovered through kerbside systems. The rest — around 1.25 billion containers a year — end up in landfill or as litter, with councils picking up the tab. A Container Return Scheme shifts that cost away from ratepayers and onto the manufacturers and importers who profit from selling drinks in single-use packaging. It is expected to reduce the cost burden on councils by $50 million every year.

“A well-designed scheme shifts costs away from ratepayers and onto producers, while creating real opportunities for households to get money back and for charities and community groups to benefit through fundraising. The Scouts in Thames, a South Auckland school and a Tairāwhiti community have run very successful 'bottle drives', collecting empty bottles, cans and cartons to claim a 20c deposit on each one. The 20c deposit is a great incentive to gather up and return empties,” says Coutts.

The public want it and the evidence shows it works

Support for a Container Return Scheme is broad and consistent. Around 80% of New Zealanders want one, with backing across all political parties, age groups and regions. Countries with well-designed schemes routinely achieve 85–90% recovery within three years. New Zealand's scheme is designed to hit 85% by year three and 90% by year five.

The design is done. It's time to act

New Zealand already has a locally-tailored scheme design based on international best practice, with five years of analysis and consultation behind it. The proposed scheme includes a 20-cent deposit per container, covers glass, plastic, metal and cartons, and uses a mixed return model with supermarkets and depots.

“The design is done, the public support is there, and the case is clear. Every day we delay, another four million containers go to landfill or end up as litter. It's time to pass this.”

Background: zerowaste.co.nz/container-return-scheme/