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Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum will present Te Ripo o te Moana: Taonga Through Time, an exhibition of customary and contemporary taonga Māori, from Saturday 29 August 2026.

Te Ripo o te Moana: Taonga Through Time explores the richness and diversity of Māori art through whakairo rākau (wood carving), whakakai (adornment), raranga (weaving), kōwhaiwhai (painting), and tārai waka (waka knowledge).

Te Ripo o te Moana translates as ‘The Whirlpool of the Sea’ and describes the way a whirlpool gathers and draws everything connected within its currents. The name reflects the coming together of taonga Māori from different timeframes, iwi and regions, and the enduring relationship between Māori and Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa (the Pacific Ocean).

Throughout the exhibition, customary taonga and contemporary works are brought into dialogue, tracing the continuity and evolution of Māori art across generations. Contemporary art works by Māori artists Areta Wilkinson, Te Rongo Kirkwood, Saffronn Te Ratana, Ngataiharuru Taepa and more, reveal connections between ancestral knowledge, material practice and new forms of expression.

Te Ripo o te Moana will also include Te Rā, the only known customary Māori sail, alongside significant taonga and mahi toi from the Auckland Museum collection.  

Among the other taonga included is Tiki, the four-metre-tall waharoa (gateway carving) created by master carver Te Ūmanui Te Whanoa in the early 1800s and later the symbol of the landmark exhibition Te Maori, which travelled to America in 1984. Other highlights include a rare complete front of a pātaka (storehouse) created by Ngāti Tarāwhai carvers of Te Arawa, demonstrating the diverse styles and distinctive patterns of different iwi and regions.  

Te Pō Keu . Ngataiharuru Taepa and Saffronn Te Ratana, 2025. Auckland Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira Collection. 2026.17.1

Auckland Museum Curator Taonga Māori Nigel Borell says the exhibition recognises Māori art and taonga as living art forms.

“Te Ripo o te Moana brings art making from different generations into conversation, revealing stories of whakapapa, identity, creativity, and innovation that connect them. The exhibition brings together the work of tohunga whakairo (master carvers) and tohunga raranga (expert weavers) alongside contemporary artists and makers, and in doing so provides a dynamic snapshot of Māori art,” says Borell.

“These taonga show that Māori art is not fixed to one time but is a living continuum in which mātauranga is carried forward and expressed through new materials and ideas.”

Tauihu. Auckland Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira Collection. 1925.223, 7375.

Auckland Museum Tumu Whakarae Chief Executive David Reeves says Te Ripo o te Moana creates an important new space for visitors to experience taonga Māori from Auckland Museum’s collection while the Museum’s Māori Court remains closed for asbestos remediation.

“It is a huge privilege to be kaitiaki for one of the world’s most significant collections of taonga Māori, and to create new ways for people to encounter and connect with it,” says Reeves.

The exhibition also explores Māori voyaging traditions through waka tauihu (canoe prows), hoe (paddles) and Te Rā. Dated to the late 18th century, Te Rā is woven from harakeke with muka ties and reflects generations of sophisticated understanding of materials, winds, currents and navigation.

Te Rā returned to Aotearoa on loan from the British Museum in 2023, with the loan now extended until 2029.

Auckland Museum Curator Pou Ārahi Māori and exhibition co-curator Dr Kahutoi Te Kanawa says Te Rā embodies connections across time explored through Te Ripo o te Moana.

“Te Rā sits at the heart of this exhibition, carrying the mātauranga and artistry of our tūpuna. Shown alongside customary and contemporary taonga, she demonstrates how knowledge is carried forward and kept alive through creative practice,” says Dr Te Kanawa.

Te Ripo o te Moana: Taonga Through Time opens at Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum from Saturday 29 August 2026 and is free with Museum entry.

Te Ripo o te Moana: Taonga Through Time
Open Sat 29 Aug 2026
FREE with Museum entry
Auckland Museum, Level 1

Source: ASB

ASB has reported a cash net profit after tax (NPAT) of $1,318 million for the 12 months to 30 June 2026, down 2% on the previous year.  Statutory NPAT was $1,398 million, down 4%.

The bank has performed strongly across the board with home lending, business and rural lending and customer deposits all having increased 6%.  KiwiSaver funds under management also continued to perform well, growing by 15%.

Operating expenses grew 16% to $1,645 million, predominantly driven by the settlement of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003 class action proceedings, increased costs due to inflation, and hiring more people to support greater levels of investment in technology.

ASB Chief Executive Vittoria Shortt says the result keeps the bank in a strong position to support customers as the country prepares for economic growth once again.

“Economic recovery has been very stop start.  Although we had momentum at the beginning of the financial year, it’s been a very different second half.  The conflict in the Middle East and subsequent global oil price shock have caused significant disruption, changing the inflation outlook and pushing interest rates up faster than anticipated.

“Our focus has been on supporting customers experiencing higher costs and uncertainty, while continuing to invest in services and experiences that make a difference.  While it’s been a challenging time for some, by and large our customers appear to have weathered the storm well, with fewer households experiencing loan difficulties.

“While we expect economic momentum to return in the coming months, uncertainty remains the new norm and we’re cognisant that many New Zealanders will continue to face cost pressures.  We’re working closely with customers and are ready to support New Zealand as it puts its foot back on the pedal in FY27,” Ms Shortt says.

Enabling economic growth: Backing Kiwi farmers and businesses

“We maintained strong momentum in business banking in a very competitive market, recording our strongest year for business lending growth in almost a decade and providing business and farming customers with around three times as much new lending than last year.  

“It was a standout year for ASB Rural, growing agriculture lending market share to 17.7%.  Initiatives supporting farmers as they look to the future continued to gain traction in FY26, including ASB SMART Solar and Every Hectare Matters, which we expect will be a key enabler of the Government’s Land Use Flexibility programme.

“ASB Business and Corporate Banking and CBA New Zealand branch collectively became New Zealand’s second-largest business bank, while ASB outperformed the market in large business lending, growing our book by $436 million (8.6%) ahead of market (3.4%).”^[1]

Investing in faster, simpler customer experiences

“Investing in our people and systems has been a core focus in making banking simpler, faster and more accessible for customers, while connecting them to the right support sooner when needed.

“More than 350,000 transactions were completed digitally in FY26 that would once have involved a phone call or visit to an advice centre.  This year we became the first bank to offer joint home loan applications digitally, removing the need for eligible applicants to meet with us and making the process quicker and easier.

“At the same time, we grew our workforce by more than 360 FTE (5%) over the financial year as we continue to adapt to changing expectations.

“It’s about using the right mix of technology and people to best support our customers. As an example, AI tools such as conversational IVR (Interactive Voice Response) in our Contact Centre which can answer simple questions and triage calls to the most appropriate ASB specialist, have helped reduce average call wait times by around 40% compared with FY25.”

Supporting property and housing

“Housing remains one of New Zealand’s biggest challenges, and ASB has an important role in helping more people access warm, safe and affordable homes.  We’re $200 million ahead of our FY26 social and affordable housing lending target, with $430 million committed this year, supporting the construction of close to 1,200 homes. That includes $108 million for Māori housing providers, helping deliver around 350 homes in Māori communities.  This was driven largely by the expansion of our accelerated housing initiative to $1 billion, giving us greater capacity to back organisations and communities delivering better housing outcomes for New Zealanders.”

Growing long-term financial confidence

“We know the power of a regular savings habit and have invested heavily in helping Kiwi build wealth in ways that suit their goals and stage of life, from term deposits to KiwiSaver, investment funds and shares.

“It’s been a big year for ASB KiwiSaver, being named KiwiSaver Fund Manager of the Year at the 2026 Morningstar Awards for Investing Excellence.  Total KiwiSaver funds under management reached $21.7 billion, supporting nearly half a million ASB KiwiSaver Scheme members with our Growth, Moderate, Balanced and Conservative KiwiSaver funds all achieving top quartile three-year returns for three consecutive quarters. ^[2]  The latest data ranks our Conservative and Moderate KiwiSaver funds number one in their category for the three years ended 30 June 2026. ^[3] ASB total funds under management across investment products grew 17% to $27.7 billion.

“Another focus in FY26 has been developing ASB Share Central, a modern trading platform in partnership with CMC Markets.  As the only New Zealand bank offering the ability to buy and sell shares, ASB Share Central will offer more advanced trading tools and access to more than 15 international markets, giving registered customers greater choice and opportunities to diversify.  We look forward to launching it by the end of this year.”

Building a simple, modern bank 

“Looking ahead, ASB is embarking on a programme of work to streamline its practices to create better outcomes for customers.  This complements work already underway to modernise technology and upgrade systems, simplify products and processes, and invest further in financial crime capability, resulting in a simpler, more modern bank.”

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

Nurses and tauira from around the Aotearoa will descend on Auckland this week for the annual Te Rūnanga o Aotearoa hui-ā-tau and Indigenous Nurses Aotearoa Conference.

Te Rūnanga o Aotearoa NZNO's annual Indigenous Nurses Aotearoa Conference takes place at Te Mahurehure Marae in Tāmaki Makaurau.

This year’s theme, Huraina Te Matarau, is about unmasking the many faces and invites people to examine the layers and masks that they have carried through life in order to survive, belong, or succeed, and to reconnect with the essence of who they truly are.

It is preluded by the Te Rūnanga Tauira Hui-a-tau and professional development training day tomorrow before getting into the Indigenous Nurses Aotearoa Conference from Friday to Sunday.

It will include a celebration of Māori nursing with the 9th annual Pharmac Tapuhi Kaitiaki Awards – Māori Nurses Awards – on Saturday night and on Sunday the 2027 recipient of Te Akenehi Hei Memorial Award will be announced.

Te Rūnanga o Aotearoa NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says one of the things she wants to unmask is the racism and prejudices against Māori nursing tauira.

“We can’t get our students into nursing programmes because people don’t like the look of them and this is what it really boils down to,” she says.

“They are facing barriers before entry, during the programme and when they graduate. There’s this whole system failure that is not supporting nurses to get through.”

About 33% of Māori nursing students in Aotearoa New Zealand drop out before completing their three-year degree. This attrition rate is higher than the overall student dropout rate of 20% to 25%, severely limiting the growth of the Māori nursing workforce.

Nuku says more support is needed for Māori tauira to thrive in a system that seems to be stacked against them.

“We need more Māori nurses to come through the system but the system is the problem. How do we support better access to kaiako? Hopefully while we hui in Tāmaki we can wānanga some of these struggles with the tauira Māori who are affected by it and ways to resolve them.”

Grounded in Te Ao Māori, the conference acknowledges that we are born whole – connected to whakapapa, wairua, and identity – yet many become disconnected through systems, expectations and lived experiences that require adaptation and self-protection.

The conference challenges people to move beyond performance and appearances, encouraging authenticity, accountability, and healing. It creates a space where Māori can stand fully in their identity without apology or fear, while also fostering honest conversations about integrity, leadership, belonging, and cultural truth. At its heart, Huraina Te Matarau is about returning to self, returning to whakapapa, and recognising that beneath every mask, truth remains.

HUI-Ā-TAU AND INDIGENOUS NURSES AOTEAROA CONFERENCE SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS

Thursday 13 August: Tauira hui-ā-tau and professional development day

9.30am: Pōwhiri

11.30am: Opening address from Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku

1pm: Speaker: Julie Paama-Pengally – tā moko artist who will be doing mokopapa during the hui

3pm: Te Rūnanga Tauira Hui-ā-Tau

6pm: Speaker: Rikki Solomon

Friday 14 August: Te Rūnanga o Aotearoa Hui-ā-tau

10.30am-2.30pm: Hui-ā-tau

3pm: Conference opening ceremony

3.30pm: Opening address from Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku

3.45pm: Speaker: Dr Vincent Olsen-Reeder

6.30-7.30pm: GRADUATES PANEL: Davis Ferguson, Vicki Te Waiti, Ariana Turu

Saturday 15 August: Workshop day

8.40am: Speaker: Tory Whanau – former Wellington Mayor.

9.15-10.15am: Dr Tāniora Maxwell followed by a Kaiāwhina Panel

12.45pm-1.30pm: Speaker: Julie Paama-Pengally. Followed by a panel featuring Tracey Morgan and Rangi Blackmore-Tufi.

1.30-3.30pm: Mokopapa

Saturday 16 August: Hākari and Awards night

6pm-7pm: Te Rūnanga Regional Awards and Pharmac Scholarship Awards

Sunday 17 August: Final day

8.45-9.15am: Announcement of Te Akenehi Hei Memorial Award

Source: Tertiary Education Union

Members of the Tertiary Education Union (TEU) are worried about how gig work has become a norm for thousands of people working in universities. These insecure jobs impact student learning and put the health of universities as institutes of research at risk.

Finn Illsley-Kemp, a senior research fellow whose research focuses on natural hazards such as earthquakes and volcanoes, is on his fourth fixed-term contract in eight years and says that the dual employment system at work in Aotearoa New Zealand universities creates a two-tier system and a growing resentment amongst research fellows.

“Research staff on fixed-term contracts make up a big proportion of staff and bring in massive funding for the universities, and many of our permanent colleagues aren't aware of our insecurity. We supervise students and bring prestige with our research, but we're treated differently to staff on permanent contracts.

“I've heard of research staff being left off work Christmas party invites, not being considered for roles that come up and when their long-term contracts finish, they’re just left to walk out the door with not a word of thanks or acknowledgement for their contribution.”

Illsley-Kemp sits on the New Zealand Volcano Science Advisory Panel and when Lake Taupō showed signs of volcanic activity back in 2022, he was a go-to spokesperson explaining the risks to the public.

Part of his work is to supervise the next generation of natural disaster researchers – PhD and science masters' students. One hundred percent of his work is funded by government research grants that he applies for himself.

“In the past there was a pathway to permanent jobs, but there seems to be no support or investment in researchers now. It doesn't paint a positive picture for the future of research in Aotearoa New Zealand.”

Cassie McTavish is a university tutor who says that while she loves her teaching work and her students, her permanent part-time work means variable hours each semester and for 3 months of the year she has no pay because the contracts don’t cover the summer period.

“It’s accepted as a normal function of the role I do. I know there is work over the summer I could be doing, but it’s not budgeted for. I go to MSD in this period so I can support my daughter and myself. It also means I don’t accumulate holiday pay or leave; I’m forced to take it each year.”

Cassie’s role is very much a student-facing one and she says she loves the work.

“I love supporting my students to learn and I know that when I’m not there, they don’t get that support because I’m the tutor they trust and have developed the working relationship with.”

She and her colleagues have a term for the contracts they're on – 'Frankenjobs.'

“It’s an ad-hoc work monster created by difficult employment conditions. I feel undervalued in the work I do with students.”

Dr Antonia Verstappen, TEU Industrial and Professional Committee Vice President (Tiriti), says this sort of insecure work creates massive risks for the health of universities and their staff and it is why the TEU are claiming for secure work in this year’s collective agreement bargaining across all universities.

“Valuable and sometimes life-saving research is done by researchers at universities all over Aotearoa New Zealand who are on precarious fixed-term employment contracts. Their work and research underpins generations of professionals and brings solutions to some of the biggest challenges we face around climate change, disaster management, medicine and more. These are highly trained people who want to contribute to our country, and we need their skills. Our institutions need to come to the table to end this practice of precarious employment.”

She says that such employment practices affect people wanting to start families.

“These colleagues are too worried about how parental leave will fit into their short-term or rolling contracts, and if they will have a job to come back to.

“We call on universities to respect and value their staff by providing security of employment – this is the right thing to do for staff and students.”

Source: Save the Children

Thousands of families in earthquake-devastated Colombia have had their homes damaged or destroyed, with children and families urgently in need of drinking water, food, and emergency shelter, said Save the Children.

Colombia has declared a national emergency following the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck the western part of the country on Monday and killed at least 224 people and damaged or destroyed about 9,521 homes [1].

Isabel-, works for Save the Children in Cali and is one of the organisation’s staff whose home was damaged.

Isabel- said:

“I feel powerless, frustrated, and very sad because the efforts of my entire family over many years vanished in a moment. However, we have been staying strong by being together and facing the situation.”

In Buenaventura, a city in one of the most-affected regions, Save the Children will be providing children and families with shelter and hygiene kits, drinking water and water filters, primary healthcare, and food.

Save the Children also started establishing safe spaces in Buenaventura where children can play, access psychosocial support, and other protection services. The aid agency is closely monitoring needs in Cali and Chocó, two other highly impacted areas where Save the Children is ready to scale up its response.

The needs of children and families are likely to continue to grow, with dozens of health facilities (https://reliefweb.int/report/colombia/colombia-flash-update-003-actualizacion-afectaciones-por-terremoto-en-13-departamentos-de-colombia-11-agosto-de-2026) affected by the earthquake, including a major hospital in the city of Cali which was severely damaged.

Almost 800 schools have also been affected, disrupting learning and leaving children in need of safe spaces, education support and psychosocial care, while children will need mental health support to cope with the shock and trauma caused by the earthquake.

Maria Mercedes Liévano, Save the Children’s Country Director in Colombia said:

“Thousands of homes have been damaged or entirely reduced to rubble, and schools, community centres and hospitals – the places children rely on to feel safe – have been damaged. For thousands of children, their whole world and sense of safety have been ripped away.

“The stories our staff are hearing from affected communities are deeply distressing. Families have fled damaged homes with nothing, parents are struggling to find safe places for their children to sleep, and children are facing the trauma of losing loved ones, homes and a sense of security. Our immediate concern is for the safety and wellbeing of children, especially those who have been injured or separated from their families.

“In the days ahead, children urgently need emergency shelter, safe drinking water, food, mental health support and healthcare. An earthquake upends children’s lives in a matter of minutes, but we need to ensure that children are at the centre of the humanitarian response so that its effects on the children of Colombia are not permanent.”

Save the Children has worked in Colombia for 40 years, working in the regions most affected by natural disasters, armed conflict, violence, poverty, climate change, and mixed migration.

New Zealanders wanting to donate to support the response can do so through the Children's Emergency Fund (https://www.savethechildren.org.nz/how-to-help/donate/childrens-emergency-fund-one-off).

Notes to editor

[1] According to UNOCHA, the earthquake damaged 8,385 homes and destroyed 1,136 others https://reliefweb.int/report/colombia/colombia-flash-update-003-actualizacion-afectaciones-por-terremoto-en-13-departamentos-de-colombia-11-agosto-de-2026

-Name changed to protect privacy

Source: Bill Toft Awards

The Bill Toft Award is once again open to broadcasters working in online or broadcasting media in New Zealand.

The Bill Toft Memorial Fund in 2026 will consider applications for a grant of $5,000 for broadcasters working in online or broadcasting media in New Zealand.

The Award is to be used for advancing the skills, experience, or other contribution to professional development as a broadcaster.

Bill Toft was an eminent broadcaster who epitomised clear and consistent broadcast communication and set high standards of professionalism within the industry.

The Bill Toft Memorial Fund was set up to encourage excellence in content and delivery in broadcast and online communication.

Information and application form are on: www.billtoftawards.org (http://www.billtoftawards.org/).

Closing date: 31 October 2026

Winner notified: 30 November 2026

Source: Greenpeace

More than 30 protests and community events will take place across Aotearoa this Saturday as opposition to the Coalition Government's Conservation Amendment Bill continues to grow.

Protests are planned from Invercargill to Mangawhai, including at Mission Bay in Auckland, the Wellington Botanic Gardens, Godley Head in Christchurch, Aramoana near Dunedin, and dozens more in beaches, forests, parks and town squares around the country.

Greenpeace campaigner Gen Toop says the scale of the mobilisation reflects how strongly New Zealanders feel about protecting public conservation land.

“Nobody wants to show up to their favorite conservation areas to go camping, tramping, hunting, or fishing and find that the quiet wilderness they knew is gone, replaced by an open mining pit, a private resort or a shopping complex,” says Toop.

“Public conservation land exists today because generations of New Zealanders have cared for it and fought to protect it. People are turning out this Saturday because they don't want to see those hard-won protections dismantled.”

The Bill proposes to change the purpose of the Conservation Act from protecting nature to enabling commercial exploitation “to the greatest extent practicable” instead. It originally also proposed making it easier to sell off around 5 million hectares of public conservation land, before the Government backed down and committed to removing those provisions.

Toop says introducing the Bill in an election year was a major political gamble.

“The last time a Government tried to weaken protections for our most treasured conservation land in 2010, massive public backlash forced them to back down entirely.

“This Government has made a big political gamble by putting public conservation land in the firing line in an election year. It has badly underestimated how deeply people from all walks of life care about these places and want them protected.”

Toop says widespread public opposition to the Bill is already having an impact.

“Tens of thousands of people across Aotearoa have signed petitions, made submissions and spoken out against this Bill. Together we've already forced the Government into an embarrassing backdown on one of its most extreme proposals to make public conservation land easier to sell.”

“But this Bill is still rotten to its core. It opens the door to more mining, more commercial exploitation and degradation of the wildlife and places we all love.”

“The snow-capped mountains, ancient forests and wild rivers of Aotearoa are part of who we are as a nation. We have a responsibility to leave these places as wild and beautiful for the wildlife that depends on them, and for the generations who come after us.

Protestors are calling on the Government to bin the Conservation Amendment Bill entirely.

A full list of events is available at binthebill.nz (http://binthebill.nz).

Source: Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

Statement. 13 August 2026

This year will mark 64 years since the New York Agreement when the West Papuan people were betrayed by the international community.

The New York Agreement

On 15 August in 1962, an agreement was concluded in New York between the Netherlands and Indonesia. Under this agreement, the Dutch were to leave their colony of West New Guinea and transfer sovereignty to UNTEA (the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority). After 7 months the UN would transfer power to Indonesia with the provision that a referendum be held to determine Papuan preference for independence or integration with Indonesia. Indonesia did hold a referendum in 1969 called the Act of Free Choice. The West Papuans call this, the act of no free choice. It was a sham. Indonesia choose only 1025 people to vote (one representative for approximately every 700 Papuans) and under coercion they voted to remain with Indonesia.

Rallies 3 August

On Monday 3 August 2026, the West Papua National Committee (KNPB) held rallies across West Papua with the theme “Papua: Military and Humanitarian Emergency”. The rallies were called to bring attention to the humanitarian crises in the territory. The ongoing human rights abuses, the military operations, the killing and torture of civilians.

At the rally organised in Sentani, Jayapura, the security forces responded with their usual heavy-handed approach to rallies in the territory. As the demonstrators gathered for their planned march to the Jayapura Regent’s Office, Police officers dispersed the protesters using rubber batons and sticks, striking blows to protesters’ heads and bodies during the dispersals. According to Human Rights Monitor 33 protesters were injured.

Photo in Suara Papua

KNPB demonstration in Abepura, Monday morning (August 3, 2026). (Doc. Aida Ulim for Suara Papua)

In another incident a Jubi journalist was intimidated by a police officer. The journalist reported that the incident occurred as he attempted to photograph police officers placing a protester into a crowd-control vehicle on Ifar Gunung Road in the Sentani District. The Jayapura Police Chief later apologised for the incident.

Demonstrations planned for the 15 August

The KNPB says it will stage another round of demonstrations on the 15 August 2026 (under the theme “Papua: Military Emergency and Humanitarian Crisis Zone”) to mark the anniversary of the New York Agreement. A KNPB spokesperson announced the plan after the group’s rally in Jayapura City on Monday 3 August. He said that the rallies on the 3 August were an initial mobilisation ahead of the larger coordinated demonstrations planned for 15 August.

Cause for concern

Joe Collins of AWPA said, “every year West Papuans commemorate this tragic event in their history. In the past the security forces have responded with a heavy-handed approach to any demonstrations on the 15 August”. During the August 2024 commemoration police dispersed peaceful protests in the towns of Nabire, Wamena, and Sentani, as well as in Jayapura City with force. According to Human Rights Monitor, approximately 222 protesters were arrested and 41 injured as police forces dispersed the crowd with batons, teargas, and rubber bullets

“Hopefully this year there will be not a repeat of the incidents of brutally by the security forces that have occurred the past and as occurred on the 3 August and the planned rallies for the 15 August will be allowed to proceeded without interference from the security forces”, Collins said.

The KNPB have been submitting official notices of the planned peaceful protest to government and security institutions ahead of the nationwide demonstration planned for the 15 August.

(Photo in Jubi)
The West Papuan National Committee (KNPB) activist after submitting notification of the August 15, 2026 protest at the Papua Governor’s Office, Tuesday (11/08/2026). – Courtesy of KNPB

Intimidation

In one incident while the KNPB were informing police of the planned rally, members were subjected to violence by police officers while attempting to deliver the notification letter. A KNPB official said several members were subjected to repressive treatment, including physical violence by the police officers on guard. He reported that police blocked the group from entering, confiscated two KNPB flags and assaulted two KNPB members. The KNPB has called on security forces to refrain from any form of repression and to respect public safety and order during the planned demonstration (Jubi 12 August).

“The KNPB can bring out large numbers of demonstrators to take part in rallies and the crackdown on peacefully rallies in West Papua should be seen as a way to try and intimidate civil society groups into not taking part as the rallies can be an effective way of bringing the world’s attention to what West Papuans suffer under Indonesian rule. This is what Jakarta fears most, the internationalisation of the issue”.

The situation in the territory 64 years after the New York Agreement
The world might recognise Indonesian sovereignty over West Papua. However, the fact is that 64 years after the New York Agreement clashes still continue between the West Papua National Liberation Army and the security forces. West Papuans continue to be arrested and intimidated as the take part in rallies to protest against the injustices they suffer under Indonesian rule. As a result of ongoing military operations in the territory there are over 125.931 internal refugees according to Human Rights Monitor. Civilians are bearing the brunt in the areas of conflict with children missing out on education because schools are closed, access to health services for people can be difficult and economic activity is paralysed. West Papua is basically a colony of Jakarta.

West Papua is the most militarised area of the archipelago.

According to a Project Multatuli investigation, there are approximately 103,196 security forces (Military +police) in the territory.

Illustration: Indonesian military operations in Papua have driven over a hundred thousand Papuans from their homes, leaving them displaced in their own land. (Project M/Sekarjoget)

Illustration from Project Multatuli report

https://projectmultatuli.org/militerisasi-papua-tentara-non-organik-dalam-operasi-militer/

West Papuans have also reported that they are not only seeing more military personnel deployed in the territory but they are also beginning to see the use of drone technology by the Indonesian military. A new drone command has been set up to support military operations in Papua.

https://en.jubi.id/indonesia-military-establishes-drone-command-centre-for-operations-in-papua/?_gl=1*15aaq3k*_ga*MTU0NTkyNDAxLjE3NzM5NjI3MDk.*_ga_ZZTT8RG182*czE3ODQyMzYyNTckbzEyMiRnMCR0MTc4NDIzNjI1NyRqNjAkbDAkaDA.*_ga_CNWVJ6KFKD*czE3ODQyMzYyNTckbzEyMCRnMCR0MTc4NDIzNjI1NyRqNjAkbDAkaDA .

There is also the massive environmental destruction caused by agricultural projects, such as the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate (MIFEE) and projects to convert forests, into rice fields, sugarcane and palm oil plantations.

If the International community continue to turn a blind eye to the human rights abuses in West Papua, we will see an endless conflict with West Papuans the victims.

Joe Collins said, “ the Australian Government prefers to ignore the situation in West Papua. However, a simple action Canberra could do is to support and urge the Pacific Islands Forum leaders in again pressing Jakarta to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit West Papua to investigate the human rights situation in the territory. That is what they West Papuans are asking for”.

The 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) will be held from 30 August to 04 September 2026 in Palau under the theme – Building Economies: Life. Action. Unity.

Source: Environmental Protection Authority

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has increased hazardous substances decision-making, completing 66 application assessments in 2025/26, the highest annual total since 2018/19.

“We’ve lifted the throughput of hazardous substances assessments, and improving our performance in this area remains a key priority,” says General Manager Hazardous Substances and New Organisms, Dr Fernando Torres-Vélez.

During 2025/26, the EPA reduced the number of applications awaiting assessment by 36.5 percent from 96 to 61, a net reduction of 35. In the year, 66 decisions were made, 11 applications were withdrawn, and 42 new applications were lodged.

The number of applications awaiting assessment has halved since 1 July 2024 when it was 121.

“The progress we’ve made this year builds on last year and gives us confidence that we are heading in the right direction.

“Our focus has been on making practical improvements that support access to innovative products while maintaining robust regulatory oversight.

“The number of assessments continues to increase as staff onboarded over the past year take on complex applications,” says Dr Torres-Vélez.

We continue to maintain momentum in processing containment applications, with nine decided.

The use of rapid assessments also continued to grow, with 51 applications decided through this pathway, the highest since 2015/16.

“The increased use of rapid assessments reflects our commitment to ensuring assessments are proportional to the risks posed, while enabling timely decisions where appropriate,” says Dr Torres-Vélez.

The EPA also continued to support applicants to use international regulatory pathways. Seven applications were approved using this pathway in 2025/26, up from five in 2024/25.

Providing faster access to innovative products remains a top priority, and we’ve continued to strengthen our performance in this area. We decided two Category C applications in the fourth quarter. During 2025/26, we approved six complex Category B and Category C applications.

The ambitious targets set for 2025/26 and 2026/27 are making inroads into reducing the number of applications awaiting assessment.

A further seven Category B and C applications were received in the fourth quarter, expanding the complex assessment pipeline and positioning the EPA to deliver more decisions in 2026/27.

“The EPA has committed to completing at least nine higher-complexity applications in the next financial year.

“The momentum we’ve built over the past year is encouraging. Our team continues to drive progress, and I’m confident we’ll deliver even stronger results in the year ahead,” says Dr Torres-Vélez.

The EPA is also making operational enhancements to ensure its processes are fit for purpose ahead of amendments to the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act. These include changes to technology, processes, and greater transparency on progress with applications.

Read the Hazardous substances quarterly report (https://www.epa.govt.nz/assets/RecordsAPI/Hazardous-Substances-Quarterly-Report-1-April-to-30-June-2026.pdf)