Covering period of Monday 18th – Thursday 21st August – Active start to the week, confined to the east coast and gradually settling toward the end of the work week.
Rain with snow lowering to 200 metres for parts of the South Island today and tomorrow.
Strong gusty westerly winds over the upper North Island with gusts of 80-100km/h possible today.
Snow for North Island on Tuesday, 500-700 metres, affecting high level roads.
Southerly change and dropping temperatures will give a real wintery feel.
MetService is forecasting an active start to the week with conditions settling toward the weekend. A band of rain moves up the South Island today (Monday), followed by showery conditions.
Snow is expected to fall to 600 metres in the north and as low as 200 metres in the south today (Monday), then 200 metres for many areas tomorrow (Tuesday). MetService has issued Road Snowfall Warnings for Milford and Crown Range Roads, the Dunedin to Waitati Highway, and Lindis, Porters, Lewis, and Arthur’s Passes.
MetService Meteorologist Katie Hillyer advises, “For people travelling around the South Island today and tomorrow, stay up to date with the latest advice from NZ Transport Agency- Waka Kotahi regarding road conditions and possible closures.”
The winds in the South Island shift to a cold and blustery southerly tonight, meaning sheltered western regions become fine tomorrow (Tuesday), but eastern regions are exposed to the showers and cloud that will gradually ease toward the end of the work week.
“People will feel those temperatures drop today, with maximums today and tomorrow (Tuesday) staying in the single digits in for many. A rough start for the little lambs”, says Hillyer. With clearer skies on the way later this week, slightly warmer afternoons but also colder mornings are on the cards.
The North Island is also set to receive a real mixed bag over the work week. A narrow band of rain moves from west to east today (Monday), followed by showery conditions. For western parts of Taranaki, Waikato, Auckland, and Northland there is a risk of thunderstorms and hail tonight and tomorrow, with gusts of 80-100km/h possible today amongst a background of strong westerly winds.
“ This is the kind of situation where localised gusty winds thrive, so it’s a good idea to secure outdoor objects,” says Hillyer.
The cold showery southerly air that is currently moving up the South Island reaches Wellington tonight, then continues north, reaching the northern tip of Aotearoa New Zealand by Tuesday night. These showers and dropping temperatures mean snow to 500-700 metres, affecting higher level roads. A Road Snowfall Warning has been issued for Desert Road for Tuesday afternoon and evening.
As the cold air spreads northwards, it’s not just Wellington that will feel the strength of these southerly winds tomorrow (Tuesday). Most of the showers and cloud become confined to southern and eastern parts, with possible thunderstorms and hail for Gisborne Tairāwhiti Tuesday evening. While the southern and eastern coasts will have to wait, the sun will start to come out elsewhere from Wednesday.
Open Country has entered into a conditional agreement with the shareholders of Mataura Valley Milk to acquire the business.
Mataura Valley Milk, located near Gore, is majority-owned by The a2 Milk Company alongside its minority partner, China Animal Husbandry Group.
Open Country CEO Mark de Lautour said the acquisition would give the company the ability to commit further to the Southland and South Otago regions.
“The deep South is an important region for Open Country and is an area we have previously announced as targeted for significant capital investment. The acquisition of Mataura Valley Milk highlights our commitment to the South.”
“This site is a strategic investment for Open Country given its advanced, high-tech design. Its capabilities give us the opportunity to produce a different array of higher-value products that will complement our current Awarua site product range.”
Part of the acquisition agreement includes a supply arrangement with The a2 Milk Company whereby the Mataura Valley Milk site will continue processing A1 protein free milk to produce A1 protein free milk powder. Milk supply agreements with current farmer suppliers remain unchanged.
“We look forward to working with the team at Mataura Valley Milk to fully utilise the site’s capability. In doing so, there will be an exciting opportunity for new farmers to add to the existing supply group and join the wider Open Country family of farmer suppliers.”
On 26 August, both de Lautour and Open Country’s Board Chair, Laurie Margrain will join the a2 Milk Company CEO David Bortolussi to meet with Mataura Valley Milk staff and current farmer suppliers.
“We are all very much looking forward to meeting everyone and sharing our excitement around this purchase.”
“At Open Country we are focused on ensuring we are in a position to provide dairy farmers with genuine choice. Choice that benefits farmers, our staff and the New Zealand dairy industry as a whole. This has flow-on benefits to the New Zealand economy and the communities in which we operate given our 100% New Zealand ownership.”
Founded in 2001, Open Country is now New Zealand’s second largest milk processor and the world’s second largest exporter of whole milk powder. It currently has six production sites across New Zealand and a head office location in Auckland.
This Wednesday (20 August), Environment Southland will decide whether to exclude companies complicit in Israel's illegal settlements from council contracts, a step already taken by Christchurch, Nelson, and Environment Canterbury.
The proposal, brought by locals and members of Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA), would align procurement with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, co-sponsored by New Zealand in 2016, which declared the settlements a “flagrant violation under international law” and “major obstacle” to peace.
“This is a small, conservative step to align with foreign policy and keep ratepayer money clear of war crimes,” said the group. “Our government already allows exclusions on human-rights grounds. The UN maintains the list of companies on our behalf. The only question is whether councillors will act.”
Last month, Israel's parliament voted 71-13 to annex the West Bank. At the same time, UN experts confirmed the “worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out” in Gaza, with more than 20,000 children treated for acute malnutrition this year and a death toll nearing 62,000.
“The International Court of Justice has ruled Israel's 57-year occupation breaches international law on apartheid and racial segregation.” said the group. “When ratepayer money is complicit, we undermine the very system of law New Zealand relies on for its own security. We cannot look away while children starve.”
Invercargill narrowly rejected the same measure in June, a 6-6 split decided by the mayor Nobby Clark's casting vote, despite staff advice to adopt the change.
“Environment Southland still has a chance to lead,” said the group. “Hundreds of councils worldwide have already acted. With thousands rallying across New Zealand this weekend to MPs pressing for sanctions, history will judge whether we chose complicity or integrity.”
SAFE is condemning Lincoln University afterfootagefrom its own dairy demonstration farm, filmed between 11-13 August, reveals animal suffering and squalid winter conditions at what is touted as a “world-best practice” facility.
The Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF) is promoted as a global leader in pastoral dairy systems, attracting international students and showcasing New Zealand farming to the world.According to its website, LUDF’s primary aim is to “protect our people, our cows and our environment – both now and into the future.” Instead, the footage paints a grim picture of what “best practice” in New Zealand dairy really looks like.
Calves are seen piled on top of each other in a trailer. A mother cow is chased aggressively by a farmer on a quad bike after being separated from her calf. Cows and newborn calves stand ankle-deep in a foul mixture of mud, faeces, and urine, with no dry place to rest during the depths of winter. At least one cow appears to have a broken tail.
“This is meant to be the gold standard for dairy,” says SAFE Campaign Manager Emma Brodie.
“If this is what Lincoln University holds up as world-best practice, it shows just how deeply animal suffering is embedded in New Zealand’s dairy industry.”
SAFE believes these practices are not only cruel to animals, but also environmentally irresponsible. Intensive dairying and mud farming in Canterbury are contributing to nitrate leaching, contaminating waterways and threatening the safety of community drinking water. By continuing these practices, SAFE says that Lincoln University is falling far short of the sustainability and environmental stewardship it claims to uphold.
“Continuing mud farming in Canterbury is not only cruel, it is environmentally reckless, and it undermines everything this university says it stands for,” says Brodie.
SAFE has written to Lincoln University to express serious concerns about the treatment of animals at the farm and lodged a formal complaint with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
The release of the footage comes as SAFE ramps up its campaign to end mud farming, alongside a new awareness drive for calving season that exposes the brutal reality faced by newborn calves, two million of which will be killed this year within their first week of life.
“This is the training ground for future dairy farmers,” says Brodie.
“If this farm is showing students that mistreating animals and forcing them to endure freezing, filthy conditions is normal, it sets a perilous example for the entire industry – and the world is watching.”
SAFE is urging the public to sign its petition to end mud farming and to take a stand against the cruelty at the heart of the dairy industry by going dairy-free.
SAFE is Aotearoa’s leading animal rights organisation.
We're creating a future that ensures the rights of animals are respected. Our core work empowers society to make kinder choices for ourselves, animals and our planet.
Notes:
Footageandstill imagestaken at Lincoln University Dairy Demonstration Farm between 11-13th August, 2025.
The Lincoln Dairy Demonstration Farm (LUDF) is managed by theSouth Island Dairying Demonstration Centre (SIDDC), an industry funded partnership of 7 leading dairy sector organisations including Dairy NZ, Fonterra, and AG Research. They “work to promote sustainable dairying through collaborative research and extension for farmers.”
Note: The previous version of this release contained an error in paragraph 2. Please use this version. The formal filing of the claim will occur on August 29 at the High Court in Wellington.
Media statement from:
New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa
Public Service Association Te Pukenga Here Tikanga Mahi
Post-Primary Teachers Association Te Wehengarua spokesperson
Te Hautū Kahurangi o Aotearoa | New Zealand Tertiary Education Union
NZEI Te Riu Roa
Five major unions are launching a High Court challenge against the Government over its removal of pay equity rights, arguing the amended pay equity legislation violates fundamental rights and discriminates against women workers.
The NZNO, PSA, PPTA, TEU and NZEI Te Riu Roa are filing proceedings in the High Court seeking a declaration that the amended Equal Pay Act 1972 is inconsistent with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.
The legal challenge argues the Coalition Government's legislation breaches three fundamental rights: freedom from gender-based pay discrimination, the right to natural justice, and the right to fair legal process.
The case gives workers who have been denied their right to challenge gender-based pay discrimination a chance to challenge the Government in court. If successful, a Parliamentary Select Committee must consider the declaration of inconsistency and a Parliamentary debate must occur. The Government is then required to formally respond.
The claim will be formally lodged on August 29 at the High Court in Wellington following a rally by women whose pay equity claims have been cancelled.
NZNO delegate and Plunket nurse Hannah Cook said:
“Nurses and care workers like me are devastated by the scrapping of our pay equity claims. Plunket nurses were so close to finally having our hard work recognised. Nurses and care workers are the backbone of a caring society and the Coalition Government needs to value us. These changes don’t just impact us. They impact our families, our livelihoods and our quality of life.
“The Coalition Government has shown it doesn’t value us nurses and those of us in women dominated workforces. It is 2025 for goodness sake. We shouldn’t still be paid less than those in male dominated occupations.”
PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said:
“We are asking the High Court to declare that the Government’s actions are inconsistent with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 because of the discrimination New Zealand women will face as a result of the Government’s action. The legal action comes after the Government cancelled pay equity claims and gutted the Equal Pay Act 1972 with no prior signalling and without a select committee process. The Government silenced women but we know the High Court will listen to our claims. This is just the start of our campaign for pay equity for New Zealand women and we will be leaving no stone unturned to achieve pay equity.
“The decision to cancel claims that were about to be heard by the Employment Relations Authority is inconsistent with the constitutional foundations of New Zealand which do not provide for the Government to interfere with the judicial system in this way.”
Sandra Grey, Te Pou Ahurei | National Secretary of the TEU said:
“If Brooke van Velden and Christopher Luxon thought avoiding a select committee process would allow them to dodge accountability for stealing $12.8 billion from low paid women workers we’ve got news for them. We look forward to the women of Aotearoa having their day in court to ensure that the government is forced to defend its actions.”
Stephanie Mills, National Secretary of NZEI Te Riu Roa said:
“The scrapping of the teachers claim without consultation and under urgency was a kick in the guts for our teacher members after years of blood, sweat and money getting the claim moving.
“NZEI Te Riu Roa, along with four other unions, has agreed to take the Government to court because they have not followed a democratic process, and because the Government has sent a message to this mainly female profession that their time, expertise and work is not valued.
“Teachers go into their profession knowing the stresses and extra hours involved because they are passionate about young people learning, but they have limits. We’re seeing more teachers looking at other options or teaching in Australia, because they feel their work is not valued in Aotearoa. Teaching is a foundational job for our society, but this Government has shamefully chosen tax cut savings over giving teachers pay equity.”
Chris Abercrombie, PPTA President said:
“This Government’s decision to extinguish our pay equity claim is not only unjust-it is unlawful.
“Our claim was built on years of rigorous, evidence-based work, carried out in good faith under a process agreed with previous governments. To have that work discarded by political decree is a betrayal-not just of teachers, but of every woman in Aotearoa New Zealand whose work has been historically undervalued.
“This is about more than pay. It’s about whether our country honours its commitments to fairness, equity, and the rule of law. We will not stand by while those principles are trampled. Our members deserve better. Our students deserve better. And our democracy deserves better.”
Background
In May 2025, the Coalition Government passed the Equal Pay Amendment Act under parliamentary urgency without consulting unions or affected workers. The legislation effectively
New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa
Public Service Association Te Pukenga Here Tikanga Mahi
Post-Primary Teachers Association Te Wehengarua spokesperson
Te Hautū Kahurangi o Aotearoa | New Zealand Tertiary Education Union
NZEI Te Riu Roa
Five major unions are launching a High Court challenge against the Government over its removal of pay equity rights, arguing the amended pay equity legislation violates fundamental rights and discriminates against women workers.
The NZNO, PSA, PPTA, TEU and NZEI Te Riu Roa have filed proceedings in the High Court seeking a declaration that the amended Equal Pay Act 1972 is inconsistent with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.
The legal challenge argues the Coalition Government's legislation breaches three fundamental rights: freedom from gender-based pay discrimination, the right to natural justice, and the right to fair legal process.
The case gives workers who have been denied their right to challenge gender-based pay discrimination a chance to challenge the Government in court. If successful, a Parliamentary Select Committee must consider the declaration of inconsistency and a Parliamentary debate must occur. The Government is then required to formally respond.
The claim will be formally lodged on August 29 at the High Court in Wellington following a rally by women whose pay equity claims have been cancelled.
NZNO delegate and Plunket nurse Hannah Cook said:
“Nurses and care workers like me are devastated by the scrapping of our pay equity claims. Plunket nurses were so close to finally having our hard work recognised. Nurses and care workers are the backbone of a caring society and the Coalition Government needs to value us. These changes don’t just impact us. They impact our families, our livelihoods and our quality of life.
“The Coalition Government has shown it doesn’t value us nurses and those of us in women dominated workforces. It is 2025 for goodness sake. We shouldn’t still be paid less than those in male dominated occupations.”
PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said:
“We are asking the High Court to declare that the Government’s actions are inconsistent with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 because of the discrimination New Zealand women will face as a result of the Government’s action. The legal action comes after the Government cancelled pay equity claims and gutted the Equal Pay Act 1972 with no prior signalling and without a select committee process. The Government silenced women but we know the High Court will listen to our claims. This is just the start of our campaign for pay equity for New Zealand women and we will be leaving no stone unturned to achieve pay equity.
“The decision to cancel claims that were about to be heard by the Employment Relations Authority is inconsistent with the constitutional foundations of New Zealand which do not provide for the Government to interfere with the judicial system in this way.”
Sandra Grey, Te Pou Ahurei | National Secretary of the TEU said:
“If Brooke van Velden and Christopher Luxon thought avoiding a select committee process would allow them to dodge accountability for stealing $12.8 billion from low paid women workers we’ve got news for them. We look forward to the women of Aotearoa having their day in court to ensure that the government is forced to defend its actions.”
Stephanie Mills, National Secretary of NZEI Te Riu Roa said:
“The scrapping of the teachers claim without consultation and under urgency was a kick in the guts for our teacher members after years of blood, sweat and money getting the claim moving.
“NZEI Te Riu Roa, along with four other unions, has agreed to take the Government to court because they have not followed a democratic process, and because the Government has sent a message to this mainly female profession that their time, expertise and work is not valued.
“Teachers go into their profession knowing the stresses and extra hours involved because they are passionate about young people learning, but they have limits. We’re seeing more teachers looking at other options or teaching in Australia, because they feel their work is not valued in Aotearoa. Teaching is a foundational job for our society, but this Government has shamefully chosen tax cut savings over giving teachers pay equity.”
Chris Abercrombie, PPTA President said:
“This Government’s decision to extinguish our pay equity claim is not only unjust-it is unlawful.
“Our claim was built on years of rigorous, evidence-based work, carried out in good faith under a process agreed with previous governments. To have that work discarded by political decree is a betrayal-not just of teachers, but of every woman in Aotearoa New Zealand whose work has been historically undervalued.
“This is about more than pay. It’s about whether our country honours its commitments to fairness, equity, and the rule of law. We will not stand by while those principles are trampled. Our members deserve better. Our students deserve better. And our democracy deserves better.”
Background
In May 2025, the Coalition Government passed the Equal Pay Amendment Act under parliamentary urgency without consulting unions or affected workers. The legislation effectively
NZ's medical technology innovation hub, Medtech-iQ Aotearoa holding showcase in heart of South Auckland.
New Zealand's medical technology innovation hub, Medtech-iQ Aotearoa will hold an inaugural showcase in the heart of South Auckland this month.
MedTech Explorerwill be an interactive showcase of MedTech innovations – from life-saving medical devices and AI-powered diagnostics, to wearable health tech and digital solutions shaping the future of healthcare. The event will bring researchers, innovators and experts together with cutting-edge healthcare technology alongside South Auckland communities.
Open to the public with free admission, the event will be held at the Fale in Māngere on 28 August.
University of Auckland’s Strategic Partnership Lead of Auckland Bioengineering Institute Dr Diana Siew, co-leads the national Te Titoki Mataora | Medtech Research Translator programme, the foundation of Medtech-iQ Aotearoa. She also chairs the national stewardship group of Medtech-iQ Aotearoa.
Her vision is to develop capability in NZ to create new medical technologies with a focus on health and equity. She aims for the Fale showcase to inspire young Pacific people and entrepreneurs to participate in the sector, highlighting opportunities for high-value jobs, supporting Pacific community health and encouraging the start of their own tech businesses.
“It's important to meet the Pacific community in the heart of their neighbourhood. This is a such a wonderful opportunity to introduce Pacific youth to the wonders of the latest technology meeting the urgent demands of the health sector.
“This event offers the community a unique look up-close, to not only learn the latest techniques and equipment available, but also to showcase to our young people possible career pathways about making a real difference to the lives of whānau and fri
Exhausted Te Whatu Ora nurses will begin several local strikes on Monday in response to their concerns about staff shortages continuing to go unaddressed, NZNO says.
The actions by Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) members follow a 24-hour nationwide strike by more than 36,000 Te Whatu nurses, midwives, health care assistants and kaimahi hauora on 30 July.
NZNO delegate and District Nurse Lesley Pook says North Shore District Nursing Service nurses will begin a week-long “uniform strike” on Monday 18 August.
“Instead of uniforms, we will wear T-shirts saying ‘Not Enough Nurses’. These are designed to prompt patients and members of the public to ask us about the conditions we work in.
“The North Shore District Nursing Service is short of six staff. That leaves 26 nurses to provide crucial community-based nursing such as complex wound care, intravenous medication management, cancer treatment support and palliative care.
“Being short-staffed means we have to ration care. We can’t see everyone when we need to and have to rush the appointments of those we can get to.”
Lesley Pook says without district nursing services, many more patients would need hospital-based care, putting further pressure on already stretched wards and emergency departments.
Meanwhile, nurses from two other regions go on strike next week to stop redeployment to other areas of their respective hospitals in order to fill staffing gaps caused by chronic shortages.
Cardiothoracic and Vascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) nurses at Auckland City Hospital and their colleagues from Ward 4 (Acute Surgical Services) at Whangarei Hospital undertake a “redeployment strike” 7am on Monday 18 August to 7am Saturday 23 August. This will enable these nurses to stay in their wards with their patients with CVICU patients in particular being very vulnerable.
NZNO Ward 4 delegate Chantelle Thompson says the strike involves NZNO members remaining at their places of work, leaving only for genuine Life Preserving Services, and focusing on the critically ill patients for whom they are trained to care.
“Nurses are currently sent to other areas that are short-staffed when required, but this often results in their own areas becoming understaffed. They are also sometimes seeing patients outside their areas with no orientation and are often unfamiliar with these patients.
“As the health system stands, it does nothing to enforce safe staff-to-patient ratios. This strike is about safe staffing and putting patient safety first,” Chantelle Thompson says.
IHC welcomes today’s Supreme Court decision that has confirmed the human rights of a man (‘J’) locked away for half of his life have been breached.
J has an intellectual disability and autism, has been detained under the Intellectual Disability (Compulsory Care and Rehabilitation) Act since 2006.
The Court of Appeal acknowledged J’s original offending in 2004 as minor, but ruled his ongoing secure detention was justified because multiple experts said he posed a high risk to the public if released.
The original charge carried a maximum penalty of three months in prison or a $2000 fine, but due to his intellectual disabilities and autism, he was found unfit to stand trial.
IHC joined the case, along with the Human Rights Commission, as intervenor in 2024 to assist the Court in understanding the rights of people with intellectual disabilities.
IHC Director of Advocacy Tania Thomas says people with intellectual disabilities deserve appropriate support and the rights they are entitled to under the law – in the same manner that all New Zealanders should be treated.
“This man has been treated unfairly under the law for too long,” says Tania. “This decision will ensure that more balanced considerations occur in future, and people like J will receive more appropriate care and support to be able to work towards release.”
The Court’s new approach in determining how compulsory orders are considered prioritises the importance of each individual’s human rights alongside the seriousness of the offence and the community’s ongoing safety.
IHC will continue to advocate for changes to the disability framework supporting people like J under this Act.
15 August 2025 – The Sensible Sentencing Trust has today called on the Government to refresh its recent Cowards Punch law announcement with meaningful reform as had been achieved in multiple Australian States – rather than a tough-sounding headline with no actual teeth.
SST National Spokesperson, Louise Parsons today said: “While we welcome the Government’s willingness to address the broad issue, the proposal to introduce a new Cowards Punch law is little more than a name change from ‘Manslaughter’ to ‘Coward’s Punch’ with no change to sentencing requirements. The maximum sentence for both is ‘Life’ which is of course never imposed. It is the sentence that matters, not what it’s called – and not what the irrelevant maximum sentence is.”
“The glaring omission in the recent announcement, is the failure to propose a robust minimum non-parole sentence – which Sensible Sentencing Trust recomm
