Posts

Posted on

Federated Farmers – Big rural turnouts should ring police alarm bells

Source: Federated Farmers

NZ Police should have heard loud and clear at two public meetings last night that rural families and businesses are deeply concerned about proposed staffing changes, Bex Green says.
The Federated Farmers North Canterbury president says the turnout of more than 500 people at the Culverden meeting alone should ring alarm bells for Canterbury Police District Commander Tony Hill.
Superintendent Hill told the meeting one of the reasons behind the proposal to reduce staff at a number of rural stations, and close the Arthur’s Pass station, was a relatively low level of crime reported from those areas.
“That’s where we’re misaligned on this,” Green says.
“It was very clear last night from audience comments that it’s all the preventative, behind-the-scenes work done by the officers who live and work in our communities that heads off so much offending.
“That sort of work isn’t always logged – but it’s extremely effective.
“Our local cops know every single detail about our community; they know the people, who their children are, who to contact if there’s something amiss.”
Green says police offered assurances over new rural liaison officer roles and roading officers, and that the Rangiora police hub is not that far away.
“But those officers won’t know all that crucial work that our local officers do.
“The rural people who spoke up last night with such passion made it very clear how vital they think that local police presence is for them.”
Federated Farmers also organised a second public meeting at Leeston, also held last night.
Local farmer and Federated Farmers national dairy chair Karl Dean thought the turnout of more than 50 residents was a clear signal of local concern given there had only been 48 hours’ notice.
Like Bex Green, he gives credit to Canterbury police leaders for fronting up, but says residents were critical this was the first they’d heard about proposed changes in a review process that started 18 months ago.
“I understand they’ve got to work things through with their staff affected, but when were local residents going to be clued in? It all seems to have been so hush-hush.
“They said last night they were waiting for people to ask for meetings with them but if you don’t know a change is being considered, how do you know to ask for a meeting?” Dean says.
There was also frustration over the lack of detail on the role of proposed new rural liaison officers (RLOs), Dean says.
“It seemed they hadn’t decided the hours of these RLOs and the scope of their work, but we heard if there was a call-out, and they were closest, they’d still be activated.
“So, what’s the difference between that and having the police staff we have at our local stations as now?”
Dean says if Rolleston needs more police, then numbers there should be boosted – but not at the expense of rural coverage.
“The likes of Lincoln and Leeston are growing towns as well. They deserve an increased police presence – not a lower one.”
Police patrol cars driving through rural towns from time to time isn’t the same as having officers stationed there who know the community intimately, Dean says.
“Police assured us last night that these are only proposals and not final decisions, which might have settled the concerns of some people.
“But it certainly didn’t take away the angst of everyone in that room.” 
Posted on

EPA seeks to ban chlorthal-dimethyl weedkiller

Source: Environmental Protection Authority

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is proposing to ban weedkiller containing chlorthal-dimethyl (DCPA) during a reassessment of the chemical.
We are calling for submissions on the proposal during a public consultation from 7 August to 6 October 2025.
Chlorthal-dimethyl is a herbicide used to control wireweed on vegetable crops before the vegetables emerge from the soil.
In 2024, the EPA imposed restrictions on the chemical due to significant concerns about its effects on foetal development. This followed an emergency suspension order issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
“We analysed the toxicological studies, and these confirmed the potentially harmful effects of chlorthal-dimethyl,” says Dr Shaun Presow, Acting Hazardous Substances Applications Manager.
“Evidence indicates that chlorthal-dimethyl presents risk primarily to pregnant bystanders, or pregnant workers who work with chlorthal-dimethyl, or those who enter treated fields after the substance has been applied.”
For anyone pregnant and exposed to the chemical, the endocrine effects could harm the development of the foetus and lead to significant impacts on offspring. These effects range from low birth weight to irreversible and life-long impacts, such as impaired brain development and motor skills.
“Even the strictest application controls, such as wearing respirators and gloves during spraying, will not sufficiently protect pregnant workers.
“Our research of the data also showed that there is a risk of chlorthal-dimethyl contaminating groundwater regardless of controls put in place,” says Dr Presow.
Independent economic research found that the agricultural use of chlorthal-dimethyl was already fairly low. Information from chemical suppliers showed that about two-thirds of New Zealand growers have turned to using alternative products that are readily available and cheaper.
Among products containing chlorthal-dimethyl, Chlor-Back 75 WG is the only one currently registered under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act. Dacthal and Deramot Xtra products have been de-registered since the temporary restrictions were imposed.
The chemical is now banned in Australia, Canada, the European Union and the United States.
The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 requires an extensive review and risk assessment before revoking substance approvals,” says Dr Presow.
“We have now reviewed the use of this substance and the risks and mitigations in detail. We believe the human health and environmental risks outweigh the benefits of continued use.
“If revoked, all herbicide approvals containing chlorthal-dimethyl as an active ingredient would no longer be approved under the HSNO Act and banned for import and manufacture in New Zealand.” 
The ban would come into effect immediately, and we would then propose a six-month period for disposal of existing stock.
Submissions close on Monday, 6 October 2025.
We are seeking feedback on health and environment impacts, the economic impact if banned, and from Māori on potential benefits or concerns.
Posted on

BusinessNZ – Product labelling review welcomed

Source: BusinessNZ

BusinessNZ welcomes today’s announcement by the Ministers for Regulation and Commerce and Consumer Affairs of a long-overdue review of New Zealand’s product labelling system.
BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich says the move has the potential to reduce unnecessary compliance costs for business and expand product choice for consumers.
“For years, businesses have raised concerns about the fragmented, outdated and overly prescriptive nature of current labelling rules, many of which are unique to New Zealand. These rules create cost and complexity without delivering additional benefit to consumers.
“Many imported products must be repackaged specifically for the New Zealand market. Others never make it to our shelves at all because the cost of bespoke production runs for our small population is simply uneconomic. That means fewer choices for Kiwi consumers.
“We hope the review’s Terms of Reference will be ambitious and wide-ranging. Labelling is not just about what’s printed on a sticker – it’s about the entire packaging system. Bespoke New Zealand-only requirements, such as mandatory pack sizes or unique wording, often force manufacturers into inefficient short production runs that raise per-unit costs and restrict market entry.
“Businesses frequently cite excessive requirements for physical labels that lead to cluttered, unreadable packaging – while the current system offers little support for digital solutions like QR codes or digital product passports.
“A review is timely. Other countries are modernising their systems to enhance traceability, sustainability, and access to product information. New Zealand should not fall behind.”
BusinessNZ supports moves to:
– Further align with key trading partners like Australia
– Increase mutual recognition of trusted international labelling standards and systems
– Enable digital labelling options where appropriate
– Streamline regulation and reduce agency duplication
– Make the system more responsive to technology and change
“We look forward to contributing to this important review. Getting it right means better outcomes for consumers, exporters, small businesses, and the wider economy,” Mrs Rich said.
The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central, Business Canterbury and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.
Posted on

Auckland man gets almost 6 years prison for $1.7m COVID-19 fraud

Source: Ministry of Social Development

An Auckland man was jailed today for more than $1.7m in fraud related to COVID-19 relief schemes.
In one of the largest fraud cases of its kind to date, Luke Daniel Rivers (aka Mai Qu) was sentenced in the Auckland District Court to 5 years and 11 months imprisonment.
Rivers pleaded guilty to 29 charges, including Wage Subsidy and Small Business Cashflow Scheme fraud, and money laundering.
The charges were brought jointly by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and Inland Revenue (IR).
Large-scale fraud
MSD Group GM Client Service Delivery George van Ooyen says this is an example of large-scale fraud which was premeditated, sophisticated and solely for personal financial gain.
“This case involved wage subsidy fraud, money laundering and the use of forged documents. The volume of fake documents and the repeated nature of the conduct, point to a significant degree of premeditation and sophistication,” van Ooyen says.
“What he did is an abuse of the COVID-19 relief schemes, solely for personal financial gain.
“The wage subsidy was a high trust scheme providing rapid payments up front for businesses to keep their employees in their jobs and provide some form of financial security.”
Inland Revenue Customer Segment Leader Small to Medium Enterprises Bernadette Newman says Rivers used forged documents to get IRD numbers for people who had never set foot in New Zealand, let alone worked here during the pandemic.
“Rivers used his specialist knowledge as an accountant to game the system. And he used the identities of more than 200 other people to carry out his scheme – all to maximise the amount of funds he could apply for,” Bernadette Newman says.
“He abused both the public trust in the accounting profession and his clients’ trust in him to keep their information private.
“His tax offending is effectively ongoing as he hasn’t remedied his failure to file GST and income tax returns for his four companies.”
What’s to come?
Van Ooyen said the case represents MSD’s ongoing enforcement work to uphold the integrity of the $18.8b in COVID-19 wage subsidy payments made in 2020 and 2021.
“We have active investigations ongoing. Court outcomes and debt recovery will continue beyond this.”
“As of today, 46 people have now been sentenced with a further 49 people still before the courts.
“We’ve also made civil recovery decisions in relation to 52 businesses. More than 25,000 repayments have been made, totalling $830.4 million.”
Bernadette Newman says Inland Revenue has already prosecuted 14 people for fraud involving the SBCS, the Covid Support Payment (CSP) and Resurgence Support Payment (RSP).
“Eleven cases are progressing through the court system, 5 cases where defendants are awaiting sentence, and a number of active investigations around other COVID-19 support fraud cases.
“Increased funding this year means IR can do more audits and debt collection work, and investigations into specific sectors can continue.
“It also means the great majority of New Zealand taxpayers who meet their obligations can continue to be confident that IR will find those who aren’t.”
Background:
COVID-19 relief
The Wage Subsidy scheme was administered by the Ministry of Social Development, and used a high trust approach to provide rapid payments up front to businesses affected by COVID-19 restrictions so employers could continue to pay their employees.
The SBCS loans scheme was administered by Inland Revenue, also under a high trust model. The amounts available under the scheme were determined by the number of employees employed by a business.
Wage subsidy fraud
Rivers made 28 wage subsidy applications on behalf of eight companies, with 12 of those applications being fraudulent. He got $906,818.40 in wage subsidy funds and tried unsuccessfully to get another $724,106.60.
To make the applications look real, Rivers made fraudulent IRD number applications using forged documents (including bank statements, a passport, and Immigration New Zealand documentation) and fake contact details.
He also used the details of innocent individuals that he had obtained as a tax agent and accountant to inflate the wage subsidy payments.
All the money he obtained went into bank accounts he controlled.
More information about wage subsidy cases is available here.
SBCS fraud
Rivers obtained $29,800.00 following a successful SBCS loan application. He made failed SBCS loan applications for a further $41,600.00. Rivers was not entitled to these loans for the same reasons he was not entitled to the wage subsidy funds.
Three other applications were made by Rivers on behalf of companies who he had done accounting work for. He was supposed to have deregistered two of them but instead used their details to apply for the SBCS loans.
Money laundering
When Rivers received money from MSD and IR he transferred large amounts from his New Zealand accounts to bank accounts in Singapore. One of these accounts was in the name of Lei Zhang, Rivers’ fake identity, and another was in the name of Mai Qu, his previous name.
Child Support fraud
Rivers came to New Zealand in February 2001 as Mai Qu and applied for an IRD number in April 2001. He changed his name to Luke Daniel Rivers by statutory declaration in June 2004 but continued to use both names. He applied for a new IRD number under the name Rivers in 2006, while retaining his IRD number under Mai Qu as well.
As a result of holding the two IRD numbers, Rivers was able to misrepresent his total income over seven years, enabling him to pay $45,588.90 less than he was supposed to towards the care of his child.
Income tax and GST
Between March 2020 and March 2023 Rivers failed to file income tax and GST returns for the companies he controlled.
The charges
29 charges, brought by the Ministry of Social Development ( MSD) and Inland Revenue Department ( IRD):
Knowing provision of false information to the Commissioner of Inland Revenue in relation to a matter under the Child Support Act 1991 ( representative);
Using forged documents, in respect of the IRD number application forms, bank statements and a letter from Immigration New Zealand ( representative) (x 2);
Dishonestly using a document, in respect of Wage Subsidy applications, false electronic employment information returns and Small Business Cashflow Scheme ( SBCS) loan application and IRD number applications (x 17, including six representative charges);
Money laundering ( representative) (x 2);
Aiding and abetting another person in knowingly not providing information to the Commissioner when required to do so by a tax law ( representative) ( x7).
Posted on

Business Events – First-ever Raine & Horne National Conference celebrates growth, resilience, and community in New Zealand

Source: Raine & Horne

Highlights

  • Raine & Horne will host its first-ever standalone New Zealand National Conference at Rydges Rotorua on 12–13 August, bringing together real estate professionals from its 60+ office network.
  • The event featured inspiring keynotes from adventurer Kevin Biggar and psychologist Dr Paul Wood, powerful success stories from within the Raine & Horne network, and the announcement of a major two-year partnership with Kiwi children’s charity KidsCan.
  • The conference will conclude with a Gala Awards Night hosted by television presenter Hilary Barry, celebrating excellence in sales, property management, and administration.

Rotorua, NZ (7 August 2025): Raine & Horne, one of Australasia’s leading real estate brands, has marked another significant milestone in New Zealand with its first-ever national conference, uniting agents from its 60+ office network.

The two-day event, held on 12–13 August at Rydges Rotorua, comes just over a year after Raine & Horne cemented its footprint in New Zealand by acquiring the Mike Pero Real Estate Group from Liberty Financial Group.

James Shepherd, General Manager, Raine & Horne, said the conference marks a defining chapter in the super brand’s New Zealand journey.

“When we launched into the New Zealand real estate market in 2023, we knew it was the start of something special,” Mr Shepherd said.

“Fast-forward just over two years and not only have we grown to over 60 offices, but we’ve also welcomed the Mike Pero Real Estate network into the Raine & Horne family.”

Mr Shepherd continued, “Our inaugural conference is about more than celebrating growth—it’s about connecting, sharing ideas, and setting the stage for even bigger achievements in the future.”

A landmark program of ideas and inspiration

The 2025 Raine & Horne New Zealand Conference promises an inspiring program featuring keynote presentations from adventurer and author Kevin Biggar, who famously won the 2003 Transatlantic Rowing race and became the first Kiwi to trek unsupported to the South Pole.

Also taking the stage is Dr Paul Wood, renowned psychologist and motivational speaker whose journey from prison to best-selling author is nothing short of extraordinary.

Conference attendees will also hear powerful stories from within the Raine & Horne network, including some from agents who have overcome extraordinary challenges, to achieve remarkable success.

“What sets our conference apart is that it’s not solely focused on business operations,” said Mr Shepherd.

“This event is about connection, inspiration, and celebrating resilience during a time of significant change for our network.”

Community partnership with KidsCan

Another key highlight of the conference will be the announcement of a significant two-year financial partnership between KidsCan—a charity dedicated to helping Kiwi children living in poverty—and Raine & Horne.

“Giving back to the communities we serve is part of who we are,” said Mr Shepherd. “Partnering with KidsCan allows us to make a tangible difference where it matters most.”

Networking, learning, and celebration

The two-day conference will wrap up with a spectacular Gala Awards Night at Rydges Rotorua, hosted by prominent television presenter and Seven Sharp host Hilary Barry.

The event will celebrate excellence and innovation in sales, property management, and administration across the Raine & Horne network.

Drawing inspiration from the nearby Redwood Forest, the gala will reflect the natural beauty of the central North Island location.

“Our people are our greatest strength. The Conference in combination with the Gala Awards is about recognising their achievements and ensuring they have the tools and connections to thrive,” Mr Shepherd concluded.

Posted on

Economy – Strong relationships highlighted in RBNZ Relationship Charter Survey

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

7 August 2025 – Strong relationships continue to be built and maintained with New Zealand's banks, insurers, and Non-Bank Deposit Takers, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand's latest Relationship Charter Survey shows.

In this year's Relationship Charter Survey, 97% of regulated entities rated their relationship with the Reserve Bank as 'good' or 'very good'.

The relationship charter sets out principles for maintaining the best regulator-regulated relationships possible and commits Te Pūtea Matua and the financial sector to a mutual understanding of how both parties will work together to achieve this.

Director Specialist Supervision, Scott McKinnon says building good relationships with industry, guided by the Charter, helps to keep New Zealand's financial system stable and resilient.

“It is heartening to see through the Relationship Charter Survey results that we have continued to maintain positive relationships with the deposit taking and insurance sectors.”

“Half of stakeholders highlighted our communication as a key strength of the past 12 months. In particular, they appreciated our responsive, visible and timely communication style.”

“We will also be taking on board some of the valuable suggestions about how we could do things better and make changes where appropriate,” Mr McKinnon says.

The Relationship Charter was launched in 2018, and this is the sixth year the Reserve Bank has commissioned a survey of how key stakeholders consider it is performing against the commitments in the Charter.

The 2025 edition of this survey was focused on more senior stakeholders who we have the most regular contact with, reducing the number of respondents from previous years, but providing more valuable insights.

More information

Relationship Charter Survey 2025 Results: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=87367991d6&e=f3c68946f8

Posted on

Insurance Sector – Insurers call for stronger direction on reducing natural hazard risk

Source: Insurance Council of NZ

The Insurance Council of New Zealand | Te Kāhui Inihui o Aotearoa (ICNZ) is urging the Government to provide stronger national direction to better manage natural hazards risks like flooding and landslips and avoid developments in high-risk areas.
The Government has recently consulted on a National Policy Statement (NPS) for Natural Hazards, aimed at improving how natural hazard risks are considered in land-use planning decisions.
“New Zealand faces significant natural hazard risks, including flooding, landslips, coastal inundation and sea level rise and these risks are intensifying with the science indicating the prospect of more frequent and severe climate related events,” ICNZ Chief Executive Kris Faafoi said.
“As Prime Minister Christopher Luxon acknowledged recently, we can’t keep building in dumb places that put Kiwis in harm’s way. By reducing the risk, we keep insurance accessible for our communities.
“We support the Government’s focus on strengthening the planning system to deal with natural hazards. A strong, clear national policy will empower councils to control development in areas exposed to high hazard risk.
“The draft NPS from the Ministry for the Environment is an important step forward and an improvement on the current approach.
“However, we believe it doesn’t go far enough. Many councils are already following the intent of the draft NPS in their natural hazard decisions. What’s needed now is a policy with real strength.
“We support strengthening the NPS to give councils greater confidence to stop development in high-risk areas. We believe the NPS in its current form creates more uncertainty which may increase the risk of councils having their decisions relitigated.
“ICNZ and its members have been engaging with councils and agree that clearer rules and stronger tools are needed to help them make better decisions to reduce risk and protect their communities. This will also support the future accessibility of insurance in these areas.
“The proposal also risks undermining national consistency by offering too much flexibility, which could dilute the effectiveness of the policy.
“We all know it makes sense to act before disaster strikes, rather than start over, particularly as New Zealand faces increasing risks from climate-related events.
“A clear and strong national direction will help lay the foundation for a more resilient future that protects communities, supports informed planning decisions, and ensures insurance remains accessible,” Kris Faafoi said.
You can read ICNZ’s submission on the NPS for Natural Hazards here. 
Posted on

Govt – Children the priority for the Social Investment Fund

Source: Social Investment Agency

Children of families with complex needs are the priority groups for the first round of the Social Investment Fund, Secretary for Social Investment Andrew Coster announced today.
“To qualify for funding under this initiative, organisations that provide social services will need to be working with one (or more) of the following groups: children whose parent(s) are currently or have recently been in prison, children of parent(s) who experienced the care system, and children that were stood down or suspended from school when they were 12 or younger.
“We know children who have had these experiences are more likely to experience poor outcomes and require significant social support throughout their lives. We want to work alongside organisations in the community to support these whānau and families to ensure the best outcomes for tamariki.
“The Social Investment Fund is designed to work differently to ensure government, the social sector and other partners can work smarter to make a positive difference in the lives of New Zealanders. We’ve heard from the sector that they want to work differently with government, and we’re committed to doing that through the Fund.
“This funding opportunity is the first of four potential pathways providers can access through the Social Investment Fund, all aimed at unlocking opportunities to deliver better services, change the way government works with these partners and use data to improve the impact of government investment in social services,” Mr Coster said.
The Fund will open for applications on 25 August 2025.
Information on the Social Investment Fund is on the Social Investment Agency’s website: www.sia.govt.nz
Notes
The Social Investment Fund (round one) will be open for applications on 25 August 2025
The first three initiatives that have already been announced by the Social Investment Fund as demonstration projects are:
Autism New Zealand’s early screening and intervention programme that provides services and support for family/whānau, caregivers and professionals.
Ka Puta Ka Ora Emerge Aotearoa’s evidence-based approach to tackling youth offending and truancy that will help at least 80 families each year to address youth offending and truancy; and
The He Piringa Whare programme with Te Tihi o Ruahine, an alliance of nine hapū, iwi, Māori organisations and providers that will support 130 families at a time with a wraparound service that supports stable housing, education, training and employment, and other services.
Posted on

Greenpeace extends invitation to Gore District Mayor to work together on drinking water crisis

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace Aotearoa has written to Gore District Mayor Ben Bell to extend an invitation to work together on combatting drinking water nitrate contamination. This follows the organisation’s protest in Gore in late July when nitrate levels in the town water supply exceeded safe limits.
Greenpeace Aotearoa spokesperson Will Appelbe says “What Gore’s drinking water crisis highlights is something that we’ve known for a long time – we cannot allow unchecked dairy industry pollution to continue.”
“The intensive dairy industry, led by Fonterra, is contaminating rural people’s drinking water, and they are refusing to take responsibility for their actions. Meanwhile communities like Gore are left to pick up the cost in the form of unsafe drinking water.”
The letter from Greenpeace outlines the organisation's public health concerns over the unsafe levels of nitrate in Gore’s water supply, and subsequent comments from Mayor Ben Bell which called the current limit for nitrate in drinking water a ‘safe level’.
A growing body of scientific evidence has linked several health risks with much lower levels of nitrate contamination. Long-term exposure to levels of nitrate as low as 1 mg/L has been linked to an increased risk of bowel cancer. And if pregnant people drink water with nitrate levels of 5 mg/L, there is increased risk of preterm birth.
Appelbe says “Everyone should be able to safely drink the water coming out of their kitchen tap, but thanks to the intensive dairy industry – led by companies like Fonterra – the health of communities in places like Gore is being put at risk.”
“New Zealand is at the knife-edge of corporate greed. The intensive dairy industry is destroying lakes, rivers, and drinking water to make as much money as they can, and everyone else bears the cost with polluted drinking water and inflated dairy prices.”
“We’ve invited the Mayor to work together with us to protect source water and ensure that crises like what we’ve seen in Gore in recent weeks don’t happen again.”
Posted on

Tax Reform – Proposed privatisation will undermine integrity of revenue collection

Source: Tax Justice Aotearoa

The announcement by the Minister of Transport today of the privatisation of road user charge collection has been challenged by Tax Justice Aotearoa as undermining the integrity of the revenue gathering system.

“We are deeply concerned by this initiative as using the power of the state to require citizens to pay charges decided by the state is a core function of government,” says Glenn Barclay Chair of Tax Justice Aotearoa. “It should not be for the profit of anyone and it means that the details of thousands of road users will be held and managed by private organisations with no accountability back to the public.”

“The Minister talks about competition but you don't want or need competition in the conduct of such basic government function and its hard to see how there would be real competition when the charges are fixed by the government,” says Glenn Barclay. “Private companies also have additional costs arising from their need to pay returns to shareholders and to borrow money at commercial rates, so ultimately it is hard to see how this might drive any savings for government or the public.”

Tax Justice Aotearoa is also questioning the grounds on which the decision was made.

“It is buried in a press release from the Minister about the modernisation of the road user charging system, without any information about the problem this policy change will be addressing and what other options have been considered,” says Glenn Barclay. “So it is not just a bad policy but also a bad policy process.”