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Source: Save the Children

The number of children receiving treatment for the most dangerous form of malnutrition in Baidoa, south central Somalia, nearly tripled in six months, according to new figures from Save the Children’s stabilization centre in the region [1], warning over the country’s worsening drought and hunger crisis.

Health care workers at Save the Children's Baidoa stabilization centres treated 400 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition with other medical complications in June – nearly three times as many as the 143 admitted in January.

In total, the stabilization centre treated 1,405 children between January and June 2026, a 177% increase compared with the 507 children treated a year ago.

Poor rainfall, reduced harvests, livestock losses, reduced foreign aid, high food prices, and weaker household purchasing power is driving this worsening hunger crisis in Baidoa, said Save the Children.

The deterioration in hunger and malnutrition also comes as Somalia marks 15 years since a famine was declared 20 July 2011, killing over 250,000 people, about half of them children under five.

Admissions to the centre’s outpatient programme, which treats moderate acute malnutrition cases also saw a sharp 268% increase in the first four months of the year. However, stock-outs of ready-to-use therapeutic food and other essential supplies due to aid cuts and the conflict in the middle east has meant that families are no longer able to receive treatment and many have stopped going to the centre, Save the Children said, leading to a sharp decline in admissions from April onwards [2].

While faced with a worsening drought and hunger crisis, aid organizations are also grappling with steep funding shortfalls, with more than 300 nutrition facilities reportedly closed across Somalia this year [3], reducing access to treatment for vulnerable children and families. This has caused a dangerous decline in number of people receiving humanitarian assistance, with only 12% of people in need being reached [4].

In May, data from the global hunger monitor, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), showed that about half of children under 5 in Somalia are facing acute malnutrition with Burhakaba district in the Bay region of southwest Somalia classified to be facing the risk of famine through June 2026 – the first time such a classification has been announced in Somalia since the devastating drought of 2022.

As well as hunger, disease outbreaks are multiplying the risks for children in Somalia, with the outbreaks of measles, cholera and acute watery diarrhoea worsening malnutrition among children. The Federal Government of Somalia declared a drought emergency in November 2025, its first such declaration since the country narrowly averted famine in 2022, but resources are still outpacing needs.

Aisha-, 27, whose two-year-old daughter Ayan- was treated for severe acute malnutrition at the centre after the family was displaced by drought, said:

“We used to depon farming and livestock keeping. However, the drought affected our livelihoods and forced us to leave our home and move to Baidoa.

“My two-year-old daughter, Ayan-, became seriously ill. Her illness began with a fever and later developed into diarrhoea and sores in her mouth.

“When we first arrived, she was not eating anything. However, after receiving treatment, she began eating well. She even started asking for the food I was eating.”

Mustaf, a doctor at the Save the Children-supported stabilisation centre in Baidoa, said:

“This year, the number of children we are treating has doubled or even tripled compared with previous years, mainly because of the severe drought. Pastoralists have lost their livestock and farmers have suffered repeated crop failures.

“We depheavily on humanitarian assistance from organisations such as Save the Children. Should that assistance decrease, we will be unable to continue providing essential services. Medicines and equipment will run short, and many children whose lives could have been saved may not receive the treatment they need.”

Mohamud Mohamed Hassan, Save the Children's Country Director in Somalia, said:

“Fifteen years ago, the world watched Somalia's children die in a famine that early warnings failed to stop. Today those warnings are flashing again in the same regions, and the children reaching our centre in Baidoa are more severely ill than we have seen in years.

“The difference between a warning and a tragedy is whether the response arrives in time. In 2011 it did not. We cannot let Bay Region's children pay that price twice.”

“We know how to prevent this. What is missing is not knowledge but funding and speed. If assistance reaches Bay Region now, these children will recover and go home. If it comes late, we will be counting a cost we promised in 2011 never to repeat. The world now has to match that urgency.”

Save the Children is calling for an urgent and sustained scale-up of food security, nutrition, health and water and sanitation assistance in Bay region and other hotspots, and for the funding needed to reach children before Burhakaba crosses the line into famine.

Save the Children has worked in Somalia since 1951, delivering health, nutrition, education, child protection and emergency assistance for children and their families. The New Zealand Government currently supports Save the Children to deliver unconditional cash assistance and child protection prevention and response services to households in Somalia facing severe food insecurity through its Disaster Response Partnership.

NOTES:

[1] Baidoa admissions figures are drawn from Save the Children's own programme data, January to June 2026, compared with the same period in 2025.

[2] Cases to the outpatient programme: 1167 cases in April, 317 in May and 520 in June, caused by critical delays and stock-outs of ready-to-use therapeutic food and other essential supplies used in treatment.

[3] Save the Children, “When Aid Disappears, Childhood Disappears Too”, 28 April 2026.

[4] IPC Somalia Acute Food Insecurity and Acute Malnutrition Projection Update, April to June 2026, issued 14 May 2026: about half of children under five acutely malnourished; Burhakaba at risk of famine; humanitarian assistance reaching only 12 percent of people in IPC Phase 3 or above.

Source: Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi

The PSA is standing by its ‘change the Government’ postcard campaign after issuing fresh advice to members – this follows Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche complaining the postcards breached political neutrality and should not be displayed in public service workplaces.

“We are not retreating from our position and reject Sir Brian’s characterisation of the postcards,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, PSA National Secretary Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.

“Our legal advice is that they do not breach the obligations on public servants to be politically neutral and reflects the rights of public service workers to freedom of expression under the Bill of Rights.

“Our members have the same rights of political expression as any other New Zealander, and for many election cycles they have shared union material at work consistently with their duty to be politically neutral in how they do their jobs. That has not changed.”

The fresh advice sent to members confirms that the campaign will continue. Members can take postcards home to share with family and fri, and can share them with workmates, but should not leave or display them anywhere open to the public. Members are advised to keep doing their jobs impartially, not to use workplace resources for election activity, and, where practical, to cover or remove work lanyards or identifying items if atting rallies.

The PSA disputes the Commissioner’s view that the postcards amount to election advertising and is seeking further independent legal advice on the matter.

“It’s a bit rich for Sir Brian to lecture us on political neutrality when his own investigation into the Commission’s anti-strike Facebook adverts is well overdue, and has already cost tens of thousands of dollars,” Fitzsimons said.

“That review is due to report shortly. New Zealanders will be able to judge then for themselves whether it has delivered any real accountability.

“We welcome Sir Brian agreeing to meet with us to discuss this. We’re always ready for a genuine conversation, but political neutrality must be a standard the Commission holds itself to as well.

“And we stand by our campaign – we need to change the Government to one that properly values a public service and equips it to meet the many challenges New Zealanders face. This government has done nothing but run it down, cast thousands out of work, and eroded the services New Zealanders rely on.

“The Government plans 9000 more job cuts so we are sing a loud and clear message that enough is enough and come 7 November we urge voters to change the Government.”

Background on Facebook advertising issue:

19 December 2025 Explosive document dump days out from Christmas exposes Govt’s cynical attack on striking workers

1 December 2025 PSA welcomes external review of Public Service Commission strike adverts – PM now needs to intervene in health disputeThe Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

Source: Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage

New stories, videos and personal accounts about the Dawn Raids are now available online, giving New Zealanders new ways to engage with this important chapter in our history.

Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage (MCH) Senior Pacific Historian Rachel Yates says Dawn Raids material published on the NZ History website helps make this history easier to access and understand.

“Understanding Dawn Raids brings together a historical essay, newly digitised video clips from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision, and other resources that help people understand the causes, impacts and legacy of the Dawn Raids.”

The platform includes a talanoa section that draws on the Pacific practice of open, respectful storytelling and conversation. Through these community voices, people such as the late To‘alepai Lui Tautolo share their lived experiences of racism, migration, work, family, and Pacific community life. This helps audiences understand the Dawn Raids not only as historical events, but as experiences whose impacts and legacy continue to be felt today.

“The timeline and talanoa content give people multiple ways to connect with this history through key events, community stories, project stories, and teacher guides that support learning and discussion.”

Alongside the Understanding Dawn Raids platform, Pacific community contributors are writing a series of biographies of Pacific pioneers for the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. The latest profile, published recently, focuses on Pacific activist and community leader Vui Steve Niumata.

“Work on new biographies will continue, and a new print history of the Dawn Raids is planned for 2027. These projects build on ongoing work to record and share Pacific histories,” says Yates.

Understanding Dawn Raids

Vui Steve Niumata biography

Dawn Raids Historical Account Package

Understanding Dawn Raids is part of a wider programme of work developed by Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage following the Government's 2021 Dawn Raids Apology. The programme is being delivered in partnership with the Ministry for Pacific Peoples and Pacific communities.

Source: Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

• Afghan refugees in Pakistan are living under constant fear of detention, loss of livelihood, and deportation
• The Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan's (IFRP's) impact on refugees' access to healthcare is concerning, as refugees are delaying or foregoing medical care out of fear of arrest
• MSF urges the Government of Pakistan to ensure refugees are not forcibly returned to Afghanistan under the IFRP and further urges countries hosting Afghan refugees to halt all involuntary returns to Afghanistan.

30 July 2026 – Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors without Borders (MSF) urges the Government of Pakistan to ensure refugees are not forcibly returned to Afghanistan under the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP) and to establish formal exemptions for individuals with international protection needs.

MSF is deeply concerned about the IFRP’s impact on refugees’ access to healthcare. Refugees told MSF teams they are delaying or foregoing medical care out of fear of arrest and to avoid documentation checks at health facilities. This has led to preventable health issues, including cases of malnutrition and pregnancy complications.

MSF spoke with Najib*, an Afghan refugee arrested during a police raid on his home, despite showing his Proof of Registration (PoR) card.

“My wife was three months pregnant when the police took me. When I was released and came home the next day, she was still out of her mind. She told me that she had started bleeding very heavily because of stress and deep sadness. My mind was filled with so many images: the picture of the arrest, the trauma, the mental anguish from the previous night—everything was racing through my brain. But, just to save my wife’s life, I acted despite the fear. I finally decided I had to go to the hospital, but I was terrified that they would arrest me again. I rushed her to the doctor, but we were too late. My wife had already had a miscarriage.”

The policy has undermined people’s ability to provide for their families, as people lose work and income amid fears of arrest and deportation. In early 2026, MSF ran mobile clinics for communities with no access to healthcare in Quetta, Balochistan, and identified a high burden of acute malnutrition among children seeking care, with 33.3% meeting the criteria for global acute malnutrition. Among those screened, 7.6 percent had severe acute malnutrition and 25.7 percent had moderate acute malnutrition. Nearly 90 percent of malnourished patients were Afghan refugees, most of them women and children.

The Government of Pakistan began implementing the IFRP in November 2023, initially targeting undocumented Afghan nationals and later extending to documented refugees holding Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) or Proof of Registration (PoR)—many of whom had lived in the country since 1979. In a July 10, 2026 directive, Pakistan authorities ordered the immediate arrest and accelerated deportation of all Afghan nationals without a valid visa.

“Pakistan has hosted Afghan refugees for over 45 years despite limited international support,” says den Hartogh. “Yet Afghan refugees live under constant fear of arrest, detention, eviction, loss of livelihood, and deportation. This makes it unlikely that many of the returns to Afghanistan are truly voluntary”. Over 2.5 million Afghans have returned to Afghanistan under the IFRP so far, many involuntarily, according to UNHCR. The UN recently identified over 70,000 Afghan refugees at imminent risk if returned. “It is critical that individuals with protection needs are not deported and that returns are voluntary, safe, and dignified,” says den Hartogh.

Between 2023 and 2026, roughly 6 million Afghans returned from Iran and Pakistan, straining Afghanistan’s fragile healthcare system. The systematic erasure of women and girls from public life, sweeping U.S aid cuts and wider funding declines, an overstretched health system, and a deepening economic crisis compound the challenges returnees face to reintegrate.

MSF assessments of informal returnee settlements in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province in October 2025 and April 2026 found a lack of basic healthcare, inadequate shelter, undernutrition, and poor sanitation—increasing outbreak risk.

MSF urges countries hosting Afghan refugees to halt all involuntary returns to Afghanistan and ensure return processes do not undermine the protection and safety of refugees.

“We urge the Government of Pakistan to renew its long-standing solidarity with refugees and formally adopt mechanisms to identify and protect those at risk of harm upon return,” says Marko den Hartogh, MSF’s Head of Mission in Pakistan. “This must include women and girls, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, those needing urgent or long-term medical care, refugees awaiting resettlement, and others at heightened risk of marginalization, discrimination, or persecution.”

*Name changed to protect confidentiality and privacy

MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation. MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. Every year more than 120 Australians and New Zealanders go on assignment with Médecins Sans Frontières working as: doctors, midwives, psychologists, laboratory technicians, human resource/finance coordinators, pharmacists, mental health specialists and logisticians. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua

30 July 2026

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua welcomes the elevation of Byron Pepper to the role of Deputy Chair of its Board. Mr Pepper was appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister of Finance for a term of four years, from 20 July 2026 to his current term end date of 30 June 2030.

Mr Pepper has been a Director of the RBNZ Board since 1 July 2022. He has served as Chair of the Financial Policy Committee since its establishment and previously chaired the Financial Stability Oversight Committee.

A highly experienced independent investment banking advisor and director, Mr Pepper has significant expertise in advising corporate and government clients, particularly in the financial services sector across New Zealand, Australia and internationally, with an investment banking career spanning over 25 years.

He holds a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Management Studies (Finance) from the University of Waikato.

“The appointment of Byron to Deputy Chair recognises his sustained contribution to RBNZ's governance, including his leadership in the establishment of the FPC and his oversight of the review of bank capital during 2025. I'm pleased to welcome him to the role and look forward to the continued value he will bring,” says RBNZ Chair Rodger Finlay.

Mr Pepper will remain as Chair of RBNZ's Financial Policy Committee.

More information:

• Our Board members
• Financial Policy Committee

Source: New Zealand Defence Force

30 July 2026

Eight New Zealand Army instructors have deployed to Timor-Leste where they will help build foundational soldier skills in an all-female Timor-Leste Defence Force (F-FDTL) platoon group.

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) was invited by the F-FDTL to contribute eight personnel to help deliver training at Baucau Military Base.

The training course has been developed with Australia’s in-country Defence Cooperation Program (DCP) and will be delivered by instructors from the F-FDTL, Australia’s DCP and the NZDF.

Land Component Commander, Brigadier Jason Dyhrberg, says the invitation to provide NZ Army instructors was a great opportunity for the NZDF to maintain the strong connection that it has with Timor-Leste, and to help F-FDTL soldiers enhance their warfighting skills.

The eight personnel are all current instructors in New Zealand.

Senior contingent representative, Sergeant Tinelle Walker, says they are looking forward to sharing their knowledge and experience.

“Our main goal is to train and develop the individual foundation warfighting skills required of a section member within a platoon operating environment which will strengthen F-FDTL capability,” Sergeant Walker said.

This will include instructing the F-FDTL soldiers in weapon handling, section battle drills, radio telephone procedures, navigation, and other essential soldiering skills.

“The deployment provides an opportunity to work alongside partner nations, share knowledge, and further strengthen the relationship between New Zealand, Australia and Timor-Leste,” she said.

As none of the New Zealand team members have previously deployed to Timor-Leste, they were looking forward to representing the NZDF to a high standard, demonstrating the professionalism and values of the NZDF while also taking the opportunity to learn more about the country’s culture, traditions, and customs.

Source: The Treasury

The Treasury has published two Analytical Notes, the latest in a series of background papers to support the Treasury’s 2025 Long-term Fiscal Statement. These papers contribute to the evidence base underpinning public discussion of New Zealand’s long-term fiscal sustainability.

Investigating parametric pension reform in New Zealand using an OLG model (AN 26/05) (Andrew Binning, Murat Özbilgin, Christie Smith and Hanna Vu)

In this paper the authors use the Treasury’s OLG model to describe the macroeconomic, fiscal, and distributional effects that arise when New Zealand’s superannuation scheme is amended to moderate increases in superannuation expenditure. This Analytical Note focuses specifically on changing the age of eligibility from 65 years of age to higher ages. It also considers automatic rules for adjusting the age at which people become eligible for superannuation, in line with life expectancy or to stabilise public expenditure on NZ Superannuation.

Investigating pension indexation in an OLG model for New Zealand (AN 26/06) (Andrew Binning, Christie Smith and Hanna Vu)

In this Analytical Note the authors use the Treasury’s overlapping generations (OLG) model to describe the macroeconomic, fiscal, and distributional effects of three policy reforms that reduce New Zealand Superannuation (NZS) expenditure pressures:

• changing NZS indexation methods
• adjusting the pension replacement rate, and
• combining changes to indexation with an increase in the age of eligibility.

The scenarios presented are hypothetical analytical exercises designed to illustrate the mechanisms at play within the model rather than represent specific policy proposals.

The views, opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in these papers are strictly those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the New Zealand Treasury or the New Zealand Government. The New Zealand Treasury and the New Zealand Government take no responsibility for any errors or omissions in, or for the correctness of, the information contained in these papers. The papers are presented not as policy, but with a view to inform and stimulate wider debate.

Source: Northland Regional Council

“Slow down and watch your wake.”

That’s the message to boaties in Taitokerau from Northland Regional Council Deputy Harbourmaster Peter Thomas who says the council is encountering increasing number of boaties creating unnecessarily large wakes in the region.

Mr Thomas says some larger recreational vessels in particular are creating damaging wakes which travel through the water as a set of waves which can cause a number of issues for other water users, as well as environmental damage.

“Excessive wake can cause environmental damage, including shoreline erosion, and safety hazards for other recreational water users, particularly smaller vessels like kayakers, paddleboarders, and small dinghies which can be swamped or capsized.”

“Passengers can also be knocked off balance and injured or thrown overboard.”

Mr Thomas says property and marine structures can also suffer damage with large wakes rocking moored boats, causing damage to vessel fittings and the structures that they are moored to as well.

“Good practice for vessel skippers is to keep a proper lookout and slow down well before areas where their wake could cause issues.” “Lose your wake by letting it pass your vessel and don’t pull it along with you, then proceed at 5 knots with no wake.”