MIL Email Publisher (NZ)

Source: Avast

When scammers singled out an Avast employee in a sophisticated social engineering attack, they picked the wrong target — and revealed more about themselves than they ever came close to stealing. Threat Researchers at Gen, the company behind Avast, played along with the scammers, analyzing their moves to gather intelligence. Our Threat Researchers dubbed this imposter scam “Phantom Deal” in their technical analysis. The scheme involved executive impersonation, forged legal documents, and off-channel communication, all wrapped around a hush-hush acquisition requiring a large money transfer. Find out what we learned.

Written by Luis Corrons

Reviewed by Jeremy Coppock

Published on September 3, 2026

Key takeaways

• Phantom Deal is a targeted M&A-style imposter scam built around real names, real company history, and a fake NDA.
• The scam works by isolating the target, moving them off normal channels, and pushing an urgent wire request.
• Our Threat Researchers have found the same template and document fingerprints in four other targets across several industries.

Anatomy of Phantom Deal

Phantom Deal is an imposter scam campaign that uses a corporate acquisition involving an NDA as a pretext to trick an employee into making a large payment.

The scam relies heavily on social engineering — an attempt to psychologically manipulate a victim into revealing confidential information or doing something they shouldn’t. It draws on other scam tactics, too: spear phishing, off-channel communication, and the aura of secrecy surrounding NDAs were all important elements in this scheme.

Read on for a breakdown of how this scam went down, and what we learned about the Phantom Deal campaign.

Illustration of how Phantom Deal scams play out.

1. An Avast employee gets a call from a “trusted coworker”

It all began with a WhatsApp message from someone claiming to be a Dublin-based executive at Gen (the company behind Avast) to an employee we’ll call David.

The message, which featured the name, photo, and Irish country code of a real Gen executive we’ll call Edwin, seemed innocent at first. There was no contrived urgency or suspicious spelling and grammar — typical signs of a scam. Just “Hi David, I hope you are well.”

Screenshot of a WhatsApp message from an imposter executive.

But then the phone call came.

The scammer had copied the executive’s identity, but, crucially, not his voice. David knew the executive personally and immediately realized the caller was an impostor.

Instead of just hanging up, he played along, got in touch with our Threat Researchers, and flipped the script from target to investigator.

“Edwin” laid out the situation. A major acquisition was in the works, and secrecy was essential.

2. A “consultant” enters the picture

Next, a second character introduced himself. Philippe was a supposed PwC consultant attached to the confidential deal.

Once again, the scammers had borrowed the identity of a real person, so a quick Google search of the consultant’s name and position wouldn’t necessarily have raised red flags.

Screenshot of a WhatsApp message from an imposter PwC consultant.

The “consultant” asked David to use a personal email address, explaining that the sensitive nature of the deal required them to move communications off-channel.

For the scammers, this was a key moment. Switching to an unmonitored environment allowed them to bypass normal oversight, meaning fewer opportunities for someone in Legal, Finance, or Corporate Development to spot something was wrong.

3. An NDA defines the rules of engagement

The scammers followed up with a polished fake NDA carrying PwC branding. Besides serving as window dressing for an already convincing scam, the NDA defined the rules of engagement: secrecy was legally binding.

In convincing legal language, the document spelled out who could know about the details of the deal and when it would be made public. Discussing the acquisition outside that small circle — or via official company channels — was strictly prohibited.

4. The scammers request a money transfer and proof that it was sent

Once the fake deal was in place, the scammers made their move. They instructed David to send €626,735.45 (over $722,000 at the time of writing) to a company in Hong Kong for what they described as an advance retainer for professional services.

And they wanted receipts.

The scammers repeatedly requested a SWIFT MT103, formal proof that an international transfer had been executed, as well as the UETR number used to track the payment through the SWIFT network.

WhatsApp screenshots of an imposter PwC consultant requesting receipts for a money transfer.

What our threat researchers did next

The request for official documentation provided an opportunity for our Threat Researchers. To learn more about the scammers, they prepared a fake account statement showing the requested payment, then sent a fake bank confirmation email with a trackable link to the supposed transaction details. That link contained a canary token, which is a decoy URL that records when someone opens it.

Our Threat Researchers even persuaded the scammers to turn off their virtual private network (VPN) after they complained that the link would not open. Further access attempts followed within minutes, giving our team additional network fingerprints, although this was not enough information to determine the attackers’ true location.

The token hidden in the link gave our researchers a controlled way to observe how the scammers interacted with it, without sending any real money or banking information.

Screenshot of a fake transaction confirmation from Citibank.

What we learned about this scam scheme

After filtering out traffic noise, analysis of requests to the fake link confirmed what our Threat Researchers already suspected. Repeated visits were consistent with a human checking over and over to see whether the six-figure transfer had arrived.

Our Threat Researchers weren’t able to identify where exactly the fraudsters were located, but they were still able to gather important information. Details of the forged NDA pointed them to other individuals targeted by the Phantom Deal scam and allowed them to draw important conclusions.

Phantom Deal is a broad campaign

Our Threat Researchers’ investigation linked the forged NDA to four other targets across several industries, including energy, industrial finance, mining, private equity, and sales. The names, companies, advisers, and transaction details changed (some referenced KPMG or Ogier instead of PwC), but the documents kept the same structure, legal language, and other identifiers. That points to a reusable fraud template and a broader scam campaign.

Phantom Deal scams are highly personalized

The attackers spent time researching real executives, advisers, company history, and believable business relationships to make the story feel credible. This makes Phantom Deal scams similar to spear phishing, where phishers target specific individuals. In the Avast case, they even drew on the genuine acquisition history linking Avast, NortonLifeLock, and Gen.

Technical exploits aren’t required

Phantom Deal scammers don’t need to be hackers, nor do they need to steal login credentials or install malware. Instead, their goal is to manipulate their target into breaking normal procedure. They use authority, secrecy, urgency, and familiarity to make risky behavior feel mandatory, a hallmark of social engineering.

Why targeted scams like Phantom Deal are so dangerous

Scams like Phantom Deal are effective because cybercriminals invest time researching their targets, which helps them craft more convincing pretexts. They may be familiar with details you wouldn’t expect.

In Phantom Deal, the attackers impersonated known executives and advisers, referenced genuine corporate history, and used forged legal documents to make the request appear legitimate. These familiar details can lower a target’s guard and make an unusual request seem plausible.

Likewise, claims of confidentiality and urgency can pressure employees to avoid colleagues, move conversations to personal accounts, and bypass established controls. By the time money is requested, the target may already feel committed to protecting a supposedly sensitive transaction.

An NDA can limit who is told about a transaction. It should never prevent the transaction from being authenticated. Changes of communication channel, especially from corporate systems to private accounts, should trigger additional scrutiny. — Luis Corrons, Security Evangelist at Avast

How to avoid falling for a Phantom Deal scam and wiring six figures into the void

Imposter scams cost U.S. consumers over $3.5 billion in 2025, according to FTC data. To avoid becoming another statistic, here are some practical ways to reduce your exposure.

• Verify unexpected requests: NDAs may limit what can be shared, but they should never prevent you from using official channels to confirm requests.
• Escalate anything unusual: Don’t be afraid to loop in Legal, Finance, Security, or your direct manager if something feels off.
• Keep communications on official platforms: Treat a request to move a deal to WhatsApp or personal email as a red flag.
• Never bypass normal controls: Urgency or confidentiality are not reasons to skip approval steps. Use the company’s established payment and escalation channels, even for sensitive transactions.
• Use cybersecurity software: As a consumer, you can install dedicated antivirus software, like Avast One, to help alert you to scams and protect you from malware.

Source article: https://www.avast.com/c-phantom-deal

Source: Earth Sciences New Zealand

Winter Climate Summary overview:

This was New Zealand's third-warmest winter on record, with a nationwide average of 9.7°C. This was 1.1°C above the 1991-2020 winter average, making it New Zealand’s 3rd-warmest winter since Earth Sciences New Zealand’s seven station temperature series began in 1909. This may surprise a large portion of the population, especially in northern areas where winter temperatures were close to average. However, the exceptional warmth of June nationwide, and the relatively warm winter throughout the South Island, were the dominant features of the country’s overall seasonal temperature. Temperatures were above average (0.51-1.20°C above average) or well above average (>1.20°C above average) throughout the South Island. Temperatures were also above average for many parts of the North Island. The exception was parts of Northland, Auckland, Waikato, eastern Bay of Plenty, and Gisborne, where temperatures were near average (±0.50°C of average).

Rainfall was above normal, or well above normal, for Southland, Otago, southern and inland parts of Canterbury, and the West Coast. Rainfall was below normal for large parts of the North Island, including Manawatū-Whanganui, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, and much of Waikato, Auckland, and Northland. Rainfall was near for remaining parts of the country. Impactful heavy rainfall occurred from 5-9 July for eastern parts of the country, with three local states of emergency declared.

El Niño conditions were present in the tropical Pacific atmosphere and ocean, and strengthened considerably from mid-winter onwards.

Highlights:

• The highest temperature was 26.0°C, observed at Bromley (Christchurch) on 20 June. This was New Zealand’s second-highest winter temperature on record.
• The lowest temperature was -13.5°C, observed at Lake Tekapo on 12 July.
• The highest 1-day rainfall was 194 mm, recorded at Franz Josef on 26 August.
• The highest wind gust was 207 km/h, observed at Cape Turnagain on 23 August.
• Of the six main centres in winter 2026, Auckland and Tauranga were the equal-warmest, Tauranga was the sunniest, Christchurch was the coolest and driest, Wellington was the wettest, and Dunedin was the least sunny.
• The sunniest four regions in 2026 so far are Nelson (1823 hours), Whakatāne (1793 hours), New Plymouth (1760 hours) and Richmond (1722 hours).

August Climate Summary overview: Warm and wet for the South Island

Highlights:

• The highest temperature was 23.5°C, observed in Timaru on 25 August.
• The lowest temperature was -10.7°C, observed at Cass (inland Canterbury) on 6 August.
• The highest 1-day rainfall was 194 mm, recorded at Franz Josef on 26 August.
• The highest wind gust was 207 km/h, observed at Cape Turnagain on 23 August.
• Of the six main centres, Auckland was the warmest, Tauranga was sunniest and the wettest, Wellington was the least sunny, Christchurch was the coldest and the driest.
• The sunniest four regions in 2026 so far are Nelson (1823 hours), Whakatāne (1793 hours), New Plymouth (1760 hours) and Richmond (1722 hours).

Source: New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc)

4 September 2026

The 2026 Tāwhia Copyright Aotearoa (TCA) and New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa PEN NZ Inc (NZSA) Research Grants have been awarded to four writers in Aotearoa.

The $5,000 grants support local writers who wish to undertake research for a fiction or non-fiction writing project.

The selection panel of Steph Matuku, Philip Garnock Jones and Kerry Sunderland says they are in awe of the standard of applications this year, from both experienced and emerging writers.

“It was an incredibly strong field, which made for a very difficult job selecting the final four,” they say.

Join us in congratulating the 2026 TCA | NZSA Research Grants recipients!

Beb Ngaruko with project ‘Jungle Journal: A Memoir of Civil War, Exile, and the Search for Meaning'

Bede Ngaruko is a Burundian-born writer, engineer, interpreter, and public speaker based in Auckland, New Zealand. He lived as a refugee across East and Southern Africa before resettling in New Zealand in 2010.

His memoir, Jungle Journal: A Memoir of Civil War, Exile, and the Search for Meaning, traces his journey from civil war and exile to rebuilding a life in Aotearoa. Blending personal narrative with historical reflection, the book explores resilience, identity, belonging, and the enduring search for meaning across cultures.

The selection panel says Ngaruko's project will contribute to wider conversations about refugees, migration, belonging and cross-cultural understanding.

“The writing sample featured poetic, thought-provoking prose, emotional depth and precision, demonstrating exceptional skill and maturity,” they say.

Although Ngaruko is an emerging writer, the memoir manuscript is already substantially developed, with the grant providing valuable support to complete it for submission. The selection panel expressed strong confidence in both the quality of the work and its publishing potential.

“[Ngaruko is] an outstanding new literary voice to watch,” they say.

Monique Fiso with project 'How to put down a Hāngī'

Monique Fiso (Ngā Rauru, Ngāti Ruanui, Samoa) is an award-winning chef and writer. She is known for her contribution to the revitalisation of Māori and Pasifika cuisine, and for breaking down barriers in the culinary world. She is working with Katie Monteith on this project. Monteith is passionate about the natural environment and applies the principles of permaculture to her life. She dreams of growing an abundant ngahere kai (food forest) capable of feeding her whānau and the wider community.

They are joined by award-winning artist, Isobel Joy Te Aho-White (Ngāti Kahungunu, Kāi Tahu) whose illustrations are known for their rich symbolism and vibrant detail.

How to put down a hāngī is an in depth guide to the past, present and how-to of hāngī. It gives the reader an overview of the traditions and kai of our ancestors, as well as detailed instructions for undertaking a safe and successful hāngī.

The selection panel says How to put down a hāngī is a practical and culturally significant project that addresses a clear gap in the market.

“By exploring the past, present, and future of hāngī, it has the potential to strengthen cultural knowledge and connection while creating a lasting resource for generations to come,” they say.

Given the expertise of Fiso and Monteith, the strength of the proposed research plan, and the fact there is an established publisher already on board, the selection panel felt confident in the project.

“When this book makes its way into the world, it will have a wide and meaningful impact,” they say.

Together, Fiso and Monteith co-own culinary creative, Hiakai. Founded in 2016, Hiakai has been highly influential and the pair have gained an international reputation for their storytelling through kai.

Wendy Parkins for project 'Fenic'

Wendy Parkins is a Dunedin writer of fiction and non-fiction. Her novel, The Defiance of Frances Dickinson, won Best First Novel at the Ngaio Marsh Awards in 2025. As a former Professor of Victorian Literature, Parkins is especially interested in women’s lives in the nineteenth century.

In this new project, a historical novel called Fenice, she aims to combine a strong foundation in historical research with a gripping narrative in the Dickensian tradition by continuing the story of a character from Dickens’ Dombey and Son, centred on 1850s Dunedin. Re-imagining the story of Edith Dombey will also provide an opportunity to expand the lens of such stories, in the light of contemporary understandings of gender, indigeneity, and the legacy of colonisation.

The selection panel says Fenice is a historical novel that takes a character from Dickens and invents a new story for her.

“What would Edith Dombey do next, after Dickens left her, living in disgrace at the end of Dombey and Son? The author reimagines the life of Edith after she emigrates to Dunedin and aims to use this premise to explore contemporary themes through the lens of the past,” they say.

The selection panel commended the strength of the writing, noting its accomplished classical prose and compelling tone, as well as the originality of the concept.

“While the research plan is ambitious, the author's qualifications and experience will support a historically rich and authentic novel,” they say.

Duncan Sarkies for project 'Laser Guy'

Duncan Sarkies is a writer of novels, theatre, and screen stories for film and television. His most recent novel, Star Gazers, was published in 2025 and longlisted for the New Zealand Book Awards in 2026. In his work he uses a wide variety of tools, amongst them satire, allegory and humour, to explore big questions that we face as a society, encouraging people to examine their own motives and assumptions, attempting to fuel the fight for a fairer and more just society.

Laser Guy is about a freelance hero who is taking on jobs that are of dubious benefit to society. The protagonist will take on a variety of jobs that contrast the disparity between the moral value of their actions and the economic rewards they receive. The whole novel will be a wild ride into cognitive dissonance and the slippery slopes that lead us to make choices that hurt others, despite our desires to be 'good people'.

His research work will largely focus on the impacts of current and proposed policies for how governments and city council's treat the homeless. It will examine the impacts of the proposed 'move on orders' legislation, how it is likely to be implemented, what impact it has on the people whose lives are being relocated and the psychological impact on the people whose job it is to enforce these measures. He will study how it has been done in various places around the country, how new proposals will work in practice, and how it has been done overseas, in places like Brisbane which is preparing itself for an Olympics and taking large measures against its homeless communities.

The selection panel says Laser Guy has an original and compelling premise, using a satirical superhero story to explore timely social issues, including homelessness and the tensions of late-stage capitalism.

“The writing sample was fast-paced, entertaining, witty and thought-provoking, highlighting its strong comic sensibility alongside its meaningful social commentary,” they say.

They say Sarkies' experience as a writer, combined with a sophisticated research plan and the support of a committed publisher, made this a stand out application.

TCA and NZSA are delighted to assist New Zealand authors in their research efforts. Research Grants are funded through the TCA Cultural Fund, which derives its revenue from a 2% share of domestic licensing income.

TCA and NZSA would like to thank the 2026 Selection Panel – Steph Matuku, Philip Garnock Jones and Kerry Sunderland.

The New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi o Aotearoa is proud to be administering the awards in 2026.

Tāwhia Copyright Aotearoa (formerly Copyright Licensing NZ) plays a key role in making creative rights valuable assets for all New Zealanders, be they rightsholders like authors, publishers and artists, or users such as educators, students and businesses. TCA provides licences to help make copying, scanning and sharing printed works easy and legal.

New Zealand Society of Authors Te Puni Kaituhi O Aotearoa (PEN NZ Inc) was established in 1934 and is the principal organisation representing writers’ interests in NZ. A national office oversees 8 branches and hubs, administers prizes and awards, runs professional development programmes, advocates for the sector and to raise the visibility of NZ writers and NZ writing. It works with Next Page, its developing Youth writer’s network and in partnership with Ngā Kaituhi Māori.

Tāwhia Copyright Aotearoa: https://www.tawhia.nz/

New Zealand Society of Authors: https://authors.org.nz/

Source: World Literacy Foundation

8 September | International Literacy Day

AUSTRALIA — 4 September 2026

International Literacy Day should be a celebration of progress. However, for millions of children worldwide, it serves as a painful reminder of the ongoing literacy challenges that threaten their futures. This year marks 60 years since UNESCO established this day, and the theme for 2026 is “Literacy for People, the Planet, and Prosperity.”

The World Literacy Foundation is urging governments, organisations, and individuals to acknowledge literacy as one of the most pressing social and economic challenges confronting communities worldwide.

Australia is not exempt from the global literacy crisis. This year's NAPLAN results showed a decline in reading scores for students in Years 5, 7, and 9, while the gap in performance based on location remains largely unchanged. Approximately 70 per cent of students in major city schools meet or exceed the expected reading standard, in stark contrast to only 23 per cent of students in very remote schools.

“Literacy is not simply about learning to read; it is about unlocking opportunities, reducing poverty, and enabling children to reach their full potential. Yet millions of young people still lack access to books and literacy support,” World Literacy Foundation CEO Andrew Kay stated.

Research consistently highlights the extensive consequences of low literacy, which contribute to unemployment, diminished workforce participation, lower productivity, and heightened social disadvantage.

Among the key concerns:

• The 2026 NAPLAN results revealed a decline in reading scores for students in Years 5, 7, and 9, with approximately one in ten Australian students requiring additional support (ACARA).
• Around 70 per cent of students in major city schools in Australia read at or above the expected standard, compared to just 23 per cent in very remote schools (ACARA, NAPLAN 2026).
• Globally, 739 million adults are unable to read or write (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
• In low- and middle-income countries, 70 per cent of 10-year-olds cannot read and comprehend a simple written text, an increase from 57 per cent before the pandemic (World Bank, UNESCO, and UNICEF).
• As a result, today's students are projected to lose a combined total of $21 trillion in lifetime earnings, which is equivalent to 17 per cent of global GDP (World Bank, UNESCO, and UNICEF).

To commemorate the occasion, the World Literacy Foundation has launched the initiative “One Book at a Time”, encouraging people worldwide to donate $10 to provide a book to a child who does not own one.

“Receiving a book of their own can have a life-changing impact for many children,” stated Mr Kay. “A single book can ignite a lifelong passion for reading.”

The Foundation aims to reach 500,000 children who currently do not have any books, allowing donors to select the region to which their books will be sent.

Learn more

worldliteracyfoundation.org/international-literacy-day

Source: Porirua City Council

Porirua had a strong showing in this year’s Visa Wellington On a Plate (WOAP), with 19 local businesses participating in Burger Wellington and five WOAP events hosted across the city.

Sushil’s Musclechef Café’s (Aotea) 'A Culinary Tale of India' was also the first WOAP festival event to sell out and Sushil and Elemental Eats (Kenepuru) secured places in the regional top 5, with Elemental Eats placing third overall out of 245 burgers and taking out the top spot for Porirua.

The campaign delivered a significant boost to the local economy, with 21,595 burgers sold and $602,498 generated in direct burger sales. This continues a strong upward trend, from $197,732 in 2024 to $364,415 in 2025, meaning direct burger sales in Porirua have more than tripled in two years. These figures exclude additional spending on drinks, sides, and other purchases.

Businesses reported attracting new customers from across the Wellington region and further afield, reinforcing WOAP’s value in bringing people into Porirua, increasing the city’s visibility, and supporting the local hospitality sector.

With Porirua accounting for just 8 per cent of the 245 Burger Wellington entries but securing two spots in the top 5 in the region, the city continues to punch above its weight on the regional food scene.

Source: Forest & Bird

Voting opens at 9am this morning. More than 70 native birds are standing across six parties, and you get to vote for up to five candidates (four more than that “other” election.)

Cast your votes

Head to birdoftheyear.org.nz, pick up to five birds, and hit submit. Each bird on your list gets one vote.

Then check your inbox. We'll email you a link that says validate my vote. Click it, or your vote doesn't count. If you can’t find it, check your spam folder.

Not sure how to vote? Watch this video.

Pick a party

Every vote also counts towards its bird's party, so this year we also find out which flock takes the top perch. The coloured tags and circles on each candidate show its allegiance, and every party has a manu-festo.

Look for the underbirds

Every party has candidates flying under the radar. They're worth meeting before you spend all five of your votes. Look out for an underbird badge, or filter by ‘underbirds’.

Voting closes 5pm Sunday 20 September. The winner will be announced Monday 21 September.

Meet the Pest Gallery

Every election needs journalists asking questions and no one knows the Bird of the Year candidates like the ones who’ve been chasing them for years. Introducing Studio Stoat along with reporters Kim Hedgehill and Catty Gower. Meet the pests.

More ways to get involved

• Play Birdle (like wordle but for birds)
• Get your workplace in on the game via Bird of the Year activities
• Listen to the Waiata Manu song for last year’s winner, Kārearea, by Delaney Davidson and Troy Kingi
• Spot all the Metalbirds along Ponsonby Road in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on this special scavenger hunt

Did you know that 80% of our native manu are in some or serious trouble? The jokes are funny but the stakes are real.

Source: General Practice Owners Association

September 4, 2026

GenPro is calling for meaningful involvement in developing the contractual arrangements that will deliver free cervical screening to all eligible women aged 25 to 69, saying general practice cannot be expected to subsidise the Government’s policy.

General practices provide most of the cervical screening in New Zealand and therefore needs to be involved in designing a funding and contracting model that creates a fair and successful programme.

“We welcome the Government’s decision to remove the cost barrier to cervical screening for eligible women,” says GenPro Chair Dr Chambers says. “It gives New Zealand an important opportunity to increase participation in screening and, alongside HPV vaccination, move closer to eliminating cervical cancer.

“But if screening is to be free for patients, the Government needs to ensure the service is properly funded for the general practices that deliver it.

“General practice cannot subsidise a free national screening programme. The contractual arrangements need to recognise the full cost of delivering the service, including staff time, administration, chasing up appointments, and clinical capacity required.”

Dr Chambers says GenPro should be directly involved in developing the contractual arrangements before they are finalised.

“General practice knows what’s required to deliver screening safely and effectively in communities across New Zealand,” he says. “GenPro represents the organisations that own and operate general practices, so it’s important we are at the table when contractual arrangements are developed.

“Getting the funding and contracting model right from the outset will be critical. If the model doesn’t cover the cost of providing the service, practices will effectively be asked to subsidise the Government’s policy. Free to the patient cannot mean subsidised by the practice.

“We want to work constructively with the Government to make this policy successful. But that starts with meaningful consultation with the practices that will be responsible for delivering it.

Early consultation on changes to funding and service delivery is a key part of GenPro’s Seven Steps to Restore General Practice.

“One of our Seven Steps is early, meaningful consultation on significant changes to funding, service design and primary healthcare policy,” he says.

“This ensures policy decisions are evidence-based and reflect both clinical outcomes and the financial sustainability of general practice.

“Bringing frontline general practice into the design process will lead to better-informed policy, more practical implementation and better outcomes for patients,” Dr Chambers says.

GenPro members are owners and providers of general practices and urgent care centres throughout New Zealand. For more information visit www.genpro.org.nz

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

The Coalition Government must urgently adopt new recommendations from the Waitangi Tribunal which has found significant parts of the disability system prejudice tāngata whaikaha Māori (Māori with disabilities), NZNO says.

The Tribunal yesterday released Hauwhaikaha – the Disability System Report and its response to Wai 2713, the Māori Nurses Claim brought by Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku and honorary member Hineraumoa Te Apatu on behalf of Te Rūnanga o Aotearoa.

It found that tāngata whaikaha Māori receive culturally unsafe services that do not adequately respond to them as both Māori and disabled.

Kerri Nuku says the report found significant parts of the disability system continue to prejudice tāngata whaikaha Māori and fail to adequately provide for tino rangatiratanga, partnership, equity, culturally appropriate care and Māori participation in decision making.

“This is a damning indictment on the Crown which has seen clinical competency prioritised over cultural competency and that attendance at occasional cultural competency training does not necessarily translate into culturally safe practice,” she says.

“The tribunal found several breaches concerning claims related to three specific groups: Tāngata Turi (Māori deaf community), Kāpō Māori (blind or visually impaired), and those with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Kerri Nuku says the Government must urgently adopt the Tribunal’s recommendations relating to Wai 2713:

• Viable, co-designed Māori-Crown partnership arrangements, including formal Māori involvement in the design and delivery of the disability system;
• Stronger Māori participation in governance, co-governance and co-management;
• Stronger monitoring and accountability for cultural safety and cultural competency;
• Public monitoring of inequitable outcomes for tāngata whaikaha Māori;
• Explicit incorporation of te Tiriti and equity obligations into Crown service contracts; and
• Replacement of the former Te Aka Whai Ora monitoring function, including monitoring of health services delivered in prisons.

“The Coalition Government has a track record of dismissing cultural safety as ideology, but this report shows that such attitudes harm tāngata whaikaha Māori,” Kerri Nuku says.

Source: Cotality NZ

NZ property values edged lower in August, extending a period of subdued market conditions across much of the country. Cotality NZ's latest Home Value Index (HVI) showed national values fell by -0.4% over the month, marking the fifth consecutive monthly decline.

Despite the renewed softness, annual value changes remain relatively mild. The national median property value stood at $797,944 in August, down just -1.0% from $805,799 a year ago.

Across the main centres, Ōtautahi Christchurch was the only market to record growth in August, rising a modest 0.1%. Elsewhere, values dipped by -0.1% in Kirikiriroa Hamilton, -0.2% in Ōtepoti Dunedin, -0.4% in Tauranga, -0.5% in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, and -0.6% in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.

Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist, Kelvin Davidson, said the latest results reflect a housing market characterised by caution rather than distress.

“Economic uncertainty, rising mortgage rates and a high level of properties available for sale are giving buyers little reason to rush,” Mr Davidson said.

“At the same time, sellers generally aren't under significant pressure. Labour market conditions have softened, but widespread job losses haven't emerged, allowing many vendors to remain patient and hold relatively firm on pricing.”

“The result is a market where sales activity has gradually slowed through 2026 and property values have continued to drift lower. Most of the heavy price correction occurred in 2022 and 2023, but conditions have remained subdued since then.”

“Adding to the uncertainty are global geopolitical tensions, the Reserve Bank's move towards a neutral cash rate setting, and the lead-up to November's general election, particularly for investors facing questions about future tax policy.”

“Overall, the housing market remains in a holding pattern. There's no sign of a sharp downturn, but equally there's no obvious catalyst for stronger growth in the near term. For first home buyers, however, current conditions continue to present opportunities.”

Index results for August 2026	Change in dwelling values
	Month	Quarter	Annual	From peak	Median value
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland	-0.5%	-1.7%	-2.6%	-24.5%	$1,022,687
Kirikiriroa Hamilton	-0.1%	0.0%	0.1%	-12.8%	$724,244
Tauranga	-0.4%	-0.6%	2.2%	-14.6%	$941,658
Te-Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington*	-0.6%	-2.2%	-2.7%	-27.2%	$751,281
Ōtautahi Christchurch	0.1%	0.2%	3.7%	-1.3%	$706,203
Ōtepoti Dunedin	-0.2%	-0.3%	2.6%	-9.7%	$625,880
Aotearoa New Zealand	-0.4%	-1.3%	-1.0%	-18.2%	$797,944

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

There were widespread drops in values across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s sub-markets in August, with only Franklin holding steady. Elsewhere, Papakura edged down by -0.1% and Waitakere saw a -0.2% drop, but Manukau fell by -0.4%, Auckland City by -0.5%, and Rodney and North Shore at -0.6% apiece.

Over the past quarter, the falls across each of these sub-markets have typically ranged from around -1.0% to -2.0% or more, while the annual changes are -2.5% or more in Manukau, Waitakere, and Auckland City. Meanwhile, each area remains at least -20% below its previous peak.

“The buyer-friendly conditions in Auckland’s residential property market remained firmly in place in August. Affordability has improved and the continued pipeline of new housing supply suggests it could stay that way for some time yet,” Mr Davidson said.

“The super-city also seems to be lacking a bit of economic confidence right now, which will be weighing on housing activity and prices. While this won’t be welcomed by existing property owners or vendors, it’s good news for first home buyers, who remain active across Auckland.”

	Change in dwelling values
	Month	Quarter	Annual	From peak	Median value
Rodney	-0.6%	-1.4%	-1.7%	-22.2%	$1,170,381
Te Raki Paewhenua North Shore	-0.6%	-2.4%	-1.5%	-20.5%	$1,243,669
Waitakere	-0.2%	-1.3%	-2.9%	-26.3%	$899,601
Auckland City	-0.5%	-2.1%	-3.5%	-25.8%	$1,075,817
Manukau	-0.4%	-1.3%	-2.5%	-25.8%	$949,400
Papakura	-0.1%	-0.7%	-1.8%	-24.5%	$805,198
Franklin	0.0%	-0.1%	-0.6%	-22.4%	$917,698
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland	-0.5%	-1.7%	-2.6%	-24.5%	$1,022,687

Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington

Each sub-market across the wider Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington area saw a decline in property values in August, ranging from -0.4% in Te Awa Kairangi ki Uta Upper Hutt, and -0.5% in Wellington City, down to -1.0% in Porirua.

Over a 12-month horizon, the drop in Kāpiti Coast (-0.6%) has been fairly modest, but Porirua has fallen more than -3.0% and Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt has seen a -4.0% decline in that period.

From the peaks, it’s disappointing news for many property owners in Wellington, with falls ranging from -22.9% in Kāpiti Coast to -28.4% in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt.

Mr Davidson noted, “Wellington has had its share of naysayers recently and it’s certainly true there are some economic challenges alongside a subdued housing market.”

“But many buyers are still voting with their feet and taking a stake in the Wellington market – recently first home buyers in particular have been strong, accounting for 35-40% of activity across the wider area.”

	Change in dwelling values
	Month	Quarter	Annual	From peak	Median value
Kāpiti Coast	-0.6%	-1.4%	-0.6%	-22.9%	$787,194
Porirua	-1.0%	-2.3%	-3.2%	-25.4%	$726,717
Te Awa Kairangi ki Uta Upper Hutt	-0.4%	-1.7%	-2.3%	-26.4%	$693,421
Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt	-0.6%	-1.6%	-4.0%	-28.4%	$661,033
Wellington City	-0.5%	-2.5%	-2.2%	-27.2%	$823,734
Te-Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington	-0.6%	-2.2%	-2.7%	-27.2%	$751,281

Regional results

Outside the main centres, there was also a subdued tone to the property value figures in August. Tāhuna Queenstown held steady, but there were falls in many other areas.

Waihōpai Invercargill and Ahuriri Napier edged down by -0.2% apiece in August, while Whanganui saw a -0.8% fall, Ngāmotu New Plymouth at -0.9%, and Tairāwhiti Gisborne dropped by -1.1%.

Looking over a longer 12-month horizon, Waihōpai Invercargill and Tāhuna Queenstown have shown increases, but the rest of these main urban areas have dropped.

“Many of our regional towns and cities are seeing decent economic growth on the back of tourism and farming, with spillover support for housing markets too.”

“However, even these stronger areas still face the same higher interest rates and election-related uncertainty, especially for property investors.”

“In other words, nowhere is totally immune to challenges at the moment, and we’ve seen that in a generally subdued set of data for housing values in August.”

Region	Change in dwelling values
	Month	Quarter	Annual	From peak	Median value
Heretaunga Hastings	-0.7%	-1.8%	-4.4%	-20.8%	$688,852
Whangārei	-0.4%	-1.7%	-1.5%	-20.3%	$718,147
Te Papaioea Palmerston North	-0.7%	-1.8%	-0.6%	-19.8%	$593,782
Ahuriri Napier	-0.2%	-0.7%	-1.0%	-19.5%	$691,124
Tairāwhiti Gisborne	-1.1%	-2.1%	-0.9%	-17.5%	$592,898
Whakatū Nelson	-0.3%	-1.3%	-2.9%	-15.4%	$698,109
Whanganui	-0.8%	-3.4%	-2.1%	-14.6%	$478,825
Rotorua	-0.4%	-1.7%	-0.5%	-12.8%	$638,980
Ngāmotu New Plymouth	-0.9%	-2.3%	-2.4%	-8.6%	$682,696
Tāhuna Queenstown	0.0%	-0.6%	2.4%	-3.5%	$1,775,145
Waihōpai Invercargill	-0.2%	0.0%	6.5%	-0.2%	$525,100

Property market outlook

With property values nationally still down by around 18% from the peak and ‘only’ up by 15% or so compared to March 2020 (pre-COVID), a range of housing affordability measures have now returned to their long-term averages if not a bit lower/better.

However, as Mr Davidson noted, “housing still isn’t cheap as such and the improvement in affordability doesn’t necessarily mean values are suddenly set to increase sharply again – especially with mortgage rates rising and the economy subdued.”

“To be fair, with housing now more in reach for a wider range of people – witness the recent strength of first home buyer activity – the risks of further significant falls in prices have lessened.”

“But until the labour market and job security improve more emphatically, which may not be until we’re well into 2027, consistent growth in house prices seems a low probability.”

“The upcoming election is an added layer of uncertainty. History certainly suggests that sales activity slows down in the preceding few months, which will be worth watching again this time as we move through September and October. But the evidence of a clear price impact from an election, either up or down, is murkier.”

“All in all, the housing market remains in a ‘holding pattern’, which seems set to last into next year as well,” Mr Davidson concluded.

Note to Editors:

The Cotality Hedonic Home Value Index (HVI) is calculated using a hedonic regression methodology that addresses the issue of compositional bias associated with median price and other measures. In simple terms, the index is calculated using recent sales data combined with information about the attributes of individual properties such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, land area and geographical context of the dwelling. By separating each property into its various formational and locational attributes, observed sales values for each property can be distinguished between those attributed to the property’s attributes and those resulting from changes in the underlying residential property market. Additionally, by understanding the value associated with each attribute of a given property, this methodology can be used to estimate the value of dwellings with known characteristics for which there is no recent sales price by observing the characteristics and sales prices of other dwellings which have recently transacted. It then follows that changes in the market value of the entire residential property stock can be accurately tracked through time.

The detailed ‘frequently asked questions’ and methodological information can be found at: https://www.cotality.com/nz/our-data/indices

Source: Oxfam Aotearoa

• A week on, search and rescue operations and humanitarian aid efforts are a desperate race against time
• Almost 4,000 people are missing, and some 50,000 people urgently need access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene
• Nepal produces just 0.1% of global emissions, yet communities are paying a devastating price as climate risks grow

The catastrophic floods in Nepal are a stark warning of what a hotter world will mean for communities on the climate frontline and why governments and donors must invest now in climate resilience, adaptation and disaster preparedness, rather than waiting for the next disaster to strike, Oxfam has warned.

A week after the devastating floods, rescuers are still scrambling to reach people cut off by destroyed roads, bridges and landslides. Oxfam and local partners are racing to deliver life-saving assistance, but the scale of the destruction is making access to some of the worst-affected areas, particularly Rasuwa, increasingly difficult.

“Nepal contributes just 0.1% of global emissions, yet our communities are paying a devastating price as climate risks grow,” said Santosh Pandey, Oxfam in Nepal’s Humanitarian and Disaster Risk Management Lead.

“Nepal’s devastating floods should be a wake-up call for governments and donors. We cannot keep waiting for disasters to happen. In a burning world, climate shocks will become more frequent here and communities need the resources to prepare, adapt and become more resilient before the next disaster strikes.”

The Government of Nepal estimates that 10,000 households – around 50,000 people – require immediate access to clean water, toilets and hygiene, with thousands more in need of shelter and food.

Oxfam launched an emergency response a day after the floods struck. It is working with local authorities and partners in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading to reach some of the worst-affected communities.

The major flash flood on 26 August was triggered by a massive glacier collapse and ice-rock avalanche that blocked the Lhende Khola, 20km north of the Rasuwagadhi checkpoint. At least 1,000 people have been killed and 3,916 remain unaccounted for, while more than 50,000 people have been displaced or temporarily moved from their homes.

Nepal is highly exposed to floods, landslides and earthquakes. Climate change is adding further pressure through rapidly changing glaciers, snow and water systems and increasingly unpredictable extreme weather. The Himalayan region also faces growing risks from glacial floods in the years ahead.

Oxfam said far more investment is needed in climate adaptation, early warning systems, disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure, particularly in countries that have contributed little to global emissions.

“The lesson from Nepal is clear: resilience saves lives,” said Pandey. “If we only fund the response after a disaster, we will always be one step behind. Communities need sustained investment to prepare for the shocks we know are coming.”

“But for now our focus must be on action – we are in a race against time to save lives and support everyone affected.”

He added: “We know that shelter, food and emergency hygiene kits are desperately needed. We are doing everything possible to reach the affected populations, but against such immense need, our contribution feels overwhelmingly small.”

Oxfam has deployed 200 hygiene kits and 1,000 water purification tablets to Rasuwa and distributed water, sanitation and hygiene and food assistance in other affected communities.

It is also preparing to scale up its response over the next six months, aiming to reach 2,000 households – around 10,000 people – with life-saving assistance including WASH, shelter, protection and cash support.

But Oxfam warns that emergency relief alone will not protect Nepal from the next shock.

“Nepal needs international solidarity now, but it also needs investment for the future,” said Pandey. “Climate action must become a priority, not an afterthought.”

Notes

• Oxfam has worked in Nepal since the 1980s, alongside communities and local partners to tackle inequality and deliver humanitarian and development programmes. Its work is grounded in strengthening civic space and supporting people to challenge the injustices that keep them in poverty, led by a feminist approach rooted in the Global South. Oxfam in Nepal works across three connected areas: climate and water, gender justice, and humanitarian response and disaster risk management.

• Oxfam is working closely with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the Social Welfare Council and District Administration Offices to deliver relief materials to affected communities.