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Transport – Changes to vehicle rules a missed opportunity

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

Road freight association Transporting New Zealand says the changes to vehicle rules announced by the government last week don’t go far enough and are a missed opportunity to support the uptake of zero-emissions trucks.
As part of changes to manage the fuel crisis, the government announced it will allow Class 1 licence holders to drive heavier zero-emissions vehicles, and Class 2 licence holders to drive heavier electric buses.
Mark Stockdale, Policy and Advocacy Advisor, says Transporting New Zealand supports those changes because electric light trucks are dimensionally and dynamically the same as diesel equivalents, but can weigh up to 7,500kg whereas the Class 1 licence limit is 6,000kg.
“We also recommended to officials that Class 2 licence holders should also be able to drive heavier medium-duty electric trucks up to 22,000kg, and not just electric buses. The same principles apply, medium-duty electric trucks are dimensionally and dynamically similar to electric buses, and both are heavier than diesel equivalents.
“The government says allowing Class 2 drivers to drive heavier electric buses will remove an obstacles to businesses using zero-emissions vehicles. But that argument also applies to electric trucks, so we are disappointed they aren’t included in the rule change. It’s a missed opportunity.”
“Because the electric versions are heavier, they currently need a Class 4 licence compared to Class 2 for the diesel equivalent. That makes it harder to find drivers with the appropriate licence, which is why this change was proposed, but only for buses which we think is a missed opportunity to support the uptake of heavy electric trucks,” Stockdale says.  
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Energy and Science – Earth Science New Zealand and Ara Ake join forces to accelerate geoheat with new Action Plan

Source: Ara Ake

Earth Sciences New Zealand (ESNZ) and Ara Ake, New Zealand’s energy innovation centre, have released the 2026-2027 Geoheat Action Plan, designed to rapidly grow the use of geoheat throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. Geoheat refers to heat from under the ground below 150°C and has many practical, low emission uses.
ESNZ and Ara Ake have co-authored the Action Plan to support the delivery of the Government’s first-ever geothermal strategy, From the Ground Up , and includes the following goals over the next two years:
– Five new geoheat projects over 500 kW in planning or operation
– Ten or more workshops, conferences and engagement events nationwide
– Five site visits showcasing geoheat in action
– At least 10 publicly available reports, papers and case studies.
These actions will be delivered by the Geoheat Action Group – a consortium of industry, government, specialist and regional stakeholders that have played a key role in delivering the previous four action plans.
“By working closely with Ara Ake, we are strengthening the link between science, innovation and real-world deployment, which is exactly what is needed right now,” says Dr Isabelle Chambefort, General Manager of Energy at Earth Sciences New Zealand.
“Momentum is building. The Action Plan takes that momentum and coordinates the activity, giving it a shared direction. What’s more, geoheat supports the urgent need for alternatives to fossil fuel derived heat,” says Sophie Braggins, Chief Executive of Ara Ake.
This is the fifth Geoheat Action Plan in the series fostering the uptake of direct heat use in industrial and commercial businesses. Brian Carey, Geothermal Resource Management Specialist at Earth Sciences New Zealand, says the consortium of specialists has been working on these plans for several years, and delivery and uptake have been very successful.
“We’re really proud of the outcomes from the earlier action plans. This plan also assesses the performance against last year’s action item, showing great achievements and progress, supported by the launch of the geothermal strategy.”
The Geoheat Action Group that drives this Geoheat Action Plan meets every two months.
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Fire Safety – Take these simple steps to keep your household safe from fire this winter

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Every winter, as temperatures drop, Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews are called to an increased number of house fires.
Each year from May to July Fire and Emergency sees a 17 percent increase in house fires, and a 29 percent increase in fires caused by items too close to heat sources.
Community Education Manager Tom Ronaldson says there are simple steps you can take to keep your whānau safe this winter.
“Keep anything flammable at least one metre from the heater or fireplace – any closer and you risk it catching fire.
“Often, we will see fires starting in bedrooms because heaters have been placed too close to the bed. If you can’t allow a heater one meter of space around it in the bedroom, place it outside the bedroom and leave the door open.”
When using your dryer this winter, make sure you clean the lint trap after each use, as a buildup of lint can cause a fire.
Tom Ronaldson says people should make sure their chimney has been cleaned, and wood burners serviced. They should also ensure they dispose of hot ashes correctly.
He says ashes stay hot for up to five days, so it’s important to make sure they are stored in a metal bucket and submerged in water to cool.
“Electric blankets should only be used to warm the bed before you get in it. Always make sure your electric blanket is turned off before you go to sleep.”
Tom Ronaldson says you can check for hotspots in your electric blanket by turning it on high for 10 minutes, then switching it off and running your hand over the blanket to feel for hot spots.
“Make sure your electric blanket is less than five years old and at the first sign of wear it needs to be replaced or checked by a registered electrician.”
It is also a good time to make sure you have working smoke alarms in every bedroom, living room and hallway.
“It is vital to get that early warning of fire to help you escape.”
Tom Ronaldson says your family should have a 3-step escape plan.
“It is as simple as having working smoke alarms, two clear exits and a safe meeting place.
“Doing these things will reduce the likelihood of a fire in your home this winter, or anyone being harmed should one occur.”
There are more winter fire safety tips on our website – https://www.fireandemergency.nz/winter-fire-safety/
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Aged Care Association Calls for Urgent National Workforce Plan Following Latest Immigration Changes

Source: Aged Care Association

The Aged Care Association says the Government’s latest immigration changes highlight a much bigger issue facing New Zealand – the absence of a transparent long-term workforce plan for aged residential care.
The Government has confirmed expanded English language requirements for additional Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) roles from June 2026. Aged Care Association Chief Executive Tracey Martin said while many healthcare assistant and care workforce roles already operated under English language requirements, the latest changes continue a pattern of piecemeal workforce policy decisions being made without any visible national strategy for staffing aged care services into the future.
“The issue is bigger than one immigration setting,” Martin said. “The real issue is that New Zealand still has no publicly visible long-term workforce plan for aged residential care despite repeated warnings about workforce shortages, population ageing, and growing demand for care.”
Martin said aged care providers support safe care, quality standards, and effective communication requirements.
“But policy changes affecting workforce supply cannot keep happening in isolation from the demographic reality facing this country.”
New Zealand’s population aged over 85 is expected to grow significantly over coming decades, while the proportion of working-age New Zealanders available to support the health and care system continues to decline.
“At the same time demand is increasing, the domestic labour pool is shrinking. That is the central challenge facing aged care,” Martin said. “The question New Zealanders should be asking is simple: who is going to care for us as we age?”
Martin said governments of all political stripes had previously acknowledged chronic shortages in care roles through immigration and sector agreement settings introduced in 2022 to support recruitment into essential healthcare occupations.
“The sector has consistently said migrant workers are not replacing New Zealand workers, they are filling workforce gaps that already exist.”
“If those positions cannot be filled, providers reduce capacity, beds close, and pressure flows directly back onto hospitals, families, and vulnerable older people.”
“Aged care is healthcare and if aged care fails, the health system fails.”
Martin said the Association is increasingly concerned that workforce decisions affecting aged care are being made reactively rather than through coordinated long-term planning across health, immigration, education, and population policy.
“We are unaware of any comprehensive workforce modelling that shows how New Zealand intends to meet future aged care staffing demand over the next 10 to 20 years. “That should concern every family with older parents or grandparents.”
The Aged Care Association is calling on the Government to join with the sector to develop a national aged care workforce strategy that includes:
– transparent modelling of future workforce demand;
– projected domestic workforce supply;
– realistic immigration workforce assumptions;
– training, pay and retention strategies; and
– coordinated long-term planning across the health and care system.
“We need a shared national plan for how New Zealand will staff and sustain aged care services into the future,” Martin said. “This is not simply a sector issue – it is a national health infrastructure issue that affects every New Zealand family.”
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Greenpeace – Vision versus reality – thousands of protected animals killed in one year of trawling

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace Aotearoa is renewing its call for urgent action on bottom trawling after data from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) shows another deadly year for New Zealand’s marine life.
The data, covering the latest full fishing year (24-25), shows trawl operations were responsible for the deaths of over 1,000 seabirds and hundreds of marine mammals, alongside the destruction of tonnes of habitat building coral.It comes as the Seafood Industry meets in Wellington this week for its annual conference.
This year’s theme is “Realising the Vision” with a focus on the future of sustainable fishing in New Zealand. Greenpeace Aotearoa oceans campaigner Ellie Hooper says she hopes industry representatives will address the root of the problem during the conference.
“From smashed coral to dead dolphins, this latest bycatch data paints a grim picture of the destruction caused by trawl methods – yet we haven’t seen action to tackle this crisis” says Hooper.
“The fishing industry and government wants to sell a vision of sustainable fisheries – but the ocean is clearly paying the price for this industrial fishing practice and its high time solutions were implemented.
“If we want a healthy, thriving ocean in Aotearoa – and sustainable fisheries for future generations, bottom trawling restrictions are urgent. We will see further ocean collapse if the government and industry continue to bury their heads in the sand.”
Hooper adds that instead of acting on the overwhelming public mandate to ban bottom trawling, Luxon’s government is trying to push through a Fisheries Amendment Bill that would further incentivise unselective fishing practices like trawling.
“Thousands of people from scientists, lawyers, recreational fishers and environmentalists, have submitted to oppose this Bill because it’s quite clear it is counter to what the ocean needs.
“At a time when more New Zealanders than ever are calling for a ban on bottom trawling, we have fish stocks collapsed and the highest rate of threatened native species in the world, the government is laying out the red carpet for the industry, with apparently no plan for how to tackle the crisis facing the ocean. Instead they are supporting legislation that would make it worse.”
Key findings from the MPI bycatch report include a total of 8 tonnes of coral, sponges, and bryozoans hauled up over the period between October 2024 and September 2025. The figure includes a single incident where 6,000 kilograms of coral were hauled up in the Chatham Rise off the South Island’s East Coast.
At least 345 marine mammals were killed by trawl nets in the same time period, including 301 fur seals, 10 sea lions, and four endangered Hector’s dolphins.
A shocking 1038 seabirds were also killed by trawlers, including 137 Salvin’s albatross. A single incident caused the deaths of 207 sooty shearwaters in Te Waewae Bay in Southland earlier this year.
Hooper says any political party that’s actually listening to New Zealanders must commit to bottom trawling restrictions.
“New Zealanders have made bottom trawling an election issue. But enough with the empty platitudes – people want to see action. That looks like commitments to banning bottom trawling on seamounts and features in national and international waters, without delay.
“This can has been kicked down the road long enough. Public sentiment and the evidence is extremely clear, politicians now must act in the interests of the people and the ocean.”
Notes:
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Greenpeace – Govt forced to admit its fossil gas story was always a fairytale

Source: Greenpeace

The NZ Government has been forced today to reinstate a scheme to support businesses transitioning off fossil gas.
“This is a major admission by the Government that the fairytale they have been telling the country, that there is more fossil gas, was always nonsense,” says Dr Russel Norman, Greenpeace Aotearoa Executive Director.
“As the OECD and Greenpeace have been saying – New Zealand’s energy future is in renewable electricity generation, storage, and demand-side management, not fossil gas. Renewables are more reliable, more affordable, and more sustainable than fossil fuels.
“The current Government’s head-in-the-sand approach to energy policy has cost the nation two years of delay, when we should have been accelerating the transition away from fossil gas.
“Industry should be angry with a Government that has delayed the transition for so long, costing New Zealanders jobs and money.
“The Government has repeated the lie that the current shortage in fossil gas is due to the decision to stop issuing new oil and gas exploration permits. In fact the delay between issuing permits and getting gas into production, if any was ever found, was more than a decade.
“It's time to stop the Government’s $200m subsidy to fossil gas exploration and the multi-billion subsidy to the LNG import facility. If fossil gas can’t compete in the market then why should taxpayers subsidise it?
“The key risk to the Government’s fiscal position now is if Nicola Willis and Shane Jones sign up to underwriting the decommissioning of old gas fields. This could cost the taxpayers billions of dollars and must be the responsibility of the oil and gas companies who took all the profits.”
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Energy and Finance – Loan Backing Scheme Timely as Under-Pressure Businesses Transition Away from Natural Gas

Source: EMA

The Government’s decision to introduce the Gas Transition Loan Guarantee Scheme, a loan backing scheme to help businesses transition away from natural gas energy, will be a welcome and timely option for under-pressure businesses, says the EMA.
Alan McDonald, EMA’s Head of Advocacy, says that in the past 12-18 months, several EMA members have been just weeks away from no longer having access to a gas supply contract and were seriously considering closing or moving their businesses offshore.
“Just recently, I was talking to a member who is one of our major gas users, and they had yet to secure supply beyond the end of June. Late last year, another was just three weeks away from the end of their supply and looking to move all manufacturing to Australia,” says McDonald.
“The Government’s plan to back 80% of a bank loan to help businesses transition away from dwindling natural gas supplies will help de-risk some of the funding decisions necessary to make a forced and rapid transition away from natural gas.
“Importantly, the scheme should also improve access to more affordable finance, with the Government guarantee expected to support lower interest rates for borrowers.”
The additional $5.9 million for ECCA will also help them to explore alternatives to gas.
The new scheme will make $1.2 billion available to back loans, up to a maximum of $48 million set aside in 2026. The scheme is fuel neutral.
“For many businesses, that may well assist their decisions to move to full electrification, but for others that require very high process heat temperatures, they may need to look at other fuel sources before electrification is a viable alternative,” says McDonald.
“It may also increase the attractiveness of geothermal as a fuel source and could encourage some businesses to relocate closer to geothermal energy sources, if that becomes a viable economic decision.
“Again, I’ve been talking to a business recently where this kind of scheme could be the difference in converting from gas to geothermal energy. They are a significant regional employer, but the decision to convert was coming down to costs and the economics behind convincing the overseas-based owner to make that investment.
“This scheme could make a real difference to a number of manufacturers and help arrest the recent trend of deindustrialisation we’ve all been witnessing.”
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BusinessNZ – Gas transition plan will aid critical sectors

Source: BusinessNZ

BusinessNZ welcomes the Government’s announced loan scheme to help commercial and industrial gas users transition, in the face of significant gas price increases and rapidly declining domestic production.
Director of Advocacy Catherine Beard says until now, successive governments have pursued a net-zero goal without a workable transition plan that keeps businesses and jobs intact.
“Whereas GIDI changed the economics of a project at a business-by-business level through government grants, this loan scheme should be more accessible to all businesses who fit the criteria. 
“As outlined in our latest BusinessNZ Energy Council report, ' The need for Government Assistance in the Gas Transition', we have advocated for sharp, policy-driven transition in a way that protects jobs, production, and New Zealand’s economic base. Today’s announcement of a conditional loan scheme, ensuring targeted investment, should help businesses to do just that.
Beard says the de-industrialisation of critical sectors has already begun, with the high cost of gas adding to the struggle to remain competitive and profitable.
“Aiding the transition to alternate fuels is a sensible step and ensures New Zealand’s intensive energy users will be around to make use of the surplus we are working so hard to secure.
“Today’s announcement should prevent avoidable closures, retain capability, and reduce long-term costs to the economy.”
The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.
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Events – Jim Beam Homegrown answers fan demand with final early bird ticket release

Source: Brainchild PR for Jim Beam Homegrown

25 May 2026 – Jim Beam Homegrown is giving Kiwi music fans one final reason to celebrate New Zealand Music Month, announcing a limited release of Early Bird and VIP tickets for Homegrown 2027.

After Loyal Fan tickets sold out in under 10 minutes and Super Early Bird allocations disappeared shortly after, festival organisers say the overwhelming response inspired one last ticket release to close out the month dedicated to Aotearoa music.

The limited allocation of Early Bird tickets will go on sale from 8am Thursday 28 May and run until the end of New Zealand Music Month – or until sold out.

Andrew Tuck, Jim Beam Homegrown CEO, says the release is both a response to demand and a celebration of Kiwi music.

“We’ve been blown away by the response so far,” says Tuck. “The Loyal Fan and Super Early Bird releases moved much faster than we expected, and we heard from a lot of people who still wanted to be part of it.”

“As a festival built around Kiwi artists and Kiwi music fans, it felt right to finish New Zealand Music Month with one final ticket release and give people another chance to get involved.”

Returning to Claudelands Oval in Kirikiriroa Hamilton on Saturday 3 April 2027, Jim Beam Homegrown has already generated huge momentum despite not yet announcing a single act.

“There’s nowhere else in New Zealand where you can experience this much homegrown talent in one place,” says Tuck. “New Zealand Music Month is all about celebrating our artists and our music culture, and Homegrown has always been a huge part of that story.”

The upcoming release includes both Early Bird General Admission and VIP tickets and will be the final opportunity for fans to secure this pricing before General Admission tickets go on sale.

“This is the last Early Bird release before GA,” says Tuck. “If people want to lock in the best ticket price, now’s the time.”

Fans must be registered to access the release, with registrations closing at midnight Wednesday 27 May.

For ticket registrations and more information visit homegrown.net.nz

About Jim Beam Homegrown | www.homegrown.net.nz
Jim Beam Homegrown is New Zealand's largest Kiwi-only music festival, celebrating the best of Aotearoa's musical talent. Originating as X*Air in Hamilton in 1999, Homegrown music festival began in 2008 and today showcases a wide range of genres, including rock, funk, pop, reggae, hip-hop, and electronic music.

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Green bill could halt New Zealand’s infrastructure rebuild – Aggregate and Quarry Assn

Source: Aggregate and Quarry Association of NZ

The quarry industry has written to the Green Party saying a new private member’s bill to ban all new extractive activity on all conservation land could have profound implications for New Zealand.
Aggregate and Quarry Association CEO, Wayne Scott, says quarrying companies are extremely concerned that if the bill covers all minerals, it will end access to riverbank gravel deposits on land with little or no conservation value.
The Crown Minerals (Prohibition on Mining on Conservation Land) Amendment Bill from the Green Party’s environment spokesperson Lam Pham was drawn from the biscuit tin last week. It seeks to prohibit all new exploration and mining activity on conservation land and waters.
Wayne Scott says current extraction of aggregates on DoC land is essential for much construction activity, including by DoC itself. That included it taking rock and gravel from conservation land adjoining the Waiho River near Franz Josef Glacier for its walking tracks.
“This sensible decision saved DoC a four-fold dollar amount and considerable carbon emissions rather than trucking it a long way from an existing quarry. This was approved at the time by Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage, a Green MP.”
He says ending gravel extraction on DoC land could lock up as much as a third of New Zealand’s future hard rock reserves which are situated on the broader DoC estate.
“Quarries often need to cross DoC land to get to alluvial (river) deposits of gravel which account for a big percentage of New Zealand’s current supply of aggregate. If these reserves are roped off in perpetuity, it will halt the ambitions of successive governments to resolve our woeful national infrastructure deficit. We simply won’t have the aggregate needed to build homes, roads, rail corridors and cycle tracks or to fix our water infrastructure.”
Wayne Scott says the bill, if passed, could also mean an end to alluvial gold extraction which is the source of most of New Zealand’s pounamu (greenstone) production.
He says he’s happy to meet the Greens and other parties to discuss the quarry industry’s concerns.
“The Greens are very unlikely to get Government support to pass this bill and we hope the Labour Party will apply its voiced determination for sensible bipartisan policies to this issue.”
“No quarry wants to extract resources from a national park. Any access to the wider conservation estate is done under a permit. If an aggregate resource sits on DoC land, you need a concession. So, the protections are already in place.”