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Legal Sector – Law Society’s annual report released

Source: Law Society

The Law Society’s annual report to the Minister of Justice for the 2024/25 year has been tabled in Parliament and is available on the Law Society website: https://www.lawsociety.org.nz/assets/About-Us-Documents/Annual-Reports/Recent-Annual-Reports/Annual_Report_2025-WEB_Main-10-12-2025.pdf
Law Society Chief Executive Katie Rusbatch said among the many highlights for the year was the release of the Strengthening the Rule of Law in Aotearoa New Zealand report, the submission on the Triennial Legal Aid review, and a new two-seminar series – one on the use of AI in the legal profession and another on wellbeing.
This year the Law Society published consumer guidance material on topics such as working with a lawyer, translated into six languages. And, for the first time, lawyers were able to download their practising certificate in te reo Māori.  
Ms Rusbatch said the legal profession is continuing to grow in New Zealand with an increase of 2.9 per cent in the number of practising certificate holders.
“The Law Society is modernising its regulatory functions through a clear 2022-2025 strategy, upgraded systems, and proposed reforms that strengthen efficiency, accountability and consumer protection. These improvements are creating a more proactive, data-informed and consumer-focused regulatory environment, one that enhances service delivery, supports the profession, and builds public trust in the quality and integrity of legal services,” she said.
During the last financial year, the Law Society made 55 submissions on Bills, 91 other submissions and two interventions.
Ms Rusbatch said the law reform team’s work had increased by 59 per cent.
“Not only has the volume increased but so has the pace of policy and legislation,” she said.
“The Law Society has an important role to play in providing impartial advice on how new policy will impact on the law and on how draft legislation will work in practice,” she said.
“We will continue to advocate for the rule of law and for improvements to legal aid both of which are vital for maintaining access to justice.”
The key takeaways from the annual report are:
  • 17,504 practising certificate holders, a 2.9 per cent increase from last year
  • The Disciplinary Tribunal determined 31 of 38 matters. Six matters were resolved without a Tribunal decision, and one charge was dismissed. Seven lawyers were struck off
  • Closed 1,386 complaints, including 763 matters closed by the Early Resolution Service, and opened 1,365 complaints
  • Progressed updates to the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006 that will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Lawyers Complaints Service
  • The Law Society Inspectorate reviewed 263 trust accounts in the 2024/25 year
  • Progressed amendments to the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (2006)
  • Maintained strong membership numbers after introducing a membership subscription
  • Integrated Continuing Legal Education back into the Law Society
  • CLE delivered a significant year of impact with 146 events, 486 CPD hours (with over 53,000 hours consumed), and contributions from around 600 presenters and experts
  • Released our Strengthening the rule of law in Aotearoa New Zealand report
  • Published our submission on the 2025 Triennial Legal Aid Review with cost benefit analysis showing a return of $2.06 for every dollar invested in legal aid
  • Made 146 law reform submissions, a 59 per cent increase on the previous year
  • Regulatory total revenue of $33.3 million
  • Representative had a net loss of $982,000 compared to a loss of $3.4 million in 2023/24.
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Science – Mission for ancient climate clues beneath 500m of Antarctic ice gets underway

Source: Antarctica New Zealand

 

An international team has set up a remote camp on the ice 700 km from the nearest base (New Zealand’s Scott Base) to attempt to drill for mud and rocks holding critical insights about the fate of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet in our warming world. 

The vast West Antarctic Ice Sheet holds enough ice to raise global sea level by 4-5 m if it melts completely. It is protected on one side by the Ross Ice Shelf, the world’s largest floating ice mass, that serves as a buttress slowing the flow of glaciers and ice streams towards the sea. As our climate warms, the Ross Ice Shelf is becoming increasingly vulnerable, but there is uncertainty around what global temperature increase will trigger unsustainable melting of the shelf, and the subsequent loss of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.

Retrieving a geological record to provide direct evidence of this temperature tipping point is the challenge driving the SWAIS2C (Sensitivity of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet to 2°C) project, a collaboration between 10 countries (New Zealand, the United States, Germany, Australia, Italy, Japan, Spain, Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom) involving more than 120 scientists. Earth Sciences New Zealand, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington and Antarctica New Zealand are at the helm leading project management, drilling operations, and logistics.

An ‘on-ice’ team of 29 scientists, drillers, engineers and Antarctic field specialists have embarked on the project’s third attempt to drill for a 200 m sediment core – a series of cylindrical samples of mud and rocks – from the bedrock deep beneath 500 m of ice at the Crary Ice Rise on the Ross Ice Shelf.

Along with a relatively recent geological record, the core is expected to contain layers of sediment laid down within the past 23 million years, containing periods in Earth’s history when temperatures were warmer than they are today.

“We’ll analyse the samples to collect environmental data about how the Ross Ice Shelf responded in these past times of warmth. This record from the past will help us build a much clearer picture of what temperature will trigger the retreat of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and significant sea-level rise,” says Molly Patterson, SWAIS2C Co-Chief Scientist from Binghamton University, USA.

They’ll search for tiny microfossils of marine algae in the sediment, organisms that need light to survive. Their presence suggests open ocean conditions and the retreat of the Ross Ice Shelf.

No one has ever successfully obtained such a deep sediment core so far from a base and so close to the centre of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. SWAIS2C has spent the past two Antarctic summers attempting to drill at KIS3, a site around 260 km from Crary Ice Rise, but both attempts were thwarted by technical issues with the custom-designed drilling system.

“This is Antarctic frontier science, and what we’re trying to do is complex and hugely challenging, from an engineering and logistical perspective as well as being world-leading science. We’ve made great progress towards our goal over the first two seasons and have modified the drilling system for success this year,” says Huw Horgan, SWAIS2C Co-Chief Scientist from Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington and ETH Zurich, Switzerland.

Crary Ice Rise is a ‘pinning-point’ for the Ross Ice Shelf, a place where the seabed below the floating ice shelf is elevated and meets the base of the ice, anchoring the ice shelf and resisting the flow of the ice away from the continent. The researchers will analyse the sediment to learn more about the recent history of the ice rise and the role it plays in stabilising the ice shelf. There are indications that the ice at this site has become pinned and unpinned over the past 1100 years.

“Pinning points can play a critical role in stabilising the ice shelf. By examining the underlying geology, we can better understand how this pinning point might behave in the future. This is particularly key as our climate continues to warm, and the ice shelf becomes more at risk of retreating inland,” says Patterson.

SWAIS2C’s third season is underway with an even greater sense of urgency. 2024 was the first calendar year in which the average increase in Earth’s annual surface temperature exceeded the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement.

“We are well on track to permanently cross this warming threshold in the next 5 to 10 years unless we curb global emissions. The information we’re seeking about when and how much of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet we will lose is vital to help the world better adapt and prepare for sea-level rise, especially for the 680 million people living in low-lying coastal areas,” says Horgan.

An extreme polar road trip followed by eight weeks living in tents on the snow

Drilling in the deep field so far from the nearest base requires a large amount of equipment, both for the drilling itself and the operations of the camp, which must be set-up from scratch.

The six member Antarctica New Zealand traverse crew departed New Zealand’s Scott Base on 8 November – operating a convoy of PistenBully polar vehicles towing the load of fuel, science and drilling equipment, and supplies to sustain the camp for the approximately eight-week season. Their 1100 km journey over the Ross Ice Shelf required the use of a Ground Penetrating Radar to help them detect and avoid treacherous crevasses.

Arriving at Crary Ice Rise, the traverse team created a ‘skiway’ on the ice for ski-equipped aircraft, allowing the drillers and scientists to fly in (700 km ‘as the crow flies’). The team will live in tents on the snow, and work in shifts around the clock to make the most of the limited time at this hard-to-reach location.

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Local News – Porirua City Council meeting wrap – 11 December

Source: Porirua City Council

The newly elected Porirua City Council held its first substantive meeting since being sworn in, covering a wide range of subjects.
To start, Mayor Anita Baker gave her mayor’s report, acknowledging it had been a busy few months with too many appointments to list, although she said the new Te Āhuru Mōwai housing was outstanding, with residents moving in before Christmas. Likewise the new housing built by Our Whare/Our Fale will be filled before Christmas. A new Ora Toa Medical Centre was opened, and a number of school prizegivings have been held to close out the school year, she said..
Tiaki Wai Foundation Documents
First up, the Council approved the foundation documents (the Enduring Constitution and Partners’ Agreement) for Tiaki Wai Metro Water, the new multi-council-owned organisation that will deliver water services to the Wellington region from 1 July 2026.
The Council also agreed to the establishment of a joint committee made up of representatives from all the shareholding councils – Porirua City, Wellington City, Hutt City, Upper Hutt City and Greater Wellington Regional – and mana whenua partners, Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko Te Ika and Ngāti Toa Rangatira.
It was noted the draft Statement of Expectations includes the expectation that Tiaki Wai will develop and publish a Customer Charter.
Governance arrangements
The Council turned its mind to governance arrangements for the coming three-year term. This included setting the meeting schedule for Council and its committees for 2026.
It also confirmed the roles and responsibilities of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and committee chairs, and appointments to external groups.
Payment for elected members was also covered off. This is set by the Remuneration Authority, not by councils, and elected members must take the remuneration that’s allocated to them.
The Council recommends to the Remuneration Authority as to how the pool of funding should split between elected members, depending on the roles they are carrying out. The Authority then reviews this recommendation and determines the remuneration for elected members.
You can read more about the governance arrangements here
Amended Long-term Plan
In June 2024, Council adopted its Long-term Plan 2024-34, which set the city’s budget for ten years.
That plan included water services – drinking water, wastewater and stormwater – as until July 2026 these services sit with Council.
With water services delivery shifting to Tiaki Wai Metro Water, the Long-term Plan now needs to be amended to remove water activities from year three of the plan onwards.
At today’s meeting the Council approved and adopted the amendment to remove water services, budgets, assets, funding mechanisms and performance measures from July 2026.
Approach to the Annual Plan 2026/27
Next the Council looked at the approach it will take to setting next year’s Annual Plan, once water services have moved to Tiaki Wai Metro Water.
It agreed that the budget for the 2026/27 financial year will go ahead on the basis of a starting point of a 3.1 per cent increase to non-water rates.
To keep the increase to this level will require some trade-offs, with some projects being brought forward for funding, while others will be deferred and looked at in the Long-term Plan budget for 2027-37.
Council agreed to the approach set out in the report. More information will be shared in the new year, when the draft Annual Plan goes back before the Council.
Interest rate risk during transition period
The Council agreed to extending the exemption for a breach in policy relating to interest rate risk. The exemption is required because significant amounts of debt will transfer to Tiaki Wai Metro Water impacting future hedging requirements. This will next be reviewed by the Audit and Risk Committee in March 2026.
Road stopping
Council approved a road stopping request, relating to two Plimmerton properties where retaining walls are being built following a significant slip in 2022. Allowing the road stopping will mean a piece of land that is currently road reserve will be able to be used for access and parking.
Proposed temporary road closure
Council approved temporary road closures for both the Waitangi Day festival on 6 February, and Anzac Day commemorations on 25 April. These road closures allow the events to take place safely.
District Plan changes
The Porirua District Plan 2025 was made operative on 1 November 2025. Once a plan is operative, it’s common practice for councils to make updates and changes if there are areas that could be clearer or more efficient. This is done through a plan change process.
A number of small changes are being recommended to our plan to improve clarity and workability.
Council approved officers to take the steps needed to notify these plan changes, which will include community engagement.
Climate Change Adaptation Programme
In 2024 Council approved a three phase approach to climate change adaptation. Phase one was assessing the impact on council assets, phase two was monitoring and responding to government direction, and we are now set to begin phase three – community engagement.
At today’s meeting Council agreed to pilot community engagement on climate adaptation in two suburbs that are highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change, Takapūwāhia and Pukerua Bay.
A community engagement plan is being developed and work will begin in 2026.
The plan will take a generational approach, over a 25 to 30 year period, use a community development model (educating and building capacity over time) and will work towards a preferred pathway to help communities and councils make decisions at the right time.
About the meeting and workshop
There were two speakers in the public forum, addressing the Council on Spicer landfill and its governance and oversight in the future.
Missed the meeting or workshop? You can watch them in full and read all the associated papers on the meetings page of our website. You can also see what meetings and workshops are coming up, with agendas posted a few days before each one.
The public is welcome to attend most Council meetings and workshops. They are also livestreamed on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@poriruacity
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Defence News – RNZAF Base Auckland exercise tests ‘NZ Inc’ ability to launch Pacific disaster response

Source: New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF)

New Zealand’s ability to launch assistance to its Pacific neighbours in the event of a disaster has been tested at Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Base Auckland, where several agencies strengthened their readiness for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations in the region.

Led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), the day-long activity last week brought together personnel from MFAT, the National Emergency Management Agency, Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), New Zealand Police, the New Zealand Medical Assistance Team (NZMAT), the New Zealand Army’s Joint Movement Control Office and the RNZAF’s Air Movements team.

The exercise focused on how agencies plan, prioritise, pack and load essential relief supplies, and how they work together when a real-world deployment is needed at short notice.

Participants worked alongside RNZAF air movements specialists to practise packing relief stores, verifying items against manifests, and understanding the constraints of loading a C-130J Hercules.

Flight Sergeant Sam Collis, Load Controller for Air Movements, said the visibility was crucial.

“Working with our partner agencies helps us all start speaking the same language. They get to see what their equipment looks like once it’s built for airlift, what our limitations are, and how we make decisions around weight and space.”

The C-130J can carry up to eight pallets and roughly 19 tonnes of combined fuel, passengers and cargo. Depending on complexity, building a full HADR load can take six to eight hours.

The Army’s Joint Movement Control Office personnel were also on site to demonstrate how they consolidate, check and document freight before it is handed over to Air Movements, mirroring what happens during an actual deployment.

Throughout the exercise, real-time “injects” simulated the pressures of an actual crisis: shifting priorities, last-minute manifest changes, and new coordination requirements.

These scenarios helped agencies practice rapid decision-making while reinforcing the importance of strong interagency networks.

Flight Lieutenant Denzel Williams, a C-130J co-pilot, said exercises like this directly supported the crews who may be deploying at short notice.

“When a HADR call-out comes, we need to build a full picture fast – weather, runway condition, fuel, cargo weight, and what the host nation needs. Sometimes the runway’s damaged, shortened, or the information is changing by the hour. These planning exercises get everyone ready for that.”

He added that New Zealand’s location makes readiness essential.

“The Pacific is our priority for HADR assistance. With an increasingly unstable climate and events that can happen at a moment’s notice, we need to be ready to respond, and we’re often the first aircraft able to get there.”

FENZ, USAR and NZMAT representatives said the exercise gave them valuable insight into how their equipment is handled once it leaves their depots.

The exercise provided agencies with a shared understanding of relief supplies, “NZ Inc” deployable gear, aircraft loading constraints, and the documentation chain, from initial packing to aircraft departure.

It also strengthened the national network of responders who may be working together in the first hours after a disaster in the Pacific.

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Farmers get long-awaited clarity on stewardship land

Source: Federated Farmers

Today’s decisions on West Coast stewardship land will deliver the long-overdue clarity that farmers and many others have been waiting for, Federated Farmers say.
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has confirmed that decisions have now been made on approximately 80% of stewardship land assessed on the West Coast – the most significant reclassification of public conservation land since DOC was founded in 1987.
Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Richard Dawkins says this is the certainty farmers have been asking for over many years.
“This decision puts to bed decades of confusion and gives farmers confidence about the future of the land they’ve responsibly managed for generations.
“Having appropriate classifications assigned finally means those who use the land, such as farmers, know what they can and can’t do on that land.
“It’s clarity, certainty and commonsense – and it’s hugely appreciated.”
Stewardship land has been a source of growing uncertainty because it was effectively a holding category created in 1987 when DOC was formed.
Land that didn’t fit neatly into a particular classification – and was often important to local communities for grazing, mining, tourism and recreation – was parked in the stewardship basket since 1987 until a national review could take place.
“For nearly 40 years this land has just sat there in limbo. It badly needed to be sorted, and Minister Potaka has now done exactly that,” Dawkins says.
“I want to also acknowledge Simon Cameron, Federated Farmers meat & wool vice chair, and West Coast president, who’s done a huge amount of work on this.”
He says many people had begun with the assumption stewardship land was inherently high-value conservation land.
“That’s been frustrating, because much of this land was excluded from National Park status precisely because of its community value, long-standing grazing, and lower conservation attributes.
“People were starting to reinterpret what this land was, and that created real anxiety for the farmers with grazing licences.
“It had become a major headache, but today’s decision ends that uncertainty.”
More than 190,000 hectares will be protected under the Reserves Act, and over 300,000 hectares will receive additional protection under the Conservation Act.
Potaka says another 4300 hectares will be considered for addition to National Parks, and a further 3300 hectares will be investigated for disposal.
Existing rights such as grazing licences and tourism concessions will continue for their full term.
A key part of the announcement is that reclassified areas will become Conservation Park, supported by a much simpler and clearer planning framework that will be introduced in next year's proposed amendments to the Conservation Act.
The old system – with multiple overlapping strategies, management plans and interpretation challenges – will be replaced by just two documents: a National Policy Statement for Conservation, and a straightforward area plan.
“The Minister has assured us that grazing, mining, recreation and tourism will be clearly identified as permitted activities where appropriate,” Dawkins says.
“That level of clarity is exactly what farmers need.”
The West Coast reclassification covers 644,000 hectares, and Dawkins estimates more than 400,000 hectares currently have grazing licences attached.
“That’s not new land. These are long-established runs – many farmers are managing pieces of land their families have grazed for generations,” he says.
While Federated Farmers is strongly supportive of today’s decision, Dawkins says some important details must still be worked through.
“As they say, the devil is in the detail.
“The first thing is tenure length. Current 10-year grazing licences with no right of renewal are inadequate for long-term farm planning.
“Ten years is not certainty – it’s sitting on the fence. We’re looking for 15-year licences as a minimum without public notification, and ideally 25 to 30 years.”
The second is pricing. DOC has previously attempted to benchmark grazing licence fees against pastoral leases, despite pastoral lessees having exclusive possession – something grazing licensees on public conservation land do not enjoy.
“It’s apples and oranges. Anyone can access these areas at any time under DOC rules, and that creates risks for both farmers and the public.”
Dawkins says Federated Farmers will continue working with DOC to ensure access is well managed.
“We absolutely want hunters, trampers, rafters and tourists to enjoy these areas.
“We just need simple communication protocols so everyone knows who is where. It’s about safety and giving people the best possible experience.
“If a farmer is heading up in a chopper to muster cattle back down a valley, they need to know if trampers are in the area or there could be some real problems for everyone.”
Dawkins says today’s announcement is a landmark moment.
“This has been hanging over farmers since 1987. Today the Government has delivered, and that means farmers can get on with managing the land well for the next generation.”
Federated Farmers looks forward to continuing to work with Minister Potaka and DOC as the detail is finalised.
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Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa Semi-Finalists Announced for Seven Categories

Source: New Zealander of the Year Awards

The New Zealander of the Year Awards Office is proud to announce the Semi-Finalists in seven categories for the 2026 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure o Aotearoa. Selected from thousands of nominations, these outstanding New Zealanders have been recognised by our independent judging panels for their leadership, impact, and service to Aotearoa.

As a collective, these Semi-Finalists embody service, innovation, and kaitiakitanga – protecting people and the planet, advancing equity and justice, strengthening communities, and driving bold solutions across science, technology, environment, health, culture, and social change. Together, they show how Aotearoa New Zealand’s greatest impact comes from compassion in action and leadership grounded in purpose.

Steve Jurkovich, Chief Executive of Kiwibank says, “This year’s Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa Semi-Finalists reflect the very best of Aotearoa – New Zealanders who don’t just identify challenges, but step forward to lead change. Their impact is felt in homes, workplaces, communities, and on the world stage. At Kiwibank, we champion the Kiwi who are making Kiwi better off, and it’s a privilege to recognise leaders whose mahi is building a stronger, more connected Aotearoa.”

This year, the Awards Office is pleased to welcome Go Media as the naming rights sponsor of the Young New Zealander of the Year Award Te Mātātahi o Te Tau. Through this partnership, we shine a spotlight on Aotearoa New Zealand’s youth and the remarkable achievements shaping our future.

Go Media is a proudly New Zealand-owned business focused on giving back to communities across the country. “This category celebrates those young New Zealanders becoming leaders and making an impact on our communities, our country, and the world. Go Media is proud to support the Young New Zealander of the Year Award with its focus on nurturing and growing the next generation of Kiwi talent,” says Managing Director Mike Gray. “Centring the achievements of these wonderful young New Zealanders reminds us of the incredible opportunities ahead of our country and the people coming through who ensure our best days are ahead of us. We look forward to championing all award finalists across our network of outdoor digital screens around Aotearoa.”

Go Media joins the existing sponsor whānau, including Kiwibank, Mitre 10, Ryman Healthcare, 2degrees, Tower, and Fisher Funds.

2026 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Te Pou Whakarae o Aotearoa Semi-Finalists:

  • Alan and Hazel Kerr (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Dr Alan and Hazel Kerr turned retirement into a lifetime of service, saving the lives of nearly 800 children through two decades of volunteer medical missions to Palestine.
  • Annah Stretton (Waikato) – Annah Stretton, through her transformative work with RAW, has revolutionised the narrative around incarcerated wāhine in Aotearoa, creating life-altering opportunities and challenging societal perceptions.
  • Dame Julie Chapman (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Dame Julie Chapman transforms compassion into action, building life-saving pathways for vulnerable children and pets across Aotearoa New Zealand through her leadership of KidsCan and Pet Refuge.
  • Grant Dalton (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Grant Dalton has profoundly strengthened Aotearoa New Zealand’s global reputation in sailing and innovation, leading campaigns that have delivered economic returns, national visibility, and pathways for emerging sailors.
  • Rob McCallum (International Te ao) – Rob McCallum is expanding our understanding of the deep ocean – leading record-setting expeditions, advancing global science, and championing collaborative, inclusive research that strengthens both marine knowledge and conservation across the world.
  • Rod Drury (Otago Ōtākou) – Rod Drury (Ngāi Tahu), pioneering entrepreneur and founder of Xero, continues to shape Aotearoa New Zealand’s technology landscape through innovation, investment, and mentorship.
  • Sir Peter Gluckman (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Sir Peter Gluckman has dedicated his career to strengthening Aotearoa New Zealand's science and policy landscape, championing international cooperation to tackle both national priorities and global challenges.
  • Sir Richard Faull (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Sir Richard Faull (Te Āti Awa) is a visionary neuroscientist whose discoveries and leadership have transformed global understanding of the human brain.
  • Sir Roger Hall (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Through his prolific career in theatre, Sir Roger Hall has shaped New Zealand's cultural landscape with humour, honesty, and heart.
  • Sonja Cooper (Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara) – Sonja Cooper's relentless pursuit of justice for survivors of state abuse has forced a national reckoning, reshaping New Zealand's understanding of its history and driving a more compassionate, accountable future.

Earlier this year, New Zealanders were invited to nominate those whose mahi is shaping a stronger, fairer, and more connected Aotearoa. Thousands of nominations were carefully reviewed by an independent and diverse judging panel, with 10 Semi-Finalists selected in each category.

Semi-Finalists now proceed to the next stage of judging, where they will be assessed on leadership, purpose, commitment, innovation, proven impact, and long-term contribution. Finalists will be announced on Thursday 26 February 2026, with winners celebrated at the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Gala on Thursday 19 March 2026 in Tāmaki Makaurau.

2026 Category Award Semi-Finalists:

Go Media Young New Zealander of the Year Te Mātātahi o Te Tau

  • Emily McIsaac (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – As Co-Founder of Daisy Lab, Emily McIsaac is transforming dairy production through precision fermentation – advancing ethical, low-impact alternatives that cut emissions and redefine sustainable food technology in Aotearoa New Zealand.
  • Harlem-Cruz Ihaia (Hawke’s Bay) – Harlem-Cruz Ihaia is a trailblazing wāhine Māori leader. Through Pūrotu Limited and Making Moves, she is transforming futures for whānau across Aotearoa.is a trailblazing wāhine Māori leader. Through Pūrotu Limited and Making Moves, she is transforming futures for whānau across Aotearoa.
  • Jorja Miller (Canterbury Waitaha) – Jorja Miller is inspiring a new generation of athletes through her excellence, leadership, and commitment to growing women’s rugby across Aotearoa New Zealand and on the world stage.
  • Keegan Jones (Northland Te Tai Tokerau) – Keegan Jones is a young lawyer whose free, Māori-centric legal clinics are breaking down barriers to justice and transforming lives across Aotearoa.
  • Léon Bristow (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – As Founder of BEINGS and an internationally awarded creative leader, Léon Bristow is driving inclusion and equity through storytelling, design, and representation in Aotearoa New Zealand’s creative industries.
  • Lola Fisher (Manawatū-Whanganui) – As Co-Founder and Co-Director of Gen-Z Aotearoa, Lola Fisher empowers young New Zealanders to lead social change – building networks, mentorship, and sustainable infrastructure for the country’s youth sector.
  • Lucy Blakiston (Marlborough Te Tauihu-o-te-waka) – As Founder and CEO of hit You Should Care About, Lucy Blakiston empowers millions of young people to engage critically with global issues and shape a more informed, compassionate world.
  • Luke Campbell (Canterbury Waitaha) – As Co-Founder and CEO of VXT, Luke Campbell leads with empathy and purpose – building innovative technology and a people-first culture that’s reshaping Aotearoa New Zealand’s startup landscape.
  • Nate Wilbourne (Nelson Whakatū) – As founder and Co-Executive Director of Gen-Z Aotearoa and a 2025 Youth MP, Nate Wilbourne is amplifying youth voices, advancing fair climate policy, and championing hands-on action for sustainability.
  • Telesia Tanoa’i (Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara) – As a filmmaker and youth leader, Telesia Tanoa’i is revitalising Pacific languages and empowering young people through storytelling, mentorship, and creative leadership across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealander of the Year Te Mātāpuputu o Te Tau

  • Alan and Hazel Kerr (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Dr Alan and Hazel Kerr turned retirement into a lifetime of service, saving the lives of nearly 800 children through two decades of volunteer medical missions to Palestine.
  • Dame Claudia Orange (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Through decades of leadership, Dame Claudia Orange has transformed New Zealanders’ understanding of te Tiriti o Waitangi, ensuring that truth, respect, and historical knowledge continue to guide our national identity and relationships today.
  • Dame Lynley Dodd (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Dame Lynley Dodd, through her extraordinary storytelling and commitment to nurturing literary talent, has indelibly shaped New Zealand's cultural identity and fostered a love of literature in generations of children.
  • Jeet Suchdev (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Jeet Suchdev, through his steadfast commitment to Bhartiya Samaj Charitable Trust, is a changemaker who champions unity in diversity, breaking barriers for new migrants and fostering a more inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand.
  • Rod Milner (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Rod Milner’s unwavering commitment to innovation and community service has transformed New Zealand’s mobility landscape, enabling thousands to experience safer, more independent lives.
  • Sir Graham Henry (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Through his steadfast leadership and compassion, Sir Graham Henry has reshaped the narrative around athlete support, fostering a culture of respect and integrity, and making rugby more inclusive and accessible in Aotearoa New Zealand.
  • Sir Peter Gluckman (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Sir Peter Gluckman has dedicated his career to strengthening Aotearoa New Zealand's science and policy landscape, championing international cooperation to tackle both national priorities and global challenges.
  • Sir Richard Faull (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Sir Richard Faull (Te Āti Awa) is a visionary neuroscientist whose discoveries and leadership have transformed global understanding of the human brain.
  • Sir Roger Hall (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Through his prolific career in theatre, Sir Roger Hall has shaped New Zealand's cultural landscape with humour, honesty, and heart.
  • Stewart Bull (Southland Murihiku) – Stewart Bull's (Ngāi Tahu, Kati Mamoe, Waitaha) unwavering commitment to kaitiakitanga and conservation is shaping a sustainable future for Aotearoa, safeguarding its natural heritage for generations to come.

2degrees New Zealand Innovator of the Year Te Pou Whakairo o Te Tau

  • Annamalai (Andy) Alagappan (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Annamalai (Andy) Alagappan is transforming construction efficiency and sustainability through iBOQ, a platform that links design and costing to reduce waste, improve collaboration, and streamline decision-making.
  • Bernadette Casey (Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara) – Bernadette Casey is transforming textile waste into high-performing, sustainable solutions for Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.
  • Craig Piggott (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Craig Piggott’s vision is positioning Aotearoa New Zealand at the forefront of global agritech innovation, advancing solutions that benefit farmers, animals, and the environment.
  • Greg Cross (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Greg Cross is reshaping conversations on AI, leading change in ethical AI development and human-computer interaction, and firmly placing Aotearoa on the global stage of innovative technology.
  • James Hayes (Canterbury Waitaha) – James Hayes is revolutionising medical imaging and education, combining innovation and compassion to save lives worldwide.
  • Jonathan Ring and Leatham Landon-Lane (Canterbury Waitaha) – Jonathan Ring and Leatham Landon-Lane are turning industrial waste into a cleaner, circular future through world-first zinc recycling technology.
  • Luke Campbell and Lucy Turner (Canterbury Waitaha) – Luke Campbell and Lucy Turner are reshaping the legal sector with VXT, demonstrating the transformative potential of AI in professional services across Aotearoa and beyond.
  • Luke Kemeys (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Through Keep The Change, Luke Kemeys is empowering New Zealanders to take control of their money with practical, accessible financial education.
  • Penelope Barton (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Penelope Barton is redefining global education through New Zealand’s first registered online high school, harnessing innovative technology to break barriers and open doors to high-quality, accessible education.
  • Peter-Lucas Jones (Northland Te Tai Tokerau) – Peter-Lucas Jones is reshaping the future of te reo Māori in the digital age, setting a global precedent that Indigenous knowledge and values can guide technological evolution.

New Zealand Sustainability Leader of the Year Te Toa Taiao o te Tau

  • Dr Richard Hursthouse (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – As Chair of Centennial Park Bush Society in Campbells Bay, Dr Richard Hursthouse has led two decades of native restoration, planting 24,000 trees and transforming Centennial Park into a thriving urban sanctuary.
  • James Willcocks (Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara) – James Willcocks is transforming urban conservation, leading Predator Free Wellington to achieve the first functionally predator-free city peninsula and mobilising thousands toward a bold vision for a thriving, predator-free capital.
  • Jemima Jones (Nelson Whakatū) – Through Grassroots Recycling, Jemima Jones has mobilised volunteers, cafés and families to repurpose hard-to-recycle materials, turning everyday waste into shared environmental action across Whakatū Nelson.
  • Maria Kuster and Seán Ellis (Southland Murihiku) – As founders of Pure Salt, Maria Kuster and Seán Ellis lead Fiordland’s largest restoration effort – eradicating pests, restoring habitats, and inspiring collective action for a thriving Tamatea Dusky Sound.
  • Mike Casey (Otago Ōtākou) – Mike Casey (Ngati Kahangungu ki Wairarapa) is a driving force in Aotearoa New Zealand’s transformation towards sustainable energy, reshaping conversations on climate justice and electrification, and proving that green innovation is not only possible but profitable.
  • Peri Drysdale (Canterbury Waitaha) – As Founder and CEO of Untouched World, Peri Drysdale leads global change in sustainable fashion – restoring ecosystems, transforming supply chains, and empowering young leaders in environmental action.
  • Rachel Brown (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Rachel Brown’s leadership has empowered thousands of New Zealand businesses to take practical climate action – cutting emissions, reducing waste, and embedding sustainability as a cornerstone of business success and resilience.
  • Russel and Teresa Trow (Southland Murihiku) – For more than 40 years, Russel and Teresa Trow (Waitaha, Kati Mamoe, Kai Tahu) have led pioneering, community-driven conservation on Kundy Island, restoring taonga species and inspiring conservation efforts across Aotearoa.
  • Simon Millar (Otago Ōtākou) – Simon Millar is advancing large-scale native reforestation through collaborative leadership, bringing iwi, science, business, and community together to restore ecosystems and build climate resilience for future generations.
  • Valerie Marie Ngaoa Teraitua (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Through determined, community-driven leadership, Valerie Marie Ngaoa Teraitua has turned Papatūānuku Kōkiri Marae into a national model of practical sustainability.

Tower New Zealand Local Hero of the Year Te Pou Toko o te Tau

  • Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod (Hawke's Bay Te Matau-a-Māui) – From founding the world’s first Māori language festival to leading iwi-wide reo strategies, Dr Jeremy Tātere MacLeod is shaping the cultural future of Aotearoa with his work in work in reo revitalisation and marae restoration.
  • Fauzia Bashir (Otago Ōtākou) – From refugee to respected advocate, Fauzia Bashir has transformed her own experience of loss and displacement into decades of fearless service and leadership for women and migrant communities in Aotearoa.
  • Gary Mitchell (Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara) – Gary Mitchell is a hands-on environmental leader whose vision, energy, and 20,000 hours of volunteer mahi have restored habitats, protected wildlife, and inspired communities across Aotearoa and beyond.
  • Māhera Maihi (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Through her organisation Mā Te Huruhuru, Māhera Maihi (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua, Muriwhenua) is transforming lives and communities by championing a kaupapa of systemic change, equity, and compassion in tackling homelessness and poverty.
  • Megan Fairley (Otago Ōtākou) – Through Project Hope and Beyond, Megan Fairley has turned compassion into action – raising over $100,000 for mental health and community causes across Aotearoa New Zealand.
  • Nielsen Family (Taranaki) – The Nielsen family's tireless devotion to community service has transformed Conductive Education Taranaki, leaving a lasting legacy of compassion, selflessness, and impactful change throughout their community.
  • Peter Adams (Marlborough Te Tauihu-o-te-waka) – Peter Adams, through his unwavering commitment and leadership in Taskforce Kiwi, has made an immeasurable impact on communities in crisis, embodying the selfless spirit of service in the face of adversity.
  • Rachel Hill (Northland Te Tai Tokerau) – From coaching people through life’s toughest challenges to creating jobs for those often left out, Rachel Hill is reshaping what inclusion looks like in Te Tai Tokerau.
  • Roman Amosa (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – At only 16 years old, Roman Amosa is transforming the way young people in Aotearoa think about themselves – empowering rangatahi through her family-founded initiative, Fit Teens.
  • Terri Middleton (West Coast Tai-o-Poutini) – Senior Constable Terri Middleton's kaupapa of empowering youth and preventing harm has left an immeasurable impact, changing lives across generations and fortifying the strength and safety of her community.

Mitre 10 New Zealand Community of the Year Ngā Pou Whirinaki o te Tau

  • Climate Action Campus Ōtautahi (Canterbury Waitaha) – Climate Action Campus Ōtautahi aims to empower youth through climate-focused education and hands-on action – reshaping the narrative on environmental stewardship and inspiring a generation of kaitiaki to build the sustainable future they deserve.
  • Coastguard Tautiaki Moana (Across Aotearoa) – Powered by 2,000 volunteers nationwide, Coastguard Tautiaki Moana saves lives, educates communities, and strengthens our collective connection to the water.
  • Destination Kāwaroa (Taranaki) – Destination Kāwaroa is a testament to the power of collaboration, revitalising Kāwaroa Park in Taranaki into a unique destination – one that stands as an enduring asset for generations to come.
  • Hōhepa Hawke's Bay (Hawke's Bay Te Matau-a-Māui) – For nearly 70 years, Hōhepa Hawke’s Bay has led the way in inclusive care – empowering people with intellectual disabilities through education, employment, and community connection.
  • Mixit (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Through creativity and connection, Mixit empowers young people from refugee, migrant, and local backgrounds to find their voice, build confidence, and lead with purpose.
  • Moana Vā – Navigators of Pacific Pride (Canterbury Waitaha) – Through storytelling, advocacy, and a unique holistic approach, Moana Vā – Navigators of Pacific Pride uplifts Pacific Rainbow+ communities, creating spaces of belonging, pride, and intergenerational healing.
  • parkrun New Zealand (Across Aotearoa) – Creating free, inclusive spaces for movement and connection, parkrun New Zealand is building a healthier, happier New Zealand – one Saturday at a time.
  • Red Frogs NZ (Across Aotearoa) – For nearly two decades, Red Frogs NZ has stood on the frontlines of alcohol harm prevention in Aotearoa New Zealand – protecting, educating, and empowering young Kiwis to stay safe and look after one another.
  • Rei Kōtuku Charitable Trust – Children's Palliative Care Service (Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara) – Rei Kōtuku is a remarkable charitable trust, providing compassionate, culturally grounded paediatric palliative care and bereavement support to families walking through the darkest hours of loss.
  • Safeguarding Children Initiative (Nelson Whakatū) – The Safeguarding Children Initiative is reshaping our national response to child abuse and neglect, uniting over 85,000 advocates in a shared commitment to protect tamariki and rangatahi.
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First Responders – Tongariro National Park Fire – Final Update

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency has handed back to Department of Conservation management the area affected by this week’s fire in the Tongariro National Park.
Assistant Commander David Brown says that thermal imaging drone flights overnight found no sign of hotspots and the containment lines are secure.
The last of Fire and Emergency’s personnel demobilised this morning, but we will continue to support the Department of Conservation to monitor the fireground and be ready to respond to any flareups.
Fire and Emergency worked very closely with Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro, the Department of Conservation and the Ruapehu District Council in the management of this fire, David Brown says.
“The maunga and the whole national park is a precious area with so many environmental and cultural values that any fire has a big impact. Fortunately, we were able to deploy firefighters and aircraft swiftly to get on top of the fire and contain it to a relatively small area in comparison with what was burnt last month.”
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Weather News – Thundery Thursday gives way to a calm weekend – MetService

Source: MetService

Covering period of Thursday 11th – Monday 15th of December –
Thundery Thursday gives way to a calm weekend
 
•    Thunderstorms feed on warm temperatures today (Thursday), rumbling across parts of the country, especially Otago and South Canterbury
•    Milder temperatures settle in across the country tomorrow (Friday) as the warm air mass over the country is pushed out.
•    A large high-pressure system moves in from the west, perching atop the country for the weekend.

The main line item for today, Thursday, is thunderstorms with hail. Canterbury, Otago, Inland Southland as well as Bay of Plenty, along with the high country of Hawke’s Bay are the areas most likely to receive a sparky shower and hail from the afternoon. Elsewhere, conditions are largely fine.

MetService meteorologist Alec Holden says,  “Thunderstorms feed on warm temperatures and moisture near the surface, so with plenty of both around there is a very good chance we will see some form around the country.”
The warmer air mass assisting the formation of thunderstorms gets swept away on Friday, ahead of a large high pressure drawing close to the country from the west. Meaning a noticeable drop towards more comfortable temperatures.

“People can expect a pretty nice day come the end of the working week, there will be showers around, but you would be unlucky to see one” says Holden.
The high-pressure system moves atop the country on Saturday, likely resulting in a very pleasant day across the country, excellent if you have some washing to do. For Sunday, it should still be nice for most people, but northerlies build over the South Island, heralding a new front approaching the country from the west to kick off Monday.

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Transporting New Zealand hails two-lane Pekatahi Bridge replacement

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

National Road Freight Association Transporting New Zealand is welcoming Transport Minister Chris Bishop’s announcement that a new two-lane bridge will be built on State Highway 2 (SH2) near Tāneatua in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, replacing the existing one-lane Pekatahi Bridge.
Construction of the new two-lane bridge is likely to begin in mid-2027, taking around 18 months to complete. The total estimated cost to deliver the new bridge is expected to be between $64 and $69 million.
Transporting New Zealand and local road freight operators have been advocating for a replacement throughout the year, noting that up to 2,300 vehicles use the bridge daily, 900 of which are trucks. Surfacing issues were causing a bone-juddering ride that damaged vehicles and freight.
Transporting New Zealand Chief Executive Dom Kalasih says that it was unacceptable to have the main State Highway 2 route between the Port of Tauranga and the East Coast and Gisborne falling to bits.
“Transporting New Zealand estimates that bridge closures caused by surfacing issues and repair work cost operators and freight customers approximately $100,000 a day in detour costs. This bridge replacement will be a big boost to the East Coast economy and community.”
“We’d like to thank local MP Dana Kirkpatrick for her strong advocacy for the bridge replacement, and the Minister of Transport Chris Bishop for his commitment to supporting a resilient and fit for purpose roading network.”
“This is a good news story about the community and local businesses speaking up on a local transport issue and getting results, and Transporting New Zealand are happy we could provide support through our national membership team and advocacy in Wellington.”
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Conservation Minister scores on stewardship land – Minerals Council

Source: New Zealand Minerals Council

It is a relief to have much of the stewardship land on the West Coast now classified, says New Zealand Minerals Council chief executive Josie Vidal.
“This has been a football no one wanted to touch for too long, so we are pleased to see Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has picked it up and run it to the score line,” Vidal says.
“Our main interest in the stewardship land review is that mining’s existing rights to apply for access to conservation land are retained.
“While we submitted throughout this long process that none of the stewardship land should be reclassified as national park or Schedule 4 status – where mining is not permitted – we are pleased only a relatively small area is to be reclassified as national parks.
“This is considerably less than what was originally being proposed and there are no existing mining authorisations in these areas.
“The West Coast has potential for mining many of the critical minerals the world needs, and that are in fact, on the Critical Minerals List for New Zealand. Earth Sciences New Zealand/GNS Science has assessed that much of that potential lies in the conservation estate.
“We want to always keep the door open for considering prospecting for, exploration and development of mines on the conservation estate (other than national parks and other Schedule 4 land). Mining access applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. Approvals are only given following rigorous assessments and with the conservation value of the land taken into account. This system works well and should continue.
“It should also be noted mining’s footprint is minimal, taking place on just 0.04% of conservation land.
“I want to make it clear that like most New Zealanders, the mining industry appreciates the importance of our unique environment and supports conservation efforts.
“In fact, mining companies make considerable contributions both in money and in people power, to conserving the environment and protecting indigenous biodiversity, both on mine sites and in their wider communities.
“Overall, we are pleased to see the balance of considerations has landed in a sensible place that supports environmental protection without stifling opportunities for regional development that creates jobs and contributes to both the regional and wider economy.”