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ACC has scrapped controversial proposals to force staff into the office three days a week, up from two, following legal action, a complaint to the Commerce Commission by the PSA and strong feedback from workers.

“This is a clear victory for workers at ACC and for common sense, working from home is a win-win for workers and employers,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.

“Our union delegates were instrumental in making sure ACC understood the depth of feeling. This win belongs to them and all the ACC staff who spoke up.

“ACC tried to impose this change without consultation, breaking promises made to many staff who were recruited on the basis of working from home three days a week.

“When ACC finally agreed to pause the change and consult staff on the same proposal, 80% of staff opposed the change citing impacts on well-being and work-life balance. We are pleased that ACC listened – that's what should happen when workers make their voices heard.

The PSA had challenged the original decision at the Employment Relations Authority and had sought a Commerce Commission investigation into whether the policy breached the Fair Trading Act, given job advertisements had promised three days working from home. Those actions will now be withdrawn following ACC’s change of heart.

“All this could have been avoided if ACC had just listened to what the recent culture review showed about staff morale and consulted from the get-go.

“We hope this decision today marks the beginning of a more constructive relationship between ACC and its workforce, where staff are respected and consulted before major changes are imposed.

“This victory sends a strong message to all workers in New Zealand. When workers through their union organise and stand firm, we win. This is crystal clear proof of that.”

The PSA will now work with ACC to settle its collective agreement which is currently in facilitation at the Employment Relations Authority.

Previous PSA statements:

• 3 Nov ACC restriction on working from home prompts legal action by PSA
• 10 Nov PSA legal action prompts ACC's change of heart on flexible work
• 8 December PSA seeks Commerce Commission investigation into ACC over misleading job ads about working from home

The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand's largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

The Government’s introduction of two Bills to replace the current Resource Management Act (RMA) is transformational and should result in fewer consents required to unlock development while protecting what matters, BusinessNZ says.

Chief Executive Katherine Rich says the next step will be securing broad support for the changes, which will streamline the approach to resource management.

“As it stands, the current consenting processes are slow and costly. Regional or nationally significant projects can be rejected or have costly conditions placed on them due to the RMA. New Zealand cannot afford to keep saying no to new infrastructure developments when our future depends on providing timely infrastructure, including but not limited to housing, energy and transport systems.

“Together, the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill standardise rules targeted towards reducing the amount of compliance and provides better recognition of the burden landowners face when some planning controls limit the use of their land.”

Rich says both Bills are substantial pieces of legislation and will take time to get through in detail, but the direction of travel was positive.

“BusinessNZ will study both Bills carefully and make submissions to the Environment Committee in due course, outlining areas for further consideration.

“We must achieve broad buy-in from political parties so that businesses can feel more confident in developing property in ways that maximise the contribution our vast natural resource base can contribute to New Zealand's future economic well-being.”

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.

The two new Acts that make up today’s Resource Management Act (RMA) reform announcement will provide impetus to economic, business and infrastructure development while also providing environmental guardrails that were lacking in the previous Act, says the EMA.

“The EMA has been at the core of a group of associations pushing for and working on RMA reform for the past eight years and we are pleased to finally see meaningful steps aimed at simplifying the passage of consents and giving more certainty to those entering the consents process,” says EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald.

“One of those early partners, the Environmental Defence Society (EDS), proved that the old Act was failing to protect our environment and we believe the establishment of national environmental limits and a national agency to monitor and enforce those limits will provide the protections lacking in the previous legislation.

“Not everyone will agree with that, but let’s give the new legislation some time to bed in and work before throwing our hands up in the air and wailing about perceived potential failings.”

On the flip side, McDonald says, the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill combine in a new system to make getting things done much easier.

“The old system was cumbersome, costly, uncertain and inefficient and that was what drove the EMA, Property Council NZ, Infrastructure NZ and BusinessNZ to form an alliance and push for reform.

“The EDS was also an early and valued partner in that process and while our views on the new legislation have diverged the goals that brought us together in the first place remain.

“The new Planning Bill will set out very clearly what you can and can’t do within well-defined areas of your city and/or region. It will do that upfront and set guidance for 30 years so you know which areas are significant environmentally and for Māori, where you can build heavy, light or mixed-use industry and where your housing goes.

“That also includes where all the various networks and infrastructure needed to support business and people will be located. That’s schools, parks, hospitals, all transport networks, water, electricity, communications networks and so on.

“Then, knowing all that, you have well-defined national environmental standards that you have to meet – not multiple local variations.

“That’s a level of certainty that just does not currently exist and puts a lot of weight on the 17 or so regional plans and a huge emphasis on the national environmental limits.”

McDonald says the possibility that more than 40% of consents would no longer be required under the new system is also one hugely welcomed by the business and development communities.

“Knowing that you may not even require a consent, or that you are more certain about getting one if you know you meet the planning and environmental requirements, is a significant relief and will reduce development costs in both the business and housing sectors.

“Limiting consultation to those directly affected by new projects and developments is also a positive step. Some groups seemed to think consultation was a default power of veto instead of a way of improving outcomes, and they would go to great and expensive lengths to stop projects they didn’t like.

“Those directly affected should be the ones that rightly have a say on an issue and those running the project should respond in proportion to those direct impacts and concerns. The establishment of a Planning Tribunal also de-escalates costs and time lost for those on both sides of an issue if it is unable to be resolved at a consultation level.”

McDonald says the EMA began its call for reform of the RMA after identifying the need for a faster, more efficient, less costly system that provided certainty for those using it.

“We think these bills deliver those outcomes. There will certainly be some changes through the submission and select committee process, and that needs to be given an appropriate timeframe. But, when we have a new system, let’s also give it an appropriate amount of time and stability to make it work well.”

Today’s release of the Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill to replace the Resource Management Act is a red letter day for the agricultural sector, Federated Farmers says.

“The RMA is the single biggest handbrake on growing agricultural productivity and rural economies. It's great to see its end come one step closer,” Federated Farmers resource management spokesperson Mark Hooper says.

“When farmers complain about expensive resource consents, unachievable freshwater targets, Te Mana o te Wai, and outstanding natural landscape overlays, these are all things that sit under the RMA legislation.

“Investment, farmer confidence and productivity have been strangled in red and green tape for far too long.”

The Government today released two new bills that, once passed into law, will replace the RMA.

“There is lots of good news in this package of law,” Hooper says.

“First of all, under the new law most farmers won’t need a resource consent. Simply by having a certified Farm Plan they will be viewed as compliant with environmental regulations.

“This makes sense. Farm Plans can achieve much of the same environmental outcomes as a resource consent, without the need to fork out tens of thousands of dollars on expensive planners and lawyers.”

The Government has estimated their new laws will nearly halve the current number of consents on the nation’s farms.

“Secondly, where a farmer does need a resource consent, there will be a much, much higher bar for these to be notified, which means they’re opened up for submissions from others.

“When a consent is notified, farmers have to pay for the expensive hearing. This notification cost is what drives consent costs from the tens of thousands of dollars into the hundreds of thousands.”

In addition, there should be far fewer instances of when consultation with iwi on individual resource consents is needed.

Cultural impacts will be assessed when environmental limits are set, meaning the need to assess cultural impacts on every resource consent – sometimes from multiple iwi and hapū – should bea thing of the past.

“The days of farmers effectively having large chunks of their farm confiscated in the form of an SNA – Significant Natural Area, ONL – Outstanding Natural Landscape, or SASM – Sites and Areas of Significance to Māori, are also likely to be severely curtailed.”

Where a council effectively confiscates a large part of a farm, there is a requirement to compensate the landowner. This will mean this practice is much rarer, and when it does happen, farmers are fairly compensated, Hooper says.

“Federated Farmers will take time to read through the 700 odd pages of legislation and there will be a few areas where we think further work is needed.

“This is partly what Select Committee is for – to iron out inconsistencies and problem clauses.

“We think the increase in fines and the restrictions on the use of insurance to cover for a breach of resource management rules haven't struck the right balance in the draft legislation.

“This needs to have more nuance so that when harm is done accidentally, for example an effluent system fails due to poor engineering, this is recognised in the regime.

“Restrictions on fines and insurance should only apply where farmers are wilfully negligent [ill get the wording here from beef and lamb]”

Federated Farmers is also worried about proposals to allow trading of natural resources, such as nutrient loss or even freshwater.

“It’s near impossible to measure the nitrogen coming off a farm and the Overseer model in particular has been thoroughly criticised for its use in regulation.

“When you can't even accurately measure nitrogen it’s very hard to trade it.

The difficulties involved in creating a property right for freshwater are well-known, Hooper says.

“Freshwater falls from the sky and isn't able to be owned or sold.

“On balance, we think these two bills are a major step forward for New Zealand and will dramatically improve the productivity of farming in New Zealand.

“We will work with the Government over the coming months to address any concerns we have in the laws and look forward to the day the RMA is consigned to the dust bin.”

Federated Farmers is welcoming news that the Government will be taking urgent steps to end the spiraling consenting crisis that has been hammering farmers and rural communities.

“This is a really practical and pragmatic step from the Government that will be a relief for thousands of farming families,” says Federated Farmers vice president Colin Hurst.

“Consenting issues have been a hot topic in rural New Zealand with a lot of people wondering how the transition to new resource management laws will work in practice.

“Farmers have been faced with huge costs and uncertainty with consenting processes taking months – in some cases years. Quite rightly, they’ve been asking questions.

“Today all those questions have been answered with confirmation that all existing resource consents will be rolled over until the new resource management system is up and running.”

The Government has announced it will immediately roll over all resource consents for two years, with legislation expected to pass under urgency as early as this week.

A second bill will then ‘freeze’ all resource consents until new regional plans are in place, at which point farmers will have 24 months to apply for any consents they still require. Farmers will still have the same environmental conditions placed on them that their current resource consent requires.

“Many farmers and growers will also have Farm Environment Plans, so the checks and balances will remain in place while the new system is stood up,” Hurst says.

A new transitional consenting regime will also be established from mid-2026 so new applicants can benefit from the incoming system, which is expected to be much simpler and lower cost.

“This is a huge win for common sense – but also for Federated Farmers grassroots advocacy on behalf of our members. We’re proud to have led the charge on this issue,” Hurst says.

“In early October we hosted a public meeting near Ashburton where hundreds of farmers completely filled a community hall to voice their frustration on this issue to Government.

“That meeting was the catalyst for Federated Farmers launching a campaign to end the consenting crisis, including an online petition signed by thousands of farmers.

“There is no doubt the coalition Government have heard the message loud, and it’s fantastic that they’ve moved so quickly and decisively to address farmers concerns.”

Hurst says in practice, most farmers won’t need to renew their resource consents for five or six years while the new system is stood up.

New consent applications can still be made during the transition period and will follow a transitional RMA process, which includes limits on the test for public notification and the scope of effects that can be considered.

“These changes will give farmers confidence to continue investing in their businesses and rural communities, instead of forcing them to tick boxes in a system that’s about to be scrapped,” Hurst says

“No one wins when farmers are forced to waste money on expensive and outdated consenting processes in a system that’s clearly not working for anyone.

“Today’s announcement gives farmers certainty, reduces cost pressures, and keeps the focus where it should be – on good environmental outcomes, not paperwork.”

You can view Federated Farmers’ campaign by visiting www.consentingcrisis.nz

If a fire were to happen in the cabin, crew are trained to deal with it quickly and safely.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched a nationwide campaign reminding travellers that spare lithium batteries must be correctly packed in your carry-on only.

So far in 2025, the Aviation Security Service (AvSec) have removed more than 250,000 batteries from passengers’ bags at New Zealand airports. However, safety and security rely on multiple layers of protection, including you.

Warwick Burr, General Manager of New Zealand’s AvSec said, “It’s everyone’s responsibility to have a safe flight and that begins with what you put in your bag.”

“We need you to play your part by knowing how to pack your batteries safely.”

Most of the batteries removed from checked bags are spare lithium batteries, showing that many travellers are still unclear about the rules. Research also confirms that people often remain unsure or make mistakes when deciding where dangerous goods, like lithium batteries, should be packed.

“We’re tackling one of the most common and misunderstood travel mistakes in line with aviation authorities around the world,” added Burr.

All spare lithium batteries, which include power banks, wireless earbud and hearing aid charging cases, and vapes, must be correctly packed in carry-on only and follow the packing restrictions for each item. These devices cannot exceed 100 Watt Hours without specific airline approval.

Air New Zealand is backing the campaign and encourages all travellers to check the rules before they fly.

“Safety is our utmost priority, and it starts on the ground. We have comprehensive guidance on our website about what can and can’t be carried, and our airport teams are always happy to help if you’re unsure,” said Air New Zealand Chief Safety and Risk Officer Nathan McGraw.

The New Zealand Airports Association is also on board.

Billie Moore, Chief Executive of NZ Airports Association, said, “We want everyone to have a safe and seamless journey. Before you head to the airport, take a moment to check your gear and understand the rules.”

“A bit of preparation helps the whole system run more smoothly and supports the teams keeping you safe.”

If you’re not sure what’s allowed or how to pack your batteries correctly, don’t leave it to chance. Check with your airline or visit aviation.govt.nz/packsmart before you fly. Following these guidelines will help ensure that you can travel safely and will prevent delays at security screening.

Pack smart and play your part, so that together, we can fly safer.

Notes

Not sure what’s allowed or are you travelling with an item not listed above? Comprehensive information can be found on the Travelling with batteries page.

Key battery restrictions are shown below.

All batteries in carry on must be individually protected by being in retail packaging, individual bag, a protective pouch, or with tape placed over exposed terminals.

Some devices powered by lithium batteries such as laptops, phones, e-readers, or cameras, may be carried in checked bags. These devices must be completely switched off and protected from accidental activation or damage. Although, it’s recommended you always keep them with you in carry-on. Some airlines already mandate that you keep these items with you in carry-on.

Airlines allow a person to carry a total of 20 spare batteries unless they approve more batteries to be carried. Check with your airline for their specific restrictions.

Battery powered heated hair styling devices are not permitted unless the battery, heating element, or other component can be removed. An example of 'other component' is a flight ready tag that, when removed (and should not be re-inserted), isolates the battery from the heating element. See the full explanation of battery powered hair straightening devices.

If the lithium battery is:

• up to 100Wh, it’s fine to travel in carry-on 
• between 100Wh and 160Wh your airline must approve it to be carried 
• above 160Wh it’s prohibited from travelling on an aircraft. 
• Each person is limited to taking two batteries that exceed 100wh with airline approval.

Porirua City is about to publish draft district-wide assessments that map where landslide and liquefaction geohazards are more likely to occur in Porirua. Flood hazard modelling is also being updated for five of our catchments.

The maps produced with the assessments will provide the most up-to-date information on these hazards for residents, as well as planners, engineers, developers, and owners and managers of critical infrastructure, so they can help our communities plan for the future.

Nicola Etheridge, General Manager Policy, Planning and Regulatory Services says these assessments will help Council and residents understand the risks we face from hazards.

“The way our city has developed over time has meant we have sometimes built in places that are susceptible to natural hazards. Mapping these hazards will help us plan better for the future, including how and where we build on and develop the land.

“Geohazard assessments identify areas of land that might be prone to these hazards, based on certain known factors. For example, a steeper slope will be more likely to slip under the same conditions than a shallower slope,” she says.

The draft maps will be shown on Land Information Memorandum (LIM) documents to inform current, prospective and future owners of the potential for landslides, liquefaction and flooding in an area. They will also be used in decision-making for the Council when identifying areas for development or for building Council assets like infrastructure. For liquefaction, the new maps will supplement the existing regional liquefaction maps that are already shown on LIMs.

LIMs will include a statement noting that these maps are currently in draft and are based on available data.

The draft landslide and liquefaction assessments and maps will be updated as needed, including when the peer review process is completed and when significant new data is available. They are being released in their draft state because the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) requires councils to publish the information once it is known.

“Once finalised, we are looking to include these hazards in the District Plan, which directs how we change, develop and use our land and environment. This will include new maps and rules in the plan that will need to be followed when building in these areas.

“We are hoping to have a draft of the changes to the District Plan out for comment in the coming months and these maps will be used as part of the consultation process.

“Our District Plan is already best-practice by having a risk-based framework for managing a range of natural hazards – flooding, fault rupture, tsunami and coastal erosion and inundation. However, our understanding of landslides and liquefaction in Porirua wasn’t initially detailed enough to map these in the District Plan, so we’re now working to add those in,” says Nicola.

For more information about hazards in Porirua, visit our page Responding to natural hazards. The maps will be on our GIS page in the coming weeks.

Fire crews supported by aircraft are back at work to fully contain the fire in the Tongariro National Park.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has 30 firefighters on the ground and four helicopters with monsoon buckets this morning, with a full incident management team. Fixed wing aircraft are on standby to join the air attack if needed.

Incident Controller Assistant Commander Renee Potae says that conditions were favourable overnight and crews only had to deal with one hotspot. The fire is 50 percent contained and remains at 322 hectares with an 8.5km perimeter.

The fire is contained on the northern flank where it meets the area burnt in last month’s fire. The wind is forecast to change direction this morning, which will push it towards unburnt vegetation and may cause flare-ups in areas that were burnt yesterday. “We have planned for that and are consolidating that flank,” Renee Potae says.

Manawhenua Ngāti Hikairo and the Department of Conservation are working closely with the incident management team, and there is a high level of interest from the community, and particularly all those who were significantly impacted by the last fire.

SH47 from Waimarino to Tongariro is closed between the intersections of SH46 and SH48. We ask people to stay well away from the area and respect all road closures and detours.

About 80% of nurses working in primary health care have considered leaving their jobs in the past six months a survey by Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO has found.

NZNO recently conducted a survey of its members working in primary health care (see findings below). Of those, 30% said they frequently thought about leaving the sector, 31% had occasionally thought about leaving and 19% said they had thought about leaving once or twice.

NZNO primary health care spokesperson Tracey Morgan says it’s not surprising 80% of respondents have thought about leaving the sector when 78% say their workload has increased in the past few years.

“Primary health care in Aotearoa New Zealand is in crisis. Patients and whānau are often unable to get in to see their doctor or nurse for several weeks, leaving them sicker by the time they can get the health care they need.

“One of the main drivers of this crisis is chronic staff shortages. Nurses are leaving general practices to work in hospitals, where they earn up to 11% more (see table below), or for Australia where they are paid significantly more. Our survey found 42% had thought about going overseas.

“Our communities deserve accessible care, and our nurses deserve fair pay,” she says.

“Primary care nurses had been hoping a Pay Equity settlement would correct the undervaluation of their work, but the Coalition Government decision to scrap the legislation means their wages will stay lower for longer.”

There’s now agreement from both the Coalition Government and the Opposition that the primary health care funding model is broken, Tracey Morgan says.

“NZNO welcomes the focus on primary health care but there must be a bipartisan commitment and approach to creating a sustainable new funding model. That funding model must ensure that primary care nurses are paid the same as their Te Whatu Ora counterparts. Only then will they stop leaving primary health care,” Tracey Morgan says.