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Consumer Issues – More than a million households likely paying too much for power

Source: Consumer NZ

As the winter power bills start to bite, research by Consumer NZ has found half the nation’s households have stayed loyal to their power provider for at least five years. Loyalty could be costing those customers hundreds of extra dollars each year.

“Essentially, over a million households are probably inadvertently paying a loyalty tax,” says Paul Fuge, who manages Powerswitch, Consumer’s free price-comparison website.

Many people think all power providers charge around the same, but that’s simply not true, Fuge says.

“You could be using the same amount of power as your neighbour but paying much more than them.”

The price a household pays for power varies significantly depending on their provider, plan type and location.

According to Consumer, energy retailers tend to offer their best pricing deals to new customers. Existing customers don’t reap the same benefit from the promotional perks.

Fuge says: “What really gets people fired up is coming to Powerswitch and finding not only could they be getting a better deal with another retailer, but often they could also get a better deal from the retailer they’re already with!

“Too many consumers – especially those that have been with their retailer for a long time – understandably assume their retailer will reward their loyalty and look out for them by letting them know when a better deal comes along. To be fair, some do, but, unfortunately, not all.

“Power prices are already high, up 20% in the past two years alone. Don’t add a loyalty tax on top. The average annual saving for people who switch on Powerswitch is now around $450.”

Bundles need an abundance of caution

Bundles continue to be popular, but Consumer recommends would-be bundlers proceed with caution.

Three in 10 energy customers are on a bundled deal. This means they have multiple services with the same provider.

“A quarter of New Zealanders say bundled deals are important to them when choosing a provider. Similarly, a quarter of people say promotions, such as free electronics or appliances, are an important factor when choosing who to give their custom to,” says Fuge.

“In our experience, people who bundle tend to get tied in with their provider because the barriers to switching appear more complicated. In reality, once your contract is up, a bundle should not be a barrier to switching. You might be paying over the odds for multiple services and could save even more by splitting out your utilities.

“We urge people to do their homework before signing up for a plan with a free appliance. Chances are you will be paying for that appliance through higher-than-average power prices throughout the duration of your fixed-term contract.

“Pay less for power this winter, and make today the day you say no to a loyalty tax.

“It only takes a few minutes to compare power plans and switch for savings on  Powerswitch.org.nz.”

 

About Consumer

Consumer NZ is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to championing and empowering consumers in Aotearoa. Consumer NZ has a reputation for being fair, impartial and providing comprehensive consumer information and advice.

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Political Overreach – Minister’s attack on Medical Council sets dangerous precedent

Source: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists

Health Minister Simeon Brown’s decision to remove and replace Medical Council leadership sets a dangerous precedent around political interference with independent regulators, says the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS).
The Minister has reportedly declined the Medical Council’s recommendation to reappoint Dr Rachelle Love as chair and Simon Watt as deputy-chair.
“The minister’s decision is an unprecedented hit job,” says ASMS executive director Sarah Dalton. “He appears to have ousted them because he didn’t like the council talking about cultural competency for doctors.”
“Cultural competency is rooted in patient safety and treating people with respect. This is core Medical Council business. Suggesting to doctors that it isn't important is a direct attempt by a politician to intervene in clinical standards.”
ASMS is also deeply concerned by proposed changes to the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act, which would allow ministers to direct independent regulators to implement government policy.
“This approach could leave us in a situation where medical standards chop and change with every new Government,” Dalton warns.
“It also sends a worrying signal to other regulators: if you don't do what the Minister wants, your people will be replaced.”
ASMS maintains that medical regulation must be non-partisan and accountable to patients first, not politicians.
“Rather than attacking an independent health regulator, the Minister’s time would be better spent fixing our medical workforce shortages and retaining doctors who are leaving for Australia,” Dalton says.
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New Zealand Korean War veterans remembered at national commemoration

Source: Ministry for Culture and Heritage

New Zealanders will gather once again on Thursday 25 June to commemorate the service and sacrifice of those who served during the Korean War, 1950-1953.
The annual commemoration honours the more than 6,000 New Zealanders who served with Kayforce and in naval operations during the conflict.
Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage Deputy Secretary Delivery & Investment Glenis Philip-Barbara said the commemoration is an important opportunity to recognise the enduring legacy of those who served in Korea and the continuing bonds between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea.
“The Korean War has sometimes been described as the ‘Forgotten War’, but for those who served, and for the families who supported them, its impact has never been forgotten,” Philip-Barbara said.
“This commemoration allows us to reflect on the courage, commitment and sacrifice of New Zealanders who answered the call to serve in difficult and dangerous circumstances.”
This year’s commemoration also marks the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Kap’yong, one of the most significant engagements involving New Zealand forces during the Korean War.
In April 1951, New Zealand’s 16th Field Regiment played a critical role supporting United Nations forces during a major Chinese offensive. The Republic of Korea recognised the actions of the regiment during the battle with a Presidential Unit Citation.
“The Battle of Kap’yong remains one of the defining moments of New Zealand’s service in Korea.
“The determination and professionalism shown by New Zealand gunners under immense pressure earned international respect and helped prevent a major breakthrough during a critical stage of the conflict.”
The commemoration will also remember the 47 New Zealanders who lost their lives during the war, including two who died serving with Australian forces.
“We remember not only those who served, but also those who never returned home, and the families and communities who carried the weight of that loss,” Philip-Barbara said.
Philip-Barbara said the Korean War helped forge a close and enduring friendship between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea that continues today through defence cooperation, trade, cultural connections, and strong people-to-people ties.
“This commemoration reminds us of the ongoing importance of peace, international cooperation, and collective security.
“The service of those who served in Korea continues to hold meaning for New Zealand today, and it is important that we continue to honour and remember them.”
The Korean War Commemoration will be held in the Hall of Memories at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington. Veterans, whānau and members of the public who wish to attend should arrive at 10.45am for an 11.00am start.
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Africa – Young children paying the highest price one month since DRC declared new Ebola crisis

Source: Save the Children

 At least 52 children, including 16 toddlers and infants., have contracted Ebola in the month since the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) declared its latest outbreak, with 19 of these children confirmed to have died.
The outbreak declared on 15 May has rapidly become the third largest ever recorded in the DRC, with some 782 confirmed cases and 181 confirmed deaths, according to latest figures from the Ministry of Health, and children are among the most vulnerable, said Save the Children.
While young children represent a smaller portion of cases than other age groups, figures from the Africa Centre for Disease Control (CDC) show that young children are suffering a far higher case fatality rate. Children aged 14 or under are more than twice as likely to die after contracting the illness than patients aged 15 to 44, according to a Save the Children analysis of the figures [1].
Young children often deteriorate rapidly when infected and require early identification, referral, and intensive supportive care to improve their chances of survival. These risks are further compounded by the conditions many children already face in humanitarian settings, including malnutrition, malaria, anaemia, poverty, displacement, interrupted vaccination and healthcare services, and limited access to essential treatment and nutrition support.
Children are not only at risk of infection, but a multitude of knock-on effects, including family separation, psychological distress, being cut off from routine healthcare and protection services, dropping out of school, child labour and early marriage, said Save the Children.
Basic, lifesaving supplies -like protective equipment, disinfectant, safe isolation spaces and essential medicines – are concerningly scarce in some areas. At the same time fear and misinformation risk accelerating transmission by discouraging families from seeking care, cooperating with contact tracing, or reporting symptoms early.
Greg Ramm, Save the Children’s Country Director in the DRC, said:
“This outbreak is more than a health emergency, it is a wider social crisis with significant consequences for children, caregivers and communities. Not only have many families lost their loved ones, but many others are caring for sick relatives while trying to protect themselves and their children.
“Health workers are responding stoically under some incredibly challenging conditions – we are seeing incredible bravery, resilience and determination. Yet fear, rumours, and misinformation are delaying people from seeking care, slowing down contact tracing, and putting safe burials at risk. Getting accurate, child-friendly information into communities isn’t optional-it’s critical – and our teams are working around the clock to reach as many people as possible.
“There are real risks here that the consequences for children and families will go far beyond the disease itself. We’ve seen it before: children leave school and never return, and those who lose parents or caregivers become far more vulnerable to early marriage, child labor, and exploitation.
“But let me be clear – this outbreak, the 17 th in DRC since 1976, is happening on top of an already devastating crisis in eastern DRC. Families were already dealing with conflict, displacement, and extremely fragile health systems. For many, this outbreak is hitting when they have almost nothing left to fall back on.
“This outbreak can still be contained-but only if the response is immediate, large-scale, and coordinated. Children at the heart of the Ebola crisis and need to be at the heart of the response. This means beyond disease prevention and control, the response must include ensuring continuity of essential health, nutrition, and water and nutrition services to prevent an escalation in child mortality driven by the indirect impacts of the crisis.”
In this latest outbreak, along with its medical and nutrition support, Save the Children is stepping up active case finding and contact tracing in communities and clinics, which includes training community health workers and teachers to identify and refer community alert cases, alongside distributing emergency hygiene kits and thermometers.
The current Ebola outbreak is also taking place within a wider humanitarian crisis in the DRC, with some 15 million people – almost one in every seven people – in need of humanitarian assistance.
In the DRC since 1994, Save the Children partners with 13 local organisations, as well as international agencies and government authorities, to deliver life-saving support in health, nutrition, education, child protection, food security, and water, sanitation, and hygiene for children and their families.
NOTES:
[1] From the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Bundibugyo Virus Disease Outbreak Issue No. 22, 9 June, which refers to a sample size of 447 confirmed cases (973.5% of the total 608 confirmed cases recorded on the day). In the report, children aged 0-4 were reported in 16 cases and 7 deaths (average case fatality rate (CFR) 43.8%); Children aged 5 – 14 were reported in 36 cases and 12 deaths (CFR 33.3%); children and adults aged 15 – 44 reported in 278 cases and 51 deaths (CFR 18.3%) and adults 45+ reported in 117 cases and 21 deaths (CFR 17.9%).
Save the Children's analysis found that the average case fatality rate (CFR) among children aged 0-14 years was 38.6%, compared with 18.1% among individuals aged 15 years and older. Based on the age-disaggregated data currently available, children under 15 were more than twice as likely to die following Ebola infection than older adolescents and adults.
However, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Complete age-disaggregated data are not yet available for all reported cases and deaths, and more than 200 suspected deaths remain under investigation. As a result, the final age-specific mortality rates may change as additional epidemiological and laboratory data become available.
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Universities – Warm winters have chilling environmental effects – expert

Source: University of Auckland

Ahead of Show Your Stripes Day on 21 June raising awareness of climate change, Professor Cate Macinnis-Ng delves into the environmental impacts of our warming winters.

A warm start to winter might seem like good news, but unseasonal weather has serious environmental consequences, says University of Auckland Professor Cate Macinnis-Ng.

Record high temperatures have been recorded this month in Wellington and across much of the country, says Macinnis-Ng, a Professor of Biological Sciences.

“A wide range of natural and human systems are disrupted by this abnormally mild winter weather,” she says.

Many native trees typically have a dormant period during winter, but warmer temperatures can spur unseasonal growth, says Macinnis-Ng.

“Our measurements over the past few years show kauri in Auckland are continuing to grow right through winter.

“Unfortunately, that has negative impacts on their ability to store carbon.

“Warmer weather increases tree respiration rates, so more carbon is released into the atmosphere, creating a pretty alarming climate change spiral.”

More insects from warmer climates are becoming pests in New Zealand, as milder winter weather makes it easier for them to survive here, she says.

“We’re likely to get more exotic wasps, which are harmful to our native insects, birds and reptiles – as well as packing a nasty sting for humans.

“We’re also expecting to see increasing numbers of parasites in sheep and cattle and more insect pests in plantation forests.”

With fewer cold snaps, there’s a higher risk of new invasions of larger mosquitoes, ants, cattle ticks, and exotic pests, such as the Queensland fruit fly, says Macinnis-Ng, who works with the University’s Centre for Climate, Biodiversity and Society – Ngā Ara Whetū.

“The good news is flea infestations are expected to decline in parts of New Zealand that are getting warmer and drier.”

New invasive plants from subtropical regions could become established in New Zealand and existing pest plants could spread further, she says.

New Zealand’s alpine zones are particularly vulnerable to winter warming, because the native plants and wildlife there have adapted to icy conditions, with few predators and competitors, says Macinnis-Ng.

Animal pests, such as rats, stoats and ferrets, could increase in numbers and spread to higher elevations in alpine areas as they grow warmer, a pattern known as “thermal squeeze”, she says.

“We’re concerned about thermal squeeze, because it shrinks the remaining safe spaces left for alpine birds, like the kea and our endangered native rock wren, the tuke.

“So the risk of extinctions rises.”

Macinnis-Ng says the horticulture industry depends on cold winter nights to trigger spring flowering.

Future climates could cause kiwifruit vines and fruit trees, such as apples and avocados, to flower less prolifically and have poor-quality fruit, she says.

“Heat stress reduces the quality and size of crops like potatoes and onions.

“But more tropical crops, like bananas, could begin to flourish here.

“Plant breeding and gene technologies might also help us develop fruit and vegetables that can grow well in a warmer world.”

Macinnis-Ng says more scientific research will be needed to develop solutions to the problems warmer winters cause for native wildlife and primary industries.

“As the climate changes, we’re going to need to find the best ways to adapt to all these impacts on our environment and on our society as a whole,” she says.

Show Your Stripes Day uses graphics with coloured stripes to show how climate change has impacted on temperatures in different parts of the world. Blue shades indicate cooler temperatures, while red shades represent warmer temperatures. The event aims to raise awareness about our warming world.

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Mental health system still falling short for young people and Māori, new report shows

Source: Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission

Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission – says improvements in Aotearoa New Zealand’s mental health and addiction system must come faster to meet the rising need for young people and Māori.
Today Te Hiringa Mahara has released its latest ‘ report card’ on the state of Aotearoa New Zealand’s mental health system. The System performance monitoring report assesses whether people can get help early, access support equitably, receive safe and effective care in crisis, and move through a system that responds to their needs and the needs of their whānau.
“This report shows the system is improving in some areas, but for the people who need it most, we are losing ground,” says Te Hiringa Mahara Chief Executive Karen Orsborn.
“There are signs of progress across the system, however of the six focus areas we measure, only workforce is improving and ‘on track’. In practice, that means although access to services is improving overall, it is not improving fast enough for young people, who continue to face rising psychological distress and persistent gaps in age-appropriate support.
“We are also seeing increased unmet need for professional mental health support for Māori with investment in culturally appropriate services not keeping up.
“We continue to see high rates of seclusion and other coercive practices being used, which raises concerns about the ability of the system to uphold human rights-based practice. Māori continue to experience these practices at a higher rate than any other group. We also want to see action toward not having young people admitted into adult units.
“A fair, robust mental health system is one that works for everyone. For us to achieve that, we must see strong leadership, targeted action where need is greatest, and a more coordinated response to the wider drivers of mental distress,” says Ms Orsborn.
Notes:
Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission’s – role is to contribute to better and more equitable mental health and wellbeing outcomes for everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand. We monitor progress, lead with new insights, advocate for change, and highlight where action is most needed. Our mandate is to focus on improving outcomes for Māori and whānau and people with the highest need. We also advocate for the collective interests of people with lived and living experience of mental distress and addiction, and the whānau who support them. 
Read the report and summary: www.mhwc.govt.nz/system-performance 
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Workplace Safety – Stand with Pike joins NZISM campaign to stop law changes that make workplaces more dangerous

Source: New Zealand Institute of Safety Management

– Select committee fails to heed widespread concerns about Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill
– Bill due to be reported back today by Education and Workforce Committee
– Campaign to stop Bill launched today
Stand with Pike campaigners Sonya Rockhouse and Anna Osborne have joined with the New Zealand Institute of Safety Management in an urgent, last-ditch campaign to stop the Government pressing ahead with law changes that make workplaces more dangerous.
The Education and Workforce Committee is due to report the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill back to Parliament today and be debated in Parliament next week at its Second Reading. NZISM understands only minor changes have been made despite an overwhelming majority of business groups, health and safety experts, unions and others opposing the Bill.
“This will be a huge setback to efforts to turn around our appalling health and safety record, so we are grateful for the support of Sonya and Anna from Stand with Pike – they know, more than anyone else, that we can’t afford to repeat the mistakes of the past,” said Mike Cosman, NZISM law reform spokesperson.
“We urge MPs to heed their concerns, learn the lessons from Pike and vote this Bill down.”
Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse are lending their voices to a social media campaign launched today by NZISM.
“We are heartbroken to see the Government persist with this Bill. We believe that it will cost lives. The lessons from the Pike River tragedy have been forgotten,” said Anna Osborne
“Today Stand with Pike and NZISM are launching a campaign to remind politicians across Parliament of the human cost of bad lawmaking. The message of the campaign is simple: Vote this Bill down or send it back to Select Committee for major revision,” said Sonya Rockhouse.
Mike Cosman said there were many problems with the Bill which would not lead to better health and safety outcomes or make it easier for businesses to comply. Indeed, many across the health and safety system believe it will result in more harm and cost to ACC and employers. New Zealand’s fatality rate is 1.7 x that of Australia and 6.5 x that of the UK. The cost of workplace death and injuries is conservatively estimated at $5.4 billion a year. The Bill will increase this cost if passed.
The major problems centre on small businesses being carved out of the new regime;
– The Bill would exempt 97% of New Zealand businesses from having a legal duty to manage many of their most significant risks (the non-critical ones).
– Small businesses have a 24% higher injury rate than large firms. Carving them out makes no sense.
– The main risks that workers in those businesses would no longer be protected against are musculoskeletal risks (e.g. ergonomics, slips and falls) and psychosocial risks (mental health, stress, workload, working hours). These are the number 1 and 2 causes of workplace harm in New Zealand.
– ACC strongly opposes the carve out for musculoskeletal risks because they pay out more than $3.6 billion every year for such injuries in small businesses. Reducing protections is likely to cost hundreds of millions more and cause huge suffering.
“At a basic level workers would no longer have to be provided with safety boots or gloves as hand and foot injuries are not classed as critical. That’s ridiculous,” said Mike Cosman.
“No other country in the world takes this indifferent approach to the health and safety of workers in small businesses. It will cost lives and livelihoods. The likely direct costs to ACC alone make a mockery of this Government’s claims of fiscal discipline and these costs will ultimately be passed on to businesses and taxpayers.”
Stand with Pike urges MPs to listen.
“Our message is simple: Those who can’t learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them. We have learned the lessons of Pike River and deregulation of health and safety with the deaths of 29 good men. This Bill should be stopped in its tracks,” said Anna Osbourne.
Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse lost their husband and son respectively in the explosion at Pike River Mine. Along with the other Pike River families and supporters They have been campaigning for safe workplaces ever since.
Mike Cosman is the NZISM Law Reform Spokesperson. He is one of New Zealand’s leading experts on workplace health and safety. Mike has 46+ years’ experience as a regulator, policy maker, manager and consultant. Mike was a member of the Government-commissioned Independent Taskforce on Workplace Health and Safety in 2013.
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Local News – Porirua City Councillor Mike Duncan remembered for his generous spirit

Source: Porirua City Council

Councillor Mike Duncan is being remembered for his community focus, eye for detail, generous spirit and warm smile.
Mike, who passed away suddenly on Sunday, was elected to Council in 2016. That year, the former Dominion newspaper printer and designer actually stood for the mayoralty as well as for Council in what was then the Western ward, finishing in third behind Mike Tana and Euon Murrell.
To sum up his disposition, which we all came to know and enjoy, he told a Kapi-Mana News journalist about missing out on the mayoralty with a twinkle in his eye: “I was disappointed, but then the sun came up…”
Mike stood for Council in 2016 with cornerstones of deep-set community connections, down-to-earth family values and an everyman attitude that resonated with voters on the western side of Porirua.
As a councillor, Mike forged a strong reputation with Council staff and his fellow elected members as someone who played with a straight bat, possessing a calm and competent manner, often with his tongue firmly in his cheek. Due to his journalist, print-making and design background – Mike was a keen cruciverbalist, crafting his own crosswords – he had an eye for detail and was able to spot a misplaced comma or spelling mistake buried in Council documents.
He asked questions that he felt his community needed answered, but never in a combative manner to his colleagues or Council employees.
Along with being a member of Te Puna Kōrero (Council’s committee) and full Council, this term Mike was on the Audit & Risk, Porirua District Licensing (latter as deputy chair) and Hutt Mana Charitable Trust Appointments committees, as well as the Dog Control Hearings Subcommittee. In previous terms, he was an active, hard-working and steady hand among much of the committee networks of Council.
He will be remembered by staff who interacted with him as open-minded, warm and friendly, someone who cared about representing his community around the Council table.
These past few years Mike was MC at the Porirua Anzac Day Civic Service, carrying out his duties with typical aplomb and humility. Mike was a strong advocate for New Zealand Sign Language, and pushed to get interpreters more often included in Council events, including Anzac Day. Mike and his wife Christine had a very personal interest in championing the deaf community, with two of their grandchildren being deaf.
He was no stranger to local politics. Along with a tilt at the Porirua mayoralty in 2010 – losing to Nick Leggett – Mike stood against Graham Kelly for the Labour nomination for the Porirua electorate in 1987. He also stood for the mayoralty in 2019, losing out to Anita Baker.
Mike lived all but two of his years in Porirua, telling Kapi-Mana News in 2016 that he built a home on the site of a burnt-out state house on Te Pene Ave, where his family put down what would be indelible roots.
“I moved to a house next to Mana Esplanade when I was two. We used to collect mushrooms in the hills where Cannons Creek is now. I've travelled a lot, but this is the most beautiful place in the world.”
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Economy – Bay of Plenty bops to the top in ASB’s latest Regional Economic Scoreboard

Source: ASB

  • Bay of Plenty reclaims first place, ending Canterbury’s run at the top
  • Canterbury and Otago round out the podium in second and third
  • North Island shows broader improvement, with most regions in top half
  • Wellington lifts off the bottom rung, but ongoing pressures remain

The Bay of Plenty has taken out the top spot in ASB’s Regional Economic Scoreboard for the March quarter, as regional economic growth remains uneven but continues to broaden across New Zealand.

ASB’s Regional Economic Scoreboard ranks New Zealand’s 16 regions across key indicators, including employment, construction, house prices, retail trade and consumer confidence. In the March quarter, the Bay of Plenty led the country, supported by strong employment growth and solid gains across construction demand, retail spending and the housing market.

ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley says the Bay’s performance reflects the strength of its primary sector and export base.

“After a bumper 2025 kiwifruit season and a strong start to 2026, the Bay of Plenty has reclaimed the top spot. Strong export demand and solid employment growth are underpinning the region’s momentum,” says Nick.

Canterbury, which held the top position for much of 2025, slipped back to second place but continues to perform strongly across most measures. The region remains well supported by strong dairy incomes, population growth, tourism and ongoing investment.

Otago retained a podium finish in third place, with strong retail spending and tourism activity supporting household demand, although employment growth has softened.

Five of the North Island’s eight regions placed in the top half of the Scoreboard in Q1, reflecting improving momentum across employment, construction demand and retail spending.

“The regional story this quarter is one of a more balanced recovery,” says Nick. “We’re seeing broader improvement across the North Island, with most regions now sitting in the top half of the rankings.”

Auckland remains mid-table, with growth in retail spending and housing activity supported by migration and tourism, though labour market conditions remain weak.

At the other end of the rankings, Wellington showed some improvement, moving off the bottom of the Scoreboard, although the region continues to face significant headwinds, particularly in housing and construction.

“While it’s encouraging to see Wellington lift from last place, the Capital still faces ongoing challenges. Weak housing market conditions and job uncertainty are continuing to weigh on confidence and activity,” says Nick.

Nationally, economic activity continued to gain momentum in the March quarter: ASB is forecasting March quarter GDP growth of 0.8%.

Employment, tourism and migration all lifted, supporting broader economic momentum, while retail spending remained resilient. However, ASB Economists note that global uncertainty is increasingly shaping the outlook.

“While there are encouraging signs of recovery, storm clouds are looming. Inflation remains elevated and global developments, particularly the Middle East conflict, are expected to weigh on growth, cost pressures and consumer confidence in the short term,” says Nick.

“With inflation expected to remain above the RBNZ’s target for much of 2026 and cost pressures building, the pace of the recovery is likely to remain uneven across regions.”

About the ASB Regional Economic Scoreboard

The ASB Regional Economic Scoreboard takes the latest quarterly regional statistics and ranks the economic performance of New Zealand's 16 Regional Council areas. The fastest growing regions gain the highest ratings, and a good performance by the national economy raises the ratings of all regions. Ratings are updated every three months, and are based on 11 measures, including employment, construction, retail trade, and house prices.

The full ASB Regional Economic Scoreboard, along with other recent ASB reports covering a range of commentary, can be accessed at our ASB Economic Insights page: https://www.asb.co.nz/documents/economic-insights.html

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Events – Matariki ki te Manawa returns to Auckland’s city centre this Matariki

Source: Auckland Council

As Tāmaki Makaurau comes together to celebrate Matariki, Matariki ki te Manawa returns to the city centre with illuminated art, storytelling, augmented reality and live performance inspired by the people, places and cultural narratives of the region.

Auckland Live’s Matariki ki te Manawa programme runs from 15 June to 21 July 2026 as part of Auckland Council Events’ Matariki Festival 2026. Through a series of experiences across streets, public spaces and the waterfront, it brings mana whenua, iwi and te ao Māori stories to life.

Tāmaki Makaurau has long been a gathering place for waka from many different shores. Matariki ki te Manawa draws on the spirit of Tāmaki herenga waka, herenga tangata to bring together the people and cultures of the city in celebration and reflection.

The programme connects various places across the city centre. Award-winning light installation Tūrama on Queen Street returns this year to civic spaces and the waterfront. Together, the five components of the trail remind us of the story of Waihorotiu, the ancient stream that flows beneath the city’s streets. Joined by Taurima in Elliott Street and Reo Haukura in Lorne Street outside the Central Library, the city is in for a fantastic light-filled experience.

Pou Auaha Creative Director Ataahua Papa (Ngāti Korokī Kahukura, Ngāti Mahuta), who has led Matariki events in Tāmaki Makaurau for 10 years, says Matariki ki te Manawa is an opportunity for everyone to experience the city through the stories of te ao Māori.

“The city centre of Tāmaki Makaurau is a vibrant space with so much to share. We have curated inclusive illuminated storytelling experiences grounded in tikanga and mātauranga Māori, to share these stories with all the people and cultures within the city,” says Ataahua Papa.

The programme features a range of art works including light installations, photography, sculptures and light boxes by Graham Tipene, Ataahua Papa, Angus Muir Design, Lissy and Rudi Robinson-Cole, alongside many other talented artists and storytellers.

Auckland Live Director Daniel Clarke says Matariki ki te Manawa creates opportunities for people to connect with the histories, creativity and cultural narratives of Tāmaki Makaurau.

“The programme invites people to see Tāmaki Makaurau through a uniquely Māori lens. Matariki ki te Manawa brings people together in shared public spaces to experience Māori storytelling, celebrate creativity and deepen their connection to the city and one another.”

Matariki ki te Manawa also includes a range of partner events and experiences taking place across central Auckland, including Karangahape Road, the city centre, waterfront and Britomart. Partner organisations include Auckland Libraries, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, New Zealand Maritime Museum, Auckland Philharmonia, SkyCity, Basement Theatre, Q Theatre, Karangahape Business Association, Commercial Bay and Britomart. Please refer to the programme guide for a full list of partner events, dates and booking information.

Matariki ki te Manawa forms part of the region-wide Matariki Festival 2026, proudly presented by Ngāti Tamaoho in collaboration with Auckland Council Events. This is the third and final year of Ngāti Tamaoho as iwi manaaki of the Matariki Festival.

The wider Matariki Festival programme includes Ngā Reo o te Rangi: Voices of the Stars at Auckland Town Hall, the national Hautapu ceremony at Takaparawhau, hosted by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, the return of Vector Lights for Matariki on the Auckland Harbour Bridge and concludes with Te Kora Kora ki Waihorotiu at Shed 10 – a free all ages concert.

Ataahua Papa says there is also a range of exciting community-led pop-ups taking place throughout the festival and encourages people to explore the city centre and discover the stories woven throughout the programme.

“There is something for everyone at Matariki ki te Manawa regardless of your reo or Matariki knowledge. Follow the trails, discover the artworks and experience, and let the stories of this rohe guide your journey through the city,” adds Ataahua Papa.

Programme:

Matariki ki te Manawa
15 June – 21 July | Auckland city centre (various locations)
Free and open to all
Full programme and event information at: Matariki ki te Manawa

Tūrama
30 June – 19 July | Queen Street
The tāhūhū of Matariki ki te Manawa returns to Queen Street. This award-winning light installation by Graham Tipene, Ataahua Papa, and Angus Muir Design with Phil Wihongi traces the story of Waihorotiu, the historical waterway that flows beneath our feet, connecting past to present along the city’s busiest spine.

Taurima
11 June – 21 July | Elliott Street
Created by Lissy Robinson-Cole, Rudi Robinson-Cole, Ataahua Papa, and Angus Muir Design, Taurima honours the history of Elliott Street as a traditional māra kai, a source of sustenance for the whenua. The works take the form of a pātaka, celebrating that ancestral story of place and inspired by Wharenui Harikoa.

Mana Wahine
Ongoing | The Strand
Wiremu Barriball’s stylised moko kauae designs on flags with the Matariki colour palette celebrate the mana of wāhine during this powerful time of year. A vivid presence woven into the daily life of the city.

Reo Haukura
12 June – 21 July | Lorne Street
Originally commissioned for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, this work by Ataahua Papa and Angus Muir Design responds to the permanent sculpture outside the Central Library. Ko te reo kia rere, ko te reo kia tika, ko te reo kia Māori.

Rā
12 June – 21 July | Vulcan Lane
Commissioned in 2025, this work by Tyrone Ohia and Dr Riki Gooch with Angus Muir Design embraces the Māori name for the sun, bringing light and sound into the city centre to energise, spark joy, and ignite a sense of fire in the heart of Tāmaki.

Are Atoms Alive?
10 July – 2 August | Aotea Square
New for 2026, this large-scale installation by Storybox and Oculo journeys from distant galaxies to the depths of cells dividing in the human body, connecting Earth to the Matariki star realm through a seven-minute looped film projected across seven screens.

Arawhetū
30 June –19 July | Aotea Square through to Myers Park
Artist Kereama Taepa leads a team of 10 artists to connect past, present, and future with an augmented reality star trail stretching across the city. Different interpretations of the stars of the Matariki cluster and Puanga create an unforgettable, family-friendly experience for all ages.

Lightboxes — Nuku Collection
23 June – 19 July | Beresford Square
Wāhine from Qiane Matata-Sipu’s Nuku photographic collection are brought into the winter light through a series of lightboxes, linking Karangāhape Road to the city centre activations. In partnership with Karangahape Business Association.

Lightboxes — Tūhono
19 June – 19 July | Te Komititanga to Te Tōangaroa
Four cube lightboxes give insight into the creative talent responsible for the incredible works that form part of Tūhono, led by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and supported by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited through Major Events, extending the network of light-based storytelling across the city centre.

Matariki Taimoana
4 & 11 July | Silo Park
Matariki returns to Silo Park with two events celebrating local artists. The 4 July event marks the launch of Vector Lights on the Auckland Harbour Bridge for Matariki 2026 with an evening of music and celebration. On 11 July, a day of family-friendly activity, music, and storytelling takes place alongside the installation of public artwork Whai by Janine Williams on the gantry. Presented in collaboration with AUDO, Fresh Concept and Auckland Council Public Art.

He Ara Hīkoi
8 July – 6pm, 11 July – 5pm, 17 July – 6pm, 19 July – 5pm | Te Tōangaroa to Aotea Square
Guided walking tours from Mahuhu-ki-te-rangi Park at Te Tōangaroa, up Queen Street to Aotea Square, visiting all installations and activations and bringing the stories of each work to life. Offered in both te reo Māori and English and programmed for weekday and weekend experiences.

NOTES

About Auckland Live
Auckland Live is the premier organisation for performing arts, culture, entertainment and events in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, presenting a vibrant and diverse programme of live arts and experiences across Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest network of iconic venues and public spaces, including the Aotea Centre, The Civic, Auckland Town Hall, Viaduct Events Centre, Bruce Mason Centre, Aotea Square, The Cloud, Shed 10, Queens Wharf, Te Komititanga and locations throughout the city centre; as part of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, a council-controlled organisation, Auckland Live champions creativity, supports artists and communities, and helps shape Auckland as a dynamic, inclusive and globally connected cultural destination.

About Ngāti Tamaoho
Ngāti Tamaoho are of Te Waiohua and Waikato descent, located between Te Mānukanuka o Hoturoa (Manukau Harbour), Āwhitu and Te Pūaha O Waikato (the lower Waikato River). Ngāti Tamaoho are proud to be Iwi manaaki bringing Matariki alongside Auckland Council Events for everyone to celebrate.

About Auckland Council Events
Auckland Council Events are events supported by the Auckland Council Group, including local boards and council-controlled organisations, recognising events supported by Auckland ratepayer funding. This support can include investment, delivery or promotion of events, to bring our communities together, celebrate Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s identity and deliver social and economic benefits.    

About Tātaki Auckland Unlimited
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited is Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s cultural, events and destination agency. It is an Auckland Council-controlled organisation that works to make Auckland a vibrant place to live and visit, through events, experiences and taonga (treasures).  

About the Matariki Festival 2026 theme
For the past three years Ngāti Tamaoho have participated in a Tāmaki Makaurau regional theme for the festival each year. The theme for Matariki Festival 2026 is ‘Matariki ki te Rangi’ (Matariki in the Sky). It highlights celestial knowledge, aspiration, and renewal and encourages everyone to look up to ngā whetū (the stars), reflect, seek guidance, and think about our shared responsibility to care for the taiao (natural surroundings), wai (waterways, rivers, and ocean), and whenua (land).