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Fire and Emergency reminds public to be extra careful while strike action takes place

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is warning the public that the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) will be undertaking a strike tomorrow, Friday 10 April, between midday and 1pm. 
The NZPFU has indicated its intention to continue twice-weekly strikes.
“I want to reassure the public that all 111 calls will be received and responded to during the strike periods,” Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler says. 
“However, our response times will be delayed in impacted areas as volunteer crews will be responding from the next closest location. So, we are asking the public to remain extra careful.
“Our advice remains the same. If there is a fire, evacuate early, get out, stay out, then call 111.” 
During the one-hour strikes Fire and Emergency will prioritise emergencies and may not attend less serious incidents, such as private fire alarms where there is no sign of fire, small rubbish fires, traffic-management assistance, and animal rescues. 
In addition, Fire and Emergency has established a process with Hato Hone St John and Wellington Free Ambulance for responding to medical events in impacted areas. 
“We remain focused on achieving a fair and sustainable settlement with the NZPFU so we can continue working to keep our communities safe,” Megan Stiffler says.
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Economy – How New Zealand can get more growth from its infrastructure

Source: New Zealand Infrastructure Commission

Research by the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Foundations for Growth: How infrastructure can increase productivity, spotlights the role of infrastructure in driving productivity and economic growth.
“Productivity is essential to lifting our living standards. It’s about being able to get more value out of the time we spend working, while sustaining our natural environment. In turn, infrastructure plays a key role in productivity growth – by tying together our cities and regions, connecting us with global markets, and helping us adopt new technologies,” says Peter Nunns, General Manager – Strategy at the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga.
” Foundations for Growth shows that while infrastructure is important, simply investing in new assets may not be a panacea for growth. What matters more is that new infrastructure tackles genuine ‘bottlenecks’ that are holding us back and that the infrastructure we already have is being used efficiently.
“The infrastructure we’ve built up over more than 150 years – our roads, electricity and water networks, hospitals, schools, and more – underpin our current economy. We need to ‘fix the foundations’ first if we want to keep growing, which means investing enough in maintenance, renewal, and resilience against natural hazards to retain the services we rely on,” Nunns says.
“Sometimes, we can get better value from infrastructure we already have. For example, the Commission’s research shows we get less ‘bang for buck’ from our road network than our OECD peers.
“We can boost productivity by enabling more growth in areas with good transport access, improving safety and efficiency through targeted investment, and using time-of-use pricing to fix urban congestion.
“New infrastructure can make a big difference to growth during periods of rapid technological change or significant demographic shifts, like urbanisation and population ageing. Projects that are timely, cost-effective, and well-targeted to emerging needs can help by unlocking ‘bottlenecks’ to growing and transforming our economy,” Nunns says.
“Projects that served our economy best in the past may not be the right fit for the future, however. As economies develop, the value we get from investment in digital infrastructure and energy infrastructure tends to rise, while average returns from transport investment tend to decline.
“As Foundations for Growth highlights, if we want our infrastructure to generate the greatest value for the people who use it and grow our economy, the good news is we know what it takes: a strong focus on planning ahead, choosing projects that stack up economically, and using the right tools to pay for them,” Nunns says.
The report was published alongside the National Infrastructure Plan, which represents the Commission’s advice to the Government on infrastructure investment over the next 30 years.
“Our long-term investment advice in the National Infrastructure Plan reflects the findings in Foundations for Growth. It maps out a path for lifting economic performance through infrastructure investment.
“Improving productivity isn’t about spending more, but investing carefully and strategically. We need to make sure every dollar we invest in infrastructure works as hard as possible for New Zealand's future prosperity,” Nunns says.
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Greenpeace – New Zealand’s water quality in a dire state: New govt report

Source: Greenpeace

A new report on New Zealand’s fresh water from the Ministry for Environment has been released, revealing that its quality and safety has been worsening.
The report outlines that between 2019 and 2024, 45 percent of groundwater monitoring sites had E. coli levels above legal limits for New Zealand drinking water on at least one occasion, and 12 percent had nitrate levels above legal limits.
The report also detailed that between 2020 to 2024, modelling estimated that 44 percent of New Zealand’s total river length was not suitable for activities like swimming.
Greenpeace has been ringing the alarm bells on New Zealand’s water safety for years; recently visiting parliament to ask politicians to drink water from rural taps – with nearly all of them refusing: https://www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/press-release/greenpeace-challenges-mps-to-drink-nitrate-contaminated-water-at-parliament/
Greenpeace freshwater campaigner Will Appelbe says, “New Zealand is in a freshwater crisis. Lakes are choking with toxic algae, rivers are unswimmable, and drinking water in rural communities is contaminated with unsafe levels of nitrate.”
“This report adds to the growing mountain of evidence that New Zealand’s lakes, rivers, and drinking water are in a dire state.”
The report also clearly identifies the main cause of this freshwater pollution – the agricultural sector, primarily intensive dairy farming. Appelbe says it’s clear that New Zealand’s intensive dairy production model isn’t working.
“The dairy industry has insisted on putting a cow on every square inch of Aotearoa. We have an unsustainable amount of cows on the land, and now it's putting our health – and the health of the environment – in danger. Somehow, the dairy herd is expanding for the first time in more than a decade. That cannot continue.”
“To protect lakes and rivers, and ensure that everyone – no matter where they live – has access to clean safe drinking water, we need to reduce the dairy herd size, and transition towards ecological, regenerative agricultural practices.”
“The Our Freshwater report makes it clear: the time for action is now. Every day that we delay puts freshwater quality at increased risk.”
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Property Market – Residential construction cost growth reaccelerates as building activity lifts

Source: Cotality

New Zealand residential construction costs recorded a further lift in the March quarter, with annual growth accelerating as signs of a recovery in the country’s building activity boost industry momentum.
The latest Cordell Construction Cost Index (CCCI) shows residential building costs increased by 1.0% in the three months to March. The quarterly result was slightly above the 0.9% rise in the three months to December and remains in line with the long-term average. (ref. https://www.cotality.com/nz/resources/downloads/cordell-construction-cost-index-ccci )
More notably, the annual pace of growth accelerated to 3.0% from 2.3% in the December quarter, marking the fastest increase in two-and-a-half years, albeit below the long-term average of 4%.
Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson said the shift in the annual growth rate was a key signal the sector is moving into a more active phase.
“The quarterly figures have been relatively steady, but we’ve recorded a couple of modest increases and the acceleration in the annual rate shows cost growth is starting to find some upwards momentum again,” Mr Davidson said.
“That increase reflects a gradual pickup in activity, with more projects progressing, which has placed renewed pressure on parts of the construction cost base.”
He said the latest figures suggest the period of easing cost growth seen through much of 2024 and 2025 has shifted and is moving back into a growth phrase.
“We’re still well below the extremes experienced during the post-COVID period, but two consecutive quarters of growth indicates change is occurring and costs are edging higher again as the sector recovers.”
Dwelling approvals on the rise
Recent data on dwelling consents reinforces the improving outlook for construction activity, with the annual number of new dwellings approved increasing to a two-year high of around 37,000.
Mr Davidson said the rebound from the mid-2025 trough adds to the early signs of recovery seen late last year.
“We’ve moved beyond that period of flat or declining approvals, and the recent rise in consents would suggest there’s a more sustained recovery taking shape,” he said.
“Lower mortgage rates will have improved feasibility for some projects, while policy settings continue to support new builds relative to existing housing.”
He added that consents weren’t a guarantee of completed projects, but remain a forward-looking indicator of activity, with the full impact on costs unknown.
“There’s typically a lag before those approvals translate into work on site, but the momentum is moving in an upwards direction with builders becoming busier again, and that tends to coincide with an increase in cost pressures.”
Increases were recorded across a range of materials and finishes, including a 12% lift in the cost of masonry, 5% for wallpaper, 4% for LED lighting and declines in plumbing-related products such as PVC piping and bathroom fitouts.
“We’re not seeing widespread cost surges, but enough inputs are rising to push overall costs higher. That’s consistent with a market where demand is returning and capacity is starting to tighten again at the margins,” he said.
Cost pressures to challenge construction recovery
While the construction sector is expected to continue its recovery through 2026, supported by improving demand and a stronger pipeline of approved projects, Mr Davidson said the outlook is sensitive to both domestic and global factors.
He said a lift in migration and housing demand would likely support further building activity, with the potential for construction costs to trend higher.
“More activity in the construction sector is ultimately a good thing, but even relatively modest increases can impact borrowing requirements or project feasibility, particularly at a time of broader cost-of-living pressures,” he said.
Mr Davidson noted that build costs haven’t fallen in any meaningful way, meaning many households considering a new build or renovation are still working from a high starting point as conditions begin to firm up again.
He said global uncertainty, including the US-Israel-Iran conflict and higher fuel prices, is already beginning to filter into the supply chain, with some suppliers signalling potential price increases.
“Domestic conditions are improving, but global factors will also play a role. The US-Israel-Iran conflict and higher fuel prices are unknowns that could have an impact, particularly if they flow through to freight and material costs,” he said.
Mr Davidson said these dynamics align with what the Reserve Bank has described as first-round, indirect inflation effects, and will be closely monitored for any broader flow-on impacts.
“For the construction industry itself, this will be a challenging period as firms adjust to higher fuel prices just as activity is starting to recover,” he said.
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Save the Children – Ceasefire is a first step, but children in Lebanon still under fire

Source: Save the Children

Reports that the US and Iran have agreed to a two-week conditional ceasefire will be a welcome relief for families in the region, who have suffered five weeks of bombing, displacement and terror. However, a ceasefire is still urgently needed in Lebanon and the wider region.
In the hours since the ceasefire was agreed, Israeli military bombing has intensified in Lebanon to some of the worst levels since the conflict began.
This moment must be the start of a definitive ceasefire in Iran, Lebanon and across the wider region to protect children from further harm.
Ahmad Alhendawi, Save the Children's Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe Regional Director, said:
“There is no doubt that the news of a ceasefire agreement, however incomplete, is welcome; the alternatives being discussed were beyond abhorrent and the potential implications for children were appalling.
“However, this agreement is not enough. We’re urgently calling for a definitive ceasefire for the wider region, which includes Lebanon, to protect children from further harm. Lebanon is still being bombed, with Beirut shaken today by repeated blasts.
“The situation in Lebanon is reaching breaking point, with more than a fifth of the population forced from their homes. Many families have been displaced for the second time in two years, some have no choice but to sleep on the streets or collective shelters. More than 1,500 people in Lebanon have been killed, including more than 130 children and over 450 children injured. Children in Lebanon deserve the same safety as children anywhere in the world.
“The parties to the conflict and the international community must take every step possible to ensure a definitive ceasefire.
“Upholding the rules of war is an obligation, not a choice. Wars have laws and children must be off limits.
“A whole generation of children bears the brunt of this conflict. A definitive ceasefire for the entire regional conflict, including Lebanon, is the only way to truly protect children’s lives and futures and end the suffering.
“The violence must end before more children suffer irreparable harm.”
Save the Children is the world’s largest independent child rights organization, reaching tens of millions of children annually in over 100 countries through its work to save and improve children’s lives.
About Save the Children NZ:
Save the Children works in 120 countries across the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and works with children and their communities to ensure they survive, learn and are protected.
Save the Children NZ currently supports international programmes in Fiji, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Areas of work include child protection, education and literacy, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and alleviating child poverty.
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Household labour force survey estimated working-age population: March 2026 quarter – Stats NZ information release

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Save the Children deeply concerned for children and families in the Pacific as severe Tropical Cyclone Maila intensifies, the second cyclone to hit the region in days

Source: Save the Children

Communities across Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea are currently facing the threat of Tropical Cyclone Maila, which has been upgraded to a category 5 system, while children and families in Fiji assess the damage left behind by Tropical Cyclone Vaianu. 
Save the Children staff across Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea have been preparing for the arrival of TC Maila and are monitoring the tropical cyclone closely, ready to support children and their communities in affected areas, while staff in Fiji are working to understand the level of damage and needs as the immediate threat of TC Vaianu eases.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has warned that once TC Maila has hit Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, it may move across Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula sometime over the weekend. 
Save the Children Pacific Regional Director, Kim Koch said the current situation unfolding across three Pacific Island nations clearly demonstrates the disaster-prone nature of the region and reaffirms the need to ensure children and their communities are supported in responding to and recovering from multiple disasters.
“In Solomon Islands, we understand the impact of the cyclone has already been felt, with reports of families evacuating their homes and seeking shelter in evacuation centres in parts of Choiseul and Western Province with early reports of damage to buildings, schools and food gardens. 
“The impact of TC Maila is also being felt across the east of Papua New Guinea and Bougainville, with staff on the ground reporting strong gale winds, heavy flooding, severely damaged houses, food sources flooded, and washed-out roads. There are also reports of families evacuating their homes and seeking shelter on higher grounds. 
“While the immediate threat of TC Vaianu has eased, the impacts of the Tropical Cyclone on coastal communities in Fiji is starting to become clear, with the disaster bringing heavy rain, flash flooding and strong winds, potentially damaging key roads and buildings across the impacted regions in the country, many communities will face days if not weeks of recovery ahead.
“As three Pacific Island nations grapple with multiple cyclones simultaneously, children are invariably among the hardest hitand this crisis is no exception, with many having to leave everything behind, including their homes and belongings in search of shelter.
“The reported flooding, landslides and sustained rainfall across the affected countries are likely to cause widespread damage to critical infrastructure including schools, health clinics and homes, leaving children without access to education and urgent medical care. 
“Save the Children stands ready to work alongside communities and governments across the region to do everything we can to meet the urgent needs of children and their families as they face yet another devastating disaster.”
Climate induced disasters disproportionately impact children and young people, particularly as a result of disruption to education and psychosocial trauma associated with ongoing experiences of intensifying disasters. 
In October 2025, Save the Children released a new study warning that the climate crisis and its impacts, such as more frequent and intense cyclones, are making it significantly harder for families across the Pacific to access healthy food, worsening child malnutrition rates across the region.
Save the Children has a long history of responding to emergencies in the Pacific, ensuring we work alongside Pacific governments in the coordination of any response.
About Save the Children NZ:
Save the Children works in 120 countries across the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and works with children and their communities to ensure they survive, learn and are protected.
Save the Children NZ currently supports international programmes in Fiji, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Areas of work include child protection, education and literacy, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and alleviating child poverty.
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Storm News – Get ready for Cyclone Vaianu now – before it arrives – NEMA

Source: National Emergency Management Agency

More severe weather is moving towards Aotearoa New Zealand and people should take steps to get ready now, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says.
Tropical Cyclone Vaianu is currently lying northwest of Fiji, and MetService modelling shows it heading towards New Zealand on Friday and Saturday.
The cyclone is expected to bring heavy rain and extremely high winds, and MetService says red severe weather warnings may be issued.
“People should take time now to get ready before Cyclone Vaianu arrives,” John Price, NEMA’s Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management, says.
“Act now and not later – later may be too late!
“If you can, make sure drains around your property are clear of waste and debris and bring inside or tie down anything that strong winds could break or pick up.
“Stay up to date with the latest weather information from MetService and your local civil defence emergency management group.
“Trust your danger sense, and don’t wait for official warnings. Do not enter floodwaters, as they are dangerous and can kill you.”
John Price says in some areas, the ground is still saturated after recent heavy rain – and this means landslides are almost certain.
“Watch for warning signs like small slips or rockfalls, water flowing out of a slope, trees or fences that start to tilt or doors and window frames that start to stick. Also take care around trees which may become unstable and fall.
“This latest severe weather will be particularly tough for communities that are still in recovery mode. Remember to look after yourselves and each other, and reach out if you need support.
“MetService, ESNZ, NEMA, Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups and partner agencies are all closely monitoring Cyclone Vaianu and NEMA is coordinating government assistance as needed.”
Find advice about preparing for storms, flooding and other severe weather hazards in multiple languages and alternate formats at the Get Ready website: www.getready.govt.nz
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Climate News – A dry start to autumn for much of New Zealand

Source: Earth Sciences New Zealand

March was a mild and mostly settled month for Aotearoa New Zealand. However, the significant rain event in the upper North Island during the final week of the month led to states of emergency, mass evacuations, power outages, emergency rescues and widespread road closures from Northland to the Bay of Plenty. Several locations experienced near record March daily rainfall totals.
Further Highlights:
-The highest temperature was 30.9°C, observed at Alexandra on 7 March.
-The lowest temperature was -2.6°C, observed at Pūkaki Airport 3 March.
-The highest 1-day rainfall was 214 mm, recorded at Cathedral Cove on 26 March.
-The highest wind gust was 163 km/h, observed at South West Cape on 6 March.
-Of the six main centres, Tauranga and Auckland was the warmest, Auckland was the sunniest, Tauranga was the wettest, Dunedin was the driest, Christchurch was the coolest, and Wellington was the least sunny.
-The sunniest four regions in 2026 so far are Taranaki (802 hours), Tasman (774 hours), wider Nelson (769 hours), and Auckland (723 hours). 
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Fossil fuel crisis response opportunity to rebalance tax system for fairer, more sustainable future

Source: Tax Justice Aotearoa

8 April 2026, 2:30 pm – New Zealand's response to the fossil fuel crisis must provide immediate relief to communities and local businesses, and enable a recovery that is equitable and sustainable, building our resilience for future shocks. Some practical measures to rebalance our tax system would make a significant contribution to such a response, says Tax Justice Aotearoa (TJA), and the Better Taxes for a Better Future Campaign (Better Taxes).

“Despite the potential of a ceasefire, there are tough times ahead for many of us already struggling with the cost of living. We need an effective immediate response that provides meaningful support to those worst affected, including small businesses, those on low incomes, Māori, Pacific and rural communities,” says TJA and Better Taxes spokesperson Glenn Barclay.

“But this crisis also provides us with an opportunity to make a meaningful shift towards a low carbon economy, and energy sovereignty. It is also an opportunity to rebuild a more resilient and productive economy that rewards hard work and shares our wealth more fairly.”

“The Government seems to want to respond within its self-imposed fiscal limits, but it is likely to have to do more. There is an urgent need to grow government revenue to fund both the immediate response and the longer-term recovery,” says Glenn Barclay. “This must be done in a way that protects the least well off, while ensuring that those who can afford it, and those who benefit from it, contribute the most.”

TJA and Better Taxes are calling for the Government to immediately adopt the following measures:

  • Introduce a windfall tax, targeting industries, companies or sectors that make unusually high profits during the crisis. This should apply to fuel companies, but also other sectors that may make windfall profits, such as the banks, supermarkets and energy companies. Revenue gathered via this mechanism should be earmarked for the immediate costs of the crisis response.
  • Require fuel companies to report profit margins to ensure  the Government has sufficient information from fuel companies and other relevant sectors to monitor windfall profits. Information on the margins of each fuel company should be published on a regular basis (e.g. weekly) throughout the crisis.
  • A one off wealth tax. The crisis will hit those on low incomes much harder than the ultra wealthy. The Government should consider the one off application of a wealth tax on those who earn, or own assets, above a high threshold.
  • Target investment boost to green energy. The Government's investment boost should be amended immediately to target private investment in green energy infrastructure that will reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and make our economy more resilient (e.g. solar panels, company EVs).
  • Establish recovery corporate surcharges on sectors that are vulnerable to shocks, manage critical infrastructure and services, and/or lack competition (e.g. major banks, supermarket chains, electricity gentailers) to discourage excessive profits and generate revenue to build our resilience for future crises. 

TJA and Better Taxes do not support any temporary reduction of the fuel excise. It would do nothing to reduce demand for fuel and the financial advantage would flow to big corporations, and the ultra-wealthy, as much as the least well off. The measures outlined above focus on delivering relief to those least able to weather the crisis, while supporting a transition to a more equitable, resilient and productive economy.

“A windfall tax on fossil fuel companies and transparency around their profit margins will discourage price gouging, and generate the revenue we need to provide immediate support to struggling whānau and local small and medium businesses,” says Glenn Barclay. “Other tax reform measures proposed will both generate much needed revenue, and enable us to take advantage of this moment to start to rebalance our tax system to support a more sustainable, fairer future for everyone in Aotearoa.”

Tax reform is the primary focus of TJA and Better Taxes, but increased borrowing is also a legitimate way to fund crisis response, particularly when accompanied by the recommended tax measures. Further, borrowing for immediate and medium term investment to build green energy sovereignty and resilience to future shocks is appropriate; a failure to make sufficient investments would be reckless.