Category: Business

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Banks are paying customers to stay

Source: Radio New Zealand

It is common for retention payments to be about 0.4 percent of the loan amount. File photo. RNZ

Home loan borrowers are taking cashback incentives to stay with their current banks, as competition continues in the mortgage market.

The focus on cashback incentives intensified through the end of 2025, when ANZ ran a campaign offering cash payments equal to 1.5 percent of loan amounts to new home loan borrowers.

That prompted other lenders to match it, and in some cases offer borrowers incentives to stay, too.

Helen Stuart, a mortgage adviser at Compass Mortgages, said she had seen “retention payments” offered by several banks lately, especially when someone had all their lending come off a fixed term.

She had one client turned down who still had a year to run on half his lending.

It is harder to change to a different lender when some of the loan is still fixed, because it usually means a break fee has to be paid.

Stuart said it was common for retention payments to be about 0.4 percent of the loan amount. “But it varies.”

Campbell Hastie, of Hastie Mortgages, said it was still happening, although the activity had slowed since December.

“The number of retention payments we organised was probably higher than the number of refinance deals we concluded.

“That’s because by the time you paid the legal fees for moving, in many cases the retention cash payment looked about the same as the refinance cash less legal fees, not to mention the effort required to actually make the change.”

Jeremy Andrews, of Key Mortgages, said what people could get would depend on how long a customer had had their loan, whether they had taken a cashback previously and whether they had more than 20 percent equity.

“Some banks will refuse retention cash if the clients are already fixed in and they see it as of no benefit to the client to refinance to another bank. Some examples include if it’d be detrimental either in break fees – they’re already on higher than market rates, or if they would need to move to higher rates in the market, or the legal costs associated exceed any cashback benefit of moving.

“When retention cash is offered it’s typically a lot less than the same bank will offer for new business – often between 0.25 percent to 0.4 percent of the lending amount, compared to currently up to 0.9 percent or even 1 percent cashback for new or refinanced lending.”

Banks said it was a response to competition in the market.

ANZ said it was “fighting to hold on to and win new customers in a very competitive market”.

“Customers consider a number of things when choosing who to get a home loan from – pricing, product, approval times and other incentives on offer. At times we will offer deals like cash contributions for customers.

“For existing customers, we encourage people to connect with us to ensure they are aware of all the options available to them. We’ll always endeavour to give our customers the most competitive offer – our bankers can sometimes offer cash contributions to existing customers.”

Westpac agreed competition was fierce.

“We’re working hard to both retain existing customers and win new ones. We consider a range of options to make sure we are providing great value for all our customers.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/24/banks-are-paying-customers-to-stay/

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Government set to unveil details of fuel support package

Source: Radio New Zealand

Cabinet has signed off on what support the government will offer in the face of rising fuel costs. RNZ / Dan Cook

The Citizens Advice Bureau says people are going to need significant support as fuel prices continue to rise, and is hopeful whatever relief the government is set to offer will include support for those not in paid work.

Cabinet has signed off on what support the government will offer, with details to be released later on Tuesday.

The Finance Minister has hinted it would be targeted towards low and middle income families.

“It must be targeted, it must be timely, and it must be temporary and not drive inflation or debt higher, because as we steer New Zealand through this immediate challenge, we must also continue to look to the future and bend the debt curve down,” Nicola Willis said on Monday.

The fact the Inland Revenue Department and Treasury had been tasked with going over the options, and a previous admission from the government it would use existing mechanisms, indicated it could be looking at changes to Working for Families.

The In-Work Tax Credit (IWTC) was paid out depending on someone’s income, the weeks they worked, and how many children they had.

In April, the government would raise the abatement threshold (the income level at which the credit would reduce) from $42,700 to $44,900.

There was also the Independent Earner Tax Credit (IETC) for people earning between $24,000 and $70,000.

The IETC was designed to help people on lower to middle incomes that were not eligible for Working for Families.

People earning between $24,000 and $66,000 received a tax credit of $10 per week. It decreased by 13 cents for every dollar someone earned over $66,000.

Asked on Monday whether the abatement thresholds would be temporarily changed, Willis said she would wait to comment until the details of the package were announced.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The Citizens Advice Bureau’s national policy advisor Louise May said there were already “high levels of stress” amongst the client base, and the latest hike in the cost of living could plunge people further into hardship.

“We’ve got a lot of clients coming in for help who are just unable to make ends meet. That includes clients with work and those without, and we are really concerned that those clients are going to be in even more dire financial and material hardship situations,” she said.

May hoped both people in work and people receiving income support who did not have paid work were offered relief, and also called for relief for support services such as food banks and emergency accommodation.

“Any measure to increase money coming into the pockets of people who are struggling should definitely be looked at. One thing we’re really concerned about is the fact that there hasn’t been mention of families who don’t have paid work,” she said.

“We think it’s really important that any relief package that’s introduced as a result of this latest crisis also includes families and people who don’t currently have paid employment. They are the ones who are going to be most affected.”

May said it was not just about what people were paying at the pump, but rent and food prices were also high, and people were struggling.

The Citizens Advice Bureau says people are going to need significant support as fuel prices continue to rise. RNZ / Mark Papalii

Infometrics chief executive and principal economist Brad Olsen said changes to the IWTC or IETC would be quick and effective.

He said the difficulty of using the tax system was it would not be as easy for households to see the money come into their back pockets compared to a helicopter payment such as the 2022 Cost of Living Payment, but it would mean the government could run it out quickly and then run it back quickly.

“It does seem like probably the best way to move things through is to use the tax system. Whether or not it’s enough, any little bit will help at the moment, given the sorts of pressures that some households are under. I guess the most workable thing using the tax system around the Independent Earner Tax Credit and the In Work Tax Credit is that they can be targeted to those on lower incomes already, and so you are getting the support there through to people who probably need it most.”

Olsen said the government would be trying to balance providing support and limiting the costs.

“There’s no extra money in the system, and to fund whatever package the government is coming out with either requires an increase in debt or something else in the government system to be cut back on,” he said.

“They want to provide as much support as possible, but keep the limitations tight so they’re not sort of spending a huge amount. And for some people, that does mean that they will feel that they’re not getting the support they might expect from government. But equally, the wider you go, the more money it costs, and therefore at some point, the more the country has to repay.”

Olsen said one of the risks of using tax system changes was they were sometimes “so fiendishly complex” that households may not know what they were entitled to, and sometimes neither did the government.

“They get too much or too little, and then you only find out after the fact that they actually either deserve more, or sometimes in the worst case, they have to start paying this money back, which would almost be the complete opposite of what the government wants to try and support at the moment.

“So you want to, from a government point of view, try and balance these changes, to make them as absolutely blunt and simple as possible, to get that money out the door, to support those who need it, but also have it go through enough of a workable system, which is a more complex tax system that we have to try and provide that sort of targeted focus.”

Infometrics chief executive and principal economist Brad Olsen. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Labour leader Chris Hipkins was reserving judgement on what the government would offer until he had seen the details, but said the “principle” was that it should be offered to all people on low and fixed incomes.

“Anyone on a fixed income or a low income is going to be suffering at the moment because of the high price of fuel. That includes superannuitants, it includes people living on benefits, it includes people caring for others and not currently earning an income, not just those who are on low incomes in the workforce.”

Hipkins would not, however, offer up what Labour would do differently if it was in power, saying it was up to the government to present a plan.

“At the moment, the onus has to be on the current government to lead the country through that,” Hipkins said.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins. RNZ / Mark Papalii

The Green Party has proposed an urgent support package including free public transport, relief payments for low income and rural people to help meet additional transport costs, temporarily expanding eligibility for school buses and reversing cuts to school bus routes, reversing planned cuts to the Total Mobility Scheme, increasing mileage rates to care and support workers who receive well below standard IRD mileage, and a windfall profits tax.

Asked why the Greens could propose policies but Labour could not, Hipkins said minor parties could “promise a lot of things” during election campaigns.

“They get a lot more luxury to promise whatever they want, compared to the bigger parties,” Hipkins said.

In a post on social media on Monday night, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he had spoken with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong about what more they could do to deal with difficulties in fuel and other supply chains.

Luxon said about a third of New Zealand’s fuel was refined in Singapore and the two leaders agreed it was important to keep the trade of essential goods flowing between the two countries.

“We’re working hard to ensure New Zealand’s fuel needs are met amidst the conflict in the Middle East, which is causing disruption to supply and higher prices at the pump,” he said.

“When I visit Singapore in May, we will sign the Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies, a deal that will help keep supply chains flowing for fuel, food and other products.

“Building on the great platform we’ve built with one another, we also talked about what further work our Governments can do together as we navigate through these supply chain challenges.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/24/government-set-to-unveil-details-of-fuel-support-package/

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Global family office leaders gather for Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 March 2026 – A principal dinner was held by the Government this evening (March 23), bringing together about 130 family office decision-makers from Asia, Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and Africa to set the stage for the fourth edition of the Wealth for Good in Hong Kong (WGHK) Summit themed “Building Lasting Legacies”, which will take place tomorrow (March 24).

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, speaks at the principal dinner of the Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit today (March 23).

“For many, the future may feel less certain, more complex, than it did when we were at this event a year ago. But rest assured: Hong Kong stands strong and unwavering – a city where capital, institutions and families can keep a firm footing, even as the world around them is shifting,” the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, said in his welcome remarks. “More and more family offices are turning to Hong Kong. We are now home to over 3 380 single family offices – a 25 per cent increase in the past two years. More than half of them have second-generation members, or beyond, in leadership roles. This reflects the confidence that ultra-high-net-worth families have in Hong Kong as a base for wealth transfer between generations.”

The night was highlighted by a magnificent “human-robot lion dance” performance at the start, where traditional lion dancers performed alongside agile robot dogs, bringing the stage to life through vivid movements. The display was a seamless blend of cultural heritage and cutting-edge technology, embodying Hong Kong’s spirit of embracing both tradition and innovation, while echoing the Summit’s focus on frontier themes such as AI and robotics.

Set against a vibrant blend of heritage and innovation, attendees of the principal dinner had an enjoyable night filled with great food and lively exchanges. They were also impressed by the fascinating world-famous Hong Kong skyline, glamourised by photo spots decorated with neon light and retro Hong Kong vibes set up at an open area of the venue. The beautiful night scene created a more relaxing atmosphere for them to connect and share their ideas of bringing social impacts with their wealth.

Tomorrow, family office decision makers and successors from around the world will engage in thought leadership by speakers on three core themes – “Strategic Asset Management for Family Legacy”, “Cultural Value Foundation for a Thriving Market”, and “Smart Tech Innovation Driving Capital Appreciation”- as well as a fireside chat on “Sports and Philanthropy” at the WGHK Summit. These conversations aim to inspire participants in various ways towards building legacies, reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as the premier hub for global family offices for legacy planning and value creation.

Hashtag: #WGHK

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/24/global-family-office-leaders-gather-for-wealth-for-good-in-hong-kong-summit/

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Melco garners six diamonds in the 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide

Source: Media Outreach

MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 March 2026 – Melco Resorts & Entertainment has garnered six diamonds in the 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide, further reaffirming the Company’s status as a global leader in fine dining and underlining its commitment to culinary excellence.

Jade Dragon at City of Dreams – Black Pearl Restaurant Guide Three-diamonds Restaurant

City of Dreams’ signature Cantonese fine dining restaurant Jade Dragon secured the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide‘s coveted Three Diamonds accolade for the seventh consecutive year, upholding its status as Macau’s one and only three diamond Chinese restaurant, and was honored the special “Annual Dish Award” for its signature “Steamed Garoupa Fillet on Egg White Custard with Aged Chinese Hua Diao Wine Sauce” course. Innovative Chinese restaurant Yí at City of Dreams received One Diamond, marking its seventh year of such achievement. Revering the great traditions and savoir-faire of French cuisine, Alain Ducasse at Morpheus maintains its One Diamond status for the third consecutive year, whilst City of Dreams’ tranquil Japanese restaurant Sushi Kinetsu upholds its One Diamond honor in the esteemed guide for the third consecutive year.

Mr. Lawrence Ho, Chairman & CEO of Melco, said, “It is a profound honor for Melco to be recognized once again by the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide in 2026. In addition to the recent achievements in the MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2026, these prestigious accolades are a testament to our unwavering dedication to culinary innovation and our commitment to strengthening Macau’s position as a UNESCO-designated Creative City of Gastronomy.

“This achievement would not be possible without the incredible passion and hard work of our Colleagues. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to our world-class culinary and front-of-house teams; it is their relentless pursuit of service excellence that allows us to consistently deliver the most memorable and exquisite dining experiences to our guests from around the globe. We remain steadfast in our mission to push the boundaries of luxury hospitality and contribute to the vibrant diversification of Macau’s tourism landscape.”

At the award ceremony which took place today in Singapore, Melco properties’ restaurants received the following honors:

JADE DRAGON – Three Diamonds and Annual Dish Award for “Steamed Garoupa Fillet on Egg White Custard withAged Chinese Hua Diao Wine Sauce”
Being the only Cantonese restaurant in Greater China awarded with both Three Black Pearl Diamonds and Three MICHELIN Stars, Jade Dragon showcases exquisite culinary masterpieces created with the freshest seasonal ingredients and delectable delicacies. Jade Dragon sets the benchmark for fine dining in Macau with its spectacular designer décor and superlative personalized service. Recent honors and awards include:

  • Black Pearl Restaurant Guide Three Diamonds (2020-2026)
  • MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau Three Stars (2019-2026)
  • Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating (2014-2026)
  • Trip.com Gourmet’s Black Diamond award (2021-2023, 2026), Diamond award (2024-2025)
  • Harper’s BAZAAR HK’s Restaurant of the Year (2026), BAZAAR Taste Elite Macao (2024-2026)
  • Tatler Best Awards Asia Pacific’s Best 100 Restaurants (2024-2025)
  • Tatler Best Awards Hong Kong & Macau’s Restaurant of the Year Macau (2025), Best 20 Restaurants Macau (2025)
  • Tatler Dining Guide’s Top 20 Macau Restaurants List (2024)
  • South China Morning Post’s 100 Top Tables (2014-2025)
  • TARGET ELITE SELECT Awards’ Chinese Restaurant of the Year (2025), Cantonese Restaurant of the Year (2024)
  • TimeOut Beijing Food & Bar Awards’ Cantonese Restaurant of the Year (2025)
  • China Feast Restaurants Awards’ Annual Influential Restaurants (2025)
  • La Liste’s Top 1,000 World’s Best Restaurants (2025)
  • Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence (2014-2025)
  • World Culinary Awards’ Asia’s Best Hotel Restaurant (2025), Macao’s Best Hotel Restaurant (2022-2025)
  • Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia’s Macau Tastemakers List (2024-2025)
  • Three Stars in Golden Phoenix Tree China Restaurant Guide (2024-2025)

YÍ – One Diamond
One-diamond award winner Yí, located on the 21st floor Sky Bridge of Morpheus, offers the very heights of innovative fine dining and Chinese cuisine served in a modern seasonal tasting menu format. Its degustation menu is inspired by the 24 Solar Terms of the Traditional Chinese Calendar (Jie Qi), changes 12 times a year and highlights many of the restaurant’s signature dishes. Recent honors and awards include:

  • Black Pearl Restaurant Guide One Diamond (2020-2026)
  • Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Awards (2020-2026)
  • Trip.com Gourmet’s Platinum award (2021-2026)
  • Harper’s BAZAAR HK’s BAZAAR Taste Elite Macao (2024-2025)
  • Tatler Best Hong Kong & Macau’s Best 20 Restaurants Macau (2025)
  • Tatler Dining Guide’s Top 20 Macau Restaurants List (2024)
  • South China Morning Post’s 100 Top Tables (2019-2025)
  • China Feast Restaurants Awards’ Best Innovative Restaurants (2025)
  • Food&Wine The Best Awards’ Hotel Restaurant of the Year (2025)
  • La Liste’s Top 1,000 World’s Best Restaurants (2025)
  • Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence (2022-2025)
  • Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia’s Macau Tastemakers List (2024-2025)

ALAIN DUCASSE AT MORPHEUS – One Diamond
Awarded One Diamond, Alain Ducasse at Morpheus redefines legendary French classics with a contemporary vision and sentimental approach to cooking. The restaurant located at City of Dreams sources produce from the best regions which is harvested at its optimal time, highlighting a deep appreciation for nature and an intimate understanding of the seasons. Sourcing from small-scale farms and line-caught fish, the restaurant ensures unparalleled quality and a distinctive tasting experience. Recent honors and awards include:

  • Black Pearl Restaurant Guide One Diamond (2024-2026)
  • MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau Two Stars (2019-2026)
  • Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating (2020-2026)
  • Trip.com Gourmet’s Diamond award (2022-2026)
  • Harper’s BAZAAR HK’s BAZAAR Taste Elite Macao (2026)
  • Tatler Best Awards Asia Pacific’s Best 100 Restaurants (2025)
  • Tatler Best Awards Hong Kong & Macau’s Best Service (2025), Best 20 Restaurants Macau (2025)
  • Tatler Dining Guide’s Top 20 Macau Restaurants List (2024)
  • South China Morning Post’s 100 Top Tables (2020-2025)
  • TimeOut Beijing Food & Bar Awards’ French Restaurant of the Year (2025)
  • La Liste’s Top 1,000 World’s Best Restaurants (2025)
  • Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence (2019-2025)
  • TARGET ELITE SELECT Awards’ French Restaurant of the Year (2024)
  • Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia’s Macau Tastemakers List (2024)

SUSHI KINETSU – One Diamond
Bestowed One Diamond, Sushi Kinetsu at City of Dreams offers authentic Edomae sushi across a beautiful, centuries old Hinoki wood sushi bar. The tranquil restaurant serves seasonal delicacies using only the finest ingredients, crafted by Japanese master chefs. Recent honors and awards include:

  • Black Pearl Restaurant Guide One Diamond (2024-2026)
  • MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau One Star (2024-2026)
  • Trip.com Gourmet’s Diamond award (2024-26), Platinum award (2023)
  • Harper’s BAZAAR HK’s BAZAAR Taste Spotlight Macao (2026)
  • Tatler Best Hong Kong & Macau’s restaurant list (2025)

https://www.melco-resorts.com
https://hk.linkedin.com/company/melco-resorts-entertainment
https://x.com/MelcoResorts
https://www.facebook.com/MelcoCSR/
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Hashtag: #melco #blackpearl #cityofdreamsmacau #jadedragon #alainducasseatmorpheus #sushikinetsu #yi

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/24/melco-garners-six-diamonds-in-the-2026-black-pearl-restaurant-guide/

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Trip.com Highlights Growing Demand for China Travel as Guangzhou and Zhuhai Gain Popularity Among International Visitors

Source: Media Outreach

GUANGZHOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 March 2026 – Trip.com, a leading global travel service provider, reports growing demand for travel to China, with Guangzhou and Zhuhai emerging as popular destinations among international visitors, particularly from Southeast Asia, including Malaysia.

According to Trip.com, improved accessibility, a vibrant food scene, and the availability of first-timer-friendly destinations are contributing to this trend.

Among the key drivers is Chimelong Resort, a leading entertainment and hospitality brand in China, known for its integrated resort model combining theme parks, marine attractions and safari experiences. These offerings position the resort as a one-stop destination for travelers seeking diverse experiences ranging from thrill rides to wildlife encounters.

At Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai Hengqin, visitors can explore marine attractions through a panoramic aquarium viewing panel measuring 8.3 meters in height and 39.6 meters in width. Signature experiences include the “Polar Explorer” roller coaster, which simulates travel through icy terrain, and the interactive “Battle of the Pirates” water-based attraction, offering seasonal family entertainment.

The Chimelong Spaceship, a space-themed indoor marine science park, is marketed as one of the world’s largest indoor amusement parks, combining marine life exhibits such as orcas with immersive attractions including the “Bermuda Storm” motion simulator and “Deep Sea Submarine.”

In Guangzhou, Chimelong Safari Park features over 300 species of animals, including the world’s only surviving giant panda triplets — Mengmeng, Shuaishuai and Kuku, representing a milestone in panda conservation. In late 2024, Mengmeng gave birth to a cub, Mei Zhu, further enhancing the park’s appeal to visitors.

Trip.com data indicates increasing interest in family-friendly attractions, edutainment experiences and wildlife tourism, with integrated resorts playing a central role in itinerary planning.

Through its platform, Trip.com enables seamless booking of transportation, accommodation, attraction tickets and travel packages, offering a one-stop travel solution. Indicative pricing available on the platform includes:

  • Chimelong Safari Park one-day ticket: RM240.19
  • Chimelong Ocean Kingdom one-day ticket: RM315.69

Booking information available via Trip.com

Accommodation options across Chimelong resorts further support diversified travel needs. In Guangzhou, visitors can choose from Chimelong Hotel, Chimelong Xiangjiang Hotel and Chimelong Panda Hotel, featuring themes such as wildlife, Lingnan culture and family-oriented panda experiences.

In Zhuhai Hengqin, accommodation options include Chimelong Spaceship Hotel, Chimelong Penguin Hotel, Chimelong Hengqin Bay Hotel and Chimelong Circus Hotel, catering to a wide range of traveler preferences.

As demand for experiential and integrated travel continues to grow, Trip.com expects destinations such as Chimelong Resort to remain key drivers of China’s tourism development.

Hashtag: #Tripcom

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/24/trip-com-highlights-growing-demand-for-china-travel-as-guangzhou-and-zhuhai-gain-popularity-among-international-visitors/

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Galaxy Macau Welcomes Yamazato’s First One Diamond Accolade in the 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide, Joining 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA and Feng Wei Ju as Distinguished Awardees

Source: Media Outreach

MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 March 2026 -Galaxy Macau proudly celebrates a new milestone in its culinary journey, as Yamazato makes its inaugural appearance in the 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide with a prestigious One Diamond rating. This recognition marks Yamazato‘s first inclusion in the influential dining guide and positions it alongside two of the Group’s acclaimed restaurants — 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA and Feng Wei Ju at StarWorld Hotel — both of which have once again been awarded One Diamond. Together, the accolades reaffirm Galaxy Macau’s unwavering commitment to elevating Macau’s gastronomic landscape through excellence, innovation and culinary artistry.

Galaxy Macau celebrates its gastronomic achievements as Yamazato debuts in 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide with One Diamond, in addition to 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA and StarWorld Hotel’s Feng Wei Ju retaining their One Diamond distinctions.

The results were announced today at the 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide Awards Ceremony for Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and overseas regions, held in Singapore.

Yamazato: A Refined Expression of Japanese Culinary Craftsmanship

Yamazato at Galaxy Macau debuts in the 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide with a One Diamond rating, recognising its seasonal Japanese seafood, premium ingredients and refined kaiseki artistry framed by serene resort views.

Located on the 28th floor of Hotel Okura Macau, Yamazato showcases the pinnacle of Japanese fine dining, anchored by its artisanal kaiseki and complemented by impeccably sourced seafood, pristine sashimi and sushi, and thoughtfully curated premium beef selections. Under the guidance of Executive Chef Hideaki Hayashi, each dish is crafted with precision to express the purity and beauty of the season.

With its understated Japanese design and sweeping views of Galaxy Macau’s landscaped gardens, the restaurant offers a serene and elegant setting. A main dining room, intimate sushi counter and a private room for up to 12 guests create a versatile yet immersive dining experience.

Yamazato‘s One Diamond debut is a strong testament to its culinary vision, craftsmanship and commitment to exceptional service.

Culinary Icons Continue Their Legacy of Excellence

Feng Wei Ju at StarWorld Hotel is honoured with One Diamond distinction once again in the 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide

At StarWorld Hotel, Feng Wei Ju continues to set the benchmark for Hunan and Sichuan cuisine in Macau. Under the leadership of Executive Chef Chan Chek Keong, the restaurant—renowned for its bold flavours, technical finesse and modern interpretations of regional classics—celebrates its continued recognition with a One Diamond rating in the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide. This achievement complements its exceptional distinction of holding Two MICHELIN Stars for ten consecutive years, underscoring its longstanding leadership in regional Chinese cuisine.

8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA, Italian fine-dining at Galaxy Macau, extends its One Diamond accolade for the third year in one of China’s most authoritative restaurant guide.

Meanwhile, 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA at Galaxy Macau continues to uphold its distinguished One Diamond standing. Guided by Executive Chef Marino D’Antonio, the restaurant remains celebrated for Italian cuisine that marries heritage with contemporary finesse. Its unwavering emphasis on exceptional ingredients, precise technique and disciplined consistency has earned it an impressive eleven consecutive years of MICHELIN starred recognition, securing its place as one of Macau’s most enduring and admired fine dining destinations.

Reaffirming Galaxy Macau’s Culinary Excellence

Collectively, these honours underscore the depth, diversity and consistency of Galaxy Macau’s award-winning portfolio, spanning globally recognised fine dining, regional Chinese cuisines and a spectrum of diverse experiences shaped with passion and precision. Together, the achievements reflect the resort’s continued commitment to advancing its culinary offerings and elevating its offerings, reinforcing Galaxy Macau’s role in shaping an exceptional dining scene that resonates with guests from around the world.

The Black Pearl Restaurant Guide is shaped through anonymous assessments by seasoned gastronomes and culinary experts, who evaluate restaurants on culinary excellence, service quality, dining environment and the balance of heritage and innovation. It is regarded as one of the most influential and respected rating systems in China’s dining landscape.

Hashtag: #GalaxyMacau

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/galaxy-macau-welcomes-yamazatos-first-one-diamond-accolade-in-the-2026-black-pearl-restaurant-guide-joining-8%C2%BD-otto-e-mezzo-bombana-and-feng-wei-ju-as-distinguished-awardees/

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Roar Together, Rise Together: Football Association Of Singapore Launches Brand Film Celebrating The Nation’s Love For The Game

Source: Media Outreach

Through the journey of Men’s National Team Head Coach Gavin Lee, from boyhood dreams to leading the Lions

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 March 2026 – The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) has launched a new brand film that captures the universal love for football, inviting Singaporeans to see themselves in the Lions’ journey and rally behind the national team.

A scene from FAS’ brand film, capturing Singapore coming together in support of the national team

At its heart, the film tells a deeply human story through the Men’s National Team Head Coach, Gavin Lee. From a young boy discovering the game to leading the national team on the touchline, his journey reflects the enduring connection many Singaporeans share with football across generations, backgrounds, and walks of life.

Developed by FAS, the film moves beyond the pitch to spotlight the emotions, memories, and meaning that define football’s place in Singapore’s identity. It is a reminder that football is more than a game. It is a shared language that brings people together. The film has been released on FAS social media platforms and is also available on the FAS YouTube channel.

Set against the backdrop of the Lions’ ongoing journey, the film underscores a unifying message that in every Singaporean, there is a spirit of the Lion. Whether in the stands, on the streets, or on the pitch, that spirit is carried through belief, resilience, and pride.

The launch comes at a special moment for the Lions, who return home after making history on the road, qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup on merit for the first time.

Unleash Your Roar at the National Stadium. For Football. For Singapore.

With their place secured, the team will play their final qualifier against Bangladesh on 31 March at the National Stadium, offering fans the opportunity to celebrate this milestone together.

For supporters cheering on the Lions live at the National Stadium, gates will open from 6pm. Pre-match fan zone and stadium activities will include Shopee Sure-Win Scratch Card digital giveaways, airbrush tattoos, sticker stations, on-site jersey customisation, dedicated photo installations and welcome boards.

From 7pm, the atmosphere inside the stadium will build further with freebie drops from the stands, a live Kallang Roar Noise Meter, a matchday grand draw, and a live pre-match performance by Shazza.

Entertainment will continue at half-time with a live performance by Iman Fandi, while supporters in attendance can also receive a complimentary Playback Asia AFC Qualifying Campaign Commemorative Card, available at the in-stadia merchandise booths while stocks last.

Following the final whistle, the Lions will return to the pitch to thank supporters before the evening concludes with a stadium-wide pyrotechnic display celebrating Singapore’s successful qualification campaign.

Moments like these reflect FAS’ commitment to growing a vibrant football culture, bringing Singaporeans together in shared pride and support for the Lions.

As the Lions take to the field on 31 March, FAS calls on all Singaporeans to stand together, wear red, make their voices heard, and be part of the roar.

Tickets for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers match between Singapore and Bangladesh on 31 March at the National Stadium are available via Ticketek. Official Lions merchandise is also available on the FAS Official Store on Shopee. For more information about matchday festivities, please visit: https://fas.org.sg/road-to-riyadh/.

https://fas.org.sg/
https://www.tiktok.com/@fasingapore
https://www.facebook.com/singaporefootball/
https://www.instagram.com/fasingapore/?hl=en

Hashtag: #FAS

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/roar-together-rise-together-football-association-of-singapore-launches-brand-film-celebrating-the-nations-love-for-the-game/

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Canterbury leads ASB’s rankings as Auckland rebounds and Wellington finishes last

Source: Radio New Zealand

ASB said Canterbury secured its third quarterly win of 2025. RNZ / Nate McKinnon

ASB’s latest Regional Economic Scoreboard shows Canterbury leading New Zealand’s regional growth, Auckland making strong gains, and Wellington slipping to the bottom of the rankings.

Canterbury scored back-to-back economic wins in ASB’s latest regional economic survey.

Canterbury finished the final quarter of 2025 on a strong note, once again topping ASB’s Regional Economic Scoreboard as the country’s best‑performing regional economy.

Otago and Waikato tied for second place, while Auckland jumped from seventh to fourth.

ASB said Canterbury secured its third quarterly win of 2025, outperforming the rest of the country in employment, retail spending, housing activity and population growth.

Chief economist Nick Tuffley said the South Island continued to lead New Zealand’s multi‑speed recovery.

“Canterbury has delivered back‑to‑back wins to close out the year, supported by strong dairy incomes, steady jobs growth, resilient consumer spending and the recovery of the tourism sector,” he said.

Otago’s ranking was boosted by a strong tourism rebound, while Waikato benefited from a robust primary sector and an improving labour market.

ASB expects the upcoming Fonterra capital return from the sale of Mainland to further lift dairy farming regions through increased spending and investment.

Auckland’s rise was driven by gains in retail spending, construction activity and consumer confidence, although its labour market remains subdued.

Tuffley said Auckland’s move up the rankings showed the economic upswing was widening beyond the regions that led earlier in the cycle.

At the other end of the table, Wellington finished last, weighed down by ongoing weakness in the housing market, construction activity and discretionary spending, despite relatively strong employment growth.

Tuffley said Wellington’s economy should improve, helped by low interest rates, but emerging challenges could slow the pace of recovery.

Nationally, ASB said the economy showed signs of growth in the final quarter of 2025 as lower interest rates lifted retail spending and employment indicators stabilised.

However, Tuffley warned the conflict in the Middle East would pose fresh headwinds through higher energy costs and rising inflation.

“The situation and extent of any impact to growth and inflation is highly uncertain and will depend on how long the conflict goes on for,” he said.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/23/canterbury-leads-asbs-rankings-as-auckland-rebounds-and-wellington-finishes-last/

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Vincom Retail unites hundreds of partners to pioneer the future of retail in Vietnam

Source: Media Outreach

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 March 2026 – On March 20, 2026, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vincom Retail hosted the event “The New Era – Partnering to Shape the Future”, welcoming more than 500 domestic and international partners. The large-scale forum served as a platform for stakeholders to exchange market perspectives, update on emerging trends, and explore collaboration opportunities as Vietnam’s retail sector enters a new growth cycle.

The event brought together 500 key partners, including leading international retail brands such as UNIQLO, MUJI, Decathlon, Pandora, CGV, AEON Beta Cinema, SuperPark, KOHNAN, Central Retail, WinMart, Starbucks, Dookki, Guardian, and MEDICARE, alongside major domestic brands and chains including ACFC, Maison, Phoenix Group, Golden Gate, Aladdin Group, Takahiro, RuNam, Highlands Coffee, and The New Playground…

At the event, Vincom Retail’s leadership emphasized the rapid transformation of the retail industry, where shopping malls and commercial streets are evolving beyond traditional retail spaces to become lifestyle destinations. These destinations integrate immersive experiences, foster community connections, and lead modern consumption trends. This shift reflects changing consumer behavior, with a growing preference for experience, emotion, and interaction over mere purchasing and ownership.

Setting the direction for future growth, Vincom Retail unveiled its strategic vision toward 2030, focusing on developing world-class destinations. The company aims to position itself as a leading retail real estate developer and operator in Asia, setting benchmarks in trend leadership and customer experience, with a diverse and expansive asset portfolio and an extended international footprint supported by a global ecosystem. This unique platform enables pioneering brands and concepts to converge and co-create breakthrough experiences, many of which are being introduced in Vietnam for the first time, delivering fresh value to consumers while shaping the future of retail and establishing new regional standards.

In terms of product strategy, Vincom Retail is focusing on two core formats. Vincom Mega Mall is positioned as a “Mega Shoppertainment Destination”, a large-scale experiential hub that leads market trends. Meanwhile, Vincom Collection is developed as a “Retail-tainment Destination”, combining shopping and tourism, built around five key pillars: Play – Discover – Shop – Savor – Relax.

A prime example is the “super destination” model integrating Retail – Tourism – Entertainment at Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio, featuring 15 next-generation retail complexes. Among them, Vincom Mega Mall Can Gio and Vincom Collection Cosmo Bay are the first projects to be unveiled, promising multi-layered experiences that harmonize with nature and prioritize sustainable operations.

Beyond strategic insights, the forum also featured real-world success stories and forward-looking perspectives from pioneering brands that have helped shape Vietnam’s evolving experiential retail landscape. Mr. Vu Ngoc Thuan, Founder of restaurant chains Longwang, Tianlong, Bo To Quan Moc, and GMaster, shared: “Partnering with platforms like Vincom provides a strong launchpad for brands to accelerate growth, expand further, and professionalize according to international standards.”

Mr. Shin Jae Hyuk, representative of Dookki, also highlighted growth strategies to capture market opportunities: “Together with our trusted partner Vincom, we will continue to create new milestones for Vietnam’s F&B market. Our goal is not only to sell tteokbokki, but to deliver the joyful culture of Korean cuisine to customers at an accessible price point.”

Vincom Retail plays a critical role as a developer, platform, and connector, bringing international brands to Vietnam while supporting Vietnamese brands in their journey to expand globally.

Additionally, SuperPark, a global indoor activity park brand, shared insights into the development of family-oriented active entertainment, one of the fastest-growing trends in next-generation shopping malls. These real-world examples highlight the strong opportunities for brands to collaborate with Vincom Retail to scale operations, develop innovative retail concepts, optimize performance, and enhance customer experience.

As the market enters a new phase of growth, the event not only facilitated strategic dialogue but also strengthened sustainable partnerships between Vincom Retail and its stakeholders. As a market pioneer, the company continues to support brands in scaling up, elevating business models, and capturing long-term growth opportunities. Notably, emerging super destinations such as Can Gio – envisioned as a future national tourism hub – are expected to serve as powerful growth drivers, contributing to the transformation of Vietnam’s retail landscape.

Vincom Retail is currently the largest retail real estate developer in Vietnam and ranks among the top three in Southeast Asia by scale. The company operates 90 shopping malls with a total gross leasable area of 1.9 million square meters, and manages 5,500 shophouses totaling 1.5 million square meters across 31 out of 34 provinces and cities nationwide, partnering with more than 1,000 brands.

Hashtag: #VincomRetail

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/vincom-retail-unites-hundreds-of-partners-to-pioneer-the-future-of-retail-in-vietnam/

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DFI Reinforces Commitment to People, Products and Planet in 2025 Sustainability Disclosure

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 March 2026 – DFI Retail Group (DFI or the Group) is pleased to announce its 2025 Sustainability Disclosure, highlighting the Group’s continued progress and commitment to advancing sustainability across Asia.

DFI Retail Group Sustainability Disclosure 2025

In 2025, DFI delivered strong progress on key sustainability commitments:

  • 22% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions compared to the 2021 baseline, with a target of 50% reduction by 2030.
  • Waste diversion rate improved to 66%, up from 61% in 2024, with a target of achieving 80% by 2030.
  • Invested US$3.9 million in community initiatives across markets.

The Group also advanced Scope 3 decarbonisation across supply chain of four key commodities – rice, coffee, dairy and beef. Initiatives included the launch of 380 tonnes of Low-Carbon Rice achieving a minimum 30% on-farm emissions reduction, sourcing 100% deforestation-free certified coffee beans for 7CAFÉ Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore, and IKEA, and partnering with The Mills Fabrica to launch the DFI Sustainability Innovation Challenge to identify global solutions for beef and dairy emissions.

Scott Price, Group Chief Executive, DFI Retail Group shared, “We remain committed to our purpose of sustainably serving Asia for generations with everyday moments. In 2025, we made clear progress on our pathway to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2030, with investments in refrigerant management, energy efficiency and behaviour change initiatives across our operations. At the same time, we continued to deliver affordable, sustainable products that meet customer expectations, including the introduction of Low-Carbon Rice in Hong Kong and the expansion of our ‘Grounds to Green programme’ at 7Eleven. These efforts, together with disciplined waste and packaging management, keep us firmly on track to meet our 2030 sustainability targets.”

Erica Chan, Group Chief Legal, Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer added, “Strong governance and transparency remain central to how we deliver on our sustainability ambitions. By streamlining our disclosure and enhancing our materiality assessment, climate scenario analysis, and transition plan, we are aligning with global standards such as IFRS S1 and S2. This ensures stakeholders gain a clear, holistic view of our progress and priorities, while reinforcing our commitment to creating long-term value across People, Products, and Planet.”

In 2025, DFI continued to be guided by its Sustainability Framework, centred on the three pillars of People, Products and Planet, with Governance as the cornerstone. This framework remains integral to the Group’s approach, ensuring robust leadership and oversight while driving initiatives that empower people, expand sustainable product choices, and reduce environmental impact across operations and supply chains.

Highlights of 2025 Initiatives:

  1. People: DFI Group and its business formats continued to support communities through Our Community Giveback initiatives, investing US$3.9 million and reaching 1.25 million beneficiaries across 12 markets. The Health and Beauty segment launched professional health services at Mannings and Guardian, extending access across more than 450 pharmacies in all markets. For team members, capability building was strengthened through major initiatives such as the launch of DFILEARN, enhanced leadership programmes, and structured career development frameworks, empowering growth across all levels of the business. At the same time, DFI upheld rigorous standards for suppliers, maintaining 100% ethical audits of Own Brand factories in high-risk countries and reinforcing responsible practices across supply chains through comprehensive assessments, audits, and engagement.
  2. Products: In 2025, 48% in-scope Own Brand products carried third-party sustainability certificates, up from 28% in 2024. At the same time, 83% Own Brand plastic packaging component that is recyclable, reusable or compostable, keeping us on-track to meet the target of at least 85% by 2030. The expansion of the 7Eleven’s ‘Grounds to Green” Coffee Grounds Upcycling Programme further reflected our efforts to embed circularity principles where relevant. The programme repurposed used coffee grounds into natural fertiliser to grow fresh produce, which was then incorporated into 7-SELECT juices and ready-to-eat items.
  3. Planet: DFI recorded a 22% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions in 2025, compared to our 2021 baseline, on track towards our 50% reduction target by 2030. As refrigerant leaks remain one of the primary sources of these emissions, the Group continued upgrading refrigeration systems and, in April 2025, commissioned the first CO₂-based natural refrigerant system in Hong Kong’s food retail sector at the Cloudview Market Place store in North Point. This was followed by the installation of a sub-critical CO₂ refrigeration system in Oliver’s The Delicatessen in Central Hong Kong in September 2025, marking important milestones in advancing low-carbon operations across the portfolio. Waste diversion improved from 61% to 66% in 2025, as part of our efforts to achieve 80% waste diversion by 2030.

By embedding sustainability into our strategy, operations, and value chain, we are not only tackling today’s challenges but also building a resilient, responsible business that creates lasting value for our customers, communities, and the environment.

For detailed information on the various sustainability initiatives undertaken by DFI, please refer to the Sustainability Disclosure in the Integrated Annual Report 2025. To learn more about DFI’s efforts, please visit DFI’s website.

https://www.dfiretailgroup.com/en/

Hashtag: #DFIRetailGroup #SustainabilityDisclosure #PeopleProductsPlanet #Mannings #Guardian #7-Eleven #Wellcome #MarketPlace #IKEA #yuu

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/dfi-reinforces-commitment-to-people-products-and-planet-in-2025-sustainability-disclosure/

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MSIG Helper Insurance unveils new campaign: ‘Assured Helper, Confident Employer’

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 March 2026 – MSIG Insurance (Hong Kong) Limited (“MSIG”) today announced the launch of its new helper insurance promotional campaign, appointing the esteemed artist, Mr Lam Shing Bun (Bob Lam), as product ambassador. Under the theme “Assured Helper, Confident Employer”, the campaign promotes MSIG Helper Insurance across multiple channels, including television commercials, online videos, outdoor advertising and digital platforms, further cementing the brand’s position as the market leader.

Crafting insurance that delivers shared peace of mind

Philip Kent, Chief Executive Officer of MSIG Hong Kong, stated: “Hong Kong today is home to more than 360,000 foreign domestic helpers, as well as over 20,000 local ‘hourly workers’. As such, there is significant market demand for insurance that specifically caters both to their needs and those of their employers. That’s why we have developed a comprehensive and affordable plan that provides extensive medical coverage for domestic helpers and helps their employers cope with financial burdens associated with illness.

We view helper insurance as one of our flagship offerings and believe it truly embodies our commitment to ‘Assured Helper, Confident Employer’, which is the essence of the campaign. We aim to help the public understand how helper insurance can benefit families and to establish MSIG as the market leader in Hong Kong for this type of insurance.”

Bob Lam set to resonate with viewers

Targeting Hong Kong families as its primary audience, this campaign features the popular celebrity Bob Lam as product ambassador. Bob maintains an active presence across social media and traditional platforms, frequently sharing humorous glimpses into his life with his family of six. His relatable persona has earned him a reputation as an endearing husband and devoted father, aligning with MSIG’s brand ethos. Importantly, as an experienced employer who has long employed domestic helpers, Bob’s first-hand experience significantly enhances the credibility of the product information and strongly resonates with the target audience, making him the ideal ambassador for MSIG’s Helper Insurance.

The campaign video opens with Bob livestreaming from home, seamlessly integrating relatable moments such as his wife prompting him to tackle household chores and netizens asking questions about domestic helpers. This light-hearted, humorous approach captures the everyday realities of employer households, eliciting knowing smiles from viewers while introducing the product’s key features in a natural way:

  1. Comprehensive coverage: Includes outpatient, surgical & hospitalisation, dental, domestic helper liability, service interruption, fidelity guarantee and more
  2. Exceptional value: 2-year premium as low as HK$566 for online applications1
  3. Speedy claims processing: Online claims approval in as fast as 15 minutes
  4. Flexible and adaptable: Suitable for local domestic helpers, post-natal care helpers and home-based elderly carers, accommodating diverse family needs

Multi-channel media campaign to maximise reach

This initiative marks MSIG’s first major promotional campaign for 2026, employing a multi-dimensional media strategy to achieve seamless online and offline coverage. The campaign will be rolled out across television, YouTube, other major social media platforms and digital channels, targeting the intended audience with precision. Outdoor media placements include tram and bus wrap advertising, large-scale billboards in Causeway Bay and digital screens at multiple high-traffic locations. Through this tightly integrated multi-channel network, the campaign will significantly boost brand visibility and message penetration, ensuring the core message of helper insurance is powerfully conveyed to every corner of Hong Kong.


 1 Offer applies to designated MSIG Helper Insurance plan, please refer to MSIG website and terms and conditions of relevant product.

Hashtag: #MSIG

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/msig-helper-insurance-unveils-new-campaign-assured-helper-confident-employer/

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Cathay Pacific Expands Global Partnership with Adyen

Source: Media Outreach

Adyen’s direct acquiring solution boosts performance for Hong Kong’s home carrier in the world’s most dynamic markets

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 March 2026 – Adyen, the global financial technology platform of choice for leading businesses, today announced the expansion of its longstanding partnership with Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong’s home airline. This deepening of collaboration marks a significant milestone, with Adyen now providing direct acquiring services for the airline in markets including Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Japan, and most recently, India.

Adyen’s partnership with Cathay Pacific, which began in 2014, has evolved from its initial scope to become a core component of the airline’s global commerce strategy. With the successful implementation of direct acquiring in Cathay Pacific’s key markets, this expansion underscores Adyen’s role as a strategic growth partner, using direct acquiring capabilities to increase authorization rates, reduce payment fees, and unlock new revenue.

Notably with the recent roll-out in India, Adyen’s acquiring solution ensures performance. Since implementation, Cathay Pacific achieved a 10% increase in authorization rates in the market.

“At Cathay Pacific, we believe that a seamless and trusted shopping experience is essential to elevating ourselves to become the most loved service brand of our customers,” said Kinto Chan, General Manager, Sales and Distribution, Cathay Pacific. “By leveraging Adyen’s single integration and trusted extensive global acquiring network, we can ensure our customers transact securely while allowing us to expand into our target markets with ease.” “Our partnership with Cathay Pacific is centered on turning global payment complexity into a competitive advantage,” said Warren Hayashi, President, Asia Pacific, Adyen. “By optimizing authorization rates across diverse geographies, we ensure more bookings take flight, helping Cathay achieve commercial growth on a global stage.”

https://www.adyen.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/adyen

Hashtag: #ADYEN #CATHAYPACIFIC #PAYMENTS #TRAVEL #RETAIL #PAYMENTTECHNOLOGY #ENTERPRISETECHNOLOGY

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/cathay-pacific-expands-global-partnership-with-adyen/

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Singapore cybersecurity firms showcase SME-focused innovations to counter rising cyber threats at RSAC 2026 Conference

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 March 2026 – As cyber threats intensify globally, the World Economic Forum (WEF) projects that the global economic impact of cyberattacks will surge from US$8.44 trillion in 2022 to US$23.84 trillion by 2027[1], exposing a widening gap between escalating risk and cyber readiness.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of most economies, are particularly vulnerable. The WEF’s 2024 Global Cybersecurity Outlook[2]highlights that limited access to cyber services, tools and skilled talent continues to hinder smaller organisations from achieving even baseline resilience, an increasingly urgent concern in today’s highly interconnected digital ecosystem. As a result, SMEs are often more exposed to common risks such as accidental data leaks and unpatched vulnerabilities in the software and open‑source components used to build modern digital applications.

To help address these challenges, three homegrown companies from Singapore, AgileMark, Scantist and StrongKeep are pioneering technologies that make cybersecurity more accessible and effective for businesses, including SMEs without dedicated security teams. Their solutions focus on strengthening data loss protection and mitigating risks from human behaviours like screen photography and unsafe network use, uncovering hidden vulnerabilities in software systems, and simplifying the adoption of essential security measures through easy-to-deploy platforms.

These companies are supported by the S$20 million CyberSG Talent, Innovation and Growth Collaboration Centre (TIG Centre), a joint initiative between the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA). The TIG Centre works closely with cybersecurity companies and start-ups to co-develop solutions that help organisations stay ahead of emerging threats while enabling the safe and confident adoption of new technologies.

“Many businesses today, especially SMEs, face escalating cyber risks but often lack the resources to protect themselves effectively. In Singapore, online scams and ransomware attacks continue to be key concerns. At the same time, advances in AI are transforming both cyber threats and cybersecurity and rapidly expanding the attack surface of enterprises. Through the CyberSG Talent, Innovation and Growth Collaboration Centre, we support innovators developing practical solutions to address these challenges, and bring Singapore’s most promising cybersecurity start-ups to the global stage at the RSAC 2026 Conference,” said Mr Willis Lim, Executive Director, TIG Centre.

AgileMark: Preventing data leaks caused by everyday human actions

Many data exposure incidents stem not from sophisticated cyberattacks, but from routine behaviours such as photographing screens, copying sensitive documents or working in unsecured environments.

AgileMark mitigates this risk by introducing visible, dynamic watermarks on corporate screens. These act as behavioural cues to deter unauthorised capture, reinforce employee awareness of data sensitivity, and enable traceability if leaks occur. Designed with a human-first approach, it addresses the reality many SMEs face: limited time, resources and expertise to manage complex tools. By focusing on user behaviour rather than adding new systems, it reduces risk without increasing operational burden. Today, AgileMark protects over 300,000 devices globally, reducing investigation time from weeks to hours and enabling faster response to potential data breaches.

Scantist: Finding security flaws in software before hackers do

As organisations accelerate software development, greater reliance on open-source components and third-party dependencies has increased exposure to supply chain risks and hard-to-detect vulnerabilities.

Scantist provides an AI-powered application security platform that helps organisations manage open-source, software supply chain and AI-related risks across the development lifecycle, from code to deployment. Complementing its defensive capabilities, Scantist also offers an autonomous, agentic penetration testing solution that simulates attacker behaviour, enabling more frequent testing and reducing assessment timelines from days to hours. For SMEs in particular, Scantist makes advanced security testing and risk management more accessible without requiring large in-house security teams, helping businesses strengthen resilience and keep pace with evolving threats in a cost-effective, scalable manner.

StrongKeep: Making cybersecurity simpler and more affordable for SMEs

Many SMEs face barriers to adopting cybersecurity tools due to cost, complexity and the need for specialised expertise.

StrongKeep addresses this challenge with an all-in-one cybersecurity platform tailored for SMEs. The platform integrates essential protections such as device security, website filtering, phishing awareness training and password management into a single, easy-to-use system. Organisations can deploy the platform and begin protecting their systems in under 60 minutes, even without dedicated cybersecurity staff. With subscriptions starting from S$39 per month, the solution enables SMEs to achieve comprehensive protection and compliance up to 10 times faster than traditional approaches.

Showcasing Singapore’s cybersecurity solutions at the RSAC Conference 2026

AgileMark, Scantist and StrongKeep are among eight TIG Centre-supported companies that will showcase their solutions at Singapore’s national pavilion at the RSAC 2026 Conference, held from 23 to 26 March 2026 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, United States.

Organised by the TIG Centre and SGTech, the leading trade association for Singapore’s tech industry, the Singapore Pavilion underscores Singapore’s role as a cybersecurity innovation hub and a strategic gateway to Asia’s rapidly expanding digital economy.

https://www.rsa.cybersg.sg/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/cybersg-tig-collaboration-centre/

Hashtag: #cybersecurity #singaporecybersme #CybersgTIG #nusenterprise #NUS

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/singapore-cybersecurity-firms-showcase-sme-focused-innovations-to-counter-rising-cyber-threats-at-rsac-2026-conference/

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From AI to Sustainability, Five Key Skills Singapore’s Workforce Will Need in 2026

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 March 2026 – Singapore’s economy continues to evolve amid rapid technological change and sustainability priorities, workforce capabilities are expected to shift significantly over the next few years. Workforce insights from Singapore agencies and global labour market research indicate that professionals will need to strengthen both emerging digital competencies and transferable professional skills to remain competitive.

SIM Academy (SIMA), the professional development arm of the Singapore Institute of Management, offers programmes that support several capability areas highlighted in Singapore’s workforce insights. According to SkillsFuture Singapore’s Skills Demand for the Future Economy report, emerging demand is being shaped by growth in the digital, green and care economies, alongside transferable capabilities such as business management and data-related skills. These trends reflect the increasing importance of capabilities such as data and artificial intelligence literacy, cyber resilience awareness, sustainability and ESG knowledge, project management and delivery, as well as risk management and strategic planning. SIMA’s professional development programmes are designed to help working professionals build competencies in these areas as organisations adapt to technological change and sustainability priorities.

Global labour market analysis supports this shift. The World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report identifies AI and big data, networks and cybersecurity, and technological literacy among the fastest growing skills worldwide as organisations adopt digital technologies and automation.

In Singapore, workforce insights from SkillsFuture Singapore SSG and Workforce Singapore WSG highlight growing demand for skills aligned with the digital, green and care economies, alongside transferable competencies such as project management, risk assessment and digital tool proficiency.

Among the emerging capabilities, data and AI literacy is becoming increasingly important across industries as organisations adopt data driven decision making and artificial intelligence enabled tools. According to the World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report, AI and big data are among the fastest growing skill areas globally as companies accelerate digital transformation. In Singapore, organisations including small and medium sized enterprises are also exploring practical ways to adopt AI in their operations. To support this need, SIM Academy offers programmes focused on digital innovation and emerging technologies. These include AI.dea: An AI Bridge Programme, developed in collaboration with Singtel, that helps SMEs develop actionable AI adoption strategies and prepare for scalable AI implementation.

Another skill gaining prominence is cybersecurity, which increasingly affects organisations of all sizes and sectors. In Singapore, the growing importance of cybersecurity skills is reflected in national workforce and digital economy priorities. SIM Academy supports capability building in this area through selected programmes for different audiences. These include Cyber Resilience programmes for corporate learners, as well as cybersecurity training offered under the SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme SCTP. Together, these programmes support workforce development in cybersecurity and organisational resilience in an increasingly digital operating environment.

Singapore’s sustainability agenda is also shaping workforce needs. With the government advancing initiatives under the Singapore Green Plan 2030, businesses are strengthening capabilities related to sustainability strategy and ESG practices. SIM Academy offers sustainability focused programmes such as Life Cycle Assessment for Sustainability, which equips professionals with knowledge in LCA frameworks, enhance sustainability decision-making and strategic sustainability and compliance.

Organisations are also prioritising risk management and strategic planning capabilities as they navigate evolving geopolitical, technological and economic uncertainties. SIM Academy’s leadership and management programmes help professionals develop strategic thinking, systems leadership and decision making capabilities relevant to today’s complex business environment.

SIMA offers more than 300 professional development courses across areas such as management and leadership, digital innovation and sustainability. These programmes are designed to support working professionals in upgrading their skills and staying competitive in a rapidly changing economy.

References:

  1. SIM Academy Professional Development – https://www.sim.edu.sg/professional-development/overview
  2. SIM Academy Course Listings – https://www.sim.edu.sg/professional-development/courses/course-listing
  3. Life Cycle Assessment for Sustainable Organisation – https://www.sim.edu.sg/professional-development/courses/course-listing/life-cycle-assessment-for-sustainable-organisations
  4. PMP Prep Course – https://www.sim.edu.sg/professional-development/courses/course-listing/project-management-professional-pmp-l4-sfw
  5. World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report – https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/
  6. SkillsFuture Singapore Skills Demand for the Future Economy Report – https://jobsandskills.skillsfuture.gov.sg/insights/sdfe
  7. Singapore Green Plan 2030 – https://www.greenplan.gov.sg/
  8. SkillsFuture Singapore Green Skills Committee Report – https://www.ssg.gov.sg/newsroom/green-skills-committee-report-identifies-green-skills-and-training-pathways-needed-for-a-low-carbon-economy-/
  9. Ministry of Education / SkillsFuture Singapore speech on skills demand – https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/speeches/20250122-opening-address-by-ms-gan-siow-huang-minister-of-state-ministry-of-education-for-the-launch-of-the-skills-demand-for-the-future-economy-report-2025-marina-bay-sands-expo-and-convention-centre
  10. MyCareersFuture CareersCompass insights on future skills – https://content.mycareersfuture.gov.sg/futureproof-career-top-demand-skills-2025/

https://www.sim.edu.sg/

Hashtag: #SIMAcademy #SIMA

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/from-ai-to-sustainability-five-key-skills-singapores-workforce-will-need-in-2026/

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Synlait’s $80.6 million loss after ‘perfect storm’

Source: Radio New Zealand

The dairy company, majority-owned by China’s Bright Dairy, reported after tax result was $85.4m lower than the same period last year. Supplied/ Synlait

Synlait has described its half-year net loss of $80.6 million as disappointing as it pledges to deliver a pathway to recovery.

The dairy company, majority-owned by China’s Bright Dairy, reported after tax result was $85.4m lower than the same period last year.

Revenue rose just over $32m to $949m but debt soared by 88 percent to just over $472m. Synlait’s forecast base milk price rose from $9.50 to $9.70 taking forecast total milk price to $10.10 per kg/ms.

Chief executive Richard Wyeth said the company faced multiple headwinds – a major one being manufacturing problems as it tried to catch up on its supply of inventory to customers.

“The revised plan meant that we had surplus raw milk, particularly over the peak season,” he told an investor call.

“When we looked through the numbers, it became clear that the only option was to sell that milk through the peak.”

Wyeth said some of the milk sales didn’t go to plan and milk was sent back to its Dunsandel plant, which meant workers had to stop their inventory catch-up and process the extra milk into whole milk powder.

“Whole powder is the only ingredient that could be made at short notice without creating significant down time on the dryers, up to 48 hours to change.”

“To create the perfect storm, whole milk powder prices decreased sharply at the end of 2025 which impacted the returns on that ingredient portfolio.”

He described the season as one of the most frustrating seasons in his 18 years in the industry.

“We faced multiple headwinds, and had very little choice as to how we could deal with them. At each juncture, we carefully costed and analysed the options and even with the benefit of hindsight, there’s very little we would have done differently that would have improved this result,” he says.

Where to from here for Synlait?

The dairy company’s deal to sell North Island operations, including Pokeno manufacturing site, to global healthcare company Abbot for $307m is set to be completed by 1 April, Wyeth said.

“The transaction not only helps Synlait’s balance sheet, it removes a loss-making asset from our financial performance, and will deliver a simpler Synlait.

“From there, our stabilised, simplify and scale strategy provides a solid roadmap to return Synlait to success.”

Wyeth said it’s still working to rebuild customer inventory and expects an insurance claim to help cover some of the losses incurred as a result of manufacturing issues in the 2025 financial year.

The company did not provide guidance for the full year, with company chair George Adams saying there is a lot of work to do.

“Behind our roadmap, sits a real determination to ensure the coming 12 to 24 months will be seen as a period where Synlait under promised and over delivered,” he said.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/23/synlaits-80-6-million-loss-after-perfect-storm/

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Think the price of petrol is bad? Spare a thought for diesel drivers

Source: Radio New Zealand

Diesel is more expensive to make than petrol but the impact of fuel excise tax usually conceals this. RNZ / Quin Tauetau

Diesel is now only about 20c a litre cheaper than 91 – even though 70c of the price of a litre of petrol is tax.

Data from petrol price monitoring app Gaspy showed that across the country, the national average reported price for 91 was $3.31 a litre, and for diesel it was $3.13. For 95, it has reached $3.51.

91’s price is up 37.67 percent over 28 days, while diesel’s is up 81.75 percent.

Gaspy spokesperson Mike Newton said diesel would normally be expected to be 70c cheaper than 91 because of the petrol tax, but it was only 20c. “The diesel drivers are definitely getting it worse because they’ve still got to pay their road user charges.”

Diesel is more expensive to make than petrol but the impact of fuel excise tax usually conceals this.

Billy Clemens, head of policy and advocacy at Transporting New Zealand, said diesel was usually the second-largest cost for its member businesses, after wages.

“It’s a cost that sits typically around 15 percent to 20 percent of overall costs…. And road freight’s pretty famously a pretty low margin game. So our members are in a position whether they can either pass those costs on or end up in a really difficult position with their business viability.”

He said about half the organisation’s members were likely to be using a fuel adjustment factor.

“That’s a surcharge, essentially. You might have a base freight rate, but you add on a certain surcharge based on how much the diesel price has increased over a set figure. If you’re a freight customer you might be seeing that in freight invoices coming through. That’s a sizeable cost on businesses right across the country, whether you’re in retail or construction or logging… there’ll be a real flow-on impact.”

Clemens said shortages were not widespread and seemed to be driven by demand patterns.

He said transport was about 15 percent to 25 percent of costs for businesses in the loggin industry, and up to 12 percent in grocery.

Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel Eaqub said his concern was more about the volume of diesel. Runing out of petrol could be annoying on an individual level but running out of diesel could have much larger consequences, he said.

Gaspy data shows that the cheapest 91 petrol is at Orams Marine Village – which caters to boats rather than cars, and where fuel is $2.96 a litre. Pukekohe Pak’n Save was next, at $3.08.

Newton said some of the factors that normally drove differentiation in pricing aroudn the country were not as relevant at present.

Previously, local competition had often driven certain regions to be cheaper than others. “It’s hard to know if tha still applies in the current environment because there are not a lot of discount days going on at the moment,” he said.

“In the past when you’ve got discount retailers operating in an area, they tend to drag the price for the whole area down. Then it comes down to remoteness and population density. Places that are off the beaten track and don’t have a lot of customers are going to have higher prices.”

Auckland’s Waiheke Island, for example, is recording prices near $4 for 91.

Newton said Mangawhai had been an area with cheaper prices recently. It had a new Gull station open about five months ago. “Often when a discount retailer opens up somewhere they have introductory pricing, NPD’s really well known for it. They’ll set really low prices for a f w months and often it just brings the price for the whole area down.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/23/think-the-price-of-petrol-is-bad-spare-a-thought-for-diesel-drivers/

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Economy – Canterbury goes back-to-back in ASB’s latest Regional Economic Scoreboard

Source: ASB

  • South Island continues to hold strong with Canterbury outperforming the rest of the country
  • Otago and Waikato coming in second place equal
  • Auckland shows promising signs of improvement, jumps to fourth place
  • Wellington remains under pressure, finishing last place.

Canterbury continues to shine in ASB’s Regional Economic Scoreboard, finishing 2025 as New Zealand’s strongest-performing region as signs of economic recovery broaden across the country.

ASB’s Regional Economic Scoreboard shows Canterbury secured its third quarterly win of the year, outperforming the country across nearly every key measure the bank tracks including employment, retail spending, housing activity and population growth.

ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley says the South Island continues to lead New Zealand’s multi‑speed recovery.

“Canterbury has delivered back‑to‑back wins to close out the year, supported by strong dairy incomes, steady jobs growth, resilient consumer spending and the recovery of the tourism sector. The region enters 2026 in a very strong position,” says Nick.

Otago and Waikato tied for second place, with Otago buoyed by a strong tourism recovery and Waikato benefiting from its robust primary sector and improving labour market conditions. We expect the incoming Fonterra capital return to be a further boost for our Dairy farming regions via more spending and investment.

Auckland climbed to fourth place, recording improvements in retail spending, construction activity and consumer confidence, although labour market conditions in the city remain subdued.

“Seeing Auckland continue to improve is an important signal that the economic upswing is widening beyond the regions that led earlier in the cycle,” says Nick.

At the other end of the rankings, Wellington finished last, reflecting ongoing weakness in the housing market, construction activity and discretionary spending, despite relatively strong employment growth.

“Looking ahead, Wellington’s economy is forecast to recover, supported by low interest rates. Nevertheless, ongoing and emerging challenges may temper the pace of that recovery.”

Nationally, the economy showed signs of growth toward the end of 2025. Retail spending lifted strongly across most regions, supported by lower interest rates, while employment indicators showed early signs of stabilisation. However, ASB economists caution that global uncertainty remains a key risk.

“Conflict in the Middle East presents fresh headwinds, particularly through higher energy costs and inflation risks. The situation and extent of any impact to growth and inflation is highly uncertain and will depend on how long the conflict goes on for,” says Nick.

Results in a snapshot

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

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/economy-canterbury-goes-back-to-back-in-asbs-latest-regional-economic-scoreboard/

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Live: Oil prices rise as fall out from Middle East crisis continues

Source: Radio New Zealand

Oil prices have risen as the fall out continues from the Middle East crisis.

Brent Crude oil rose about US$1 to be just above US$113 a barrel in early Asia trade.

The New Zealand share market has retreated sharply, with the benchmark NZX50 down 1.4 percent shortly after 11am.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Nicola Willis said on Sunday New Zealand’s fuels stocks remain at seven weeks’ worth, including stockpiles.

Fuel price app Gaspy has altered features in an attempt to avoid errors and deliberate misinformation about current prices of petrol.

And the government has announced a $50 million plan to double electric EV chargers in New Zealand.

Follow all the updates in our live blog at the top of this page.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/live-oil-prices-rise-as-fall-out-from-middle-east-crisis-continues/

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Fonterra delivers strong half-year profit

Source: Radio New Zealand

Outgoing chief executive Miles Hurrell said the changes to the forecast Farmgate Milk Price and earnings reflected improvement in global commodity prices and the co-op’s strong underlying margins and cost control. Supplied/LikeMinds

Fonterra delivered a strong first half result, beating market expectations, while lifting its full year earnings outlook and forecast farmgate milk price.

The co-operative said a “favourable product mix and resilient global demand for high value dairy Ingredients and Foodservice products” enabled Fonterra to deliver and better than expected result.

The dairy co-operative’s net profit for the six months ended January rose 3 percent, with group revenue up 9 percent.

Key numbers for the six months ended January compared with a year ago:

  • Net profit $750m vs $729m
  • Revenue $1.231b vs $1.107b
  • Earnings per share 45 cents vs 44cps
  • Normalised earnings per share 51 cps vs 47cps
  • Return on capital 11.2% vs 10.4%
  • Interim dividend 24cps vs 22cps
  • Special Mainland dividend 16cps – Capital return of $2 a share – expected to be paid 14 April

Current forecast vs previous forecast

  • FY26 forecast earnings guidance from continuing operations between 50 – 65cps vs 45 -65 cps
  • Current season forecast Farmgate Milk Price midpoint $9.70 per kgMS vs 9.50 per kgMS.
  • Reaffirms target to close Mainland underlying earnings gap of $300m – FY28 to match FY25

Outgoing chief executive Miles Hurrell said the changes to the forecast Farmgate Milk Price and earnings reflected improvement in global commodity prices and the co-op’s strong underlying

margins and cost control.

However, he said significant volatility remained, particularly as the conflict in the Middle East continued.

“The underlying performance of Fonterra’s continuing business is stable, allowing the Co-op to return all earnings associated with the Mainland Group business and lift our forecasts for the remainder of the year ahead,” Hurrell said.

“Demand for our products is strong, and we’re focused on our plan to maximise both the Farmgate Milk Price and earnings.”

The co-op also delivered a return on capital of 11.2 percent, in line with its target range.

“The first half of the year has been shaped by strong milk flows, with the Co-op collecting record milk volumes in the South Island so far this season,” Hurrell said, though several adverse weather events had put pressure on operations.

“Our performance shows that we are growing the high-value parts of our business through optimal allocation of milk solids across our product mix, which is driving a strong return on capital for shareholders and unit holders.”

Managing geopolitical volatility

Hurrell said war in the Middle East was having an impact on its supply chain through the region, with potential to increase Fonterra’s inventory levels and costs over the course of the second half of the year.

There was also the potential for further volatility in global commodity prices, he said.

“The conflict is a complex and dynamic situation that is changing daily, but we are confident that we’re on the right track to get product to customers.”

He said Fonterra’s business was designed to manage volatility.

“Our scale and strong relationships with customers and logistics provider Kotahi will help us to navigate through these challenges better than most.

“With this in mind, we remain focused on delivering on our strategic targets.”

Where the growth is coming from

The company said it was focused on deepending its position as a world-leading provider of dairy ingredients.

“In line with the co-op’s strategy, we have continued to focus on optimising our product mix by allocating milk solids effectively to the highest accessible demand.

“With milk collection tracking at 2.3 percent growth year-on-year, we have leveraged flexibility in our asset network and increased the manufacture of our highest returning product portfolios, such as cheese and proteins,” it said in its interim report.

Fonterra said it was also expanding its Foodservice business in and beyond China to grow earnings.

“Diversifying our cream portfolio and expanding our customer base remains a key focus. Anchor Easy Bakery Cream continues to perform strongly in China, valued for its functionality, quality and accessible price point.

“The cream has now launched in Indonesia and Thailand, with other markets across Southeast Asia to follow.”

In addition the company said it was investing more in operations.

“During the half, we continued to invest in our assets to drive growth in our Foodservice and Ingredients businesses, and in projects intended to improve energy security, operational resilience, and reduce the Co-op’s emissions.”

It was also investing more in science and technology.

“In line with our strategy, the co-op has continued to advance its innovation pipeline across products, processes, data and new business models.

“Our team and dedicated research and development centre remains focused on core dairy and advanced nutrition, manufacturing performance and capability, and strengthening in-market application capability to support long-term growth, efficiency and resilience.”

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/23/fonterra-delivers-strong-half-year-profit/

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University Research – Brain scientist knows the value of hope – UoA

Source: University of Auckland – UoA

A rising star in brain research, Dr Molly Swanson has recently been granted $877,000 for research into motor neurone disease.

Dr Molly Swanson’s experience of mothering a child with a life-threatening condition fuels her passion for researching brain diseases.

The scientist from University of Auckland’s Centre for Brain Research has a two-year-old son, James, who has a rare genetic disorder, LCHADD.

“My son’s condition has changed my perspective on research.

“I want him to have a good life and that’s what I hope for everyone I do my research for.

“I want people with degenerative brain disorders and their families to see that people are working towards healing their disease and to have hope,” says Swanson.

The 32-year-old is a rising star in the brain research field.

She recently received nearly $517,000 from Auckland Medical Research Foundation and $360,000 from the Marsden Fund for research over the next three to four years on motor neurone disease.

Her “synergistic” research projects will look at a genetic form of the disease and types that strike people with no family history of the disorder.

Motor neurone disease affects about three in 100,000 people in New Zealand. About 150 New Zealanders a year die of the disease, one of the highest mortality rates in the world.

As the name of the disorder suggests, it causes the death of motor neurons, which are responsible for movement.

Early symptoms include finding it hard to lift your feet or grip objects with your hands. As the disease progresses, patients can suffer difficulty moving, breathing and swallowing.

To try to find a way to slow the progression of the disease, Swanson is looking at immune cells in the brain called microglia, which typically help heal brain injuries and diseases.

Her groundbreaking research has shown microglia suffer something akin to caregiver fatigue – they suddenly turn toxic and start having a harmful impact on motor neurons.

She will zero in a tiny, but “bossy” molecule in microglia that appears to be responsible for making the helpful cells flip into toxic mode.

By snipping out a section of DNA in microglia, she hopes to delete the code that creates the bossy molecules that spark the harmful change.

“We want to reverse the changes in microglia and restore them to their helpful function,” she says.

If the experiment proves effective, she will start searching drug libraries for a medicine that produces a similar result.

This drug could be used alongside other treatments that are being developed to stop the disease killing motor neurons.

“Even if you make the neurons healthy again, the microglia are still toxic, so you need therapies for both.”

Swanson, the team of Centre for Brain Research pharmacologist Dr Amy Smith and PhD student Sonalani Shandil were the first in New Zealand to grow microglia in the lab from stem cells.

The pluripotent stem cells, which can become nearly any cell type in the body, are derived from human skin and blood samples. These have been donated by patients who have a genetic mutation associated with motor neurone disease and by healthy controls.

Human brain tissue donated to the Neurological Foundation Brain Bank and a London brain bank have also been vital for Swanson’s research.

“Brain tissue is the most precious resource, because it’s the actual disease in humans, not a model.

“But lab-grown microglia have the advantage of showing the disease in action.

“They allow us to see how microglia change over time and what occurs when they flip from helpers to harmers.”

Swanson has organised events to give people with motor neurone disease a chance to talk with scientists about what they want from research.

“There’s something beautiful about meeting the people the research is for.

“It makes it more human and reminds you why you’re doing it.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/university-research-brain-scientist-knows-the-value-of-hope-uoa/