Nearly twice as many new businesses were recieving investment last year. (File photo)Unsplash/ Declan Sun
Early-stage angel investment in start-up businesses saw positive growth in the amount of capital invested last year, for the first time since 2021.
Angel Association chief executive Bridget Unsworth said new deals attracted 8.6 percent more capital overall, with nearly twice as many new businesses receiving investment.
Deal activity rebounded strongly with a 34 percent increase in the number of deals completed to 167 from 125 in 2024, but with a conservative a 2.7 percent increase in capital to $13.9 million.
Unsworth said it appeared more investors were keeping dollars in reserve for follow-on investment, with the average investment per angel investor down 8 percent to $12,446 from $15,100 in 2024.
“Yes, the cheques are slightly smaller, but more companies are getting seeded,” Unsworth said.
She said the number of angel investors with a portfolio of five or more growth businesses rose 14 percent from 12 percent in 2024.
“I think it’s positive in that we’re seeing diversification across all the sectors,” she said.
“For a long time, software was 50 percent of all the capital that was committed. We’re seeing it spread more evenly across multiple sectors.”
She said deep tech, which focused on ground-breaking technology, was attracting more investment, with an increase of 22 percent over a rolling five-year average to $6.6m from $4.4m the year earlier.
“In a global environment shaped by climate solutions, national capability, and advanced technologies, this trend positions New Zealand well, provided capital and specialist expertise remain aligned,” she said.
“So all in all I think it is it is really positive in terms of how our market is evolving.”
Unsworth said the highlight of the year was a 34 percent increase in the number of active angel investors over the past year to 455 from 328 in 2024.
“We have got great investors coming into the space that are bringing not only their capital, but their breadth of expertise.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Fincap, the organisation that represents financial mentors around the country, has made the proposal to the Finance and Expenditure Committee.
Financial mentors say organisations that benefit from their services should be willing to pay a levy.
Fincap, the organisation that represents financial mentors around the country, has made the proposal to the Finance and Expenditure Committee.
Forty-four financial mentor services lost funding in the latest round and Fincap spokesperson Jake Lilley said they are increasingly having to ask staff to take pay cuts or work as volunteers to be able to continue operating.
“We’ve had a lot close,” he told RNZ’s Nine to Noon.
He said it was a concern that the industry was also losing experienced people who knew how to navigate the complex situations that clients would seek help with.
But demand for their services has increased, and Lilley says many organisations rely on their services, including KiwiSaver providers who often suggest people making a hardship application seek help from a mentor.
Lilley said while financial services providers would have their own hardship teams, there were usually limits to what it was appropriate for them to discuss with clients. Financial mentors could look at people’s situations as a whole.
“You can get into a situation where the loudest creditor is the one who is paid when someone hasn’t got the assistance to look at the situation as a whole.”
He said some mentors said it took eight hours of their time to help a client with a KiwiSaver hardship withdrawal application.
Telecommunications and power companies also benefited from mentors’ work, he said.
David Baines, of Christchurch’s Kingdom Resources services, said his organisation lost funding in 2024.
“We were in a situation where government funding provided about 80 percent of our total income.” he said.
Of 11 staff, two became volunteers and four reduced their income, he said. But he said Kingdom Resources still received referrals from government agencies, even though funding had been stopped.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
A new agreement between Standards New Zealand and Standards Australia means improved products and opportunities for local businesses and households, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson says.
“This agreement is what this Government is all about – fixing the basics and building the future. It will make it easier to operate across New Zealand and Australia, reducing costs for businesses and improve the quality and safety of goods and services that consumers rely on every day,” Mr Simpson says.
In August 2025, Prime Minister Luxon and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese affirmed in their Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ meeting the importance of trans-Tasman standards and ongoing partnership.
“By aligning standards and adopting trusted international rules in areas like artificial intelligence, data management and cybersecurity, New Zealanders can have greater confidence that new technologies are being used safely and responsibly.
“Reducing fees and red tape will also free up businesses to invest in innovation and growth, supporting jobs, strengthening digital trade, and helping New Zealand businesses compete internationally – delivering long-term benefits for the wider economy.”
The two national standards bodies have signed a new Standards Development and Distribution Agreement and Statement of Operating Procedures.
Mr Simpson says the agreement reaffirms the commitment to trans-Tasman standards alignment.
“It ensures our standards system reflects modern science, technology, regulatory and business practice. It’s a win for New Zealand businesses, consumers, and our economy.”
Mr Simpson commended Standards New Zealand and Standards Australia for their close cooperation and focus on economic growth.
“Harmonised standards with Australia are a priority for this Government. The standards relationship between Australia and New Zealand is internationally unique and highly-valued, having delivered significant economic benefits to both countries.
“The new agreement has support from industry stakeholders on both sides of the Tasman and lays the foundation for future joint trans-Tasman standards development with Australia.”
Notes to editors:
This agreement will ensure:
Shared standards to help businesses streamline operations, reduce costs, improve quality and meet regulatory requirements in both countries
Companies can focus on innovation, growth and global competitiveness
Adoption of international standards in areas such as artificial intelligence, data management, and cybersecurity gives businesses confidence to use new technologies
Removal of commissioning fees for New Zealand industry for joint Australian-New Zealand standards development
Support for digital trade and help New Zealand businesses remain competitive internationally
A stronger voice for New Zealand industry in the early scoping and prioritisation of joint standards work.
The rise in home loan rates continues with ASB Bank the latest to increase medium-term fixed mortgages.
It has marginally lowered its six-month rates, but loans for one year through to three years have been raised between 10 and 20 basis points.
ASB Bank said the rises reflected the increase in wholesale interest rates, which had risen more than half a percentage point since the last Reserve Bank decision at the end of last November.
ASB’s six month rate is 4.59 percent, down six basis points. The one year rate has risen to 4.59 percent, the 18-month rate 4.75%, two years now sits at 4.95 percent and the three year rate is 5.19 percent.
Last week BNZ cut its six-month rate by 20 basis points to 4.49 percent. But the four-year rate lifts by 26 basis points to 5.55 percent and the five-year by 40 basis points to 5.69 percent.
ANZ is reducing its six-month rate by 20 basis points and increasing its two-year and four-year rates by 20. Its five-year rate will increase by 30. That takes its two-year special to 5.49 percent and its five-year special to 5.99 percent.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
There has been a boom in townhouse construction over recent years, particularly in Auckland and Christchurch. In the past five years there have been a total of just over 48,000 townhouses, flats and units – not including apartments and units in retirement villages – consented in Auckland.
But the cheaper price point of townhouses has made some suburbs accessible to first-home buyers who might previously have been priced out.
Cotality head of research Nick Goodall said the cheapest townhouses in the country compared to the median value of standalone houses were in Herne Bay, usually the country’s most expensive area.
There, townhouses cost a median $936,000 and houses $3.03 million.
That was followed by St Mary’s Bay, at $852,000 and $2.87m and Parnell at $886,000 and $2.87m.
Mt Eden was fourth, with a median townhouse value of $703,000 compared to a median value of $2.13m for houses.
Goodall said the data probably reflected how expensive houses were in those suburbs.
Cotality head of research Nick Goodall.Supplied / Cotality
“It’s also reflective of how expensive the land is in those suburbs because they’re close to town and land is more expensive the closer you get to town.
“So that gap widens for a townhouse which doesn’t necessarily get any or much use of land, it’s more about the structure itself. That’s why generally speaking you see a cap on the value of a townhouse.”
He said town houses had been staying on the market for longer and owners and developers had been having to drop their price more to sell during the period that the market had been softer.
Over the past 12 months, standalone houses had seen value falls of -0.7 percent, with -1.7 percent for townhouses, and -4.1 percent for apartments. But since the peak, the price of houses in Auckland was down 23.5 percent compared to 22.2 percent for townhouses and flats.
He said townhouses were a good option for people who wanted to get into the central suburbs and could not otherwise afford it.
“If a buyer is looking at their list of wants and needs and location is on there and that’s more important for a period of time, whether that’s five, seven, 10 years, until you might be thinking about having children or you need a bigger space … even for a young child it’s probably fine, it’s when you get to a bit older you might start thinking about [moving]. It’s all about age and stage and using it to build equity and all those things.”
While apartment values have tended to lag houses, Goodall said that would be less true of townhouses.
“They still seem to be doing pretty well through the cycle whereas with apartments it’s a bit different … you really have no apportionment of land … when you look at the 10 or 20 year performance apartments just do not see that same growth that houses would … with townhouses the difference is much less.”
He said the difference in price movement would be less in a “normal” period where there had not been so much building. “I think you will probably see houses perform better because they have more land and a lot of value is in the land … but townhouses are not completely devoid of it.”
Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel Eaqub.
Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel Eaqub agreed the difference was the land. “When you buy houses in New Zealand you’re buying the land. It’ s a land speculation engine, right? When you’ve got townhouses you don’t have a lot of land and also it comes with issues of shared title and whatnot.”
He said there would also be a price difference but it provided options and choices.
“Would I expect those prices to just converge to standalone house prices? No. Will the gap fluctuate over time? Of course.”
He said there could also be a range of quality within the townhouse market. “The concern I have is around the lowest cost to build, the designs are often not good for things like ventilation, noise – a lot of the houses built during the Covid period where inspections weren’t able to be done physically. We don’t know what kind of problems might be stored up there.
“The liveability and reliability are the two things that I worry a little bit about … a lot of that can be fixed by design which I think we will get to but there’ll be a cohort of people who will be in houses that are cheap to buy but uncomfortable to live in.”
The areas with the biggest decline in town house prices the past year were Omokoroa, Western Bay of Plenty, down 17.9 percent to $711,000; Whalers Gate New Plymouth, down 15.3 percent to $437,000; and Waihi Beach, down 14.7 percent to $782,000.
Koura Bitcoin was one of the poorest performers in the latest KiwiSaver survey.Jakub Porzycki / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP
Falling Bitcoin prices have dragged the performance of Koura’s Bitcoin KiwiSaver fund to the bottom of the table.
Morningstar has released its latest KiwiSaver survey, which shows that over the year, the best performer was Kernel’s S&P Global Clean Energy Fund, up 59.9 percent.
The poorest performer was Koura Bitcoin, down 9.7 percent. It was down 22.8 percent over a quarter.
On average, conservative funds returned 5.8 percent over a year, moderate 6.8 percent, balanced 9.5 percent, growth 9.7 percent and aggressive 12.8 percent.
The price of Bitcoin has fallen from more than NZ$200,000 in October to just over NZ$115,000.
Koura founder Rupert Carlyon said he had been pleasantly surprised by the lack of reaction from investors. “We’ve had very minimal outflows over the last kind of four to six weeks as the price continues to fall.”
He said that was for a few reasons, including that people had made a deliberate choice to invest in the fund.
“We make sure that before people get there, they understand the volatility of Bitcoin, that this is kind of part and parcel of being a Bitcoin investor, and then with our limits, it’s not a major, major part of their KiwiSaver accounts.
“Whether it is 3 percent or up to 10 percent it’s meaningful but it’s not as though they’re seeing the whole value of their KiwiSaver drop by 40 percent or 45 percent.”
Koura allows up to 10 percent of an investor’s KiwiSaver balance to be invested in its Bitcoin fund and investments are rebalanced if they reach 15 percent.
He said the price movements seen in recent months were part of the expected cycle.
“We know that it drops. We’ve seen it go up to 70 percent before. Every time this happens we see the same old conversation of Bitcoin is at the start of the end – luckily we haven’t seen that this time but I do firmly believe that the volatility is still there because the liquidity issues haven’t been solved.
“It’s still a small asset without a huge amount of liquidity and therefore you’re always going to see massive price swings.”
This is the first Morningstar survey that includes three years of data for new provider Kernel.
It is top of the cash and high-growth categories, alongside Quay St on most of the other categories.
“What’s coming through clearly is that when markets are chaotic, the controllables start to dominate,” founder Dean Anderson said.
“The last few years haven’t rewarded clever market calls – they’ve rewarded process.
“Kernel’s focus has always been on evidence, transparency and cost discipline, with fees in many cases up to 70 percent below category averages.
“For KiwiSaver members, the takeaway is straightforward. Do the homework. Understand what you own, what you’re paying, and why your portfolio is built the way it is. In uncertain markets, those fundamentals are proving to matter more than ever.
Report author Greg Bunkall noted that the quarter had been positive for most KiwiSaver funds, led by global equities.
New Zealand’s share market was only up modestly while the Australian market was broadly flat.
New Zealanders spend millions of dollars a year on subscription services, including ones they no longer use.Unsplash/ Vitaly Gariev
When Kate subscribed to an overseas news website, she did not realise how difficult it would be to cancel.
“It was nightmarish … to the point where I won’t even look at any offers from them. Getting unsubscribed was like getting divorced … I wouldn’t touch them with a 10-foot bargepole, ever again.”
She said she thought she was signing up for a month but was held to a year, and at the end had to remove her credit card details to stop the subscription renewing.
Consumer NZ said the design of subscription services meant they often took multiple steps to cancel.
It said almost 30 percent of people report continuing to pay for a service because unsubscribing was too difficult. Its research estimated New Zealanders lost more than $60 million a year to “dark patterns” including unfair subscription models.
It follows earlier ASB research that found 20 percent of subscription-holders were paying for services they did not use. About a third spent more than $100 on subscriptions each month.
Everything from TV and music to the gym and toothbrushes can be bought on subscription.
David Verry, a financial mentor at North Harbour Budgeting Service, said he often dealt with people paying for Sky TV, Netflix and gyms.
“Sky can often be seen as one form of entertainment that is less expensive than going out or they may have an internet package attached.”
But he said it was sometimes worth asking whether people needed all the packages, or subscriptions to both Netflix and Sky.
He said people were often paying for gym memberships at $7 to $10 a week, too, but they were often not used.
“Unfortunately a lot of clients sign up to two-year deals which are collected by Debit Success via direct debiting accounts and there is usually no way out – if the client cancels the direct debit then Debit Success will keep hounding them for the payments and eventually issue a credit default to the credit agencies.
“I had one client who had signed up her three adult children and herself and was in default on all four. Think carefully about what you’re signing up for and the obligations that go with it.”
Westpac said its customers were paying an average of $33 a month on at least one streaming service up from $28 in 2024. Ten percent were spending $70 or more.
Another financial coach, Shula Newland, said people were more aware of how subscriptions could add up now and were able to use banking tools and apps to track where their money was going.
Labour MP Cushla Tangaere-Manuel.RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Labour MP Cushla Tangaere-Manuel has submitted a member’s bill that would require subscriptions to be able to be cancelled in the same way that they were taken out.
University of Auckland commercial law professor Alex Sims said people who signed up for a year had agreed to an enforceable contract for a year.
“But sometimes the provider will allow people to exit early by paying a termination fee or cancellation fee. The fee must be a reasonable estimate of the provider’s losses arising from early termination. If it is too high, then legally it is a penalty and it cannot be enforced – but proving that would require going to court, which sensible people aren’t going to do.
“So you would have to work out whether the termination or cancellation fee is higher than the cost of what you would pay for the rest of the subscription time. Normally if there are only two or three months left, it is cheaper to continue to pay the subscription.”
She said people should also watch out for automatic renewals.
“It’s not just a case of the 12 month finishing and it is over. You need to check if it is one that auto-renewals that you cancel it before it renews.”
The law required that people were informed about a subscription rolling over before it happened but Sims said even if a business was not following the law, customers would often have limited options.
“That’s because only the Commerce Commission can enforce the unfair contract terms law. If you are caught out, please make a complaint to the Commerce Commission who will hopefully investigate and force the provider to change its practices.”
YAKESHI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 February 2026 – Changan Automobile held a release event themed “Changan SDA Intelligence Update & Global Launch of Sodium-Ion Battery Strategy” in Yakeshi, Inner Mongolia. During the event, Changan formally unveiled its global sodium-ion battery strategy and announced the commencement of its 2026 Global Testing Season.
Changan is accelerating the advancement of sodium-ion battery technology as part of its global battery strategy. Tan Benhong, Chief Brand Officer of China Changan Automobile Group, noted that Changan will continue to roll out new sodium-ion battery–equipped vehicles across multiple brands in the near future.
“From extreme conditions to everyday driving — every pursuit of limits at Changan ultimately serves to protect each of our users’ everyday journeys.” stated Mr. Tan.
Under extreme low temperatures, sodium-ion battery systems demonstrated stable discharge capability, with validation extending beyond minus 40 degrees Celsius. To verify intrinsic safety, Changan and CATL conducted extreme abuse tests exceeding national standards, including compression, nail penetration, drilling, and full cutting under full charge, all without fire, explosion, smoke, or thermal runaway.
SDA Intelligence: Validation in Extreme Conditions
The launch also showcased SDA Intelligence, which moves beyond passive safety into proactive, AI-driven vehicle stabilization. During live extreme-cold testing in Yakeshi, vehicles from AVATR and Changan brands—including the CS Series, CHANGAN DEEPAL, and CHANGAN NEVO—were subjected to real-world scenarios under severe low-temperature conditions.
The AVATR 12 completed an ice-surface emergency lane-change following a tire blowout at 80 km/h. CHANGAN NEVO Q05 identified obstacles on low-friction ice during an Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) challenge and achieved a controlled emergency halt. CHANGAN DEEPAL L06 demonstrated rapid posture adjustments during a high-speed circular drift challenge on snow.
User-facing safety at Changan is built on a validation-first approach supported by a robust verification system and globally advanced laboratory infrastructure, including the Western Automotive Proving Ground and the CHANGAN SDA Lab, enabling comprehensive, all-scenario validation across the full vehicle lifecycle.
Yakeshi is only the starting point. The 2026 Global Testing Season will include Southeast Asia for high-humidity durability and the European Alps for high-altitude chassis tuning. In Eurasia, Changan will conduct winter testing centered on confidence in ice and snow, with AVATR 12 as the test vehicle. In Latin America, Changan will carry out a Mexico cross-country drive from Cancun to Merida, focusing on long-distance reliability.
Hashtag: #Changan
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
MILAN, ITALY – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 February 2026 – Alibaba Group today opened “Alibaba Wonder on Ice” (AWI), an interactive public installation in Milan’s Piazza del Castello Sforzesco, using artificial intelligence and cloud computing to showcase how virtual retail experiences could evolve during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Set against the historic backdrop of the Sforza Castle and the commercial artery of Via Dante, AWI turns one of Milan’s most recognizable public spaces into a live demonstration of how digital technologies can intersect with culture, commerce and consumer engagement. Powered by Alibaba’s advanced technology stack, the showcase illustrates how artificial intelligence can enable immersive, interactive digital retail experiences that respond dynamically to individual preferences.
“Alibaba and the IOC share a simple belief together: technology should enable the Olympic Games to be more exciting, accessible, sustainable and connected,” said Joe Tsai, Chairman of Alibaba Group. “With the power of AI, we are moving from “Cloud Olympics” toward “Intelligent Olympics”, as AI helps us work better, make smarter decisions, and connect more meaningfully.”
“I’m delighted to be here at the Alibaba Group Showcase, celebrating nine years of our partnership which represents one of the most significant technological transformations in Olympic history. Building on innovations delivered at recent Games, Milano Cortina 2026 represents a major step forward in cloud-based, AI-enabled broadcasting and operations, setting a new benchmark for future editionsn. Together with Alibaba, we’re not only ensuring the Games remain efficient and sustainable, but also remain engaging through sports media technology to audiences, athletes and fans worldwide”, said Kirsty Coventry, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)”
A Personalized Journey Guided by AI
At the core of the installation is an AI-guided journey that brings virtual retail into a physical environment. Upon entry, visitors are invited to share simple preferences—such as their favorite Milano Cortina 2026 sport—with an AI agent, which uses these inputs to curate a personalized journey throughout the space. Visitors may also choose to have their photo taken to generate a real-time digital avatar, further tailoring the journey to the individual.
The AI agent then acts as a virtual stylist, interacting with visitors and offering tailored recommendations for clothing, fragrance, and makeup. As participants make selections, the experience evolves continuously, demonstrating how AI-enabled retail can move beyond static product catalogues towards adaptive, interactive experiences. Each journey culminates in a personalized AI-generated video in which the visitor’s avatar becomes the central character in a digital gala setting.
The experience is supported by Alibaba’s latest AI and cloud technologies, including its Qwen3 series of large language and vision models, Wan 2.2 image-to-video generation model, and Taobao Vision’s immersive shopping solution, and Alibaba Cloud’s global cloud infrastructure.
Architecture Inspired by Ice and Light
Spanning 40 meters, the installation consists of two architectural elements:
The Snow Globe, a spherical pavilion that serves as an interactive space during the day and transforms into a projection surface for AI-generated visuals in the evening
The Crystalized Skirt Building, a sculptural structure inspired by the crystalline geometry of frost and snowflakes, which houses the immersive AI-powered virtual retail experience.
Designed with sustainability in mind, the installation uses recyclable materials and leaves no permanent footprint on the historic plaza.
AWI will be open to the public from February 7–22, 2026, during the Olympic Winter Games, and March 6–15, 2026, during the Paralympic Winter Games.
Showcasing the First AI-Generated Olympic Fan Art Collection
The opening of AWI also marked the unveiling of the results of the Alibaba Cloud AIGC Championship @ Milano Cortina 2026, the first Olympic fan engagement initiative of its kind developed in partnership with the International Olympic Committee, the Olympic Museum and the Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee.
Using Alibaba’s Wan video generation models, fans from around the world created original video artworks inspired by four winter sports: figure skating, short track speed skating, alpine skiing, and snowboarding.
A curated selection of the top 100 works is now being displayed on the surface of the Snow Globe. This collection represents the first AI-generated artworks to be displayed by the Olympic Museum located in Lausanne, Switzerland. Ten creators will be awarded tickets to attend the Olympic Winter Games in person.
By combining Olympic inspiration with accessible AI technology, Alibaba Wonder on Ice invites fans worldwide to go beyond spectating, allowing them to step into the Games, express their “vibe,” and join the Olympic Movement in an entirely new way.
Hashtag: #Alibaba
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
JAKARTA, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 February 2026 – 2026 marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations between China and ASEAN and the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It also coincides with the Year of the Horse in Chinese Spring Festival. On February 5, the “Steeds Herald Spring, Blessings Fill ASEAN”—Spring Festival @ ASEAN Headquarters 2026 was successfully held at the ASEAN Headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN and representatives of the Guangxi government pose for a handshake group photo with the permanent representatives of the 11 ASEAN member states (Photo by Huang Jundong)
The event, supported by the Mission of the People’s Republic of China to ASEAN, the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to ASEAN, and the ASEAN Secretariat, was hosted by the Information Office of the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, and the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, and jointly organized by Guangxi Daily (Guangxi International Communication Center), Guangxi Radio and Television, Guangxi Tourism Development Group, and Guangxi Cultural Industry Group. More than 250 guests attended the event, including envoys from the 11 ASEAN countries and external partners such as Russia, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil, senior officials from the ASEAN Secretariat, representatives from mainstream ASEAN media, local university faculty and students, and representatives from Chinese-funded enterprises.
I. A Gathering of Distinguished Guests, Sharing a Common Vision
This marks the first time that Chinese Spring Festival cultural activities have been held at the ASEAN Headquarters. With the deepening of globalization, the traditional festival of Spring Festival is not only a time for family reunions for the Chinese people, but also a new bond for dialogue between different civilizations. The Chinese Spring Festival embodies the philosophy of “harmony and coexistence”, which aligns perfectly with the ASEAN countries’ pursuit of “unity and cooperation”. Furthermore, the sustainable development concept of “rejuvenating the old and welcoming the new” resonates strongly with the ASEAN region’s vision of “common prosperity”.
Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, stated in his video address that over time, the Spring Festival has evolved into a global celebration. Its inscription on the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024 underscores the rich significance of this precious human heritage. Within ASEAN, many member states celebrate the Spring Festival, reminding people of the deep emotional bonds that transcend national borders. ASEAN will continue its commitment to fostering a community proud of its identity, actively undertaking the responsibility of protecting, preserving, and creating culture, arts, and traditions, and promoting the development of the cultural and creative industries. As we welcome the Year of the Horse, we hope everyone will embrace the elegance, vitality, and forward momentum that the horse represents, and embark on the new year together with hope, resilience, and unity.
Wang Qing, Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN, stated in his address that the Spring Festival symbolizes reunion, joy, and harmony. Celebrating the holiday together exemplifies the close bonds between the people of China and ASEAN, the integration of our civilizations, and our harmonious coexistence. The China-ASEAN community with a shared future is growing ever closer, demonstrating powerful vitality and setting an exemplary model for building a community with a shared future for mankind. He specifically noted that Guangxi serves as a vital “connection point” and “intersection point” for China-ASEAN friendship, exchanges, and cooperation, functioning as both a “gateway and engine” within the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In the new year, he extended heartfelt wishes for China-ASEAN friendship and cooperation to surge forward like galloping horses, unstoppable in its momentum.
Ambassador Sarah, Permanent Representative of Malaysia to ASEAN, noted in the address that as the Country Coordinator for China-ASEAN Relations, Malaysia has been privileged to witness and foster the flourishing development of the China-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Cultural celebrations like today’s Spring Festival event vividly demonstrate that our partnership extends far beyond trade agreements and diplomatic protocols. ASEAN and China share a deep, mature, and resilient relationship that will continue to grow and strengthen on the solid foundation of mutual respect, shared interests, and a common vision for peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
Li Pan, Director of the Information Office of the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, stated in his address that Guangxi is honored to host this event at the ASEAN Headquarters. As the permanent host city of the China-ASEAN Expo, Guangxi serves as an important platform for China-ASEAN economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges. Guangxi is working with ASEAN countries to build an artificial intelligence development path of “R&D in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou + Integration in Guangxi + Application in ASEAN”, and actively creating a new trade chain of “Production in ASEAN + Distribution in Guangxi + Sales in China”. In 2026, Guangxi will work hand in hand with all sectors of ASEAN to forge ahead and strengthen the neighborly bond between China and ASEAN over time. II. Celebrating the Spring Festival and Savoring the Festive Flavors
The event invited guests from around the world to gather together, celebrating the Spring Festival for the Year of the Horse, savoring the flavors of the Chinese Spring Festival, and appreciating the beauty of the arts. The opening performance, “The Beauty of China: Guangxi’s Zhuang Ethnic Charm”, featured a symbolic dance and connected it with a classic excerpt from the Caidiao Opera “Liu Sanjie”, including the “Antiphonal Song”, creating an artistic masterpiece that blends Eastern poetry with innovative ingenuity. The Chinese instrumental performance, “Chinese Chic Performance for Celebrating the Spring Festival of the Year of the Horse”, featured erhu and suona as the main instruments, playing classic melodies such as the theme song from “Journey to the West” and “Black Myth: Wukong”, converging into a “National Trend IP Music Festival”. When Guangxi ethnic instruments, the maguhu (horse-bone fiddle) and the bolie, met Indonesian gamelan, Chinese and Indonesian musicians jointly performed classics like “Jasmine Flower” and “Folk Songs Like Spring River Water”making the phrase “high mountains and flowing water meet a kindred spirit” more concrete and creating a lasting artistic resonance.
During the event, Guangxi Daily (Guangxi International Communication Center), Guangxi Radio and Television, together with ASEAN media such as TVRI, El John TV, and Harian Inhua, jointly launched the China-ASEAN Spring Festival Short Video Exhibition Week. Using short videos as a link, the event showcased the joyous scenes of China and ASEAN countries celebrating the Spring Festival together from multiple dimensions, inviting netizens around the world to jointly celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival as a global festival through the Internet.
III. Savoring the Cultural Gathering, Welcoming the Prosperous Spring Festival
On the same day, the “Spring Blessings for Success at the Year of the Horse” Chinese Spring Festival Cultural Exhibition and the “Instant Joy Market” Spring Festival Cultural Market were held simultaneously at the ASEAN Headquarters. Guests from various countries experienced the hospitality of “Tea Harmonies the World” through immersive experiences that included playing, appreciating, and tasting, creating “Ancient Charm and Blessings” calligraphy and painting rubbings, admiring the exquisite paper-cutting art, and enjoying a feast of Spring Festival delicacies from all directions.
The most surprising experience for the guests was exploring the smart future using Guangxi’s cutting-edge AI technology. Guests from various countries experienced intelligent translation devices and wore AR glasses, immersing themselves in barrier-free communication and exploring the thousand-year-old legend of the Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art Cultural Landscape. Hardy Chung, a reporter from Harian Inhua, remarked that China’s AI technology not only accurately depicted the beautiful scenery of the Spring Festival but also vividly expressed the touching story of ASEAN and China being connected by mountains and seas and sharing good neighborly friendship, presenting a beautiful picture of cooperation towards the future.
On February 4th, two “Instant Blessings” Pop-Up Events were held at the Halim Station of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway and the Mall Central Park in Jakarta, Indonesia, creating a festive atmosphere for the Chinese Spring Festival. Performers from Guangxi presented a variety of acts including song, dance, opera, and puppetry, attracting many locals to participate in interactive activities, join in the “Guangxi Kemusan Dance”, and share the joy of the Spring Festival. Yi Yan, a social media blogger traveling and living in Indonesia, exclaimed, “This year’s Spring Festival atmosphere in Jakarta is different!”
This event attracted more than 20 media outlets, including People’s Daily, Xinhua News Agency, China Media Group, China News Service, TVRI, METRO TV, bolong.id, and Vietnam News Agency to report on the event and widely spread the concepts of peace, amity, and harmony in the Spring Festival to people at home and abroad.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 February 2026 – Skylon, a premium development by GBD Land, located at Changkat Raja Chulan, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, has officially appointed COBNB as its hospitality partner, marking the launch of COBNB+, the company’s new premium hospitality brand. Skylon is the first development to debut under the initiative.
Image courtesy of COBNB+, L’Occitane en Provence and Skylon Residences
As part of the COBNB+ rollout, all PLUS-managed residences at Skylon will feature a full upgrade to L’Occitane en Provence hotel amenities, setting a new standard for guest comfort. The partnership reflects COBNB’s strategic move into experience-led hospitality, where design, service, and brand collaboration come together to enhance guest satisfaction and long-term asset value.
COBNB+ represents the highest tier within COBNB’s managed portfolio, designed for guests who value refined living, consistency, and effortless stays. The programme combines curated interiors, elevated operational standards, and technology-enabled hospitality, offering a boutique-hotel experience within a service apartment setting.
L’Occitane en Provence was selected as COBNB+’s premium amenities partner for its strong association with leading hotels and resorts worldwide, its commitment to responsibly sourced ingredients, and its timeless French heritage. The brand’s emphasis on sensorial comfort and craftsmanship aligns naturally with COBNB’s vision of modern, experience-led hospitality.
Skylon’s designation as the first COBNB+ property establishes a new benchmark for managed residences in Malaysia. The collaboration reflects a shared vision between GBD Land and COBNB to operate residential assets at hospitality-grade standards, enhance guest satisfaction and loyalty, and strengthen long-term asset performance.
“At L’Occitane en Provence, we believe everyday rituals can become precious moments. Our partnership with COBNB+ at Skylon reflects a shared vision to elevate the guest experience through sensorial comfort, thoughtful details, and the art of Provençal living — even within a modern service apartment setting,” said Elida Wong, General Manager, Southeast Asia, L’Occitane en Provence.
The launch of COBNB+ at Skylon marks the beginning of a broader premium rollout across selected developments. As COBNB continues to expand its hospitality platform, COBNB+ will serve as its flagship standard for luxury short-stay and serviced living.
At COBNB, luxury is intentional — and it begins with attention to every detail.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 February 2026 – AIA Alta Club launches Family Health MedTeam, an industry-first service1 designed to give high-net-worth families2 the privilege, convenience, and care at their fingertips. This exclusive offering provides round-the-clock, dedicated healthcare support across the Chinese Mainland with coverage of Grade 3A hospitals,3 ensuring families can focus on what matters most: living well together across three generations.
AIA Alta Club launches Family Health MedTeam, an industry-first service designed to give high-net-worth families the privilege, convenience, and care at their fingertips.
For many high-net-worth families, health is the ultimate legacy. Over 70% of AIA Alta Club members maintain close ties to the Chinese Mainland,4 with frequent northbound travel and demanding schedules. As a result, they often value assistance that helps them navigate complex cross‑boundary healthcare arrangements for themselves and their loved ones. Through a dedicated group chat on WeChat application staffed by doctors and nurses,5 Family Health MedTeam delivers trusted 24/7 support,6 and seamless access to Grade 3A hospitals across the Chinese Mainland, offering convenience and peace of mind so AIA Alta Club families (applicable to Solar and Luna Tier members) 2 can live life without compromise.
Alice Liang, Chief Proposition & Healthcare Officer of AIA Hong Kong & Macau, said: “Longevity and wellbeing are now central to how high-net-worth families think about their legacy. With Family Health MedTeam, we are removing complexity from cross-boundary healthcare and supporting families to safeguard their health across generations.”
“As an industry-first service,1 Family Health MedTeam represents an innovative step forward. It provides a seamless continuum of support, from general health consultation, to privileged access to top tier medical resources, and comprehensive chronic disease management — all delivered through round-the-clock medical support and coordinated care across the Chinese Mainland. The service empowers families to make critical health decisions with clarity, confidence, and continuity, offering meaningful and lasting protection that extends across three generations, and truly fulfilling the promise of a lasting health legacy.”
Key Features of Family Health MedTeam: Innovation Meets Exclusivity
Professional Family Care:
24/7Dedicated Online Service Team:6 Eligible AIA Alta Club members and their families2 have round-the-clock access to a dedicated online service team, providing immediate, professional support anytime, anywhere, ensuring peace of mind wherever life takes them.
Expert Care: Each designated team comprises an experienced doctor, who has worked at a Grade 3A hospital; and a registered nurse with nutrition qualifications in the Chinese Mainland who acts as family health ambassador.5 This ensures expert, empathetic care tailored to each family’s unique needs.
Easy Onboarding: Eligible members2 can call the exclusive hotline to activate the services with guidance. The services cover four family members in total,2 all sharing exclusive medical experiences.
ASeamless, One‑stop Experience:
Fast-Track Access to Leading Hospitals: Eligible Members and their families2 benefit from priority access to outpatient and inpatient services, with specified diagnostic tests available upon request at designated Grade 3A hospitals in the Chinese Mainland, enabling timely and efficient treatment.
Online General Health Consulting:7 Eligible Members and their families2 can consult their dedicated family doctor at any time, from any city in the Chinese Mainland, for general health concerns and wellness information, and access convenient and professional online consultations with specialists from Grade 3A hospitals as needed.
Health Concierge Services: A dedicated health ambassador coordinates the entire medical journey, including medical companion8, making healthcare experiences seamless and stress-free.
PersonalisedExperience:
Exclusive, Tailored Health Checkup Plans: The family doctor will customise a health checkup and arrange for it to be performed at designated Grade 3A public hospitals in the Chinese Mainland,7, 9 with the flexibility to adjust check-up items for individual needs.10
Chronic Disease Management and Home Medication Delivery: The service supports ongoing health with regular follow-ups and convenient medication delivery,7, 11 empowering families to manage chronic conditions with ease.
AIA Alta Club is an exclusive membership programme created for high-net-worth customers who aspire to achieve the optimal balance of wealth and wellness. Through a seamless blend of personalised wealth management, holistic health solutions, and exclusive lifestyle privileges, AIA Alta Club empowers members to pursue their aspirations and enjoy a life of distinction.
Remarks:
As of 16 September 2025, Hong Kong insurance industry’s first healthcare support in the Chinese Mainland, which integrates Online General Health Consulting along with Personalising Health Checkup at Grade 3A Hospitals and Online Support for Chronic Disease Management and Home Medication Delivery, Priority Booking for Outpatient and Inpatient Services, and Medical Companion Service, was compared with the similar services offered by major Hong Kong insurance companies.
Family Health MedTeam offered as a privilege of AIA Alta Club are available to (i) AIA Alta Club member in the Solar or Luna tier (“Eligible Member”) and (ii) up to three of his/her eligible family members as nominated by the Eligible Member (“Eligible Family Members”), subject to the terms and conditions of Family Health MedTeam and AIA Alta Club.
Applicable to Priority Booking for Outpatient and Inpatient Services and Diagnostic Tests.
Source: AIA Hong Kong internal data (as at 27 June 2025)
Designated family doctor as well as a nurse registered in the Chinese Mainland.
The Service User may contact the servicing team of Family Health MedTeam through WeChat mobile application or the service hotline during the service hours as set out in the “Terms of Use of Family Health MedTeam” for (i) coordinating the Services and (ii) using Online General Health Consulting. All the other services under Family Health MedTeam are provided during the designated service hours subject to the availability of the Service Provider. For details, please contact the Service Provider via the service hotline at (86) 400 961 0933. “Service User” refers to each Eligible Member or Eligible Family Member as defined in Remarks 2 above, who is entitled to use the Services.
Any information and recommendation provided under Family Health MedTeam is for general health and wellness information only and does not replace any medical advice or treatment. None of the Services shall be considered as a medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or recommendation in any kind. Except for the administrative support for the purchase and delivery of certain prescription medications under Online Support for Chronic Disease Management and Home Medication Delivery, the Services do not include any prescription, dispensing, administration and delivery of medications. The Service User must be physically present in the Chinese Mainland during the time of provision of the Services otherwise no Services will be provided.
Medical Companion Service is not available to the Service User who has already been hospitalised during the hospitalisation.
The costs of the health checkup and any related expenses shall be borne and settled directly with the relevant medical institution by the Service User.
Subject to availability and suitability upon review of the Service Provider.
The costs of the medications and the medications delivery shall be borne and settled directly with the Service Provider by the Service User. Online Support for Chronic Disease Management and Home Medication Delivery is limited to the administrative support for the purchase and delivery of certain prescription medications to designated delivery location only.
Important Information:
The above information provided herein shall not be construed as providing, selling, or soliciting the purchase of any insurance products or services outside Hong Kong and/or Macau, nor does it constitute any sales advice, product recommendation, or any form of service offer. Where the offering or sale of insurance products is prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction outside Hong Kong and/or Macau, AIA shall not engage in such activities within that jurisdiction. AIA does not provide or sell insurance products or services in any territory other than Hong Kong and/or Macau. The above information is for reference purposes only and does not include detailed terms, conditions, or risk disclosures associated with the relevant products.
The services under Family Health MedTeam (“Services”) are provided by the designated independent third-party service provider in the Chinese Mainland (“Service Provider”) when the Service Users are in the Chinese Mainland subject to the relevant terms and conditions thereto.
AIA reserves the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Services, any part thereof, service provider(s) or change any terms and conditions relating thereto at any time without prior notice at its absolute discretion.
None of the Services shall be considered as a medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or recommendation in any kind. Any information and recommendation provided under the Services is for general health and wellness information only and does not replace any medical advice or treatment. The Service User is advised not to change or discontinue any medical assistance or treatment that he/she may be receiving based on any information and/or recommendation provided under the Services. If the Service User is in doubt or consider necessary, please seek medical advice from his/her registered medical practitioner or other health professional immediately and do not ignore or delay seeking medical advice and treatment.
AIA is not the Service Provider, or the agent of the Service Provider, of the Services. AIA makes no representation, warranty or undertaking as to the quality and availability of the Services, and shall not be responsible or liable for the Services provided by the Service Provider. Under no circumstance shall AIA be responsible or liable for the acts, omission or negligence in provision of the Services by the Service Provider.
Any service, product or solicitation of any kind provided by the Service Provider are not sold or promoted by AIA, and AIA shall not be responsible and/or liable for any service, product or solicitation of any kind provided by the Service Provider.
Hashtag: #AIA
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 February 2026 – On the evening of February 4, “The World TCM Heritage Odyssey,” co-hosted by Phoenix Satellite TV and Dong-E-E-Jiao, took place at the Phoenix Center in Beijing and successfully concluded. The event, marking the beginning of spring, showcased the latest practices and achievements in the international dissemination, academic exchange, and modern transformation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) through cultural tributes, cross-disciplinary dialogues, and the integration of technology and art.
The ceremony centered on TCM culture and leveraged the immersive cultural, technological, and experiential environment of the Phoenix Center. It connected traditional medical wisdom with contemporary global health issues, demonstrating the pathways of inheritance and innovation for TCM in diverse cultural contexts around the world.
In his speech, Xu Wei, Chairman and CEO of Phoenix Satellite TV, stated that the global spread of TCM is not just about medical communication but also a process of cross-cultural understanding and exchange. He emphasized the need to build communication bridges through modern dissemination methods while respecting differences. Phoenix Satellite TV will continue to focus on and document the international dissemination of TCM.
Cheng Jie, Chairman of Dong-E-E-Jiao, remarked that TCM culture belongs to all humanity and that the company will keep promoting the synergy between cultural dissemination and industrial development, facilitating a deep integration of technology, culture, and brand narrative to contribute to global health.
The event featured a “Tribute” segment honoring five representatives dedicated to the international spread and cross-disciplinary integration of TCM, covering fields such as academic translation, medical practice, technology integration, and public welfare dissemination.
Scholar Ehsan Doostmohammadi from Iran was honored for completing the first Persian translation of the “Huangdi Neijing: Suwen” and promoting TCM in the West Asia region. Zhao Zhongzhen, Emeritus Professor at Hong Kong Baptist University’s School of Chinese Medicine, presented the honor and advocated for further collaboration.
Malaysian TCM practitioner Neoh Karen was recognized for promoting the modernization and internationalization of TCM through innovative communication methods.
Lee Tsung-En Andy, CEO of the Yangqi Integrative Medicine Center in Silicon Valley, was honored for his exploratory practices integrating TCM concepts with artificial intelligence and big data, sparking discussions about the modernization of TCM.
Italian physician Valeria Toso, a proponent of TCM meridian theory, was acknowledged for her long-term efforts to promote TCM concepts in Europe.
Dr. Diarra Boubacar Thiemoko from Mali, the first foreign postdoctoral fellow in TCM in China, received high praise for his years of grassroots medical exchanges in Central Africa and his work in developing TCM training and public welfare diagnosis programs on the continent.
During the event, Phoenix Satellite TV officially launched the second season of “The Healing Path.” The new season will document TCM’s development and application across different countries and cultural contexts, showcasing its diverse expressions in a global setting.
Throughout the ceremony, the Phoenix Center also established a global TCM cultural interactive experience area, enhancing the public’s intuitive understanding of TCM culture through cultural displays, product exhibitions, and interactive experiences. A special livestream program titled “Let’s Talk! Friends of TCM” preceded the event, generating public discussion.
As the event concluded, the theme song “The Healing Path,” created with AI participation, resonated in the venue, marking the end of the ceremony.
The organizers stated that this ceremony was not only a concentrated display of TCM culture but also a forward-looking exchange practice, showcasing new expressions and possibilities for traditional medicine in the contemporary technological and global health context.
DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank’s “AA-” and “Aa1” credit ratings are among the highest in the world.
Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named ” World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “ World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “ Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “ World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the world’s “ Most Innovative in Digital Banking” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the ” Safest Bank in Asia” award by Global Finance for 17 consecutive years from 2009 to 2025.
DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets. DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need. It provides essential needs to the underprivileged, and fosters inclusion by equipping the underserved with financial and digital literacy skills. It also nurtures innovative social enterprises that create positive impact.
With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.
Marvel at the Whimsical Gallop of Horses Adorned in Embroidered Artistry, Alongside an AI Fai Chun Photo Booth and Joyful New Year Rewards
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 February 2026 – This Chinese New Year, Pacific Place and Starstreet Precinct invite you to take a joyful gallop into the Year of the Horse with ‘Whimsical Gallop’ — a celebration that blends artistry, imagination and auspicious cheer. From 5 February to 3 March 2026, the mall is transformed into a contemporary Chinese garden awash in soft, nature-inspired pink hues. Leading the way is a striking 3.5-metre-tall embroidered horse in Park Court, alongside three other beautifully adorned horses brought to life by Hong Kong embroidery atelier YLYstudio. Together, this quartet of horses brings luck and fortune to all.
Spring Bloom Gallop Pavilion
Beyond the installations, the festivities continue with thoughtful and playful experiences. Create your own personalised blessings at the ‘Splendid Blessings’ AI Fai Chun Photo Booth, and enjoy ‘Galloping Joy’ New Year Shopping Rewards with festive ‘Blooming Splendour’ Lai See packets and exclusive shopping treats. The celebration culminates with lively jazz tap dance performances and a lion dance parade, bringing heritage and modern festivity together for everyone to enjoy.
A Garden Where Embroidery Meets Imagination
Across the mall and into Starstreet Precinct, visitors are immersed in a fantastical Chinese landscape of embroidered ornaments, blooming florals, lanterns and gazebos. YLYstudio dedicated over 1,000 hours to handcrafting more than 590 ornaments featuring eight auspicious motifs — feathers, birds, pomegranates, coins, flowers, four-leaf clovers, ladybirds, and clouds — using over 80 types of sequins, threads, and ribbons. These motifs are showcased on the four horses, spreading good fortune while enriching the festive landscape with depth and artistry.
Spring Bloom Gallop Pavilion
Location: Garden Court, Level LG1, Pacific Place
Three embroidered horses stand in quiet splendour — each a symbol of good luck, harmony and prosperity. Rising above them, a five‑metre‑tall gazebo becomes a sanctuary of artistry, where the eight auspicious motifs conceived by YLYstudio are revealed in delicate detail. Each work conveys multicultural blessings, all rendered with exquisite craftsmanship.
Blossoms of Imagination
Location: Level L1 (near lululemon), Pacific Place
Amid peach blossoms, a pastel pavilion shelters two young horses at rest. The scene evokes New Year anticipation, filled with hope and the promise of spring.
‘Splendid Blessings‘AI Fai Chun Photo Booth
Blending tradition with technology, the ‘Splendid Blessings’ AI Fai Chun Photo Booth invites visitors to create personalised New Year blessings with a contemporary twist.
By registering as an above member and spending HK$300 on the same day via electronic payment, shoppers can select an auspicious message, capture full-body photos, and receive both printed and animated digital versions to take home and share with loved ones.
Date: 5 February – 3 March 2026 Time: 10am – 10pm
Magical Blessings
Location: Level L1 (near Lane Crawford), Pacific Place
Energetic mini horses line both sides of the pathway, accompanied by floral arrangements and whimsical plants that create a festive corridor of movement and charm. An abundance of mini horses extends the blessings along the way, embodying prosperity and joy in every step.
Poised in Bloom
Location: Park Court, Level L1, Pacific Place
At the heart of Park Court, a 3.5‑metre‑tall
giant horse is poised in mid‑gallop — a graceful emblem of blossoming fortune. Flanked by peach blossoms, it moves forward to usher in a more prosperous year ahead.
Lanterns of Serenity
Location: Outside Three Pacific Place on Wing Fung Street and Star Street
Lanterns sway and blossoms bloom in this outdoor extension of the celebration. Set against the urban backdrop of Starstreet Precinct, the installation carries the festive spirit beyond the mall — inviting passersby to pause, smile and soak in the new year fantasy.
Poised in Bloom
‘Blooming Splendour‘Lai See Packets – Celebrate the Year of the Horse with FlourishingFlowers
The ‘Blooming Splendour’ Lai See packets are inspired by the elegance of embroidery. They feature delicate floral motifs rendered with painterly precision, blending layers of red, pink, and orange threads to create a sense of graceful movement. At the heart of the design, a sculpted floral emblem evokes abundance, beauty, and new beginnings, enriched with pearl-like accents recalling couture embroidery techniques, where beads, sequins and threads are meticulously layered.
Each set includes 10 Lai See packets in two harmonious colourways, accompanied by a velvet pouch in either soft pink, adorned with a pomegranate charm, or rich green, accented with a lucky four-leaf clover charm. These detachable embroidered charms are thoughtfully designed to be worn or styled long after the festive season, carrying the spirit of prosperity and good fortune throughout the year.
‘Galloping Joy‘– Elevate Your Experience with Exclusive Shopping Rewards
From 5 to 16 February 2026, shoppers can enjoy festive privileges designed to usher in a prosperous year, including exclusive ‘Blooming Splendour’ Lai See packets, movie ticket exchange coupons, Pacific Place shopping e-vouchers and gourmet treats.
Accumulated Same-day Electronic Spending
Shopping Rewards*
HK$3,800 – HK$8,799
One Set of ‘Blooming Splendour’ Lai See Packets + Two MOViE MOViE Pacific Place Ticket Exchange Coupons (valued at HK$260)
—
HK$8,800 – HK$17,999
HK$300 Pacific Place Shopping e-Voucher
HK$18,000 – HK$37,999
HK$600 Pacific Place Shopping e-Voucher + The Grand Sicilian Pistachio Puff (valued at HK$128)
HK$38,000 – HK$87,999
HK$1,400 Pacific Place Shopping e-Voucher + The Grand Sicilian Pistachio Puff (valued at HK$128)
HK$88,000
or above
HK$2,400 Pacific Place Shopping e-Voucher + COVA Nutty Duo Cookie Gift Box (valued at HK$198)
*Shoppers are required to join the Pacific Place Loyalty Programme – above and meet the accumulated same-day spending requirement by electronic payment during the Promotion Period in order to be entitled to redeem Shopping Rewards. The Rewards are limited in quantity and are available on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last. Other Terms and Conditions apply.
The Year of the Horse arrives in a dance of joy. Step Out Studio and fellow tap dancers will be tapping out the heartbeat of the season, their rhythms galloping alongside the soaring notes of Jazz Band led by Nate Wong. Together, they will conjure a celebration where artistry and vitality run free. After the lions are awakened in an eye‑dotting ritual, our lion dance parade will unfurl like a living tapestry of tradition — spreading fortune, unity and exuberance throughout the mall, and inviting everyone to stride boldly into the year ahead.
Tap and Jazz into the New Season
Let your feet and heart gallop with joy as Step Out Studio and fellow tap dancers bring tap to life, echoing the energy of racing hooves. Accompanied by keyboard, bass, and saxophone from Nate Wong’s Jazz Band, the performance blends percussive footwork with swinging jazz, creating a lively celebration of the Year of the Horse.
Dates:
14 February 2026 – Performers: Cal (Step Out Studio), Zoe Chan, Jazz Band led by Nate Wong
21 February 2026 – Performers: Cal (Step Out Studio), Natalie Hung, Jazz Band led by Nate Wong
Time: 3:30pm
Location: Level L1 (near Shiro), Pacific Place
Roaring into Prosperity: Eye-dotting Ceremony & Lion Dance Parade
Stride into the excitement of the Chinese New Year at Pacific Place! After bringing the lions to life in a traditional eye-dotting ceremony, the lion dance parade will wind its way through the mall, spreading energy, luck, and prosperity for the year ahead.
Date: 23 February 2026 (Monday, 7th day of Chinese New Year)
Time: 1pm
Location: Park Court, Level L1, Pacific Place
Join the ‘Whimsical Gallop’at Pacific Place and Starstreet Precinct this Chinese New Year — where embroidered artistry, festive celebrations, and joyful rewards come together to welcome a year filled with good fortune and blooming possibilities.
Nicki, who did not want to use her surname, said she had a 2002 Subaru Impreza and a 2012 Suzuki Alto insured with AA Insurance.
But while they were valued at $4000 and $5500 respectively for insurance last year, when it came time to renew this time, the Subaru was proposed to be worth $10,294 and the Suzuki $9600.
She said the maximum excess she was allowed to have had also dropped “massively”.
“We used to be at $2500 per car but the top is now only $1000. I’m unable to get the Subaru’s agreed value reduced back to what it was 12 months ago because they will only insure now for $4375. Allegedly the company feels it must protect us from underinsuring ourselves.”
She was able to reduce the value of the Suzuki.
A higher excess can reduce the premiums that people pay for cover. Nicki was told in an online chat with the insurer that its pricing team had determined $1000 was the most reasonable and accessible amount for customers.
Turners lists a 2009 Subaru Impreza for $5990. A 2014 Suzuki Alto is listed on Trade Me for $5500 and a 2011 model is $4900.
Nicki told the insurer that it was ridiculous that a 24-year-old car would increase in value by two-and-a-half times in a year.
“We cannot be the only ones they’re trying to raise revenue from in these three ways – sum insured increase, excess reduction, refusal to set sum insured appropriately low.”
A spokesperson for AA Insurance said it had recently updated its excess options to ensure that they were “simple and easy for customers to select”.
“Consistent with common industry practice, we rely on an independent third party data provider to provide vehicle values. From time to time, this provider updates their methodology and data sources to ensure the valuations reflect the most accurate and up to date market conditions.
“When this happens, customers may see changes, either increases or decreases, in their proposed agreed values at renewal. We encourage customers to get in touch if they would like to discuss their proposed value or agree on a different value with us.”
Got questions? RNZ has a podcast, Got questions? RNZ has a podcast, [www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/no-stupid-questions No Stupid Questions], with Susan Edmunds.
We’d love to hear more of your questions about money and the economy. You can send through written questions, like these ones, but – even better – you can drop us a voice memo to our email questions@rnz.co.nz
I have often wondered why the Reserve Bank’s primary weapon to combat inflation is mortgage rates.
Firstly, not everyone has a mortgage and, secondly, the well-off and the young are less likely to have mortgages. In general terms, would it not be better to increase KiwiSaver contributions in the short term, then relax them when inflation falls?
Making KiwiSaver compulsory would be necessary, but have a wider effect generally. Putting up mortgage rates simply recycles money back into the banking system.
During the latest increase/decrease cycle the banks’ profits rose significantly. A temporary KiwiSaver increase means people’s savings increase and the money is not simply lost in the current system.
This has been suggested a few times, including by former Revenue Minister David Parker, when he was Labour’s finance spokesperson, but so far, it’s never progressed any further.
I totally understand the reasoning. It would be great to think that my KiwiSaver balance was going up during times when we needed to get inflation under control, rather than that I was just paying more money to the bank in interest.
There are a few reasons why people don’t back the idea though.
One is that it would hit lower-income people hardest. Many are renting, so they are not currently affected by rising home loan interest rates.
Many of them aren’t contributing to KiwiSaver as it is. If we made it compulsory and increased the contribution rate, they could suffer.
People who owned a home with a mortgage would stand to gain the most.
There are also concerns that, if we ended up moving contributions according to what is needed for the economy, it could be harder to get them back to the level required to give people the optimum savings outcome.
Ideally, you want people to save an amount that gets them to the sort of lump sum they want to save in retirement – not the amount that inflation dictates.
Those are some of the arguments. I do think the idea has merit and it may be discussed again, if we move towards compulsion in the future.
I reached retirement age a few years back and stopped my KiwiSaver contributions, but continued to work and therefore my employer stopped their contributions.
I suggested that he should increase my wages by 3 percent, as the company no longer needed to pay contributions to my KiwiSaver. Years earlier, we did not get a wage rise, as the company’s 3 percent contribution was our wage increase, so I suggested it was only fair that the company increases my wage now by 3 percent, as I was no longer getting the contribution to my KiwiSaver.
Of course I did not get the 3 percent, which was my expected outcome. I thought this was just an interesting thing for you to note.
That’s right, at the moment, employers do not have to keep contributing to the accounts of people who are over 65.
It does seem unfair. Someone doing the same job can end up effectively paid less.
The government contribution also stops, but that makes more sense to me. If you are getting NZ Super, it is reasonable to not also receive the $261 a year from the government into KiwiSaver.
I would like to know how to make some modest inheritance money grow (not mine) and safely (again, as it’s not mine), even in government-guaranteed investments (if this is still a thing or how to tell).
Rather than get into the details as to whose money it is, I am a signatory to their NZ bank account. I have no clue about investing, but want to make their money grow, rather than let it sit there, and to make up for the occasional withdrawals, as it is moderately dwindling.
We try not to use the money in their savings account, but make occasional transfers to their everyday account, if they are short on funds. Additionally, what happens when they die?
Our lawyer created a will some time ago, but didn’t get back to me last year, when I emailed and asked them to remind me of the process when they die. I don’t have final say of their assets – that goes to my sisters.
The will was created by a major Wellington law firm.
If you have the money in a savings account at the moment, there are a few ways you could get a better return on it.
You could look at term deposits. They are very low risk, which it sounds like you are looking for.
You might consider a cash or conservative managed fund. You might get some balance movement in a conservative fund, but it should deliver better returns than a savings account over time.
You mention government guarantees. If you are looking for government-backed investments, you can buy Kiwi Bonds, which are basically lending money to the government.
At the moment, a Kiwi Bond with a one-year maturity pays 2.5 percent.
We also now have a Depositor Compensation Scheme, which gives you up to $100,000, if your money is in a savings account, transaction account or term deposit with an organisation like a bank or finance company that fails.
I would really recommend getting some advice on the best thing to do with the money though.
In terms of what happens when the person dies, Public Trust principal trustee Michelle Pope says the account will pass to any joint accountholders and won’t be part of the person’s estate.
If there is no joint accountholder and only authorised signatories, this ends when the account holder dies.
“The bank account then forms part of the deceased person’s estate and will be administered accordingly.”
The Australian stock exchange was down by two percent.123RF
A financial advisor believes the New Zealand stock exchange will be less affected by the latest global market trends than Australia.
The Australian stock exchange was two percent down when it closed trading yesterday evening, with some of the worst hit industries being mining and tech companies.
It came after some fears globally about investment returns on artificial intelligence.
Radical Investment financial advisor Darcy Ungaro said New Zealand’s main exports were quite different to those across the ditch.
“Specifically, commodities like iron and coal and the financial and banking industry. Obviously, there’s more tech companies in the ASX then the NZX.”
Ungaro believed that Australia was likely more connected to the global economy through its products and financial markets.
“They are far more sensitive to changes like Donald Trump’s recent nomination for Fed Chair.”
He said the New Zealand stock exchange was fairly insulated at the moment.
Tech and business commentator Paul Spain said the New Zealand stock market will be less exposed to the global trends driving down stocks in Australia and the US, due to having fewer tech companies that are listed on the local stock exchange.
However, he said New Zealanders with investments in NZ companies listed overseas, such as Xero and Rocketlab, or those with investments in international tech stocks, will still feel the hit.
Spain said the global trends may trigger people to sell off or exit from certain KiwiSaver plans; however, he said conventional wisdom would advise to hang in for the long haul.
“Sometimes we see these stocks that will have a drop, people will be fearful and maybe exit a KiwiSaver scheme and may well get burned if those stocks then end up bouncing back,” he said.
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Accommodation and food services saw the largest increase in jobs over the last year, up just over 25,000, with around 17,000 more full-time and 8000 more part-time roles.123rf
Unemployment has hit its highest level in a decade, but beneath the headline numbers some sectors are faring much better than others.
A total of 165,000 people were unemployed, a rise of 4000 on the previous quarter and 10,000 on a year ago. More people reported being available for work in the quarter.
Brad Olsen, chief executive at Infometrics, said while the number of full-time roles was down 0.9 percent year-on-year, the number of part-time positions had increased 2.1 percent, or 11,400 jobs.
“Accommodation and food services has seen the largest increase in jobs over the last year, up just over 25,000, with around 17,000 more full time and 8000 more part-time roles,” he said.
He said retail, health and information, media and telecommunications also had strong part-time growth in employment.
“For retail, there were 400 fewer roles overall, with 4100 fewer full time roles but 3700 more part-time roles, as retailers look to right-size their workforce for still mixed spending patterns. Health roles are up 7000 jobs overall over the last year, but this is made up of around 3000 fewer full-time roles but nearly 10,000 more part-time roles as the health sector manages budgets.”
In manufacturing, there were 7000 fewer manufacturing roles in December compared to a year earlier, driven by a drop of 7300 full-time positions offset a little by a 200 lift in part-time roles.
He said across the economy as a whole, a quarter of all roles were part-time.
“The increase in part-time work does seem to be a bit around businesses who are needing more capacity but aren’t willing or able to commit to full-time work immediately. That’s probably a bit of a sign of the slight tentativeness in the economy. You’ve had surveys recently which have suggested businesses are more upbeat about the general economy and have stronger expectations that they will both invest and hire more and there’s evidence of that but I think everyone’s just a bit shy at the start.”
He said there was a turnaround in tourism that was helping employment in that sector. “It’s now in a good space above 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels. There does seem to be more consistency in accommodation and food services because you’ve had lifts in both full-time and part-time work.
“Accommodation and food services is one of the industries with a much stronger focus on part-time work anyway but that increase in employment seems fairly broad-based. I do wonder if there’s an element of Kiwis seem to be spending a bit more on food and food-related items compared to straight-up retail options. You’ve seen retail employment actually fall a touch.”
He said people seemed to be spending on groceries and going out to eat a bit more but not as much on physical items.
The biggest declines in job numbers were in manufacturing, construction and some transport activity.
“Construction has seen declines across the board. You’ve got a nearly 11 percent decline over the last year in part-time construction work, an 8.2 percent decrease in full-time construction work, and that leaves an overall 8.4 percent decline.
“There’s just less to do than what there was a couple of years ago, and so the construction workforce has had to right-size a bit more.”
Some industries were facing longer-lasting change than others, he said.
“For construction, I’d find it hard to believe at the moment that construction would make it back to its peak level of employment, just because construction activity levels are likely to remain below peak.
“So if you needed so many workers to do all the work back in 2022-23 when it was really difficult to find builders, if you don’t have quite as much activity, you probably won’t see that high level of construction employment again, not necessarily in the short term at least.
“A lot of those other industries, I’d certainly be expecting as we sort of go through the year a bit more of a transition from that part-time focus to more of a full-time focus. But that will, I guess, for a lot of businesses, again, who are thinking that they’re a bit shy about hiring, they will be wanting to see sort of more stronger levels of sales and activity coming through before they commit to that permanent employment.”
Consumers were a shade more willing to spend at the start of the year, although stormy weather put a dampener on things in some parts of the country, according to payments firm Worldline.
Spending at core retail merchants rose by 0.6 percent in January compared with a year ago, with a continued mixed showing between regions and cities, and between the North and South Islands.
Worldline NZ’s chief sales officer, Bruce Proffit, said the modest but positive start to the new year for consumer spending would be welcomed by retailers after the tough past year.
“The annual growth rate seen in January 2026 compared to 2025 was not high but was at least a positive start to the year – but we also noted a sharp fall in spending on Thursday 21 January, the day of storms and heavy rainfall that had tragic impacts in some areas.”
Retail spending across the Worldline NZ network slumped by 5.6 percent that day.
Annual spending growth was highest in Whanganui (+2.5 percent), Hawke’s Bay (+1.9 percent) and Palmerston North (+1.9 percent), and lowest in the Bay of Plenty (-3.4 percent), Taranaki (-3.0 percent) and Gisborne (-1.0 percent).
“The net effect of the storms over the month resulted in Bay of Plenty and Gisborne being amongst the weakest regions in the country in terms of the annual change in spending,” Proffit said.
The negative effect on spending continued over the following Auckland Anniversary long weekend, including at hospitality outlets.
Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young remained cautious, saying the latest rise in unemployment to 5.4 percent, pointed to some time before consumers would stop focusing on just getting by.
“Retailers have been experiencing tough trading conditions for some time now, and while business confidence is largely positive overall, it is clear it could be some time before New Zealanders feel confident enough in the economic conditions to increase their discretionary spending.
“Many retailers will be feeling as though they are just treading water as the economy moves sideways, rather than forwards,” she said.
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