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March 5, 2026

Housing market ‘upturns start somewhere’

Hamilton and Dunedin experienced a lift of 0.9 percent in the month while Auckland was up only 0.1 percent (file image). 123rf

Upturns have to start somewhere, and February could have been the beginning for the housing market, Cotality says.

It has released its latest data which shows property values lifted 0.2 percent in February, the strongest increase since October last year.

The national median value was $806,697, still 1.2 percent down on a year ago and 17.3 percent lower than the 2022 peak.

Hamilton and Dunedin experienced a lift of 0.9 percent in the month while Auckland was up only 0.1 percent. Wellington was up 0.4 percent and Christchurch 0.6 percent.

Over a year, Wellington was down 1.4 percent, Auckland down 3.2 percent and Christchurch up 2.8 percent.

Chief property economist Kelvin Davidson said the stronger results could be a sign of things to come but it was still early days.

With sales activity trending upwards for some time now, mortgage rates down, and the economy showing signs of a pick-up, a re-emergence of modest gains in property values this year would not be a surprise, he said.

“The labour market probably holds the key, and most forecasts suggest that employment has already troughed, with the unemployment rate set to fall from now on.

“That being said, a modest lift in national property values in a single month in February is nothing to get carried away about.”

He said there would need to be increases for two or three more months before it could be a trend.

“Upturns do start somewhere. And I guess with those underlying fundamentals, we’re sort of watching for that.

“It was the strongest rise we’ve seen for three or four months and I think probably the more notable thing is just the broad-based nature of it. We saw increases across all the main centres which hasn’t happened for quite some time.”

He said provincial areas were still strong thanks to healthy farming activity.

“That’s going to be providing some cash into those markets and some liquidity into those markets.”

Election impact

Davidson said the looming election could also have an effect.

“We know there’s going to be chat around capital gains tax. You could imagine discussion around interest deductibility. I think the election is probably looming fairly large for investors. We are seeing investors active in the market now but you wouldn’t necessarily be surprised if there’s a wee bit of a hiatus there as we get closer to the election as they weigh up what parties are saying and what it might mean in terms of tax bills.”

Conflict in the Middle East was not yet a factor.

“In the near term it would be slightly inflationary. Maybe in the medium term depending on how long it lasts it could be disinflationary in the sense that you get a slowing economy and that weighs on inflation. I think it depends on the time period you’re looking at, how long will this last?

“I don’t think the Reserve Bank will necessarily be rushing to do anything, just sort of sitting back and waiting to see how that all plays out.

“They have been pretty consistent in saying they think there’s spare capacity out there so that should eventually bring inflation back down potentially even with some sort of shock coming through from oil prices or shopping costs.”

He said more borrowers were choosing to fix for longer. About 30 percent of existing home loans were fixed and not due to reprice for at least a year, the highest share since February 2024.

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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/2026/03/05/housing-market-upturns-start-somewhere/

March 5, 2026

Whanganui Collegiate facing investigation, court case and scrutiny from Education Ministry

Source: Radio New Zealand

Whanganui Collegiate. Google Maps

One of the country’s most expensive state-integrated schools, Whanganui Collegiate, is facing an Ombudsman’s investigation, a court case, and scrutiny from the Education Ministry.

The Ombudsman is investigating a complaint about the school’s fees, which are also the subject of legal action by a former school parent unhappy that day students are asked to pay $10,840 for access to facilities owned by the school’s proprietor, the Whanganui College Board.

Meanwhile, the Education Ministry is looking into an apparently illegal and long-standing lease arrangement for a hockey turf.

The Office of the Ombudsman would not provide details of its investigation.

“The Ombudsman is required by law to keep our enquiries secret, and we are unable to comment any further,” it said.

However, it confirmed it had received a complaint about the school’s fees, including those charged to day students – students who attended the school but did not stay in its boarding accommodation.

The school’s website showed they totalled $16,299 a year of which only an “attendance due”, which all state integrated schools charged to cover the cost of property provided by the school’s proprietor, of $2760 was compulsory.

The other fees were optional and included $2410 for meals, $289 for insurance and $10,840 for day students’ use of facilities owned by the proprietor but not part of the integration agreement that made the school part of the state sector from the start of 2013.

RNZ understands the Ombudsman’s investigation centres on the latter fee, which gave students access to parts of the school’s boarding facilities and to sports facilities.

RNZ understands that though the fee is optional, students who did not pay it could be excluded from significant school activities including tutoring and sports events.

The facilities fee was also the subject of a legal case brought by Craig Sinclair, whose children used to attend the school.

RNZ reported last year on Sinclair’s dissatisfaction with the fee, which he said should be a voluntary donation.

Sinclair said as far as he could establish, every other state integrated school asked for donations from day students for access to facilities not covered by their school’s integration agreement – none classed the payment as a fee.

He said the collegiate pursued him over his refusal to pay the fee through the Disputes Tribunal but did not pursue the case when it was moved to the District Court.

Sinclair said he had since filed a claim in the District Court and was waiting for a date for a hearing.

“With their charges, all the parents are paying GST unnecessarily, and they are missing out on the opportunity to claim a donation tax credit and so in the case of my time at collegiate, my family’s potentially missed out on about $30,000. So I’ve filed a claim for that,” he said.

Sinclair said in his view, the school’s charge amounted to a fee for participation in sports events and in the school’s special character.

Meanwhile, the Education Ministry confirmed it had contacted the school about its lease of a hockey turf.

RNZ understands the turf is owned by the WCS Foundation which leased it to the school for $41,000 plus GST.

However, integrated schools were not allowed to lease land or facilities.

The ministry told RNZ the arrangement was in place before the school became a state-integrated school.

“While state schools may lease property with the ministry’s prior consent, there is no provision for the board of an integrated school to lease land or facilities. The role of owning or leasing land and facilities for integrated schools belongs to proprietors,” it said.

“We’re currently talking with the Whanganui Collegiate School Proprietor and the school board about the issue and expect a resolution shortly.”

Whanganui Collegiate acting headmaster Tash Bullock told RNZ the school had no comment at this time.

The school last year told RNZ only one family had refused to pay the optional facilities fee for day students.

Fees and facilities

It’s not the first time the Education Ministry has contacted the school about its financial arrangements.

Emails obtained under the Official Information Act show the Education Ministry in 2024 scrutinised the school’s fees and pushed the school over the course of several months to include a clearer way for parents to opt out of optional charges.

They also show that eight years after being bailed out by the government, the school’s proprietor was spending about half-a-million-dollars a year to provide sport coaching.

The emails showed two ministry staff visited the school in February 2024 to discuss the optional day student fee and the amount of notice families were required to give in order to avoid being charged for a full term’s fees.

In March, a document summarising the situation included an entire section headed “Was it lawful for WCS to charge Boarding Facilities for Day Students (BDfDS) fees in 2023”.

Much of the content was redacted, but it said, in bold: “The proprietor may lawfully exclude non-BDfDS students from House spaces, activities, services and personnel”.

Also redacted from the document were agreed facts on the question: “Is it lawful for a school board to receive a donation, then transfer it to the proprietor?”

The document said the school was unsure, but ministry advice said boards may not donate money to their proprietors.

In June, the ministry asked the school to create a short description of the services purchased through the fee for day students and of the arrangements for students whose families did not opt in.

It asked that the proprietors share a draft with the ministry, which the ministry would check against its fees and donations circular.

In July, the ministry asked the school to provide a specific option for opting in or out of the fee. The school had said families opted in by signing the school’s terms and conditions.

In early September 2024, the ministry wrote to hurry the work along.

“You’ll remember our conversations of 16 August and 23 August about the dues and services for purchase. I stressed the growing urgency of the situation. I am worried that our dialogue has been going a long time and I can’t see the fruit of our work being visible on the website. It’s important that parents have clear and accurate information as they go through the enrolment process for 2025.”

By the end of the month the ministry declared it was happy with changes the school had made.

The emails also showed that eight years after the government allowed the school to become state-integrated in order to avoid closure, the school’s proprietor was donating hundreds-of-thousands of dollar a year to the school for sport coaching.

A ministry document said the donations “totalled almost $400,000 in 2022 and almost $500,000 in 2021”.

The document said the school’s view was that because the proprietor paid for and employed the coaches, it could deny access to extra coaching for any day students whose families did not pay the fee for use of facilities.

It showed that the ministry wanted the school to clarify how students who did not pay the day student fee participated in “Collegiate Weekends”.

The weekends were described as part of the school’s special character and the ministry said all students much have access to that special character.

The ministry also asked for proof that the board, not the school, employed the sports coaches.

Bail-outs and integration

Whanganui Collegiate, formerly Wanganui Collegiate, was a private school until it ran into financial trouble and turned to the government for a bail-out.

The then-National government agreed in 2012 to let it become state integrated in 2013 despite officials’ warnings.

At the time, the change increased the school’s government subsidies from $800,000 to $3 million a year.

In its final year as a private school, Whanganui Collegiate charged day students $10,000 a year and boarders $20,000, with uniform costs of $1500 on top of that.

The school charged slightly more than that when it became integrated and said it had suppressed its fees in its final year as a private entity thanks to nearly $3m in special government funding.

Education Ministry figures show the coeducational Y9-13 school had 409 students last year, more than half of them boys.

The total included 33 international fee-paying students.

In 2012, its final year as a private school, it had 416 students.

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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/2026/03/05/whanganui-collegiate-facing-investigation-court-case-and-scrutiny-from-education-ministry/

March 5, 2026

Hardened by the fall: Why Dave Rennie’s setbacks make him the right All Blacks coach

Source: Radio New Zealand

By Tony Johnson, rugby commentator

Three years after being unceremoniously dumped as Wallabies coach months out from 2023 World Cup, Dave Rennie will take on the All Blacks’ top job. PHOTOSPORT

Analysis – The road travelled over the last 26 years by Dave Rennie, from fledgling coach of the Upper Hutt club to the top job with the All Blacks, has been a long and winding one.

A quick promotion to the Wellington ranks in 2000 brought instant success, an NPC title that had eluded the Lions for 20 years, but since then there have been troughs to go with the peaks.

And it’s the experience gained from those most trying of times, notably his dismal 13 from 34 record with the Wallabies before being fired for Eddie Jones just months out from the Rugby World Cup, that might just prove as valuable as that gleaned from his successes.

Tony Johnson has been a Sky Sport rugby commentator for 27 years. Supplied

Sir Graham Henry has often spoken about how he’d had to learn to become a better people manager after his Lions team blew up in Australia in 2001. Were it not for a run of defeats against the Springboks in 2009 that forced he and his coaching team to have a long hard think about what they were doing, would they have won the World Cup two years later?

Failure at high level was something Scott “Razor” Robertson had no real experience of, and it showed. The defeat against England last November not only cost the All Blacks a much hoped for Grand Slam, it had a profoundly deflating impact on the team, from which the rumours of player discontent emerged.

Dave Rennie knows how to handle success, but will have learned much from his failures.

One of his first tasks will be to address the oft reported, but never truly proven cracks in the group and ensure the team ethos is intact. In this regard, his credentials are compelling.

For sure, his back to back successes with the Chiefs owed plenty to an outstanding group of players and a (cliché alert) coaching “Dream Team”, but it was Rennie who realised from the get-go that they were unlikely to win anything unless they figured out just who they were as a club, and who and what they represented.

From that journey of discovery came a powerful kaupapa, He Piko He Taniwha, On Every Bend (of the Waikato River) a Chief. It established a sense of identity Liam Messam describes as “bone deep”, and the hitherto elusive success came instantly. You’ll battle to find a single player from that era with a bad word to say about Dave Rennie.

Dave Rennie was renowned for building a strong team culture at the Chiefs, alongside a coaching dream team. PHOTOSPORT

As for his playing style, one thing Rennie will not be afraid of, is to bring some abrasion. His Chiefs teams infuriated opposition with their policy of clearing out anyone or anything within coo-ee of ruck. It is a risk-reward strategy that can be devastatingly effective when managed well, but a liability if carried out recklessly.

That’s all in the future. Of immediate importance now will be the establishment of a good coaching team around him. Whilst a complete clear-out of Robertson’s group is unlikely, it is also inconceivable that they will all survive. Rennie will want people with him he can trust, who align with his thinking. It won’t work otherwise.

Whilst public opinion appears to be well in favour of the decision, not everyone is convinced. Some have been quick to point at how his methods did not bring success to the Wallabies, a notable win over the Springboks notwithstanding. In his defence, he was trying to coach a team against an impossibly unstable backdrop, and he could hardly have fared worse than the man who replaced him so abruptly.

Some of those doubts may have been allayed by Rennie’s opening press conference, which was carried out with a clarity and authority that his predecessor had always struggle to convey. It also demonstrated his trademark willingness to challenge boundaries, exemplified in his comments about Brodie Retallick.

Retallick has been in outstanding form in Japan, and could clearly be a difference maker, but that would need the NZR eligibility laws to be tweaked.

Scott Robertson tried it with Richie Mo’unga and got nowhere. The fact that Rennie made his pitch with Chair David Kirk right beside him does make you wonder what they might already have discussed.

Kirk has made it clear that whilst a huge year lies ahead in 2026, it’s next years World Cup that is the number one priority. Was Dave Rennie saying “if that’s the task, then how far are you prepared to go to give me the best chance of achieving it?”

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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/2026/03/05/hardened-by-the-fall-why-dave-rennies-setbacks-make-him-the-right-all-blacks-coach/

March 5, 2026

Infinix NOTE 60 Ultra Ushers in New Premium Era

Source: Media Outreach

Thanks to powerful partnerships with industry leaders, NOTE 60 Ultra represents Infinix’s boldest entry in the flagship tier, debuting in Barcelona during MWC 2026

BARCELONA, SPAIN – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – Infinix is cementing its status within the premium smartphone segment in a bold new way with NOTE 60 Ultra, its landmark flagship debuting in Barcelona during Mobile World Congress 2026.

Infinix NOTE 60 Ultra Design by Pininfarina

Co-developed with Italian automotive and design legend Pininfarina, NOTE 60 Ultra’s design is driven by an emotion-led aesthetic inspired by super cars. Beneath its bold design lies a fully realized flagship experience, integrating breakthrough in-house innovations with best-in-class partner technologies. A professional-grade 200MP ultra-high-definition imaging system, built-in multi-country satellite communication connectivity, and immersive audio precision-tuned by SOUND BY JBL come together to challenge expectations in the premium segment.

Infinix NOTE 60 Ultra family

Supercar Design DNA in a Flagship, Shaped by Pininfarina

In the premium segment, the design language is a device’s opening statement. A user’s perception at first glance is shaped by aesthetics, long before a single specification is considered.

Drawing inspiration from the aerodynamic philosophy and pioneering spirit of high-performance sports cars, Infinix, in partnership with Pininfarina, takes a radical departure in sculpting a flagship. What stands out immediately is what’s missing: the camera bump. As premium handsets adopt larger sensors, they often sacrifice form with increasingly protruding camera modules.

True to the sports car heritage, NOTE 60 Ultra introduces a fully integrated, single-body rear: the Aluminum Unibody Design. At the heart of this craftsmanship is the World’s 1st Uni-Chassis Cam Module, formed a single, continuous sheet of CORNING® GORILLA® GLASS VICTUS that virtually conceals the presence of the camera. Much like a supercar sculpted for low-drag, the rear design maintains a smooth, uninterrupted silhouette. This also ensures a natural in-hand feel and unobtrusively slips into any pocket, while reinforcing the phone’s durability and structural integrity.

Paying homage to Italian cultural and racing heritage, NOTE 60 Ultra arrives in four striking colorways: Torino Black, Monza Red, Amalfi Blue, and Roma Silver. Each hue draws inspiration from the most iconic scenes and legends of Italy’s motorsport and cultural history, capturing the spirit of speed, lifestyle, and emotional beauty.

Just as a supercar announces its ignition through sound and light, NOTE 60 Ultra mirrors the ritual. A Floating Taillight signature spans the rear, illuminating as the device powers on. And as a final nod to automotive heritage, NOTE 60 Ultra features an Active Matrix Display reminiscent of a supercar dashboard at startup. Concealed within the rear surface, the hidden display lights up to reveal notifications, expressive icons, or a pixel-style virtual companion.

Dual Flagship Cameras for Detail, Zoom, and True-to-Life Imaging

Although discreet at first glance, Infinix makes no concessions on camera performance and earmarks a new era for Infinix’s imaging capability. Delivering performance on par with industry-leading standards, Infinix’s Dual Flagship Imaging Architecture marks several brand-first breakthroughs and improvements across three dimensions, reinforcing its position as a signature offering.

Under the hood, it’s clear that NOTE 60 Ultra refuses to settle for less. Discreetly integrated within the Uni-Chassis Cam Module is a powerful triple-camera array. Anchored by a next-generation 200MP Samsung ISOCELL HPE sensor, NOTE 60 Ultra delivers ultra-high-definition clarity. And ensuring flagship-grade versatility across focal lengths, the phone is complemented by a 50MP Samsung ISOCELL JN5 periscope telephoto lens and a 112° ultra-wide lens.

However, hardware alone does not define the full experience. For the first time, Infinix supports the XDR display standard with Ultra HDR Capture. Powered by a proprietary XDR Image Engine, Infinix’s advanced system delivers a superior dynamic range, ideal for true-to-life photos of bright lights at night or breathtaking sunset scenes.

The result is exceptional resolution that sets a higher bar for precise framing in daylight or after dark, while faithfully preserving details often lost in standard photography. Whether exploring daytime cityscapes or distant horizons, NOTE 60 Ultra excels with its advanced optical‑to‑digital zoom performance. Crisp, detailed shots are captured across a versatile zoom range, from a 2× optical crop and native 3.5× optical zoom to a 7× lossless digital zoom, extending up to 100× for extreme distances.

Expansive Satellite Calling and Messaging Coverage

Beyond what meets the eye, NOTE 60 Ultra carries a more subtle capability designed to accompany the user’s ambition, as far as and wherever the road leads. NOTE 60 Ultra is the first¹ to introduce dual-way satellite calling with expansive global coverage across a far greater number of countries¹. Powered by two-way messaging and calling beyond traditional terrestrial networks, NOTE 60 Ultra offers an added peace of mind whether navigating remote terrain beyond cellular coverage or facing large-scale network disruptions. The device bridges regional connectivity gaps to maintain communication and enables emergency location sharing when it matters most.

Ultra-Fast, Enduring Functionalities for an All-Around Flagship Experience

NOTE 60 Ultra combines category-leading performance and enduring power to support multi-sensory entertainment without interruption. Complementing this, its latest user experience delivers forward-looking innovations and AI-driven optimizations, making it more accessible and seamless for everyday use.

Impressively, Infinix debuted the Proprietary Battery Self-Healing Technology. Despite featuring a massive 7000mAh silicon-carbon battery within a slim, lightweight frame, NOTE 60 Ultra is engineered to restore up to 1%² of battery health every 200 charge cycles. Complementing this breakthrough, NOTE 60 Ultra supports wired 100W All-Around Fast Charge and 50W wireless charging, achieving a full charge from 1% to 100%² in only 48 minutes through a wired connection.

Even with a massive battery, Infinix pulls out all the stops to optimize for both speed and energy management. Featuring a 4nm all-big-core MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultimate chipset together with Infinix’s self-developed performance engine, NOTE 60 Ultra achieves up to 25%² faster multitasking, accelerated app responsiveness, and sustained smoothness.

NOTE 60 Ultra excels in its class with a captivating, 1.5K Ultra HDR cinematic display. Delivering fluid 144Hz responsiveness and exceptional 4500-nit peak brightness, visuals remain vibrant across most lighting conditions. Even in motion, intelligent predictive stabilization minimizes motion sickness, whether watching a film or playing games from within a car. And just as a high-performance vehicle demands calibrated acoustics, NOTE 60 Ultra doesn’t settle for less. It delivers high-fidelity audio through a stereo system with SOUND BY JBL, completing a truly compelling entertainment experience.

The NOTE 60 Ultra’s optimized performance enables its intelligent AI features to run fluidly and efficiently with minimal battery drain. Its integrated AI ecosystem focuses on practical daily-enhancing functions, including real-time vitals tracking via Advanced Health Monitor, personalized file organization and an adaptive AI-powered knowledge base, all evolving with user preferences. These AI capabilities are seamlessly woven into GlowSpace, a new interface debuting on XOS 16.³ Powered by Android 16, GlowSpace introduces a fully reimagined UI centered on fluid motion and luminous details that animate with every interaction.

Through co-engineering with leading technology and innovation partners, Infinix has aligned NOTE 60 Ultra around a unified vision of excellence. The outcome is a benchmark-setting flagship defined not by spectacle, but by deeply integrated and purposeful engineering, inside-out.

Product availability

NOTE 60 Ultra comes with a promise of 3 years of major OS updates and 5 years of security patches.

NOTE 60 Ultra is available in four colors: Torino Black, Monza Red, Amalfi Blue, and Roma Silver.

It will be available in a single variant with 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and built-in eSIM⁴.

NOTE 60 Ultra comes with a deluxe gift box with automotive-inspired display stand design. A Supercar-Inspired MagCharge Base in Zinc Alloy, a Kevlar-Pattern MagPad, a Custom Kevlar MagCase, and a Track-Edition SIM Ejector Pin are included in the gift box.

Disclaimer

¹As of launch, this device is the first commercially available smartphone to support two‑way satellite calling across multiple countries. Feature availability, supported regions and coverage are subject to local certification, network deployment and market conditions.

²All data comes from Infinix laboratories. The testing data may vary slightly between different test versions and testing environments.

³The specific XOS upgrade plan for each model will be announced separately. Please note that availability of this upgrade may be limited in certain countries.

⁴eSIM availability is carrier and region-dependent; it may not be supported in all countries.

Hashtag: #Infinix

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/2026/03/05/infinix-note-60-ultra-ushers-in-new-premium-era/

March 5, 2026

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford apologises after inflating overstayer figures

Source: Radio New Zealand

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford. RNZ / Mark Papalii

A Pasifika leader who lived through the Dawn Raids is accusing the government of scaremongering about overstayer numbers.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford told reporters there were “tens of thousands more” overstayers than she had expected last month.

“We have a big overstayer problem, tens of thousands more than we suspected, and we have to arm [immigration officers] with the tools to be able to request information from people when they have a reasonable suspicion that they are in breach of their visa conditions.”

Stanford made the comments in the context of the coalition giving immigration officers the power to ask suspected overstayers for identification in homes and workplaces.

RNZ wasn’t able to verify the “tens of thousands more” overstayers figure.

Immigration New Zealand confirmed there were around 20,980 people overstayers as of 1 July 2025 and approximately 14,000 in 2017 – a difference of just under 7000 over eight years.

Stanford has since backtracked.

“I meant to say when I was down on the tiles with all your microphones in front of me ‘thousands’. The figure that we always had in mind was around about in the low teens.

“When it came in at 20 [thousand], that is a significant amount more than we expected. So apologies that I misspoke. It happens on occasion. It wasn’t quite right.”

Tongan community leader Pakilau Manase Lua. RNZ Pacific / Lydia Lewis

Tongan community leader Pakilau Manase Lua’s was a child when his family came to New Zealand in the 1970s and lived through the Dawn Raids.

He attended the government apology for the raids as an adult and said Stanford’s comments took him back in time.

“It smacks of what the National Party did back in the ’70s with Robert Muldoon’s Dancing Cossacks and all of those racially motivated cartoons that they put up on the TV to scare New Zealanders into thinking that there’s a big groundswell of Polynesians when the actual majority of overstayers back then were were not Pacific at all.

“We made up less than a third of the actual overstayed numbers and my suspicion is that’s the case here but unfortunately this gaslighting that the government’s doing is going to be disproportionately targeting our people again.

“In an election year, this smacks of government putting the boot into the most vulnerable communities again and it’s not on.

“There was an apology done by previous government about the Dawn Raids and then we saw that they were actually still dawn raiding our people and unfortunately it’s always people of colour that end up being the people under the bus as the bus runs us over again and again.”

The Greens – highly critical of the legislation Stanford is handling – have seized on the minister’s error.

The party’s immigration spokesperson, Ricardo Menéndez March, accused her of fudging the numbers.

Ricardo Menéndez March. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

“She is using Trump-like tactics to fearmonger the community over the number of overstayers and creating a narrative that was simply not correct nor true to justify a bill that will give Immigration New Zealand more powers.

“It’s her responsibility to be correct when talking about the number of overstayers. Claiming that there’s tens of thousands more, it’s not just irresponsible, it shows that this minister will go [to] any lengths to justify a bill that will pave the path towards what we’ve seen in the US.”

Stanford has previously said the proposed change was narrow in scope and “very different” from powers available to US immigration officers.

On the overstayer figures, she stressed she had made a genuine mistake – and has apologised.

“I was on the tiles and I made a mistake and I’m very sorry about that. I’ve apologised. It was a lot more than we expected but I think the Greens are making an enormous mountain out of a very small mole hole.

“The point is that we have a number of overstayers and we need to make sure that we’re taking action where necessary to make sure that we are ensuring that we’re following through with deportation, especially in cases where there are criminals who are overstaying their visas.”

Lua has not been convinced by her explanation.

“No I don’t accept that at all. Someone in her position should know better, should know her facts, and again, this is going to have detrimental impacts on the most vulnerable, and in this case, our communities.

“Time and time again, we become political footballs during an election year, and this quacks like a duck, walks like a duck.”

Immigration New Zealand said the latest overstayer estimate of around 20,980 people as of 1 July 2025 was produced using newly adopted methodology, which had significantly enhanced the accuracy of the estimate since the previous in 2017.

A spokesperson said the two figures couldn’t be directly compared because of the different methodologies used.

It was important to note that the number of people who have overstayed their visa was very small in comparison to the number of people who travel to New Zealand lawfully each year, they 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/2026/03/05/immigration-minister-erica-stanford-apologises-after-inflating-overstayer-figures/

March 5, 2026

Why Air NZ is in the red while rivals soar

Source: Radio New Zealand

While other international airlines are reporting a profit, Air New Zealand recently announced a $40 million loss. RNZ/ Mark Papalii

Air New Zealand is struggling in a booming aviation market, and new fears the war in Iran raise fuel costs and questions over whether the national carrier can regain altitude

The koru is said to symbolise growth and resilience, but turbulent financial winds are now buffeting Air New Zealand’s iconic symbol.

A $40 million loss has grounded the feel-good narrative, just as other airlines ride a global travel boom.

Across the Tasman, Qantas has just banked a billion-dollar profit, while in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, carriers are reporting packed cabins and record revenues.

So today The Detail looks into whether New Zealand’s flagship airline can have a smoother path ahead.

“The result itself was worse than we expected,” says head of research at Forsyth Barr, Andy Bowley, who studies the numbers and writes investment research on Air New Zealand.

“Investors generally have an eye looking forward, more so than an eye looking back. And the outlook for the business is arguably worse than what the result was. So, from an expectations point of view, it was certainly disappointing.”

He pointed to a perfect storm to explain the worse-than-expected result: grounded aircraft due to global engine maintenance issues, softer domestic demand, high airport and operating costs, and persistent inflationary pressure.

“There’s a certain amount of work to be done here,” he tells The Detail. “I don’t think there is a quick fix for the airline. I think there are challenges that they have had in recent times with regard to the broader cyclical backdrop in New Zealand.

“I think there have been challenges with regard to the engine maintenance issues, which have been well documented.

“Those two issues will resolve themselves to some extent over the next 12 to 24 months, but I don’t think those are the only two issues impacting the airline, in terms of its ability to recover from the current woes that it’s in financially.”

He says one of the biggest issues is the level of cost inflation in recent years.

The airline has flagged a “reset” – a strategic review aimed at returning it to sustainable profitability. That could mean route rationalisation, tighter cost control, fleet adjustments, and potentially difficult workforce decisions.

Adding to the uncertainty is escalating tension in the Middle East. Any widening conflict involving Iran could push up global fuel prices and force longer flight paths as airspace closes – a costly combination for airlines operating on thin margins.

For Kiwi travellers, that may mean higher fares ahead.

For nervous staff, questions linger over job security. Labour, says Bowley, is a “big cost bucket”.

“I’m not the one to suggest that people will be laid off, but I suspect if they are looking to make savings, then the big cost buckets – where they can influence those cost buckets – will be under most scrutiny.”

Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour RNZ / Mark Papalii

Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour has suggested it’s time to sell the government’s shares in Air New Zealand.

The airline was privatised in 1989, but in 2001, it was bailed out by the government, which still owns a 51 percent stake.

Independent aviation industry commentator Irene King tells The Detail that’s not a good idea.

Air New Zealand, she says, is more than a company. It connects families, fuels tourism, underpins trade, and projects the country’s brand abroad.

Instead, she says, the airline should work on a closer working relationship with Qantas to increase the number of tourists coming here.

“That’s what the real game is, that is the reason we own Air New Zealand, it’s actually not to carry us abroad but in fact to bring more and more international tourists to New Zealand.

“When they have some of those really good, tight, strategic relationships, the New Zealand pie starts to grow. Air New Zealand is a strategic infrastructural asset. And it is about growing the wealth for New Zealand, and we should never escape from that particular notion.

“Privatisation, yes, has the potential to drive some wealth for some people, but Air New Zealand is about driving wealth for the whole of New Zealand. That’s the critical issue.”

King is a loyal and regular Air New Zealand flyer, but says she wasn’t surprised by the airline’s latest result.

“Look, it’s been very tough for them, and they don’t seem to have responded as I would have expected to known problems – well-flagged, well-known – and they sat back and said, ‘oh well, let’s see it happen’. That’s what amuses me.”

She points the finger at the airline’s board.

“Normally, it comes from the board. The board has been in place for quite some time, and under good conditions and bad conditions.

“One of the things with aviation boards is that in bad times, they have to understand the business backwards. And I would have thought they would have put a lot more aviation skill onto that board. If you don’t do that, you pay the price.”

The question now is whether this is a temporary dip in altitude for Air New Zealand or the start of a much steeper descent.

Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here.

You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/05/why-air-nz-is-in-the-red-while-rivals-soar/

March 5, 2026

Global Talent Summit Week Returns to Hong Kong March 18–19, Featuring Nobel Laureate, President of Peking University and SenseTime Co-founder

Source: Media Outreach

Focusing on talent ecosystem in the AI-era, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s Premier International talent hub

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – The Labour and Welfare Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, in collaboration with Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE), will host the Global Talent Summit Week (GTS Week) in mid-March. Anchored by the integration of education, technology and talents, the mega talent event will foster regional talent exchange and explore future talent trends through an international forum, a large-scale expo and diverse networking activities.

Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) announced the programme for the Global Talent Summit Week on March 2, featuring the International Talent Forum, CareerConnect Expo and nine satellite events from March 17 to 29. Photo shows (from left) Account Delivery Director of DayOne Data Centre, Mr Tony Zhou; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; the Director of HKTE, Mr Felix Chan; and Partner of Ernst & Young Advisory Services Limited, Mr Jeff Tang, at the press conference.

Building on the success of its inaugural event in 2024, this year’s GTS Week expands its programme to include the International Talent Forum and CareerConnect Expo on 18 and 19 March, alongside nine satellite events co‑organised with HKTE’s working partners from 17 to 29 March. Together, these initiatives form a comprehensive international platform for talent exchange, further strengthening Hong Kong’s dual role as an international talent hub and the country’s gateway for talent.

The GTS Week follows Hong Kong’s historic ascent to the top position in Asia on the International Institute for Management Development’s World Talent Ranking 2025, which marks the city’s highest-ever ranking.

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, stated: “At a pivotal moment of rapid transformation in the global talent ecosystem, the GTS Week aims to explore forward looking perspectives on talent development, policies and opportunities, while aligning with the country’s development, thereby building Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talent.”

The Director of HKTE, Mr Felix Chan, expressed his hope that through this flagship international talent event, the GTS Week will promote cross-regional and cross-sector collaboration on talent, and provide a platform for exchange with various partners that helps talent seize opportunities, understand development pathways in Hong Kong and gain foresight into manpower trends.

International Talent Forum | 18 and 19 March

Anchored by the theme “Connecting Global Minds”, the Forum brings together top government officials, business and academic leaders from Hong Kong and abroad.

Headlining the first day of the Forum will be Professor Christopher A. Pissarides, 2010 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, delivering a keynote speech. He will be joined by Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, and Mr Joe Ngai, Chairman of McKinsey Greater China, who will share perspectives on the talent ecosystem in a new era. The Forum programme is structured with three panel discussions aligned with the GTS Week’s core pillars:

Education — — “Navigating the Future: The Paradigm Shift in Education and Talent Strategy” brings together academic leaders to explore how cross-border collaboration and industry partnerships can drive innovation and build future-ready skills. Panellists include Professor Qihuang Gong (President, Peking University), Professor Nancy Ip (President, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology), Professor Simon Marginson (Professor of Higher Education (Emeritus), University of Oxford), Professor John Quelch (American President and Executive Vice Chancellor, Duke Kunshan University), and Professor Heiwai Tang (Associate Vice-President (Global), Universiry of Hong Kong).
Technology — — “Technology as a Catalyst – Shaping Talent Strategies for Innovation” examines how innovative AI technologies can support talent attraction and development. Panellists include Ms Venetia Lee (General Manager, Ant International Greater China), Dr Dahua Lin (Co-founder & Chief Scientist, SenseTime), Mr Yat Siu (Co-founder & ExecutiveChairman, Animoca Brands; Founder & CEO, Outblaze), and Ms Basima Abdulrahman (Founder and CEO, KESK).
Talent — — “Thriving in a Dynamic Talent Landscape – Sustaining Skills and Fostering Resilience” explores how AI and digital technologies are reshaping talent strategies. Panellists include Mr Jeff Tang (Partner, Market Development Leader, Consulting, Ernst & Young Group), Mr Paul Moody (Managing Director, Global Partnerships & Client Solutions, CFA Institute), Mr Grant Wright (Group Executive, AI, SEEK), Ms Ruchee Anand (Vice President of Talent Solutions for APAC, LinkedIn), and Ms Joy Xu (Group Chief People & Culture Officer, DFI Retail Group).

The second morning will feature panel discussions and dedicated sessions with satellite event partners. An invitation-only closed-door Forging a National High-calibre Talent Hub Symposium will follow in the afternoon, bringing together government representatives from the Chinese Mainland and the Macao Special Administrative Region to foster knowledge exchange, collaboration and high‑calibre talent networks.

The Forum is by invitation only; HKTE will provide a global livestream on both days.

For the full list of confirmed speakers and the detailed forum agenda, please visit: gts.hkengage.gov.hk/en/speaker-list

CareerConnect Expo | 18 and 19 March

Running concurrently on 18 and 19 March, the Expo will feature about 70 large enterprises, education and technology institutions, and government departments. The free-admission Expo will provide participants direct access to the latest industry information, diverse support services and networking opportunities with multinational companies across thematic zones, showcasing career prospects across the Greater Bay Area. Pre-registration is now open.

Nine Satellite Events | 17 to 29 March (New for 2026)

For the first time, the GTS Week will extend into a week-long series, with nine satellite events taking place from 17 to 29 March in partnership with HKTE’s various working partners. The programme includes regional conferences, career fairs and corporate award ceremonies, creating a comprehensive platform for professional networking and information exchange. During the week, HKTE will formalise a cooperation agreement with JCI Hong Kong to deepen international promotion of the city.

Registration and Enquiries

Hashtag: #GlobalTalentSummit

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/2026/03/05/global-talent-summit-week-returns-to-hong-kong-march-18-19-featuring-nobel-laureate-president-of-peking-university-and-sensetime-co-founder/

March 5, 2026

Iran ‘close’ to choosing new leader, Israel warns Southern Lebanon to leave

Source: Radio New Zealand

A man makes his way through debris at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the offices of Al-Qard al-Hassan, a Hezbollah-linked financial institution, in the southern coastal Lebanese city of Tyre on March 2, 2026. KAWNAT HAJU/AFP

Follow the latest with our live blog above

The Israel Defense Forces have begun “broad scale strikes targeting Iranian terror regime targets in Tehran,” it said in a statement.

This marks the 10th such wave of attacks since the latest conflict began on Saturday, according to the IDF. Earlier Wednesday, it said its overnight strikes had targeted what it described as command centers used by Iran’s feared internal security forces and the Basij militia.

“They hit quite hard last night, it was a bad night,” one resident in northern Tehran told CNN. “I don’t know where exactly they hit, but it felt like we could hear explosions from around us.”

They added that they wanted to get out of the city and flee into the mountains. “But we also don’t know where military assets are so its hard to tell where it is going to be safe,” the resident said.

Israel said its air force had launched a new “large scale” wave of strikes “targeting the Iranian terror regime’s infrastructure in Tehran”, following the latest salvo of missiles fired from Iran, including in Tel Aviv and in several sites in central Israel.

Iran, in turn, appealed to the UN Security Council to step in, while warning of more intense attacks on US forces and Israel as the war raged for the fourth day.

Iranian drones struck the US embassy in Saudi Arabia after previously hitting the mission in Kuwait.

In Lebanon, air strikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs, an area where Hezbollah holds sway, while Hezbollah said it had targeted a military facility in Israel in response.

Israel ordered its forces to take control of more positions inside Lebanon to create a buffer zone, and the Lebanese army pulled back some of its forces.

Explosions were also heard in the Bahraini and Qatari capitals of Manama and Doha.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said a key Iranian nuclear site, Natanz, was damaged, but “no radiological consequence” was expected.

The UN refugee agency said the escalation of hostilities has displaced at least 30,000 people in Lebanon, and the Iranian Red Crescent said more than 780 people have been killed nationwide.

Follow the latest with our live blog at the top of this page.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/05/iran-close-to-choosing-new-leader-israel-warns-southern-lebanon-to-leave/

March 5, 2026

New Zealand consular response in Middle East

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government continues to explore all options for assisting New Zealanders stranded by conflict in the Middle East, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins say.

“The events in the Middle East are fast-moving, dangerous and complex – and our primary focus is on assisting New Zealanders in the region to the extent possible in this very challenging security environment,” Mr Peters says.

“With airspace closed and most commercial flights not operating, we continue to recommend that New Zealanders shelter in place – or take any safe and practical opportunities that are available to leave the region.

“As part of preparing for all contingencies, we are pre-deploying New Zealand consular staff and two Defence Force planes to the region – so that they can be ready when conditions allow to assist with any civilian evacuation operations.

“In preparing for the possibility of civilian evacuation operations, we are working closely with our consular partners. We are also in discussions with commercial airlines, including on the subject of charter options.

“We cannot be sure when and how any civilian evacuation operations might be possible, but we want to be ready if and when conditions on the ground make them possible,” Mr Peters says.

This deployment of consular staff and two NZDF C-130J aircraft is part of New Zealand’s contingency plans in preparation for supporting New Zealanders wishing to leave the Middle East, Ms Collins says.

“The New Zealand Defence Force and Foreign Affairs staff are playing a vital role in this situation, stepping up to assist New Zealanders in distress overseas,” Ms Collins says.

“Decisions on precisely where the consular response team and two C-130Js will be deployed are still to be taken, though their location will be selected taking safety and other practical factors into account.

“There will also be limits, for reasons of operational security, to how much we can comment publicly on when and where the New Zealand Government personnel and aircraft will be deployed.”

All New Zealanders in the Middle East are urged to register on SafeTravel.

There are currently around 3000 New Zealanders registered with MFAT as living in the Middle East.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is running a 24/7 response operation to events in the Middle East, including via teams in the region.

New Zealanders needing urgent consular assistance should call the Ministry’s Emergency Consular Call Centre on +64 99 20 20 20

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/05/new-zealand-consular-response-in-middle-east/

March 5, 2026

Live: Black Caps v South Africa T20 World Cup semi-final

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the T20 cricket action as the Black Caps face South Africa in the World Cup semi-final at Eden Gardens.

South Africa remain the tournament’s only unbeaten team and their seven wins in a row include a seven-wicket thumping of New Zealand in the group stage.

Black Caps captain Mitchell Santner said he wants his team to piece together their first “perfect game” this morning.

First ball is at 2.30am NZT.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/05/live-black-caps-v-south-africa-t20-world-cup-semi-final/

March 5, 2026

“Study in Hong Kong” Week spotlights city’s competitive higher education sector

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – The inaugural “Study in Hong Kong” Week (February 23 to March 1) was successfully launched to promote the city’s attractiveness as a destination for students around the world to pursue higher education.

A major highlight was the prestigious Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) 2026 Conference and Exhibition, which ranks among the world’s top three international higher education conferences. The event attracted over 3,500 leading international education professionals to explore the latest trends and critical issues in higher education.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of APAIE 2026, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)’s Secretary for Education, Dr Christine Choi said, “To further promote higher education in Hong Kong to the world, we are dedicating this week as the ‘Study in Hong Kong’ Week, during which we will share our success stories and connect more closely with partners worldwide.”

HKSAR’s Secretary for Education, Dr Christine Choi (second row, ninth left), visits the “Study in Hong Kong” Pavilion at the APAIE with other guests

“Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong enjoys the distinctive advantages of being part of China with strong support from our Motherland and at the same time being centrally located in Asia.

“Our universities are globally recognised, with five of them within the world’s top 100 and Asia’s top 20. Hong Kong claimed all top four spots in the ranking of the world’s most international universities last year. Indeed, one in every four of our students come from outside Hong Kong. The proportion is even higher for academic staff, with around 70 per cent from elsewhere.”

Held under the theme “Asia-Pacific Partnerships for the Global Good”, APAIE 2026 featured pre-conference workshops, summit forums, keynote speeches, and exchange activities.

Dr Choi met with education officials and representatives from various regions on international education development trends and co-operation. She held separate meetings with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic, Mr Róbert Zsembera, and the Director General of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam, Dr Nguyen Thu Thuy, to exchange views on the development, co-operation, and promotion of international higher education.

Dr Choi also toured the “Study in Hong Kong” Pavilion, where she learned about the promotional efforts of University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities and how they expand international networks to recruit students from various regions for study and exchange in Hong Kong. She also visited other booths at the exhibition, exchanging views on higher education development with representatives from various countries and regions.

Dr Choi noted that Hong Kong, as Asia’s world city, possesses advantages in global connectivity, world-class infrastructure, and rich cultural experiences that attract outstanding talent.

During the Week, UGC-funded universities hosted campus tours, allowing overseas guests to experience first-hand the fusion of diverse cultures from different regions. Universities also organised student exchange activities to foster friendships among international students from different regions, deepen their understanding of Hong Kong, and help them better integrate into local campus life.

“While Hong Kong is highly popular among students from the Chinese Mainland, those from other parts of the world, especially in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Belt and Road countries or regions, have increased significantly in recent years,” Dr Choi said.

“As we welcome more non-local students to our schools and universities, we hope Hong Kong can serve as a springboard for them to engage with the Chinese Mainland and the wider Asia-Pacific, and as a pathway to widen collaborations across this vibrant region.”

https://www.brandhk.gov.hk/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-hong-kong/
https://x.com/Brand_HK/
https://www.facebook.com/brandhk.isd
https://www.instagram.com/brandhongkong

Hashtag: #hongkong #brandhongkong #asiasworldcity #StudyinHongKong #Asia-PacificAssociationforInternationalEducation #APAIE

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/2026/03/05/study-in-hong-kong-week-spotlights-citys-competitive-higher-education-sector/

March 5, 2026

International trade: December 2025 quarter – Stats NZ information release

Source:Statistics New Zealand

International trade: December 2025 quarter – information release

4 March 2026

International trade statistics provide information on imports and exports of goods and services between New Zealand and our trading partners.

Key facts

Quarterly goods and services by country

Total exports of goods and services for the December 2025 quarter were $29.2 billion, up from $27.0 billion in the December 2024 quarter.
Total imports of goods and services for the December 2025 quarter were $32.0 billion, up from $29.4 billion in the December 2024 quarter.
The total two-way trade for the December 2025 quarter was $61.2 billion.

Visit our website to read the full information release and to download CSV files:

For media enquiries contact: Media team, Wellington, media@stats.govt.nz“>media@stats.govt.nz, 021 285 9191

The Government Statistician authorises all statistics and data we publish.

Ngā mihi,
Publishing
Stats NZ

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/05/international-trade-december-2025-quarter-stats-nz-information-release/

March 5, 2026

Proposed changes to Household Labour Force Survey income data

Source: Statistics New Zealand

Proposed changes to Household Labour Force Survey income data

4 March 2026

We are seeking feedback on whether administrative (admin) data could be used to create viable replacements for Household Labour Force Survey (HLFS) income measures.

Please read our evaluation of current HLFS income measures against admin alternatives and tell us how you currently use these measures. Your input will help inform our work and ensure the data we produce on income measures continues to meet the needs of New Zealand.

Feedback closes at 5pm on Wednesday, 15 April 2026.

Visit our website to read the evaluation and to provide feedback:

For media enquiries contact: Media team, Wellington, media@stats.govt.nz“>media@stats.govt.nz, 021 285 9191

The Government Statistician authorises all statistics and data we publish.

Ngā mihi,
Publishing
Stats NZ

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/05/proposed-changes-to-household-labour-force-survey-income-data/

March 4, 2026

Mayor dismisses rift over interim chief executive debate as politicking

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Plymouth mayor Max Brough. LDR /Te Korimako o Taranaki

Just minutes after unifying around a new vision statement, a rift on the New Plymouth District Council was laid bare over the appointment of an acting chief executive.

At an extraordinary meeting, councillor Dinnie Moeahu expressed his dismay that the public was to be excluded from debate about the appointment.

“The significance of this matter should involve the community and when we have to make a decision, a significant decision, why wouldn’t we have the community involved?”

Moeahu also took umbrage at senior council staff leaving the chamber at the instruction of outgoing chief executive Gareth Green.

“Why are our executive leaders leaving when they should be right here?

Councillor Dinnie Moeahu. Supplied / NPDC

“We are about to make a decision and I have some questions on this matter that I would like addressed before our council executives leave this room.

“And I’m not sure that when we remove the public, why are they leaving? Can someone tell me – through the CE – why are our executive leaders leaving this room?”

Green was happy to oblige.

“Through the chair, because I’ve asked them to. It’s not appropriate for our staff to be privy to the conversation that you’re going to have.

Outgoing chief executive Gareth Green. Taupō District Council / Supplied

“That would be inappropriate for both the individuals you will be discussing and for them [the staff]. It would be highly unusual for them to be here.”

Moeahu hit back during debate on the motion to exclude even though not a single member of the public had turned up to the meeting.

“I thought this term was going to be the term of transparency. We will be open. We will be honest. We will have our community know what we are doing.

“So, what are we going to do? Exclude our executive team, exclude the public from this decision.

“I will not support the recommendation and I would encourage others to stand up for the community in the realm of transparency because we have the option of including the public.”

Councillors voted 10 to 4 to exclude the public, with one councillor abstaining.

The chief executive was the single member of council staff employed directly by the councillors.

Following the meeting, New Plymouth mayor Max Brough said it was standard practice to exclude the public when employment matters were being discussed.

“You never, ever, ever, in a public space, talk about employment issues when going through the process of choosing a new CE ever.

“Never. No council does that. It’s nonsense. “

Brough accused Moeahu of political point scoring.

Ditching Sustainable Lifestyle Capital vision

Earlier, the two men had been on the same page as council took the first steps towards ditching its “Sustainable Lifestyle Capital” vision statement.

Councillors unanimously supported adopting “Thriving Today, Resilient Tomorrow” as its new vision.

Brough said the slogan – suggested by first-term councillor Gina Blackburn – signalled a change in direction for council towards a more economic focus.

“One of the problems with the Sustainable Lifestyle Capital is there’s all sorts of interpretations sustainable and we all think it’s great to have a lifestyle, but we’ve sort of drifted away from creating an income and generating wealth.”

Moeahu thanked his colleagues for the two days of work on the new strategic framework.

“We worked really hard to try and move forwards together as a cohesive unit and I really appreciated that there was a lot of honesty, and some challenges, but what we have landed on here should be commended.”

Blackburn said the vision statement was about looking forward.

“I think this signals a new direction for us as a council focused on our people, on our place and creating a district that everyone wants to be in, everyone wants to thrive in.

“And where everyone knows and can feel secure that our council is making decisions in the best interests of the future.”

The vision statement would be outlined in next year’s Annual Plan and inform its Mission, Goals and the Strategic Framework of the Long-Term Plan 2027-2037.

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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/2026/03/04/mayor-dismisses-rift-over-interim-chief-executive-debate-as-politicking/

March 4, 2026

New Zealanders feeling the pinch of rising inequality, think tank says

Source: Radio New Zealand

123RF

A think tank says New Zealanders can see and feel rising inequality.

Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa released polling suggesting most people agree billionaires should pay more tax.

Carried out by Talbot Mills, 68 percent of respondents agreed with the ultra wealthy being taxed more to support public goods like healthcare, housing and climate action.

Thirteen percent disagreed in the poll from 11-26 February of 1033 people.

Half of people surveyed – 50 percent – agreed there should be no billionaires while people struggle affording the basics like housing, food and healthcare.

Think tank director Gareth Hughes told Midday Report there is deep unease about how the economy is handling challenges like housing and the cost of living.

“Kiwis know that our tax system isn’t fair, it’s putting too much of the responsibility on workers, on things like GST, which are incredibly regressive,” he said.

“Yes, they would like those ultra-wealthy to be contributing more for our health and education system.

“That’s two-thirds agree that billionaires should be paying more to fund these public services.”

The numbers were closer together in another question in the poll – whether there should be a “billion-dollar wealth cap” or maximum amount of wealth a person can have.

Among the respondents, 37 percent agreed, while 34 percent disagreed.

“Oh, personally, I would be comfortable with that,” Hughes said.

“I think once you had a billion dollars you could get a certificate saying you’ve won capitalism and you could contribute to society.”

Hughes said he was part of a global network working to try to redesign the economic system “to deliver wellbeing for people and nature”.

He said it was a topic being raised overseas, and Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa wanted to test the idea in New Zealand.

“I acknowledge it’s a pretty new idea for New Zealanders, the idea of wealth caps,” he said.

“But remember, once upon a time we had very high marginal tax rates for the super wealthy in this country to contribute towards society.”

The National Business Review‘s annual rich list reported last year that New Zealand had 18 billionaires, up from 16 the year before.

“I think the big message though is that billionaires around the world and through corporate influence in New Zealand has seen a system which advantages them,” said Hughes.

“It’s very hard for people to pull themselves by their bootstraps today, you can almost say the ladder’s being pulled up behind the super-wealthy.”

Hughes said it was up to political leaders to put their solutions to the public.

On the question of billionaires paying more tax, 71 percent of people under 30 were supportive, and also 71 percent of people 30-44.

Sixty-eight percent of people 45-59 agreed and 64 percent of people polled over 60.

Eighty percent of Labour and Green voters agreed, 69% percent of Te Pāti Māori voters, 67 percent of the poll’s New Zealand First supporters, 58 percent of National and 44 percent Act.

The poll responses:

How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following:

The economic system in New Zealand is not set up to effectively address the big issues like housing, healthcare, and climate change. 66% total agree. 10% total disagree.
No one should be a billionaire while so many people struggle to afford basic necessities like housing, food, and healthcare. 50% total agree, 24% total disagree.

How strongly do you support or oppose the following in NZ:

Billionaires paying more tax to fund public goods like healthcare, housing, and climate action. 68% total agree. 13% total disagree.
Introducing a billion-dollar wealth cap – a maximum amount of wealth any person can legally hold. 37% total agree. 34% total disagree.

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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/2026/03/04/new-zealanders-feeling-the-pinch-of-rising-inequality-think-tank-says/

March 4, 2026

Empowering Frontline Safety: HAEXC Mobile Introduces Rugged Devices That Protect Workers in Hazardous Zones

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – HAEXC Mobile Pte Ltd, a specialist in rugged and intrinsically safe communication technology, today announced its latest range of Zone 1 phones, Zone 2 phones, and hazardous area phone solutions designed to enhance frontline safety and operational efficiency for workers in hazardous industrial environments.

HAEXC Zone 1/21 Phone

Purpose-built for explosive and high-risk conditions, HAEXC Mobile’s intrinsically safe devices meet stringent international safety standards, including ATEX and IECEx certification. These solutions enable reliable communication for industries requiring certified intrinsically safe phone technology, including oil and gas, marine, defence, and heavy industrial sectors.

Enabling Safe Communication in Hazardous Zones
Workers operating in hazardous environments require devices that can perform safely without creating ignition risks. HAEXC Mobile’s intrinsically safe (IS phone) and explosion-proof devices are specifically engineered to function safely in environments classified as Zone 1 and Zone 2, where explosive gases may be present.

The company’s portfolio includes certified Zone 1 phone and Zone 2 phone models designed to support mission-critical communication for:

Personnel requiring reliable hazardous area phone solutions

Defence and specialised applications requiring IECEx phones for military environments

These devices provide dependable performance while protecting workers and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Integrated Safety Features Including EX Camera and EX Proof Camera Technology
In addition to intrinsically safe communication, HAEXC Mobile devices incorporate advanced imaging solutions such as EX camera and EX proof camera capabilities. These explosion-proof camera systems enable workers to safely capture images and videos for inspection, reporting, and compliance documentation without compromising safety.

The company’s intrinsically safe phone solutions also feature:

Push-to-Talk communication for instant team coordination

Lone worker protection and emergency alert features

Rugged, shock-resistant and waterproof design

Long battery life for extended field operations

Secure enterprise mobility integration

These features make HAEXC Mobile’s devices ideal for organisations seeking reliable IS phone solutions in demanding environments.

Supporting Critical Industries Worldwide
“As industries continue to digitise their operations, the need for reliable and safe communication tools becomes even more important,” said Raymond Tan, Managing Director of HAEXC Mobile Pte Ltd.

“Our intrinsically safe phone and hazardous area phone solutions are designed to protect frontline workers while enabling seamless communication in even the most hazardous conditions, including oil and gas facilities, marine environments, and military applications.”

HAEXC Mobile’s rugged devices are widely used as certified phones for oil and gas, marine, and industrial sectors, helping organisations enhance safety compliance and operational efficiency.

Driving the Future of Industrial Safety Technology
With increasing demand for intrinsically safe mobile solutions, HAEXC Mobile continues to innovate in explosion-proof communication technology, including intrinsically safe smartphones and integrated EX camera solutions.

The company’s mission is to empower organisations with reliable communication tools that protect workers and support safer industrial operations worldwide.

For more information, visit:
https://www.haexc-mobile.com/

Hashtag: #IntrinsicallySafe #ExplosionProof #ISPhone #Zone1Phone #Zone2Phone #HazardousAreaPhone

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/2026/03/04/empowering-frontline-safety-haexc-mobile-introduces-rugged-devices-that-protect-workers-in-hazardous-zones/

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