Whangārei woman Brooke Gibson was left feeling burned when she tried to use a $200 gift card for a local restaurant.
“We were given a gift voucher by a contractor that we used and I assumed it was 12 months and put it away for safe keeping … fast forward eight months later, I go to use it and I see it was only valid for six months.”
She asked the restaurant whether they would still honour it and was told they would not.
Gibson said she always tried to support local business but felt it had been handled poorly and she was not given an explanation for why there was no leeway.
New rules are set to take effect for gift cards that will stop situations such as this from happening.
From 16 March, new rules take effect that mean gift cards have to have a minimum expiry time of three years.
Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young said there had been some uncertainty about what was captured.
She said some retailers had wondered how gift cards related to loyalty programmes would be affected by the rules, or vouchers given as incentives or bonuses.
The Commerce Commission on Friday issued guidance that made it clear that any gift voucher or card had to work with the new three-year expiration date rules, no matter whether they were in exchange for money, loyalty points or offered with another purchase.
While prepaid top-up cards for telecommunication services, public transport, electricity, gas, or water services are excluded from the changes, any other prepaid top-up cards will be required to adhere to the new minimum expiry. Loyalty points are not affected.
Gift cards given out free would be exempt.
“This clarification is useful for retailers to understand what is captured by these new rules. While it might not be the news that some businesses will have been hoping for or expecting, it provides clear guidance that they can now use to make the relevant adjustments,” Young said.
“We are heartened to hear that the Commerce Commission will be taking a pragmatic approach to enforcement as retailers work to update their programmes.”
The commission also said in cases where businesses automatically provide a consumer with a voucher once they reached a minimum spend threshold or a required number of loyalty points, its view was that such vouchers were not subject to the expiry requirements because they were automatically generated rather than forming part of a sale.
The Commerce Commission said if there was no expiry date given, there was no limit on how long a customer had to use a card.
Transportation Management System mobilizes over 80,000 Olympic stakeholders
Media Rights Rights Holders had access to 4,198 video highlights produced by Alibaba Cloud’s Real-Time 360º Replay systems
Qwen models power first use of LLM Technologies supporting fan engagement and Olympics ecosystem
MILAN, ITALY – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 February 2026 – In a ongoing effort to redefine the digital landscape of the Olympic Movement, Alibaba Group, the Worldwide TOP Partner of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has supported the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 (Milano Cortina 2026) in becoming the most intelligent Games in Olympic history.
Through a suite of advanced cloud and AI-driven solutions, Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, is empowering the IOC and the Milano Cortina local organizing committee to monitor and manage energy consumption, optimize transportation systems, enhance broadcasting operations, and foster IOC’s first use of LLM technology.
Kirsty Coventry, International Olympic Committee President, said: “Every Olympic Games leaves its own mark in terms of technological innovation. With Alibaba’s Cloud technologies and Qwen models, these Games have set a new benchmark for intelligence and creativity.”
Dr. Feifei Li, Senior Vice President of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group, President of International Business, said: “Milano Cortina 2026 marks a milestone with the first use of LLM technologies in the Olympic history powered by Alibaba’s Qwen models. Our cloud and AI-powered systems that supported Milano Cortina 2026 demonstrate our dedication to enabling smarter operations, deeper engagement, and new possibilities for the Olympic Movement.”
Sustainability successes
Alibaba Cloud’s AI-driven sustainability solutions and energy-efficient cloud infrastructure enabled Milano Cortina 2026 to effectively measure and analyze carbon emissions. This move sets a scalable model for future host cities to deliver more energy-efficient and carbon-saving Olympic Games.
Key systems developed and deployed include:
Enhanced Energy Data Management System deployed across all competition venues, allowing the Milano Cortina 2026 Organizing Committee and the IOC to monitor and analyse energy consumption and carbon emissions in real time. The IOC is also testing the Intelligent chatbot powered by Alibaba’s Qwen large language models, which enables staff to access both historical and real-time insights on electricity usage and power demand contingency.
Energy Issue Tracking System that digitalise workflows for identifying, escalating, and resolving energy anomalies, ensuring rapid responses and improving operational efficiency.
Codeveloped Sustainability Platform that allows organisers to assess the full lifecycle footprint of Milano Cortina 2026, with a dedicated focus on generating long-term benefits for local communities.
Accelerating efficiency
Drawing on iconic, world-class winter sports venues, Milano Cortina 2026 unfolded across more than 22,000 square kilometres of northern Italy’s alpine mountains and historic cities. Milano Cortina 2026 marked the Winter Games with the widest geographical spread in Olympic history. Spanning tens of thousands of square kilometres across the Alps, the event utilized Alibaba Cloud’s systems to assist game judging, coordinate logistics and operations, ensuring the Games ran smoothly and efficiently.
The IOC has worked with Alibaba Cloud to debut a sophisticated Video Adjudication system for the Milano Cortina 2026. Built on Alibaba Cloud’s low-latency livestreaming technology, this solution has been integrated into the core competition infrastructure to improve officiating precision. By synchronized management of multi-signal video feeds, the system assists referees in identifying fouls and provides instant arbitration playback to resolve scoring disputes. The technology has been deployed in Freestyle Skiing and Snowboard Slopestyle events to ensure accuracy for the judging panel.
The Transportation Management System (TMS), built on Alibaba Cloud, seamlessly connected venues across vast distances and delivered precise mobility assurance for Olympic stakeholders including IOC staff, athletes, volunteers, media and key personnel. Through the Milano Cortina 2026 Transport App and related system services, athletes and Olympic staff accessed personalised journey planning and real-time updates via connected official transport services. Throughout the Games, the app has mobilized over 80,000 individuals.
Other operational service applications — from e-voucher system supplying meals to tens of thousands of Olympic stakeholders, to meteorological service portal providing real-time weather information for Milano Cortina Organizing Committee to ensure the safety of outdoor competitions — also ran on Alibaba Cloud’s stable and resilient infrastructure.
In addition, the cloud provider’s Apsara Video technology has powered cloud-based live streaming and broadcasting for Milano Cortina 2026, enabling global media access to press conferences, IOC daily briefings, and post-competition athlete interviews in real time. This fully cloud-hosted Game Video Content Distribution service supported journalists with seamless video processing, editing, live and on-demand distribution, and secure download capabilities — all delivered through Alibaba Cloud’s resilient infrastructure.
An AI makeover on Olympic Tradition
Alibaba Cloud introduced an “Intelligent Pin Trading Station” in the Milano Olympic Village, adding an AI-enabled twist to one of the Games’ most cherished traditions.
Powered by Alibaba’s Qwen model, the station combines embodied devices with an AI system capable of understanding both language and visuals. Athletes place a pin into a capsule and interact naturally using voice and gestures. The AI interprets commands in real-time and guides a robotic arm to select a pin left by a previous participant. The result is a playful exchange that connects athletes through a tradition they already love, while broadening the range of people, countries, and stories represented in each trade.
The Intelligent Pin Trading Station demonstrates how cloud-based AI can support new forms of engagement—creating small moments of delight that encourage connection and discovery. Throughout the Games, Alibaba Cloud Intelligent Pin Station facilitated over 8,000 pin exchanges among athletes.
Intelligent by design
At Milano Cortina 2026, Alibaba Cloud’s Qwen large language models powered the first use of LLM technologies in Olympic history, advancing the IOC’s digital transformation and delivering a smarter, more connected Games. Qwen supported a range of applications, from enhancing global fan engagement to streamlining information management and operations across the Olympic ecosystem.
Key platforms — including the Olympic AI Assistant, NOC AI Assistant, and the Sports AI Platform — used Alibaba Cloud’s infrastructure to enable multilingual fan interactions, intelligent content search, and largescale media management. Collectively, these AI-driven systems set new benchmarks for accessibility, efficiency, and intelligence within the Olympic environment.
Broadcasting redefined
In broadcasting, the OBS Live Cloud Platform, powered by Alibaba Cloud, transformed how the Olympic Games were produced and delivered. Replacing traditional satellite operations, the cloud-based platform provided flexible, scalable, and high-quality content distribution of 442 live video feeds for 42 broadcasters worldwide.
Cloud broadcasting significantly reduces the physical footprint. Milano Cortina 2026’s International Broadcasting Centre was 25% smaller than Beijing 2022 and 30% smaller than Pyeongchang 2018.
Complementing this were advanced AI solutions such as the Real-Time 360º Replay systems and the Qwen-powered Automatic Media Description System (AMD). Together, these innovations modernised live production workflows, improved media turnaround speed, and set a new standard for intelligent broadcasting in the Olympic Movement. Throughout the Milano Cortina 2026, AMD has processed livestream signals of 391 competition sessions; meanwhile, Media Rights Holders (MRHs) had access to 4,198 video highlights of exciting moments from the competitions, all captured and produced by Alibaba Cloud’s Real-Time 360º Replay systems.
Through its longstanding collaboration with the IOC, Alibaba Cloud continues to transform the Olympic Games, making them more sustainable, efficient, and intelligent for all participants and audiences worldwide.
Hashtag: #Alibaba
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 February 2026 – Anomali, the first intelligence-native Agentic SOC Platform, today announced a strategic partnership with ABP SecuritePte Ltd, a global Value-Added Distributor (VAD) specialising in cybersecurity and network performance solutions. The partnership will strengthen access to intelligence-led detection, investigation, and response capabilities for organisations across the Asia Pacific region, amid an increasingly complex and fast-evolving threat landscape.
Through this collaboration, ABP Securite will distribute and support Anomali’s cutting-edge, cloud-native platform across key markets in Asia Pacific. Leveraging its extensive regional footprint and strong partner ecosystem, ABP Securite will deliver technical enablement, partner training, solution integration, and pre- and post-sales support to help organisations operationalise threat intelligence more effectively.
The Anomali Agentic SOC Platform delivers an intelligence-native approach to modern security and operations. Built for the speed, scale, and complexity of today’s AI-enabled adversaries, the platform combines a high-performance, unified security data lake with next-generation threat intelligence, analytics and workflow automation. Agentic AI is woven thoroughly throughout the platform versus being bolted on. This comprehensive architecture enables complete visibility, improves detection precision and quality, accelerates investigations, and provides agentic response and recommended next-step actions, which reduces operational complexity and scaling security operations across hybrid, cloud, and high-volume enterprise environments. Many of the world’s largest enterprises and leading government agencies currently rely on the company’s Agentic SOC Platform.
Key Benefits Include:
Customers move beyond passive threat data to actionable intelligence embedded directly into detection, investigation, and response workflows, making threat intelligence a daily operational asset rather than a standalone feed.
By combining Anomali’s advanced analytics and automation with ABP Securite’s regional delivery expertise, organisations strengthen their ability to detect, withstand, and respond to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
Organisations modernise security and operations without added complexity, supported by a trusted regional distributor, enabling faster adoption of intelligence-driven security practices and improved detection and response outcomes.
“As the threat landscape across Asia Pacific grows in scale and sophistication, organisations are looking for more proactive, intelligence-led defence strategies. This partnership unites Anomali’s advanced threat intelligence capabilities with ABP Securite’s regional expertise to deliver outcomes that truly enhance our customers’ resilience. Together, we’re enabling enterprises and partners to strengthen cyber defences, accelerate response, and build sustained security maturity across the region,” shared Joyce Ng, Chief Executive Officer of ABP Securite Pte Ltd.
“Our partnership with ABP Securite marks a significant step in expanding our commitment across Asia Pacific. By bringing together our intelligence-native platform and ABP Securite’s deep local relationships, we’re empowering enterprises and government agencies to operationalise next-generation threat intelligence and transform how they detect, investigate, and respond to cyber threats,” commented Alexandre Depret-Bixio, Senior Vice President, International, at Anomali.
“ABP Securite’s strong regional footprint and proven execution capabilities make them an ideal partner as we expand intelligence-driven security across Asia Pacific. Together, we are enabling organisations to move beyond static threat data and embed actionable intelligence directly into their security operations—improving detection effectiveness and accelerating response in an increasingly complex threat environment,” added Yen Nee Si, Regional Director, Asia, at Anomali.
Hashtag: #ABPSecurite
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
A first half hat-trick for Kelli Brown set the Football Ferns on the way to a 8-0 victory in their opening World Cup qualifier against Samoa.
Brown scored 30 seconds into the game in Honiara, she doubled her tally 13 minutes later and added her third in the 37th minute.
The Newcastle Jets player had not scored for New Zealand prior to the game on Friday afternoon.
After taking 12 attempts on goal in the first half the Football Ferns continued the dominance in the second half despite Samoa making several defensive substitutions early in the half.
New Zealand found the back of the net via captain Katie Kitching for a fourth goal in the 65th minute after several other New Zealand attempts were shutdown by the Samoa goalkeeper and some did not have the right finishing touch.
Just after scoring the goal Kitching was substituted for teenager Pia Vlok to make her Football Ferns debut.
Brown was also replaced with just under 20 minutes to play as coach Michael Mayne opted to make mass changes to bring in fresh legs in the Honiara heat.
The game was played in the early afternoon local time and was stopped for regular drinks and cooling breaks as temperatures in the high 30 degrees on the pitch.
Charlotte Lancaster put a good ball across the front of goal before it came off a Samoa player for an own goal and New Zealand’s fifth.
Manaia Elliott scored New Zealand’s sixth, and her first for the national team, a minute later.
She doubled her personal tally with New Zealand’s seventh goal just before the 90 minute mark with a long range strike that the Samoan defence failed to deal with.
Deven Jackson was eventually rewarded with her own goal after setting up her teammates when she scored the final goal of the game in added time.
New Zealand’s other Group A opponents in the Oceania Qualifiers for next year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup in Brazil are the Solomon Islands and America Samoa, with the top two teams from the pool advancing to the semi-finals and final, hosted by New Zealand in April.
The Football Ferns play the Solomon Islands on Monday night.
“We know what’s at the end of this series. I think it’s good that we still feel pressure coming into these games. That’s the way it should be,” Mayne said.
“I know these other three teams are going to be all chasing the same dream. I think in terms of the women’s game in the Pacific… I’ve been around the age group. I’ve been to a number of these tournaments. I can see the gap closing.
“I know every single one of these teams that we play over the next 10 days will be well set up, well organised. That’s exciting for us, and we’re used to tough challenges.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Work continues to reopen the roads in the Waipā District.RNZ / Libby Kirkby-McLeod
Waipā District is now in the recovery stage after extreme weather forced it into a state of emergency earlier this month.
But with some residents still cut off and the town of Pirongia still rationing water, things were far from back to normal.
RNZ talked to Paul Candace, who lives on Mount Pirongia, two weeks after the disaster.
He explained the moment he knew something was badly wrong.
“I saw the whole mountain go black from a cloud,” he said.
This was followed by a massive noise up in the mountain.
Flash flooding bought boulders, logs and massive amounts of water down the mountain.
“We were told in one [flash flood] we have video of, 200 million litres of water came down in one go.”
The road up to Mount Pirongia was washed out on 14 Feburary.Supplied / Waipa District Council
Twenty families live off a one-way road up the mountain. The road was plummeted and the hamlet was cut off.
Days went by, families shared what they could and a way through a farm was opened for those with a four-wheel drive.
Two weeks on the road is still inaccessible..Supplied / Waipa District Council
But two weeks on, the road was still closed and the community continued to rely on the good will of the farmer’s track which takes three times as long as normal to travel through and can only be used on a dry day.
Candace wasn’t sure when the road would be back. The flash flooding, damage, and uncertainty was taking its toll, including financially.
“For me and my family we can’t make any money because my wife has her business up on the mountain and I need to get down to my contracts. People go ‘oh yeah, you lost fencing’ and that sort of stuff… it’s a little bit deeper than that,” Candace said.
Another major worry for the community was the environment.
The Department of Conservation stated that Pirongia Mountain was the largest area of native forest remaining close to Hamilton.
It was home to many native birds and the community worked hard to make it safe to reintroduce the North Island kōkako.
That’s all under threat.
“From these sorts of weather events, obviously the birds are in danger, but what happens is all of our trapping systems are down, the tracks have been washed out,” Candace said.
Supplied / Waipa District Council
The pest species also tended to explode after a major weather event, he said.
Waipā councillor Clare St Pierre spent years supporting the Pirongia restoration work and was also deeply concerned.
“There has been significant damage I understand and big slips. It’s the Department of Conservation’s role to assess what the damage is so we are just waiting on that,” she said.
The Pirongia Te Aroaro o Kahu Restoration Society said it would welcome any financial or volunteer help to try and protect and restore what remained.
Off the mountain and in the village of Pirongia, water also continued to be rationed after major damage to the reservoir.
St Pierre said for many people and places around Pirongia life isn’t “back to normal”.
“There’s recognition at council that it is going to take time, so there is a real desire to make sure those people are supported over the medium term, not just now but going forward,” she said.
Good news came through every day; people were making an effort to support local businesses and the New Zealand Transport Agency had found a solution to reopen State Highway 39.
But what was quickly broken would take much time to repair.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Road freight association Transporting New Zealand says ensuring reliable Cook Strait capacity through to 2029 is a strong industry priority, following a major industry update in Blenheim yesterday.
The update, organised by Transporting New Zealand and supported by the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce, outlined how the new ferries and associated landside infrastructure will be delivered in 2029.
Transporting New Zealand Chief Executive Dom Kalasih said ensuring a safe and reliable Cook Strait ferry service was vital to the national supply chain.
“With approximately $30 billion worth of freight and thousands of people crossing the Strait every year, the ferry connection is an essential extension of State Highway 1.
“When ferries are out of service during wet and dry dock periods, the fleet can be reduced to two or three vessels for months at a time. This is a concern for the road freight industry,” Kalasih said.
“We’re pleased that KiwiRail proactively published its maintenance schedule to help our members manage demand. Bluebridge has stated it does not intend to dry dock either of its ferries this year.”
Kalasih said that with the retirement of the Aratere and signs of economic recovery, businesses are already reporting pressure on freight capacity during peak periods.
“Ferry providers, the road freight industry and government will all have to work together to ensure adequate capacity across the Strait until 2029. This update was a step in the right direction.”
Kalasih said he was also pleased to hear how Ferry Holdings, KiwiRail, StraitNZ and Port Marlborough were all well aligned on the importance of delivering the landside infrastructure on time and working collaboratively together to do that.
“The last thing New Zealand needs is a Spirit of Tasmania scenario, where new ships arrive before the ports are ready to receive them.”
“Ensuring the ferry connection is safe, reliable and resilient remains a top priority for Transporting New Zealand. That has always been the focus of our advocacy to government, ferry providers and other key freight partners. We’re proud to be the group amplifying the voice of freight providers and their customers.”
The ferry update was followed by a facilities tour run by Port Marlborough, demonstrating that early works for the Waitohi Ferry Redevelopment Project in Picton are well underway.
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 February 2026 – ONYX Hospitality Group, a leading provider of hotel, resort, serviced apartment, and luxury residential management in the Asia-Pacific region, will participate in the world-renowned travel trade show, ITB Berlin 2026, held from 3–5 March 2026 at Messe Berlin (Hall 26, Booth 211).
OZO Chaweng Samui
This year’s presence is particularly significant as ONYX celebrates its 60th anniversary, marking six decades of shaping hospitality experiences across the region and reinforcing its long-standing reputation as a trusted name in Asian travel.
At the show, the company will focus on expanding strategic partnerships within the European market while showcasing its exceptional management capabilities through a portfolio of distinctive brands designed to deliver memorable experiences for both leisure and business travellers worldwide. ONYX remains committed to driving efficient results and sustainable growth for its partners in response to the evolving demands of modern travellers. Today’s guests are no longer simply looking for a spacious room or an attractive design; they seek accommodation that truly understands the context and purpose of their journey. This guest-centric mindset has always been at the heart of ONYX’s approach — shaping the development of its brands, the delivery of its services, and the thoughtful expansion of its portfolio to meet the needs of modern travellers.
Aligned with its strategic philosophy, “A Tailored Approach to Hospitality,” ONYX will highlight opportunities across the leisure and city break sectors, particularly in Thailand’s key destinations, while emphasising its consultancy-led approach to building mutually beneficial, long-term partnerships.
This strategy reflects Thailand’s strengths, especially Bangkok’s positioning as a regional travel hub, offering the perfect starting point for European travellers to plan a combined “City Break & Leisure” holiday. Visitors can immerse themselves in Bangkok’s vibrant lifestyle and cultural scene before easily connecting to a variety of iconic and beautiful Thai destinations. These include a one-hour flight to Samui or Phuket or a two-hour drive to Pattaya. This convenience and flexibility allow ONYX to deliver a true “City-to-Sea” experience that resonates with today’s travel trends focused on value, comfort and exploration.
Beyond geographical advantages, ONYX also leverages its deep regional expertise and international standards, using cultural insights and traveller behaviour as the foundation for designing experiences that meet a wide range of preferences. Guided by the principles of “Quality Partnership & Growth,” the group ensures high-quality, transparent growth, earning the trust of global partners through over six decades of operational excellence. This legacy is seamlessly integrated with modern service innovations.
At ITB Berlin, ONYX Hospitality Group will showcase several flagship properties that are popular with international travellers:
Amari Bangkok: A landmark hotel in the heart of Bangkok’s business and fashion district, surrounded by world-class shopping centres. It offers the ultimate “City Break” experience, upscale shopping, and versatile facilities for MICE groups and grand celebrations.
Amari Phuket: A romantic beachfront resort on Patong Bay, offering premium relaxation with panoramic views of the Andaman Sea. Featuring modern, private rooms, exceptional seaside dining, and a top-tier spa, it is an ideal destination for leisure getaways, honeymoons, and picturesque beach weddings.
Amari Pattaya: A premium resort catering to couples, families, and business events. Located in a tranquil area of Pattaya Bay yet close to the city’s vibrant scene, it features spacious grounds, a large pool with a kids’ water park, and modern meeting facilities—making it suitable for holidays and special beachfront celebrations.
Amari Koh Samui: A beachside haven on the serene Chaweng Beach, where tropical beauty blends with contemporary design and international service standards. This resort appeals to all lifestyles, offering a relaxing seaside pool, the renowned Italian restaurant Prego, and family-friendly facilities amid the peaceful island atmosphere.
OZO Chaweng Samui: A modern lifestyle hotel on Chaweng’s prime beachfront, redefining relaxation under the brand’s concept “Sparking Adrenaline of Happiness.” Designed for new-generation travellers seeking both value and comfort, it focuses on providing a full, energising rest experience.
With its regional expertise and world-class standards, ONYX Hospitality Group continues to play a key role in driving the tourism industry forward, delivering memorable travel experiences to guests worldwide. As ONYX celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2026, it remains committed to reinforcing its position as a trusted and thoughtful partner, backed by a track record of award-winning management and global recognition.
Through ITB Berlin, ONYX aims to deepen connections with strategic partners and support mutually beneficial growth worldwide.
For more information on ONYX Hospitality Group please visit:www.onyx-hospitality.com
The ministry said parts of Auckland were among the worst-affected by the teacher shortage.123RF
Secondary principals say the worsening shortage of teachers is forcing schools to cancel subjects and hire untrained teachers.
Education Ministry figures showed schools this year faced a bigger shortfall of secondary teachers than previously expected.
It forecast a shortage of secondary 710 teachers this year, 510 next year and 190 in 2028 – higher than last year’s estimate of 550 and 330 for this year and next.
The ministry said parts of Auckland were among the worst-affected areas and Otahuhu College principal Neil Watson said he was seeing it.
“There’s a real shortage of good quality candidates coming through,” he said.
“The time it takes to actually make an appointment would be about the longest I’ve experienced. You’re starting to recruit for next year almost constantly.”
Watson said he had enough teachers for 2026 – but only just.
“We’ve been very lucky. We got our last teacher for this year – they got their visa yesterday, so they’ll be turning up in 10 days,” he said.
“So we are really fortunate here at Otahuhu College that we’re fully staffed now, but it’s been a lot of hard work to get there.”
Auckland Secondary Principals Association president Claire Amos said the city’s schools had been complaining about teacher shortages for years.
She said schools had been forced to abandon some subjects and squeeze more students into classes.
“The way that this gets dealt with is that you do cut back on the offering of classes,” she said.
“It might mean that smaller subjects are no longer a viable option so you start cutting back on the variety of subjects that you offer. It also means that classes end up getting bigger. I’ve heard of local schools that have up to 35 students in a senior class and we know that in senior secondary classes the ideal number is about 20 to 25.”
Amos said the shortage was also prompting schools to hire people who were not trained teachers.
“It means that a whole lot of untrained teachers are actually in front of our young people so people are relying on things like Limited Authority to Teach in order to have a living breathing human being in front of the young people,” she said.
Otahuhu’s Neil Watson said his school stopped offering Accounting as a subject in 2024 because it could not find a teacher and it stopped offering the Technology subject Hard Materials for the same reason.
He said his school had several people working under Limited Authority to Teach, but that was part of an in-school teacher education programme for people studying to become fully-registered teachers.
The ministry’s figures showed that while there were too few secondary teachers, there was a surplus of primary school teachers.
Its previous forecast of a shortage for this year was now expected to be an over-supply of 530 teachers with ongoing surpluses in successive years.
However the ministry’s report said primary schools in Taranaki, Northland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty faced persistent shortages over the next three years.
“Currently, we have more teachers in the workforce since records began in 2004, with the largest year-on-year increase for primary teachers in 2024 and for secondary teachers in 2025,” she said.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Nelson City Council is putting $100,000 towards helping vulnerable and homeless women in the city.
The grant to the Nelson Women’s Centre will support a new housing navigator role to help women into safe and stable housing so its social worker can respond to other urgent needs.
The centre’s funding and partnership coordinator, Augusta van Wijk, said about 30 percent of its social work caseload had involved housing-related concerns in the past year and that did not include the women who had to be referred elsewhere due to limited capacity.
“We’re using this funding to employ a dedicated housing navigator – a practical, targeted role that will strengthen our ability to support women into safe, stable housing and enable our social worker to respond to other urgent needs,” she said.
“It’s about increasing our capacity, reach and impact at a time when the needs of vulnerable women in our community are growing.”
Women’s homelessness was often hidden with women struggling to access support early enough, van Wijk said.
It would prioritise women who were homeless, living in unsafe environments or who had dependent children living with them in unstable housing.
The grant was from the council’s housing reserve fund, which was established in 2021 following the sale of its community housing portfolio to Kāinga Ora.
About $12 million was held to reinvest in social housing and to support community housing providers in Nelson.
Nelson mayor Nick Smith said the fund had been used to support the development of more than 115 homes.
Nelson mayor Nick Smith.RNZ / Samantha Gee
The council’s work on housing had identified a gap in specialist support for women, some with children, who were homeless or in vulnerable housing, he said.
“There is no single silver bullet for Nelson’s challenges with homelessness and we need multiple interventions,” Smith said.
“I’m hugely encouraged by how much new private-sector, state and community housing we are getting built in Nelson but we also need well-targeted social services such as Housing First and this new Women’s Centre intervention to ensure every Nelsonian has a warm, dry home to live in.”
Nelson City councillor Sarah Kerby said the programme tackled a clear need for many women living in the city without housing security.
“The navigator role will help the centre provide early intervention for women when they need it the most and I would encourage our wāhine to get in contact with them if their housing situation becomes precarious or unsafe. They will find themselves in supportive hands that will help them get closer to finding somewhere safe and healthy to live.”
The remaining housing reserve funds are ring-fenced for housing projects for vulnerable people and will be allocated in the future.
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Māori women are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system, getting worse the further they progress through the system, a new factsheet from the Ministry of Justice shows.
The factsheet found while wāhine Māori made up 15 percent of people in New Zealand they made up 44 percent of all women who were proceeded against by police, 49 percent of women entering court, 66 percent of women remanded in custody, and 71 percent of women sentenced to imprisonment.
Awatea Mita is the Director of the National Youth and Justice Coalition, she said the factsheet confirms what wāhine Māori and advocates have been saying for years, that the deeper wāhine Māori move into the justice system, the more punitive the response becomes.
“So this is not simply about what someone did, it’s about how the system reacts in bail decisions, in risk assessments, in sentencing outcomes.
When disparity grows, the further someone moves through the system, that tells us something structural is happening. The system is not neutral, it is amplifying inequality.”
Analysis in the factsheet, Reducing the disproportionality of Māori in the criminal justice system: wāhine Māori, concluded that while some of the disproportionality – that is the over representation of one group in relation to others – can be explained by factors such as seriousness and history of offending, a proportion remains unexplained, particularly at later stages in the system.
Discretionary decisions made within the justice system, and therefore within the system’s control, contribute to this unexplained proportion.
By the time wāhine are sentenced to imprisonment the unexplained disproportionality is at its highest, at 54 percent.
The factsheet notes that if all of this unexplained proportion was addressed, this could decrease the number of wāhine Māori sentenced to imprisonment up to 149 each year.
“When more than half of the imprisonment gap cannot be accounted for by offence seriousness or history, we have to ask what else is driving those outcomes.
We also need to remember that offending history reflects cumulative contact with police and courts. So that exposure is not evenly distributed… there’s not a neutral starting point.
The report shows us that the disparity is not just about what people do, it’s about how the system escalates its response over time,” Mita said.
While factsheet itself doesn’t use the word racism, Mita said the escalating pattern of disparity can’t be explained by behaviour alone.
“When disparity grows at each stage of the system, from police to court to remand to imprisonment, and when a large portion of that gap remains unexplained, we have to look at structural bias.
This isn’t about individual prejudice, it’s about how bail frameworks operate when someone doesn’t have stable housing. It’s about how risk assessments interpret prior history. It’s about how discretion is exercised. So if a system repeatedly produces unequal outcomes for one group, then we need to examine the structures producing those outcomes.”
Reducing disproportionality of Māori in the criminal justice system overall is a priority strategic goal for the Ministry of Justice, with wāhine Māori as the focus of the first stage of this work.
“This is partly because ensuring equitable outcomes for wāhine Māori have broader positive impacts on whānau and communities, including improved youth outcomes and reduced pressure on other government support systems,” Ministry of Justice’s General Manager, Sector Insights, Rebecca Parish said.
“Ongoing analysis will help us monitor the impact of this work, and how best to continue addressing the disproportionality of wāhine Māori in the criminal justice system.”
Mita said it is a positive step that the Ministry is tracking and acknowledging the disparity, but describing disparity is not the same as reducing it.
“Meaningful reform would include strengthening bail access, reducing custodial remand for low level offences, investing in Māori led alternatives and shifting resources towards prevention and whānau support. Monitoring the problem is a start, but structural reform is the real test,” she said.
Mita said she would like to see fewer wāhine Māori entering custodial remand for non-violent offences and wāhine Māori designing and leading the solutions.
If Aotearoa is serious about justice, then a shift from managing disparity to preventing it is needed and that means investing on whānau well-being rather than relying on carceral escalation, she said.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 February 2026 – Direct Funeral Services, Singapore’s leading funeral service provider, introduces new approaches to grief support with the launch of two pioneering resources: Music for Comfort and The Colours of Missing You.
Music for Comfort is the world’s first music album developed using monaural beats specifically designed for grief support in open spaces, while The Colours of Missing You is a children’s book that guides both young and old through the experience of grief using colour and storytelling. Together, these resources offer gentle, accessible pathways for emotional expression and reflection.
In line with the same commitment to bridging tradition and technology, Direct Funeral Services has also introduced Memory Weave, an AI-driven tool designed to help families honour and celebrate their loved ones through deeply personalised digital tributes, extending remembrance beyond the farewell.
Music for Comfort, a global first in funeral sound healing
Driven by a deep understanding of the needs of grieving families, Direct Funeral Services partnered with The TENG Company to co-develop Music for Comfort. The album is positioned as the world’s first to utilise monaural beats specifically designed for grief support in open environments such as funeral wakes.
Comprising 10 original tracks, the album was developed in collaboration with researchers from the Singapore Institute of Technology, with compositions aligned to the emotional stages of farewell. Early research findings indicate promising reductions in commonly reported grief-related symptoms, including anxiety and emotional overwhelm.
Alongside the album, Memory Weave, an interactive digital tool that offers families and friends a collaborative way to celebrate a life well lived. Attendees can contribute photos, videos, or audio messages via the app. These shared memories are then woven into a personalised digital montage, accompanied by music from the Music for Comfort album and played throughout the wake, offering attendees an intimate and reflective glimpse into the many facets of the departed’s life.
Jenny Tay, Managing Director at Direct Funeral Services, shares, “Every person’s life is a tapestry of stories and moments that deserve to be celebrated. With Memory Weave, we aim to provide families with meaningful ways to remember their loved ones, while creating a deeply personal farewell. By combining innovation with compassion, we hope to honour the beauty of each life lived.”
While Music for Comfort was initially conceived for funeral settings, its therapeutic potential extends beyond death care. The album may also support individuals navigating other forms of emotional loss, including divorce, illness, separation, or major life transitions. Building on The TENG Company’s Music for Mindfulness album released in 2023, Music for Comfort represents a continued exploration into emotional well-being through music. Four of the album’s ten tracks were released on Spotify in the last quarter of 2025:
The Colours of Missing You, a tender guide through loss
Written by Darren, The Colours of Missing You is an exquisitely illustrated book that helps both children and adults navigate the intricate emotions of grief. Inspired by Darren’s personal experience of losing his sister in 2022, and drawing on his expertise as a psychotherapist and leader in the deathcare industry. As the third title in a series of grief-support publications, this book uniquely uses the colours of the rainbow to represent the non-linear nature of grief.
Each colour – from red for anger to blue for sadness and indigo for healing – invites readers to acknowledge and process their feelings without judgment. The book’s captivating visuals were brought to life by Shan Jiang, a Shanghai-born, London-based artist renowned for his collaborations with global brands like Nike and NASA.
“The typical ways of addressing grief through silence, avoidance, or clinical terms can feel heavy and inaccessible. What we need is a softer entry point. Music and story help us feel first, before we think,” said Darren TK Cheng, CEO of Direct Funeral Services.
Together, these initiatives by Direct Funeral Services reflect a growing shift towards more compassionate and inclusive approaches to grief support in Singapore, underscoring how thoughtful integration of art, technology and human care can create meaningful spaces for remembrance, reflection and healing.
Hashtag: #DirectFuneral
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Smith’s body was found at a property on Taihape Road in Omahu, near Hastings, on 3 February.
A 47-year-old man has been arrested today and charged with murder and injuring with intent, and is expected to appear in Napier District Court tomorrow.
A 45-year-old man was arrested yesterday and charged with accessory after the fact to a culpable homicide.
He appeared in court today and is remanded to reappear in Napier on 4 March.
The 45-year-old man also faces three domestic-related charges unrelated to Smith’s death.
Detective Inspector Martin James said he hopes the arrest would reassure Sharlene’s family and the community.
“It’s been 24 days since Sharlene’s body was found, and for our busy team to have achieved this result so promptly should reassure the community we take these significant incidents incredibly seriously.”
Detective Inspector James praised the work of the investigation team, and members of the community who have come forward with information such as CCTV footage.
“They have taken the time to trawl through video and then notify Police, and their efforts have helped immensely in getting these quick arrests.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Four people have been taken to hospital, St John ambulance says, after reports of unwell children at an Ashburton primary school where an unknown has been chemical detected.
Initially St John said two people were taken to hospital from St Joseph’s School, on Friday morning. However, St John issued a statement Friday afternoon to say: “Two ambulances and one operations manager attended. Four patients, all in minor condition, were transported to Ashburton Hospital”.
Fire and Emergency sent three crews to St Joseph’s School just before 10am Friday, and called for its hazmat unit from Timaru.
Testing showed low readings of an unknown chemical, a FENZ spokesperson said.
Firefighters left soon after and the hazmat unit was stood down before arriving.
St Joseph’s School has not responded to RNZ’s requests for comment.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 February 2026 – DEEBOT T90 PRO OMNI features a suite of fully upgraded technologies that deliver a truly hands-free and ultra-powerful experience, setting a new standard in the mid-range robotic vacuum market. Integrating advanced innovations such as OZMO ROLLER 3.0 and PowerBoost Technology within an exclusive minimalist Nordic design, the T90 PRO OMNI offers a top-of-the-line, premium floor cleaning experience and delivers the best value in its class.
OMNI Station features Fresh-flow Power Washing and Dirty Water Box Auto-Cleaning so users no longer have to clean the machine manually. AGENT YIKO uses intelligent scene recognition to detect cleaning zones and avoid pets while cleaning.
ECOVACS ROBOTICS, a pioneer in service robotics, introduces the DEEBOT T90 PRO OMNI – an all-new generation of hands-free, ultra-powerful robotic cleaning built on fully upgraded technologies. Powered by the new OZMO ROLLER 3.0 Instant Self-Washing Mopping Technology and PowerBoost Technology with Perpetual Runtime, the T90 PRO OMNI ensures spotless results with zero interruptions, creating a daily life with a calm, Nordic-inspired aesthetic that naturally blends into your home and daily life.
Elevated mopping performance with the new OZMO ROLLER 3.0 Instant Self-Washing Mopping Technology. TruEdge 3.0 Extreme Edge Cleaning that reaches into hard to clean edges while protecting furniture.
With the DEEBOT T90 PRO OMNI, ECOVACS redefines what mid-range robotic vacuum cleaners can achieve. This new addition brings together premium cleaning performance, long-lasting reliability, and a seamless design that effortlessly fits into contemporary homes. Delivering top-tier results with class-leading value, the T90 PRO OMNI sets a new benchmark for what consumers can expect from the mid-range segment.
Spotless Cleaning, Perpetual Runtime
The DEEBOT T90 PRO OMNI elevates mopping performance with the fully upgraded OZMO ROLLER 3.0 Instant Self-Washing Mopping Technology. A 50% longer 27-cm roller covers more floor area in each pass, while a high-performance pressurized water pump feeds 16-nozzle 32-way precision nozzles to tackle stubborn messes. The roller spins at up to 200 RPM to prevent streaks and secondary contamination, keeping floors consistently spotless with no manual scrubbing required.
Equipped with the revolutionary PowerBoost Technology that redefines intelligent charging for robotic vacuum cleaners, the DEEBOT T90 PRO OMNI showcases ECOVACS’ latest leap in cleaning efficiency through ultra-fast energy boosts and non-stop cleaning freedom. A self-optimizing algorithm dynamically reserves power to prioritize full-space completion, enabling 10% battery power to be restored in three minutes during routine mop cleaning intervals, and up to 500 m² can be cleaned in a single run without interruption. This intelligence-driven, perpetual operation ensures that even large homes stay clean in a single cycle – no need to worry about a low battery or incomplete tasks.
Total Home Coverage, Unstoppable Clean
The fully upgraded TruEdge 3.0 Extreme Edge Cleaning ensures edge-to-edge cleanliness. Its 1.5 cm air-cushion suspended roller adapts in real time to glide smoothly along walls, while a protective felt strip prevents scratches to furniture and baseboards. Two soft rubber edge-gliding wheels and a fixed side brush further extend cleaning reach, capturing hidden debris that typical vacuums leave behind.
When facing impassable obstacles, the TruePass Adaptive 4-Wheel-Drive Climbing System gives the DEEBOT T90 PRO OMNI unmatched mobility. Two auxiliary levering wheels deploy automatically when needed, using soft rubber gripping teeth to climb single steps up to 2.4 cm and consecutive steps up to 4 cm. This ensures the robot cleans seamlessly across uneven surfaces without missing rooms or getting stuck.
The all-new ZeroTangle 4.0, with lateral airflow channels, and a reinforced wide-span dual-bearing structure, captures dust and hair efficiently without tangling. This reduces maintenance and keeps suction strong and stable, giving users a smooth, quiet, and worry-free cleaning experience every day.
Elegant Design Meets Effortless Maintenance
Understanding consumers’ desire for both style and convenience, ECOVACS designed the DEEBOT T90 PRO OMNI with a refined, minimalist aesthetic inspired by Nordic design. Its monochromatic point-cloud texture and fabric-like finish offer a warm, premium appearance while ensuring durability and easy upkeep, effortlessly complementing any home interior.
To make cleaning truly hands-free, the OMNI Station features Fresh-flow Power Washing and Dirty Water Box Auto-Cleaning. Fresh-flow Power Washing uses a new high-pressure direct pump to deliver heated water (up to 75°C) through 16 nozzles, saturating and deep-cleaning the mop roller for maximum cleanness. The self-cleaning wastewater system — with a 5,000 RPM propeller, straight-down drainage, a dual-layer scraping mechanism, and an independent sediment trough — removes dirt quickly to eliminate odors and prevent contamination. Users can enjoy a consistently fresh cleaning experience without touching dirty components.
An AI-Powered Experience that Truly Understands You and Your Home
With AGENT YIKO, the DEEBOT T90 PRO OMNI becomes more than a cleaning device — it is an intelligent home companion. Using intelligent scene recognition, AGENT YIKO identifies room types, floor materials, and pet zones, then automatically generates adaptive cleaning plans based on your habits and living space. It adjusts suction, water flow, and route planning in real time to deliver optimal results with zero management.
For pet families, the T90 PRO OMNI offers a gentle yet smart cleaning experience. It can sense and avoid pets while they roam. Users can set customized pet activity zones, so the robot focuses where it’s needed most, keeping both floors and furry friends happy.
Whether you’re at home or away, you can count on a spotless space, a healthier environment, and a cleaning experience that fits naturally into your lifestyle.
DEEBOT T90 PRO OMNI and DEEBOT mini 2 Debut at the Singapore IT Show 2026
Marking their first public showcase in Singapore, the DEEBOT T90 PRO OMNI and the DEEBOT mini 2 will officially debut at the Singapore IT Show 2026, taking place from 12 to 15 March 2026. Visitors to the show will be among the first in Singapore to experience ECOVACS’ latest DEEBOT T90 PRO OMNI launch in person, with live demonstrations highlighting its upgraded OZMO ROLLER 3.0 Instant Self-Washing Mopping Technology and PowerBoost Technology with Perpetual Runtime, as well as the refined Nordic-inspired design.
Consumers will also be able to experience the new ultra-compact DEEBOT mini 2, for those seeking a powerful cleaning solution without compromising on space. With a diameter of just 28.6 cm – smaller than a sheet of A4 paper – the DEEBOT mini 2 is designed for small apartments, from compact studios to two-bedroom homes. Despite its size, the DEEBOT mini 2 is equipped with advanced technologies like TrueMapping 2.0 and TrueDetect 3D, to plan cleaning routes and detect different surfaces, providing up to 91% whole-home cleaning coverage. It effortlessly navigates tight corners and hard-to-reach areas, offering 100% edge and corner coverage. Whether it’s under coffee tables, between furniture legs, or in narrow hallways, the DEEBOT mini 2 ensures that no spot is left behind.
The showcase underscores ECOVACS’ commitment to bringing intelligent, hands-free home cleaning innovations closer to local consumers through immersive, hands-on experiences.
Pricing and Availability
The DEEBOT T90 PRO OMNI and DEEBOT mini 2 will be available in Singapore from 8PM on 2 March 2026via the ECOVACS official webstore, NTUC FairPrice webstore, Shopee, Lazada, and TikTokShop.
The DEEBOT T90 PRO OMNI will be offered at a pre-sale price of S$1,199 (U.P. $1,899). Purchases made on the official webstore, Fairprice Online, Shopee, Lazada, and Tiktok will include a Tineco iCarpet Spot Cleaner worth S$379, while stocks last.
The DEEBOT mini 2 will be offered at a pre-sale price of S$599 (U.P. $749). Purchases made on the official webstore, Fairprice Online, Shopee, Lazada, and Tiktok will include an accessories pack worth S$48.90, while stocks last.
Hashtag: #ECOVACS
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Christchurch City Council claims it is committed to doing everything it can to reduce the effects of Bromley’s damaged sewage treatment plant on the community after being issued with an abatement notice for the putrid smell.
The plant was damaged by fire in 2021 and has since regularly caused a strong sewage smell to waft across parts of the city, however, the smell has been markedly worse since the start of the year.
Canterbury Regional Council has now issued an abatement notice and given the city council a fortnight to come up with a plan to reduce the offensive smell after receiving more than 4500 complaints in the past month.
Christchurch City Council said it took the notice seriously.
“We have been working closely with Environment Canterbury (Canterbury Regional Council) over recent months, keeping them informed of the steps we are taking to address odour,” it said, in an online statement.
Christchurch City Council had a fortnight to comply with the notice.
“Addressing odour remains a top priority and we are committed to doing everything we can to reduce impacts on the community. We will continue to keep the community and Environment Canterbury updated as this work progresses,” the council said.
Police had received reports that a person was assaulted at the intersection of Massey Street and Korimako Street.RNZ / Nate McKinnon
A person is seriously injured after being assaulted following a road rage incident in Hamilton.
Detective Alistair Hill from Hamilton City CIB said police were called at about 9am on Friday with a report that a person had been assaulted at the intersection of Massey Street and Korimako Street.
“The victim was transported to hospital by ambulance in a serious condition.”
“Initial enquiries suggest that this assault appears to be a road-rage incident, that is believed to have started on Higgins Road and made its way to the intersection where the assault occurred.
He said police believed there were at least two offenders who fled the scene in a vehicle.
But police have not identified any potential offenders or their vehicle.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the road rage or assault, has any information about it, or travelled through the area and has dashcam footage to contact them referencing the file number 260227/4370.
Information can be submitted to police online or by calling 105.
People can also provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Two Napier men have been charged in connection with the homicide of Sharlene Smith – one charged with her murder.
Sharlene’s body was located on a worksite in Omahu on 3 February.
Detective Inspector Martin James says to have made two significant arrests within the month is exceptional, and he hopes it reassures Sharlene’s family and the community.
“It’s been 24 days since Sharlene’s body was found, and for our busy team to have achieved this result so promptly should reassure the community we take these significant incidents incredibly seriously,” he says.
A 47-year-old man has been arrested today and charged with murder and injuring with intent, and is expected to appear in Napier District Court tomorrow.
A 45-year-old man was arrested yesterday and charged with accessory after the fact to a culpable homicide. He appeared in court today and is remanded to reappear in Napier on 4 March.
He also faces three domestic-related charges unrelated to Sharlene’s death.
Detective Inspector James is praising the work of the investigation team, and members of the community who have come forward with information.
“I want to thank our Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Kris Payne, and everyone in the team who has been working so hard on this enquiry,” Detective Inspector James says.
“I also want to extend a huge thanks to members of the public who have helped us with information such as CCTV footage.
“They have taken the time to trawl through video and then notify Police, and their efforts have helped immensely in getting these quick arrests.”
New Zealand stockpiles pre-pandemic influenza vaccine as part of the National Reserve Supply. The pre-pandemic vaccine stockpile is a public health tool that could support the initial response to an avian influenza health emergency or pandemic.
New Zealand has a very limited quantity of pre-pandemic vaccine and must use the vaccine wisely and in ways that best protect the health of the population.
The Pre-Pandemic Influenza Vaccine Framework outlines the Ministry of Health’s flexible, principles-based approach for managing and using the pre-pandemic vaccine stockpile. The framework supports effective and ethical use of the pre-pandemic stockpile and is part of the Ministry of Health’s wider pandemic preparedness work programme.
The Pre-Pandemic Influenza Vaccine Framework aims to help decision makers prioritise and use the pre-pandemic vaccine to prevent and minimise deaths and serious illness in the initial phase of an avian influenza health emergency or pandemic.