Category: Education

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Fuel ‘demand restraint’ being considered by government, Shane Jones says

Source: Radio New Zealand

Shane Jones. RNZ / Mark Papalii

The government will be hearing from officials later this week on possible steps towards “demand restraint”, Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones says.

Petrol prices have increased by almost $1 per litre on average in the past month, according to price tracker Gaspy, and diesel even more, as global energy markets react to Iran’s military grip on the Strait of Hormuz following the war launched by the US and Israel.

Around 20 percent of the world’s supply usually transits through the strait.

The government is expected to unveil a support package later on Tuesday which it says will be highly targeted and temporary. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has regularly stated there have been no plans to restrict usage, with stockpiles remaining healthy and supplies still arriving as scheduled.

The latest data from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment showed stocks for about 47 days of fuel, including about 50 days worth of petrol, 46 days of diesel, and 45 of jet fuel.

Jones, speaking to Morning Report on Tuesday morning, said New Zealand consumed 24 million litres a day – nearly half of which was diesel, a third petrol and the rest aviation fuel.

Towards the end of the week… we’re going to be briefed at a granular level by the officials who are in contact with different industry groups as to the steps we would take if we move towards demand restraint.

“I am focused more on enhancing advancing, broadening and simplifying access to greater levels of supply.”

Reports from importers such as Z Energy were coming in daily, he said.

“We have never once been told that they are unable to deliver, or contracts are being terminated. Naturally, we’re watching that with a pair of hawk eyes. The challenge remains… the access of the refineries owned by Exxon and other such global giants to enough feedstock so they can produce the fuel in suitable quantities.”

Channel Infrastructure chief executive Rob Buchanan and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones atop a 30-million-litre jet fuel tank. RNZ / Peter de Graaf

New Zealand no longer refines crude oil, with the Marsden Point facility shutting down a few years ago.

“The fuel import companies are operating exactly within their statutory envelopes. They are observing what they promised to bring to New Zealand.

“If we are to increase and store more diesel fuel in New Zealand, we need to increase the storage. And I keep saying, the reason we can’t do that at scale is because they closed down the refinery, and I don’t care if you get annoyed with me saying that. I want New Zealanders to bear that in mind. This is the consequence of closing down the refinery.”

Jones has falsely claimed the Labour government closed the refinery down, repeating that claim again on Morning Report. Refining NZ (now Channel Infrastructure), a private company, made the call to end refining at the Marsden Point site and transition to being an import-only hub. The government considered stepping in, but decided against it, with advice to ministers being that risks to fuel security were “very low”, because any event that cut off the supply of refined oil would likely cut off crude as well.

Jones said the government was working with Channel to “enhance” how much product could be stored at Marsden.

“That will give us additional diesel storage. However, I don’t want any Kiwi this morning to doubt whether there’s diesel in the country on its way. There certainly is.”

Speaking to Morning Report after Jones, Labour leader Chris Hipkins said it was a “private decision made by the fuel industry” that would not have hindered New Zealand’s fuel security.

“Marsden Point was refining crude oil that was imported from overseas, so the same supply constraints would be hitting us now whether MarsdenPoint was operating or not.”

He suggested it was ironic that coalition MPs were criticising Labour for having spent “too much money” during the Covid response, yet were now saying “we should have kept a refinery that was going out of business because it was obsolete technology and because it wasn’t economic”.

Asked whether the crisis had shifted his thinking on electrification and moving away from fossil fuels, Jones said it was a “fair point” to stay open-minded.

“There is a source of hydrogen energy in New Zealand. It’s called white hydrogen. It’s called natural occurring hydrogen. I met last week with the Auckland University who are doing extraordinary work in Wairarapa, and they believe they’ve tapped into a vein of infinite power of a hydrogen character, of all places in the hills and the valleys of the Wairarapa coast.

“So I think it’s a fair point that you’re making that we need to be open-minded. And then I say to Kiwis, OK, how do you imagine we’re going to pay for it? To do that, certain things, if we are to underwrite this electrification journey, will have to go by the way.

“And that’s why we have an election. No doubt people will be contesting all of those ideas.”

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/24/fuel-demand-restraint-being-considered-by-government-shane-jones-says/

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Our Changing World: The tree keepers

Source: Radio New Zealand

Aaron Hewson has been studying the genetics of the trees in the orchard. RNZ / Claire Concannon

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The lines of apple trees look lush and healthy, some garlanded with a heavy crop of coloured orbs – greens, bright reds, yellow-striped. For some, the variety is apparent even on the same tree, hosting, as these trees are, two to three different apple cultivars.

And keeping this variety alive is the whole point of this orchard.

The Jim Dunckley Heritage Orchard

Ann Dunckley remembers her dad stopping to look at apple trees at the side of the road or in old orchards when they were out and about. “He liked apples,” she says, “And he was worried about the fact that the old ones were disappearing, old farm orchards were being bulldozed.”

Jim was a founding member of the Coastal Otago Branch of the New Zealand Tree Crops Association and, along with friend Paul Snyder, he started collecting different varieties of apple trees in the 1990s.

Unfortunately, Jim has passed away but the orchard lives on, having moved to a site near Mount Cargill just outside of Dunedin city, in the early 2000s.

Ann Dunckley’s father Jim established the heritage orchard, and Paul Snyder helped him to gather trees from around Otago. RNZ / Claire Concannon

Here, neat rows of about 300 root stock apple trees have different cultivars, or varieties, grafted on to them. The root stock trees are clones, chosen for their growth and disease resistance characteristics. Each cultivar is also a clone grafted on, to maintain its genetics.

The idea is that the orchard acts like a living library. New growth or scion wood can be harvested off these trees, stored over winter and then grafted on to new root stock trees to replicate the cultivar.

However, across time, notes and labels were misplaced and uncertainty about the varieties crept in.

It was a chance encounter on an orchard open day that would provide the solution.

The Jim Dunckley Heritage Orchard in Dunedin RNZ / Claire Concannon

Science to the rescue

It was their first orchard open day in 2023 that kicked it all off, says Donal Ferguson. Until recently Donal was the chair of the Coastal Otago Branch of the New Zealand Tree Crops Association. Associate Professor Lynette Brownfield from the University of Otago’s Biochemistry department came along and when she learned about the identification problem, she offered up a solution – genetic testing.

Masters student Aaron Hewson was given the task. Starting with 336 leaf samples, he used genetic analysis to compare the varieties in the orchard to those in the Bioeconomy Science Institute’s heritage orchard records. Some of them matched genetically, but were labelled differently, so he was forced to go further afield.

Luckily there has been a lot of work overseas looking into heritage apples, including compiling genetic and physical trait databases. Aaron was able to use these as a “gold standard” reference to compare his samples against.

To the team’s surprise, 80 percent of the samples matched with apple tree cultivars in this database and some of them were duplicates.

The remaining 20 percent are likely seedlings, says Aaron. While grafting an apple tree creates a clone that is genetically identical, it is quite different if you grow a tree from seed, says Aaron. “They’re quite a genetically diverse species. So, if you cross any two apples together and get a seed, it’s going to look very different to the parents. It’s going to be a random mix up.”

It’s a bit trickier to identify seedlings then, because that means working backwards to figure out a ‘family tree’ for the apple that traces back to the varieties in the database.

But these seedlings might also represent the interesting variety that the orchard was aiming to conserve – apples with desirable traits that grow well in Coastal Otago conditions.

Aaron Hewson checks the ID tag on one of the trees in the orchard. RNZ / Claire Concannon

It’s these traits that Aaron finds interesting to think about. For commercial growing, breeders are focused on characteristics like storage, resistance to bruising and disease, or a certain colour or crispness. But this orchard contains a much wider variety of colour, texture and flavours than can be found in our supermarket apples.

Now, thanks to the research, these varieties can be confidently shared with whoever might want to grow them.

Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/24/our-changing-world-the-tree-keepers/

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2025 confirmed as one of the hottest years on record

Source: Radio New Zealand

An ‘addiction’ to fossil fuels is driving climate change, the UN Secretary-General says – leading to ever-more severe weather including floods, droughts, and damaging storms. MUHAMMAD FAROOQ

Last year was among the hottest on record, as the world’s “addiction” to fossil fuels continues to drive global warming, new data shows.

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) confirmed the average global temperature last year was 1.43°C warmer than the 1850-1900 pre-industrial average.

2024 remains the hottest year on record, but 2025 was the second- or third-hottest, across the nine major global datasets.

The organisation said the global climate was more out of balance than at any other time in observed history, as greenhouse gas concentrations reached their highest levels in at least 800,000 years.

Most of the trapped heat was stored in the ocean, which is warming at an accelerating pace.

Together with melting sea ice and glaciers, that was driving global sea level rise – which projections from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change show will continue for centuries.

Arctic sea-ice hit a record low in some satellite datasets last year.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the planet was being pushed beyond its limits.

“Every key climate indicator is flashing red.”

Current major conflicts were exposing another truth, Guterres said.

“Our addiction to fossil fuels is destabilising both the climate and global security.”

Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, after the country was attacked by Israel and the US, has spiked oil and gas prices and prompted fears of global inflation.

The WMO’s State of the Climate report said increasingly severe weather, driven by climate change, was already affecting agricultural production and displacing people from their homes.

“The cascading and compounding impacts of multiple, sequential disasters severely limit the ability of communities to prepare for, recover from and adapt to shocks,” the report said.

That was especially true in places that were already experiencing conflict or other types of insecurity.

In New Zealand, inflation-adjusted data published by the Insurance Council showed that since 2019, insurance companies had paid out nearly $6 billion for extreme weather-related events in New Zealand.

That did not include pay-outs for severe weather at the beginning of this year, which killed six people in a landslide at Mount Maunganui, cut off entire communities, and closed major roads.

Victoria University professor of climate science James Renwick said the science of climate change had been understood for a century or more now.

“We know what we have to do to stop it,” he said. “Stop burning fossil fuels.”

Policymakers had been given that message for decades but emissions just kept increasing, he said.

He hoped the latest report “moves the dial”.

“The costs of inaction are already astronomical, let’s not make them overwhelming.”

Last week, the High Court in Wellington heard a case taken by two environmental NGOs against the government over its emissions reductions plans, which the organisations argued were risky and unlawful.

The Environmental Law Initiative and Lawyers for Climate Action told the court that the government broke the law when it dismantled dozens of climate policies soon after the election, before it had consulted the public.

The current plan relied overwhelmingly on offsetting emissions by planting forestry, rather than tackling emissions at their sources, the organisations said.

The court has reserved its decision.

Similar cases in the UK succeeded in forcing the government there to re-write its own emissions plans.

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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/2026/03/23/2025-confirmed-as-one-of-the-hottest-years-on-record/

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

Source: Media Outreach

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

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

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

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

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

AgileMark: Preventing data leaks caused by everyday human actions

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

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

Scantist: Finding security flaws in software before hackers do

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

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

StrongKeep: Making cybersecurity simpler and more affordable for SMEs

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

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

Showcasing Singapore’s cybersecurity solutions at the RSAC Conference 2026

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: Media Outreach

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

References:

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

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

Hashtag: #SIMAcademy #SIMA

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

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

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

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Social media uses negativity to steal our attention – how to reclaim it

Source: Radio New Zealand

Thanks to the widespread accessibility of the internet, many of us have front-row seats to suffering and death across the globe for the first time in history, even when we are not directly affected.

We’re living in what scholars describe as a “polycrisis” — a set of interconnected crises that compound and intensify one another.

Climate change intensifies displacement and conflict, economic precarity fuels political extremism and public health emergencies expose structural inequality.

Many of us go online to cope with stress or to escape. Yet the content that captures our attention most effectively often exacerbates the very feelings we are trying to soothe.

Robin Worrall

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/social-media-uses-negativity-to-steal-our-attention-how-to-reclaim-it/

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

Source: University of Auckland – UoA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MIL OSI

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

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RNZ-Reid Research poll: Bleak numbers for Luxon, but no obvious successors

Source: Radio New Zealand

Half of respondents think NZ is headed in the wrong direction under this coalition government, while just 32.3 think it’s headed the right way. File photo. RNZ

Analysis: Christopher Luxon’s personal performance and that of his party is worse, and more people think the country is headed in the wrong direction under his government.

Those are the bleak messages being sent by voters in the latest RNZ-Reid Research poll.

The poll has National on just 30.8 – only just scraping above the death knell threshold of anything with a 2 at the start of it.

For Luxon personally his preferred prime minister score is 17.3 – down from 19.4 in RNZ’s last poll in January.

While there’s been speculation in recent weeks off the back of another bad poll that Luxon’s time as leader could be running out, the RNZ-Reid Research poll doesn’t point to any obvious successors.

Housing Minister Chris Bishop only reached 0.6 percent – down from 1.3, while often tipped future leader and Education Minister Erica Stanford registered 1.4 percent, up slightly from 1.2 at the last poll. Not exactly threatening results.

For Luxon, however, it’s his net favourability – the difference between those who think he’s doing well and those who rate his performance badly – where things really take a dive.

The Prime Minister has a net favourability score of -20.6, even worse than the dismal result he got in the last poll of -14.

If it’s the economy that Luxon will turn to for a brighter outlook, it’s only bad news there too.

Half of respondents – 50 percent – now think the country is headed in the wrong direction under this coalition government, while just 32.3 think it’s headed the right way.

Compare that with January when 46.6 percent picked wrong direction versus 36.3 that picked right and it’s another public sentiment tracking the opposite way to what Luxon and his team would like.

It’s worth noting 72.6 percent of National voters felt the country was headed the right way but a much smaller number for Act – just 57.5 percent – and an even worse showing for New Zealand First – only 26.6 percent – paints a story of coalition supporters also feeling gloomy.

While the net figure for wrong and right direction has been dropping since the first RNZ-Reid Research poll in March 2025, it did lift slightly in the last poll in January, only to plunge to an even lower score this time round.

The grim warnings are hot on the back of another poll that had National on 28 percent.

The Taxpayers’ Union Curia poll that was published on March 6 was a catalyst for questions over Luxon’s leadership and speculation that grew so fevered he had to go on air at the last minute for an unscheduled interview to dampen it down.

On RNZ-Reid Research’s poll numbers Labour, New Zealand First and the Greens had a slight improvement on their party vote while everyone else suffered drops.

Labour has the biggest share with 35.6, while New Zealand First is on 10.6, the Greens 10.1, Act 7 and Te Pati Maori 3.2.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins was also down in his preferred prime minister rating, on 20.7, while his net favourability was comfortably ahead of Luxon’s on +0.3.

While this poll covers the period in which Hipkins was in the media denying a number of allegations made by his ex-wife, which she had posted to social media, at least half of those polled had already been counted before that story broke.

If this poll result played out on election night, both the centre-right and the centre-left blocs would get 60 seats – not enough to form a government, leaving a hung parliament.

It’s been a tough month for New Zealanders already suffering a years-long cost of living crisis, with spiking prices at the pump, at the supermarket, and on other services like flights.

The ongoing war in Iran and no end-date in sight has people feeling nervous about the months ahead.

Winter is also looming, when Kiwis inevitably feel the pressure of sky-rocketing power prices.

It’s a less than rosy outlook and what this poll suggests is that National is wearing a lot of the responsibility for that and people aren’t enamored with Luxon.

Unpopular prime ministers have won elections before and it’s still seven months out from polling day, but the runway for turning the economy around is growing shorter by the week.

The problem with campaigning on getting the country back on track, as National did in 2023, is that sometimes situations well outside of its control can have an overwhelming impact on whether that’s achieved or not.

Rather than quietly cursing the policy-light Opposition at home, it’s political friends (perhaps turned foes) abroad who are causing Luxon the most grief.

*The RNZ-Reid Research poll covered the period of the 12th to the 20th of March and interviewed 1000 respondents online. It has a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/rnz-reid-research-poll-bleak-numbers-for-luxon-but-no-obvious-successors/

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4.5 or two-star water? Health labels confuse

Source: Radio New Zealand

Three different water bottles, three different health labels. Supplied

Two bottles of sparkling water. One, a Pam’s product has two Health Stars. The other, a Schweppes brand, has 4.5.

It prompted one shopper to email RNZ and ask: What is going on?

Shouldn’t water with the same ingredients have the same rating? And why isn’t water five stars?

Foodstuffs said in this instance, it was a labelling problem.

“The rules changed in 2020 and plain water is now automatically given a five-star rating, while unsweetened sparkling water gets 4.5,” a spokesperson said.

“We can see why this looks confusing at first glance. Health Star Ratings follow a standard approach across New Zealand and Australia. Most products are calculated, but some, like plain water and unsweetened flavoured water, including sparkling, are automatically given high ratings.

“In this case, the rating on our Pam’s sparkling water is out of date following a 2020 update to the rating system. The product hasn’t changed, but the label hasn’t caught up.

“That’s on us, and we’re fixing it, so customers have clear and consistent information.”

But experts say the water situation highlights some of the confusion that still persists about the scheme.

Health Star ratings are set using a standard system that considers the balance of energy, saturated fat, sugar and sodium, offset against protein and fibre. Points are also awarded for fruit, vegetable, nut and legume content.

Consumer NZ senior research writer Belinda Castles said Foodstuffs was quite late in updating its water rating.

But she said, generally, products were displaying the star rating that the calculator suggested they should.

She said the main issue with the scheme was that it was voluntary. “Only 36 percent of the products that it’s intended for have the rating so that’s not particularly helpful.

“Consumers need to be able to look at the food supply as a whole because the consensus is the Health Star rating is useful. We don’t have time to be looking at all the nutrition information panels on the back.”

She said there was concern that some companies were cherry picking their healthier products to have the star.

“They’re going ‘ok we’ve got this five-star product we’ll put the rating on our fours and fives but we’ll leave it off the ones and twos’.”

She said people should also only use it to compare similar products. “The calculator has slightly different calculations depending on what the product is. Like if it it’s a cooking oil, for example versus a dairy product versus a cereal… use it to pick a healthier cereal, don’t use it to pick a cooking oil versus a cereal.”

She said the intended target was for 70 percent of products to have a rating at the end of last year and it was only halfway there.

But Rob Hamlin, from the University of Otago marketing department, said the regime was ineffective when it came to driving consumer choice.

“This disconnect between our legislative powerhouses with regards to nutritional labels and reality has led to some very unfortunate outcomes.

“The Heart Foundation tick is what’s known as a binary cue… It was an image that communicated by being there or not being there… we do know the Heart Foundation tick was effective because it was much more similar to the pictorial nominal cues that the food industry used to effectively communicate with consumers.”

The Heart Foundation tick was discontinued in 2016.

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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/2026/03/23/4-5-or-two-star-water-health-labels-confuse/

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School attendance improves in some areas after truancy overhaul

Source: Radio New Zealand

Children in a classroom learning. UnSplash/ Taylor Flowe

Early signs suggest the government’s overhaul of local truancy services is working – at least in some areas.

Most principals contacted by RNZ said it was too early to judge whether their local attendance service provider was doing a better job, but two said theirs were already returning more chronic truants to class.

Last year, the ministry signed 83 new contracts aimed at making providers more accountable and effective at tracking down the most serious truants.

In Whangarei, Hora Hora School principal Pat Newman said the service brought 10-15 children to his school this year who would otherwise be at home.

He said some had never been to school at all.

“What we’re finding is that we’re getting children who have not been attending school or [attending] poorly,” he said. “We’ve got some children who have not been at school, at [age] seven or so attending.”

He said the service approached the problem in the right way.

“What they’re trying to do is to look at what’s stopping a kid coming to school and then looking at where they can get help to take away the problem,” he said.

Other, more punitive options were considered only if the initial help didn’t work.

“I think it’s a damn good model,” Newman said. “It will continue or fail, depending on the resourcing put behind it.”

At Auckland’s Jean Batten Primary School, principal Nardi Leonard said her local attendance service was working better too.

“What we have noticed by the new service is they are more readily available to us,” she said.

“If you reflect back on the old system, a lot of the attendance officers were constantly soaked up into secondary schools and all the high schools, and at the primary level for us, we felt that the resource just didn’t get down to us,” she said.

“The new system, our person actually has less schools and they are primary schools, so we do feel there’s that support directly.”

She said her school had all but given up on the previous attendance service, but under the new system, it had already referred children and had positive results.

“In the short time of five weeks, we’ve made three referrals and we’ve been able to get two back,” she said. “One, we don’t know where that person’s gone, so that’s obviously a hard one, but we have got two children back in school.

“The next challenge is the sustainability of keeping them in school, but we celebrate the small steps and just work towards increasing it day-by-day.”

Leonard said, previously, the school got no response from the attendance service and had pretty much given up using it.

She said the school emphasised the importance of daily attendance and it was good to have the back-up provided by the attendance service.

Other principals told RNZ their local provider was still getting started and they were yet to see how they performed.

Berkley Normal Middle School in Hamilton was part of a group of schools that lost its attendance service contract in last year’s re-organisation.

Principal Nathan Leith said it was too early to tell if the new organisation was doing a better job, but he reckoned schools definitely were.

Leith said many had not realised how bad their attendance was, until they looked carefully at their data.

They now had to put a five-step attendance plan on their websites and have clear plans for what to do after a certain number of days’ absence.

“Those are the things that are perhaps making a bigger difference,” he said.

Leith said schools were dealing with the bulk of poor attenders and occasional truants, while the attendance services would tackle the toughest cases.

He said the service should have funding to tackle social issues, such as lack of money for food or school uniforms, that contributed to truancy and he hoped some of that funding would make it to schools.

Education Ministry figures showed daily attendance averaged a little more than 89 percent so far this year, about one percentage point more than at the same time last year.

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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/2026/03/23/school-attendance-improves-in-some-areas-after-truancy-overhaul/

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Tiny extinct bat found in NZ fossil record

Source: Radio New Zealand

An artist’s impression of a short-tailed New Zealand bat, similar to the new Mystacina nymphe species newly discovered in Otago. Gavin Mouldey / supplied

A palaeontologist studying fossil fragments in Central Otago has identified a previously unknown, but now extinct, bat.

University of New South Wales professor Suzanne Hand has been studying fossil fragments found in Central Otago that are 16 to 19 million years old.

She says the bat has been named Mystacina nymphe, ‘nymphe’ after the Greek word for a forest spirit.

The new nymphe species are related to the modern short-tailed bat, but much smaller, weighing between eight and 10 grams.

New Zealand currently has two living species of pekapeka or bat, including one short-tailed bat (another short-tailed species was last seen in 1967, the Department of Conservation (DOC) says, and thought to be extinct). But working at the St Bathans site in Otago, Hand has found Aotearoa once had at least five different species of short-tailed bat.

“So this was a time when it was much warmer in New Zealand than it is now, probably like a sub-tropical to warm temperate kind of climate … The forests were probably even more diverse … and what we’re finding is that a lot of different animals lived at the time, and one of them was this tiny little bat that we found.”

An interesting collection of reptiles also once lived in New Zealand too, she said.

“Alongside this amazing diversity of bats were also things like crocodiles, and turtles, and swiftlets, and all sorts of animals that are not found in New Zealand today once lived there.

“And it looks like that as the climate changed and things got cooler, and the forest changed and so on, a lot of those animals disappeared.”

The area near where the new short-tailed bat fossil was found, at St Bathans, Otago. Alan Tennyson/Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Short-tailed bats are now found only in New Zealand, but they were once found in Australia too, before becoming extinct there. They filled an important role as pollinators for some plants.

“They’re also known as walking bats or burrowing bats, because they spend quite a lot of time on the ground foraging, not like normal bats … and they’re very distantly related to vampire bats in South America,” Hand says.

“The New Zealand bats are really, really special. Very precious, and very very important in terms of their ecological roles today. And in the past there was a greater diversity of them, so they ranged from these very small ones, eight to 10 grams – so that’s a little bat – up to about 40 grams, which is actually a very large bat.”

Hand says the extinction of her newly found nymphe species was linked to historical cooling of the climate.

Bats were very sensitive to environmental changes, Hand said, and could be an early indicator of environmental stress. New Zealand’s remaining species were under significant pressure.

“Bats are changing, they’re changing their habits, they’re changing their distributions, and so on. At the moment it hasn’t been great, because bats are not evolving fast enough to keep up with … these really fast changes human-induced climate change is bringing.”

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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/2026/03/22/tiny-extinct-bat-found-in-nz-fossil-record/

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Cancer researcher celebrates double milestone at EIT Tairāwhiti graduation

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

50 seconds ago

Jordon Lima (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Ngāpuhi) took to the stage twice at EIT Tairāwhiti’s graduation ceremony on Friday – first to address the graduates as guest speaker, then to join her fellow graduates to receive her New Zealand Diploma in Te Reo Māori.

The 28-year-old completed the Level 5 Rumaki (full-immersion) Diploma at EIT while simultaneously finishing a PhD in Biomedical Sciences through Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka (the University of Otago).

Jordon said being asked to speak at the ceremony came as a surprise but was a meaningful opportunity to reflect on her journey.

EIT graduate and guest speaker Jordon Lima with her grandparents Tangi and Pete Kelleher.

In her address, she encouraged graduates to pursue further study no matter what stage of life, drawing on the statistic that the average age for Māori students completing a doctorate is 48.

“At the time I heard that, when I was starting my doctorate, I was not even half of that age! Studying for me was about curiosity and pursuing a passion – something anyone can do at any age.”

Jordon graduated with a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences with Honours at the University of Otago in 2020. Last month, she defended her PhD in Biochemistry and Māori Studies at the Mātai Medical Research Institute in Gisborne.

Her doctoral research examined how circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) – cancer-specific DNA detectable in the blood – could improve cancer screening and outcomes for Tairāwhiti communities.

Using a Kaupapa Māori approach to Biomedical Sciences, the project required close partnership with the communities her research was designed to benefit.

Her research is deeply personal, having lost several whānau members to cancer over the years, including her Aunty Hariata Green, who passed away in 2022 and before then, her Nanny Pōrua and Papa Joseph Green, who were all reo Māori teachers in Gisborne.

Jordon Lima addressed the crowd at EIT Tairāwhiti’s graduation ceremony on Friday.

“Aunty had been complaining of pain for ages before she was even diagnosed, and when she was, it was stage four. That was my turning point to design technologies that are actually going to be used by our people. I wanted to focus on empowerment in healthcare and do something with te reo to whakamana the people that we lost.”

Born in Tairāwhiti and raised in Christchurch, Jordon returned to her birthplace during the latter stages of her PhD to deepen her understanding of the tikanga, reo and kawa of the region.

“It felt wrong to write about it from anywhere else but here.”

Having not grown up with te reo Māori, Jordon turned to Te Whatukura at EIT, where she said the kōkā Barbie and kōkā Ange’s knowledge of her whakapapa made it feel like a place she belonged.

“As soon as I moved home and started learning our histories and mātauranga, I actually felt safe. They knew a lot about my whakapapa that I wanted to know. It was a beautiful space to be in.”

Jordon said studying at EIT alongside her PhD was one of the most rewarding parts of her academic journey. She described the rumaki environment as transformative – learning through stories, waiata and games in a way that reminded her of what it would have been like if she had gone to kōhanga reo.

She submitted her thesis midway through last year, returning for the second half of the programme able to fully immerse herself in her reo studies.

“It was hectic. I would start early in the morning, do work on my PhD, go to class from nine until three, and then stay on campus writing my thesis until I was basically kicked out when the building closed.”

Jordon said the kōkā at Te Whatukura were instrumental in her journey, not only as teachers but as connectors to her whakapapa. Kōkā Barbie, who is connected to Jordon’s whakapapa, gifted her a whakapapa booklet that contributed to an entire rewrite of her doctoral thesis.

The rumaki environment also helped her build confidence in te reo Māori, which she had never had before.

“It was super fulfilling to learn about the tikanga, reo and kawa of Tairāwhiti. When I first moved home, I didn’t understand anything that was being said on the paepae, but towards the end of my reo classes, I realised that I’ve actually learned heaps of reo just from being spoken to all day.”

She said that confidence is now central to her work. “It’s still quite rare to see scientists who can also kōrero Māori. Being able to go into the community and talk about science in reo is something I’m really excited about.”

Since completing her PhD, Jordon has been awarded the 2025 Otago Health Sciences Māori Postdoctoral Fellowship, through which she is establishing a molecular biology laboratory in Tairāwhiti capable of conducting blood-based cancer detection tests.

Jordon will formally graduate with her PhD in May this year. And she hasn’t ruled out one day completing the Bachelor of Arts (Māori) at EIT.

“I don’t know where I would find the time right now. But I’d love to do that one day.”

Tairāwhiti Campus Executive Director Tracey Tangihaere said: “I suggested Jordon as guest speaker due to her academic achievement, but also her desire to succeed in Māori health outcomes while being culturally grounded”.

“Having the life experience and stronger cultural skills, such as te reo, helps in communities like ours. Jordon has significant drive and passion. She’s a wonderful role model for us all.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/22/cancer-researcher-celebrates-double-milestone-at-eit-tairawhiti-graduation/

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Hobsonville Point – first decade of a housing masterclass

Source: Auckland Council

Hobsonville Point has evolved into a living example of smart housing in a growing city.

The harbourside suburb in west Auckland has shown how walkable, well-designed, mixed density housing can build a strong sense of community.

Like Northcote ( and many other emerging suburbs offering medium density housing options built close to transport hubs, town centres, schools and community facilities) Hobsonville Point is a housing blueprint envisioned and enabled by the Auckland Unitary Plan.

Hobsonville Point, now a flourishing residential suburb, has grown up from land once used as an airforce base. When the land became available, it was essentially a blank slate for new housing and presented an opportunity to do things smarter and more sustainably.

The Auckland Council group worked closely with the Hobsonville Land Company (a subsidiary of Housing New Zealand established to lead the development, and now part of Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities) and private sector partners to deliver a new kind of neighbourhood for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

Ten years later, Hobsonville Point is a model of effective master-planning and the delivery of mixed density housing at scale. It is a model for the future.

Hobsonville Point resident and business owner Mike (Buzz) Thomson was sceptical at first of the ‘moments away, worlds apart’ slogan, but after living here since 2017 he believes it delivers more than the slogans promise. 

“The planning of Hobsonville Point stands out for me. We have walkable streets, shared laneways, public art and our coastal walkway has become a community anchor. It draws people here,” he says.

The planning Buzz mentions is a recurring theme. Architect Errol Haarhoff was impressed by the area’s master-planning, clear urban design guidelines, the consistent quality of housing and the surrounding environment. 

Errol says: “We didn’t actively choose Hobsonville Point. It chose us. We came here for a visit on a whim after hearing about the farmers’ market and loved the place so much we put a deposit on a house within a week,” he says.

Like Buzz, Errol was drawn to the area’s walkability and the presence of social infrastructure. He highlights that early investment in schools, public art, markets, and the coastal walkway helped potential buyers imagine what life would be like in Hobsonville Point.

Errol participated in a National Science Challenge project, which looked at Hobsonville Point as a case study. The study involved interviews with residents. 

‘Living at Density in Hobsonville Point, Auckland: Resident Perceptions’ was authored by Errol Haarhoff, Natalie Allen, Patricia Austin, Lee Beattie and Paola Boar in April 2019.

Overwhelmingly, their research demonstrated that satisfaction among residents was high. Respondents highlighted the importance of quality public spaces at Hobsonville Point, which prioritised the wellbeing of residents.

Good development through partnership

Jenny Larking is Head of Growth and Regeneration Delivery in Auckland Council’s newly established Auckland Urban Development Office (AUDO). She is also a resident of Hobsonville Point.

She says the new AUDO is council’s “front door” for partnerships like the one that made Hobsonville Point possible, working with government agencies, iwi, developers, not-for-profit organisations and other partners to deliver smarter, better urban outcomes in Auckland.

She says Hobsonville Point is a shining example for the future of new housing in Tāmaki Makaurau because of its careful master-planning and design.

“The site allowed developers and council to plan new infrastructure, housing, resilience features and amenity all at once, and then to use the area’s uniqueness to get better outcomes. It is always our ambition at Auckland Council, through the Unitary Plan, to enable good development and good design through smart, strategic partnerships.”

Jenny says people have embraced the lifestyle at Hobsonville Point.

“From what I’ve seen, people don’t try and live as they might have lived anywhere else. They enjoy and embrace what’s been created here. Generations can move through different stages in this area – from stand-alone houses to townhouses, duplexes, apartments and even retirement villages.

“And parents of young children have a level of comfort here – 60 to 70 percent of kids walk or cycle to school, a lot higher than the Auckland average. The pathways are wide, roads are safe to cross and we have good pedestrianised infrastructure, encouraging people to get out and about,” Jenny says.

She adds that in new housing development like this Auckland Council and developers build flood resilience in from the start – with rain gardens, bio swales and wetlands protecting people, property and the environment from flooding.

Transport options are also evolving to match people’s needs. The popular ferry service has been expanded to have more sailings and they carry bikes and scooters on board, allowing people to make multi-modal trips. 

Multiple bus routes run through the neighbourhood, including the recently improved number 12 service, which connects Henderson and Constellation Station on the Northern Busway via Hobsonville. This service, with double decker electric buses, is one of the most popular in Auckland.

Density done well

Orson Waldock works for Kāinga Ora (and formerly Hobsonville Land Company) as Team Leader Urban Design and is also a long-time resident of Hobsonville Point. In his role at Kāinga Ora, he helped shape the design and delivery of the neighbourhood over six years.

“Within the Kāinga Ora team, this project is colloquially known as the ‘University of Hobsonville Point’. It has enabled us to explore what density done well looks like in a contemporary Auckland context,” Orson says.

“While early housing at Hobsonville Point was more conventional (standalone homes on compact sections), over time we’ve been able to innovate, test and deliver a greater variety of housing forms including terraces, apartments and mixed-use buildings.

“The uplift in density (approximately two to three times greater than conventional suburbs) has come with unique challenges as section sizes have decreased. A large part of my role has been working alongside builder partners and designers to ensure we maintain design quality and liveability.

“My experience of living in Hobsonville Point for 10 years is that the community makes the most of this new kind of neighbourhood. I meet at the local bus stop most mornings at 6am to run with the Early Bird Run Crew. It’s an amazing group of locals who shuffle 5km around the stunning Te Onekiritea Park and Coastal Walkway. The exercise is good, but the company is better. It’s a regular reminder of why we chose to move to Hobsonville Point,” he says.

Hobsonville has some fun-tastic playgrounds for the kids to enjoy all year round.

The people of Hobsonville Point are proud of their place. It’s a proof-point for a widely-held urban planning premise that a mix of housing options will foster vibrant, inclusive, and connected communities.

Hobsonville Point’s transformation reflects what is possible. 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/21/hobsonville-point-first-decade-of-a-housing-masterclass/

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Tairāwhiti graduates celebrate milestone at EIT ceremony

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

21 seconds ago

Fifty-seven graduates crossed the stage at the War Memorial Theatre in Gisborne today, in the first EIT Tairāwhiti graduation since the polytechnic re-established itself as a standalone institution.

The ceremony brought together graduates, whānau and community leaders from across the region to celebrate academic achievement and the journeys behind each qualification.

EIT Tairāwhiti graduates, led by CEO Lucy Laitinen, paraded through Gisborne.

In total, 443 qualifications were achieved in 2025 by students who studied at EIT’s Tairāwhiti-based locations. Of those, 73 were bachelor’s degrees or diplomas, while a further 370 certificates were awarded at other ceremonies throughout the year.

The average age of graduates was 30, with students ranging in age from 16 to 76.

A total of 993 students enrolled at EIT Tairāwhiti in 2025. While not all were expected to complete their studies within the year, the completion rate for those due to finish was 86 per cent – ahead of the overall EIT completion rate of 84 per cent across Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti.

Of those enrolled at EIT Tairāwhiti in 2025, 69 per cent identified as Māori and 7 per cent as Pasifika.

EIT Chief Executive Lucy Laitinen delivered opening remarks at her first Tairāwhiti graduation since taking the role, while EIT Chair David Pearson offered closing comments.

Lucy said the occasion was a moment of pride for both the institute and the wider community.

EIT Tairāwhiti graduates celebrated their success.

“We are incredibly proud of our graduates and all they have achieved. Education is transformative. It opens doors for individuals, strengthens whānau, and builds capability and confidence across our communities.

“Having regained our independence, EIT is more determined than ever to serve Tairāwhiti and the wider region, ensuring our graduates leave with the skills, knowledge and resilience to make a real difference, both locally and beyond.”

Tairāwhiti Campus Executive Director Tracey Tangihaere said the ceremony was a special occasion for the region.

“It is always a wonderful occasion to recognise and celebrate the success of so many graduates and honour the many people who have supported their academic journey,” she said.

“This year carries added significance as we re-establish EIT as an independent institution for our region.”

She also acknowledged the passing of long-serving kaumātua Ngāti Porou leader Taina Ngārimu, and welcomed Dr Wayne Ngata, who officiated the ceremony.

“We acknowledge the legacy and contribution of Taina Ngārimu, and we are honoured to have Dr Wayne Ngata step into this role, continuing that guidance and leadership.”

Guest speaker Jordan Lima (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti, Ngāpuhi) addressed graduates, alongside valedictorian Ami Hokianga (Rongowhakaata, Ngāti Porou, Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi). Gisborne Deputy Mayor Aubrey Ria was also in attendance.

Tracey said the day was also a time to reflect on the values carried forward by graduates.

“I love the sentiments of ‘keep your face to the sunshine, be the change you wish to see, live life to the fullest, and spread positivity in the world’.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/tairawhiti-graduates-celebrate-milestone-at-eit-ceremony/

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University students facing the ‘toughest time’ in years as costs increase

Source: Radio New Zealand

Victoria University of Wellington Students Association president Aidan Donoghue displays empty boxes at the association’s foodbank. SUPPLIED

Student association leaders warn more students are struggling to make ends meet and rising prices will make the problem worse.

Victoria University’s student association says its food bank shelves are being cleaned out every week, AUT’s association says international students are especially hard hit, and Lincoln University’s association says demand for financial assistance has remained high since the pandemic began in 2020.

Their comments accompanied the launch of a study that found a marked increase in student hardship across several universities in the past five years.

The report by an Otago University student during an internship with the Green Party said there had been sustained growth in the use of foodbanks and hardship grants at several universities since 2019.

It said numbers were highest during the height of the pandemic in 2020, but remained above pre-pandemic levels last year.

The report said international students, single parents and female students were more likely to seek help for food insecurity.

It said the the number of students using a foodbank at AUT jumped from about 100 in 2020 to more than 1800 last year, about three-quarters of them foreign students.

At Victoria University, the student association’s spending on its food bank jumped from about $7000 in 2019 to more than $13,000 last year.

The report said Otago University Students Association provided about 250 food bags in 2019 and nearly 700 last year.

The three associations awarded on average $20,000 each in hardship grants last year, less than at the height of the pandemic but about double the figure in 2019.

The report’s author Anika Texley said the students’ associations collected different data about student hardship, but the overall picture was of growing demand for help.

“They’re struggling to meet their needs and their most basic needs. So things like rent tend to be prioritized over groceries,” she said.

Texley said students were struggling with rising expenses across the board.

“It’s not just groceries, it’s also bills, rising utility, rent is going up, and it’s consistently going up. So it’s an ongoing issue,” she said.

Texley completed her report while working as an intern for Green Party MP Francisco Hernandez.

He said students had been struggling for years and the report showed that the situation had worsened.

“And sadly, things are only going to get worse with the war ongoing in Iran. The cost of everything, gas, energy, groceries, rents, will spike up even further,” he said.

Hernandez said all students should be eligible for an allowance, rather than having to borrow for living costs through the student loan system.

The cupboard is bare

Victoria University of Wellington Students Association president Aidan Donoghue said its foodbank cupboards had been cleared out by hungry students.

“This Monday we had an order to completely fill out that food bank and it’s completely gone already,” he said.

“We’ve seen an increase of us having to order from roughly once every fortnight to once every week to now twice a week.”

Donoghue said the association received about $10,000 a year from the university to stock the foodbank and it would need double that sum to keep up with demand.

He said the fund ran out before the end of the year in 2025 and this year it has cut back on non-food items.

“We’ve had to cut all of our non-food expenditure. We’ve really just had to keep it to the basics of rice, pasta, food in cans,” he said.

“There’s no more toilet paper, there’s no more toothpaste, there’s no more deodorant, because all that costs far too much, and we need to stretch the food bank as far as it will go.”

Donoghue said about 100 students a week were visiting the food bank and many more students were struggling to pay their bills.

“Students are facing the toughest time they’ve had in years when it comes to just meeting the basics of rent, power, public transport,” he said.

He said students could receive up to $320 for living costs from the student loan scheme or as a student allowance if they qualified but needed roughly a further $100-200 to make ends meet.

AUT student association president James Portegys told RNZ students were coming every day for food vouchers or food bank packs and rising prices were making the situation worse.

“Obviously, the prices were already high, and now they’re increasing, so it’s quite a few students are now struggling,” he said.

Portegys said last year some students stopped coming to university because they could not afford the bus fare and the association successfully campaigned for discounted fares for students.

“We heard evidence of students choosing between paying rent, eating, or coming to campus. And what are you going to do? You’re going to choose to pay your rent and eat food,” he said.

Lincoln University students association president Zara Weissenstein told RNZ

“We had a huge increase in all of our financial assistance fund applications during COVID-19, of course and that consistently stayed quite high,” she said.

Weissenstein said the university ran a food bank and the association had noted an increase in students attending events with free food.

“Food is a really big thing because that’s often the first thing that students won’t prioritise because you have to prioritise your general expenses first, so your rent and your utilities that happen every month,” she said.

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://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/university-students-facing-the-toughest-time-in-years-as-costs-increase/

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Global Talent Summit Week Looks Ahead to the Future Workplace in the AI Era

Source: Media Outreach

Nobel Laureate affirms Hong Kong’s strengths in attracting global high-calibre talent, contributing to the country’s drive to become a high-technology hub

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 March 2026 -The Labour and Welfare Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) are jointly hosting the Global Talent Summit Week (GTS Week) in Hong Kong. The two flagship events — the International Talent Forum and the CareerConnect Expo — were held over the past two days, drawing over 10,000 participants and 170,000 live-stream views. Through a series of keynote sessions, panel discussions and networking opportunities, the events further solidified Hong Kong’s dual advantages as an international talent hub and the country’s gateway for talent.

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attended the Global Talent Summit Week. Photo shows (front row, from third left) the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; Nobel Laureate and Regius Professor of Economics of the Department of Economics of London School of Economics, Professor Christopher A Pissarides; Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Mr Yu Jiadong; Mr Lee; the President of Peking University, Professor Gong Qihuang, and other guests at the ceremony.

Among the distinguished speakers at the International Talent Forum was Professor Christopher A Pissarides, 2010 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences. In his keynote address, he said that Hong Kong possesses clear strengths in traditional industries such as finance and commerce, and is home to a world-class education system. With the rapid development of advanced technology across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) — in particular its proximity to Shenzhen as a hub for innovation hardware and industrial artificial intelligence (AI) — Hong Kong is well placed to develop into a regional high-tech hub, further strengthening its appeal to global talent.

“Hong Kong possesses a vibrant service-based economy, a high-quality talent pool and productivity, proactive government policies, and a thriving entrepreneurial culture. These strengths define Hong Kong’s unique role within the GBA and will be key to its continued ability to attract international talent,” he said.

Professor Pissarides emphasised that AI is having a comprehensive impact across all areas of production and work. He stressed that AI should be positioned as a tool to complement human resources — designed to enhance productivity and improve employee well-being, rather than to replace the workforce. He anticipated that proficiency in AI development and application, such as engineers and data analysts, would be at the forefront of the coming wave of global talent competition.

Hong Kong’s Unique Advantages Attracting Global Talent to Thrive with Confidence

Mr John Lee, the Chief Executive of the HKSAR, officiated at the opening ceremony of the GTS Week and delivered the opening address at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre(HKCEC) on the 18th March. He said that Hong Kong is fast rising as an international talent hub, driven by a comprehensive and forward-looking strategy that integrates talent development with economic transformation, technological advancement and regional co-operation. Such efforts have been widely recognised, with Hong Kong rising to fourth globally and first in Asia in the International Institute for Management Development’s World Talent Ranking 2025.

Mr Lee said that Hong Kong will continue to uphold openness, deepen international engagement and align closely with national development strategies. Policies in education, innovation and infrastructure will be further refined to ensure Hong Kong remains a fertile ground for ideas and enterprises, where global talent feels welcomed, valued and supported. He stressed that while economic indicators and technological achievements are important, human development remains the ultimate goal, and Hong Kong will continue to place people at the centre of its vision for the future.

At a critical juncture in the global transformation of innovation, technology and talent development, Hong Kong — positioned as a regional nexus for high-calibre talent — is leveraging the GTS Week to foster international talent collaboration, showcase diverse development opportunities and garner insights from government, business and academic leaders on future talent trends.

Centred on the integrated development of education, technology and talents, the GTS Week includes a series of discussions and exchanges across multiple sessions. Speakers so far have included Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, and Mr Joe Ngai, Chairman of McKinsey & Company Greater China, who discussed the evolving demand for skilled professionals and how innovation is reshaping China’s talent development landscape.

Experts and Leaders Envision the Future Landscape of Education, Technology and Talents

The Forum also held panel discussions on education, technology and talents, bringing together industry leaders including Professor Gong Qihuang, President of Peking University; Dr Lin Dahua, Co-founder and Chief Scientist of SenseTime Group Limited; and Ms Ruchee Anand, Vice President of Talent Solutions of Asia Pacific at LinkedIn. They examined the emerging talent ecosystem and explored how cross-border and cross-sector collaboration could nurture future-ready talent.

During the GTS Week, HKTE welcomed around 100 government representatives responsible for talent development in the Chinese Mainland and the Macao SAR, as well as delegates from leading universities in the Mainland to take part. They shared valuable experiences from various regions in talent attraction, retention, nurturing and recruitment, and explored strategies for talent attraction and development under the National 15th Five-Year Plan.

In recent years, the HKSAR Government has introduced a series of talent admission measures to attract and facilitate talent from around the world to develop their careers in Hong Kong, and settle down in the city.

Another highlight of this year’s GTS Week was the CareerConnect Expo, held concurrently with the Forum at the HKCEC. The Expo brought together around 70 corporations, educational and technology institutions, and government departments across five thematic zones, presenting Hong Kong’s latest talent admission policies and industry information, settlement support services, and career prospects across the GBA.

GTS Week continues until March 29, with nine satellite events covering regional conferences, career fairs and corporate award ceremonies, establishing a comprehensive platform for professional networking and information exchange. These include the signing of a cooperation agreement between HKTE and Junior Chamber International Hong Kong (JCIHK). Leveraging JCIHK’s network of over 150,000 young leaders and members across 114 countries and regions worldwide, HKTE will reach out and invite global talent to explore development opportunities in Hong Kong and the GBA.

Building on the success of its inaugural edition in 2024, this year’s GTS Week has expanded into a series of events, themed around the integrated development of education, technology and talents. The GTS Week follows Hong Kong’s historic ascent to the top position in Asia on the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) World Talent Ranking 2025, fully demonstrating Hong Kong’s strong appeal to global talent.

To learn more about the highlights of the GTS Week and Professor Pissarides’ insightful views, please visit gts.hkengage.gov.hk/en/video-gallery or follow HKTE on social media.

Hashtag: #HongKongTalentEngage

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/2026/03/20/global-talent-summit-week-looks-ahead-to-the-future-workplace-in-the-ai-era/

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SIM Global Education Highlights Integrated Undergraduate Experience, Combining Academic Learning and Career Preparation

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 March 2026 – Undergraduate education today extends beyond academic instruction, with institutions increasingly emphasising the development of practical skills, career readiness and personal growth. At SIM Global Education (SIM GE), the undergraduate experience is structured to combine academic learning with career preparation and student engagement, reflecting the evolving expectations of higher education.

Through partnerships with universities in the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia, SIM GE provides access to internationally recognised degree programmes delivered in Singapore. Students are supported by a learning environment that integrates classroom instruction with opportunities for applied learning and professional development.

A Structured Undergraduate Experience
A typical weekday at SIM GE reflects a balance between academic commitments and broader developmental activities.

Mornings are generally dedicated to lecture preparation and collaborative study, with students making use of campus facilities designed for both individual and group learning. Formal classes, including lectures, seminars and case discussions, typically take place later in the morning. These sessions often incorporate group-based assignments and presentations, enabling students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical contexts.

Midday periods frequently involve informal collaboration, with students using shared spaces to coordinate group work and prepare for assessments. This collaborative approach reinforces teamwork and communication skills, which are essential in professional environments.

Afternoons may include academic support activities, such as consultations and workshops offered through the Student Learning Centre. These resources are designed to strengthen competencies in areas including academic writing, research methodologies and presentation skills.

Career development forms an integral component of the undergraduate experience. SIM GE provides access to career advisory services, networking opportunities and industry engagement initiatives, allowing students to gain insights into employer expectations and explore potential career pathways prior to graduation.

Beyond academic and career-focused activities, students are encouraged to participate in co-curricular engagements. With a wide range of student clubs, interest groups and volunteering initiatives available, these activities provide opportunities to develop leadership, interpersonal skills and cross-cultural understanding within a diverse student community.

Evenings are often dedicated to independent study, assignment completion and preparation for upcoming classes, reflecting the balance between structured learning and self-directed development.

Supporting Holistic Student Development
The undergraduate experience at SIM GE is designed to support both academic progression and personal development. Through a combination of structured coursework, academic support services, career preparation and student-led activities, learners are able to build a broad set of competencies relevant to both further education and employment.

This integrated approach enables students to develop practical skills, expand professional networks and gain exposure to diverse perspectives, contributing to a more comprehensive preparation for the demands of the global workforce.

References:
1. Devanshi Soni student story –
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/from-new-delhi-to-singapore-how-sim-global-education-shaped-devanshi-sonis-global-journey/articleshow/122850280.cms

2. SIM GE Student Ambassador Yong Kunyada story –
https://regional.simge.edu.sg/philippines/en/scholar-student-ambassador-yong-shares-her-experiences-of-learning-and-thriving-in-sim/

3. SIM Student Learning Centre – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/life-at-sim/learning-support

Hashtag: #SIMGlobalEducation #SIMGE #GlobalEducation #InternationalDegree #CareerReady #FutureSkills

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/2026/03/20/sim-global-education-highlights-integrated-undergraduate-experience-combining-academic-learning-and-career-preparation/

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Too expensive to smile: Calls grow for universal, Te Tiriti-consistent dental care

Source: Radio New Zealand

A dentist provides dental care to a girl. AFP/ Thibaut Durand/ Hans Lucas

Nearly half of adults in Aotearoa are avoiding dental care because they cannot afford it, leaving many in chronic pain, at risk of serious infection, or in need of hospital treatment.

New research and frontline experiences are painting what advocates describe as a system failing to meet basic health needs, with growing calls for dental care to be fully integrated into the public health system.

Dental for All, a coalition of health workers, unions, community organisations and advocates travelled the country last year speaking directly with whānau about their experiences.

Dental for All campaigner Max Harris said the stories they heard were confronting.

“We heard about the shame and pain people face when they can’t get to the dentist, and how problems get worse over time,” he told RNZ.

“We also heard about the home remedies people resort to, things like using pliers or fishing wire to pull teeth, or relying on painkillers just to get through.”

There are growing calls for dental care to be fully integrated into the public health system.

A system built without teeth

According to the latest Ministry of Health survey, 47 percent of adult New Zealanders reported not visiting a dentist due to cost, with even higher rates among Māori and Pasifika.

Research commissioned by Dental for All also estimated untreated oral disease was costing the country around $2.5 billion each year in lost productivity and $3.1b in reduced quality of life.

“That is people missing work, missing job interviews, or living with constant pain and stigma,” Harris said.

“When you compare that with estimates that universal dental care could cost between $1 and $2 billion a year, it starts to make economic sense as well as human sense.”

According to a Talbot Mills poll in 2023, 74 percent of New Zealanders agreed that adult dental care should be funded in the same way it is funded for tamariki. So why wasn’t it?

Harris said that gap dated back to the system’s foundations.

“When the public healthcare system was set up in 1938, some dentists lobbied to carve teeth out of the system and it has essentially stayed that way ever since.”

Auckland City Mission opened the doors of its new onsite dental clinic in July 2025, delivering lifechanging dental care for those that need it most, free of charge. Supplied / Auckland City Mission

Across the country, demand for affordable dental care continues to grow.

At teaching clinics run by the University of Otago Faculty of Dentistry, patients could receive reduced cost treatment from senior dental students under supervision.

In Auckland, the waitlist for student led care sat at around 950 people and was currently closed due to capacity.

Across both Auckland and Dunedin clinics, more than 14,800 patients were treated in 2025, delivering nearly 60,000 appointments.

Director of Dental Hospital and Clinics Janine Cochrane said demand had remained strong in recent years, reflecting wider national trends.

But even with those services, need continued to outstrip supply.

In July last year, Auckland City Mission opened a free dental clinic aimed at people who had struggled to access care.

In its first seven months, the clinic treated around 380 people and built a waitlist of more than 100.

Director of housing and health Brendan Short told RNZ that many patients had gone years without treatment.

“The people that we support have been marginalised from mainstream and public health care for a very long time,” he said.

“It is really clear that there is not enough funding for oral care in New Zealand for the general population. Dental care is essential healthcare and it seems that this is a blind spot for us as a nation.”

Auckland City Mission director of housing and health Brendan Short. RNZ / Layla Bailey-McDowell

Living with pain

Short said the impact of untreated dental issues went far beyond physical pain.

“Avoiding social situations, hiding one’s smile, or even missing job opportunities are everyday realities,” he said.

He said many people had normalised living with pain.

“It is quite common for people to live with pain, to think that what they are putting up with is normal or is okay, and it is not.”

The Auckland City Mission dental clinic operated three days a week and relied heavily on volunteer dentists.

“This is not possible or achievable for us without those volunteer dentists. They are superstars,” Short said, adding that some even travelled from outside Auckland, including as far as Taranaki.

Volunteer dentist Roger Tiang told RNZ that demand was constant at the clinic, highlighting the need for these spaces.

“Every time I come in my shift is fully booked,” he said.

Tiang said cost and sometimes discomfort with mainstream services were key barriers and that delaying care allowed small issues to escalate.

“If we do not catch things early, problems get bigger and we end up dealing with much bigger issues than we would have if we had seen them earlier.”

After more than 25 years in dentistry, he believed oral healthcare should be treated like any other part of the health system.

“People might not realise it, but if you cannot chew your food properly or you are living with infections in your mouth, that can affect your overall health.

“It is part of your health. Just like the rest of the health system in New Zealand, there is public healthcare and dentistry should be part of that as well.”

ActionStation and Dental for All campaigner Jasmine Taankink says poor oral health is “just another negative implication of colonisation” and Māori not being able to exercise tino rangatiratanga. Supplied / Jasmine Taankink

Longstanding inequities for Māori

For Māori, barriers to dental care were often compounded by cost, distance, and access, layered on top of longstanding inequities within the health system.

ActionStation and Dental for All advocate Jasmine Taankink said poor oral health outcomes for Māori could not be separated from colonisation.

“We know that upon arrival to Aotearoa, English settlers were really impressed with the overall physical health of our tūpuna Māori, especially their oral health. That’s quite widely documented,” she said.

“Our tūpuna Māori didn’t have cavities, they didn’t have massive oral health problems. So poor oral health is just another negative implication of colonisation and us not being able to exercise our tino rangatiratanga”

She said solutions must be grounded in Māori led approaches.

“We have the expertise within our own communities to develop solutions that work for us.”

Tumuaki of Te Ao Mārama (New Zealand Māori Dental Association) Leeann Waaka says whānau should not have to suffer in silence any longer. Supplied / Leeann Waaka

Leeann Waaka, dental therapist at Hauora a Toi and Tumuaki of Te ao Mārama (New Zealand Māori Dental Association) said the situation had remained largely unchanged for decades – with many left suffering in silence.

“The current suffering for our people is real, and it has not got any better since, well, what, 30 years?”

Waaka said while cost was a major issue for whānau, accessibility, especially in rural areas, remained a problem.

“When you are looking at a current structure and your lens is a holistic lens, it really does not fit.

“Whenever you need something, you should be able to access it, right there and then. Unfortunately that is not the case for dental.”

After travelling the country with the Dental for All kaupapa, she said the stories shared were confronting.

“Many have suffered in silence for a long time, It’s heartbreaking.

“I come from up north. I knew it was bad up there, but when we went up there for the roadshow, I don’t even think we could have imagined just how bad it is … It is inhumane.”

Waaka, alongside Dental for All and Te Ao Mārama, was pushing for a Te Tiriti consistent system – which would mean properly resourcing Māori providers and enabling iwi and hapū to design services that meet the needs of their people.

“It is reimagining the system and starting to rebuild it to what it needs to be to serve our whānau. Our people deserve better.”

Dental for All campaign set out on a national roadshow last year, hearing concerns from whānau and building public support over communities. Supplied / Dental for All

Looking overseas for solutions

Dental for All’s latest research pointed to countries including Niue, Japan, Brazil, Canada and the United Kingdom, where dental care was integrated into public health systems.

Harris said those models showed change was achievable.

“It ultimately comes down to political will,” he said.

“We have seen other countries make the decision that oral health is part of overall health and design their systems accordingly.”

Dental for All was now developing a detailed policy proposal outlining how such a system could be introduced in Aotearoa.

“This could be something we look back on as a once in a generation change to strengthen our healthcare system.”

Waaka said the focus must remain on equity and wellbeing.

“All knowledge systems matter, and coming together to bring the best of those knowledge systems is key for when we are serving our people,” she said.

“Our people deserve the best and nothing less.”

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://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/too-expensive-to-smile-calls-grow-for-universal-te-tiriti-consistent-dental-care/

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TVB Unveils Artiste-Creator Network (ACN) at MarketingPulse 2026

Source: Media Outreach

How TVB’s ACN is shaping the creator economy by empowering brands to leverage premium talent-turned-creators for authentic, multi-platform storytelling

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 March 2026 — As the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) matures, cross-media platforms must innovate at pace to meet the demand for forward-looking marketing solutions. Today, at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s (HKTDC) flagship events, MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse, themed “Generate New Growth,” industry leaders gathered to explore the frontiers of agentic AI, phygital commerce, and the evolution of content creation.

The sharing session titled “Beyond Broadcast, Beyond Borders: The Social Appeal and Commercial Value of TVB Artiste-Creators” was moderated by Mr. Kevin SHUI, Chief Marketing Officer of Starry (1st left), and featured in-depth exchanges with Ms. Alexandra LO, CEO of TaRa Innovation Limited & TaRa Bloom (HK & Asia), and Assistant Adjunct Professor at HKU Business School (1st right); popular TVB artistes Bowie CHEUNG (2nd left), and Tony HUNG (2nd right).

Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), a world renowned cross-media platform, marked the occasion by introducing the TVB Artiste-Creator Network (ACN). This strategic initiative integrates TVB’s robust marketing ecosystem with its extensive roster of talent to offer a digital-first, influence-driven solution for modern brands.

Mr. SIU Sai Wo, General Manager (Business Operations) of TVB, stated, “With the largest talent pool of artistes in Hong Kong and an unparalleled, loyal audience, TVB remains at the forefront of influence. In this new AI-driven landscape, we are capitalizing on the inherent credibility our artistes have built on the TV screen and extending it across digital and social ecosystems through the Artiste-Creator Network.

This represents more than a new career trajectory for our talent; it is a sophisticated, integrated marketing engine. By precisely matching brands with the right creators, we provide seamless coverage across every consumer touchpoint—from primetime television to personal mobile screens—enabling brands to scale effectively within the Greater Bay Area and beyond.”

Industry Leaders and Artiste-Creators Convene to Explore the Path to Brand Conversion

At MarketingPulse 2026, TVB hosted a high-level sharing session titled “Beyond Broadcast, Beyond Borders: The Social Appeal and Commercial Value of TVB Artiste-Creators.” Addressing an audience of marketing industry leaders, the session was moderated by Mr. Kevin SHUI, Chief Marketing Officer of Starry and a digital marketing veteran with over 20 years of Asia-Pacific expertise.

The panel featured Ms. Alexandra LO—former Head of Digital at Nestlé HK, current CEO of TaRa Innovation Limited, and Assistant Adjunct Professor at HKU Business School—alongside popular TVB artistes Bowie CHEUNG and Tony HUNG. Together, they explored the strategic cultivation of “cross-platform hybrid content creators,” focusing on how to extend an artiste’s broadcast authority into a powerful, multi-channel digital influence.

Bowie CHEUNG and Tony HUNG shared their first-hand insights on navigating dual identities as traditional artistes and digital creators, highlighting how they engage diverse regional audiences.

Bowie CHEUNG remarked, “Television provided the foundation of recognition and credibility, but social media allows me to layer in my authentic self—sharing my genuine interests, lifestyle, and personal style. This creates a unique point of resonance for fans across different regions, transforming the ‘out-of-reach’ celebrity persona into a relatable, trusted figure who bridges the distance between the screen and the audience.”

Tony HUNG added, “After years as a TVB artiste and a digital creator, I’ve found these two identities to be deeply complementary. By merging the massive reach of broadcast media with the interactivities of social media, brand collaborations can achieve a broader, more multi-layered reach that speaks to consumers at every level of the engagement funnel.”

Strategic Partnership with Starry: AI-Powered Precision in Talent Matching

In a move to further modernize its commercial offering, TVB announced a strategic collaboration with Starry, a leading KOL marketing platform. By integrating Starry’s proprietary AI-driven engine, TVB now provides brand partners with data-backed, high-precision matching for its Artiste-Creator Network (ACN).

Mr. Kevin SHUI, Chief Marketing Officer of Starry, explained, “Traditional platforms often rely on static, pre-set criteria that fail to capture the nuances of influence. Our AI-powered system makes intelligent, real-time adjustments based on the specific DNA of each brand. By analyzing a comprehensive data set—including an artiste’s personality, specialized talents, content sentiment, and social media performance, alongside their broader media reputation—we ensure a seamless, high-conversion match from within TVB’s extensive talent ecosystem.”

Expert Insight: The Irreplaceable Value of Broadcast Trust

Ms. Alexandra LO, CEO of TaRa Innovation Limited & TaRa Bloom (HK & Asia), and Assistant Adjunct Professor at HKU Business School, shared her strategic perspective on the criteria for selecting high-impact KOLs. Ms. LO observed, “In the current marketing landscape, brands have moved beyond simply chasing follower counts. Today’s priorities are engagement quality, brand compatibility, and cross-platform influence. KOL partnerships now allow brand messaging to become truly multi-dimensional through authentic interactions.

TVB artiste-creators hold a significant advantage across all these metrics. The deep-seated trust they have built with the general public through the television screen translates directly into higher brand affinity and business conversion rates, making them a premium commercial asset that is exceptionally difficult to replicate.”

TVB ACN – A Stellar Lineup of Artiste-Creators, The Catalyst for Business Success

A prominent delegation of TVB’s popular artiste-creators attended the event in person, including Judy KWONG, Niklas LAM, Hilary CHONG, Ellyn NGAI, Andrew CHAN, Lucy LI, Karen WU, Derek WONG, Kris LAM, and Arthur SY. The ACN signifies a strategic evolution for TVB’s talent—spanning actors, singers, and performers—who now leverage their massive public recognition to ensure brand communications carry an elite level of credibility. By bridging their established television profiles with deep social media engagement, these creators drive higher-quality digital discourse and superior conversion rates for brand partners.

At this year’s MarketingPulse exhibition, TVB showcased its innovative e-commerce and marketing technologies, demonstrating a seamless transition from Television Primetime to Personal Screen Time. This one-stop content solution, powered by unparalleled star power and advanced matching technology, empowers clients to seize new growth opportunities and achieve sustainable business success.

Hashtag: #TVB #Artiste-Creator #MarketingPulse

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/2026/03/19/tvb-unveils-artiste-creator-network-acn-at-marketingpulse-2026/

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Chubb Life Hong Kong Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Life Chapters at Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 Connecting Art, Wealth and Legacy

Source: Media Outreach

  • Chubb Life Hong Kong returns as Official Show Partner of Art Basel Hong Kong for the third consecutive year.
  • Thai artist Wit Pimkanchanapong debuts immersive installation, Life Chapters, exploring how every action defines legacy.
  • The partnership with Art Basel enables Chubb Life Hong Kong to engage High-Net-Worth individuals (HNWIs) by integrating art assets into the broader conversation of wealth transfer and legacy planning.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 March 2026 – To mark its 50th anniversary, Chubb Life Hong Kong presents Life Chapters, an immersive installation by Bangkok-based artist Wit Pimkanchanapong, at Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 (March 27–29). As Art Basel’s Official Show Partner for the third consecutive year, Chubb Life Hong Kong reaffirms the company’s longstanding role in safeguarding what truly matters, and protecting customers’ lifetime of work.

Hosted in the Chubb Life Hong Kong Lounge near the Hall 1D entrance at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Life Chapters invites visitors to reflect on how every action shapes the journeys and legacies they leave behind. The artwork leads visitors through shifting paths and walls that reveal changing perspectives, reflecting that each action taken defines a life journey. Each step highlights a central theme: securing what matters most allows individuals to honor their unique journeys and the legacies they leave behind.

“As Chubb Life Hong Kong turns 50, beginning our anniversary year at Art Basel is a deliberate choice,” said Belinda Au, President of Chubb Life Hong Kong and Head of North Asia. “Our clients entrust us with what is irreplaceable – their families, their futures and their enduring legacy that reflects a lifetime of work. By bringing Life Chapters to Art Basel, we are highlighting a belief that runs through our 50th Anniversary campaign: every action is a legacy. Our role is to give customers the protection and clarity to take mindful actions with confidence.”

This commitment to safeguarding what matters most and recognizing the role of art in legacy planning is underpinned by Chubb’s global reputation as a long‑standing patron and insurer of the arts. With Hong Kong established as one of the world’s leading art trading hubs, and research showing that high-net-worth individuals allocated an average of 20% of their wealth to art collections, art is also an increasingly important part of client portfolios and a key consideration in asset portfolio and legacy planning for high-net-worth individuals.

The Art Basel installation marks the beginning of a year-long program celebrating Chubb Life Hong Kong’s 50th Anniversary, including cultural partnerships, community initiatives and conversations on life, legacy and intergenerational planning. Across this year, these activities will honor five decades of helping people in Hong Kong protect their aspirations and live the lives they imagine.

Appendix

About Life Chapters

At Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 (March 27–29), Chubb Life Hong Kong will present Life Chapters (hosted in the Chubb Life Hong Kong Lounge near the Hall 1D entrance at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre), an immersive installation by Bangkok-based artist Wit Pimkanchanapong that explores life-defining moments that shape an individual’s path.

As patrons navigate the shifting, maze-like environment within Chubb Life’s lounge, they’ll encounter subtle cues – objects, sounds, phrases – that serve as portals for reflection, while shifting walls, semi-transparent surfaces, and changing sightlines will heighten visitors’ awareness of one another and create a shared experience.

Life Chapters leaves space for viewers to construct their own readings. Instead of guiding them toward a single conclusion, the installation encourages experimentation and responsiveness, rewarding those who explore its possibilities. The pathways visitors trace – deliberate or intuitive – suggest the fluidity with which life can pivot, open or be reimagined. In this sense, the work is completed by participation: each passage through the maze inscribes a new layer of meaning, making the audience an active contributor to the artwork’s evolving form.

The work embodies Chubb Life Hong Kong’s belief that every action is a legacy – that what we do, however small, reshapes the paths available to ourselves and others.

About Wit Pimkanchanapong

Wit Pimkanchanapong is a Bangkok-based artist. Born in 1976 in Bangkok, Pimkanchanapong graduated from the faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand in 1992 and received a MA in Visual Communication, Electronic Media & Time-Based Media, from Kent Institute of Art & Design, Maidstone, UK in 1994.

Wit identifies the special qualities of particular spaces, materials and multimedia from an architectural viewpoint and causes them to reflect the uniqueness of the region or place, transforming these into spaces that bring awareness to the viewer. He also creates places where people can share artworks, via an idiosyncratic mechanism combining media technology and everyday items.

Maze as a concept has become an important form in Pimkanchanapong’s work since 2021. Its origins come from his encounter with a Buddhist maze ceremony on the northern border of Thailand, which opened a way for him to bring together art, architecture, design and technology. He sees the maze as a literal representation of life: it is not linear or predetermined, and it contains many entry points, shifting routes, and unexpected possibilities. Viewers of the work may move forward, reach a dead end, and then find a new path — a rhythm the artist connects with the “rebirths” one can experience over a lifetime.

Exhibitions and shows:

  • Paraphernalia, Galerie du Haïdouc, Bourges, France (2003)
  • Have We Met?, Japan Foundation Forum, Tokyo, Japan (2004).
  • Bangkok Bangkok, La Capella, Barcelona (2005)
  • Politics of Fun, Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin (2005)
  • Yokohama Triennale, Yokohama, Japan (2005)
  • Mairie de 6e, Paris, France (2006)
  • Temporary Art Museum SoiSabai with Yoshitomo Nara, Silpakorn Universiity, Bangkok (2006)
  • Some Proposals for the Next Future, Silpakorn University, Bangkok (2007)
  • Sharjah Biennale, Sharjah, UAE; Animated Painting, San Diego Art Museum (2007)
  • The 7th Asian Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT7), Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane (2009)

Previous works:

  • 《 Mist》 . Installation view at Central Plaza, Chieng Rai, Thailand, 2011.
  • Myarab (Fawn). New World Mall, Banglamphu – Bangkok Design Week 2026, 29 Jan – 8 Feb 2026
  • Baan Bardo: Wonderfruits, Pattaya, Thailand, Dec 2025
  • Not Quite a Total Eclipse – 100 Tonson Gallery, Bangkok, 2009
  • Planetary Seed, 100 Tonson Gallery, Bangkok, 2024
  • Octave Maze, Sonic Voyage: A Journey of Rhythmic Flair exhibition by One Bangkok Retail and Cat Radio

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