The Government’s work to boost overseas investment and remove barriers to doing business with New Zealand is delivering billions for the local economy and Kiwi businesses, Associate Finance Minister David Seymour and Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says.
Starting today, many decisions under the Overseas Investment Act will be made in under 15 working days, with a target of five, thanks to a new two-track system, Mr Seymour says.
“These changes build on major success speeding up consenting under the old law. Since our Government was elected, we’ve reduced the average processing time by 60 per cent, from 71 working days to 28.
“In the past year $7.82 billion worth of investment applications have been processed. These law changes, passed last year and coming into effect today, will help bring even more money into the country.
“To balance the need for speed with the need to screen risky investments, we’ve created a two-speed pathway. Low risk applications don’t have to jump through the same hoops as higher risk ones. This approach is a win-win speeding up most consents while freeing up time to scrutinise those that are risky.
“The law says decisions on all investments except residential land, farmland and fishing quota must be made within 15 working days, unless there is a potential national interest concern, but the target is five working days. Residential land, farmland and fishing quota will continue going through existing pathways.
“If the five day target is met, then most investment decisions will be made fourteen times faster than the average consenting time when we were first elected.
“Even at 15 days, this law will result in most consents being processed five times faster than they were before our Government took office. It is a statement that we welcome our friends around the world investing in New Zealand. We see it as a vote of confidence in New Zealand when people want to send their money here.
“This reform is about getting capital to productive businesses faster. International investment is essential for economic growth. It provides access to capital, know how, and technology that grows New Zealand businesses, enhances productivity, and supports higher paying jobs.
“If we want to be a high-income economy, we must have access to the pools of capital and know-how from overseas investors. We may be an island nation physically, but we cannot afford to isolate ourselves economically. Overseas investment is vital to reaching our goal of economic growth.”
Ms Stanford says Active Investor Plus visas applications are growing every day, with the ‘golden visa’ now set to deliver almost $3.5 billion from 589 high-value investor applications.
“Following our changes to the golden visa, we’ve had an enormous jump in applications, and over $3 billion in investment set to be delivered,” Ms Stanford says.
“Overseas investors through Active Investor Plus can now buy houses in New Zealand over $5 million. There is a lot of extraordinary talent and we welcome that. The changes today are another step to help remove barriers for people who want to come and help grow New Zealand.
“Kiwi businesses have incredible potential and the Government is committed to backing them, to grow new technologies, open export markets, and create high-demand, highly paid jobs for Kiwis. We’ve opened the country for business to help build the New Zealand of the future – one which Kiwis and our next generations absolutely wasn’t to be a part of.
“We’re committed to creating more opportunity for New Zealanders, and I’m pleased that the Government’s changes are opening up access to capital that will make a meaningful difference for New Zealand.”
The Brumbies are winning the race after three rounds of Super Rugby.Brett Phibbs/Photosport
The Brumbies have galloped out of the gates, and after three rounds lead the Super Rugby field.
The two-time champs sit six points clear of the best placed New Zealand side the Chiefs, with the Waratahs still in second.
It was a rough week for Kiwis teams, the sole side to taste victory, the comeback kings, the Crusaders who picked up their first win of the season in a humdinger in Hamilton.
Despite the defeat, the Chiefs can count themselves almost a lock for try of the season, after Etene Nanai-Seturo’s length of the field stunner.
The Chiefs continue their run of derbies, though should expect an easier encounter on Friday night against an out of sorts Moana Pasifika.
Tana Umaga’s men were woeful against the Force, and they now find themselves at the bottom of the ladder with a wounded and dangerous Chiefs outfit awaiting.
The Hurricanes were dealt a cruel hand in Lautoka, forced to not only battle the heat but the wet in ‘sauna’ like conditions against the Drua.
They look to bounce back in an enticing clash in Sydney against the Waratahs, fresh off two wins and a bye.
The Highlanders were also luck-less in Brisbane, and head back under the roof to host the Force on Saturday afternoon.
The match of the round without a doubt is at Eden Park as two of Super’s greatest rivals go to battle.
The Crusaders turned around a poor start to their campaign with their 43-33 victory while the Blues had their hearts broken by the Brumbies.
Selection notes
All Black first five’s Beauden Barrett and Damian Mackenzie return for his first matches of the season.
Tupou Vai’i will skipper the Chiefs in the absence of Luke Jacobson Wallaby Lalakai Foeketi will get his first at centre. Augustine Pulu will make his debut for Moana Pasifika with Joel Lam and Tyler Pulini also to debut form the bench.
Angus Ta’avao returns for the Highlanders while the promising Lucas Casey has been left out of the 23.
All Black hooker Codie Taylor also returns for the Crusaders while Rivez Reihana is back at first five, with Taha Kemara dropping to 15, Will Jordan earning a rest.
Injury ward
Brett Cameron’s season has been confirmed to be over, while Ruben Love’s ankle is still anywhere from two to four weeks away from match fitness.
Luke Jacobson sits the week out with a hip complaint while Brodie McAlister will be back for week five. Moana have a packed casualty ward with Jimmy Tupou, Julian Savea, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Israel Leota and William Havili all out.
The Blues are low on locking stocks with Laghlan McWhannell and Patrick Tuipulotu both unavailable. Crusaders hooker George Bell suffered a foot injury last week and will be at least two weeks away.
Key stats
The Chiefs are 7-0 against Moana Pasifika.
Moana Pasifika have conceded 35 tries across their last four away games.
Hurricanes are on an eight game winning streak against the Waratahs.
Lehi Fineanganofo has scored eight tries across his last six starting appearances.
The Highlanders are on a six-game losing streak against teams from Australia.
Timoci Tavatavanawai has broken 36 tackle in his last five matches.
The Blues have won just once from their past ten encounters with the Crusaders at Eden Park.
Bench: 16. Tyrone Thompson. 17. Ollie Norris. 18. George Dyer. 19. Josh Lord. 20. Simon Parker. 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi. 22. Josh Jacomb. 23. Kyle Brown.
“It’s a very strong team for a game where we need to respond after we got a punch in the nose by the Crusaders.” – Chiefs coach Jonno Gibbs.
Moana Pasifika:
1. Abraham Pole 2. Millennium Sanerivi 3. Chris Apoua 4. Tom Savage 5. Allan Craig 6. Miracle Faiilagi (c) 7. Semisi Paea 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa 9. Augustine Pulu (debut) 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop 11. Solomon Alaimalo 12. Ngani Laumape 13. Tevita Latu 14. Tevita Ofa 15. Glen Vaihu
Bench: 16. Samiuela Moli 17. Malakai Hala-Ngatai 18. Lolani Faleiva 19. Ofa Tauatevalu 20. Ola Tauelangi 21. Joel Lam debut 22. Patrick Pellegrini 23. Tyler Pulini (debut.)
“The Chiefs always bring a great challenge and we know that we need to be accurate and come out strong from the start. As a team we’re focused on trusting what we can do and going out there and executing our game plan.” – Moana coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga
“They’re coming off a bye week, so they’ll be ready to go. We feel really prepared. We’ve travelled well and recovered well from Fiji.” – Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw.
Highlanders vs Western Force
Kick-off: 4:35pm Saturday March 7
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
Live blog updates on RNZ
Highlanders:
1. Ethan de Groot (CC) 2. Jack Taylor 3. Angus Ta’avao 4. Oliver Haig 5. Mitch Dunshea 6. Te Kamaka Howden 7. Veveni Lasaqa 8. Nikora Broughton 9. Folau Fakatava 10. Cameron Millar 11. Jona Nareki 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (CC) 13. Jonah Lowe 14. Caleb Tangitau 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Bench: 16. Soane Vikena 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown 18. Sosefo Kautai 19. Will Stodart 20. Sean Withy 21. Adam Lennox 22. Reesjan Pasitoa 23. Tanielu Tele’a
“We need to build on our start to the season, lift a notch or two, and convert more of the pressure we’re applying into points.” – Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph.
Blues vs Crusaders
Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday March 7
Eden Park, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ
Blues:
1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi 2. Kurt Eklund 3. Marcel Renata 4. Josh Beehre 5. Sam Darry 6. Torian Barnes 7. Dalton Papali’i (c) 8. Hoskins Sotutu 9. Finlay Christie 10. Stephen Perofeta 11. Caleb Clarke 12. Pita Ahki 13. AJ Lam 14. Codemeru Vai 15. Zarn Sullivan
Bench: 16. James Mullan 17. Mason Tupaea 18. Sam Matenga 19. Che Clark 20. Anton Segner 21. Taufa Funaki 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Xavi Taele
“The Crusaders are always a quality side and these contests carry a bit of extra edge. It’s special to be back at home in front of our supporters. We know the lift that Eden Park gives us and the boys are looking forward to putting in a big performance.” – Blues coach Vern Cotter
Crusaders:
1. George Bower 2. Codie Taylor 3. Fletcher Newell 4. Antonio Shalfoon 5. Jamie Hannah 6. Dom Gardiner 7. Ethan Blackadder (VC) 8. Christian Lio-Willie 9. Noah Hotham 10. Rivez Reihana 11. Sevu Reece 12. David Havili (c) 13. Leicester Fainga’anuku 14. Chay Fihaki 15. Taha Kemara
“One win doesn’t make a season, but the energy was great and everyone’s done a great job keeping things grounded as we look forward to heading up to Eden Park.” – Crusaders coach Rob Penney.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Thanks to powerful partnerships with industry leaders, NOTE 60 Ultra represents Infinix’s boldest entry in the flagship tier, debuting in Barcelona during MWC 2026
BARCELONA, SPAIN – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2026 – Infinix is cementing its status within the premium smartphone segment in a bold new way with NOTE 60 Ultra, its landmark flagship debuting in Barcelona during Mobile World Congress 2026.
Infinix NOTE 60 Ultra Design by Pininfarina
Co-developed with Italian automotive and design legend Pininfarina, NOTE 60 Ultra’s design is driven by an emotion-led aesthetic inspired by super cars. Beneath its bold design lies a fully realized flagship experience, integrating breakthrough in-house innovations with best-in-class partner technologies. A professional-grade 200MP ultra-high-definition imaging system, built-in multi-country satellite communication connectivity, and immersive audio precision-tuned by SOUND BY JBL come together to challenge expectations in the premium segment.
Supercar Design DNA in a Flagship, Shaped by Pininfarina
In the premium segment, the design language is a device’s opening statement. A user’s perception at first glance is shaped by aesthetics, long before a single specification is considered.
Drawing inspiration from the aerodynamic philosophy and pioneering spirit of high-performance sports cars, Infinix, in partnership with Pininfarina, takes a radical departure in sculpting a flagship. What stands out immediately is what’s missing: the camera bump. As premium handsets adopt larger sensors, they often sacrifice form with increasingly protruding camera modules.
True to the sports car heritage, NOTE 60 Ultra introduces a fully integrated, single-body rear: the Aluminum Unibody Design. At the heart of this craftsmanship is the World’s 1st Uni-Chassis Cam Module, formed a single, continuous sheet of CORNING® GORILLA® GLASS VICTUS that virtually conceals the presence of the camera. Much like a supercar sculpted for low-drag, the rear design maintains a smooth, uninterrupted silhouette. This also ensures a natural in-hand feel and unobtrusively slips into any pocket, while reinforcing the phone’s durability and structural integrity.
Paying homage to Italian cultural and racing heritage, NOTE 60 Ultra arrives in four striking colorways: Torino Black, Monza Red, Amalfi Blue, and Roma Silver. Each hue draws inspiration from the most iconic scenes and legends of Italy’s motorsport and cultural history, capturing the spirit of speed, lifestyle, and emotional beauty.
Just as a supercar announces its ignition through sound and light, NOTE 60 Ultra mirrors the ritual. A Floating Taillight signature spans the rear, illuminating as the device powers on. And as a final nod to automotive heritage, NOTE 60 Ultra features an Active Matrix Display reminiscent of a supercar dashboard at startup. Concealed within the rear surface, the hidden display lights up to reveal notifications, expressive icons, or a pixel-style virtual companion.
Dual Flagship Cameras for Detail, Zoom, and True-to-Life Imaging
Although discreet at first glance, Infinix makes no concessions on camera performance and earmarks a new era for Infinix’s imaging capability. Delivering performance on par with industry-leading standards, Infinix’s Dual Flagship Imaging Architecture marks several brand-first breakthroughs and improvements across three dimensions, reinforcing its position as a signature offering.
Under the hood, it’s clear that NOTE 60 Ultra refuses to settle for less. Discreetly integrated within the Uni-Chassis Cam Module is a powerful triple-camera array. Anchored by a next-generation 200MP Samsung ISOCELL HPE sensor, NOTE 60 Ultra delivers ultra-high-definition clarity. And ensuring flagship-grade versatility across focal lengths, the phone is complemented by a 50MP Samsung ISOCELL JN5 periscope telephoto lens and a 112° ultra-wide lens.
However, hardware alone does not define the full experience. For the first time, Infinix supports the XDR display standard with Ultra HDR Capture. Powered by a proprietary XDR Image Engine, Infinix’s advanced system delivers a superior dynamic range, ideal for true-to-life photos of bright lights at night or breathtaking sunset scenes.
The result is exceptional resolution that sets a higher bar for precise framing in daylight or after dark, while faithfully preserving details often lost in standard photography. Whether exploring daytime cityscapes or distant horizons, NOTE 60 Ultra excels with its advanced optical‑to‑digital zoom performance. Crisp, detailed shots are captured across a versatile zoom range, from a 2× optical crop and native 3.5× optical zoom to a 7× lossless digital zoom, extending up to 100× for extreme distances.
Expansive Satellite Calling and Messaging Coverage
Beyond what meets the eye, NOTE 60 Ultra carries a more subtle capability designed to accompany the user’s ambition, as far as and wherever the road leads. NOTE 60 Ultra is the first¹ to introduce dual-way satellite calling with expansive global coverage across a far greater number of countries¹. Powered by two-way messaging and calling beyond traditional terrestrial networks, NOTE 60 Ultra offers an added peace of mind whether navigating remote terrain beyond cellular coverage or facing large-scale network disruptions. The device bridges regional connectivity gaps to maintain communication and enables emergency location sharing when it matters most.
Ultra-Fast, Enduring Functionalities for an All-Around Flagship Experience
NOTE 60 Ultra combines category-leading performance and enduring power to support multi-sensory entertainment without interruption. Complementing this, its latest user experience delivers forward-looking innovations and AI-driven optimizations, making it more accessible and seamless for everyday use.
Impressively, Infinix debuted the Proprietary Battery Self-Healing Technology. Despite featuring a massive 7000mAh silicon-carbon battery within a slim, lightweight frame, NOTE 60 Ultra is engineered to restore up to 1%² of battery health every 200 charge cycles. Complementing this breakthrough, NOTE 60 Ultra supports wired 100W All-Around Fast Charge and 50W wireless charging, achieving a full charge from 1% to 100%² in only 48 minutes through a wired connection.
Even with a massive battery, Infinix pulls out all the stops to optimize for both speed and energy management. Featuring a 4nm all-big-core MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultimate chipset together with Infinix’s self-developed performance engine, NOTE 60 Ultra achieves up to 25%² faster multitasking, accelerated app responsiveness, and sustained smoothness.
NOTE 60 Ultra excels in its class with a captivating, 1.5K Ultra HDR cinematic display. Delivering fluid 144Hz responsiveness and exceptional 4500-nit peak brightness, visuals remain vibrant across most lighting conditions. Even in motion, intelligent predictive stabilization minimizes motion sickness, whether watching a film or playing games from within a car. And just as a high-performance vehicle demands calibrated acoustics, NOTE 60 Ultra doesn’t settle for less. It delivers high-fidelity audio through a stereo system with SOUND BY JBL, completing a truly compelling entertainment experience.
The NOTE 60 Ultra’s optimized performance enables its intelligent AI features to run fluidly and efficiently with minimal battery drain. Its integrated AI ecosystem focuses on practical daily-enhancing functions, including real-time vitals tracking via Advanced Health Monitor, personalized file organization and an adaptive AI-powered knowledge base, all evolving with user preferences. These AI capabilities are seamlessly woven into GlowSpace, a new interface debuting on XOS 16.³ Powered by Android 16, GlowSpace introduces a fully reimagined UI centered on fluid motion and luminous details that animate with every interaction.
Through co-engineering with leading technology and innovation partners, Infinix has aligned NOTE 60 Ultra around a unified vision of excellence. The outcome is a benchmark-setting flagship defined not by spectacle, but by deeply integrated and purposeful engineering, inside-out.
Product availability
NOTE 60 Ultra comes with a promise of 3 years of major OS updates and 5 years of security patches.
NOTE 60 Ultra is available in four colors: Torino Black, Monza Red, Amalfi Blue, and Roma Silver.
It will be available in two variants: 12GB + 256GB, 12GB + 512GB, with built-in eSIM⁴.
NOTE 60 Ultra comes with a deluxe gift box with automotive-inspired display stand design. A Supercar-Inspired MagCharge Base in Zinc Alloy, a Kevlar-Pattern MagPad, a Custom Kevlar MagCase, and a Track-Edition SIM Ejector Pin are included in the gift box.
Disclaimer
¹As of launch, this device is the first commercially available smartphone to support two‑way satellite calling across multiple countries. Feature availability, supported regions and coverage are subject to local certification, network deployment and market conditions.
²All data comes from Infinix laboratories. The testing data may vary slightly between different test versions and testing environments.
³The specific XOS upgrade plan for each model will be announced separately. Please note that availability of this upgrade may be limited in certain countries.
⁴eSIM availability is carrier and region-dependent; it may not be supported in all countries.
Hashtag: #Infinix
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Value of building work put in place: December 2025 quarter – information release
5 March 2026
Value of building work statistics estimate the value and volume of work put in place on construction jobs in New Zealand.
Key facts
In the December 2025 quarter:
the seasonally adjusted total building volume fell 3.1 percent compared with the September 2025 quarter – residential fell 1.1 percent, and non-residential fell 6.5 percent
total building value was $7.7 billion, down 3.6 percent from the December 2024 quarter.
Statistics remain provisional for the latest three quarters and are updated each quarter.
Visit our website to read the full information release and to download CSV files:
Property values across Aotearoa New Zealand increased by 0.2% in February. That remains a modest rise, but still the strongest since October last year, and more than reversing January’s small -0.1% drop.
Cotality NZ’s latest Home Value Index (HVI) also shows that the national median value in February of $806,697 was -1.2% lower than a year ago and still down by -17.3% from the peak in early 2022 – which was $975,540.
Trends across the main centres were more consistent in February. Kirikiriroa Hamilton and Ōtepoti Dunedin saw the strongest rises, both at 0.9%, while the rest of the main centres saw a lift in values in the 0.4%-0.6% range, except Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s was more modest (0.1%).
Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist, Kelvin Davidson said that February’s slightly stronger results were potentially a sign of things to come, but that it’s still early days.
“With sales activity trending upwards for some time now, mortgage rates down, and the economy showing signs of a pick-up, a re-emergence of modest gains in property values this year would not be a surprise.”
“The labour market probably holds the key, and most forecasts suggest that employment has already troughed, with the unemployment rate set to fall from now on.”
“That being said, a modest lift in national property values in a single month in February is nothing to get carried away about.”
“Given the cautious attitude that still prevails among both buyers and sellers, we’d need to see at least two to three more monthly increases before calling it a trend.”
“Moreover, even if that upswing does begin in earnest this year, values are still down more than 17% from their peak, with conditions remaining pretty favourable for first home buyers and those investors looking to start or expand a portfolio. On the flipside, many vendors will be getting prices below what they expected a few years ago.”
“The election campaign in 2026 and any discussion around property policies is yet to kick into full swing and that will certainly be a key focus in upcoming months. At this stage, the Middle East geopolitics may not influence the NZ housing outlook too much, but that’s obviously a watching brief.”
Index results for February 2026
Change in dwelling values
Month
Quarter
Annual
From peak
Median value
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
0.1%
-0.8%
-3.2%
-23.2%
$1,040,913
Kirikiriroa Hamilton
0.9%
0.5%
-1.2%
-12.2%
$711,669
Tauranga
0.5%
0.6%
1.1%
-14.9%
$930,470
Te-Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington*
0.4%
0.2%
-1.4%
-24.8%
$777,690
Ōtautahi Christchurch
0.6%
0.9%
2.8%
-2.7%
$701,152
Ōtepoti Dunedin
0.9%
1.3%
0.9%
-10.0%
$619,067
Aotearoa New Zealand
0.2%
-0.1%
-1.2%
-17.3%
$806,697
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland was still a bit softer than many other parts of the country in February, but even so, all sub-markets were flat or slightly higher.
Rodney, Waitakere, and Auckland City avoided falls, while there were minor 0.1% lifts in North Shore, Manukau, and Franklin – with Papakura up by 0.2%. That small rise in Papakura was enough to make it the only sub-market in Auckland where values are slightly higher (0.3%) than three months ago in November.
Mr Davidson said, “it’s still very early days and a softer month or two at some stage in the near term could never be ruled out. That being said, Auckland’s housing affordability has improved significantly in recent years as values have dropped, alongside the favourable combination of lower mortgage rates and higher household incomes.”
“In other words, with affordability conditions better, and as listing numbers continue to fall, a modest lift in Auckland property values over the medium term wouldn’t be a surprise. It’s too early to say if February marks the start of that shift, but no doubt there’ll be many people watching very closely in our largest centre.”
Change in dwelling values
Month
Quarter
Annual
From peak
Median value
Rodney
0.0%
-0.4%
-2.0%
-21.0%
$1,194,695
Te Raki Paewhenua North Shore
0.1%
-0.2%
-0.8%
-17.9%
$1,283,944
Waitakere
0.0%
-0.8%
-2.5%
-24.6%
$917,487
Auckland City
0.0%
-1.4%
-4.5%
-24.8%
$1,104,846
Manukau
0.1%
-0.8%
-3.9%
-25.0%
$967,728
Papakura
0.2%
0.3%
-3.3%
-23.9%
$812,347
Franklin
0.1%
-0.4%
-2.9%
-22.8%
$918,325
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
0.1%
-0.8%
-3.2%
-23.2%
$1,040,913
Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington
The wider Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington area remained patchy in February, with Porirua down by -0.3%, and both Kāpiti Coast and Te Awa Kairangi ki Uta Upper Hutt seeing a minor -0.1% fall.
By contrast, Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt was stable, and Wellington City itself (the largest market in this region) saw a solid 0.8% rise in values. That saw the quarterly change for Wellington City come in at 1.1%, and values are now only slightly down (-0.3%) from a year ago.
Mr Davidson noted, “economic and political uncertainty still seems to be lingering around Wellington, which is weighing on the property market. As the election becomes a stronger focus in the coming months, this situation may not change too much.”
“Still, Wellington City property values recorded a strong lift in February. It’s still early to call it a new trend, but better affordability conditions for buyers might set the stage for growth in the medium term.”
Change in dwelling values
Month
Quarter
Annual
From peak
Median value
Kāpiti Coast
-0.1%
-0.1%
-3.5%
-23.0%
$787,008
Porirua
-0.3%
-1.4%
-3.4%
-24.8%
$719,858
Te Awa Kairangi ki Uta Upper Hutt
-0.1%
-0.2%
-1.8%
-24.9%
$708,605
Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt
0.0%
-1.0%
-2.6%
-26.7%
$663,635
Wellington City
0.8%
1.1%
-0.3%
-24.1%
$875,710
Te-Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington
0.4%
0.2%
-1.4%
-24.8%
$777,690
Regional results
Outside the main centres, property values strengthened in February, apart from minor -0.1% dips in Rotorua and Ngāmotu New Plymouth, alongside a flat result in Te Papaioea Palmerston North.
Elsewhere among the next tier of markets, there were more notable lifts in values in Tairāwhiti Gisborne (0.9%), Waihōpai Invercargill (1.1%), and Whanganui (1.2%).
“Alongside Ashburton, Timaru, Gore, and Southland District, Invercargill is the other part of the country where property values are at a new peak.
Affordability will be a factor in these areas, but the shape of the economy – with the primary sector performing well at present – will also be playing a role in supporting property values,” Davidson noted.
Region
Change in dwelling values
Month
Quarter
Annual
From peak
Median value
Whangārei
0.1%
-0.9%
-1.7%
-19.6%
$717,833
Heretaunga Hastings
0.2%
-1.8%
-1.2%
-18.5%
$712,171
Ahuriri Napier
0.4%
0.4%
-0.3%
-18.2%
$703,516
Te Papaioea Palmerston North
0.0%
0.3%
0.6%
-18.1%
$607,217
Tairāwhiti Gisborne
0.9%
1.1%
4.3%
-13.9%
$623,830
Whakatū Nelson
0.2%
-0.4%
-2.2%
-13.9%
$718,436
Rotorua
-0.1%
0.0%
-0.2%
-12.6%
$629,451
Whanganui
1.2%
1.3%
2.5%
-9.9%
$521,106
Ngāmotu New Plymouth
-0.1%
-0.4%
-0.8%
-6.2%
$701,113
Tāhuna Queenstown
0.1%
0.3%
0.0%
-4.0%
$1,526,975
Waihōpai Invercargill
1.1%
1.9%
6.1%
At peak
$515,067
Property market outlook
Mr Davidson noted that the latest, cautious Monetary Policy Statement and recent cuts to longer-term mortgage rates by some banks could be buoying borrowers.
“Anyone with large debts will no doubt be pleased to see the Reserve Bank pushing back slightly on the suggestion that the OCR could rise sooner rather than later.”
“However, borrowing decisions are nevertheless still changing. As people anticipate a tightening cycle at some stage, there’s now 30% of existing loans fixed and not due to reprice for not at least a year, the highest share since February 2024.”
Looking ahead, property market activity levels should continue to increase this year, potentially bringing down the stock of listings on the market to some extent, and creating a bit more upwards pressure on house prices.
However, Mr Davidson also noted that “lending restrictions, particularly the debt-to-income ratios remain a guardrail in the background.”
“In addition, the physical stock of dwellings has recently risen relative to our population, which is an additional restraint on property value growth.”
“All in all, although the so-called animal spirits in the housing market have the potential to re-emerge at any stage and with little warning, a balanced view at present is for only modest growth in values this year,” Mr Davidson concluded.
The Cotality Hedonic Home Value Index (HVI) is calculated using a hedonic regression methodology that addresses the issue of compositional bias associated with median price and other measures. In simple terms, the index is calculated using recent sales data combined with information about the attributes of individual properties such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, land area and geographical context of the dwelling. By separating each property into its various formational and locational attributes, observed sales values for each property can be distinguished between those attributed to the property’s attributes and those resulting from changes in the underlying residential property market. Additionally, by understanding the value associated with each attribute of a given property, this methodology can be used to estimate the value of dwellings with known characteristics for which there is no recent sales price by observing the characteristics and sales prices of other dwellings which have recently transacted. It then follows that changes in the market value of the entire residential property stock can be accurately tracked through time.
The Gloriavale compound on the West Coast.RNZ / Jean Edwards
Senior government minister Louise Upston says she did not see anything on a visit to Gloriavale that caused concern about children’s safety at the West Coast Christian community.
The Social Development Minister visited Gloriavale on 30 January where she met Overseeing Shepherd Stephen Standfast, senior leaders and other Gloriavale members.
Photos of the visit seen by RNZ show Upston speaking to parents, holding a baby, visiting a family home and touring the school art room.
Former Gloriavale member Virginia Courage has criticised the visit, saying the minister would not have seen the reality of life at the sect and should meet leavers rather than community leaders.
On Thursday Upston said the visit was important because she was responsible for an Abuse in Care Royal Commission recommendation the government take all practicable steps to ensure the ongoing safety of children, young people and adults at Gloriavale.
“I thought it was really important for me to be able to meet the key leaders, to be able to see for myself, and to ensure that I was well-informed,” she said.
Asked if she thought Gloriavale children were safe, Upston said “there was nothing that I saw that led me to think they weren’t”.
“What we’re working on is a community plan. I have to give them the benefit of the doubt and I am at this stage confident that they are engaged in the process, that they are working with the government agencies on the ground, that they’re working on an outcomes plan. That is very much anchored around the safety and care of children,” she said.
Social Development Minister Louise Upston visited Gloriavale on 30 January.RNZ / Mark Papalii
Government agencies were at Gloriavale working with the community on a regular basis, Upston said.
“Clearly there have been issues in the past. We are focussed now on the safety of children. There was nothing that I saw that led me to be concerned about it but regular contact with agencies on the ground will continue to happen and, because we are now looking at it as a group of agencies collectively, if there was anything that happened we would get to see it and know about it quickly,” she said.
Upston said she met a large group of Gloriavale leaders and attended a community gathering with a question-and-answer session.
“Then I did a walk-around like I usually do, I just wander off and go and talk to whoever I want to talk to and that’s exactly what I did,” she said.
Gloriavale’s leaders were concerned about education and schooling but Upston told them decisions about Gloriavale Christian School were a matter for the Secretary for Education.
The minister was unable to meet leavers in Wellington on a previous occasion but said she was happy to do so in future.
“I’ve said I’m happy to and the ball is in their court so when they’re back in Wellington, happy to catch up,” she said.
Upston was accompanied by National’s West Coast-Tasman MP Maureen Pugh, Ministry of Education deputy secretary Geoff Short and Regional Public Service Commissioner Craig Churchill.
Pugh said she had nothing further to add to the minister’s comments, except to say that she was there as the electorate MP to support Upston’s visit.
RNZ has approached Short and Churchill for comment.
Courage earlier told RNZ the minister should not have gone to Gloriavale.
“What she’s seeing is not reality, it’s crafted, it’s practised. Them going there and not being informed, not knowing what they’re dealing with, not having talked to leavers, not having gotten facts about the level of harm, really all you’re doing is giving Gloriavale air-time,” she said.
Upston would have met members hand-picked by Gloriavale’s leadership, Courage said.
“I’m highly, highly suspicious that this was just a PR event to make it look like they care. ‘We’ve been there and visited’ – and you didn’t see any abuse that day so it’s all okay? Of course you didn’t see any abuse, you were talking to the people who do the abusing,” she said.
“It actually upsets me to think that she went there and talked to the leadership. It’s the leadership who are responsible for the teachings that this community is suppressed and dominated by.”
Countless visits from police, politicians and government departments had failed to expose wrong-doing at Gloriavale, Courage said.
“None of them figured out what was going on, it had to be from ex-members going to court and proving it in court without a shadow of doubt the level of abuse, neglect, coercion, manipulation, deception even. You cannot go and visit Gloriavale and know what it’s about. You do not see the real thing,” she said.
Former Overseeing Shepherd Howard Temple was initially sentenced to two years and two months’ jail for indecently assaulting young women and girls, but that sentence was reduced to 11 months home detention.Tim Brown / RNZ
The High Court quashed Temple’s jail sentence on Tuesday following an appeal. The 85-year-old will instead serve 11 months’ home detention at a property in Greymouth.
A Gloriavale spokesperson said the minister came to see the community first-hand and meet a cross-section of members including the school board, mothers, managers and leaders.
It was a short visit including a brief inspection of the school, main building and accommodation, and a meeting with a homeschooling family, the spokesperson said.
The minister and senior leaders discussed “concerns about the registration of the school, success of our policies regarding abuse and continuing plans to support leavers”, they said.
Standfast took on the role of Overseeing Shepherd last December following the resignation of Howard Temple, who was sentenced to two years and two months’ jail for indecently assaulting young women and girls over 20 years.
The High Court quashed Temple’s jail sentence on Tuesday following an appeal. The 85-year-old will instead serve 11 months’ home detention at a property in Greymouth.
Last December the Ministry of Education announced it was cancelling Gloriavale Christian School’s registration because of safety concerns but the private school remains open pending a High Court judicial review.
Gloriavale founder Hopeful Christian – formerly known as Neville Cooper – was sentenced to five years in prison in December 1995 on three charges of indecent assault.
The Abuse in Care inquiry found the Overseeing Shepherd and senior leaders at fault for allowing physical and sexual abuse at the community, failing to prevent abuse and protect survivors and inappropriately handling perpetrators, allowing them to remain in the community and continue their abuse.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
This new addition reflects the company’s dedication to supporting the growing demands for logistics and warehousing services in the country
The warehouse is a part of strategic growth plans to significantly expand its warehousing footprint and service offering in the country
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2026 – Leading global logistics service provider Rhenus Group has officially opened a new warehouse in Philippines’ Paranaque, Metro Manila. This marks the company’s effort to expand its presence as a leading logistics player in the Philippines, with plans to add more warehousing space in the near future.
The warehouse is strategically located in NCR, close to major business districts and offers excellent access to major transport routes via direct access from SLEX Sucat. The brand new 7,320 sqm multi-user warehouse facility features a very high ceiling of around 20m with full insulation. It has the highest level of structural integrity and meets very high safety and security standards. Some of the features include Optical Beam Smoke Detectors, Sprinklers, mechanical cross ventilation system, fully enclosed gated compound, 24×7 security guards, full CCTV coverage with 60 days video retention, intruder alarm system, etc.
With a focus on sustainability, the warehouse utilizes LED lighting, solar panel provision, and a skylight to harness natural light, in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint. The warehouse is in the process of obtaining ISO certifications in Quality Management Systems (QMS), Environmental Management Systems (EMS), and Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Management Systems.
The new warehouse expands the footprint of seven existing facilities across Manila, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao, strengthening nationwide coverage and smooth integration with global supply chains.
“Rhenus offers 4 million m² of storage across 180 locations in 21 countries, providing tailored contract logistics solutions. The new warehouse will enhance our logistics network in the APAC region, enabling us to deliver more efficient and sustainable logistics operations for our customers. We are committed to optimizing supply chains and meeting diverse client needs,” said Marcus Fornell, Regional Head of Rhenus APAC Warehousing Solutions.
Rhenus in the Philippines
The freight and logistics market size in the Philippines is estimated at USD 16.20 billion in 2026 and is expected to reach USD 21.60 billion by 2031[1].
“Rhenus Philippines will continue to strengthen our position further in the market. With the opening of this new warehouse, we are moving forward with our plan to continue to invest in modern and state-of-the-art facilities. This allows us to expand our footprint and product portfolio to serve our customers’ requirements with the highest level of efficiency, safety, security, and compliance,” said Deepak Sharma, Managing Director of Rhenus Warehousing Solutions Philippines.
Rhenus Philippines has strong expertise in chemical warehousing, consumer goods, machinery and industrial logistics. Together with its freight forwarding entity, it offers a wide range of comprehensive services to customers, including warehousing and distribution solutions, domestic inter-island shipping, customs brokerage, project logistics, as well as air, ocean, and road freight.
More information on Rhenus Philippines is available at:
https://www.rhenus.group/ph/
Details of the new warehouse:
Address: Emilia St., San Isidro, Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Contact: +632 8424 8097
Hashtag: #Rhenus
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
New Zealand agritech company HortPlus has today announced key appointments to its senior leadership team as it positions itself for growth and international expansion.
Director Mike Barley has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, Cody Ellingham has been named Chief Strategy Officer and Bailey Jewell has taken up the position of Chief Technology Officer.
The three bring decades of experience in the technology and horticulture industries and have a deep understanding of HortPlus, its customers and the global agri-tech landscape.
“I’m delighted with the expertise we’ve assembled, not just across our leadership team, but across the entire business,” Barley says.
“The coming year holds significant opportunities for international growth, expansion of our weather station network and groundbreaking new integrations between our flagship MetWatch weather and disease portal and other leading technologies and services.”
Last year HortPlus expanded its services to Fresh Berry Company by enhancing the well-known New Zealand berry producer’s industry-leading ‘Berry Harvest Planning Tool’, developed by HortPlus to make harvest planning and forecasting easier.
This follows recent collaborations with other major corporates, including Constellation Brands which harnesses HortPlus data to support crop protection decisions that improve sustainability, reduce crop losses and boost profitability.
“It’s a buzz to be providing services to household names that are growing the crops that so many people in New Zealand, and internationally, know well.
“As the twin waves of AI and data-driven technology continue to converge and more people embrace the value of data for sound horticultural and business decision making, I’m confident the tools we provide will only get more popular, and more powerful.”
Established in Hawke’s Bay more than 25 years ago, HortPlus now has offices in Hawke’s Bay and Wellington, with customers in horticulture regions globally as far away as Italy.
It manages a network of more than 1,000 weather stations across Australia and New Zealand and offers a wide array of consultancy and environmental data services. That includes its well-known online platform, MetWatch, used by thousands of growers in a wide variety of different horticultural sectors, as well as researchers and science bodies such as Bioeconomy Science Institute and Foundation for Arable Research, among others.
After 15 years in motion, the Ngāti Pāoa Treaty settlement came into effect yesterday, marking a significant milestone for the Auckland iwi and for Tāmaki Makaurau as a whole.
The settlement includes a Crown apology, cultural recognition measures, financial redress of $23.5 million, and the return of a number of culturally significant sites across the Auckland region.
Ngāti Pāoa’s interests extend along the western shores of Tīkapa Moana / the Hauraki Gulf and the eastern parts of Auckland, from Te Aroha to Warkworth, including Waiheke Island and across to the Coromandel Peninsula.
The Ngāti Pāoa settlement is the first historical Te Tiriti o Waitangi / Treaty of Waitangi settlement made in Auckland since 2018. It forms a part of a wider programme of settlements across Tāmaki Makaurau, both completed and still to come.
Yesterday’s date also carried historical significance. On 4 March 1840, several Ngāti Pāoa rangatira signed Te Tiriti o Waitangi at Karaka Bay in Tāmaki Makaurau. The settlement coming into effect on the same date echoes that earlier moment when Ngāti Pāoa first entered into the Treaty relationship with the Crown.
The Ngāti Pāoa Claims Settlement Act 2025 gives effect to the Deed of Settlement signed in 2021. The legislation, which received Royal Assent in November last year, settles historical Treaty claims arising from Crown actions prior to 21 September 1992.
Working together into the future
Auckland Council welcomes the settlement legislation coming into effect.
“The settlement of historical grievances is an important step for Ngāti Pāoa and for the region. It supports the growth and development of Ngāti Pāoa and strengthens our ongoing relationship with the iwi and our work together across Tāmaki Makaurau,” says Nicholas Turoa, Tumuaki Huanga Māori / Director Māori Outcomes.
A joint management arrangement is already in place at Ōmaru (formerly Point England Reserve), supporting shared stewardship of a public reserve while maintaining access for the wider community.
Mayor Wayne Brown has written to Ngāti Pāoa to acknowledge the settlement being finalised and to affirm the council’s commitment to continue working together on future aspirations.
“I congratulate Ngāti Pāoa on the passing of its Treaty settlement. It is a significant milestone, and I acknowledge the decades of perseverance it has taken to get here. This milestone has taken a collective effort by the iwi. As a council, we have valued our long-standing relationship with Ngāti Pāoa and look forward to working together on our shared priorities,” says Mayor Brown.
Historical context
The agreed historical account records extensive land alienation through early Crown purchasing practices in Auckland, and the operation of native land laws in the 19th century.
In one example, land in Kohimarama purchased by the Crown in 1841 for £100 and goods was later subdivided and sold for significantly higher amounts, with no reserves set aside for Ngāti Pāoa despite assurances that they would share in the benefits of settlement. Over time, Crown purchasing practices and forced public works takings resulted in the alienation of much Ngāti Pāoa land, leaving the iwi largely landless in the wider Tāmaki area.
The settlement formally acknowledges these historical grievances.
Sites returned and recognised
Twelve sites of cultural significance have been vested in Ngāti Pāoa, including land at Ōmaru, Waiheke Island and other parts of the region.
At Ōmaru, near Glen Innes, the Treaty settlement enables Ngāti Pāoa to establish a marae at Pāoa Whanake and papakāinga housing at Hine-nui-o-te-paua, overlooking the Tāmaki River and Tīkapa Moana / the Hauraki Gulf.
Other redress includes statutory acknowledgements on sites and areas of significance to the iwi, and the recognition of Ngāti Pāoa associations with maunga and places across Tāmaki Makaurau and the Hauraki Gulf.
Several Crown protected areas will also adopt Māori or dual-language names, including in Pūkorokoro / Miranda and Te Haupa Island (Saddle Island).
Together, this settlement redress supports iwi development and formally recognises the enduring connections of mana whenua to place, to landscape, and to the history of this region.
Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of a fatal fire overnight in Ōtāhuhu.
Emergency services responded to the fire at a garage at a house on Tamaki Avenue, at around 9pm on 4 March.
Sadly, one person was located deceased inside the property.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward, Counties Manukau West CIB says: “A scene examination has been carried out today alongside a fire investigator.
“At the same time, we are continuing to work through our formal identification procedures, with a post-mortem examination also set to take place tomorrow.
“Given these enquiries remain in the early stages we are continuing to treat the circumstances as unexplained.”
Police will look to issue a further update as enquiries progress.
• The new five-storey, 27,400 square metre automotive centre will bolster ComfortDelGro Engineering’s (CDGE) EV capabilities to meet the demands of an increasingly electrified vehicle population, aligning with the nation’s push toward electrification.
• With increased operational capacity and enhanced EV capabilities, CDGE will be better equipped to handle EV services, from EV maintenance and charging to high-voltage battery and system diagnosis and repair.
• Through the CDGE Academy, now also operating at the centre, CDGE is actively upskilling its technicians to become the next generation of EV specialists.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2026 – ComfortDelGro Corporation Limited (SGX:C52) (“ComfortDelGro”, “the Group”) today announced the official opening of one of Singapore’s largest integrated automotive engineering centres at 320 Ubi Road 3. Operated by its wholly owned subsidiary, ComfortDelGro Engineering (CDGE), the new
five-storey facility supports CDGE’s full suite of automotive solutions while significantly expanding capacity for electric vehicle (EV) capabilities, from EV maintenance and charging to high-voltage battery and system diagnosis and repair.
Wide shot of ComfortDelGro’s new automotive centre
With 43 percent of new car registrations in Singapore now electric, the automotive centre is strategically positioned to support the evolving needs of electric mobility today and in the years ahead.
The upgraded automotive centre also houses the ComfortDelGro Engineering Academy. The Academy supports broader industry development by providing LTA’s National Electric Vehicle Specialist Safety programmes for technicians interested in the sector, equipping them with future-ready skills to navigate EV
transition in Singapore.
Ang Soo Hock, Chief Executive Officer of ComfortDelGro Engineering, said: “Electric mobility is reshaping the transport landscape, and the new automotive centre enables us to respond with the right tools, skills, and technology under one roof. As we build on our strong engineering DNA with future-ready capabilities, we are well-placed to support the Group and the nation in the journey towards a more sustainable future.”
Spanning over 27,400 square metres, the facility houses over 260 vehicle bays, 58 EV charging points, and battery storage rooms, significantly expanding CDGE’s operational capacity. With EV-ready facilities, the centre strengthens the Group’s readiness to support the evolution of our fleet mix and adapt to changing
technologies.
The automotive centre has commenced operations, with a progressive ramp-up of specialised services scheduled through the second quarter of 2026. Members of the public and fleet partners are welcome to visit the facility starting today.
Ahead of a major recruitment activation and partnership with Round the Bays in Auckland this Sunday, Police are announcing more recruit wings are coming to Auckland.
Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers says at Round the Bays last year the Commissioner announced a new campus in Auckland offering senior courses and recruit wings.
“A year on that campus is already a huge success – especially for recruit training,” she says.
“We can now confirm our third Wing at the RNZPC Auckland Campus will start on 29 June, and we are planning more for next year.”
Deputy Commissioner Rogers says Police heard feedback from the recruits that graduated from the Auckland Campus last year about what a great experience it was.
“They’ve raved about the benefits of being close to family, the quality of the facilities, the tight knit group they built and how smooth their transition into district was after training was complete,” says Deputy Commissioner Rogers.
“Many of our Auckland recruits are more established and have families, they’ve told us their dream of becoming a police officer wouldn’t have been possible without the RNZPC Auckland Campus.”
Providing recruits the opportunity to train closer to home continues to be a drawcard, with the RNZPC Auckland Campus supporting efforts to grow the Police workforce, especially in priority recruitment areas of Tāmaki Makaurau and Northland.
“We’re also open to offering spaces on the Auckland Wing to those interested in relocating to support them in their move.
“Wings in Auckland are limited, and capped to a maximum of 40 recruits, so don’t hesitate,” Deputy Commissioner Rogers says.
“If you are ready to start your training for one of the most rewarding careers there is, come visit the Police recruitment activation at Round the Bays or apply now at New Cops.”
At least 100 million children in countries directly impacted by the escalating violence in the Middle East and wider region face deepening fear, distress and the risk of physical harm and displacement, Save the Children said.
This is the most expansive conflict in the region in decades, impacting at least 15 countries with strikes destroying homes, schools and hospitals in some of the worst-affected countries. Children are at heightened risk of physical and mental harm, exploitation and abuse.
Nearly 200 children have been killed in the first five days, according to official and media reports – the equivalent of more than six classrooms full of children.
Many schools across the wider region have closed due to the conflict, children are being kept inside and not allowed out to play, families are struggling to access healthcare services, and children are struggling to sleep.
Prices of certain food items have skyrocketed in some areas. Families living in the region have spoken of doing everything they can to protect their children, ranging from fleeing homes to seek safety in schools and other buildings to moving in with relatives and friends with basements and more secure areas.
Save the Children staff said people are taping up windows to stop the glass shattering with explosions and playing white noise to help their children sleep.
Ahmad Alhendawi, Save the Children’s Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe Regional Director, said children were paying the highest price in the conflict:
“Every war is a war on children, and as always, we are seeing children impacted the most. Children are living in fear, caught in the crossfire of this adult war. We have already seen nearly 200 children killed, and more innocent lives could be lost without immediate action. Children must never be considered as acceptable ‘collateral’. Wars have laws and children must be off limits in every conflict.
“Children across the region are terrified of being pulled into a devastating regional war. For some, this is the first time they have faced blasts and explosions that shake their homes, and they don’t understand what is happening. Others have faced too many years of conflict that have marred their childhoods. Some have been displaced multiple times and lost all sense of safety and security.
“More than 100 million children are living in areas that have been impacted by the escalating hostilities. Every possible effort must be taken to end all hostilities, prevent further escalation, and safeguard children. Only diplomacy can prevent further civilian suffering and create the conditions for lasting security for children across the region. Any further escalation risks pushing an already fragile region into a wider conflagration, with children paying the highest price of a war that they played no part in creating.”
Save the Children urgently calls on all parties involved to immediately de-escalate and to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, including by ensuring that civilians and civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, are spared from attack.
The use of explosive weapons in populated areas risks severe harm to civilians, especially children, and should be avoided at all costs.
Save the Children is the world’s largest independent child rights organisation, reaching tens of millions of children annually in about 110 countries through its work to save and improve children’s lives.
Save the Children is currently raising funds in New Zealand to support the response in the Middle East through itsChildren’s Emergency Fund.
Notes:
[1] In the first five days since the escalation of hostilities in the Middle East and the wider region, government statements and media reports indicate that at least181 children under the age of 10 havebeen killed in Iran, eight in Lebanon according to the country’s ministry of health,three in Israelandone in Kuwait
More than 100 million children live in at least 15 countries that have been impacted by the escalation including Bahrain, Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, occupied Palestinian territory, Syria, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates. At least 14 countries have experienced one or more missile or air strikes since 28 February, while Israel closed some of the border crossings into Gaza following this escalation. Child population data for 2026 is taken from UN World Population Prospects.
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College)welcomes the Minister’s announcementthat Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) will become the direct employer for General Practice Education Programme (GPEP) Year One registrars from February 2027.
GPEP 1 registrars will continue to be able to choose practice employment alongside this new change.
The College and Health NZ have worked together on this change to provide registrars with a smoother transition into GPEP with pay, terms and conditions aligned with other specialist vocational programmes.
College CE, Toby Beaglehole says that the announcement continues the positive momentum towards investing in the future of primary care and ensuring it remains sustainable.
“This announcement is a very positive step forward in removing barriers for house officers joining our GPEP programme, with the continuation of their employment with Health NZ.”
“Alongside the new Primary Care pathway for PGY2s, this is another step forward that continues to build the attractiveness of being a specialist General Practitioner, which will result in a more sustainable primary care system in New Zealand. We know specialist GPs are vital to the health of our communities in New Zealand and are at the frontline of our health care system.”
The 2022 Malatest report highlighted that leaving the hospital-based system was the most significant barrier for doctors entering GP training.
“It’s great that GPEP registrars can choose to be employed under Health NZ, with the resultant benefits of continuity of employment that come with this and hopefully enabling similar conditions of employment to their hospital colleagues,” says Dr Ella Barclay, Chair of the College’s Registrar Chapter.
The College continues to aim to get 300 registrars into the GPEP training programme each year, with a clear focus on strengthening New Zealand’s primary care workforce by ensuring that we have more GPs and the workforce pipeline remains sustainable.
With Health NZ now becoming the employer of registrars who are not employed by a private practice in their first year of GPEP training, the College will retain its leadership over educational content, training standards, quality assurance, and clinical placements.
The option for registrars to be employed by a private practice will remain a core component of the GPEP training pathway and has not changed under this agreement.
The College and Health NZ will work together to ensure this process is seamless for new registrars applying for GPEP in 2027.
Applications for the 2027 GPEP intake will be open from Monday 9 March – Monday 13 April 2026.Find out more and apply on the College website: Specialise as a general practitioner | RNZCGP
The Government’s taking action to grow New Zealand’s ageing seafarer workforce and improve its supply-chain resilience, through a major investment in training opportunities for those entering the industry, Associate Transport Minister James Meager has announced.
“Our local seafaring industry is under significant pressure. Many experienced seafarers are nearing retirement, and strong competition from international shipping, combined with thin margins make it difficult for Kiwi operators to train replacements,” Mr Meager says.
“These ongoing issues are threatening the long-term resilience of our coastal freight services. That’s why we’ve committed $8.3 million from the Coastal Shipping Resilience Fund to trainee places on ships (known as training berths).
“This support will significantly ease financial pressures on domestic vessel operators training the workforce of tomorrow. It means they can cover things like trainees’ wages, food and travel, course costs and PPE equipment.
“We’ve seen how recent storms and major events like Cyclone Gabrielle significantly impact communities. In many cases the only way to deliver essential supplies is by sea, due to road and rail links being cut off.
“However, those vessels can only operate if they have skilled, qualified seafarers, engineers and deck officers to staff them. Training capacity is being severely constrained by the number of berths available.
“Maritime schools can provide the required vocational training, but without training berths for sea time, trainees can’t enter the workforce. Time at sea is often a requirement for other roles in the maritime sector such as port pilots, tug operators, harbourmasters and ship surveyors.
“Building a home-grown supply of talent will not only support coastal shipping, but the wider maritime sector that underpins New Zealand’s local and national economy. It will ensure we can move our goods around the country, particularly in a time of crisis.
“This yet another example of our Government’s dedication to fixing the basics and building the future of New Zealand.”
5 March 2026, 6:30am – Taxing wealth is a practical and necessary step to address increasing inequality, according to a research report released today by Tax Justice Aotearoa and the Better Taxes for a Better Future Campaign.
The report by Tayla Forward shows that a well-designed and enforced wealth tax can help restore progressivity to New Zealand’s tax system and generate significant revenue to better fund the public goods and services we all rely upon, but which are crumbling with the weight of underfunding.
“In 2023 IRD research found the wealthiest 311 families paid an effective tax rate of 9%, while ordinary people who earn their income from work or welfare pay 20% on average. That’s because our tax system relies too much on income tax and GST, and does not tax wealth in any meaningful way. This report shows that if we get the settings right a wealth tax is a practical and necessary step in addressing this unfairness,” said Glenn Barclay, spokesperson for Tax Justice Aotearoa and the Better Taxes Campaign.
“Right now ordinary people are contributing more to our collective pool of resources, even though the wealthiest benefit just as much – if not more – from our public goods and services. At the same time, by not taxing wealth we are making inequality worse, enabling the ultra rich to claim an ever greater share of our wealth. Treasury analysis shows the wealthiest 1% of New Zealanders now hold 26% of all assets, while the poorest 50% own just 2% of assets.”
“This increasing inequality is undermining the living standards and opportunities for ordinary people, making it harder for people to ever have enough to buy a home or save for retirement,” said Barclay.
“Poll results released yesterday by Better Taxes Coalition member the Wellbeing Economy Alliance showed that 68% of people support higher taxes on the ultra rich. And that’s the focus of wealth taxes – the ultra rich – we’re not talking about taxing the hard-earned income of doctors, builders and small-business owners. The poll indicates that the public are ready for taxes on wealth, if properly explained.”
As set out in the report, a net wealth tax:
is an annual tax levied on the net wealth (assets minus debt) that a taxpayer owns above an exemption threshold – e.g. $2m, $5m, $10m. No one with net wealth below the threshold is liable for the tax, and those liable are only taxed on their wealth beyond the threshold – net wealth up to the threshold is exempt; usually has a low rate – the report considers rates between 1-2% – but still generates revenues in the billions of dollars; and can be designed to address potential evasion and avoidance, and cashflow/liquidity issues. Further, much feared capital flight is largely “unproductive financial shuffling”, rather than real productivity losses.
“As Tayla Forward states in the report, there is a compelling case for wealth taxation to generate revenue we need to fund our communities, and to address wealth inequality and the concentration of economic power, which undermines living standards, as well as our democratic system and economic efficiency,” said Barclay.
“Further, the report is clear that it is possible to design and implement wealth taxes in ways that address common issues experienced overseas. The real question is whether our leaders are prepared to make the political commitment necessary to ensure ordinary people can still realistically work towards owning their own home, supporting their family and a comfortable retirement, with the support of properly funded public goods and services.”
Tayla Forward (Ngāpuhi) is a researcher in economics and political economy based in Tāmaki Makaurau. Fellow of the World Inequality Lab, postgraduate student at the Paris School of Economics, and a research associate at Victoria University of Wellington and at the University of Canterbury. Formerly analyst at the Treasury and Private Secretary to the Minister of Finance.
The launch of New Zealand’s second private Building Consent Authority (BCA) will add competition and capacity to the building consent system, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.
“Easing the paperwork burden and cutting red tape out of our famously unproductive building consent system is a key part of this Government’s efforts to make it easier, faster and more affordable to build the homes and infrastructure Kiwis need,” Mr Penk says.
“We’ve committed to changes that will take lower risk building work out of council hands and back into the hands of trusted tradies, including the introduction of self-certification schemes and a now effective consent exemption for granny flats.
“On top of this, it’s encouraging to see competition and capacity growing in the building consent system, with Farsight NZ Limited Partnership now approved as a private Building Consent Authority.
“Farsight is the second standalone private BCA to get the green light, following Building Consent Approvals Limited in May last year.
“Farsight will handle all key building control tasks for its client Summerset, including processing and approving consents, inspecting work during construction, issuing code compliance certificates, and taking enforcement action if required.
“Summerset is one of New Zealand’s largest residential builders, and having its own BCA will bring greater consistency and certainty in how the Building Code is applied across its developments nationwide, helping speed up the delivery of much-needed retirement homes for Kiwis.
“By covering a substantial number of building projects, Farsight will also take pressure off council Building Consent Authorities that would otherwise have undertaken the work, allowing them to focus on other projects, which over time can lead to faster approvals across the wider system.
“Consumer protections remain strong because all BCAs, public or private, must meet the same legal requirements. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) only approves those that are fully accredited, run by ‘fit and proper’ persons, and able to manage the liabilities of their role.
“This Government is fixing the basics and building the future. Approving providers like Farsight strengthens the building consent system, giving New Zealanders more choice, better service, and faster, more efficient results.”
Notes to editor:
There are now 69 BCAs responsible for delivering building control functions in New Zealand: 66 territorial or regional authorities (councils), two private BCAs (BCAL Limited and Farsight) and an independent division of Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities (Consentium).
To be registered as a standalone or private BCA an organisation must gain accreditation from International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) and be able to demonstrate to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) that it:
meets a ‘fit and proper person’ test (including requirements for impartiality and independence, conducting business responsibly, acting professionally etc), and
has adequate means to cover civil liabilities that may arise from their operation as a BCA and that effective consumer protection is provided by whatever arrangements are proposed.
Associate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown welcome Pharmac’s proposal to fund letermovir, which helps prevent serious infection following stem cell transplants.
“Improving access to medicines in New Zealand is important to patients and their families. That’s why it has been a focus of this Government,” Mr Seymour says.
Pharmac is proposing to fund a medicine called letermovir from 1 May 2026.
Under this proposal, letermovir would be funded for the prevention of CMV infection in:
people who have had a stem cell transplant, and
a small number of other people with severe immunosuppression who cannot use other funded antiviral medicines.
“For many people, stem cell transplants are life‑saving, but recovery can be tough,” Mr Seymour says.
“Clinicians involved in stem cell transplants and Pharmac’s clinical advisors told Pharmac that letermovir will help people with very weak immune systems, particularly when it’s used early after a stem cell transplant.
“Stem cell transplants are only carried out in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Many people must travel and stay away from home for long periods while their immune systems recover. Preventing a serious infection following a stem cell treatment could reduce hospital stays, take pressure off the health system, and could return patients who might have otherwise experienced complications home to their families faster.
“This proposal is about supporting the whole needs of the patient. Preventing complications means less disruption, fewer setbacks, and more time where people want to be – at home with their families.
“This Government has committed to increasing our stem cell transplant capacity. Pharmac recognise that as that capacity increases, more people will need this medicine.”
Mr Brown says improving cancer treatment and outcomes for New Zealanders is a key priority for the Government.
“Today’s announcement builds on last year’s funding boost to expand stem cell transplant services for patients with blood cancers and related conditions, enabling more people to access this critical, life-saving treatment sooner. Too many Kiwis have experienced distressing delays for these procedures, which is why boosting transplant capacity and reducing wait times is so important.
“This $27.1 million investment will strengthen the specialist workforce, increase hospital capacity, and upgrade infrastructure to support more timely stem cell transplants. It means between 27 and 38 per cent more patients will be able to receive allogeneic transplants when they need them, giving more people the best possible chance of recovery.
“This is about keeping people with cancer at the centre of our healthcare system. Alongside investment in new medicines through Pharmac and delivery of our Faster Cancer Treatment target, we’re focused on improving access, reducing delays, and ensuring patients get the care they need, when they need it.”
Pharmac is seeking feedback on this proposal from people who may be affected, including people who have had, or need, a stem cell transplant or who have severe immunosuppression, their families and carers, health professionals, and advocacy groups.
The Aged Care Association says the findings of the COVID-19 Royal Commission reinforce what the sector has been saying for years: aged residential care is an essential part of New Zealand’s health system and must be treated as core health infrastructure.
Chief Executive Tracey Martin said the report’s lessons for future pandemic planning highlight the critical role that aged residential care facilities play in protecting some of the country’s most vulnerable people.
“Residential aged care facilities provide complex clinical care to tens of thousands of older New Zealanders every day,” Martin said.
“During COVID-19, providers worked tirelessly to protect residents from the virus while continuing to deliver around-the-clock care under extremely difficult circumstances.”
The Royal Commission notes that older people living in residential care are among the most vulnerable populations during infectious disease outbreaks and that stronger national preparedness planning will be required for future pandemics.
Martin said the report reinforces an important point that is often overlooked in health policy discussions.
“Aged care is health care, and the Royal Commission makes that impossible to ignore.”
“Long-term care facilities cannot be treated as peripheral services in the health system. They are a critical part of our national health infrastructure.”
Approximately 40,000 New Zealanders currently live in aged residential care facilities, receiving nursing care, medication management, dementia care, rehabilitation support and end-of-life care.
“At any given time, aged residential care providers are effectively operating thousands of hospital-level care beds within the community,” Martin said.
“Without aged residential care, hospitals would be under even greater pressure. Recognising residential care as part of the country’s core health infrastructure is essential not only for future pandemic preparedness, but also for the day-to-day functioning of our health system.”
Martin said the Royal Commission’s findings align closely with the sector’s long-standing message that “aged care is health care.”
“For too long aged residential care has been discussed as if it were primarily accommodation for older people,” she said.
“In reality it is a critical part of the healthcare continuum, providing complex clinical care to people who can no longer safely remain at home.”
The Association said the report also highlights the importance of ensuring aged residential care is fully integrated into national health planning for future public health emergencies.
“If we accept that residential care is critical health infrastructure, then we also need to have an honest conversation about whether the way we fund and plan for the sector today is sustainable for the future,” Martin said.
The sector is already seeing increasing demand for care as the population ages, while many providers are operating ageing facilities and facing workforce shortages.
“In many regional communities aged residential care providers are a vital part of the local health system,” Martin said.
“When beds are lost in smaller towns it can mean older people are forced to move away from their families and communities to receive the care they need.”
Martin said planning for the future of aged residential care must be a priority as New Zealand prepares for both future pandemics and the rapid growth of the older population.
“The lessons from COVID-19 should prompt us to ensure the systems supporting older New Zealanders are strong, sustainable and fully integrated into the wider health system.”
The Aged Care Association said it looks forward to working with Government and health agencies to ensure the lessons identified in the Royal Commission report are reflected in future health system planning.
About the Aged Care Association:
The Aged Care Association represents the vast majority of aged residential care providers in New Zealand, supporting more than 670 facilities that provide care to approximately 40,000 older New Zealanders.
Hīkoi o te Taoka | March of the Treasure is a powerful travelling public art protest across Te Waipounamu (the South Island), uniting communities and visitors through large-scale art to protect one of the world’s rarest penguins: the beloved hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin).
From Dunedin to Queenstown, larger-than-life hoiho statues will appear in prominent public spaces, transforming everyday locations into a moving call for environmental action. The exhibition blends art, storytelling, and awareness to shine a spotlight on the urgent plight of this taonga species.
Hīkoi o te Taoka, meaning March of the Treasure, reflects the deep cultural and environmental value of the hoiho to Aotearoa. Reimagining activism as a living gallery of hope, the campaign invites people to stop, reflect, and take responsibility for the future of a species on the brink of extinction.
“The hoiho is quietly disappearing from our coastline,” says Jerad Haldan, Trustee of the Otago Shore & Land Trust. “This hīkoi is about giving the hoiho a voice, through art that stops people in their tracks and reminds us that there is still time to act, if we choose to.”
Art with a Purpose
Each life-sized statue is a vivid artistic expression, designed to spark conversation and connection. Together, they tell the story of the hoiho’s struggle and resilience, reminding us that the survival of this delicate species lies in human hands.
Today, fewer than 400 hoiho remain. Habitat loss, disease, warming seas, and overfishing continue to threaten their survival.
The hoiho is more than an endangered species. It is a treasured New Zealand icon, featured on the $5 note, and a drawcard for visitors from around the world who travel to Otago hoping to glimpse this rare and shy penguin in the wild.
A Call to Action for Media and Community
Hīkoi o te Taoka invites local, national, and international media to follow the hīkoi and share the stories of the statue sponsors (wildlife guardians), artists, conservationists, and communities working to protect this precious species before it is lost forever.
Media outlets, photographers, influencers, and content creators are encouraged to visit the installations, capture the artworks, and amplify the campaign’s message.
Opportunities include visual storytelling, artist and conservation interviews, and coverage of how art-led activism can inspire environmental change.
Installation Locations
Dunedin: Tūhura Reserve, Dunedin Railway Platform, Larnach Castle, plus a roving hoiho appearing at pop-up locations Oamaru: Cycle Journeys, Victorian Precinct Wānaka: Outside Puzzling World Arrowtown: Outside Lakes District Museum Queenstown: Queenstown Airport terminal, Steamer Wharf, LyLo Hotel.
Hīkoi o te Taoka — March of the Treasure Together
The 10 hoiho statues will then make their way back to Dunedin, where they will be displayed together. The final journey — the march of the hoiho back home — will take place on the following dates at these locations:
The Octagon:5–10 April 2026 Wild Dunedin’s NatureDome event at Forsyth Barr Stadium:12 April 2026 Tūhura Otago Museum Exhibition:14 April – 14 May 2026 Tūhura Otago Museum Live Auction:8 May 2026