Category: housing

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Defence News – Emotional return to Tokelau for Royal New Zealand Navy sailor

Source: New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF)

Returning to her spiritual home of Tokelau was a profound experience for Petty Officer Christina Sola, who visited the island while on deployment with the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) during the recent Operation Calypso in the South West Pacific.

New Zealand-born, but of Tokelauan, Samoan and New Zealand European descent, Petty Officer Sola reconnected with whānau when HMNZS Canterbury arrived in Tokelau.

Incorporated in the operation was the celebration of the centenary of New Zealand’s administration of Tokelau and on board the ship for the occasion was New Zealand Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro.

“To step ashore alongside my shipmates, and on this occasion in the presence of the Governor‑General Dame Cindy Kiro, was an immense honour and a moment of profound personal and cultural significance,” Petty Officer Sola said.

“Tokelau is my tūrangawaewae – a place where I feel grounded spiritually, mentally and physically. It is sacred and treasured land, richly woven with history, culture and tradition. Each time I arrive, it instantly feels like home.”

Petty Officer Sola’s Tokelauan family hails from Fakaofo atoll. Her husband Penehe, also of Tokelauan descent, comes from the atolls of Nukunonu and Atafu. They have four children and she credits her husband’s unwavering support for being able to continue doing the job she loves in the Navy.

The communications warfare specialist enlisted in 2008 and has worked across a wide range of operational and leadership roles supporting New Zealand’s defence and security efforts, both at home and around the world.

She last visited Tokelau in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Petty Officer Sola said the situation was entirely different then and the stakes couldn’t have been higher.

“Canterbury was tasked to deliver routine cyclone season support and essential supplies. This included new freshwater tanks, solar equipment, generator maintenance, and most importantly, Covid-19 vaccination supplies.

“Tokelau had no recorded cases of Covid-19 at the time and there was a very real possibility that, if we were not careful, we could have been the ones to introduce the virus to a population of fewer than 1,500 people.

“I was incredibly grateful that our deployable teams completed the mission without any incident and I was still able to see my family, while not touching one another to keep the strict two-metre distancing policy in place.”

This recent arrival was very different from the last, with loved ones from both her own and her husband’s family welcoming her across the three Tokelauan atolls.

“These are moments I will cherish forever. I will always acknowledge the sacrifices they have made – and continue to make – so that our families around the world can pursue opportunities and lives abroad, including those of us living and serving in Aotearoa, New Zealand.”

Petty Officer Sola’s career has seen her sail from the sub-Antarctic to the Pacific, across to Asia and over to the United States.

As part of the Navy’s extensive operation to the South-West Pacific and alongside the Tokelau centenary visit, HMNZS Canterbury crew facilitated an upgrade of critical tsunami and volcano monitoring equipment on Raoul Island, and conducted a successful search and rescue operation near Tonga.  

With New Zealand Army and Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel aboard, the military sealift vessel covered 4580 nautical miles, without the ship needing to take on additional food or fuel over 23 days.  

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/defence-news-emotional-return-to-tokelau-for-royal-new-zealand-navy-sailor/

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MSIG Helper Insurance unveils new campaign: ‘Assured Helper, Confident Employer’

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 March 2026 – MSIG Insurance (Hong Kong) Limited (“MSIG”) today announced the launch of its new helper insurance promotional campaign, appointing the esteemed artist, Mr Lam Shing Bun (Bob Lam), as product ambassador. Under the theme “Assured Helper, Confident Employer”, the campaign promotes MSIG Helper Insurance across multiple channels, including television commercials, online videos, outdoor advertising and digital platforms, further cementing the brand’s position as the market leader.

Crafting insurance that delivers shared peace of mind

Philip Kent, Chief Executive Officer of MSIG Hong Kong, stated: “Hong Kong today is home to more than 360,000 foreign domestic helpers, as well as over 20,000 local ‘hourly workers’. As such, there is significant market demand for insurance that specifically caters both to their needs and those of their employers. That’s why we have developed a comprehensive and affordable plan that provides extensive medical coverage for domestic helpers and helps their employers cope with financial burdens associated with illness.

We view helper insurance as one of our flagship offerings and believe it truly embodies our commitment to ‘Assured Helper, Confident Employer’, which is the essence of the campaign. We aim to help the public understand how helper insurance can benefit families and to establish MSIG as the market leader in Hong Kong for this type of insurance.”

Bob Lam set to resonate with viewers

Targeting Hong Kong families as its primary audience, this campaign features the popular celebrity Bob Lam as product ambassador. Bob maintains an active presence across social media and traditional platforms, frequently sharing humorous glimpses into his life with his family of six. His relatable persona has earned him a reputation as an endearing husband and devoted father, aligning with MSIG’s brand ethos. Importantly, as an experienced employer who has long employed domestic helpers, Bob’s first-hand experience significantly enhances the credibility of the product information and strongly resonates with the target audience, making him the ideal ambassador for MSIG’s Helper Insurance.

The campaign video opens with Bob livestreaming from home, seamlessly integrating relatable moments such as his wife prompting him to tackle household chores and netizens asking questions about domestic helpers. This light-hearted, humorous approach captures the everyday realities of employer households, eliciting knowing smiles from viewers while introducing the product’s key features in a natural way:

  1. Comprehensive coverage: Includes outpatient, surgical & hospitalisation, dental, domestic helper liability, service interruption, fidelity guarantee and more
  2. Exceptional value: 2-year premium as low as HK$566 for online applications1
  3. Speedy claims processing: Online claims approval in as fast as 15 minutes
  4. Flexible and adaptable: Suitable for local domestic helpers, post-natal care helpers and home-based elderly carers, accommodating diverse family needs

Multi-channel media campaign to maximise reach

This initiative marks MSIG’s first major promotional campaign for 2026, employing a multi-dimensional media strategy to achieve seamless online and offline coverage. The campaign will be rolled out across television, YouTube, other major social media platforms and digital channels, targeting the intended audience with precision. Outdoor media placements include tram and bus wrap advertising, large-scale billboards in Causeway Bay and digital screens at multiple high-traffic locations. Through this tightly integrated multi-channel network, the campaign will significantly boost brand visibility and message penetration, ensuring the core message of helper insurance is powerfully conveyed to every corner of Hong Kong.


 1 Offer applies to designated MSIG Helper Insurance plan, please refer to MSIG website and terms and conditions of relevant product.

Hashtag: #MSIG

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/msig-helper-insurance-unveils-new-campaign-assured-helper-confident-employer/

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Cathay Pacific Expands Global Partnership with Adyen

Source: Media Outreach

Adyen’s direct acquiring solution boosts performance for Hong Kong’s home carrier in the world’s most dynamic markets

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 March 2026 – Adyen, the global financial technology platform of choice for leading businesses, today announced the expansion of its longstanding partnership with Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong’s home airline. This deepening of collaboration marks a significant milestone, with Adyen now providing direct acquiring services for the airline in markets including Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Japan, and most recently, India.

Adyen’s partnership with Cathay Pacific, which began in 2014, has evolved from its initial scope to become a core component of the airline’s global commerce strategy. With the successful implementation of direct acquiring in Cathay Pacific’s key markets, this expansion underscores Adyen’s role as a strategic growth partner, using direct acquiring capabilities to increase authorization rates, reduce payment fees, and unlock new revenue.

Notably with the recent roll-out in India, Adyen’s acquiring solution ensures performance. Since implementation, Cathay Pacific achieved a 10% increase in authorization rates in the market.

“At Cathay Pacific, we believe that a seamless and trusted shopping experience is essential to elevating ourselves to become the most loved service brand of our customers,” said Kinto Chan, General Manager, Sales and Distribution, Cathay Pacific. “By leveraging Adyen’s single integration and trusted extensive global acquiring network, we can ensure our customers transact securely while allowing us to expand into our target markets with ease.” “Our partnership with Cathay Pacific is centered on turning global payment complexity into a competitive advantage,” said Warren Hayashi, President, Asia Pacific, Adyen. “By optimizing authorization rates across diverse geographies, we ensure more bookings take flight, helping Cathay achieve commercial growth on a global stage.”

https://www.adyen.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/adyen

Hashtag: #ADYEN #CATHAYPACIFIC #PAYMENTS #TRAVEL #RETAIL #PAYMENTTECHNOLOGY #ENTERPRISETECHNOLOGY

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/cathay-pacific-expands-global-partnership-with-adyen/

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Key section of Te Whau Pathway open to Aucklanders

Source: Auckland Council

How would you like to walk or cycle alongside the Whau awa?  A key section of Te Whau Pathway is complete and open for Aucklanders and visitors to use and enjoy. 

The Northwestern Cycleway to Horowai Reserve section in Te Atatū was completed earlier this year. 

More than a hundred people attended the opening ceremony on 20 March, mostly from the local community. 

Councillor Shane Henderson has been involved in this partnership project with Te Whau Pathway Environment Trust since it began in 2014. He says this major milestone is an asset for Tāmaki Makaurau, especially those in the west. 

“The new boardwalk stage of the Te Whau Pathway is a major piece of infrastructure ready for Aucklanders to walk or cycle on, doubling as a new sustainable transport route or place to exercise. 

Councillor Shane Henderson speaks the opening event for a key section of Te Whau Pathway, 20 March, 2026.

“The pathway will particularly benefit the West Auckland community, and is a vital connection between the northwestern cycleway and Horowai Reserve. 

“I urge West Aucklanders to embrace this new community asset and use it. All Aucklanders should come and check it out too.”  

The shared path is 1.3km of 4m wide boardwalk sections and 3m wide concrete paths connecting the Northwestern cycleway and Horowai / Roberts Field in Te Atatū South. The build went well, delivering ahead of original planned time and under budget. 

Te Whau Pathway Environment Trust is a volunteer organisation led by chair Tony Miguel. 

“I’m excited to see this quality, well designed, accessible boardwalk section of the pathway open for all Aucklanders to use,” he says. 

“Opening this next section is a very big moment for the Trust having started planning in 2014. Since then, the Trust has been championing this project at a grass roots level, alongside Auckland Council”. 

 “Our hard work is reaping rewards with this key section of the pathway complete, and we are committed to getting more built.” 

“We are very grateful for the funding provided by the government and Auckland Council, as without it we would not be opening this section of the pathway for the benefit of the community” 

Cyclists cross the new section of Te Whau Pathway.

Chris Carter, chair of Henderson-Massey Local Board, shares his excitement about the completion of the first section. 

“Te Whau Pathway is an amazing development right on our doorstep,” Mr Carter says.  

“This incredible pathway will connect new areas, provide walking opportunities, offer an alternative transport route for cyclists, and create a chance for people to explore the beautiful Whau River. 

“It’s one of the most important projects our board is supporting. With more people moving into the area and medium-density housing increasing, the pathway will give locals a place to walk, cycle and get active.  

“I think people are really going to love it – especially as a recreational walkway where dogs on a leash are welcome and cyclists will have a safer way to access sections of Te Atatū Road.” 

In September 2025 the government confirmed funding for the next stage of the pathway – a 400m stretch linking Ken Maunder Park and Rizal Reserve via a new bridge. The funding was prioritised from savings on the original planned section of the pathway that opened on 20 March. Construction on this additional section is due to start in April and be completed before November this year. 

Whau Local Board chair Kay Thomas is looking forward to the start of construction of this next section of Te Whau Pathway.

“Our board has advocated strongly for funding this project for many years, so it’s incredibly rewarding to see it becoming a reality,” says Ms Thomas. 

“The pathway will connect communities, schools and people to the Whau River, while creating more opportunities for locals to enjoy and care for the environment. 

“It will also be accessible for everyone, including people using wheelchairs or walking frames.”  

“We’re very excited to see the construction of the Rizal Crossing section begin soon in the Whau Local Board area. It will be linking Wingate Street to Rata Street in New Lynn, offering a whole range of benefits for our local community.” 

Construction on Te Whau Pathway restarted in December 2023 and the Northwestern Cycleway to Horowai Reserve section in Te Atatū is now open. It creates a shared use pathway connection between the Northwestern Cycleway and Horowai Reserve (Roberts Field). 

Te Whau Pathway is a partnership between Auckland Transport (AT), Te Kawerau ā Maki, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, , the Whau and Henderson-Massey local boards, Auckland Council, the government as a major funder, and Auckland Council delivering the construction working closely with Te Whau Pathway Environment Trust. 

Te Whau Pathway follows a traditional Māori taonga waka (portage). Fully delivered, all sections of the proposed pathway will connect Manukau Harbour at Green Bay to the Waitematā Harbour at Te Atatū Peninsula. 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/key-section-of-te-whau-pathway-open-to-aucklanders/

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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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Remains found in Wellington centuries old

Source: New Zealand Police

Human remains found in a garden on Wellington’s south coast last year have been determined to be centuries old.

A homeowner discovered the remains in his garden in Ōwhiro Bay on June 22, 2025.

Detective Constable Sarah Steed says radiocarbon dating has been conducted on the remains, which show them to be from the 1600s-1700s, and possibly pre-European.

“This information will now be supplied to the Coroner for consideration,” Detective Constable Steed says.

“Consultation will take place with local iwi to arrange a suitable burial site, once the remains are release by the Coroner.”

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/remains-found-in-wellington-centuries-old/

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Economy – Canterbury goes back-to-back in ASB’s latest Regional Economic Scoreboard

Source: ASB

  • South Island continues to hold strong with Canterbury outperforming the rest of the country
  • Otago and Waikato coming in second place equal
  • Auckland shows promising signs of improvement, jumps to fourth place
  • Wellington remains under pressure, finishing last place.

Canterbury continues to shine in ASB’s Regional Economic Scoreboard, finishing 2025 as New Zealand’s strongest-performing region as signs of economic recovery broaden across the country.

ASB’s Regional Economic Scoreboard shows Canterbury secured its third quarterly win of the year, outperforming the country across nearly every key measure the bank tracks including employment, retail spending, housing activity and population growth.

ASB Chief Economist Nick Tuffley says the South Island continues to lead New Zealand’s multi‑speed recovery.

“Canterbury has delivered back‑to‑back wins to close out the year, supported by strong dairy incomes, steady jobs growth, resilient consumer spending and the recovery of the tourism sector. The region enters 2026 in a very strong position,” says Nick.

Otago and Waikato tied for second place, with Otago buoyed by a strong tourism recovery and Waikato benefiting from its robust primary sector and improving labour market conditions. We expect the incoming Fonterra capital return to be a further boost for our Dairy farming regions via more spending and investment.

Auckland climbed to fourth place, recording improvements in retail spending, construction activity and consumer confidence, although labour market conditions in the city remain subdued.

“Seeing Auckland continue to improve is an important signal that the economic upswing is widening beyond the regions that led earlier in the cycle,” says Nick.

At the other end of the rankings, Wellington finished last, reflecting ongoing weakness in the housing market, construction activity and discretionary spending, despite relatively strong employment growth.

“Looking ahead, Wellington’s economy is forecast to recover, supported by low interest rates. Nevertheless, ongoing and emerging challenges may temper the pace of that recovery.”

Nationally, the economy showed signs of growth toward the end of 2025. Retail spending lifted strongly across most regions, supported by lower interest rates, while employment indicators showed early signs of stabilisation. However, ASB economists caution that global uncertainty remains a key risk.

“Conflict in the Middle East presents fresh headwinds, particularly through higher energy costs and inflation risks. The situation and extent of any impact to growth and inflation is highly uncertain and will depend on how long the conflict goes on for,” says Nick.

Results in a snapshot

About the ASB Regional Economic Scoreboard

The ASB Regional Economic Scoreboard takes the latest quarterly regional statistics and ranks the economic performance of New Zealand’s 16 Regional Council areas. The fastest growing regions gain the highest ratings, and a good performance by the national economy raises the ratings of all regions. Ratings are updated every three months, and are based on 11 measures, including employment, construction, retail trade, and house prices.

 

The full ASB Regional Economic Scoreboard, along with other recent ASB reports covering a range of commentary, can be accessed at our ASB Economic Insights page: https://www.asb.co.nz/documents/economic-insights.html

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/economy-canterbury-goes-back-to-back-in-asbs-latest-regional-economic-scoreboard/

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Offenders armed with gun demand cash during alleged robbery

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police are asking anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area to contact them with information. RNZ / REECE BAKER

Three people, one armed with a gun, broke into a home in the Auckland suburb of Wesley on Sunday night, police say.

Detective Senior Sergeant Rebecca Kirk said the armed robbery took place in Gifford Avenue at about 10pm.

She said the trio demanded cash and other items before fleeing.

The police Eagle helicopter searched for them but couldn’t find them.

Police are asking anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area to contact them with information.

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/2026/03/23/offenders-armed-with-gun-demand-cash-during-alleged-robbery/

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Aged Care Assn: If we can fund EV chargers, why can’t we fund aged care beds?

Source: Aged Care Association

This week’s announcement that Government-backed loans will support the rollout of another 2,500 electric vehicle charging points across New Zealand is, in many ways, good news.
As an EV owner, I welcome the continued investment in infrastructure that supports the transition to a lower-emissions future. It is practical, forward-looking, and demonstrates that when Government identifies a priority, it can move with pace and purpose to enable private investment.
But it also raises a difficult question.
Why can we move quickly to support the infrastructure needed for vehicles, but not for the infrastructure needed to care for our ageing population?
For the past two years, the Aged Care Association has been calling for the establishment of a dedicated infrastructure fund to support residential aged care providers to upgrade facilities and build new beds, particularly for older New Zealanders who rely on superannuation or modest fixed incomes.
We are not asking for anything extraordinary. We are asking for recognition that aged residential care is essential health infrastructure.
New Zealand’s population aged over 65 is growing rapidly. At the same time, much of our aged care infrastructure is ageing, with a significant proportion of facilities more than 20 years old. Capacity is already constrained in many parts of the country, particularly for standard beds and specialist care such as dementia and palliative services.
This is not a future problem. It is happening now.
As the daughter of an 85-year-old, I think about this not just as a sector leader, but as a New Zealander. If my parent, or yours, requires hospital care, we expect that care to be available. But hospitals rely on the ability to discharge older patients into appropriate residential care. When there are no beds available, those patients remain in hospital longer than they need to, placing pressure on the entire health system.
This is where the issue becomes urgent.
A lack of residential care beds is not just an aged care issue – it is a hospital flow issue, an equity issue, and ultimately a system sustainability issue.
An infrastructure fund would allow providers, particularly not-for-profit and community-based organisations, to upgrade ageing facilities, expand capacity in areas of need, and build the types of services our communities require. It would support older people to remain closer to home and whānau and ensure timely access to appropriate care.
Importantly, this is not about replacing private investment. It is about unlocking it – just as the EV charging initiative does – by providing the confidence and support needed to invest in areas where returns are lower but social need is high.
We have seen that Government can act decisively when it chooses to. The question now is whether it will apply that same urgency to the infrastructure that supports our most vulnerable citizens.
Because at some point, this will matter to all of us.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/aged-care-assn-if-we-can-fund-ev-chargers-why-cant-we-fund-aged-care-beds/

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White Ferns seal T20 series victory over South Africa

Source: Radio New Zealand

Sophie Devine led the charge for the White Ferns in Wellington, scoring a 23rd T20 international half-century. Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz

The White Ferns have clinched the T20 international series against South Africa with a game to spare, after a commanding six-wicket win in the fourth match in Wellington.

Batter Sophie Devine starred with a rapid innings of 64 off just 34 balls, as New Zealand chased down the 160-run target with nine balls remaining.

Devine blasted 10 boundaries, including four sixes, as the New Zealand women completed a record T20 run chase on home soil.

The veteran’s 23rd T20 half century drew praise from captain Melie Kerr for leading the way.

“Soph was outstanding and to win with more than an over to spare was outstanding,” Kerr said.

Batting first, South Africa scored 159/6 from 20 overs, with Annerie Dercksen setting up the significant total in a quickfire 55 runs off 32 balls.

Despite the Proteas’ powerful batting late in their innings, the Proteas were undoubtedly let down by a woeful effort in the field.

A series of dropped catches saw the White Ferns’ big guns, Devine and Kerr, let off the hook.

“When you give chances to batters like Devine, you are going to regret it,” South African captain Laura Wolvaardt said.

“We’re going to have to go back to the drawingboard, be better and have that World Cup in mind.”

New Zealand bowler Jess Kerr took a career-best 3/16 off her four overs in a player-of-the-match performance.

The final T20 of the five-game series is scheduled for Christchurch on Wednesday.

Follow the live action here:

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/white-ferns-seal-t20-series-victory-over-south-africa/

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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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Greens Offer Votes To National Party For Immediate Relief In Fossil Fuel Crisis

Source: Green Party

The Green Party is offering its votes to the National Party to get on with passing a sensible and urgent fossil fuel crisis relief package. With the Greens’ and National’s combined 63 votes, no other political party’s support is necessary.

The Green’s proposed package includes:

  • Making public transport free for users;
  • A Relief Payment for low income people or people who live rurally to help meet additional transport costs;
  • A Windfall Profits Tax to prevent corporate price gouging;
  • Reversing changes to school bus eligibility and routes, and temporary expansion of eligibility for school buses;
  • Reversing the Government’s intended reduction in Total Mobility Support for disabled people; and
  • Increase mileage rates to the 23,000 care and support workers to meet their actual travel costs.

“We agree with the Prime Minister that hope is not a plan. That’s why the Green Party is presenting our plan to support our country through the fossil fuel crisis, targeting support to those who need it most, and reducing demand for petrol,” said Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.

“New Zealanders expect politicians to do everything we can to support people through this immediate crisis, and to minimise future vulnerability by reducing fossil fuel dependence. That’s why we have written to the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance offering our votes to make these obvious solutions a reality, urgently.

“Free public transport is a no-brainer. We remove the barriers to access, reduce congestion, and free up fuel supply for those who don’t have a public transport option.

“If the Government means what it says about ‘preparing for the worst’, now is the time to pull the plug on exorbitantly expensive, low-value projects like the Roads of National Significance and LNG import facility. The Green Party is ready, willing and able to provide the support necessary to invest in building real resilience through renewable energy generation.

“The Green Party’s Fossil Fuel Crisis Relief Payment would be targeted at adults earning under the median income and also people living rurally, where public transport is not available,” said Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson.

“The Fossil Fuel Crisis Relief Payment will put money in the pockets of those being squeezed the hardest and those with few other transport options, easing stretched household budgets right now.”

“Petrol companies shouldn’t be unreasonably profiting from this or any economic crisis. A windfall tax would mean any exorbitant profits are redirected to our communities.”

“We need to ensure that corporations aren’t profiting while people in our communities who are struggling or have no alternative transport options pay the price. The Green’s package will provide immediate help for those who need it, reduce demand for petrol, and keep a check on corporate greed,” said Davidson.

Read the letter here.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/greens-offer-votes-to-national-party-for-immediate-relief-in-fossil-fuel-crisis/

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Charging ahead: 2,500+ EV chargers on the way

Source: New Zealand Government

The number of electric vehicle (EV) public chargers around New Zealand will more than double thanks to $52.7 million in zero-interest loans from the Government and co-investment from ChargeNet and Meridian, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Energy & Climate Change Minister Simon Watts say.

“Many New Zealanders have thought about getting an EV, even before the fuel challenges we’re currently facing. But research shows that the lack of public chargers is holding many back from making the switch to an EV,” Mr Bishop says.

“The private sector is reluctant to invest in charging infrastructure until there’s sufficient demand, but demand won’t grow until the lack of public chargers stops putting buyers off. Just as the previous National-led Government did with the ultrafast broadband network rollout, we’re taking action to break that deadlock.”

ChargeNet and Meridian Energy were selected through a contestable, value-for-money bid process. Both companies are co-investing a combined $60 million of their own capital alongside the Government loans, taking the total investment to over $110 million.

“Concessionary loans bring forward private investment in public EV charging infrastructure by lowering the cost of capital, while keeping the taxpayer’s contribution to a minimum,” Mr Bishop says.

“In this case, the average loan per charge point is $20,000, but once repayments are factored in, the net cost to the Crown is around $10,000 per charger, roughly a quarter of what a direct grant would cost.

“We’re also changing our planning rules to make the installation of public EV chargers a permitted activity under the RMA, meaning in most cases no consent is required – another factor that will help to speed up delivery.”

The 2,574 new charge points include 1,374 DC fast chargers and 1,200 AC chargers. DC fast chargers deliver power directly to the battery and can charge a car in 20 to 60 minutes, making them suited to highways and destinations where people stop briefly. AC chargers are slower and better suited to places where cars are parked for longer periods, like shopping centres, workplaces, and residential areas.

“About half the new chargers will be spread across Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, the Wellington region, Christchurch, and Dunedin, with the other half throughout the regions, so drivers outside the main centres will benefit too,” Mr Bishop says.

“New Zealand currently has a bit over 1,800 public charge points, which is among the lowest charger-to-EV ratios in the OECD. Another 161 charge points are also in progress. Combined with the investment being announced today, the national total will be around 4,550. The Government is working towards 10,000 charge points by 2030, roughly one for every 40 EVs.”

“Owning an EV in New Zealand already makes strong financial sense. Electricity is cheaper than petrol and almost entirely generated from renewable sources like wind, geothermal, solar, and hydro,” Mr Watts says. 

“Kiwis are already making the shift to electric vehicles as a cost-of-living choice, and we have seen uptake grow. In February 2026, EV sales were up 10.5 per cent on the same month last year – and anecdotal evidence suggests even greater interest over the past couple of weeks as conflict in the Middle East has seen fuel prices increase.

“At a time when global fuel markets are volatile, that matters. 

“A better charging network means more New Zealanders can take advantage of it, and that’s good for household budgets and our emissions profile alike. EVs produce at least 60 percent fewer lifecycle emissions than petrol vehicles.”

Notes to editor: 

  • Concessionary loans are loans at below-market interest rates (in this case, zero-interest) which incentivise charge point operators to invest in charging infrastructure ahead of demand. The repaid capital can be used for new loans if co-investment is still required or allocated to other initiatives.
  • The loans are administered by National Infrastructure Funding and Financing (NIFFCo), the successor organisation to Crown Infrastructure Partners (which delivered Ultra-Fast Broadband). EECA will provide assistance as required.
  • The Government has allocated $66.145m of capital funding for concessionary loans.
  • The concessionary loans will fund up to 50 percent of project capital costs, have a zero percent interest rate, and a maximum tenure of 13 years. The loans have been awarded through a contestable co-investment bid process.
  • Applications were assessed against value-for-money criteria to ensure loans are awarded to projects of greatest benefit and that New Zealand’s EV charging network grows at pace.
  • Consumer monitoring by EECA consistently shows that some of the main perceived disadvantages of EVs include that the driving range is not suitable for long distance travel, and that there are not enough public chargers available. Increasing the availability of public charging infrastructure gives drivers the confidence to switch to an electric vehicle. See EECA’s EV Charging research October 2025 update – EV Charging Research 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/charging-ahead-2500-ev-chargers-on-the-way/

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First Impressions of Maukahuka Auckland Island

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

12 March 2026 – Blake Hornblow

During my first night on Auckland Island, I wake to the sound of my tent fly trying to take flight, 50 knot winds battering it in relentless gusts. As the flapping subsides, I hear a loud cry somewhere in the dark outside the tent—a female sea lion calling for her pup. Still half-asleep, I reach for my headtorch—only for my hand to plunge straight into a pool of water surrounding my sleeping mat.

Naturally. It appears that some of the 40 mm of rain overnight has decided to drain directly into my tent.

In that moment I realise one thing: Auckland Island doesn’t do gentle introductions.

As I emerge from the tent and stand amongst the wind beaten rātā trees I think to our mission here for the next six weeks. I have been dreaming of working on this island for years, driven by the chance to contribute to the Maukahuka Auckland Island Restoration programme — an ambitious effort to remove feral pigs, feral cats, and mice from this wild subantarctic island, so that the multitude of endemic flora and fauna can once again thrive. Now I’m finally here.

While here, our team of four will be living some 500 km south of New Zealand’s mainland at a remote field base called Camp Cove, tucked into the bottom of Auckland Island. Camp Cove has hosted people before: first, on 7 February 1905, it was here that the castaways of the Anjou found shelter after their ship struck rocks on the western cliffs two days before.

The dramatic western cliffs of Auckland Island with nesting White-capped mollymawks on the cliffs below. Video: DOC Blake Hornblow

When we first arrived on the SV Evohe we worked not far from where the Anjou wrecked at Bristow Point on the western cliffs. The scale of these cliffs is immense. While looking at them I found it hard to imagine, not only surviving a shipwreck here but also the challenge that lies ahead to remove feral pigs, feral cats and mice that hunt for seabirds and megaherbs there. These cliffs hold some spectacular seabird species and some of the only albatross that still manage to breed on the main Auckland Island. Predation from feral pigs is a major problem so most of the remaining nests are now on steep, inaccessible ledges. White-capped mollymawk / Toroa and Light-mantled sooty albatross / Toroa pango still breed in a colony at South-west Cape.

I had the privilege of mapping the extent of the colony using a drone. Flying from nearby cliffs it was breathtaking to see the island alive with such impressive birds. Once the island is pest-free we hope to see a return of these birds to other parts of the island.

Team members descend the cliffs from SW Cape, Auckland Island. Looking down into Carnley Harbour which separates the main Auckland Island (left) from Pest-Free Adams Island (right). Photo: DOC Blake Hornblow

The team saw a few lone Gibson’s Albatross sitting on failed nests, tucked among the tall, wind-swept tussocks. Nearby, the ground was torn up by feral pig rooting. Here on Auckland Island, feral pigs and feral cats make it almost impossible for these birds to successfully breed. These albatrosses are made for the open ocean — they spend most of the year gliding over the Southern Ocean, sometimes circling the globe — but they still need a safe refuge to return to when it’s time to nest. This subantarctic island, just a speck in the South Pacific, could once again become that haven for them and so many other species.

A White-capped mollymawk chick perched on the edge the 200m cliff, safe from pigs at Southwest Cape. Photo: DOC Millie Mannering

For those of us without a three-metre wingspan, getting to the Auckland Islands isn’t quite so simple. With no airport within hundreds of kilometres, our only option was the sea — a 48-hour voyage from Bluff aboard the 25-metre sailing yacht Evohe. She and her crew know these waters better than most, having ferried conservationists south for nearly three decades. Rolling over five-metre waves for two days gives you plenty of time to appreciate just how remote this place is, and just how determined you must be to reach it.

The Evohe at anchor with Camp Cove, Auckland Island behind. Photo: DOC Blake Hornblow.

Now the boat has left us, and my flooded tent is a stark reminder of how far I am from home. I start to ferry my damp sleeping bag into the shelter of our base tent and reflect how Maukahuka is more than just a project — it’s a world-first effort by DOC and Ngāi Tahu to remove feral pigs, feral cats, and mice from Auckland Island and restore the mana of this subantarctic World Heritage site. By returning 46,000 ha of wilderness to its natural state, we’re safeguarding habitat for more than 500 native species. One of Earth’s last truly wild places. Maybe that’s worth a flooded tent or two.

What species would you love to see return to Auckland Island once it’s pest-free? To hear more from the field follow DOC’s Conservation Blog over the next six weeks. To learn more about the programme or to be part of this incredible endeavour follow the link below to donate.

Auckland Island/ Maukahuka | NZ Nature Fund

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/first-impressions-of-maukahuka-auckland-island/

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Black Caps to play rare four-test series in Australia

Source: Radio New Zealand

Kane Williamson with Black Caps fans at the MCG during a test against Australia in 2019. Photosport

The Black Caps will play their first-ever four-test series against Australia when they tour later this year and it will be their first against any opponent in 26 years.

New Zealand’s schedule was released by Cricket Australia on Sunday night, comprising matches in Perth (December 9-13), Adelaide (17-21), Melbourne (December 26-30) and Sydney (January 4-8), making them the main course of Australia’s home summer.

The 25 previous trans-Tasman series have been three tests or less since hostilities began in 1946.

The tour was originally supposed to be three tests but a fourth was squeezed into a hectic schedule for both teams.

The Black Caps host India directly before crossing the Tasman and Australia then are to leave for India almost straight after the series which will be played within a month, with short turnarounds between all four games.

New Zealand won’t have time to play a warmup match ahead of the Perth opener while Australia will come eight white ball matches against England.

Steve Smith reacts as he is caught by Southee off the bowling of Wagner during play on Day 3 of the second cricket test match. ICC World Test Championship, New Zealand Black Caps v Australia, MCG, Melbourne, Australia. Photosport

New Zealand’s last four-test series was their 2-1 win over England in 1999.

Before that, it was a tour of the West Indies, which the powerful host side won 2-0.

Five test series remain off the agenda for New Zealand. They have played in their history but the most recent was against the West Indies in 1972.

History will be against the current world No.5 ranked Black Caps toppling the top-ranked Australians, who have dominated their recent meetings in the longest form.

Trent Boult celebrates the wicket of Joe Burns during the 2nd ICC World Test Championship match New Zealand Black Caps v Australia. Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia. © Photosport Ltd 2019 www.photosport.nz

Australia have won seven of their last eight tests, with the other drawn, including a 3-0 series whitewash when the teams last met in Australia six years ago.

Meanwhile, the White Ferns will also be on Australia’s home schedule next summer, playing six white ball matches in February and March.

There are three T20 matches in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne in late February, followed by three ODI matches in early March.

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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/black-caps-to-play-rare-four-test-series-in-australia/

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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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I do a job where people love to hate me

Source: Radio New Zealand

For 17 years, Lori Davis has been sounding the alarm about the challenges facing SPCA animal welfare inspectors. But the hostility is only getting worse, she says.

“I myself have been threatened, you know, ‘get the F off my property or I will do this’. I’ve had a car driven at me in a driveway, like threatening to be run over, a couple of times. I’ve had a man open the door and holding a knife in his hand,” the Auckland regional manager says.

“I’ve had a man pick up a golf club and threaten to hit me with it. I’ve been cornered on a property in between two males.”

Three quarters of visits by an SPCA officer involve some form of abuse or threat.

RNZ / Angus Dreaver

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/i-do-a-job-where-people-love-to-hate-me/

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$50m plan to double the number of public EV chargers

Source: Radio New Zealand

Aotearoa currently has about 1800 public charge points currently, among the lowest charger-to-EV ratios in the OECD. File photo. ABC News / Brendan Esposito

The government is providing interest free loans of $52.7 million to two companies to boost the number of electric vehicle public chargers around the country.

The zero-interest loans will go to ChargeNet and Meridian Energy, who are investing $60m in capital, and would see 2574 new charge points, 1374 DC fast chargers and 1200 AC chargers.

The move will more than double the country’s chargers, to around 4550.

New Zealand has about 1800 public charge points currently, among the lowest charger-to-EV ratios in the OECD.

In 2023, the National Party promised electric vehicle chargers by 2030 if elected.

Transport Minister Chris Bishop said the loans kept the taxpayer’s contribution to a minimum.

“In this case, the average loan per charge point is $20,000, but once repayments are factored in, the net cost to the Crown is around $10,000 per charger, roughly a quarter of what a direct grant would cost.

Bishop said it was a chicken and egg situation, with some electric vehicle charger providers reluctant to roll out chargers until there were more EVs on the road, but concerns about the driving range of electric vehicles and a lack of public chargers was one of the main perceived disadvantages of EVs for potential buyers.

“Many New Zealanders have thought about getting an EV, even before the fuel challenges we’re currently facing. But research shows that the lack of public chargers is holding many back from making the switch to an EV,” Bishop said.

“The private sector is reluctant to invest in charging infrastructure until there’s sufficient demand, but demand won’t grow until the lack of public chargers stops putting buyers off. Just as the previous National-led Government did with the ultrafast broadband network rollout, we’re taking action to break that deadlock.”

He said the below-market interest rate loans were preferable to grants.

“It’s a more commercial model, a more sophisticated model, bringing forward that private sector investment.”

“In this case, the average loan per charge point is $20,000, but once repayments are factored in, the net cost to the Crown is around $10,000 per charger, roughly a quarter of what a direct grant would cost.”

Chris Bishop said work on the grants had been underway for some time, but the timing was “fortuitous” given the increased interest in EVs as fuel costs surged due to the conflict in the Middle East. RNZ/Marika Khabazi

Some requirements were placed on the loans, such requiring an urban-rural split, but exactly where they went was a commercial decision for the companies, Bishop said.

“About half the new chargers will be spread across Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, the Wellington region, Christchurch, and Dunedin, with the other half throughout the regions, so drivers outside the main centres will benefit too,” he said.

“We’re also changing our planning rules to make the installation of public EV chargers a permitted activity under the RMA, meaning in most cases no consent is required – another factor that will help to speed up delivery.”

Work on the grants had been underway for some time, but that the timing was “fortuitous” given the increased interest in electric vehicles in the wake of surging fuel costs caused by the conflict in the Middle East, he said.

“People look at a petrol price of three bucks, three bucks twenty, and potentially going higher, and they say, jeepers creepers, now’s the time to go electric because the running costs are just so much lower,” Mr Bishop said.

The 10,000 chargers by 2030 target was ambitious, he said.

It was on its way to meeting it, but would require additional Crown investment which would be considered as part of the budget process, he said.

Chair of EV lobby group Drive Electric Kirsten Corston welcomed the news, but said much more needed to be done.

She said the government had promised more than $200m to go towards fast chargers several years ago, and this project only accounted for $52m.

“We’re interested to see what the other commitments are going to be.”

It seemed very unlikely the government would achieve its target of 10,000 chargers before 2030, she said.

New Zealand was falling behind other countries in [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/thedetail/586362/the-ev-slowdown-how-government-decisions-changed-the-road-ahead

EV uptake] following a sharp decline in purchases following the government’s cancellation of the clean car subsidy.

EVs accounted for around 27 percent of new vehicle sales in 2023, or at least one in four cars sold. Only one in nine cars sold are electric now.

“And you look at Australia, one in five cars sold are electric. In China, one in two cars sold are electric. The global average is one in four cars sold are electric.”

There had been a three-fold increase of inquiries into second-hand and new EVs in recent weeks, she said.

“The challenge for us, though, is we’ve got a country that is still very dependent on importing fossil fuels and we’ve got a government that whilst this is fantastic to see this investment into charging infrastructure we also need investment into electric vehicles to drive uptake.”

Colston said reducing road user charges – which are the same for electric vehicles as for diesel vehicles – would be one way to do that.

Other levers included a Fringe Benefit Tax for light vehicles such as Australia has, or accelerated depreciation for commercial and heavy vehicles.

Drive EV wanted to see investment in making EVs more accessible to more people, she said.

“At the moment, when the average purchase of a car for a Kiwi is around $7000, yes, they can go and access a Nissan Leaf for $5000 – $10,000. But if they’ve got four kids and they need a 200 kilometre range to get around town for the day, that’s not going to meet their needs.

“So we have to create that second, third, fourth hand market for Kiwis to bring that price down – that’s a really critical piece to make EVs available for everyone in our community.”

Getting more people into electric vehicles promised a huge financial opportunity for New Zealanders, Colston said.

“The average household spends $3000 to $4000 a year paying for their petrol or diesel, and if they could electrify, it would be around $1000 a year.”

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LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/50m-plan-to-double-the-number-of-public-ev-chargers/

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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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Watch: Seven weeks worth of fuel stocks in NZ – Finance Minister Nicola Willis

Source: Radio New Zealand

The finance minister says New Zealand’s fuel stocks remain at seven weeks worth, including stockpiles.

But Nicola Willis concedes that keeping that buffer was still “dependent on ships like this continuing to turn up”.

Speaking on Sunday afternoon at Channel Infrastructure’s Marsden Point Energy Precinct, Willis said she wanted to provide more information to address peoples’ concerns about delays in that supply.

She said New Zealand had a number of places fuel supplies arrive into the country, but Marsden Point is the largest.

Today’s visit comes amid fears of an energy crisis, with the global price of oil skyrocketing in the wake of the US and Israel’s attack on Iran.

Iran’s response has included threatening ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a key channel for the transportation of fuel exports from the Middle East, and strikes on US-friendly neighbours’ energy infrastructure.

Marsden Point is New Zealand’s fuel import terminal, and until 2022 also had an oil refining facility. New Zealand now relies on imported refined fuels, without a facility to refine raw products.

Senior coalition politicians are at odds over whether the facility should have been closed.

Marsden Point. RNZ / Peter de Graaf

Willis told Morning Report on Friday price increases were extremely tough and affecting all New Zealanders, but some were feeling it more than others.

“I can’t solve the pain for everyone. The cost of doing that would potentially involve levels of spending that would drive inflation higher, and certainly would put us in a more fragile position in terms of debt.

“So what we are looking at, is there something very targeted and temporary that we could do to assist those workers in particular who are most acutely impacted by these household budget squeezes?”

IRD and Treasury have been asked to come up with a package that could be implemented with urgency ahead of the Budget.

Willis will talk to the media at 2pm – watch it live here.

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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/watch-seven-weeks-worth-of-fuel-stocks-in-nz-finance-minister-nicola-willis/