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Government getting advice on proposal to boost Marsden Point storage

Source: Radio New Zealand

Shane Jones (front) descends from the top of a 27-metre-high fuel tank at Marsden Point. RNZ / Peter de Graaf

The minister responsible for fuel security says he has received proposals from import terminals to open up more diesel capacity, but any recommission of tanks would be a while off.

Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones said almost half of Marsden Point’s available storage was being used, and there had been a proposal to refurbish unused and empty tanks to boost diesel storage.

The tanks had been empty since the closure of the refinery in 2022, with Marsden Point now operating solely as an import and storage terminal for refined oil.

Jones said he had spoken to Rob Buchanan, the chief executive of Channel Infrastructure, which owned and operated Marsden Point.

“He said that there could be two tanks that could be repurposed, and he has sent through a proposal to us. However, because of the degradation since the closure of the refinery, it will take time,” Jones said.

“They have put forward a proposal to work, as I understand, with the Crown, to refurbish some storage tanks. Then the officials are working through, ‘do they think it’s a sensible thing to do and what it’s likely to cost the Crown and Channel if we were to work together?’”

He expected to receive that advice from officials “sooner, rather than later”.

The oil refinery at Marsden Point, at the entrance to Whangārei Harbour, was decommissioned in 2022. RNZ / Peter de Graaf

Jones had also spoken to the chief executive of the Port of Taranaki, who had told him there could be up to three days of storage there.

“But two thirds of the potential storage is owned by Methanex, so I’m in no hurry to chase Methanex out of New Zealand,” Jones said, adding Taranaki would also need some new infrastructure.

“I think Marsden Point are confident, if they can get some regulatory relief. Taranaki said they have to build a new bund, because the regulations have changed. So look, I think that if we’re going to do this, we need to strip away the regulations without creating a public nuisance, and also arrive at a point where we can, if not share the costs, work out how soon it can be done.”

Combined, Jones estimated it would add “several days” to diesel storage capacity, with costs going towards the refurbishment and then purchasing the diesel.

Those costs, Jones expected, would be shared between the Crown and Channel.

A spokesperson for Channel Infrastructure said Channel was aware of Jones’ comments, but it did not comment on discussions with any of its customers.

“Channel has identified some very preliminary options for significantly increasing diesel storage capacity at Marsden Point,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said Channel had almost 300 million litres of fuel storage in service at Marsden Point, and an additional 350 million litres of tanks that “could be converted” to provide additional fuel storage if required.

“The government’s Fuel Security Study concluded that the best way to improve New Zealand’s resilience was to increase the in-country storage of fuels that are critical to keeping our economy moving, and Channel stands ready to put all efforts into safely assisting with additional fuel resiliency measures, should we be asked to provide them.”

Only a small degree of contortion is required for Shane Jones to enter the nation’s equal-biggest jet fuel tank. RNZ / Peter de Graaf

Fuel importers were required by law to hold 28 days’ worth of petrol, 24 days of jet fuel, and 21 days of diesel.

From 2028, the minimum requirement for diesel would increase to 28 days, if the fuel importer had more than 10 percent of the market share.

In 2024, the government stopped work on procuring 70 million litres of reserve diesel stock, saying it carried significant capital cost and Cabinet would need a robust understanding of options and their impacts before making decisions.

The fuel would have been funded through the Petroleum or Engine Fuels Monitoring Levy.

Instead, the government decided to explore other options to increase the diesel reserves from 21 days to 28 by 2028, and commissioned the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment to study New Zealand’s fuel security requirements.

Under questioning from Labour’s energy spokesperson Megan Woods in the House on Tuesday, Jones said there was “no budget, no proposal that I could credibly take forward to my colleagues” on the reserve diesel stock.

New Zealand First has continued to blame Labour for the closure of the refinery in 2022, and has been attempting to tie the “degradation” of the storage capacity to the closure.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters went as far as to suggest the refinery was “deliberately shut down, with the government’s connivance”.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters . RNZ / Anneke Smith

In 2021, Labour had the option of providing a loan or subsidy to keep the refinery open, but then-minister Woods said there was not a strong case.

“There does not appear to be a clear case for maintaining refinery operations for fuel resilience reasons, except to address an exceptional ‘no fuel imports’ scenario,” she wrote in a 2021 Cabinet paper.

“This is an unlikely scenario, but not entirely implausible, therefore I believe the option of maintaining refinery capacity warrants an active decision by government.”

In the House, Jones accused Woods of making an “active decision” to close the refinery.

“If you close down 700 million litres of storage, 70 million is a mere drop,” he said.

Labour has repeatedly said the closure was a business decision made by its private owners, not a government decision.

“At most, you’d be talking about five days of unprocessed crude oil, in addition to whatever we have in terms of processed fuel onshore. Five days in the grand scheme of what we’re dealing with at the moment isn’t very much,” said Labour leader Chris Hipkins.

“There are certainly other things the government could have done over the last two years to increase our resilience. Marsden Point would be right at the bottom of that list.”

Labour leader Chris Hipkins. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

During Question Time, Peters asked the prime minister if all the “anxiety” around supplementary reserves would be relevant if “they hadn’t shut down Marsden Point?”

“It was a critical piece of national infrastructure and that was a decision of a previous government,” Christopher Luxon responded.

Luxon was then made to withdraw the comment, after Hipkins raised a point of order to argue the previous government had made no such decision.

On Tuesday, Woods told RNZ she was supportive of proposals for more storage space.

“Absolutely, and I would hope the government’s looking at that right now,” she said.

But she accused the government of being “short sighted” for scrapping the 70 million litre strategic reserve plans, which were to be a “worst case scenario” to ensure critical services like fire engines, ambulances, and food distribution could keep running.

That would have been in place this year, Woods said, whereas the government’s increased requirement for 28 days of diesel holdings would not come into place until 2028.

“One of the reasons the government scrapped that strategic reserve and got rid of the request for proposals that was out there, they said it was cost. It’s several million dollars to build that facility, in terms of being able to hold it, but there was up to $100 million of built-up levy sitting in the Petrol Levy fund, essentially that had built up over Covid that we were proposing to use for that,” she said.

“Instead, the government has gone for an option where the fuel companies themselves will hold this additional diesel, which will cost motorists more for diesel at the pump, and it will be two years’ delay.”

Labour’s energy spokesperson Megan Woods. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

ACT leader David Seymour has previously disagreed with Jones on the economics of keeping the Marsden Point refinery open.

But he saw the merits on using more of its storage capacity.

“The reality is it would probably be a levy on the fuels themselves. But if that was to be proposed, I think we would look at it very carefully on the costs and benefits. I think the world just changed, and we can see that having some more independence is probably not a bad bit of room to have.”

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Industry groups call for new ‘Buy Kiwi Made’ as McCain Foods latest to face closures

Source: Radio New Zealand

McCain Foods has announced it will close its Hastings processing plant. Roberto Machado Noa

Industry groups and local government leaders are calling for the resurrection of a Buy Kiwi Made campaign as alarms sound over new job losses and factory closures.

McCain Foods announced on Tuesday it would close its Hastings processing plant weeks after Watties proposed cuts and closures in Hastings, Dunedin, Auckland and Christchurch.

Central Hawke’s Bay mayor Will Foley said the news came as shock, and he did not know how many people were affected.

But once factory workers and those across the supply chain were factored in, it would number in the hundreds, he said.

Central Hawke’s Bay mayor Will Foley. Supplied

“If you think of all the contractors that grow the crops, harvest the crops, the trucking companies, the logistics of moving the crops from farm to factories and from there to our supermarkets, you’d be talking about hundreds and hundreds of people impacted. Specifically losing their jobs, perhaps not as many on day one, but the longer term impact we’ll be getting into the hundreds, if not a thousand across Hawke’s Bay.”

Vegetable growing had played a huge role in Hawke’s Bay, including being the home of Watties, which was founded in Hastings in 1934.

The mayor wanted to see a discussion at a national level about the closures and their causes.

“What can we do to address some of these issues and help out the businesses that are still there, because otherwise we’re just going to see this happen again and again.”

Energy and production costs and inflation would all have played a part in the decision, he said.

“A lot of companies and industries affected by Cyclone Gabrielle citied concerns back then about the cost of energy making them contemplate not rebuilding their businesses, as well as the cost of production and such high inflation across the board.”

Labour leader Chris Hipkins visits the Watties factory in Napier while on the campaign trail in September 2023. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Foley was keen to see more education and information about the importance of buying New Zealand-made, even if it meant paying a little extra.

“We’re not just losing the more expensive product, we’re losing the whole supply chain and employment and logistics and everything. We might not notice the change overnight, but we’ll notice it eventually as we lose more and more.

“Educating people around buying New Zealand-made and the benefits over and above just buying that product, what it gives to New Zealand Inc is definitely something that should be highlighted and be made more aware to the population after decisions like this,” he said.

The closure would hasten a move away from farming for some, especially those already considering retirement.

Others might consider converting to other types of farming, such as dairy, sheep and beef or apples, while others would look at subdividing for housing – though it would be better to keep productive land for food production, Foley said.

Current issues around fuel supply served as a stark reminder of supply chain vulnerabilities and food security challenges.

“It could be no different with food if similar things happen and supply chains get impacted and ships don’t arrive. We certainly need to try and preserve what we’ve got already and what we produce in this country.”

Buy NZ Made was first launched in the late 1980s with the slogan “Buy NZ Made & Keep Your Country Working”, though organised campaigns to encourage shoppers to buy local date back to the turn of last century.

The concept recieved a boost as part of the co-operation agreement between the Greens and Labour in 2005, after the Green Party negotiated $11.5 million towards a Buy Kiwi Made campaign, with former Green co-leader Rod Donald as spokesperson. After his death, Green MP Sue Bradford led the programme, which included a marketing push and increased use of New Zealand-made products in government procurement.

The National government suspended the programme in 2008 but BusinessNZ continued to run the parallel Buy NZ Made campaign.

Two of the Buy NZ Made logos. Buy NZ Made

Process Vegetables New Zealand chair David Hadfield said New Zealand consumers needed to buy locally grown produce.

“Otherwise they’re going to wake up one day and there won’t be any and then we’ll be relying on other countries to supply us and we don’t know when the next Covid or a bigger conflict will happen and the boats aren’t coming here with product on board.

“We’re learning in a pretty drastic way with fuel at the moment, aren’t we, about what happens when we have to bring it all in?”

While local products could be more expensive, the bulk of the profit was made after vegetables left the processor, he said.

“The grower is getting about 10 percent of what a packet of peas sells for.”

He wanted a closer look at supermarket margins – which differed by department – as well as the role of distribution centres.

“New Zealanders definitely need to be looking at buying New Zealand grown,” Hadfield said, and should pay close attention to labelling.

“Look at where it’s growing, not where it’s packaged, because there’s quite a bit of stuff coming into the country in bulk and then getting packaged to you,” he said.

It was impossible for New Zealanders to compete with countries where growers were subsidised or where pay and safety regulations were very low, Hadfield said.

The government also needed to investigate imported produce and whether there may be cases of dumping.

“I don’t know the government’s done anything through the Commerce Commission or anybody else to look at that.”

Process Vegetables New Zealand chair David Hadfield wanted a closer look at supermarket margins. RNZ / Nick Monro

In early March, Watties proposed closing factories in Auckland, Dunedin and Christchurch, and shutting down processing lines at one of its Hastings factories.

The move would see 350 workers made redundant, 220 suppliers affected and the end of Wattie’s frozen vegetables, Gregg’s coffee and other household names.

Submissions on the proposal close this week.

In September, Wattie’s reduced its Hawke’s Bay peach production, cutting the contracts of some suppliers in the face of what it claimed was dumping from cheaper markets.

An investigation later found Chinese company J&G International Co. Ltd had been dumping peaches, causing “material injury to the New Zealand industry”.

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The suburbs where values rose 6 percent in three months

Source: Radio New Zealand

Thirty suburbs increased in value by more than 3 percent, many of which were in Otago. 123RF

Karitane, in Dunedin, and Blackball in Grey District experienced house value increases of 6 percent in the three months to March, while Little Wanganui, in Buller, dropped by the same amount.

It’s a mixed picture that shows the uneven nature of the housing market at the moment, property data firm Cotality said.

It has released its latest update of suburb-level house value data, which shows 56 percent of suburbs tracked had flat or rising standalone house values in the three months to March.

That is up from 44 percent three months earlier.

Cotality chief property economist Kelvin Davidson said it showed that while at a high level the market seemed to be trending sideways, buyers and sellers around the country would have varying experiences.

“The proportion of suburbs that have seen price increase is starting to grow a little bit. I think that’s consistent with what we’ve seen over the past couple of months in higher-level home value indices… perhaps signs of a little bit of growth there and it’s just reflecting that broadening out across more suburbs.”

Thirty suburbs increased in value by more than 3 percent, many of which were in Southland, Otago and the West Coast.

Davidson said relatively better affordability and the strength of the farming sector at a regional level had probably supported housing demand in those regions.

“Many areas where we are seeing growth are the sort of provincial regional areas where affordability is a bit better, the farming sector is going well which is supporting cash flow in those areas and just general economic activity and confidence.

“Affordability’s better, not only in terms of the absolute level of house prices, but in relation to incomes as well.

“So affordability is a bit more supportive, the underlying economy is a bit more supportive, so we’ve seen a bit more growth, as opposed to parts of the main centres where service activity is a bigger part of the economy, and that’s still struggling a little bit, and values are a bit more restrained in those areas.

He said lower mortgage rates were also likely to have helped confidence over the period.,

But he said it should be characterised as resilience rather than a boom.

In the main centres, Crofton Downs and Kelburn in Wellington were up 3 percent to 4 percent while Stillwater in Auckland and Aranui in Christchurch were up 2 percent.

Little Wanganui in Buller fell by around 6 percent, while Wellsford in Auckland’s Rodney district dropped by almost 3.5 percent.

“”When you drill down to suburb-level data, conditions become much more varied. Some areas are already seeing values stabilise or edge higher, while others remain softer depending on local economic conditions, supply levels and affordability,” Davidson said.

Among standalone houses, Herne Bay in Auckland was the country’s most expensive suburb, with a median house value of around $2.99 million, followed by Saint Mary’s Bay at $2.86 million.

At the other end of the spectrum, several suburbs had median house values below $300,000, including Patea in South Taranaki, Blackball in Grey District, and Clinton in Clutha.

Davidson said international conflict was likely to keep a lid on confidence in the short term.

“It’s not difficult to imagine that buyer and seller confidence remains pretty cautious, and common indicators a little bit better, mortgage rates are down, but that caution factor could hang around, or in fact even get a bit more cautious.

“You’d imagine that housing market indicators could well remain pretty soggy for the next little while too, so you’ll see how it plays out.

“We’re seeing property values pretty flat, rents pretty flat, house building costs are flat, so there’s lots of inflation concerns, but the housing market for once is not one of those concerns.

So that’s a bit of a silver lining for the Reserve Bank.”

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Wellingtonians’ water bills jump by hundreds of dollars, more increases to come

Source: Radio New Zealand

Tiaki Wai is replacing Wellington Water and inheriting the region’s assets – managing and providing drinking water, wastewater, and piped stormwater services from July. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Wellingtonians will face “really steep” increases in their water bills over the next decade as its new water entity tries to fix old, failing infrastructure, its chairman says.

That would start with an average increase in water charges for Wellingtonians of 14.7 percent, or an extra $310 this year, with charges possibly increasing by 28 percent in 2027-2028, and more than doubling by 2036.

Put another way, an average household across Wellington’s four cities – Wellington, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and Porirua, was set to pay about $2418 per year this coming year, and pay $6831 (with inflation) by 2036.

Releasing the indicative charges in its water services strategy on Wednesday, Tiaki Wai board chairman Will Peet said he knew the price rises would be unpopular under cost-of-living pressures, but the topic needed to be addressed now.

Chair of Tiaki Wai Will Peet. Supplied / Tiaki Wai

“We’re conscious that everyone’s been facing rising costs over the past few years, and that any increase is challenging for people.

“And I think, also for me, It’s taken 30 years to get to this position, and it will take more than five minutes to fix.”

Tiaki Wai was replacing Wellington Water and inheriting the region’s assets – managing and providing drinking water, wastewater, and piped stormwater services from July.

Wellingtonians – those living in Wellington City, Porirua, Hutt City, and Upper Hutt – who had been paying for water through council rates, would receive a separate water bill from 1 July for water services, and would have to set up a new payment plan.

Peet said this year, the exact amount of bills would vary from city to city and property to property in the same way rates varied.

For example, this year Porirua residents would pay an average increase of $368 per year for water charges, Lower Hutt residents an extra $349, Upper Hutt residents an extra $278 and Wellington residents an extra $275.

The four councils’ rating model was being transferred to Tiaki Wai for the first year’s bills, but over time, the organisation would move to a common pricing model.

Peet said he wanted to be upfront with residents about what costs would look like, and to ask them for feedback on the organisation’s strategy.

“That said, these are still really steep increases and I know you’ll see some of that from other water authorities around the country, but these are significant increases.”

He said no one would have their water turned off if they were struggling to pay a bill.

Wellingtonians are facing “really steep” increases in their water bills. RNZ / Nate McKinnon

According to its strategy document, Tiaki Wai had a hardship policy, including issuing reminder notices and contacting external debt collecting agencies if necessary, but Peet told reporters debt collecting was not what the organisation was considering right now.

Peet was blunt about the challenges for the organisation, saying it would take many years to catch up with decades of underinvestment.

“Infrastructure everywhere, you can’t keep on kicking the can down the road otherwise it comes back to bite you,” he said.

“We have been deferring expenditure in water for a long time, and it’s not my place to determine past decisions, what I can tell you now is that we need to make the hard decision and start to invest.”

The strategy document noted many critical assets were in a poor condition, too old and presenting a “significant risk of failure”, including that three out of four wastewater treatment plants were non-compliant, with problems going back many years.

Wastewater networks were overflowing and stormwater systems were regularly contributed to flooding and pollution, it said.

Added to this was the organisation’s financial position – Tiaki Wai needed more money to operate, Peet said.

The organisation would take over $9 billion of water assets and around $1.7b of debt from the councils, but the amount of revenue being collected by councils – about $385 million in 2025-2026 – had not been enough to meet the long term cost for water services.

One of the organisation’s main priorities from July is to fix the Moa Point Treatment Plant. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

One of the organisation’s main priorities from July was to fix the Moa Point Treatment Plant, Peet said, which was still spewing raw sewage into the sea after a catastrophic failure in February.

Peet would not comment on if there was a plan to stop that, and said it was a “bit early to say” how much it would take to fix the plant, referring those questions to current owner Wellington City Council.

“We’ll be working really closely with Wellington City, as they work through the Moa Point issue. I live near the South Coast myself, I know what an impact it’s having, we all know we need to do the right fix, at the right time to make sure it stops.”

He would also not comment on any current suppliers operating the plants, including Veolia.

The organisation had been set some strict targets by Wellington regions’ mayors and mana whenua partners, including that it would not receive any abatement notices, fines, or prosecutions from Greater Wellington Regional Council for non-compliant plants.

Peet said it was the right target to aim for, but with long-standing infrastructure issues, it would not happen in first year.

“We won’t be meeting those in the initial stages, because Wellington Water is not meeting them.

“What happens on the 30 June, will be pretty much what happens on 1st July – that said I think it’s an entirely reasonable expectation that the people of Wellington, through the partner’s committee, should set us some aspirational goals to improve things.”

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Fuel prices keep drivers off roads

Source: Radio New Zealand

AFP / ROBERT MICHAEL

Rising fuel prices appear to be keeping some travellers off the roads in the main centres.

Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel Eaqub helped RNZ compile NZ Transport Authority data showing traffic at sites throughout the country.

It shows Auckland’s light vehicle traffic numbers are down 2.2 percent and Wellington 4.5 percent.

Christchurch’s are up and heavy vehicle activity is also up across the country.

“Essentially what we are seeing in the very latest data from Auckland and Wellington is the volume of car driving has come off a bit, and that suggests that people are responding to the increase in prices and the uncertainty around fuel supply.”

He said that was a trend that was likely to continue.

“I think prices have risen even more since then and high prices discourage people from driving, so it’s not surprising.”

He said the early shift was likely to be among people who were able to choose to work from home but some people would find that difficult.

“We remember back during Covid, those people who were essential workers still had to come to work. Back then it was about exposure to virus, now it’s about exposure to cost.”

Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen said it would take time to show the trend in the data.

“Some people will still be burning through the remaining fuel they might have purchased beforehand.

“I think it’s more one of those things that, given we have heard of a high level of public transport use, it does seem like there are some early suggestions that people are moving their sort of transport means and methods.

“But I think probably too early to make it definitive that you’re seeing an absolute switch in activity.”

AA spokesperson Terry Collins said he had noticed an increase in public transport use.

“The train to Greytown last week was chocka with 56 standing.”

At Gaspy, founder Mike Newton said he had heard from a number of people who were driving less or switching to cycling.

“People are definitely looking for alternatives.”

People who were able to work from home were likely to be doing so more often, he said.

But he said the drop in crude oil prices in recent days should help to stop prices from increasing as quickly.

“There’s so much uncertainty … I’m not sure we’ll see a drop but we might see the price levelling.”

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Father’s meningitis plea after daughter’s death

Source: Radio New Zealand

Gerard Rushton and his wife Claire hold a picture of their daughter, Courtenay, who died of meningitis in 2014, at 16 years old.   Mike Clare / clickmedia.nz / supplied

A grieving dad renews his call for free meningitis vaccines as cases hit NZ students, and a deadly UK outbreak grows.

A grieving Kiwi dad, who lost his only daughter to meningitis, is renewing calls for free vaccinations for all New Zealand students as fresh cases emerge in Dunedin and a deadly outbreak unfolds at a United Kingdom university.

Gerard Rushton, chair of the Meningitis Foundation Aotearoa, has spent more than a decade campaigning for change after his 16-year-old daughter Courtenay died suddenly from the disease after Christmas in 2014.

Now, amid renewed concern about the spread of meningococcal disease among young people, both here and overseas, he says not enough is being done to protect students.

“We are calling on the government to do the right thing, to protect our young people, because we are losing the lives of our young people to a disease that is vaccine-preventable,” Rushton tells The Detail, arguing that the current vaccine eligibility window is too narrow and leaves many young people exposed.

“People do not need to die.

“We are losing these young people, these great young people – they are our future – and we are playing roulette with their lives because at present we haven’t got enough money to fund the vaccination project.

“People just aren’t aware of this fast-moving and incredibly aggressive disease that can take a life in 24 hours.”

Put simply, meningococcal disease is an infection caused by bacteria. It can lead to two very serious illnesses: meningitis – an infection of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, and septicaemia – blood poisoning.

There are different types of meningococcal bacteria, including A, B, C, W, and Y. Here, in New Zealand, most cases are caused by group B bacteria.

The disease is spread in similar ways to the common cold – by coughing and sneezing, or by contact with saliva, such as from kissing.

Meningococcal disease can develop rapidly and be life-threatening. It can become deadly in just a few hours.

People who survive meningococcal disease often have serious long-term effects, including amputation of limbs, hearing loss, seizures, brain injury, and permanent skin scarring.

Meningococcal vaccines are currently funded for children under 5 and for people aged 13 to 25 entering close-living situations like boarding schools or university halls.

But Rushton says that leaves a large number of students – including those flatting or living at home – without protection.

He wants universal access to the vaccine before students leave school, saying the current system is “not good enough”.

“All that people need to be aware of is they need to be protected from A, C, W, Y, and MenB, so there is one vaccination for A, C, W, Y, and they require two vaccinations for MenB, and they have got to be up to 8 weeks apart.

“That’s the concern; it does take a wee while to get our kids fully protected.

“And it is a concern that those in a lower-decile community simply cannot afford the vaccination. They are about $150 each, and you need three of them, so they are simply out of reach for a lot of New Zealanders. So, we can’t see why the government is not funding this.

“This present policy is really confusing, and we believe it actually discriminates against a large proportion of our at-risk population. And we can’t understand why New Zealand has a health policy at present that discriminates against these people.”

New Zealand Health authorities are dealing with at least two confirmed meningococcal cases in Dunedin this month, with officials treating the situation as an outbreak.

The cases involve students linked to the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic, with close contacts offered antibiotics and vaccinations.

It comes as a major meningitis outbreak linked to students at the University of Kent in England has left at least two people dead and dozens infected this month.

Health authorities in the UK have since widened vaccine access and rolled out emergency antibiotics, with scenes reminiscent of the Covid-19 pandemic as students queue for treatment.

The outbreak has reinforced fears about how quickly meningococcal disease can spread in close-living environments such as university halls.

“We are watching the UK situation closely,” Rushton says. “It’s really concerning for us because we know this can happen in New Zealand at any time, because of our present low vaccination rates amongst our adolescent population.

“It is devastating for us to see it personally because we know the life-long effects it can have on family members, whānau, and the community.”

For Rushton, the campaign is deeply personal.

His only daughter, Courtenay, a “normal, healthy 16-year-old”, had received a standard meningitis vaccine as a youngster, but her family later learned she wasn’t fully protected against “all of the different strains”.

Twelve years ago, over the New Year period, she complained to her parents of feeling unwell.

“We took her to the doctor three times in two days, all after-hours, and it wasn’t until the last visit that she collapsed in the medical centre. She was ambulanced to Timaru … then flown to Christchurch … but then sadly we found out it had got to her brain and they had to turn the life support off.”

He says no family should have to endure what his has – and believes wider vaccine access could save lives.

“It’s been 12 years since I lost my daughter, and I still have tears in my eyes now. Every time we hear about a case, it just rips your heart out because you know what’s going to happen to those people. You know what their life’s going to be like, and you know it just doesn’t need to happen, that’s the crux of it.”

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Combat deployment of NZ troops to Middle East unlikely, even if help asked – law professor

Source: Radio New Zealand

A MarineTraffic map showing ship movements in the Strait of Hormuz . AFP / JONATHAN RAA

A law professor says if New Zealand was asked to support ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a combat deployment is unlikely.

But Professor Alexander Gillespie said a joint statement between 19 countries condemning Iranian attacks on commercial ships in the Gulf was “effectively just scoping”.

“Nothing’s been nailed down, and it would be premature to nail it down until you know what’s happening with the wider war.”

If a request was made to New Zealand, Gillespie told RNZ it could be helping with intelligence, or picking up patrolling obligations for others so they could deploy to the region.

Another option was actual deployment, which he thought was unlikely.

On Tuesday, the Foreign Minister said people should not be alarmed that “we’re going to be engaged in some military exercise” after the government signed the joint statement.

Labour had raised concerns about the “broad nature” of the statement, criticising the government for not detailing what that commitment might look like, with leader Chris Hipkins saying New Zealanders had a right to know.

But Winston Peters said there had been “scaremongering” from critics who said the government was “rushing to contribute military forces to this conflict”.

“What absolute crap, what absolute nonsense – New Zealand is not a party to this conflict, and we have absolutely no intention of joining it,” he said at Parliament on Tuesday.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters. RNZ / Mark Papalii

It also came as the head of NATO included New Zealand as one of 22 countries “coming together” to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

On Tuesday the government said it had not made any commitment towards military action in the Middle East, but Hipkins said he was very concerned about “what the government had signed us up to”.

He was referring to the joint statement the government signed with 19 other countries, including the United Kingdom and Germany, condemning Iranian attacks on commercial ships in the Gulf.

They called on Iran to immediately cease threats, laying mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts to block commercial vessels from travelling through the Strait of Hormuz.

“Freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international law, including under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” the statement read.

The statement also expressed its signatories would be ready “to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait”.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon clarified any such future support would need to be considered by Cabinet.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Luxon also outlined nothing had changed in terms of the government position on the initial attacks that started the war, after being asked about condemning Iran’s strikes, while “acknowledging” the strikes by the United States.

“What we’re talking about now is a second order consequence, which is Iranians holding hostage a whole bunch of ships that should be freely traveling to bring fuel and fuel and critical supplies to places like New Zealand.”

Gillespie said it was a “notable inconsistency”.

He said New Zealand should treat “all violations of the UN Charter the same”.

“In as much as we condemn Russia for their illegal war against Ukraine, we should act consistently with the US and Israel.”

On the ‘right side’ – law professor

Gillespie said New Zealand was on the “right side” in supporting an international principle – the freedom of navigation – but “we have to be very cautious and have our eyes wide open as we walk forward”.

He said the statement had the backing of the UN Security Council with regards to the protection of international waterways in freedom of navigation.

He said New Zealand was in good company with the other signatories, and pointed out it was not an initiative from the United States, Israel or Iran.

The protection of international waterways was a longstanding principle, “No country can effectively strangle international commerce by trying to control a waterway,” he said.

Professor Alexander Gillespie. Alexander Gillespie

“You just can’t do that.”

In terms of the wording “appropriate efforts” in the statement, Gillespie said that could be anything, “it could be civilian, but it’s likely to be military”.

In regards to what New Zealand could offer if support was requested he pointed to the operations in the Red Sea, where the contribution had been “modest”.

The personnel had helped with intelligence, and part of the operations of a much larger system, he said.

A second option was offering “our military to relieve other militaries to be deployed to the region”.

“So we might pick up the patrolling requirements and select some American vessels in a safe area to allow the American vessels to then be deployed to the strait.”

The third option was deploying the Air Force or Navy to the war zone, which he thought was “very unlikely”.

“We’re more likely to be doing the other two, if asked.”

Ultimately he said New Zealand needed to be “very careful what we commit ourselves to, because you can start off in these exercises with a fairly good objective, but then you can find yourself in a very sticky situation that can take years to unravel”.

‘New Zealanders have a right to know’ – Hipkins

On Tuesday, Hipkins said the government had “basically” signed the country up to say “we’re ready and willing to participate in securing the strait”.

“I don’t think we should be making a broad commitment like that at this point. Any support that New Zealand provides should be after a United Nations mandate, and at this point that doesn’t exist,” Hipkins said.

“The government has signed us up to an open ended commitment to re-open the strait, without detailing what that commitment might look like.

“New Zealanders have a right to know what the government is signing us up to.”

Labour leader Chris Hipkins. RNZ / Mark Papalii

Since the statement was released, speaking to Fox News, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said countries including Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Bahrain and the NATO alliance were working to “implement [US President Donald Trump’s] vision of making sure that the Strait of Hormuz is free, is opening up as soon as that is possible”.

Asked for clarification about this comment, Peters said Rutte did not speak for New Zealand and he had probably been misinformed.

“We haven’t been asked, and should we be asked – we would consider it. That’s all I’ve said,” Peters emphasised.

On the joint statement, he said it was “specifically narrow”.

In Parliament during an urgent debate on the conflict in the Middle East, Peters said the government was committed to working with partners to try and address one of the consequences of this conflict, that was higher fuel prices for New Zealanders.

“But that is not the same as saying we are definitely going to contribute.

“If we receive a request, or if an international coalition was established in the future to safeguard commercial shipping, any possible contribution would be a matter for – guess who – the Cabinet first of all, to determine based on careful consideration of New Zealand’s interests.”

Currently, the government would not comment on what potential resources would be considered or committed if New Zealand was requested to help, due to it being a hypothetical issue.

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Iranian New Zealanders mark Nowruz at Parliament with mixed feelings

Source: Radio New Zealand

A dancer performing at the event. RNZ / Lillian Hanly

Iranian New Zealanders gathered at Parliament on Tuesday night to celebrate Nowruz, or Iranian new year, while grappling with a “mix” of feelings due to the ongoing conflict.

Those in attendance told RNZ they hoped a new year would bring new hope, and that “peace prevails”.

The event was also a memorial to those who were killed in Iran’s deadly crackdown earlier this year, and the scores of children killed at an Iranian girls’ school by a targetting mistake in a US strike.

One organiser for the event, Hoda, told RNZ last year was the inaugural event at Parliament, and it was a “happy moment”.

“But this time, the event is a little bit different. It’s a mix of feeling – Nowruz is felt differently by people, they are sad but hopeful.”

Hoda, one of the organisers of the event. RNZ / Lillian Hanly

She explained Nowruz meant ‘new day’, or a new beginning: “This is the first year that we felt that from the bottom of our hearts, there might be some hope.

“People, they are sad, but they are hopeful.”

She said she hoped for a “big change” and a “new life for our people”.

“They’re suffering from many years, and finally, they can see that some change might happen.”

Another organiser for the event told RNZ they had prepared a Haft-Seen table, a traditional part of the new year where seven symbollic items starting with the letter ‘s’ are spread on a table representing hope, renewal and prosperity.

The Haft-Seen table. RNZ / Lillian Hanly

One item was serke (vinegar), meaning patience.

“It also tells us that the new year is not always going to be a happy year, and we need a lot of patience, especially during these difficult times that Iran is going through right now,” said one member of the community.

She pointed to the posters representing those killed “as a result of the brutality of the regime or the war, especially there is one poster dedicated to the children of Minab, who were killed”.

There was also a dance performance, a moment of silence held and dates were served alongside the wall of remembrance.

Posters of those who had been killed, alongside a remembrance table. RNZ / Lillian Hanly

Other members of the Iranian community were in attendance including Soodeh who joined with her husband and young son.

She said Nowruz was an important cultural celebration in Iran, and always celebrated.

“It’s very important for us. It doesn’t matter how we feel. We always celebrate this celebration. That’s why we are here.”

She also hoped something new was going to start in Iran by changing the regime and installing a new leader.

Both Soodeh and Hoda said one thing the New Zealand government could do in response to what was happening was to designate the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity, as other countries around the world had done.

Soodeh (L) with her family. RNZ / Lillian Hanly

The designation has been under consideration for some time. The issue was raised again last year following Australia’s decision to make the designation.

Soodeh also criticised a lack of media coverage in New Zealand regarding the protests in Iran earlier this year, which led to a deadly crackdown.

Mehdi told RNZ he hoped peace would prevail, but also indicated the wish of those in Iran was “freedom” and he hoped that was implemented.

“Freedom of women, freedom of country, and freedom of thought is what what they need.”

Ehsan (L) and Mehdi (C). RNZ / Lillian Hanly

He said the use of ideology in a bad way was the “worst thing that can happen” and that was what happened in Iran, and “really upset people”.

Ehsan agreed, saying they wanted a new democratic system. He did not want a regime based on any idea, religious or non-religious. He wanted a system where what people were saying was accepted, and the ruler accepted the majority consensus.

That was what the war was about, he said.

“We don’t like war, but this is imposed on us.”

Iranian New Zealanders gathered at Parliament on Tuesday night to celebrate Nowruz, or Iranian new year, RNZ / Lillian Hanly

Labour MP Megan Woods hosted the event, and acknowledged those who could not gather “so freely”.

“As the Haft-Seen table reminds us – with its symbols of renewal, growth, and health – this is a time for both personal reflection and shared solidarity.”

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Government announces new diabetes roadmap but keeps details secret, for now

Source: Radio New Zealand

Maungakiekie MP Greg Fleming. RNZ / Felix Walton

A new diabetes roadmap hopes to slow the disease’s progression and decrease the number of amputations.

The government’s roadmap would be released publicly, but not for a number of weeks while its details were finalised.

Maungakiekie MP Greg Fleming announced the plan on behalf of an airborne health minister Simeon Brown at the Tongan Health Society clinic in Auckland’s Onehunga.

“Health New Zealand estimates that diabetes care in 2024-2025 (fiscal year) translated to an estimated $2.1 billion, and even that figure likely underestimates the true cost,” he said.

“The National Diabetes Roadmap sets out a clear and coordinated direction for responding to these challenges, and recognises a vital truth: that diabetes cannot be managed by individual effort alone, it requires system-level leadership and it requires long term commitment.”

Fleming said that accountability would be provided by an oversight group led by epidemiologist Sir Jim Mann.

Mann was clear he intended to flex his role as overseer.

Sir Jim Mann. Billy Wong/University of Auckland

“Please warn Minister Brown that he will be hearing from me, and I hope lots of others, frequently,” he told Fleming.

“I have been in this country for 40 years now and I feel more positive today than I have felt before in my work in diabetes. I am absolutely determined that we’re not going to lose the momentum.”

Mann described the prevalence of diabetes in New Zealand as an epidemic akin to measles or Covid-19.

“People have talked about the ‘epidemic of diabetes,’ but it’s kind of been like ‘epidemic’ with a small ‘e’ instead of epidemic with a capital ‘E’.”

He said it would not be solved overnight.

“We are realists, we know what is written in that roadmap cannot be implemented tomorrow. We know there are a lot of constraints on public money, there are a lot of things that need to be funded, but this is clearly a priority.”

Health New Zealand’s Dr Richard Sullivan, also on the oversight committee, had his sights set on a number of priority areas.

Health New Zealand chief clinical officer Dr Richard Sullivan. RNZ / Calvin Samuel

“There’s areas we just know we need to tackle. Some of those things are foot care, weight management guidelines, opportunity around potentially a diabetes register,” he said.

“[On Wednesday], in fact, a small group are sitting down and looking at how we come up with a prioritisation framework, so we’ve got the roadmap, we’ve got the baseline review, we know the costs, so actually where do we start and where do we invest, and putting together that plan over the months ahead.”

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Two senior Corrections staff under investigation

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ understands both involve senior staff. RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson

Two senior Corrections staff are under investigation including one who faces an allegation of sexual harassment.

The other person has been suspended following multiple allegations of bullying and harassment.

Corrections said the two cases, which both involve staff at Mt Eden prison, are separate matters and do not relate to each other.

RNZ understands both involve senior staff, however they are not at an executive level.

Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz

In response to questions from RNZ, Corrections deputy chief executive people and capability, Rebecca Powell, confirmed in a statement both staff worked in Pae Ora at Mt Eden prison.

According to Corrections’ website the Pae Ora Group is “responsible for delivering evidence-informed, culturally responsive health and rehabilitation services to people under Corrections management”.

Powell said Corrections could confirm one person had been placed on alternative duties outside of the workplace following an allegation of sexual harassment.

“Another staff member within Pae Ora has been suspended following allegations from multiple internal and external sources of bullying and harassment,” she said.

“These are separate matters and do not relate to each other.”

Powell said Corrections was one of the largest government departments in New Zealand with about 11,000 staff.

“The overwhelming majority of our people act with integrity, honesty and professionalism in what is often a high pressure and challenging environment.

“We are committed to ensuring that our workplaces are free from bullying and harassment. Our clear expectation is that staff uphold the standards of behaviour in our Code of Conduct and comply with the law.”

Powell said the outcome of any employment investigation cannot be pre-determined. Any employment investigation process must follow the requirements of the Employment Relations Act and uphold procedural integrity.

A staff member may be suspended when the staffer has admitted to misconduct but there would be some delay before a decision is made on any disciplinary action to be taken, or if the allegations were of such a serious nature that it is not appropriate for the staff member to continue to perform their duties or to remain in the workplace while an investigation is undertaken.

A staffer could also be suspended if their presence in the workplace or their contact with colleagues or offenders “might hamper a full and fair investigation” and/or potentially raise a safety risk to other staff, people in Corrections management, or themselves.

RNZ earlier revealed that Corrections commissioner of custodial services Leigh Marsh was facing an employment investigation.

In response to questions about the inquiry into Marsh, Corrections chief executive Jeremy Lightfoot said Corrections could confirm one senior leader would be investigated by an external independent investigator.

“The concerns raised relate to alleged conduct around management processes and bullying within the employment relationship.”

Marsh was one of three operational deputy chief executives who is going to undertake a six-month secondment into different DCE roles within Corrections.

“I had already been considering moving the operational DCEs into each other’s areas later this year. This is because I believe these secondments will allow each operational DCE to deepen their understanding of each other’s respective areas so we can continue building a coherent, cohesive organisation.

“Their employment agreements were developed to allow such secondments to take place.

“The decision to do this now was brought forward to ensure that a thorough and fair employment process for both parties in relation to the above complaint can be carried out.”

Marsh will be moving to Pae Ora.

RNZ asked Corrections what involvement Marsh would have with the investigations.

“In the two cases you are referring to, these were initiated while Juanita Ryan was deputy chief executive Pae Ora so any tier 2 (that is, deputy chief executive level) involvement in these matters, if required, will remain with her.”

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‘Impactful’ weather event heading for upper North Island

Source: Radio New Zealand

Unsplash / Erik Witsoe

MetService says an “impactful” weather event is heading for the upper North Island this afternoon, with Northland likely to be upgraded to a red weather warning as it develops.

An orange heavy rain warning was in place for Northland from 4pm Wednesday and for Great Barrier Island and Coromandel Peninsula early Thursday, lasting until Friday.

Meteorologist Silvia Martino said the impacts might not be seen right away.

“This will be a long event, it carries on for a couple of days, so while we might not get to warning amounts [today], we are expecting over time that rain to build up to warning levels.”

She explained forecasters would be working with local authorities to determine if a red warning was needed.

“The decision about whether to go to a red warning is one that’s made based on what the impacts are likely to be.

“What our expert forecasters will be doing is talking to the council, talking to people on the ground about what the impacts are expected to be from the amount of rain we’re forecasting, and then together they’ll make the decision about whether a red warning is appropriate.

“With the heavy rain, we’re looking out for the risk of surface flooding, of possibly areas being cut off, and reminding people to avoid floodwaters. If you can avoid travel then that’s for the best.”

Clear the gutters, put anything away that could be a source of danger from wind, Martino said.

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Dunedin City Council considers sanctioning first-termer Benedict Ong for code of conduct breach

Source: Radio New Zealand

Dunedin City councillor Benedict Ong. Supplied

The Dunedin City Council will consider sanctioning first-term councillor Benedict Ong for breaching its code of conduct after publicly criticising a staff member.

Ong last month sent an email complaining about the staff member’s performance to the council’s chief executive and two local journalists.

The email accused the worker of “apparent political bias” and a “lack of political neutrality”.

An independent investigation by senior lawyer Steph Dyhrberg found Ong seriously breached the council’s code of conduct and his actions could have been a deliberate attempt to retaliate against the staff member for not supporting his account in an earlier complaint he made against another councillor.

Ong used social media to call the findings he victimised or discredited the staff member “wholly false”, saying he had never publicly named the staff member and claimed he had been forcibly silenced and forced to leave a council meeting. He was escorted out of a February meeting with tape over his mouth following concerns about his behaviour.

The council would decide on Wednesday if it agreed with Dyhrberg’s conclusion, provide Ong with an opportunity to address the council and consider possible sanctions if councillors agreed the code was breached.

Possible sanctions included a letter of censure, a demand to publicly apologise, a vote of no confidence, removal of council-funded privileges or an invitation to resign.

Ong also faced losing two external council representative roles that could cost him $15,000 in annual pay.

Sophie Barker. Supplied

Mayor Sophie Barker made the request due to behaviour she described as “extremely disrespectful”.

Ong’s first six months as a councillor had not been smooth sailing with a series of controversies including speaking out after being asked to remain quiet about a code of conduct complaint he made against colleague John Chambers.

Ong claimed Chambers made inappropriate comments towards him.

Dyhrberg also investigated that complaint, but it was dismissed after her preliminary investigation found it lacked substance.

Part of the evidence she considered was a phone call transcript with a staff member who did not support Ong’s account of what was said.

The staff member also raised concerns Ong was known to share information with the media and might breach her privacy, prompting Dyhrberg to ask Ong to keep the information confidential when she shared it with him.

Ong sent the email to the council chief executive and local journalists about half an hour later in what might have been a deliberate attempt to retaliate or discredit her, Dyhrberg said, in a report following her investigation.

She regarded his attempt to discredit the staff member as a witness in a code of conduct process as particularly egregious.

While the staff member was not named, she was readily identifiable, Dyhrberg said.

He risked bringing the council into disrepute and compromising its obligation to be a good employer, as well as exposing it to potential litigation, through his public disclosure of sensitive material, she said.

Dyhrberg noted Ong was given several opportunities to respond to the concerns raised or comment but chose not to.

Ong had continued to defend himself in social media posts.

“I know in my heart and I know in my veins I am Right and I work relentlessly every moment every day for our Great City,” he said, in one such post.

Ong also faced possible removal from his council representative roles on the Otago Settlers Association and the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum Board.

Barker wrote to Ong in February to inform him he was no longer deputy of the council’s technology portfolio and she was withdrawing the privilege of attending informal meetings with herself, councillors, MPs and invited guests after his “extremely disrespectful behaviour” towards her and his refusal to remove disparaging online comments about the chief executive.

She told him she would reconsider her decision when he removed the posts and apologised in writing.

Chambers was recommended to replace Ong as the new council representative for the Otago Settlers Association and the Toitū Otago Settlers Museum Board.

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Board accused of interfering in Columba College, accuses ministry of ‘overstepping’ in turn

Source: Radio New Zealand

Columba College in Dunedin. RNZ

Documents show staff at Dunedin’s Columba College complained to education officials multiple times accusing the school’s board of bullying and interfering in the day to day running of the school.

In response, the college would later say the Ministry of Education’s apparent concerns were “not made out on the evidence” that it was “at risk of overstepping” and even that the board was concerned those involved at the ministry “may not be impartial”.

In a statement to RNZ this week the school said its relationship with the ministry was “highly collaborative and positive” and that information provided by the Official Information Act (OIA) process was a “valuable opportunity for transparency and reflection on previous issues”.

In October, the school announced its principal Charissa Nicol would not be returning.

Nicol, who had been in the role since June 2023, had been on leave since 30 July. The school earlier declined to say why she was on leave.

Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz

RNZ requested under the Official Information Act the total number of complaints made to the Ministry of Education regarding Columba College in the past two years, a summary of the complaints, and a copy of all correspondence between the school and the ministry regarding the complaints last year.

The OIA reveals the ministry received 19 complaints regarding the school last year.

In April the Ministry of Education Dunedin/South Otago manager of integrated services Judith Forbes emailed the presiding member of Columba College Board Graeme Riley and Nicol asking for a meeting.

“The Ministry of Education has received some complaints about the Columba College Board, and our first step in any situation like this would always be to discuss with the Presiding Member and the Principal the concerns that have been raised with us.

“I acknowledge that it may be unsettling to hear that the Ministry has received such correspondence.”

Ahead of the meeting, Forbes sent a summary of the complaints to Riley and Nicol as well as the president of the Board of Governors Amy Columb.

“Complaints have come from a number of staff [redacted] relating to the actions/behaviour of the Columba College Board. Summary statement from one complainant is that the board is ‘overreaching and interfering with the day to day running of the school, as well as not following policies/procedures – either by demanding certain things do or do not happen or by attempting to circumvent the limits of their reach to enforce what they wish to happen’.”

There were several examples given including the process for investigating and decision-making around a complaint against a teacher raised by more than one complainant as a breach of policy, applying additional scrutiny to departments and writing new policies to enforce decisions which would normally be made by management.

“We were particularly concerned to note that complainants stated that they were afraid to raise their concerns because of the perceived risk that they would then be targeted by past and current members of the board, with one stating that ‘targeting of complainants has unfortunately occurred in the past’.”

Ministry of Education Dunedin/South Otago manager of integrated services Judith Forbes. RNZ / Ian Telfer

‘This seems like an escalation already’

In response, Riley said the board thought the usual process would have been to refer the complaints back to them in the first instance, or that any staff concerns would first have been raised with the board through Nicol.

“So this seems like an escalation already, and we are concerned that the Ministry seems to have made decisions about an appropriate process without the benefit of hearing the Board’s views or establishing the facts.”

Riley said the summary of concerns was “markedly similar” to concerns that had previously been expressed and were already being addressed by both the Board of Governors and the Board of Trustees.

He added the school had engaged education consultant Cleave Hay to work with it as a “specialist governance advisor”.

On 23 April, Forbes sent an email following the meeting.

“As discussed, the Ministry is concerned to have received complaints from staff regarding the way that the boards have been operating. These complaints have a common theme: that the boards may have, over time, developed an unusual degree of involvement in the day-to-day management of the school, and that this may be having a negative impact on the smooth operation of the school and on the wellbeing of its staff.”

Forbes said the ministry was “pleased” that Hay had been contracted to support the boards, and it was “reassuring” that both Columb and Riley were “perturbed” to hear staff did not feel safe raising their concerns more directly.

She said some school boards had, in such situations, done a staff wellbeing survey with “the protection of anonymity for all respondents”.

“It would be helpful to hear back from you what plan of action the school board is thinking of putting in place to address the concerns raised, so that the Ministry can determine whether or not any further action from us is warranted and/or necessary.”

Ministry concerned about ‘ongoing operation of the school’

On 9 May Forbes received an email from Anderson Lloyd partner John Farrow who said the school’s boards had asked for advice on her email from 23 April.

He said the boards were concerned she seemed to be “forming opinions about the College without providing the information on which those opinions are apparently based, and without properly explaining the apparent concerns”.

Farrow said the boards had taken the complaints “seriously” and were taking steps to address them, in consultation with Nicol and Hay.

“In those circumstances your follow-up email, and the indication that you were still considering ‘further action’ is cause for concern. We do not see how any Ministry action could be considered at all appropriate or necessary.”

On 23 June, the ministry’s Otago central manager of integrated services Chris Bryant sent an email regarding a meeting they had the day prior referring to several matters that had been discussed.

This included that the ministry had heard from a few sources, that there was a “significant break down in the relationship between the Governance and Management. This raises concerns for the Ministry about the ongoing operation of the school”.

‘The Ministry is at risk of overstepping’

On 11 July, Farrow emailed David Tapp, the director of education for Otago and Southland on behalf of the school board and Board of Governors regarding a meeting requested by Bryant.

“Mr Bryant’s email records an option the Ministry has is to consider using its legislative powers to compel such a meeting.”

Farrow said the boards considered the ministry’s apparent concerns were “not made out on the evidence; the Ministry is at risk of overstepping; and it is too early for Ministry intervention.”

The board said the ministry may be “taking into account irrelevant considerations, including complaints made with specific agendas unrelated to concerns about the governance and effective operation of the school”.

He also said the board was “concerned those involved at the Ministry may not be impartial”.

Farrow said it was “premature” for the ministry to require a meeting with the whole school board and “almost certainly too soon for the Ministry to formally intervene”.

In response, Bryant said the purpose of the meeting was for the ministry to gain assurance that Columba College could “continue to operate effectively”.

“This is not an intervention…”

The ministry still wanted to meet with the boards.

A meeting took place in October between the Ministry of Education, Riley, Columb, Hay as well as Farrow and Fiona McMillan from Anderson Law. Following the meeting Tapp sent an email to those who attended.

Most of the email was redacted.

In a subheading titled ‘complaints process’, the email said the ministry had received 11 complaints to date. Where the complainants had included their name and email addresses, the ministry had referred them back to the school’s complaints process.

A “fear of retribution” was the common theme among the complaints.

“We positively note that the actions in Cleave’s report show that the Board is reviewing its complaints and [Professional Learning and Development].

“We are keen to see your progress on this and importantly to see how you intend to have a well-functioning complaints process which is free from the perception of fear of retribution.”

‘We have seen improvement’

In a statement to RNZ, Tapp said the ministry was in “regular contact” with the school and continued to meet with school representatives to support both the board and the leadership team.

“Last year we identified concerns about governance and leadership at the school. Columba has taken positive steps since then. We consider progress needs to occur more quickly. Several key governance matters remain unresolved, and the school is clear about the performance expectations that must be met.

“We have seen improvement. The Boards of Governors and Trustees engaged an independent governance adviser, and a working group involving staff and union representatives was established and is meeting regularly. These actions show constructive movement to resolving the governance issues identified, and we are confident the school is heading in the right direction.”

Tapp said the school continued to “operate effectively” for students on a day-to-day basis.

“At this time, further intervention is not being considered.”

In response to questions from RNZ the school’s acting principal Aaron Everett and Riley released a statement they said had been reviewed and “endorsed by staff” and was supported by both boards and the principal.

The statement said there had been changes within the school board, with seven new members joining since the board election in September last year.

The boards and staff were “working in close, positive collaboration” the statement said including formalising a dedicated working group comprising board and staff members to “ensure a unified approach and a commitment to open communication”.

They were also working together to review procedures related to the management of concerns or complaints.

“We view the information provided via the OIA process as a valuable opportunity for transparency and reflection on previous issues. It allows us to gain visibility of feedback and provides the opportunity to address these historical concerns and issues.”

The statement said the school’s relationship with the ministry was “highly collaborative and positive”.

“We welcome their partnership as we strive to provide the best possible environment for our students, staff and wider community.”

They were “encouraged” by the ministry’s confidence in the school’s current direction and its confirmation that intervention was not required.

Asked about the concerns raised about impartiality from the ministry, the statement said any “historical queries” regarding impartiality had been “fully addressed”.

“Both Boards have complete confidence in the MOE’s impartiality and look forward to our continued partnership.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/25/board-accused-of-interfering-in-columba-college-accuses-ministry-of-overstepping-in-turn/

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4am wake-ups: Can anyone be a ‘morning person’?

Source: Radio New Zealand

Nadia White wakes up at 4am to make bacon and egg butties for the regular truckies loggers, shearers, boaties and fishers passing through Martinborough.

“We can’t do anything until we have the magic brown juice and once that magical juice is running through our veins and then, then we’re just into it,” she says. (She likes it long, black with a dash of cream.)

Kitchener’s, on the main drag in and out of Martinborough, officially opens at 5am. The family-run café cracks the door open from 2am, when White’s older sister Christy Anne is on site cooking and baking everything from scratch (she is in bed by 4pm, with an alarm set at 1am).

Nadia White (l) with her family who own and run Kitchener’s Cafe in Martinborough.

Supplied

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/25/4am-wake-ups-can-anyone-be-a-morning-person/

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John Beckenridge killed himself and stepson in 2015, coroner rules

Source: Radio New Zealand

John Beckenridge, left, and Mike Zhou-Beckenridge. SUPPLIED

John Beckenridge killed himself and his 11-year-old stepson in a vengeful act against his estranged wife, a coroner has ruled.

Coroner Marcus Elliot said the Queenstown man was angry, self-righteous and vengeful when he drove his car off a cliff in the Catlins in 2015.

Beckenridge and his stepson Mike Zhou-Beckenridge were last seen near Curio Bay in Southland in March 2015 and the 64-year-old’s car was later found in the sea at the bottom of a cliff.

Coroner Elliot, in a decision released on Wednesday, said the pair were not missing but had died in the crash in 2015.

It follows a coronial hearing in 2023, during which the boy’s mother Fiona Lu expressed doubt they had died and instead believed Beckenridge had staged their deaths and fled the country with her son.

The coroner did not intend to hold an inquest in the deaths but would instead issue in-chambers’ findings based on existing evidence.

The pair vanished after Beckenridge broke a court order and picked up Mike from school on 13 March 2015.

Beckenridge had been in a relationship with Lu since 2006 and they married in 2007.

They separated in 2013 and there was conflict over where Mike should live.

When police looked into the pair’s disappearance they determined the pair had died in a murder-suicide but Mike’s family are convinced they escaped overseas.

Coroner Elliot said he had looked at the theory but decided Beckenridge would have had to pull off the “perfect crime”.

That would have involved Beckenridge pretending to be increasingly angry, irrational and desperate and faking his dire financial situation, the coroner said.

“In short this theory requires Mr Beckenridge to have put on a convincing act, a complete sham, for months and even years portraying himself as someone other than who he really was,” he said.

The car belonging to John Beckenridge that was found in the waters of Curio Bay. Otago Daily Times

However, he decided Beckenridge was fuelled by rage when he drove his car over the cliff, killing himself and Mike.

“Mr Beckenridge’s willingness to use Mike as a weapon against Ms Lu reveals a callous disregard for the harm he was causing Mike. He did everything he could to turn Mike against, and incite hatred of, his mother and [Lu’s new partner Peter] Russell,” Coroner Elliot said.

“The only conclusion one can draw from Mr Beckenridge’s indoctrination of Mike against his mother is that he was at least indifferent to the harm he was causing to Mike. He had become so vindictive towards Ms Lu and so self-obsessed and self-righteous that he was willing to harm Mike.”

Private detective Mark Templeman told the coroner, on behalf of Lu, that the pair had staged the crash and left the country.

Templeman claimed Beckenridge rigged a driverless vehicle to go off the cliff and left the country with Mike – probably by boat – travelling to a country or countries overseas and establishing new lives under new identities.

Part of the plan involved creating the impression Beckenridge could not afford to stage an escape from New Zealand, Templeman said.

However, he claimed Beckenridge had other funding options, including $11,400 in a Superannuation Fund in Sweden, which had not been investigated.

Beckenridge was born in Sweden and originally named Knut Lundh.

He lived in several countries as an adult and changed his name first to John Lundh and then John Beckenridge.

Templeman said Beckenridge set up the site at the top of the Cliff to create the illusion he had committed suicide.

Beckenridge was an experienced diver and sailor and was very familiar with the tide and currents, he said.

Beckenridge selected the spot so the car would submerge and be difficult to locate and reach, Templeman said.

The cove near Curio Bay that was at the centre of the search for Michael Zhao-Beckenridge, 11, and his stepfather John Beckenridge. RNZ / Ian Telfer

The car is believed to have gone over the cliff on 20 March 2015 and debris was spotted two days later. But it could not be accessed by divers until 29 March due to the condition of the sea and the car was not recovered until early May.

Templeman said it would be dangerous to conclude Beckenridge and Mike were dead as all international monitoring would cease, which was exactly what Beckenridge wanted to happen.

But Coroner Elliot said the staging and escape theory was implausible.

“Mr Beckenridge’s actions illustrate that he either did not have or did not display the characteristics of the intelligent, resourceful, rational and well-prepared criminal which Ms Lu and Mr Russell believe him to be,” said Elliot.

The coroner also heard from Dr John Raine, Emeritus Doctor of Mechanical Engineering at Auckland University of Technology, who provided an independent report about the vehicle and clifftop scene.

Dr Raine said he did not think a driver could have left the vehicle as it was driven towards the edge and the only way the vehicle could have been launched off the cliff without a driver would be if it had been rigged to accelerate hard in a straight line towards its launch point.

When Dr Raine inspected the remains of the vehicle there was no sign of any fixtures to enable remote control and nothing was seen by the Police national dive squad.

It was “very, very improbable that a remote-controlled actuator system was used,” Dr Raine said.

Coroner Elliot said he had concluded Beckenridge and Mike were dead and their bodies lost at sea.

Mike was 11-years-old when he went missing and would now be 22 if he was alive.

Lu did not want to comment on the coroner’s decision. But at the hearing she said she thought about her son everyday and believed one day he would come back to her.

Detective Inspector Stu Harvey said the coroner had reached the same conclusion as police.

“We know this outcome will be difficult for members of Mike and John’s families, some of whom have held on to hope that the pair may still be alive. Our thoughts are with them today.”

Coroner Marcus Elliot said he now intended to open an inquiry into the pair’s death and would make findings using existing evidence.

He invited interested parties to make further submissions, including on whether an inquest should be held.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/25/john-beckenridge-killed-himself-and-stepson-in-2015-coroner-rules/

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2026 Wealth for Good in HK Summit concludes, showcasing city’s appeal as global family-office hub

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 March 2026 – The fourth edition of the Wealth for Good in Hong Kong (WGHK) Summit concluded today (March 24) under the theme “Building Lasting Legacies”, bringing together over 400 influential top family office decision-makers, next-generation successors, industry leaders and pioneers from around the world to explore new perspectives for multi-generational succession and sustained wealth growth for global family offices.

The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, speaks at the Wealth for Good in Hong Kong Summit Gala Dinner today (March 24).

Co-organised by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), the WGHK Summit drew family office decision-makers from Asia, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Oceania, and Africa to Hong Kong for in-depth discussions on topics ranging from cross-generational wealth management and cultural legacy to technological innovation and philanthropy.

Delivering remarks at the gala dinner, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, “Facing risks and uncertainty, investors diversify by necessity. Families seeking to preserve their legacy look for a safe haven—not merely a place to park capital, but a place with institutional strengths, legal clarity and credible commitments.

“Hong Kong is not only a safe harbour. It is also a city of business opportunities, and a platform for growth, for connection and for the purposeful deployment of capital. For families from around the world, Hong Kong is, no doubt, the best gateway to tap the enormous opportunities on the Mainland. International capital and investors are optimistic about Hong Kong. Our stock market performed strongly last year. And our asset and wealth management is also thriving. We are also opening up new frontiers, including gold and commodity trading, as well as fixed income and currency markets, which will further enrich our financial ecosystem.”

The Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, delivered welcome remarks at the Summit and said, “Hong Kong is a perfect base to support the prudent diversification of the investments by family offices. The world is getting more uncertain. Many conflicts are escalating and proceeding in a manner that is increasingly worrying and concerning. Against this global backdrop, Hong Kong offers something that is quite rare and precious. Under ‘one country, two systems’, Hong Kong provides an economic and business environment with policy predictability and institutional trust. Our common law legal system, independent judiciary, open economy, free flow of capital, freely convertible currency, and simple tax regime all work together to provide a welcoming and dependable home for wealth that lasts through generations.”

Speaking at the Summit, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, said, “As we gather under the visionary banner of ‘Building Lasting Legacies’, I want to frame our discussions through a lens that truly defines Hong Kong: Safe, Stable and Sophisticated. It is the bedrock upon which global family offices are choosing to build, preserve and multiply generational wealth. Each session of today’s Summit has reinforced one fundamental truth: Hong Kong offers the safe harbour, the policy stability and the sophisticated ecosystem that ambitious families need to turn vision into lasting impact. Our Government remains fully committed to strengthening this foundation to drive Hong Kong as a nexus of legacies and innovation.”

Mr Hui highlighted that wealth succession is not only about growing fortune, but also about carrying forward core values across generations. He said that the Hong Kong Academy for Wealth Legacy is turning vision into action through its flagship philanthropic initiative, Impact Link (iLink). Since its launch, iLink has organised 17 workshops and seminars, equipping and inspiring over 700 family participants with the knowledge and confidence to begin their philanthropic journeys. Last June, the launch of the iLink Online Portal connected 55 family partners and strategic partners who together nominated 12 non-governmental organisations and charitable projects, offering families international connectivity and information collection for structured, informed decision making in charitable giving. Mr Hui described it as “Wealth for Good in its purest and most inspiring form”.

The Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Ms Alpha Lau, said, “Hong Kong stands as a leading global hub for wealth management, innovation, culture, and philanthropy. The WGHK Summit’s gathering of family leaders from across the globe fully embodies Hong Kong’s role as a super-connector. InvestHK will continue to serve as a bridge, providing comprehensive strategic support and on-the-ground facilitation for global families, transforming the collaborative opportunities sparked at the Summit into tangible outcomes of ‘Building Lasting Legacies’ in Hong Kong.”

This year’s WGHK Summit featured one fireside chat and three panel discussions. The opening fireside chat on “Beyond the Scoreboard: Sports, Philanthropy, and Building Lasting Legacies” explored how sports and philanthropy can complement each other to create positive impacts. The three panel discussions, themed “Family Office Playbook: Governance, Capital, and Values Across Generations”, “Lasting Culture: Owning Demand, Building Communities, Creating Legends”, and “Lasting Change: AI, Robotics, and Building the Future Together”, invited helmsmen of internationally renowned family businesses, brand leaders, and tech pioneers to delve into cross-generational wealth planning and family governance, brand building, and how cutting-edge technologies are co-building the future.

A number of distinguished guest speakers shared their insights at the Summit.

Co-CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of Insilico Medicine, Dr Ren Feng, said, “Hong Kong plays a pivotal role at the intersection of two strategic pillars – frontier technology and life sciences. Built on a strong research base, an efficient capital market, and a forward-looking commitment to AI and technologies, Hong Kong not only provides fertile ground for companies like Insilico Medicine to translate breakthrough technologies into real-world impact but also serves as a distinctive global hub for capital and family offices – bridging long-term value investors with cutting-edge biopharmaceutical innovation. At WGHK2026, we showcased how AI is reshaping the traditional drug discovery and development paradigm and explored how family office investors can play a catalytic role in this technological transformation – together shaping the future of global health.”

“Hong Kong’s decision to position itself as a cultural hub where East truly meets West makes it the natural springboard for family-run heritage brands,” says Representative of Major Shareholder of Leica Camera AG, Mr Maximilian Kaufmann. “World-class infrastructure and seamless connectivity link people, ideas and businesses here, giving companies like ours the ideal platform to share our story across Asia. Having grown up inside Leica and learning from a father who always shouldered responsibility, I see Hong Kong as the place where tradition and entrepreneurship can thrive side by side.”

Founder of Yao Foundation, former Chairman of Chinese Basketball Association and NBA All-Star, Mr Yao Ming, said, “Hong Kong is where East and West meet, Chinese and other cultures converge. Those who are more inclusive, more open, and more diverse will have more opportunities, and are more likely to spark the greatest inspiration and innovation. That is Hong Kong’s most distinctive and valuable advantage. I’m happy to continue serving as a bridge between East and West – bringing different visions and people together, and supporting one another to succeed, so that everyone benefits.”

The Summit kicked off with a spectacular and powerful joint performance by the Diocesan Boys’ School Chinese Drum Team and robotic drummers that quickly caught the eyes of the floor. Seeing youngsters collaborating with smart technology on stage perfectly echoed the Summit’s theme of “Building Lasting Legacies”. This harmonious fusion of traditional artistry and frontier innovation symbolised how the next generation is embracing their mission to forge the future with innovative thinking.

It was a successful conclusion for the Summit with a gala dinner where worldwide family office decision-makers and industry leaders continued their exchanges against the backdrop of Victoria Harbour, delving into cross-generational succession, asset allocation, and collaborative opportunities. The two-day programme covered three major areas – wealth management, cultural branding, and smart technology – facilitating numerous cross-sector dialogues and exploration of potential collaborations, further consolidating Hong Kong’s leading position as a global family-office hub.

Hashtag: #WGHK

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/2026/03/25/2026-wealth-for-good-in-hk-summit-concludes-showcasing-citys-appeal-as-global-family-office-hub/

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Taiwan’s MedTech Ecosystem Attracts Global Interest Ahead of Medical Taiwan 2026

Source: Media Outreach

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 March 2026 – As healthcare systems worldwide accelerate digital transformation, international buyers and healthcare providers are increasingly seeking reliable partners capable of delivering innovative medical technologies, integrated digital solutions, and resilient supply chains. In recent years, Taiwan has emerged as an important hub for medical technology development and manufacturing in Asia.

Combining strong electronics manufacturing capabilities with biomedical engineering expertise, Taiwan has developed a dynamic MedTech ecosystem that continues to draw attention from global healthcare distributors, hospital procurement teams, and system integrators seeking scalable healthcare solutions.

Against this backdrop, Medical Taiwan 2026, organized by TAITRA, will take place June 25–27, 2026, at Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC) Exhibition Hall 1 in Taipei. The exhibition will bring together Taiwanese medical device manufacturers, healthcare technology innovators, and international buyers, offering a comprehensive platform for exploring new technologies and building cross-border partnerships.

Over the past decade, Taiwan has steadily strengthened its position in the global medical device industry. Its well-established electronics sector provides a strong technological foundation for developing advanced healthcare solutions that integrate hardware, software, and data-driven systems. Many Taiwanese companies are particularly known for integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) with healthcare applications, supporting the development of smart hospital infrastructure, AI-assisted diagnostics, and connected medical devices designed for modern clinical environments.

Organized by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), Medical Taiwan 2026 will highlight several major trends shaping the healthcare industry, including digital transformation, aging populations, and the growing demand for efficient healthcare delivery systems. This year’s exhibition focuses on three key themes:

• Innovative Care – Innovations in community and home healthcare solutions

• Smart Healthcare – Driving the future of digital and connected health

• Medical Supplies Hub – Comprehensive solutions for premium medical devices and consumables

Visitors will be able to explore a wide range of technologies, including AI-assisted medical imaging, remote patient monitoring solutions, rehabilitation and assistive devices for aging populations, hospital information system integration, and medical components supported by Taiwan’s strong OEM/ODM manufacturing capabilities.

In addition to product showcases, the exhibition will facilitate business collaboration through One-on-One Procurement Meetings organized by TAITRA, allowing international buyers to connect directly with Taiwanese suppliers based on their sourcing needs.

Medical Taiwan 2026 offers the ideal platform to discover new products, explore procurement opportunities, and stay ahead of global healthcare trends. From June 25 to 27 at TWTC Exhibition Hall 1 in Taipei, the exhibition will bring together industry leaders and innovators shaping the future of healthcare. Register now to secure your spot to visit: (https://www.medicaltaiwan.com.tw/en/index.html)

Hashtag: #TAITRA

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/2026/03/25/taiwans-medtech-ecosystem-attracts-global-interest-ahead-of-medical-taiwan-2026/

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Southland leads regional GDP increase in year to March 2025 – Regional gross domestic product: Year ended March 2025 – Stats NZ news story and information release

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/25/southland-leads-regional-gdp-increase-in-year-to-march-2025-regional-gross-domestic-product-year-ended-march-2025-stats-nz-news-story-and-information-release/

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Green Xentro scales up taxi deployment to 2,500 fully electric vehicles (BEV) with Green GSM platform in the Philippines

Source: Media Outreach

ANTIPOLO CITY, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 March 2026 – Green Xentro has launched the initial phase of a 2,500-unit fleet of fully electric (BEV) taxis in Rizal province, under a strategic partnership with the global mobility platform Green GSM. This marks one of the largest BEV taxi rollouts in the Philippines to date, as well as the first large-scale implementation of a partner-led expansion model designed to accelerate electric mobility adoption across emerging markets.

Green Xentro announced the deployment of a 2,500 fleet of fully electric taxis, now serving passengers in the Philippines through the Green GSM platform.

With its scale and structured implementation, the deployment is expected to serve as a model for expanding electric mobility through local partnerships across Southeast Asia.

The deployment builds on a memorandum of understanding signed in October 2025 between Xentro Group and Green GSM. Initially planned at 2,000 vehicles, the fleet has since been expanded to 2,500, reflecting growing operational confidence and long-term commitment from both parties. The Rizal rollout marks the first phase of implementation, with further expansion expected across Metro Manila and adjacent areas.

At the center of this initiative is a partner-led operating model that combines local market leadership with a standardized global platform. Green Xentro leads on-the-ground execution, overseeing operations, driver management, and local market adaptation, while Green GSM provides a fully integrated electric mobility platform encompassing full electric vehicles, technology infrastructure, and standardized service protocols.

The platform is designed to ensure operational consistency at scale, offering real-time fleet monitoring, centralized safety management, and consistent service delivery standards. Each vehicle is equipped with GPS tracking, CCTV, and dashcams, as well as emergency features such as panic buttons, all connected to a 24/7 monitoring center. The entire fleet is also covered by comprehensive insurance policies, reinforcing safety and reliability.

Passengers can expect a more reliable and predictable travel experience, with standardized service quality and fully electric, air-conditioned vehicles. Services are offered with transparent, value-driven pricing and support multiple payment options, including cash and digital platforms. Rides can be accessed via street hailing or the Green GSM mobile app.

On the supply side, the model introduces a salaried driver system to enhance income stability and professional standards in the transport sector. Drivers earn a fixed monthly salary, performance-based incentives, and full statutory benefits, along with structured training programs focused on safety, service quality, and electric vehicle operations.

Beyond mobility, this rollout is expected to boost local economic activity through job creation and ecosystem development, supported by an expanding EV charging network across commercial hubs within the Xentro system. As a fully electric fleet, the deployment also helps national efforts to cut emissions and improve urban air quality, aligning with broader policy goals for energy transition and sustainable urban growth.

Mr. Noel M. Ignacio, CEO of Green Xentro, shared: “We see this as a long-term investment in building a transport system that is more reliable, more structured, and better aligned with the needs of Filipino communities. By combining electric vehicles with a professional driver model, we are creating a service ecosystem that elevates everyday journeys while also improving the quality of livelihoods for drivers. Over time, we believe this approach can help set a new standard for public transport one that balances efficiency, sustainability, and human-centered service.”

Mr. Dao Quy Phi, Managing Director of Green GSM Southeast Asia, said: “This is not just a fleet deployment. It represents the early stage of a scalable model where strong local partners lead market execution, while Green GSM enables growth through a unified electric mobility platform. We believe this approach can unlock a more practical pathway to green mobility—one that is not only scalable, but also adaptable to the realities of emerging markets. By combining global standards with local expertise, we aim to accelerate adoption in a way that is both commercially viable and operationally sustainable over the long term.”

Green Xentro is among the first international partners to adopt the Green GSM operating model. Developed and refined in Vietnam through extensive collaboration with multiple stakeholders, the model has played a key role in shaping a highly integrated and scalable electric mobility ecosystem. Its rollout in the Philippines marks a significant milestone in the model’s global expansion, thoughtfully localized to suit market conditions while upholding consistent standards of safety, service excellence, and user experience.

Hashtag: #GreenGSM #GreenXentro

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/2026/03/25/green-xentro-scales-up-taxi-deployment-to-2500-fully-electric-vehicles-bev-with-green-gsm-platform-in-the-philippines/

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HKSTP Celebrates GreenTech Hub’s First Anniversary: Public-Private Partner Network Reaches 20 Across Hong Kong

Source: Media Outreach

Driving “Attract In” and “Go Global”, Accelerating Hong Kong’s Greentech Ecosystem Development

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 March 2026 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) today hosted the “Green is Action: GreenTech Hub 1st Anniversary Showcase” at InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong, highlighting the achievements of Hong Kong’s leading hub for green innovation over the past year.

HKSTP held the “Green is Action: GreenTech Hub 1st Anniversary Showcase”, Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, (middle, front row), Dr Sunny Chai Chairman of HKSTP (5th from Left), and Mr Terry Wong, CEO of HKST (5th from right), together with GreenTech Hub partners attended the celebration ceremony to mark the first anniversary of GreenTech Hub.

In its first year, GreenTech Hub expanded its partner network from 16 to 20 public-private organisations. By facilitating 360 business matching and hosting more than 100 greentech themed events, the GreenTech Hub is injecting new momentum into Hong Kong’s development as an international green technology and green finance centre.

The celebration ceremony for the 1st Anniversary Showcase was officiated by Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, he said: “The anniversary of GreenTech Hub today is just the beginning. In collaboration with our three major I&T parks, the Government will continue to invest in I&T infrastructure and foster the development of strategic industries, with a view to enhancing the overall I&T ecosystem and promoting interactive development of the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors.”

Dr Sunny Chai, Chairman of HKSTP, remarked, “The first anniversary of GreenTech Hub proves that Hong Kong is where global green innovation converges and scales. We have attracted world-class R&D to the city while enabling homegrown greentech to be deployed worldwide for sustainable development. Through strategic partnerships, HKSTP is forging closer connections between research, industry, capital and real-world application scenarios, accelerating commercialisation and strengthening Hong Kong’s development into an international green technology and green finance hub.”

Leveraging Hong Kong’s Role as a Super-Connector to Bridge the Full Value Chain from R&D to Commercialisation

HKSTP announced the addition of four new partners to GreenTech Hub: CLP Holdings Limited, CTF Services Limited, Invest Hong Kong, and The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, further strengthening Hong Kong’s green technology collaboration network. The GreenTech Hub brings together 20 partners spanning private enterprises, public bodies, universities, and industry associations. This collaborative ecosystem facilitates business opportunities, fosters knowledge exchange and best practices, and bridges financing gaps to expedite green technology development. Furthermore, leading local universities within the partner network offer talent training, testing facilities, and application scenarios for greentech solutions, speeding the journey from R&D to commercial impact.

HKSTP’s greentech ecosystem encompasses over 230 greentech companies, spanning new energy, green building, smart city solutions and green fintech. As the city’s leading collaborative platform for green innovation in the city, GreenTech Hub works closely with its partners to provide comprehensive support for park companies, fast-track the real-world application of green solutions, and further drive the synergistic development of green technology and green finance.

Global Expert Perspectives on Green Trends Alongside a Showcase of Breakthrough Technologies

The event featured a keynote address by Mr. Ethan N. Elkind, Director of the Climate Program at the Center for Law, Energy and the Environment (CLEE) at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, who shared insights on global green development trends. Representatives from GreenTech Hub partners and park companies also shared their insights during two thematic panel sessions focusing on ecosystem collaboration and global expansion strategies.

To further elevate Hong Kong’s international profile and thought leadership in green technology, HKSTP plans to publish its first-ever research paper focusing on Hong Kong’s greentech ecosystem and energy storage technology in the fourth quarter of this year. GreenTech covers a broad range of areas, including new energy, energy storage and carbon trading, with battery and energy storage technology identified as one of our key focus areas. Given the strong growth potential of this sector, a dedicated research study would provide a more comprehensive review of the industry landscape and help identify the critical success factors needed to accelerate the commercialisation of battery and energy storage technologies.

As a two-way platform, GreenTech Hub has successfully attracted non-local greentech companies to establish a presence in Hong Kong while supporting local greentech ventures in expanding into international markets. Featured breakthrough technology solutions included:

Aurabeat — Award-winning energy-saving sonic air purification technology

Aurabeat has developed EcoSonic, a sonic air filtration technology combining AG+ silver-ion coating with sonic emitters, designed specifically for the commercial and industrial HVAC market. Its patented technology can reduce filter pressure drop by up to 70%, save up to 50% in energy, and improve indoor air quality. The solution has already been deployed in projects including the MTR, Hysan and Marina Bay Financial Centre in Singapore, demonstrating the strength of Hong Kong greentech in overseas markets.

Gotion High-tech — Globally leading new energy solutions

Gotion High-Tech is a world-leading provider of new energy batteries and green energy solutions. Its smart mobile energy storage charging unit, equipped with 209kWh large-capacity energy storage and 150kW high-power fast charging capability, supports a wide range of new energy transport and application scenarios, offering a breakthrough solution for EV charging infrastructure.

Harmony SkyTech — Drone systems, services and industrial application solutions

Harmony SkyTech showcased an electric vertical take-off and landing fixed-wing drone and related application solutions. These can be widely deployed in scenarios including power grid inspection, oil and gas pipeline inspection, surveying and mapping, logistics, and the transport of critical supplies, underscoring the immense potential of green low-altitude technologies.

Lihe Technology — Fully automated AI-powered water quality monitoring backed by national-level R&D

Lihe Technology specialises in environmental monitoring, water management and industrial automation. Its fully automated AI water quality monitoring system enables smart, highly efficient and precise monitoring. Through strategic collaboration with a GreenTech Hub partner, the company has established Hong Kong’s first branch of a National Engineering Research Centre of Advanced Technology and Equipment for Water Environmental Pollution Monitoring — Marine Eco-Tech Innovation Centre, driving the application and development of related technologies in Hong Kong.

One Energy — Electric motorcycles and the world’s first water-cooled fast-charging battery system

One Energy provides a one-stop e-mobility solution covering electric motorcycles, smart battery swapping stations and battery management systems. Its technology effectively shortens energy replenishment time, improves safety and enhances operational efficiency. The company has successfully expanded its footprint into Southeast Asia, Europe and Africa.

Hashtag: #HKSTP

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/2026/03/25/hkstp-celebrates-greentech-hubs-first-anniversary-public-private-partner-network-reaches-20-across-hong-kong/