Category: MIL-OSI

Posted on

Consumer confidence drops again after four-year high

Source: Radio New Zealand

123RF

Consumer confidence has dropped back from last month’s four-year high.

February’s ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence index is well down from last month’s 107 points, but still remains in positive territory at 100 points. Anything under 100 is considered negative.

  • Consumer Confidence falls to 100.1 points from 107.2 points in January
  • A net negative 4 percent of households think it is a good time to make a major purchase
  • Wellingtonians the most negative
  • A net 20 percent expect to be better off this time next year, down from last month’s net 29 percent.

Confidence fell sharply in Wellington and Auckland and the mood has turned negative when it comes to feeling like it’s a good time to buy a major household item, though the reading was still well above last year’s levels.

ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner said consumer confidence gave up much of its recent gains, with higher fixed mortgage rates and stubborn inflation weighing on sentiment.

“In a long-term historical comparison consumer confidence remains subdued, but one month of retracing a particularly sharp gain doesn’t mean the trend has changed,” she said.

“Recoveries seldom happen in a straight line and the upward trend across many of these indicators remains intact.

“While there is still residual support coming through from past monetary easing, stagnant house price momentum, a loose labour market, and lingering cost-of-living pressures mean it’s still tough going out there for many households.”

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/27/consumer-confidence-drops-again-after-four-year-high/

Posted on

Security – ASB warning customers of bank impersonation scam

Source: ASB

ASB is alerting customers to an increase in fraudulent activity involving scammers making cold calls and pretending to be bank staff.

Scammers are contacting people by phone, claiming to be from the bank’s fraud team and saying there is suspicious activity on the customer’s account. They then ask the customer for personal and banking details including login details, dates of birth and access codes, in order to access their account.

ASB Acting Chief Operating Officer Gerard Graham says the bank is taking the scam activity seriously and acting quickly to warn customers.

“These scammers are persistent. They’re also highly sophisticated and so come across as credible when trying to convince customers to hand over their online banking credentials.

“If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from ASB and you are unsure, ask for a Caller Check. This allows us to send a secure message directly to your ASB Mobile Banking App so you can verify you are speaking with us before sharing any information. If in doubt, hang up and call us back on one of our publicly listed numbers.

“Regardless of where you bank, protecting yourself from scams starts with staying informed.”

Mr Graham says customers should be aware that while ASB’s fraud team may on occasion call customers to verify unusual transactions, the bank will never:

  • Ask for banking passwords, PINs, or any codes the bank sends to your phone
  • Ask for a full credit card number, especially not the CVC
  • Ask customers to purchase gift cards, set up cryptocurrency accounts, or transfer funds to keep their money safe
  • Ask customers to download software or for remote access to their device
  • Send verification emails. Any verification from ASB will come through ASB’s Mobile Banking App.

ASB is urging any customer who believes their account may have been compromised to contact the bank immediately on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372), or +64 9 303 0332 if calling from overseas, or to visit their local branch.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/27/security-asb-warning-customers-of-bank-impersonation-scam/

Posted on

Government Cuts – Govt. science jobs exodus ramps up – 134 jobs going at new bioeconomy institute – PSA

Source: PSA

The Bioeconomy Science Institute, in existence less than a year, is shedding 134 jobs in the latest blow to the science workforce already gutted by hundreds of jobs losses since the Government began overhauling science and research agencies.
The Bioeconomy Science Institute (BSI) announced today that a voluntary redundancy process had resulted in 134 staff members agreeing to leave, representing around 6% of its workforce of 2,300.
BSI was formed last July from the merger of AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research and Scion.
“This is just more of the same from a government determined to shed talented people across the public sector regardless of the consequences,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“BSI was set up to promote innovation in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, aquaculture, biotechnology – how can it do this with a smaller workforce?
“Voluntary redundancy is preferable to forced dismissals but make no mistake, every expert who takes a package and heads overseas is a loss New Zealand will feel for years to come.”
BSI’s downsizing comes on top of three of the agencies (AgResearch, Scion and Landcare) axing 152 roles in an earlier restructure. With the disbanding of Callaghan Innovation and cuts to other Crown Research Institutes, the Government has shed more than 600 scientists and researchers on top of many other experts.
“This is another black mark on the Government’s record on science. Remember Science Minister Shane Reti’s bold promise in May 2025 announcing the reforms.
‘These reforms are about unlocking the full potential of science to deliver stronger economic growth and greater resilience for New Zealand. We’re not wasting a moment.’
“Such hollow words Dr Reti. Your government is wasting the tremendous talents of so many, paying lip service to the real potential of the science sector to drive economic growth and prepare us for the challenges we face from AI and other new technologies through to climate change.
“All the Government is doing is shifting the deck chairs with no increase in funding.
“It’s ignored the repeated warnings from its own Science System Advisory Group, a warning the group made explicit in its final report last October, stating that ‘the lack of adequate investment in science, innovation and technology has played a significant role in our sluggish productivity’.
“Come November the PSA will be reminding voters of the choice the Coalition Government political parties made to prioritise tax cuts over a science sector equipped to drive our future prosperity.”
Previous statement
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/27/government-cuts-govt-science-jobs-exodus-ramps-up-134-jobs-going-at-new-bioeconomy-institute-psa/

Posted on

Consumer confidence drops again after four-year high

Source: Radio New Zealand

123RF

Consumer confidence has dropped back from last month’s four-year high.

February’s ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence index is well down from last month’s 107 points, but still remains in positive territory at 100 points. Anything under 100 is considered negative.

  • Consumer Confidence falls to 100.1 points from 107.2 points in January
  • A net negative 4 percent of households think it is a good time to make a major purchase
  • Wellingtonians the most negative
  • A net 20 percent expect to be better off this time next year, down from last month’s net 29 percent.

Confidence fell sharply in Wellington and Auckland and the mood has turned negative when it comes to feeling like it’s a good time to buy a major household item, though the reading was still well above last year’s levels.

ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner said consumer confidence gave up much of its recent gains, with higher fixed mortgage rates and stubborn inflation weighing on sentiment.

“In a long-term historical comparison consumer confidence remains subdued, but one month of retracing a particularly sharp gain doesn’t mean the trend has changed,” she said.

“Recoveries seldom happen in a straight line and the upward trend across many of these indicators remains intact.

“While there is still residual support coming through from past monetary easing, stagnant house price momentum, a loose labour market, and lingering cost-of-living pressures mean it’s still tough going out there for many households.”

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/27/consumer-confidence-drops-again-after-four-year-high/

Posted on

Consumer confidence drops again after four-year high

Source: Radio New Zealand

123RF

Consumer confidence has dropped back from last month’s four-year high.

February’s ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence index is well down from last month’s 107 points, but still remains in positive territory at 100 points. Anything under 100 is considered negative.

  • Consumer Confidence falls to 100.1 points from 107.2 points in January
  • A net negative 4 percent of households think it is a good time to make a major purchase
  • Wellingtonians the most negative
  • A net 20 percent expect to be better off this time next year, down from last month’s net 29 percent.

Confidence fell sharply in Wellington and Auckland and the mood has turned negative when it comes to feeling like it’s a good time to buy a major household item, though the reading was still well above last year’s levels.

ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner said consumer confidence gave up much of its recent gains, with higher fixed mortgage rates and stubborn inflation weighing on sentiment.

“In a long-term historical comparison consumer confidence remains subdued, but one month of retracing a particularly sharp gain doesn’t mean the trend has changed,” she said.

“Recoveries seldom happen in a straight line and the upward trend across many of these indicators remains intact.

“While there is still residual support coming through from past monetary easing, stagnant house price momentum, a loose labour market, and lingering cost-of-living pressures mean it’s still tough going out there for many households.”

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/27/consumer-confidence-drops-again-after-four-year-high/

Posted on

Newly formed Bioeconomy Science Institute to cut 134 jobs

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Quin Tauetau

The government’s Bioeconomy Science Institute will cut 134 jobs less than a year after it was formed.

That comes on top of 152 jobs cut when the institute was set up as a merger of AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research and Scion into a single organisation.

The institute. formed in July and had a workforce of 2300.

The jobs being cut include 86 science roles and 48 professional services roles such as finance and administration.

Public Service Association (PSA) union national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons, said the government was wasting the talent of scientists who could drive economic growth.

Bioeconomy Science Institute chief executiver Mark Piper. (File photo) SUPPLIED/PLANT & FOOD RESEARCH

“This is just more of the same from a government determined to shed talented people across the public sector regardless of the consequences.”

Fitzsimons said cuts would set the organisation up for failure.

“New Zealand deserves and needs this organisation to contribute to economic growth innovation, and our response to climate change.”

Fitzsimons said the cuts would also not help New Zealand’s productivity.

“The government’s own science system advisory group had warned them that the lack of investment in science, innovation and technology is playing a role in our sluggish productivity.”

The downsizing came after cuts to other crown research institutes, and the disbanding of callaghan innovation.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/27/newly-formed-bioeconomy-science-institute-to-cut-134-jobs/

Posted on

Security – ASB warning customers of bank impersonation scam

Source: ASB

ASB is alerting customers to an increase in fraudulent activity involving scammers making cold calls and pretending to be bank staff.

Scammers are contacting people by phone, claiming to be from the bank’s fraud team and saying there is suspicious activity on the customer’s account. They then ask the customer for personal and banking details including login details, dates of birth and access codes, in order to access their account.

ASB Acting Chief Operating Officer Gerard Graham says the bank is taking the scam activity seriously and acting quickly to warn customers.

“These scammers are persistent. They’re also highly sophisticated and so come across as credible when trying to convince customers to hand over their online banking credentials.

“If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from ASB and you are unsure, ask for a Caller Check. This allows us to send a secure message directly to your ASB Mobile Banking App so you can verify you are speaking with us before sharing any information. If in doubt, hang up and call us back on one of our publicly listed numbers.

“Regardless of where you bank, protecting yourself from scams starts with staying informed.”

Mr Graham says customers should be aware that while ASB’s fraud team may on occasion call customers to verify unusual transactions, the bank will never:

  • Ask for banking passwords, PINs, or any codes the bank sends to your phone
  • Ask for a full credit card number, especially not the CVC
  • Ask customers to purchase gift cards, set up cryptocurrency accounts, or transfer funds to keep their money safe
  • Ask customers to download software or for remote access to their device
  • Send verification emails. Any verification from ASB will come through ASB’s Mobile Banking App.

ASB is urging any customer who believes their account may have been compromised to contact the bank immediately on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372), or +64 9 303 0332 if calling from overseas, or to visit their local branch.

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/26/security-asb-warning-customers-of-bank-impersonation-scam/

Posted on

Government Cuts – Govt. science jobs exodus ramps up – 134 jobs going at new bioeconomy institute – PSA

Source: PSA

The Bioeconomy Science Institute, in existence less than a year, is shedding 134 jobs in the latest blow to the science workforce already gutted by hundreds of jobs losses since the Government began overhauling science and research agencies.
The Bioeconomy Science Institute (BSI) announced today that a voluntary redundancy process had resulted in 134 staff members agreeing to leave, representing around 6% of its workforce of 2,300.
BSI was formed last July from the merger of AgResearch, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Plant & Food Research and Scion.
“This is just more of the same from a government determined to shed talented people across the public sector regardless of the consequences,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“BSI was set up to promote innovation in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, aquaculture, biotechnology – how can it do this with a smaller workforce?
“Voluntary redundancy is preferable to forced dismissals but make no mistake, every expert who takes a package and heads overseas is a loss New Zealand will feel for years to come.”
BSI’s downsizing comes on top of three of the agencies (AgResearch, Scion and Landcare) axing 152 roles in an earlier restructure. With the disbanding of Callaghan Innovation and cuts to other Crown Research Institutes, the Government has shed more than 600 scientists and researchers on top of many other experts.
“This is another black mark on the Government’s record on science. Remember Science Minister Shane Reti’s bold promise in May 2025 announcing the reforms.
‘These reforms are about unlocking the full potential of science to deliver stronger economic growth and greater resilience for New Zealand. We’re not wasting a moment.’
“Such hollow words Dr Reti. Your government is wasting the tremendous talents of so many, paying lip service to the real potential of the science sector to drive economic growth and prepare us for the challenges we face from AI and other new technologies through to climate change.
“All the Government is doing is shifting the deck chairs with no increase in funding.
“It’s ignored the repeated warnings from its own Science System Advisory Group, a warning the group made explicit in its final report last October, stating that ‘the lack of adequate investment in science, innovation and technology has played a significant role in our sluggish productivity’.
“Come November the PSA will be reminding voters of the choice the Coalition Government political parties made to prioritise tax cuts over a science sector equipped to drive our future prosperity.”
Previous statement
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/26/government-cuts-govt-science-jobs-exodus-ramps-up-134-jobs-going-at-new-bioeconomy-institute-psa/

Posted on

PSA and NZNO to host pay equity rally at Parliament

Source: PSA

Workers belonging to the Public Service Association and New Zealand Nurses’ Organisation alongside public supporters will rally in support of pay equity at Parliament this Monday.
Care and support worker Kate Halsall is bringing along a trolley of groceries to symbolise the earnings she is missing out on every week. On average, care and support workers have been missing out on $145.85 every week since their pay equity claim was cancelled.
“Groceries, warrants of fitness, absolutely everything is going up except my pay packet,” she says.
“I hear from my coworkers that everyone is constantly juggling their budgets. If there’s even one unexpected little hiccup, our whole budgets are blown. We do important, life-saving work – it’s so wrong that we’re not valued for the work we do.”
“Women have not forgotten the betrayal of the National-led Government when, under the cover of darkness, they cancelled pay equity claims and gutted the Equal Pay Act,” PSA National Secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons, says.
“As we saw in the People’s Select Committee report this week, the changes to pay equity that this Government made last year were an abhorrent abuse of power. New Zealanders value women’s work, and believe everyone in female-dominated sectors deserve to be paid fairly.
“This rally is part of a whole week of action in support of working women in the lead-up to International Women’s Day on 8 March.”
NZNO spokesperson and aged care health care assistant Lisa Marriner had her pay equity claim cancelled last year.
“It’s taken for granted that women in female-dominated sectors such as care and support are paid much less than men in other sectors,” she says.
“We are acutely aware we are undervalued compared to men. We know our value and how important our work is but it’s more than that. It’s actually not fair that a man with similar skills and experience to us in a male-dominated sector is paid much more than us because someone, somewhere decided their work is worth more than ours.
“That’s why we must keep speaking out. For ourselves, our colleagues, our daughters and our nieces.”
Rally details
What: Rally in support of pay equity and working women.
When: 12:00-12:30pm, Monday 2 March.
Where: Parliament Lawn.
Confirmed MPs in attendance include Labour MP Jan Tinetti.
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/26/psa-and-nzno-to-host-pay-equity-rally-at-parliament/

Posted on

Summerset reports record underlying profit, lower net profit on valuations

Source: Radio New Zealand

Summerset chief executive Scott Scoullar said the company’s strategy continued to deliver results. Google Maps

Retirement village operator Summerset has posted a record underlying profit, although weaker property values weighed on its bottom line.

Key numbers for the year ended 31 December compared with a year ago:

  • Net profit $259.7m v $332m
  • Revenue $361.8m v $319.9m
  • Underlying profit $234.2m v $206.4m
  • Final dividend 13.2 cents per share

Summerset chief executive Scott Scoullar said the company’s strategy continued to deliver results, with underlying profit growth, strong sales and the company meeting its build targets.

“We’ve continued to achieve despite another year where the business environment and property market has been subdued,” he said.

The company sold a record 1560 homes during the year – 805 new sales and 755 resales, with a focus on selling down stock at two major developments: Summerset Boulcott in Lower Hutt and Summerset St Johns in Auckland.

Both were among the company’s top‑performing new‑sales villages.

“Boulcott and St Johns are unique villages for us, due to the land and style of build we delivered large numbers of new homes at once,” he said.

“Selling these down has been a priority this year and we’re pleased to see both villages performing well.”

Sales of care suites also boosted results, with care operating profit rising to $18.8 million, up from $2.7m the previous year.

Summerset delivered 637 homes in New Zealand and 56 in Australia, in line with guidance, and was currently building on 22 sites in both countries.

Progress in Australia

Scoullar said the company continued its measured and deliberate growth plan in Australia and was now gaining momentum.

“We delivered our first village centre building at Cranbourne North in Victoria, marking a key milestone as we prepare to deliver aged care for the first time in Australia.”

It was building two villages in Victoria state and seeking planning permission for a third.

Summerset did not provide earnings guidance for 2026, but Scoullar remained optimistic about demand in both markets.

“Even in constrained trading conditions we have continued to see extremely high demand, record sales numbers and have continued to deliver on our expected build rate in both Australia and New Zealand.”

He said the company had continued to reduce debt and intended to keep strengthening its balance sheet in the coming year.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/27/summerset-reports-record-underlying-profit-lower-net-profit-on-valuations/

Posted on

Visually impaired Kiwis have lower life expectancy and make less money, research finds

Source: Radio New Zealand

Lead researcher Cain Richardson said the difference in life expectancy was stark. 123rf

New research has found blind or visually impaired New Zealanders die 9 years earlier on average, and make significantly less money.

The report by Blind and Low Vision NZ used anonymised data from StatsNZ to compare the experience of people with visual impairments to other groups.

Lead researcher Cain Richardson told Nine to Noon the difference in life expectancy was stark.

The average age of death for severely visually impaired people was 71, compared to the wider average of 80.

“The stories I’ve heard from a lot of my blind colleagues and friends is anecdotal stories of blind people living shorter lives from things such as, if you have advanced bowel cancer and you don’t have eyesight you’re not going to be able to see blood in your stool, so you’re not going to be picking it up until advanced stages of the disease,” he said.

“It was interesting taking anecdotal stories like that and being able to confirm it through a median age of death.”

Richardson said working-age blind people also made significantly less money than the broader population.

“60 percent of the severely visually impaired population have a calendar year income between 20 and 40,000 dollars a year, which is reflective of what you would receive on the benefit, and then that’s going to have snowball effects onto the rest of your life course outcomes,” he explained.

“What it does capture is the true cost of blindness, in the sense your poverty limits your agency and the ability to make choices to effect your other life course outcomes.”

Andrea Midgen, the CEO of Blind and Low Vision NZ, said the report provided empirical evidence to back the organisation’s campaigning.

“Without this data we can’t make strong evidence-based decisions or advise the government effectively, it really tells us where support is most needed,” she said.

“There’s a lot of policy changes we would like to promote. Particularly at the moment it’s about employment and things like accessibility.”

“There are perceptions out there that people from our community can’t do a job like anybody else, and the lack of awareness and education in this space is a really serious issue.”

Midgen said future studies would hone in on specific issues impacting the blind community.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/27/visually-impaired-kiwis-have-lower-life-expectancy-and-make-less-money-research-finds/

Posted on

Cannons Creek assault, arrest made

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Kāpiti Mana Area Commander, Inspector Renée Perkins: 

Police investigating an assault in Cannons Creek last week, have arrested and charged a man.

On Friday 20 February, Police were called to Dido Place after reports of a firearm being discharged. One person was transported to hospital with moderate injuries.

Following enquiries, Police arrested a 22-year-old man yesterday in relation to the incident.

The man is due to appear in Porirua District Court today, charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm with a firearm, and unlawfully possessing a firearm.

Police would like to reassure the public that they are not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/27/cannons-creek-assault-arrest-made/

Posted on

PSA and NZNO to host pay equity rally at Parliament

Source: PSA

Workers belonging to the Public Service Association and New Zealand Nurses’ Organisation alongside public supporters will rally in support of pay equity at Parliament this Monday.
Care and support worker Kate Halsall is bringing along a trolley of groceries to symbolise the earnings she is missing out on every week. On average, care and support workers have been missing out on $145.85 every week since their pay equity claim was cancelled.
“Groceries, warrants of fitness, absolutely everything is going up except my pay packet,” she says.
“I hear from my coworkers that everyone is constantly juggling their budgets. If there’s even one unexpected little hiccup, our whole budgets are blown. We do important, life-saving work – it’s so wrong that we’re not valued for the work we do.”
“Women have not forgotten the betrayal of the National-led Government when, under the cover of darkness, they cancelled pay equity claims and gutted the Equal Pay Act,” PSA National Secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons, says.
“As we saw in the People’s Select Committee report this week, the changes to pay equity that this Government made last year were an abhorrent abuse of power. New Zealanders value women’s work, and believe everyone in female-dominated sectors deserve to be paid fairly.
“This rally is part of a whole week of action in support of working women in the lead-up to International Women’s Day on 8 March.”
NZNO spokesperson and aged care health care assistant Lisa Marriner had her pay equity claim cancelled last year.
“It’s taken for granted that women in female-dominated sectors such as care and support are paid much less than men in other sectors,” she says.
“We are acutely aware we are undervalued compared to men. We know our value and how important our work is but it’s more than that. It’s actually not fair that a man with similar skills and experience to us in a male-dominated sector is paid much more than us because someone, somewhere decided their work is worth more than ours.
“That’s why we must keep speaking out. For ourselves, our colleagues, our daughters and our nieces.”
Rally details
What: Rally in support of pay equity and working women.
When: 12:00-12:30pm, Monday 2 March.
Where: Parliament Lawn.
Confirmed MPs in attendance include Labour MP Jan Tinetti.
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/27/psa-and-nzno-to-host-pay-equity-rally-at-parliament/

Posted on

Visually impaired Kiwis have lower life expectancy and make less money, research finds

Source: Radio New Zealand

Lead researcher Cain Richardson said the difference in life expectancy was stark. 123rf

New research has found blind or visually impaired New Zealanders die 9 years earlier on average, and make significantly less money.

The report by Blind and Low Vision NZ used anonymised data from StatsNZ to compare the experience of people with visual impairments to other groups.

Lead researcher Cain Richardson told Nine to Noon the difference in life expectancy was stark.

The average age of death for severely visually impaired people was 71, compared to the wider average of 80.

“The stories I’ve heard from a lot of my blind colleagues and friends is anecdotal stories of blind people living shorter lives from things such as, if you have advanced bowel cancer and you don’t have eyesight you’re not going to be able to see blood in your stool, so you’re not going to be picking it up until advanced stages of the disease,” he said.

“It was interesting taking anecdotal stories like that and being able to confirm it through a median age of death.”

Richardson said working-age blind people also made significantly less money than the broader population.

“60 percent of the severely visually impaired population have a calendar year income between 20 and 40,000 dollars a year, which is reflective of what you would receive on the benefit, and then that’s going to have snowball effects onto the rest of your life course outcomes,” he explained.

“What it does capture is the true cost of blindness, in the sense your poverty limits your agency and the ability to make choices to effect your other life course outcomes.”

Andrea Midgen, the CEO of Blind and Low Vision NZ, said the report provided empirical evidence to back the organisation’s campaigning.

“Without this data we can’t make strong evidence-based decisions or advise the government effectively, it really tells us where support is most needed,” she said.

“There’s a lot of policy changes we would like to promote. Particularly at the moment it’s about employment and things like accessibility.”

“There are perceptions out there that people from our community can’t do a job like anybody else, and the lack of awareness and education in this space is a really serious issue.”

Midgen said future studies would hone in on specific issues impacting the blind community.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/27/visually-impaired-kiwis-have-lower-life-expectancy-and-make-less-money-research-finds/

Posted on

Summerset reports record underlying profit, lower net profit on valuations

Source: Radio New Zealand

Summerset chief executive Scott Scoullar said the company’s strategy continued to deliver results. Google Maps

Retirement village operator Summerset has posted a record underlying profit, although weaker property values weighed on its bottom line.

Key numbers for the year ended 31 December compared with a year ago:

  • Net profit $259.7m v $332m
  • Revenue $361.8m v $319.9m
  • Underlying profit $234.2m v $206.4m
  • Final dividend 13.2 cents per share

Summerset chief executive Scott Scoullar said the company’s strategy continued to deliver results, with underlying profit growth, strong sales and the company meeting its build targets.

“We’ve continued to achieve despite another year where the business environment and property market has been subdued,” he said.

The company sold a record 1560 homes during the year – 805 new sales and 755 resales, with a focus on selling down stock at two major developments: Summerset Boulcott in Lower Hutt and Summerset St Johns in Auckland.

Both were among the company’s top‑performing new‑sales villages.

“Boulcott and St Johns are unique villages for us, due to the land and style of build we delivered large numbers of new homes at once,” he said.

“Selling these down has been a priority this year and we’re pleased to see both villages performing well.”

Sales of care suites also boosted results, with care operating profit rising to $18.8 million, up from $2.7m the previous year.

Summerset delivered 637 homes in New Zealand and 56 in Australia, in line with guidance, and was currently building on 22 sites in both countries.

Progress in Australia

Scoullar said the company continued its measured and deliberate growth plan in Australia and was now gaining momentum.

“We delivered our first village centre building at Cranbourne North in Victoria, marking a key milestone as we prepare to deliver aged care for the first time in Australia.”

It was building two villages in Victoria state and seeking planning permission for a third.

Summerset did not provide earnings guidance for 2026, but Scoullar remained optimistic about demand in both markets.

“Even in constrained trading conditions we have continued to see extremely high demand, record sales numbers and have continued to deliver on our expected build rate in both Australia and New Zealand.”

He said the company had continued to reduce debt and intended to keep strengthening its balance sheet in the coming year.

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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/2026/02/27/summerset-reports-record-underlying-profit-lower-net-profit-on-valuations/

Posted on

Cannons Creek assault, arrest made

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Kāpiti Mana Area Commander, Inspector Renée Perkins: 

Police investigating an assault in Cannons Creek last week, have arrested and charged a man.

On Friday 20 February, Police were called to Dido Place after reports of a firearm being discharged. One person was transported to hospital with moderate injuries.

Following enquiries, Police arrested a 22-year-old man yesterday in relation to the incident.

The man is due to appear in Porirua District Court today, charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm with a firearm, and unlawfully possessing a firearm.

Police would like to reassure the public that they are not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/27/cannons-creek-assault-arrest-made/

Posted on

Road blocked, Willis Street, Wellington

Source: New Zealand Police

Willis Street, Wellington, is blocked around the Lambton Quay and Mercer Street areas following a crash this morning.

Police were notified of the crash, involving a bus and a pedestrian, around 10am.

Initial indicators are that the pedestrian has moderate injuries.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible, and expect delays.

ENDS

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/27/road-blocked-willis-street-wellington/

Posted on

Wellington public transport fares set to increase from May

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

Fare prices on Wellington’s trains, ferries and buses will be increased by more than 3 percent in May.

The decision comes as Metlink revealed contactless payments for adults on their services would go live on 12 April.

The public transport provider would also start to phase out cash payments over the next year.

In December, RNZ reported that people would be able to pay for public transport using their phones, smart watches and debit cards in the first half of this year.

Greater Wellington Regional Council transport committee chairperson Ros Connelly said the decision to increase fares by 3.1 percent was carefully considered.

“We know the cost of living is challenging for many households, but we must ensure our fare revenue is sufficient to meet our funding and revenue targets set by NZTA as well as maintain the services people rely on every day.”

From 15 May, the cost of a three‑zone trip will increase by 14 cents, bringing the peak adult Snapper fare to $4.67 for those travelling to the CBD from Miramar or Karori.

For Wairarapa passengers travelling by train from Masterton to Wellington, the fare will rise by 56 cents to $18.50 at peak times.

The discounts for off-peak fares on buses and trains would also decrease from 30 percent to 20 percent.

Metlink senior manager of strategy and investments, Tim Shackleton, said they needed to address a projected revenue shortfall expected to be $3 million for the current financial year.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/27/wellington-public-transport-fares-set-to-increase-from-may/

Posted on

Wellington public transport fares set to increase from May

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

Fare prices on Wellington’s trains, ferries and buses will be increased by more than 3 percent in May.

The decision comes as Metlink revealed contactless payments for adults on their services would go live on 12 April.

The public transport provider would also start to phase out cash payments over the next year.

In December, RNZ reported that people would be able to pay for public transport using their phones, smart watches and debit cards in the first half of this year.

Greater Wellington Regional Council transport committee chairperson Ros Connelly said the decision to increase fares by 3.1 percent was carefully considered.

“We know the cost of living is challenging for many households, but we must ensure our fare revenue is sufficient to meet our funding and revenue targets set by NZTA as well as maintain the services people rely on every day.”

From 15 May, the cost of a three‑zone trip will increase by 14 cents, bringing the peak adult Snapper fare to $4.67 for those travelling to the CBD from Miramar or Karori.

For Wairarapa passengers travelling by train from Masterton to Wellington, the fare will rise by 56 cents to $18.50 at peak times.

The discounts for off-peak fares on buses and trains would also decrease from 30 percent to 20 percent.

Metlink senior manager of strategy and investments, Tim Shackleton, said they needed to address a projected revenue shortfall expected to be $3 million for the current financial year.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/27/wellington-public-transport-fares-set-to-increase-from-may/

Posted on

Motatapu track rerouted to avoid slow moving slip

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  27 February 2026

The track, a historic route linking Wānaka and Arrowtown and crossing private land, is part of the Te Araroa Trail and is popular with hikers and trail runners.

DOC Operations Manager Charlie Sklenar says a recent routine assessment of the 400 m slip, between Highland Creek Hut and Roses Hut, found it was at risk of becoming larger during storm events.

We’ve been monitoring the slow-moving slip for a number of years. Safety is our highest priority, so when a recent reassessment found it was at risk of further movement, potentially damaging the track, we made the call to close this section and reroute it to a safer location, Charlie says.

DOC staff had been working with the landowner to identify a new path, and a team of rangers was deployed to the remote spot to complete the work last week.

The track was rerouted 350 m, across 180 m of elevation. Marker posts have been moved to the new section, vegetation planted across old entrance points, and directional signs at each end of the re-route are in place to ensure users can easily follow the new route.

“Judging by the amount of foot traffic while staff were undertaking the work, it won’t be long before this new section is well and truly worn in,” says Charlie.

“It’s great to have the new route in place for people out naturing in this iconic Central Otago spot.”

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/27/motatapu-track-rerouted-to-avoid-slow-moving-slip/