Category: Statistics

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NZ Drug Foundation – Alarming increase in low-level drug prosecutions undermining health efforts

Source: New Zealand Drug Foundation

An alarming increase in drug possession charges is causing harm and undermining progress on health-based approaches, the Drug Foundation says.

New Ministry of Justice data shows 2025 had the highest number of low-level charges for drug possession or use in a decade.

Drug Foundation Executive Director Sarah Helm says the current approach is clearly not reducing drug use, but it is undermining efforts to reduce harm.

“Criminalising people clearly doesn’t deter use – in fact wastewater data out this week shows drug use is at record levels,” she says.

“What it does do is compound some of the worst drug harms by preventing people from seeking help and putting people through the justice system.”

“Our fifty-year-old drug laws have us stuck in this terrible loop where everyone loses. We are wasting huge amounts of money and Police resource on low-level prosecutions that discourage people from seeking support, and in the meantime drug use and harm are surging. We urgently need safer drug laws to break the circuit.”

The Drug Foundation released a blueprint for drug law reform last year in itsSafer drug laws for Aotearoa New Zealand report. (ref. https://drugfoundation.org.nz/news-and-reports/report-proposes-evidence-based-reform-to-new-zealands-drug-laws )

“The evidence from New Zealand and around the world is clear – we need a step-change in investment into harm reduction and health services, and safer drug laws that encourage people to seek support rather than punish them with criminal penalties,” says Helm.

Polling conducted by the Drug Foundation in 2022 showed 68% of New Zealanders supported ‘rewriting the Misuse of Drugs Act and putting in place a health-based approach’.

The increase in charges comes despite a 2019 amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act instructing Police that a prosecution should not be brought unless it is in the public interest, and to consider health-centred approaches first.

Helm says the data shows relying on Police discretion isn’t adequate, with low-level drug charges following a similar trend to total criminal prosecutions since 2019.

“Police discretion is not how we should be dealing with such an important issue. The law should very clearly set out when people should face criminal penalties and when a health response is needed.”

Key stats from the Ministry of Justice

  • The number of drug possession/use charges in 2025 is the highest in the last decade: at 8,474 charges. The number of people convicted for drug/use possession in 2025 (3,158) is the second highest in ten years.
  • Nearly two-thirds (65%, or 3,158) of all drug convictions were for drug possession or use as the most serious drug offence. The proportion of possession/use convictions relative to all drug offences is the second highest in a decade. 
  • Each year since 2016, more people have been convicted of low-level drug offences than for supply, trafficking, or distribution combined. In 2025, 3,158 people were convicted of unlawful possession or use of drugs—the highest number since 2016, compared to 1,657 for supply, trafficking, or distribution.

Ministry of Justice data can be found at https://www.justice.govt.nz/justice-sector-policy/research-data/justice-statistics/data-tables/#General

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/24/nz-drug-foundation-alarming-increase-in-low-level-drug-prosecutions-undermining-health-efforts/

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

Source: ASB

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Results in a snapshot

About the ASB Regional Economic Scoreboard

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

 

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

MIL OSI

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

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Overseas merchandise trade: February 2026 – Stats NZ information release

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/21/overseas-merchandise-trade-february-2026-stats-nz-information-release/

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Counties Manukau youth to get faster support

Source: New Zealand Government

A new dedicated child mental health service in Counties Manukau was officially opened today by Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey, marking an important step in ensuring our young people have faster access to support.

“Mental health is one of the biggest challenges facing our youth today. Every New Zealander deserves access to support, when and where they need it. By expanding the help available, we can ensure no one is left stuck on a waitlist,” Mr Doocey says. 

The new specialist child mental health team –Te Ooritetanga oo ngaa Ratonga moo ngaa Tamariki | The Equality of Services for all Children – will operate within the Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (ICAMHS) at Counties Manukau Mental Health and Addiction Services. It has been established to support young people up to intermediate school age, along with their families, who are experiencing, or are at risk of developing, moderate to severe mental health challenges.

“We know the massive difference that early intervention can make. By identifying needs early and providing the right support before issues escalate, we can give our young people the tools they need to live the lives they deserve,” Mr Doocey says. 

Counties Manukau is home to one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing populations. Of the estimated total population in 2021, more than 20 per cent were under 15 years old, that’s around 123,400 children and young people.

“I am pleased that this new dedicated team will strengthen our specialist services, help meet the needs of this rapidly growing community, and ensure young people get support at the top of the cliff, rather than waiting for the ambulance at the bottom.” 

The multi-disciplinary team will provide wraparound support and includes a senior medical officer, registered nurses, two clinical psychologists, two occupational therapists, and two social workers. Recruitment is underway for whānau workers. 

The service is funded through the Government’s $18.7 million investment to expand and enhance ICAMHS. 

“We have all seen the startling youth suicide statistics in New Zealand and, quite simply, this is not good enough. What keeps me awake at night is knowing that some young people aren’t getting the support they need. I do not want any young person to fall through the cracks.
 
“Nationally, we have seen our focused efforts pay off. The frontline Health NZ mental health workforce grown by over 11 per cent since we came into Government. We have also seen increases in key workforces such as the child and adolescent workforce which has grown by 19 per cent.

“This is part of the Government’s plan to deliver faster access to support, more frontline workers, and a better crisis response.” 
 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/20/counties-manukau-youth-to-get-faster-support/

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GDP increases 0.2 percent in the December 2025 quarter – Gross domestic product: December 2025 quarter – Stats NZ news story and information release

Source: Statistics New Zealand

GDP increases 0.2 percent in the December 2025 quarter – news story

19 March 2026

New Zealand’s gross domestic product (GDP) rose 0.2 percent in the December 2025 quarter, following a 0.9 percent increase in the September 2025 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

“GDP has now risen in 3 of the last 4 quarters,” general manager and macroeconomic spokesperson Jason Attewell said.

This is the first time since the year ended September 2024 that the economy has recorded annual growth.

Most industries recorded an increase in economic activity in the December 2025 quarter.

Visit Statistics New Zealand website to read the full news story and information release and to download CSV files:

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/19/gdp-increases-0-2-percent-in-the-december-2025-quarter-gross-domestic-product-december-2025-quarter-stats-nz-news-story-and-information-release/

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Current account deficit $4.6 billion for the December 2025 quarter – Balance of payments and international investment position: December 2025 quarter – Stats NZ news story and information release

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/19/current-account-deficit-4-6-billion-for-the-december-2025-quarter-balance-of-payments-and-international-investment-position-december-2025-quarter-stats-nz-news-story-and-informat/

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Events – Record number of schools set to compete at 2026 National Secondary School Waka Ama Championships

Source: Waka Ama Aotearoa NZ

A record 142 secondary schools and 2,300 participants from across Aotearoa will gather at Lake Tikitapu next week for the 2026 Secondary School Waka Ama Championships, highlighting the continued growth of waka ama among rangatahi nationwide.

Hosted by Waka Ama Aotearoa NZ, the five-day national championship will take place from the 23–27 March. The event brings together thousands of student paddlers to compete in sprint racing across a range of divisions and distances.

The annual event, which started in 2002, has become one of the largest secondary school sporting competitions in the country during summer tournament week. The students representing their kura and schools compete in disciplines such as W1, W6 and W12 racing, including mixed, boys’ and girls’ divisions.

Waka Ama Aotearoa NZ CEO, Lara Collins, says that as the numbers for waka ama continue to scale up, its expected to see such a growth amongst rangatahi, based on the 2026 Waka Ama Sprint Nationals statistics.

“Every year this sport gets bigger, and a positive indication that it continues to grow are the numbers of rangatahi participation. This year alone there was an increase of 22% in paddlers from ages 5 to 23 from the 2026 Waka Ama Sprint Nationals” says Collins.

This year’s interest from schools reflects the rapid growth of waka ama throughout Aotearoa. More rangatahi and schools are embracing the sport for its combination of high-performance competition, cultural connection and fun.

For TIPENE, this will be their inaugural year competing at the event. Waka ama team manager and parent, Ramari Matairangi, says it’s a great opportunity for their school to reach a significant milestone.  

“With our rangatahi competing at the Waka Ama Secondary School Nationals for the first time, it reflects the rapid growth of the TIPENE Waka Ama Programme and the commitment of our students, coaches, kura, and partners who have worked together to establish a strong foundation in a short period of time,” says Matairangi.

As a first-year programme for the school, it has set the pathway for future growth and sustained involvement in waka ama at TIPENE and beyond according to Matairangi.

Over five days of racing, the lake will be home to school teams, supporters and whānau as the country’s top young school paddlers compete for waka ama national titles.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/18/events-record-number-of-schools-set-to-compete-at-2026-national-secondary-school-waka-ama-championships/

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Property Market – Home values still holding steady for now – QV

Source: Quality Valuation (QV)

Residential property values have remained virtually flat over summer.

Our latest Quotable Value (QV) House Price Index shows the average residential home value increased nationally by just 0.2% in the three months to the end of February 2026, with the national average now sitting at $909,139.

That figure is 0.4% lower than the same time last year but 21.5% higher than in March 2020.

QV spokesperson Simon Petersen said this had been one of the housing market’s flattest summers in terms of home value growth – even more so than the 0.5% average increase over the same period last year.

“Residential property values have remained largely static this quarter, and yet the housing market has continued to tick along with activity remaining relatively robust in many parts of the country,” he said.

Across New Zealand’s main urban areas, Dunedin stood out as the most notable exception to the broader flat quarterly trend. The southern city’s average home value increased by 2.6% over the summer to $652,147, which is 1.0% higher than the same time last year.

Home values increased by almost as much on average in Timaru (2.1%), while Invercargill (1.8%) and Christchurch (1.1%) recorded more modest gains.

“It’s interesting to note the relative strength of property values across much of the South Island compared with the North Island. Of the larger urban areas we monitor on the mainland, only Nelson recorded a small reduction this quarter,” Mr Petersen said.

In the North Island, Auckland’s average home value dipped by 0.3% this quarter to $1,197,960, which is now 3.8% lower than it was one year ago. Wellington city’s average home value decreased by 0.4% to $908,230, leaving it 5.1% lower year-on-year.

“The housing market remains in a state of ‘steady as she goes’ for now. Listing levels and buyer demand are relatively well balanced, helping to keep property values broadly stable for the time being,” Mr Petersen said.

“But optimism seems to be growing as we start to see early signs that the wider economy may be picking up again. This will inevitably have implications for the housing market in the year ahead, as interest rates, employment trends and overall economic conditions continue to shape housing market activity.

“At the same time, global uncertainty and geopolitical tensions mean the outlook remains somewhat murky right now, particularly when it comes to interest rates and inflation. The next month or so should paint a clearer picture of what we can expect in 2026.”
Download a high resolution version of the latest QV value map here.
Northland

Home values remain largely static across the wider Northland region this quarter.

According to the latest QV House Price Index, the average home value decreased by 0.2% across the region throughout the three months to the end of February 2026, with home values in the Far North District (-1.9%) dragging that average down.

Whangarei (0.2%) recorded little to no growth on average, while Kaipara’s home values increased by an average of 2.2%.

Auckland

Home values have remained virtually motionless in Auckland this quarter.

Only Rodney (0.7%) and Papakura (0.4%) recorded modest growth, while Franklin (-0.8%), Manukau (-0.1%), Auckland City (-0.3%), Waitakere (-0.7%) and the North Shore (-0.6%) recorded modest reductions.

Local QV property consultant Matt Hogan said residential property values across the Auckland region were holding relatively steady with just a 0.3% drop overall across the three months to the end of February 2026.

“Sub-area performance was mixed but strong levels of housing stock are still on the market, with good buyer choice and solid buyer activity seen,” he said.

“Good quality and well-presented properties are enjoying high demand, with some strong sale prices being shown. Agents have noted high interest levels at open homes and are generally positive about the market direction.”

On an annualised basis, home values across the wider Auckland region are 3.8% lower on average than the same time last year.

Bay of Plenty

Home values have grown by an average of 0.7% across the wider Bay of Plenty region in the February quarter.

In Tauranga, the average home value is now $1,036,968, up 1.0% this quarter. That figure is 1.6% higher than the same time last year.

Meanwhile, Rotorua experienced a small 0.9% decline in average home value. At $674,733, the average home locally is now worth just 0.5% more than the same time last year.

Waikato

Residential property values have decreased by an average of 0.6% across the wider Waikato region this quarter.

The average value in Hamilton also decreased by 0.6% to $787,511 in the February quarter, compared to a 0.4% increase in the three months to the end of January. That figure is now 0.1% lower than the same time last year.

Meanwhile, values in the districts of Waitomo and Matamata-Piako performed better than the regional average this quarter, rising by 3.7% and 2.2% respectively. South Waikato (1.2%) and Waikato District (1.3%) also experienced modest gains.

Hawke’s Bay

Home values did little better than break even across Hawke’s Bay this quarter.

The QV House Price Index for February 2026 shows homes in the region increased in value by an average of 0.6% this quarter. They are now worth just 0.9% more on average than the same time one year ago.

Napier performed slightly better than average this quarter. Its average home value increased by 1.3% to $759,123. Hastings’ average home value saw no movement at all, neither up nor down, at $779,008.

Taranaki

Home value movements proved to be a bit of a mixed bag in the Taranaki region this summer.

The average home value has remained largely stable in New Plymouth this quarter, decreasing by just 0.2% to $719,102. That figure is now 0.9% lower than at the end of February last year.

Meanwhile, the average home value has proven more volatile this quarter in South Taranaki and Stratford, partly due to the comparatively small sample size of sales data, rising and falling by 4% and 3.4% respectively.

Manawatu

The average property value in Palmerston North is virtually the same at the time of writing as it was a year ago.

That is despite a small 0.4% increase over the three months to the end of February, and a 0.8% increase throughout the three months to the end of January. The average home is now worth $637,870.

In his most recent report to local real estate agents, QV property consultant Jason Hockly said residential property values had shown little movement overall in the last two-and-a-half years.

“The price point bracket of $550,000-$650,000 has overall performed strongly so far in 2026, buoyed by first-home buyers. It has been rough for the $1-$1.25m price bracket overall. Large homes greater than 30 years old with little modernisation continue to show low demand,” he said.  

Wellington

There has been minimal home value movement across the wider Wellington region this summer.

The latest QV House Price Index for February 2026 shows home values have been all-but static over the three months to the end of February 2026, rising just 0.1% across the wider region to reach a new regional average of $809,491.

That’s an even smaller increase than the 0.2% increase recorded throughout the three months to the end of January, and the 0.5% decrease recorded throughout the three months to the end of December last year.

Hutt City (1.3%) saw more growth than the other local council areas, with Kapiti (1.1%) and Upper Hutt (0.7%) not far behind. Porirua (-0.8%) and Wellington City (-0.4%) both recorded small decreases in average home value.

On an annualised basis, the average home value in the Wellington region is now 3.7% less than the same time last year.

Nelson/Tasman/Marlborough

Home values remained relatively steady across the top of the South Island this quarter.

The average home value grew by just 0.8% and 1.2% across Tasman and Marlborough this quarter respectively. The average home is now worth $830,617 in the former, and $700,296 in the latter.

Meanwhile, the average home value in Nelson reduced by 1.8% to $777,407. That figure is now 2% lower than the same time last year and 16.7% higher than in March 2020.

QV Nelson/Marlborough manager Craig Russell said slow economic recovery and the high cost of living continued to impact market confidence in the region.

“Stock levels across Nelson and Tasman are at their highest levels for a year and continue to climb. A number of these properties have been on the market for an extended period and require realistic pricing if they are to sell,” he said.

“Most of the buyer activity is in the $500,000-$800,000 price bracket, which is predominantly the first-home buyer market, with most buyers looking for tidy modern homes as opposed to properties in need of significant renovations.”

West Coast

Home values across the wider West Coast region have reduced by 1.6% over the three months to the end of February 2026, according to our latest QV House Price Index. The average home value is now $442,874, which is 6.2% higher than the same time last year.

Of the three districts that make up the West Coast region, Westland District recorded an average increase for the three-month period of 1.8% and an average value of $490,788 – up 8% from 12 months ago.

Grey District recorded an average decline of 1.8% for the three-month period and an average value of $465,549, which is 4.1% higher than it was 12 months ago.
The Buller District recorded a decrease for the three-month period of 4.1% on average and an average value of $376,553 – up 8.2% from 12 months ago.

Local QV registered valuer Rod Thornton said the index indicated a general slowing of growth, despite markets remaining active.

“These statistics should be interpreted with some care, as sales volumes tend to be lower in regions like the West Coast, as they were over the Christmas period, and there is a wide mix of housing types, locations, price points and value drivers which can cause figures to fluctuate,” he said.

“A case in point is the Buller District, which to the end of January 2026 recorded a three-month reduction of 9.2%. That has turned around now, following a 4.6% increase in February alone.”

Canterbury

Residential property values in Canterbury recorded only modest growth this summer overall.

The Garden City’s average home value grew by 1.1% to $795,556 throughout the three months to the end of February. Homes here are now worth 3.3% more on average than the same time last year.

Home values in Waimakariri (1.9%) increased by more than average this quarter, while Hurunui (-0.4%) and Selwyn (-0.1%) both recorded modest reductions.

“Christchurch city has remained steady this quarter with good activity in all residential classes,” said local QV registered valuer Michael Tohill.

“Likewise, the Selwyn market remains busy with a large number of new builds in Lincoln, Rolleston and Darfield. The market for lifestyle and new-build properties in Waimakariri has also been busy with good sales turnover.”

Meanwhile, average home values have lifted in Mackenzie (3.1%), Timaru (2.1%) and Ashburton (0.4%) throughout the three months to the end of February 2026.

Otago

Home values have grown more in Dunedin than in any other city this summer.

The average home in the southern city is now worth $652,147, up 2.6% for the February quarter and up 1% annually. That compares to a national average of 0.2% growth for the quarter and a small deficit of 0.4% annually.

Home values in Queenstown also increased by 0.2% this quarter. Its average residential property is now worth $1,919,519, which is 5.4% higher than the same time last year.

Southland

Property values in Invercargill outperformed the national average this summer.

The average home value increased by 1.8% to $537,167 throughout the three months of summer. Homes here are now worth 7.4% more on average than at the same time last year.

Average home values in Gore and Southland are also 7.2% and 7.5% higher annually respectively.

You can check value changes over time in your region with QV’s interactive map on www.qv.co.nz/price-index/

The QV HPI uses a rolling three month collection of sales data, based on sales agreement date. This has always been the case and ensures a large sample of sales data is used to measure value change over time. Having agent and non-agent sales included in the index provides a comprehensive measure of property value change over the longer term.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/18/property-market-home-values-still-holding-steady-for-now-qv/

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Annual food prices increase 4.5 percent – Stats NZ news story and information release

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LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/18/annual-food-prices-increase-4-5-percent-stats-nz-news-story-and-information-release/

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Error notification: Food price index (FPI) for January 2026 – Stats NZ news story

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LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/18/error-notification-food-price-index-fpi-for-january-2026-stats-nz-news-story/

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‘AI illiterate’: NZ at risk of being left behind as data centre plans move forward

Source: Radio New Zealand

Artist’s impression of how the data centre is to look. Datagrid / supplied

A new $3.5 billion data centre that will be built near Invercargill is being touted as the country’s first “artificial intelligence factory”, but a tech expert says New Zealand is currently “AI illiterate” and without urgent action, the country’s economic growth is at stake.

Datagrid New Zealand has received resource consent for the 78,000 square-metre data centre, which will be built in Makarewa, north of Invercargill. The company was founded by Rémi Galasso and Malcolm Dick in 2021.

“This approval is the result of years of dedication and collaboration, and we are excited about the transformative impact this project will have on Southland and New Zealand as a whole,” Galasso said.

The centre will have a dedicated substation and consume 280 megawatts of power, making it the country’s second-biggest electricity user after the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, consuming around 6 percent of New Zealand’s total annual electricity demand.

Energy-hungry data centres are a boom industry in New Zealand, with international companies keen to reduce their climate impact by using the county’s renewable electricity.

Technology expert Mark Laurence said the term “AI factory” was coined by Jensen Huang, the chief executive of American technology company NVIDIA. It describes a data centre that was built to serve AI technology, through training and inference.

AI training involved teaching a model by feeding it datasets to learn patterns, while AI inference was the application of that knowledge.

“Take ChatGPT, for example – whenever OpenAI decides to train their next version of ChatGPT, they essentially take mountains of data, give it all to their algorithms, throw it all into a data centre and that data is processed for months and months by the AI algorithm to create the next version of ChatGPT,” Laurence said.

“Every time we use one of these AI tools, like ChatGPT or Copilot, every time we type in something and press enter, that is called inference,” he said.

ChatGPT sparked the recent artificial intelligence hype on its release in 2022. Koen van Weel / ANP MAG / ANP via AFP

Laurence runs Ten Past Tomorrow, a strategic advisory and AI training company with the aim of increasing AI literacy and capability in New Zealand.

He said demand for training and inference was increasing as more people used AI tools, with New Zealand well-positioned geographically and climatically to host data centres to do that work.

“Data centres use a lot of water and because the massive computers inside them generate so much heat, they need to be cooled down as well,” he said.

“In Invercargill, the average annual temperature is around 10C, which means they can simply cool those centres with the outside air.”

The Invercargill facility is not the first large scale data centre in New Zealand. Microsoft opened a data centre in Auckland in 2024, while Amazon Web Services (AWS) spent $7.5b building a cluster of data centres in the city.

He said to illustrate what the AI factory was capable of, once complete it would have the capacity to process around 960 million ChatGPT conversations per day, which was between 5 to 10 percent of the conversations processed by the AI chatbot globally each day.

Who benefits from the data created in these centres?

Laurence said Microsoft and AWS (Amazon) were supplying output from their centres to New Zealand organisations and the public service, but output from the Datagrid centre would instead be piped offshore through a subsea cable to serve overseas markets.

Datagrid has not said who its customers will be, or how the information its centre produces will be used.

Laurence said he wanted to see a government commitment that New Zealand was able to use and benefit from the technology that centres like the Datagrid’s AI factory were powering.

Laurence said the country was at risk of becoming “AI illiterate”, and statistics showed New Zealanders were not being trained at the rate or the capability that most developed nations around the world were in terms of being able to use AI tools, which meant the country was falling behind in its ability to keep pace with the international market.

“We’re still a nation that’s using AI to change the tone of an email and summarise long documents, while the rest of the world is pulling ahead in terms of redesigning whole workflows and injecting agentic AI at the full edge of its capability.

“It’s exciting to have the infrastructure being built, particularly when it contributes to our economy but what needs to go hand-in-hand with that is national capability training programs so that we can actually harness the outputs of this infrastructure and use it to the benefit of our people, our companies, our organisations, and ultimately our economy.”

A project years in the making

Southland Business Chamber CEO Sheree Casey said the new data centre provided an opportunity for the region to broaden its economic horizons.

“Once operational, Datagrid estimates it could generate hundreds of millions annually in data service exports and add approximately $60 million to GDP each year.”

The construction phase alone was expected to create more than 1200 skilled jobs and inject around $4b into the economy.

She said Southland had a strong foundation in traditional industries, and adding a “weightless export” sector, where the region delivers digital services globally-could be a natural complement.

The proposed Tasman Ring Network. Datagrid / supplied

Transpower said it was confident the national grid could meet the energy needs of the new data centre.

Executive general manager of grid development Matt Webb said while the centre required a big load, there was a lot of new electricity generation emerging and Transpower was responsible for facilitating a balance between the two.

He said the national grid operator had been in serious discussions with Datagrid for a year or more and a formal connection application process was now underway.

Webb said there were a number of significant Southland wind projects going through the consenting process, along with solar projects.

Transpower expected 1300MW of new projects (generation and battery storage systems) to be commissioned in 2026, increasing capacity by around 13 percent.

Webb said having a confirmed electricity load of that size gave investors confidence in renewable energy investments.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/15/ai-illiterate-nz-at-risk-of-being-left-behind-as-data-centre-plans-move-forward/

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International migration: January 2026 – Stats NZ information release

 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/14/international-migration-january-2026-stats-nz-information-release/

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International travel: January 2026 – Stats NZ information release

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/14/international-travel-january-2026-stats-nz-information-release/

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Retirement Com – New guides give schools clear pathway for implementing financial education

Source: Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission

 

Schools and financial education providers now have access to new Financial Education Implementation Guides, giving them practical support to plan and deliver high-quality financial education as it becomes compulsory in the curriculum. 

 

With 70% of New Zealanders agreeing school is a good place for young people to learn about money, the two guides, developed by Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission in partnership with the Ministry of Education and financial education providers, provide a clear roadmap for what to teach, when to teach it, and how learning builds from Years 0 to 13.

 

Retirement Commissioner Jane Wrightson says the guides remove complexity and provide practical support for schools as financial education is mandated. “The Government’s decision to make financial education compulsory is an excellent step forward to increase New Zealanders’ financial capability.” 

 

“For financial education providers and funders, both current and potential future ones, these guides offer something they’ve long asked for, a shared framework, clear curriculum expectations, and visibility for programmes that meet the standard. These guides bring everyone onto the same page.”  

 

The release of the guides follows last year’s announcement that financial education will become compulsory within the national curriculum, including through the social sciences learning area, which is currently out for consultation. Financial mathematics is also explicitly included in the updated Mathematics & Statistics learning area. The guides provide practical support for schools as financial education becomes an increasingly important part of the curriculum.

 

“Every young person in New Zealand deserves to leave school with the skills and confidence to manage their money. These guides are about clarity and confidence. They show schools what good financial education looks like, how learning builds over time, how to work effectively with external providers, and how to plan programmes that are age appropriate and curriculum aligned,” Deputy Secretary for Te Poutāhū at the Ministry of Education, Pauline Cleaver says. 

 

The Retirement Commission has also released new maths resources as part of its Sorted in Schools programme, that apply the guides’ best practice principles and align with the Mathematics & Statistics curriculum, showing how financial education can strengthen learning across subjects.

 

The Financial Education Implementation Guides are available at: Financial Education Implementation Guides

 

Notes

Current providers who are part of the financial education providers’ advisory group include ASB, Banqer (supported by Kiwibank), BNZ, Life Education Trust, Money Time, SaVy, Westpac, and Young Enterprise Trust. Assistance will also be offered by the financial advice community. There will be opportunities for new providers as gaps are identified. Schools can choose which provider or providers they want to work with. 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/12/retirement-com-new-guides-give-schools-clear-pathway-for-implementing-financial-education/

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MEDIA ADVISORY: More police for the streets in latest wing graduation

Source: New Zealand Police

Media are invited to the 393 Keven Mealamu MNZM recruit wing graduation.

What:              Graduation of the New Zealand Police 393 Recruit Wing.

Who:               For families and friends to celebrate with the newly attested police officers.

Why:               Completion and graduation from their initial training course.

Where:            Royal New Zealand Police College – Parade Ground, Porirua.

When:             Thursday 12 March at 2pm – media will need to be in place by 1.45pm.

How:               RSVP the Police Media Centre if you’re attending: media@police.govt.nz

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers and the Associate Minister of Police Honourable Casey Costello will attend the ceremony with Wing Patron, Keven Mealamu – MNZM.

The 393 Wing Patron:

Keven Mealamu is a proud man of faith and family. A former All Black with over 100 test caps, he brings the values of teamwork, resilience, and discipline from rugby into business, governance, and community leadership. Keven has built and led ventures in health, wellbeing, and creative industries, while serving on boards and advisory groups that navigate complex strategic and cultural challenges.

As owner and director of FIT60HQ Gym and Protect For Life Insurance Brokers, he is passionate about helping whānau and businesses safeguard their futures, focusing on legacy, prosperity, and socially responsible decision-making.

Keven is committed to strengthening people, organisations, and communities across Aotearoa.

Keven was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in 2016 for services to rugby.

More details about statistics, prize winners and other recruits will be shared after graduation on Thursday and a follow up Ten One story will be published later this month. 

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/10/media-advisory-more-police-for-the-streets-in-latest-wing-graduation/

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Funding medicines for people with high health needs

Source: PHARMAC

Pharmac is working to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders, including those with the highest health needs. This includes Māori, Pacific peoples, disabled people, women, and people living rurally. 


“Health equity ensures everyone has fair access to health care and the opportunity to live well, regardless of who they are or where they come from,” says Director Equity and Engagement, Dr Nicola Ngawati. 

Pharmac’s Equity Policy recognises that different people have different levels of advantage. Pharmac applies an equity lens when making funding decisions. 

Our role under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 is to secure for eligible people in need of pharmaceuticals, the best health outcomes that are reasonably achievable from pharmaceutical treatment. 

Some of the medicines we’ve funded recently are making a real difference for these groups. Below are some specific medicines and their reach for high needs health groups (from 1 October 2024 to 31 January 2026). 

Palivizumab (RSV prevention)

Protects premature and high-risk infants from severe RSV illness. Māori and Pacific babies are more likely to need this treatment. Recipients by health group: 

  • Māori – 34.3%
  • Pacific– 11.3%
  • Female – 44.6%
  • Rural – 15.7%

Triple inhaler (Budesonide + Glycopyrronium + Eformoterol)

Helps manage COPD, which impacts Māori up to 20 years earlier and causes death at five times the rate of non-Māori. Funded from 1 January 2025. Recipients by health group: 

  • Māori – 28.4%
  • Pacific – 4.5%
  • Women – 57.3%
  • Rural – 24.1%

Insulin (Ryzodeg)

Diabetes prevalence among Māori and Pacific people is about three times higher than other population groups. Funded from May 2025. Recipients by health group: 

  • Māori – 24.1%
  • Pacific – 19.3%
  • Women – 48.8%
  • Rural – 17.9%

Empagliflozen

This medicine helps reduce cardiovascular hospitalisation, slow kidney decline, and improve glycaemic control. Recipients by health group: 

  • Māori – 21.8%
  • Pacific – 7.6%
  • Women – 33.8%
  • Rural – 25.7%

Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF)

From 1 December 2025, Pharmac began funding silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for the treatment and prevention of tooth decay. Dental cavities disproportionately affect Māori, Pacific peoples and people in areas of higher depravation. 

Poor oral health can impact daily life and cause pain and embarrassment. Although SDF is in the early days of funding, its use is expected to reduce the need for hospital‑based dental treatment, remove cost barriers and improve wellbeing.

“We’re pleased that these statistics indicate our funded medicines are reaching those who need them most. We’ll continue to focus on increasing access to key medicines for these groups,” says Dr Ngawati.

“This work is extremely important. By reducing avoidable differences in health outcomes – we create a healthier New Zealand for everyone.”

Note: All figures are from the Pharmaceutical Collection dataset(external link) (as extracted and analysed by Pharmac).

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/09/funding-medicines-for-people-with-high-health-needs/

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Environmental-economic accounts: Data to 2024 – Stats NZ information release

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/06/environmental-economic-accounts-data-to-2024-stats-nz-information-release/

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Value of building work put in place: December 2025 quarter – Stats NZ information release

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/06/value-of-building-work-put-in-place-december-2025-quarter-stats-nz-information-release/

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Bill to modernise census passes first reading

Source: New Zealand Government

Legislation to support a more efficient census and provide timelier data for New Zealand has passed its first reading today, Statistics Minister Dr Shane Reti and Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith say.

“The Data and Statistics (Census) Amendment Bill will move New Zealand from the traditional five-yearly, survey-led census to a more efficient annual approach that draws on existing government data, supported by a smaller annual survey and targeted data collection, to better meet the country’s needs,” Dr Reti says.

“Rising costs, declining response rates, and disruptions from events such as natural disasters have shown the traditional approach is no longer sustainable.

“Accurate population data is essential for planning hospitals, schools, transport, and other core services. The census remains critical to understanding who we are as a nation and to providing the data needed to fix the basics and build the future.”

The Data and Statistics (Census) Amendment Bill confirms the first annual census will take place in 2030 and requires Stats NZ to publish census data every year thereafter, providing government, businesses, and communities with more timely and useful information.

It also sets requirements for public consultation on census content, including harder-to-reach groups, and establishes review processes to support the new approach.

“In light of these changes, we’re also progressing legislation which alters the timing of electoral boundary reviews,” Mr Goldsmith says.

“Reviews currently take place following every census, however, to do so every year is not necessary.

“Therefore, from 2030 they’ll now be required to take place after every second general election. This will ensure reviews remain regular and on a predictable basis, to ensure electorates reflect population changes.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/05/bill-to-modernise-census-passes-first-reading/

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International trade: December 2025 quarter – Stats NZ information release

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/05/international-trade-december-2025-quarter-stats-nz-information-release/