People who have just had a stem cell transplant could be better protected from a serious viral infection under a new proposal from Pharmac to fund a preventive medicine.
Pharmac is consulting on a proposal to fund letermovir, an antiviral medicine that helps prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. If approved, funding would begin on 1 May 2026.
CMV is a very common virus and is usually harmless. Most people are exposed in childhood where it stays in their body for life without any problems. However, it can cause serious illness in people whose immune systems are not working properly, particularly those who have had a stem cell transplant.
“For people recovering from a stem cell transplant, infections like CMV can mean long hospital stays and intensive treatment,” says Pharmac’s Manager of Pharmaceutical Funding, Claire Pouwels. “Preventing infection in the first place can help people avoid these outcomes.”
Under the proposal, letermovir would be funded for people who have had a stem cell transplant, as well as a small number of other people with severe immunosuppression who cannot use other funded antiviral medicines. The medicine would be available in hospitals and through community pharmacies.
“We’ve heard from clinicians and our clinical advisors that preventing CMV can make a real difference,” says Pouwels. “Letermovir works by helping prevent CMV from becoming active, rather than waiting until someone becomes unwell and needs more intensive treatment.”
Stem cell transplants are only carried out in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, meaning many people must travel and stay away from home for long periods while their immune systems recover. If CMV infection develops, that time in hospital can be extended.
“Preventing CMV infection could reduce the need for lengthy hospital stays, helping people get home sooner and spend more time with their whānau,” says Pouwels.
Pharmac is seeking feedback on the proposal from people who may be affected, including patients, families and carers, health professionals, advocacy groups, and anyone else who is interested.
Consultation is open until 5pm, Thursday 19 March. Feedback can be emailed toconsult@pharmac.govt.nz. All feedback received by the closing date will be considered before a final decision is made.
Police have impounded seven vehicles and summonsed four drivers to court with another three pending charges following a gang-related funeral procession.
A Police operation monitored the convoy that travelled between Ōtara and the Manukau Memorial Gardens in Wiri on 5 February.
Inspector Ann Wilkie, Counties Manukau East Area Prevention Manager, says Police observed reckless behaviour from some taking part in the procession.
“Police assigned to monitor the procession witnessed appalling actions by passengers of some of the vehicles,” Inspector Wilkie says.
“Adults and teenagers who were sitting on the edge of car windows; as well as several vehicles being driven dangerously.
“This behaviour continued for quite some time, putting other road users, and the people hanging out of the windows at real risk of harm.”
A checkpoint was established at the entrance to the Manukau Memorial Gardens, checking those leaving.
Traffic cameras, as well as Police staff on the ground, were able to capture images of drivers, passengers and registration plates of the vehicles involved.
“As a result, we have already caught up with a handful of people we have identified as committing these dangerous acts,” Inspector Wilkie says.
“Our enforcement phase is ongoing, and we expect to take further action.”
Inspector Wilkie says Police acknowledge the passing of a loved one and want to support a safe journey to their final resting place but cannot allow the sort of behaviours that put others at risk.
“Police have made it clear to participants about what is acceptable behaviour,” she says.
“The behaviour by some of those involved in this was not good enough and they have been put before the Court.”
Four women aged between 27 and 37 have been summoned to appear in the Manukau District Court for dangerous driving, and had their vehicles impounded for 28 days.
Another three vehicles have also been impounded for 28 days as part of the same incident and Police are considering further charges.
Health Minister Simeon Brown has today announced the reappointment of Ms Morag McDowell as Health and Disability Commissioner.
“Ms McDowell brings extensive legal expertise and significant experience in the health sector. Her reappointment will support the organisation to continue delivering its work in a fair, timely, and effective manner,” Mr Brown says.
“This Government is committed to keeping patients at the centre of our health system. I look forward to working with the Commissioner to further improve services and ensure all New Zealanders receive safe, high-quality healthcare.”
Ms McDowell has been reappointed for a two-year term commencing 7 March 2026.
Two people have been arrested and a firearm recovered following a shooting in Papakura on Saturday morning.
Police were conducting patrols in the Clevedon Road area at the time heard what they believed to be gun shots, and a short time later came across a man with a gunshot injury.
The man was transported to hospital in a moderate condition and has since been discharged.
Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Taylor, Counties Manukau CIB, says a 23-year-old man and 47-year-old woman have been charged jointly with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and unlawful possession of a restricted weapon.
“The male has been remanded in custody and will reappear in Papakura District Court on 26 March and the female will reappear on 16 March.
“Enquiries are ongoing and we ask that anyone with information which may assist our investigation contact us via 105, quoting file number 260228/8498.”
Detective Senior Sergeant Taylor says initial indications are that the victim and the offenders are known to each other and there is no risk to the wider community.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Attributable to Inspector Andrea McBeth, Hamilton City Area Commander:
A man is before the courts following a serious assault in Hamilton yesterday.
At around 7am, Police were notified of an assault in High Street, Frankton.
Upon arrival, a man was located with serious injuries and transported to hospital.
Police made enquiries throughout the day and at around 2pm, the alleged offender from this violent and unprovoked attack was located in Melville and taken into custody.
A 35-year-old man will appear in the Hamilton District Court today, 5 March, charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and assaults Police.
SYDNEY, NSW, March 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SYDNEY, NSW – March 04, 2026 – –
Clean Group Commercial Cleaning has been recognized as Sydney’s leading commercial cleaning provider for 2026 by Kinross Research, marking a significant milestone for the family-owned company that has served the Greater Sydney area for over 25 years. The recognition highlights the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability through 100 percent eco-friendly practices and triple ISO certifications.
The distinction comes as businesses across Sydney increasingly prioritize health, sustainability, and regulatory compliance in their operational decisions. Clean Group’s innovative approach combines non-toxic, GECA-certified products with advanced waste management protocols, enabling clients to achieve NABERS sustainability ratings while maintaining pristine workplace environments.
“This recognition validates our long-standing commitment to transforming commercial spaces into healthier, greener environments,” said Stephen Matthews of Clean Group. “Our triple ISO certifications and dedication to eco-friendly practices demonstrate that businesses don’t have to compromise between exceptional cleanliness and environmental responsibility.”
The company’s comprehensive service portfolio spans multiple sectors, including corporate offices, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, strata buildings, warehouses, and places of worship. Each cleaning program is tailored to meet specific industry requirements while adhering to stringent environmental and safety standards.
Clean Group commercial cleaning in Sydney has evolved significantly in response to post-pandemic hygiene requirements. The company has implemented enhanced protocols that address current health concerns while maintaining its commitment to using only non-toxic cleaning products. This approach has proven particularly valuable for sensitive environments such as childcare centers, medical facilities, and NDIS participant spaces.
The recognition from Kinross Research evaluated multiple factors, including customer satisfaction ratings, environmental practices, service quality, and operational excellence. Clean Group’s 4.9-star rating on major review platforms and consistent client feedback regarding attention to detail, timeliness, and professionalism contributed to the top ranking.
“What sets us apart is our ability to deliver spotless results without lock-in contracts or operational disruptions,” Matthews explained. “Our flexible approach allows businesses to maintain the highest cleanliness standards while focusing on their core operations.”
The company’s green cleaning methodology extends beyond product selection to encompass comprehensive environmental strategies. These include water conservation techniques, energy-efficient equipment, and waste reduction protocols that align with corporate sustainability goals. This holistic approach helps clients meet their environmental commitments while maintaining healthy indoor air quality.
Clean Group in Sydney continues to invest in advanced cleaning technologies and equipment designed to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. The company’s ISO-certified procedures ensure consistent service delivery across all client locations, from small professional offices to large industrial warehouses.
The family-owned business has built its reputation on reliability and quality over more than two decades of operation. Its services include specialized offerings such as after-builders cleaning, carpet cleaning, window cleaning, and comprehensive spring cleaning programs. Each service maintains the same commitment to environmental safety and exceptional results that earned the company its recent recognition.
Clean Group Commercial Cleaning operates throughout the Greater Sydney metropolitan area, providing customized cleaning solutions for businesses of all sizes. The company’s expertise spans routine maintenance cleaning, deep sanitization services, and specialized industry-specific cleaning requirements.
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For more information about Clean Group Commercial Cleaning, contact the company here:
Clean Group Commercial Cleaning Stephen Matthews +61291607469 sales@clean-group.com.au 1b L1/299 Elizabeth St Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
More children under 12 are ringing Youthline, with its latest figures showing that age group makes up 10 percent of calls for help.
At the charity’s inaugural youth mental health summit at Parliament on Wednesday, speakers called for cross-party support and a more connected model of care for young New Zealanders who, since Covid-19, are struggling more than ever.
Youthline runs free services including a helpline, face-to-face counselling, mentoring, and programmes in schools.
Its chief executive, Shae Ronald, said the helpline had 28,000 conversations a year but demand had been climbing for more than a decade, particularly since Covid-19.
“We had a big jump last year in January, and we’ve had another big jump over the last three months.”
And the cases were growing in seriousness, too – the number of rangatahi who were considered very high risk, and requiring emergency intervention, was up to four a day. Ronald said she remembered a time when it was one a week.
Youthline’s Shae Ronald.RNZ David Steemson
Today, many young people were battling something she called the “missing middle service gap”.
“Many young people fall into the space where their needs are serious, but do not meet the threshold for urgent or specialist intervention. As a result, they may face long wait lists, limited availability, or uncertainty about where they fit within the system,” she said.
And the callers were getting younger, too.
“As of last year, 10 percent of all people contacting Youthline are under 12,” she said.
Australian psychiatrist Pat McGorry explained the increase of mental health distress among youths was a global trend, and it could be down to any combination of factors – social media, climate anxiety, rising cost of living and buying a house, and notably, Covid-19.
“The younger age groups had a much more precipitous drop in their mental health during the pandemic,” he said.
“We think it’s about 25 percent of the rise over the last 20 years, Covid is responsible for it.”
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey – who himself had spent time as a Youthline counsellor in the 1980s – expressed envy of Australia over the size and scale of their resources to respond to the mental health crisis.
But McGorry said it wasn’t all smooth sailing there, either.
“I assume it’s the same in New Zealand,” he said.
“Life is much more precarious in an economic sense for [young people]. Their futures are clouded in many, many ways. House prices in Australia cost you three times the median income 40 years ago to buy a house. Now it’s 10 times. And rents are proportionally equal.
“And there are students in Western Sydney at the universities who have to choose between buying textbooks and eating. So they have food banks in the universities. Now, how can a society like Australia, one of the richest countries in the world, tolerate that? I mean, it’s just madness.”
Dr Jess Stubbing, a clinical psychologist and researcher now working in Massachusetts, said New Zealand was yet to see the true peak of the wave.
“I’m seeing more and more younger people, who are coming in at a younger age with really significant need, and a lot of that is young people who were in their very formative, early years during Covid, when their families were stressed, the country was stressed, we were all divided, and that affects us, that affects how we grow up.”
She said the New Zealand system was not meeting the current need, and it was definitely not going to meet future need, either.
That left a couple of options, she said – spend money today on an integrated, cohesive mental health system, “or spend ten times that in a decade when those people are adults and need our adult services”.
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey.RNZ / Mark Papalii
Doocey said the feedback he frequently received was that the system felt fragmented, with long wait times, unequipped to meet growing demand.
In the past 12 months, an extra 35,000 accessed support compared with the year before, which Doocey said was largely due to a reduction in workforce vacancies.
But that same growth wasn’t seen among young people.
A prevalence survey – the first of its kind for mental health and addiction among young people – was set to begin in the coming months, Doocey said.
And while that would take years to start producing data, it was a step in the right direction for a system where the need grew year on year.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Three years after being unceremoniously dumped as Wallabies coach months out from 2023 World Cup, Dave Rennie will take on the All Blacks’ top job.PHOTOSPORT
Analysis – The road travelled over the last 26 years by Dave Rennie, from fledgling coach of the Upper Hutt club to the top job with the All Blacks, has been a long and winding one.
A quick promotion to the Wellington ranks in 2000 brought instant success, an NPC title that had eluded the Lions for 20 years, but since then there have been troughs to go with the peaks.
And it’s the experience gained from those most trying of times, notably his dismal 13 from 34 record with the Wallabies before being fired for Eddie Jones just months out from the Rugby World Cup, that might just prove as valuable as that gleaned from his successes.
Tony Johnson has been a Sky Sport rugby commentator for 27 years.Supplied
Sir Graham Henry has often spoken about how he’d had to learn to become a better people manager after his Lions team blew up in Australia in 2001. Were it not for a run of defeats against the Springboks in 2009 that forced he and his coaching team to have a long hard think about what they were doing, would they have won the World Cup two years later?
Failure at high level was something Scott “Razor” Robertson had no real experience of, and it showed. The defeat against England last November not only cost the All Blacks a much hoped for Grand Slam, it had a profoundly deflating impact on the team, from which the rumours of player discontent emerged.
Dave Rennie knows how to handle success, but will have learned much from his failures.
One of his first tasks will be to address the oft reported, but never truly proven cracks in the group and ensure the team ethos is intact. In this regard, his credentials are compelling.
For sure, his back to back successes with the Chiefs owed plenty to an outstanding group of players and a (cliché alert) coaching “Dream Team”, but it was Rennie who realised from the get-go that they were unlikely to win anything unless they figured out just who they were as a club, and who and what they represented.
From that journey of discovery came a powerful kaupapa, He Piko He Taniwha, On Every Bend (of the Waikato River) a Chief. It established a sense of identity Liam Messam describes as “bone deep”, and the hitherto elusive success came instantly. You’ll battle to find a single player from that era with a bad word to say about Dave Rennie.
Dave Rennie was renowned for building a strong team culture at the Chiefs, alongside a coaching dream team.PHOTOSPORT
As for his playing style, one thing Rennie will not be afraid of, is to bring some abrasion. His Chiefs teams infuriated opposition with their policy of clearing out anyone or anything within coo-ee of ruck. It is a risk-reward strategy that can be devastatingly effective when managed well, but a liability if carried out recklessly.
That’s all in the future. Of immediate importance now will be the establishment of a good coaching team around him. Whilst a complete clear-out of Robertson’s group is unlikely, it is also inconceivable that they will all survive. Rennie will want people with him he can trust, who align with his thinking. It won’t work otherwise.
Whilst public opinion appears to be well in favour of the decision, not everyone is convinced. Some have been quick to point at how his methods did not bring success to the Wallabies, a notable win over the Springboks notwithstanding. In his defence, he was trying to coach a team against an impossibly unstable backdrop, and he could hardly have fared worse than the man who replaced him so abruptly.
Some of those doubts may have been allayed by Rennie’s opening press conference, which was carried out with a clarity and authority that his predecessor had always struggle to convey. It also demonstrated his trademark willingness to challenge boundaries, exemplified in his comments about Brodie Retallick.
Retallick has been in outstanding form in Japan, and could clearly be a difference maker, but that would need the NZR eligibility laws to be tweaked.
Scott Robertson tried it with Richie Mo’unga and got nowhere. The fact that Rennie made his pitch with Chair David Kirk right beside him does make you wonder what they might already have discussed.
Kirk has made it clear that whilst a huge year lies ahead in 2026, it’s next years World Cup that is the number one priority. Was Dave Rennie saying “if that’s the task, then how far are you prepared to go to give me the best chance of achieving it?”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Thanks to powerful partnerships with industry leaders, NOTE 60 Ultra represents Infinix’s boldest entry in the flagship tier, debuting in Barcelona during MWC 2026
BARCELONA, SPAIN – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – Infinix is cementing its status within the premium smartphone segment in a bold new way with NOTE 60 Ultra, its landmark flagship debuting in Barcelona during Mobile World Congress 2026.
Infinix NOTE 60 Ultra Design by Pininfarina
Co-developed with Italian automotive and design legend Pininfarina, NOTE 60 Ultra’s design is driven by an emotion-led aesthetic inspired by super cars. Beneath its bold design lies a fully realized flagship experience, integrating breakthrough in-house innovations with best-in-class partner technologies. A professional-grade 200MP ultra-high-definition imaging system, built-in multi-country satellite communication connectivity, and immersive audio precision-tuned by SOUND BY JBL come together to challenge expectations in the premium segment.
Infinix NOTE 60 Ultra family
Supercar Design DNA in a Flagship, Shaped by Pininfarina
In the premium segment, the design language is a device’s opening statement. A user’s perception at first glance is shaped by aesthetics, long before a single specification is considered.
Drawing inspiration from the aerodynamic philosophy and pioneering spirit of high-performance sports cars, Infinix, in partnership with Pininfarina, takes a radical departure in sculpting a flagship. What stands out immediately is what’s missing: the camera bump. As premium handsets adopt larger sensors, they often sacrifice form with increasingly protruding camera modules.
True to the sports car heritage, NOTE 60 Ultra introduces a fully integrated, single-body rear: the Aluminum Unibody Design. At the heart of this craftsmanship is the World’s 1st Uni-Chassis Cam Module, formed a single, continuous sheet of CORNING® GORILLA® GLASS VICTUS that virtually conceals the presence of the camera. Much like a supercar sculpted for low-drag, the rear design maintains a smooth, uninterrupted silhouette. This also ensures a natural in-hand feel and unobtrusively slips into any pocket, while reinforcing the phone’s durability and structural integrity.
Paying homage to Italian cultural and racing heritage, NOTE 60 Ultra arrives in four striking colorways: Torino Black, Monza Red, Amalfi Blue, and Roma Silver. Each hue draws inspiration from the most iconic scenes and legends of Italy’s motorsport and cultural history, capturing the spirit of speed, lifestyle, and emotional beauty.
Just as a supercar announces its ignition through sound and light, NOTE 60 Ultra mirrors the ritual. A Floating Taillight signature spans the rear, illuminating as the device powers on. And as a final nod to automotive heritage, NOTE 60 Ultra features an Active Matrix Display reminiscent of a supercar dashboard at startup. Concealed within the rear surface, the hidden display lights up to reveal notifications, expressive icons, or a pixel-style virtual companion.
Dual Flagship Cameras for Detail, Zoom, and True-to-Life Imaging
Although discreet at first glance, Infinix makes no concessions on camera performance and earmarks a new era for Infinix’s imaging capability. Delivering performance on par with industry-leading standards, Infinix’s Dual Flagship Imaging Architecture marks several brand-first breakthroughs and improvements across three dimensions, reinforcing its position as a signature offering.
Under the hood, it’s clear that NOTE 60 Ultra refuses to settle for less. Discreetly integrated within the Uni-Chassis Cam Module is a powerful triple-camera array. Anchored by a next-generation 200MP Samsung ISOCELL HPE sensor, NOTE 60 Ultra delivers ultra-high-definition clarity. And ensuring flagship-grade versatility across focal lengths, the phone is complemented by a 50MP Samsung ISOCELL JN5 periscope telephoto lens and a 112° ultra-wide lens.
However, hardware alone does not define the full experience. For the first time, Infinix supports the XDR display standard with Ultra HDR Capture. Powered by a proprietary XDR Image Engine, Infinix’s advanced system delivers a superior dynamic range, ideal for true-to-life photos of bright lights at night or breathtaking sunset scenes.
The result is exceptional resolution that sets a higher bar for precise framing in daylight or after dark, while faithfully preserving details often lost in standard photography. Whether exploring daytime cityscapes or distant horizons, NOTE 60 Ultra excels with its advanced optical‑to‑digital zoom performance. Crisp, detailed shots are captured across a versatile zoom range, from a 2× optical crop and native 3.5× optical zoom to a 7× lossless digital zoom, extending up to 100× for extreme distances.
Expansive Satellite Calling and Messaging Coverage
Beyond what meets the eye, NOTE 60 Ultra carries a more subtle capability designed to accompany the user’s ambition, as far as and wherever the road leads. NOTE 60 Ultra is the first¹ to introduce dual-way satellite calling with expansive global coverage across a far greater number of countries¹. Powered by two-way messaging and calling beyond traditional terrestrial networks, NOTE 60 Ultra offers an added peace of mind whether navigating remote terrain beyond cellular coverage or facing large-scale network disruptions. The device bridges regional connectivity gaps to maintain communication and enables emergency location sharing when it matters most.
Ultra-Fast, Enduring Functionalities for an All-Around Flagship Experience
NOTE 60 Ultra combines category-leading performance and enduring power to support multi-sensory entertainment without interruption. Complementing this, its latest user experience delivers forward-looking innovations and AI-driven optimizations, making it more accessible and seamless for everyday use.
Impressively, Infinix debuted the Proprietary Battery Self-Healing Technology. Despite featuring a massive 7000mAh silicon-carbon battery within a slim, lightweight frame, NOTE 60 Ultra is engineered to restore up to 1%² of battery health every 200 charge cycles. Complementing this breakthrough, NOTE 60 Ultra supports wired 100W All-Around Fast Charge and 50W wireless charging, achieving a full charge from 1% to 100%² in only 48 minutes through a wired connection.
Even with a massive battery, Infinix pulls out all the stops to optimize for both speed and energy management. Featuring a 4nm all-big-core MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultimate chipset together with Infinix’s self-developed performance engine, NOTE 60 Ultra achieves up to 25%² faster multitasking, accelerated app responsiveness, and sustained smoothness.
NOTE 60 Ultra excels in its class with a captivating, 1.5K Ultra HDR cinematic display. Delivering fluid 144Hz responsiveness and exceptional 4500-nit peak brightness, visuals remain vibrant across most lighting conditions. Even in motion, intelligent predictive stabilization minimizes motion sickness, whether watching a film or playing games from within a car. And just as a high-performance vehicle demands calibrated acoustics, NOTE 60 Ultra doesn’t settle for less. It delivers high-fidelity audio through a stereo system with SOUND BY JBL, completing a truly compelling entertainment experience.
The NOTE 60 Ultra’s optimized performance enables its intelligent AI features to run fluidly and efficiently with minimal battery drain. Its integrated AI ecosystem focuses on practical daily-enhancing functions, including real-time vitals tracking via Advanced Health Monitor, personalized file organization and an adaptive AI-powered knowledge base, all evolving with user preferences. These AI capabilities are seamlessly woven into GlowSpace, a new interface debuting on XOS 16.³ Powered by Android 16, GlowSpace introduces a fully reimagined UI centered on fluid motion and luminous details that animate with every interaction.
Through co-engineering with leading technology and innovation partners, Infinix has aligned NOTE 60 Ultra around a unified vision of excellence. The outcome is a benchmark-setting flagship defined not by spectacle, but by deeply integrated and purposeful engineering, inside-out.
Product availability
NOTE 60 Ultra comes with a promise of 3 years of major OS updates and 5 years of security patches.
NOTE 60 Ultra is available in four colors: Torino Black, Monza Red, Amalfi Blue, and Roma Silver.
It will be available in a single variant with 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and built-in eSIM⁴.
NOTE 60 Ultra comes with a deluxe gift box with automotive-inspired display stand design. A Supercar-Inspired MagCharge Base in Zinc Alloy, a Kevlar-Pattern MagPad, a Custom Kevlar MagCase, and a Track-Edition SIM Ejector Pin are included in the gift box.
Disclaimer
¹As of launch, this device is the first commercially available smartphone to support two‑way satellite calling across multiple countries. Feature availability, supported regions and coverage are subject to local certification, network deployment and market conditions.
²All data comes from Infinix laboratories. The testing data may vary slightly between different test versions and testing environments.
³The specific XOS upgrade plan for each model will be announced separately. Please note that availability of this upgrade may be limited in certain countries.
⁴eSIM availability is carrier and region-dependent; it may not be supported in all countries.
Hashtag: #Infinix
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Focusing on talent ecosystem in the AI-era, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s Premier International talent hub
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – The Labour and Welfare Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, in collaboration with Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE), will host the Global Talent Summit Week (GTS Week) in mid-March. Anchored by the integration of education, technology and talents, the mega talent event will foster regional talent exchange and explore future talent trends through an international forum, a large-scale expo and diverse networking activities.
Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) announced the programme for the Global Talent Summit Week on March 2, featuring the International Talent Forum, CareerConnect Expo and nine satellite events from March 17 to 29. Photo shows (from left) Account Delivery Director of DayOne Data Centre, Mr Tony Zhou; the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; the Director of HKTE, Mr Felix Chan; and Partner of Ernst & Young Advisory Services Limited, Mr Jeff Tang, at the press conference.
Building on the success of its inaugural event in 2024, this year’s GTS Week expands its programme to include the International Talent Forum and CareerConnect Expo on 18 and 19 March, alongside nine satellite events co‑organised with HKTE’s working partners from 17 to 29 March. Together, these initiatives form a comprehensive international platform for talent exchange, further strengthening Hong Kong’s dual role as an international talent hub and the country’s gateway for talent.
The GTS Week follows Hong Kong’s historic ascent to the top position in Asia on the International Institute for Management Development’s World Talent Ranking 2025, which marks the city’s highest-ever ranking.
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare,Mr Chris Sun, stated: “At a pivotal moment of rapid transformation in the global talent ecosystem, the GTS Week aims to explore forward looking perspectives on talent development, policies and opportunities, while aligning with the country’s development, thereby building Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talent.”
The Director of HKTE, Mr Felix Chan, expressed his hope that through this flagship international talent event, the GTS Week will promote cross-regional and cross-sector collaboration on talent, and provide a platform for exchange with various partners that helps talent seize opportunities, understand development pathways in Hong Kong and gain foresight into manpower trends.
International Talent Forum | 18 and 19 March
Anchored by the theme “Connecting Global Minds”, the Forum brings together top government officials, business and academic leaders from Hong Kong and abroad.
Headlining the first day of the Forum will beProfessor Christopher A. Pissarides, 2010 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, delivering a keynote speech. He will be joined by Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, and Mr Joe Ngai, Chairman of McKinsey Greater China, who will share perspectives on the talent ecosystem in a new era. The Forum programme is structured with three panel discussions aligned with the GTS Week’s core pillars:
Education — — “Navigating the Future: The Paradigm Shift in Education and Talent Strategy” brings together academic leaders to explore how cross-border collaboration and industry partnerships can drive innovation and build future-ready skills. Panellists include Professor Qihuang Gong (President, Peking University), Professor Nancy Ip (President, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology), Professor Simon Marginson (Professor of Higher Education (Emeritus), University of Oxford), Professor John Quelch (American President and Executive Vice Chancellor, Duke Kunshan University), and Professor Heiwai Tang (Associate Vice-President (Global), Universiry of Hong Kong).
Technology — — “Technology as a Catalyst–Shaping Talent Strategies for Innovation” examines how innovative AI technologies can support talent attraction and development. Panellists include Ms Venetia Lee (General Manager, Ant International Greater China), Dr Dahua Lin (Co-founder & Chief Scientist, SenseTime), Mr Yat Siu (Co-founder & ExecutiveChairman, Animoca Brands; Founder & CEO, Outblaze), and Ms Basima Abdulrahman (Founder and CEO, KESK).
Talent — — “Thriving in a Dynamic Talent Landscape–Sustaining Skills and Fostering Resilience” explores how AI and digital technologies are reshaping talent strategies. Panellists include Mr Jeff Tang (Partner, Market Development Leader, Consulting, Ernst & Young Group), Mr Paul Moody (Managing Director, Global Partnerships & Client Solutions, CFA Institute), Mr Grant Wright (Group Executive, AI, SEEK), Ms Ruchee Anand (Vice President of Talent Solutions for APAC, LinkedIn), and Ms Joy Xu (Group Chief People & Culture Officer, DFI Retail Group).
The second morning will feature panel discussions and dedicated sessions with satellite event partners. An invitation-only closed-door Forging a National High-calibre Talent Hub Symposium will follow in the afternoon, bringing together government representatives from the Chinese Mainland and the Macao Special Administrative Region to foster knowledge exchange, collaboration and high‑calibre talent networks.
The Forum is by invitation only; HKTE will provide a global livestream on both days.
For the full list of confirmed speakers and the detailed forum agenda, please visit: gts.hkengage.gov.hk/en/speaker-list
CareerConnect Expo | 18 and 19 March
Running concurrently on 18 and 19 March, the Expo will feature about 70 large enterprises, education and technology institutions, and government departments. The free-admission Expo will provide participants direct access to the latest industry information, diverse support services and networking opportunities with multinational companies across thematic zones, showcasing career prospects across the Greater Bay Area. Pre-registration is now open.
Nine Satellite Events | 17 to 29 March(New for 2026)
For the first time, the GTS Week will extend into a week-long series, with nine satellite events taking place from 17 to 29 March in partnership with HKTE’s various working partners. The programme includes regional conferences, career fairs and corporate award ceremonies, creating a comprehensive platform for professional networking and information exchange. During the week, HKTE will formalise a cooperation agreement with JCI Hong Kong to deepen international promotion of the city.
Registration and Enquiries
Hashtag: #GlobalTalentSummit
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Carried out by Talbot Mills, 68 percent of respondents agreed with the ultra wealthy being taxed more to support public goods like healthcare, housing and climate action.
Thirteen percent disagreed in the poll from 11-26 February of 1033 people.
Half of people surveyed – 50 percent – agreed there should be no billionaires while people struggle affording the basics like housing, food and healthcare.
Think tank director Gareth Hughes told Midday Report there is deep unease about how the economy is handling challenges like housing and the cost of living.
“Kiwis know that our tax system isn’t fair, it’s putting too much of the responsibility on workers, on things like GST, which are incredibly regressive,” he said.
“Yes, they would like those ultra-wealthy to be contributing more for our health and education system.
“That’s two-thirds agree that billionaires should be paying more to fund these public services.”
The numbers were closer together in another question in the poll – whether there should be a “billion-dollar wealth cap” or maximum amount of wealth a person can have.
Among the respondents, 37 percent agreed, while 34 percent disagreed.
“Oh, personally, I would be comfortable with that,” Hughes said.
“I think once you had a billion dollars you could get a certificate saying you’ve won capitalism and you could contribute to society.”
Hughes said he was part of a global network working to try to redesign the economic system “to deliver wellbeing for people and nature”.
He said it was a topic being raised overseas, and Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa wanted to test the idea in New Zealand.
“I acknowledge it’s a pretty new idea for New Zealanders, the idea of wealth caps,” he said.
“But remember, once upon a time we had very high marginal tax rates for the super wealthy in this country to contribute towards society.”
The National Business Review‘s annual rich list reported last year that New Zealand had 18 billionaires, up from 16 the year before.
“I think the big message though is that billionaires around the world and through corporate influence in New Zealand has seen a system which advantages them,” said Hughes.
“It’s very hard for people to pull themselves by their bootstraps today, you can almost say the ladder’s being pulled up behind the super-wealthy.”
Hughes said it was up to political leaders to put their solutions to the public.
On the question of billionaires paying more tax, 71 percent of people under 30 were supportive, and also 71 percent of people 30-44.
Sixty-eight percent of people 45-59 agreed and 64 percent of people polled over 60.
Eighty percent of Labour and Green voters agreed, 69% percent of Te Pāti Māori voters, 67 percent of the poll’s New Zealand First supporters, 58 percent of National and 44 percent Act.
The poll responses:
How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following:
The economic system in New Zealand is not set up to effectively address the big issues like housing, healthcare, and climate change. 66% total agree. 10% total disagree.
No one should be a billionaire while so many people struggle to afford basic necessities like housing, food, and healthcare. 50% total agree, 24% total disagree.
How strongly do you support or oppose the following in NZ:
Billionaires paying more tax to fund public goods like healthcare, housing, and climate action. 68% total agree. 13% total disagree.
Introducing a billion-dollar wealth cap – a maximum amount of wealth any person can legally hold. 37% total agree. 34% total disagree.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – AEON Bank, the first digital Islamic bank in Malaysia, has gone live with its Zakat feature on its digital banking app, making it easier than ever for Muslim customers to fulfil their mandatory obligation of Zakat Fitrah payment during the month of Ramadan.
This Zakat payment feature is made possible through a strategic partnership with Tulus Digital, an Islamic social finance fintech platform that serves as an authorized agent of the State Zakat authorities, including Pusat Pungutan Zakat MAIWP and Lembaga Zakat Selangor. Together, the collaboration provides a sah, secure, seamless end-to-end digital solution that effectively brings the Zakat payment directly to customers’ smartphones.
AEON Bank’s Chief Executive Officer, YM Raja Datin Paduka Teh Maimunah Raja Abdul Aziz said, “At AEON Bank, we believe that digital banking should be more than just about managing money; it should also support your lifestyle and values. By enabling the Zakat feature in our app, we are fulfilling the amanah to make mandatory religious obligations as convenient and stress-free as possible. This partnership with Tulus Digital is about merging ethical technology – just in time for Ramadan, allowing our customers to focus on their Rukun Islam amal ibadah while we facilitate the technical details.” Why Paying Your Zakat via AEON Bank App is Sah and Seamless
Ultimate Convenience : No queues, no physical counters. Pay anytime, anywhere, in just a few steps.
Comprehensive Coverage : It supports 11 types of Zakat, including Zakat Fitrah, Pendapatan (Income), Perniagaan (Business), Emas (Gold), KWSP and more.
Built-in Shariah Integrity : Every Zakat payment includes the digital Aqad (contract), ensuring your contribution is sah and compliant with Shariah principles.
Automated Record-Keeping : Receive an immediate in-app receipt and a formal notification from Tulus Digital. Official tax-deductible receipts from state authorities are easily accessible via their respective portals.
Tulus Digital’s Commercial Director, Ubaida Othman, added, “Our key focus is to enable secure, Shariah guided digital payments and social finance solutions. Tulus Digital provides payment settlement via secure API integrations, mobile applications, and enterprise-grade payment rails, directly into institutional bank accounts, serving state zakat authorities, corporate partners, and financial institutions across Malaysia. Through our strategic partnership with AEON Bank, we are committed to strengthen the country’s Islamic finance digital economy by combining ethical technology, Shariah governance, and purpose-driven financial innovation.”
Pay Your Zakat in 4 Simple Steps
Step 1 : Log in to the AEON Bank app Download the AEON Bank app and activate your Savings Account-i.
Step 2 : Select “Zakat” icon on the app’s home screen Click on the Zakat app on the Home screen and choose the authorised Zakat agency and the type of Zakat contribution.
Step 3 : Enter required details Fill in the necessary payment information, including the number of dependents or selected rice category (for Zakat Fitrah only).
Step 4 : Confirm and complete payment Review the details, click on the ‘T&C’ and ‘Aqad’, and authorise the transaction securely within the app to complete your Zakat contribution.
Upon successful payment, customers will receive :
Zakat payment receipt within the AEON Bank app
Zakat payment notification email from Tulus Digital, sent to the customer’s registered email address
Official Zakat receipt issued by the respective Zakat agency, accessible via the agency’s website
The introduction of the Zakat feature on the AEON Bank app further strengthens the Bank’s suite of digital utility services, seamlessly integrating financial and Shariah obligations in one secure digital platform. The service currently facilitates payments for Lembaga Zakat Selangor and Pusat Pungutan Zakat MAIWP, and AEON Bank will progressively enable contributions to other state Zakat authorities in the near future – all part of its commitment to expand accessible and trusted digital financial solutions anchored on Shariah governance and integrity.
Click HERE to visit AEON Bank’s website and download the AEON Bank app on the App Store or Google Play Store.
New Board Appointments and Strategic Partnerships Drive Fresh Momentum Accelerating Expansion into Chinese Medicine and Physiotherapy
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – Trinity Medical Group (“Trinity Medical” or the “Group”), a leading provider of patient-centred healthcare premium diagnostic imaging and screening services, today marks a significant milestone with its 10th anniversary. The Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Wu Ting-yuk, Anthony, GBS, JP, Member of the Standing Committee of the 12th and 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and Dr. the Honourable Lam Ching-choi, GBS, JP, Member of the Executive Council, to its Board Members. In addition, the Group has entered into strategic partnerships with FWD, Prudential Hong Kong Limited, YF Life Insurance International Limited and United Imaging (in alphabetical order of company names), enhancing cross-sector synergies between premium healthcare services and insurance solutions to deliver comprehensive and high-quality care for clients.
Trinity Medical Group hosts its 10th anniversary celebration, which brings together distinguished leaders from the government, business, and medical sectors. The event is a remarkable success and sees an exceptional turnout.
The Group celebrated its 10th anniversary yesterday (3 March), bringing together distinguished guests, Professor Lo Chung-mau, BBS, JP, Secretary for Health; Mr. Fan Hung-ling, Henry, SBS, JP, Chairman of the Hospital Authority; Mr. Tong Ka-shing, Carlson, GBS, JP, Chairman of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited; and Professor Ma Si-hang, Frederick, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, to commemorate this major chapter in its journey.
Mr. Lau Kevin Chung-hang, MH, Founder of Trinity Medical Group, remarked in the welcome speech, “With the steadfast support of our insurance partners, corporate clients, and medical professionals, as well as the commitment and trust of our professional team, our Group is proud to reach this significant 10th anniversary milestone. Looking ahead, we will remain dedicated to the principles of preventive medicine and will proactively expand our service portfolio. This year, we plan to introduce Traditional Chinese Medicine and physiotherapy services, further diversifying our offerings and providing the community with more comprehensive care as we drive the Group’s ongoing development.”
Mr. Lau Kevin Chung-hang, MH, Founder of Trinity Medical Group, delivered the welcome address. Mrs. Christine Ma-Lau, Director of Trinity Medical Group, delivered the thank-you speech.
Trinity Medical welcomes Professor Wu Ting-yuk, Anthony, GBS, JP, Member of the 12th and 13th Standing Committee of the National Committee of the CPPCC, as Non-Executive Chairman, and Dr. the Honourable Lam Ching-choi, GBS, JP, Member of the Executive Council, as Independent Non-Executive Director.Mr. Lau Kevin Chung-hang, MH remarked in his speech, “Professor Wu brings more than networks; he brings international governance DNA; Dr. Lam connects our boardroom strategy to bedside community care.” With the addition of these highly respected industry leaders, the Group is confident that their expertise and strategic insight will significantly strengthen the Group’s vision, clinical capabilities and overall growth trajectory, injecting new momentum into the Group’s future development.
Professor Wu Ting-yuk, Anthony, GBS, JP, Non-Executive Chairman of Trinity Medical Group (Left); Dr. the Honourable Lam Ching-choi, GBS, JP, Independent Non-Executive Director of Trinity Medical Group (Right).
Forging Cross-Industry Alliances to Pioneer New Frontiers in Chinese Medicine Consultations and Physiotherapy
At the anniversary celebration, Trinity Medical announced the strategic cooperation agreements with FWD, Prudential Hong Kong Limited, YF Life Insurance International Limited, and United Imaging. Through these partnerships, the Group aims to deliver international-standard diagnostic services and diverse insurance solutions, creating a seamless, one-stop integrated healthcare experience for clients.
Trinity Medical Group enters into a strategic partnership agreement with FWD and is honoured to have Mr. Ken Lau, Managing Director of Greater China and Hong Kong Chief Executive Officer, FWD, to attained the event and join the commemorative photo.
Trinity Medical Group enters into a strategic partnership agreement with Prudential Hong Kong Limited and is honoured to have Ms. Candy Au Yeung, Chief Customer Operation and Health Officer, Prudential Hong Kong Limited to attend the event and join the commemorative photo.
Trinity Medical Group enters into a strategic partnership agreement with YF Life Insurance Limited and is honoured to have Ms. Jasmine Hui, Chief Proposition Officer and Senior Vice President, YF Life Insurance Limited, to attend the event and join the commemorative photo.
Trinity Medical Group enters into a strategic partnership agreement with United Imaging, and expresses gratitude for United Imaging’s significant support in advancing medical technology.
Looking ahead, Trinity Medical will further diversify its service portfolio, including the introduction of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) consultations and physiotherapy services this year. These initiatives will continue to advance holistic recovery and preventive care initiatives. These efforts are designed to address the growing demand for premium healthcare and to reinforce the Group’s leadership within the sector.
Since its establishment in 2016, Trinity Medical has been committed to providing high-quality diagnostic imaging and health screening services. The Group continues to expand its clinical and check-up offerings, underscoring its drive for diversified development and excellence. To date, the Group has formed partnerships with over 10 insurance companies and earned the trust of over 300 corporate clients.
The professional team now exeeds 200 members, collectively having served more than 1.8 million individual clients. Its online health platform has recorded over 5.5 million visits, underscoring the Group’s industry leadership and strong market reputation.
In addition, Trinity Medical has also actively contributed to the community, including:
Supporting government primary healthcare policies: Over the past decade, the Group has provided influenza, COVID-19, and HPV vaccinations to more than 10,000 schoolchildren, helping to build herd immunity.
COVID-19 response: Throughout the pandemic, all Trinity Medical centres across the city offered COVID-19 vaccinations and PCR testing, providing accessible services throughout Hong Kong.
Supporting the “eHealth” initiative: By participating in the Hospital Authority’s referral network and the Electronic Health Record Sharing System, the Group has helped relieve the burden for tens of thousands of public hospital patients.
Appointed as a “SafeCity Ambassador 2025”: Trinity Medical has partnered with the Hong Kong Police Force to jointly promote crime prevention, cyber security, and mental health awareness.
Championing youth development: Through participation in the “Strive and Rise Programme,” the Group helps secondary school students learn about the medical profession and supports their personal growth.
Recognised for corporate social responsibility: The Group has been awarded the “Caring Company” and “Good Employer” accolades for consecutive years, reflecting our dedication to social welfare, employee development, and environmental protection.
(Starting from the left) Mrs. Christine Ma-Lau, Director of Trinity Medical Group; Dr. the Honourable Lam Ching-choi, GBS, JP, Independent Non-Executive Director of the Group; Professor Wu Ting-yuk, Anthony, GBS, JP, Non-Executive Chairman of the Group; and Mr. Lau Kevin Chung-hang, MH, Founder of the Group, officiate at the toasting ceremony.
Trinity Medical Group’s 10th Anniversary Celebration is attended and supported by prominent leaders from the government and business sectors.
Click here to download more event photos.
Hashtag: #TrinityMedical
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Last week Police said we’d be taking action on the illegal sale of nitrous oxide in our communities and this week we are seeing results.
“Many districts, including Eastern, Counties Manukau, Waikato, Central, and Bay of Plenty had already begun working with retailers to ensure they knew the laws around the sale of nitrous oxide,” says Assistant Commissioner Tusha Penny.
“One retailer has shown complete disregard for the law and has persisted in selling this substance for recreational use. That retailer has now been charged under the Psychoactive Substances Act.”
District Commander Superintendent Will Loughrin said this result will be great for the Rotorua community.
“We took a planned prevention approach and this shows if retailers ignore us, we will follow through with enforcement action.
“We have taken more than 300 cannisters out of circulation. That will mean reduced harm for our young people, and also less danger on the road because of it.
“Our beat team had engaged with the retailer several times, yet he refused to heed our warnings. So now he will face the consequences, which is a criminal charge of selling or suppling a non-approved psychoactive product which carries a fine of up to $500,000 or a maximum term of two year’s imprisonment,” says Superintendent Loughrin.
The man will appear in the Rotorua District Court tomorrow.
“This is the first prosecution of a retailer in our district and I hope that any other retailer selling nitrous oxide for recreational use will note this and think again.”
Assistant Commissioner Tusha Penny says she is disappointed some retailers are choosing to snub the law despite engagement by Police.
“However, I am pleased to see this great effort by our staff and this demonstrates that we will use enforcement if people break the law.”
Police urge anybody who is aware of a retailer selling nitrous oxide for recreational use to contact Police on 105 or call CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 to report it.
If people see discarded cannisters in public they should contact their local council for advice about safe disposal, as these cannisters can explode if not emptied and disposed of properly as a hazardous substance.
Notes to media
Next week Police will be able to provide an update on numbers of letters delivered to retailers by Police around the country.
Tēnā koutou katoa, and warm Pacific greetings to you all. Thank you for the opportunity to gather for this important fono.
I want to begin by thanking Reverend Hiuenifor opening today’s fono and bringing us together in prayer this morning.
Thank you also to MC Fuimaono for your welcome and introduction.
I also acknowledge Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche.
I also want to greet former parliamentary colleagues Dame Winnie Laban,Aupito William Sio and the Honourable Alfred Ngaro. Thank you for your longstanding commitment to Pacific peoples in New Zealand.
To our Pacific leaders and public sector leaders, thank you for attending this second Stakeholder Fono and for the valuable insights you shared at the first gathering in November.
Scene setting
At the first fono, you heard from senior officials who provided important context about the global, geopolitical and domestic pressures shaping our environment. These forces are changing the face of how we work, how community needs are changing, and how the public sector must respond.
New Zealand is of the Pacific, and our country is enriched by the strength, culture, and contribution of Pacific peoples. Your success is New Zealand’s success.Pacific communities are among the youngest and fastest-growing in the country. That growth represents enormous potential; for families, for communities, and for the future workforce and economy.
That is why the Government is focused on delivering practical improvements in the areas that matter most: safer communities, better education, stronger health outcomes, secure housing, and real economic opportunity.
Delivering for Pacific Communities Strategy
Not long after the first fono, the Ministry published its Delivering for Pacific Communities Strategy, a practical three-year plan to ensure Pacific peoples benefit directly from government policies and programmes.
The Strategy focuses on the priorities Pacific communities told us matter most: economic opportunity, health, housing, education, and law and order, the fundamentals that support strong families and thriving communities.
Across these areas, the Government is committed to delivering real results, not just intentions.
I will briefly precis these areas of law and order, education, housing, health and economic opportunity.
Law and order
Good societies are safe societies. In the 2025 Global Peace Index, New Zealand ranked third highest. Safety is foundational. Pacific peoples are disproportionately affected by crime, and we need to continue to address the drivers and the remedies.
We have taken strong steps to restore law and order. There were 49,000 fewer victims of violent crime in the year to October 2025 than there were in October 2023. Ram raids are down by 85 per cent and there has also been a 22% drop in serious repeat youth offending compared to when we took office – well ahead of our target of a 15% reduction by 2030.
Alongside this, we are supporting community-led pacific initiatives that make a difference on the ground. For example, the Government is investing $1 million over four years in the Auckland Pacific Wardens Trust, recognising the vital role Pacific Wardens play in keeping people safe and strengthening community wellbeing.
Safer communities allow families, businesses, and young people to flourish.
Education
Education is the pathway to social mobility and improved quality of life. Social investment insights tell us the huge impact education has on our life’s trajectory.
Pacific learners, on average, face lower achievement across several indicators. To address this, we are seeing the highest shakeup in education in years. We have mandated one hour each of reading, writing, and maths every day, supported by structured literacy and phonics checks to improve reading outcomes.
We are already seeing progress. The proportion of new entrants meeting expected phonics levels has risen from 36 per cent to 58 per cent.
At the same time, programmes such as Tupu Aotearoa are creating pathways into employment, education, and training. We have already exceeded our target, placing more than 1,000 Pacific people into new opportunities.
I am also encouraged by the huge increase in Pacific People enrolling in tertiary education.
Investment in STEM is also important to participate in jobs and the workforce of the future. The Toloa Scholarships programme is seeing hundreds of Pacific students supported to carry out study in fields vital to New Zealand’s future.
Here is where we are cutting new ground with the Ministry. I have ministerial responsibility for the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI) and in June I also safely uploaded the largest amount of data ever into the IDI. As part of this I also recently uploaded Toloa Scholarship data into the IDI. The first grant-related data set to ever go into the IDI. This will provide two sets of insights: a look back at the attributes of the recipients, and a look forward to data insights of attributes of success.
Education is not just for youth but for adult learners also, and programmes such as MSD’s Alo Vaka are helping Pacific adults build skills and economic security, supporting over 300 people into better employment or business opportunities, and helping participating households increase incomes by around $9,000 to $12,000 on average.
I am also exploring converting the certificates of completion that people receive from the Centre for Pacific Languages into micro-credentials that then sit on their CV for future stacking. This will add immense value.
Health is closely linked to housing, both of which are key priorities for this Government.
We have made significant investment into Pacific housing initiatives, totalling $150 million.
We are cutting some never-trod ground in Pacific health. Healthy Homes is an HNZ initiative directed at improving young people’s health outcomes against ED attendance, and against off-work and off-study impacts.
Do healthy homes also benefit older people? In 2024, I landed the Pacific Healthy Homes Initiative which for the first time in any agency includes older people in the eligibility criteria. More specifically, Pacific people over 45 years with an ASH condition. We commissioned Otago University for before and after assessments. Initial data concludes older Pacific people benefit from warmer homes.
The programme is achieving real results, including delivering more than 5,200 interventions to date, such as insulation, heating and minor repairs in Pacific households.
We are investing $35.9 million to deliver 41 homes through the Pacific Building Affordable Homes Fund, and it has been a privilege to personally open Penina homes in South Auckland, and the Pacific Trust in the Waikato, and providers in New Brighton, Christchurch.
The Our Whare Our Fale programme in Eastern Porirua, shows the power of partnership between iwi, community organisations, and government to improve economic and health outcomes for families.
Supported by a substantial $114 million Government investment over three years, it will deliver up to 300 affordable homes by 2034. On assuming the portfolio three years ago, this was still requiring sign off, but for me the vision was impactful and the implementation deliverable.
I signed it off, and the first stage has already delivered 18 warm, energy-efficient homes and a communal fale, and I was glad to be there with Minister Potaka and Sir Bill English to mark its completion.
This project will support families into stable homes designed for multigenerational living, with families expected to begin moving in by the end of the year.
Homes are kept affordable through shared-equity support, perpetual land leases from Ngāti Toa that remove land costs, and construction at cost rather than market rates.
I want to acknowledge Central Pacific Collective, Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, and the Ministry for Pacific Peoples for their collaboration on Our Whare Our Fale.
It is an initiative that is delivering real results, with a further 32 homes expected by late 2026 and ongoing employment throughout construction.
Strong financial capability supports long-term economic resilience and home ownership, which is why the Ministry funds 12 providers to deliver the Financial Capability Programme across New Zealand.
Since July 2025, 674 individuals completed financial literacy training and 266 were supported with tailored home ownership plans.
Together, these initiatives enable Pacific families to step into home ownership while also creating Pacific-led construction and employment opportunities.
The progress in Pacific-led affordable housing reflects the Government’s broader focus on fixing the housing system and enabling long-term supply.
Alongside this work, the Government is focused on unlocking land for housing, supporting infrastructure, and reducing the barriers and costs that slow down building.
Health
Unfortunately, we know that Pacific peoples continue to experience poorer health outcomes, which is why improving frontline health services is a priority.
Recent results show encouraging progress on the targets that matter most for families:
Childhood immunisation rates at age two have risen to 82.6 per cent, the largest improvement across all targets
Faster cancer treatment, supported by $604 million funding for new medicines
Shorter emergency department stays despite higher demand
Reduced waiting times for specialist appointments and elective procedures
Our Elective Boost has delivered thousands of additional surgeries that make a real difference to people’s lives – hip and knee replacements, cataract surgeries, and other procedures – helping people return to work, family life, and the activities that give them purpose.
Economic Opportunity
Economic growth is central to long-term wellbeing.
Pacific communities are a powerful driver of New Zealand’s economy, and strengthening Pacific businesses creates jobs and prosperity that benefit everyone.
Unfortunately, we know Pacific unemployment is unacceptably high. The cost-of-living crisis, an economic downturn and high inflation hit our most vulnerable communities the hardest.
That is why we have prioritised practical initiatives to support Pacific communities into sustainable employment and economic opportunity.
Alo Vaka has provided targeted support to over 1,200 individuals and supported more than 300 individuals into better employment.
We are investing in programmes such as the Pacific Business Trust, which has created hundreds of new jobs.
Our Toloa Scholarships Programme will see hundreds of secondary students supported through strong education to employment pathways in high growth industries, enabling skills that are critical for the future economy.
Pacific people already play a vital role across essential industries. Strengthening skills, entrepreneurship and leadership will lift productivity and competitiveness across the country.
At the same time, this Government is focused on getting the broader economic settings right. Inflation has already more than halved from its peak, easing pressure on families and businesses, and we have lifted the incomes of working households experiencing hardship through tax relief and more affordable childcare. While it is encouraging to see inflation trending downward and pressure beginning to ease, we know there is still more work to do.
Our young people are our greatest asset and backing them to succeed is essential to building a stronger future for New Zealand.
Pacific youth are one of the youngest and fastest-growing population groups in New Zealand, and their wellbeing will shape our collective future.
They carry Pacific languages, cultures, and identities forward. They are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but innovators and change-makers of today.
I warmly acknowledge our Youth Panel – Lyonah, Tyler, Lupe, and Kaiata. Your perspectives ensure policies remain grounded in lived experience and focused on real opportunities.
When young people are equipped to thrive, our communities and our economy thrive with them.
Thriving Pacific communities
Across all these areas, safety, education, health, housing, and economic opportunity, the goal is the same: strengthening the fundamentals so Pacific families can thrive.
When communities are safer, children are learning, people can access timely healthcare, families have stable homes, and businesses are growing, the benefits extend far beyond any one group. Strong Pacific communities contribute to a stronger New Zealand.
Progress takes sustained effort, partnership, and trust. Government can’t do this alone, and we value the leadership and expertise within Pacific communities.
Lastly, as the previous Ministers here will agree, it’s a great privilege to be the Minister for Pacific Peoples and to be able to engage and support the Pacific community in New Zealand. In this task, I am ably supported by the staff here at the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.
I know there has been some discussion in the previous months regarding the Ministry for Pacific Peoples and where it sits within the structure of government. I want to be clear with everyone here that I believe it is important that there is strong voice for Pacific peoples within government, both at a ministerial level and within the public service. I am also very proud of the Ministry being in the top agencies or better across a range of public service performance measures reported over the recent months.
The Prime Minister has said there will be no structural change regarding the ministry in this term of Government.
That’s not to say that there isn’t room for improvement. This government believes that the entire public service needs to do better to ensure they are truly delivering for the communities they serve. That includes things like improved efficiencies, through use of AI and streamlining back-office services. Others will speak more on this.
Conclusion
In closing, thank you for coming here today and prioritising this fono.
Amid rapid expansion of regional hostilities across the Middle East following the ongoing joint United States-Israel attacks on Iran and the subsequent wave of Iranian retaliatory attacks across the region, Amnesty International is issuing an urgent call on all parties to protect civilians, adhere to international humanitarian law, in particular by ending unlawful attacks, such as deliberate, indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks on civilians and civilians infrastructures.
Military operations have spread across the region and now involve more than 10 countries. They have already resulted in significant loss of civilian life and destruction of civilian infrastructure. Israel has escalated its attacks on Lebanon in the past 24 hours in response to Hezbollah’s attacks. The US has said that “the hardest hits are yet to come”. Iran has warned of further intensification and insecurity across the whole region following the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader and commander-in-chief Ali Khamenei.
“Civilians should not pay the price for the unlawful and reckless acts by parties to the conflict, ravaging the principles of humanity and distinction at the heart of international humanitarian law and threatening the very foundations of international peace and security. The stakes could not be higher. Across the region, civilians have already endured successive cycles of conflict and mass violations and crimes under international law. Their protection should now be the top priority. Instead, they are facing more senseless killings and repression,” said Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
“Parties to the conflict must immediately refrain from and cease unlawful attacks, whether direct attacks on civilians, indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks, or the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in densely populated areas. They must take all feasible precautions to prevent civilian harm.
“As the threat of a protracted international conflict grows, compliance with international human rights law and international humanitarian law is more urgent than ever. Any failure to uphold these obligations will intensify an already devastating human toll and push the region even further towards another humanitarian and human rights catastrophe.”
Attacks on Iran and Iran’s response
On 3 March the Iranian Red Crescent Society, reported that 787 people have been killed in Iran since the attacks began. On 28 February 2026, according to the Iranian authorities around 150 school children were among 165 people killed when a school in the southern city of Minab, Hormozgan province, was struck. The UN has described the bombing of this school as a ‘grave violation of humanitarian law’, with UNESCO warning that attacks on educational institutions endanger students and teachers and undermine the protections guaranteed under international humanitarian law. The UN Human Rights Office has called for a prompt, impartial and thorough investigation into the “horrific” incident.
Amnesty International verified six videos from the aftermath of the strike that impacted the school, which show black smoke rising from the partially collapsed building and rescuers and excavators searching through the rubble for victims. Footage filmed from the school entrance shows walls marking the parameter of the school yard and building, with smoke visible in the background from the direction of a nearby Iranian Revolutionary Guards Compound.
According to the head of the Medical Council of Iran, 10 medical centres have been damaged by the Israeli and US attacks. Hospitals in Iran have already been subjected to militarized raids by Iran’s security forces who committed widespread human rights violations against injured protesters and medical workers during and in the aftermath of the protest massacres in January 2026.
The Iranian authorities shut down access to the internet again on 28 February, preventing millions of people from accessing essential information about armed hostilities and communicating with loved ones inside and outside the country, and suppressing the flow of information about violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.
The armed conflict has intensified concerns about the fate and safety of prisoners across Iran, including the thousands of protesters and dissidents arrested in connection with the January 2026 uprising. These concerns stem from reports by human rights defenders of explosions near prisons and other facilities where prisoners are held as well as Israel’s previous attack on Tehran’s Evin prison during the 12-day war.
Human rights defenders are also expressing fears that the Iranian authorities have often used armed conflict as pretext to subject dissidents to intensified patterns of torture and other ill-treatment as well as summary, arbitrary or extrajudicial executions. Amnesty International calls on the Iranian authorities to immediately release all those arbitrarily detained and take effective measures to secure the safety of all other prisoners, including through temporary release on humanitarian grounds. Concerns for the rights of people in Iran are compounded by the Iranian authorities’ well-documented record to repeated crimes under international law and other serious human rights violations, including during successive lethal crackdowns to eradicate dissent. On 8-9 January, Iranian authorities carried out unprecedented massacres of thousands of protesters and bystanders during anti-establishment protests calling for an end to the Islamic Republic.
Iranian authorities responded to US and Israeli attacks with missile and unmanned aerial vehicle attack in Israel and across the Gulf region, including in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia.
Media reports and official government statements indicate that some of the attacks, including as a result of falling debris from intercepted missiles or drones, led to some deaths, injuries or damage to civilian infrastructure. According to the authorities in Abu Dhabi, an Iranian drone targeting Zayed International Airport (AUH) was intercepted, leading to “falling debris” killing one person and injuring seven. On 2 March, both the Qatari and Saudi authorities claimed their oil facilities were targeted by the Iranians, and a Gulf Cooperation Council statement condemned “indiscriminate and reckless missile and drone attacks.”
In Israel, according to media and rescue agencies, at least 10 people have been killed and tens injured as a result of Iranian attacks. This includes nine people killed and more than 20 injured in Beit Shemesh after an Iranian ballistic missile strike, as well as the death of a woman in the Tel Aviv area from falling shrapnel. Iranian strikes also damaged at least 40 buildings in Tel Aviv, according to local authorities.
Israel has escalated severe restrictions on movement across the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), effectively blocking movement between villages and towns in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem. The authorities have also closed all external crossings into and out of the OPT including Kerem Shalom/ Karem Abu Salem and Rafah crossings blocking lifesaving aid and effectively placing the entire Gaza Strip under siege. Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem was reopened on 3 March.
These arbitrary measures are gravely exacerbating the suffering of Palestinians living under Israel’s unlawful occupation and apartheid and are further compounding the multi-layered humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Palestinians are still living through Israel’s ongoing genocide.
In Iraq,a faction [Saraya Awliya Al-Dam] of the Iran-aligned militia groups, calling itself the Islamic Resistance, has claimed responsibility for multiple drone attacks on Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and later in the capital Baghdad, primarily targeting US military facilities. According to Kurdish Iranian opposition groups, drone strikes have targeted their positions in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq following warnings from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Escalation between Hezbollah and Israel in Lebanon
Following Hezbollah rocket attacks on northern Israel, which the group said was retaliation for Khamenei’s killing, the Israeli military significantly escalated its attacks on Lebanon, including the suburbs of Beirut, overnight on 2 March. Israeli air strikes in Lebanon had killed at least 40 people and injured 246, according to the Lebanese authorities, by 3 March. Before the recent escalation and since the November 2024 ceasefire agreement, Israel had been carrying out near daily attacks in the south of Lebanon,killing more than 380 people, including 127 civilians.
A new, mass “evacuation” warning, issued by the Israeli authorities after midnight on 2 March, has again displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians across Lebanon. The vague and broad warning covered more than 50 villages across the country’s south and east, and led to panic, clogged roads and another round of displacement for many. Additional broad mass evacuation warnings were issued early on 3 March ordering people in dozens of additional villages in southern Lebanon to leave their homes and expanding the area under threat.
On 2 March, the Israeli military said it would strike Hezbollah-affiliated financial institutions in multiple locations across Lebanon, then did. Israel previously targeted branches of the Hezbollah-affiliated financial institution in October 2024, which Amnesty Internationaldescribedas a likely violation of international humanitarian law, calling for such attacks to be investigated as a war crime.
International humanitarian law strictly prohibits direct attacks on civilians and civilian objects, as well as indiscriminate strikes that fail to distinguish between civilians and civilian object and combatants and military objectives, and disproportionate attacks. Aerial attacks impacting schools, medical facilities or residential buildings, as well as the firing of ballistic missiles and other explosive weapons with wide area effects into densely populated areas, raise grave concerns of possible violations of international humanitarian law.
Amnesty International is closely monitoring the situation and call on all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law. In instances of civilian death, injury and infrastructure harm, parties should initiate immediate investigations and hold anyone responsible for violations of international law to account.
“The escalating crisis in the Middle East poses a grave threat to multilateralism and to the integrity of the international legal order. Unlawful acts by parties to the conflict, particularly those committed by influential states, not only endanger civilians across multiple countries, but also accelerate the erosion of the global norms that are essential for the protection of human rights and global peace and security,” said Agnès Callamard.
“It is imperative that all parties take urgent measures to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, including airports, hospitals, residential buildings, schools and prisons. They must also ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all affected areas and enable independent international monitoring.
“We call on the international community to intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent further military escalation to avert additional civilian harm, and halt any further crimes under international law against populations who have already endured decades of repression. In line with international law, states must exercise the utmost restraint, refrain from any conduct that could fuel further violations, and remember that they have clear obligations not to aid or assist internationally wrongful acts, as well as a duty to cooperate to bring such breaches to an end.”
Aotearoa cannot enforce its way out of homelessness.
The Government’s proposed changes to the Summary Offences Act would expand Police powers to issue move-on orders requiring people to leave a public space for up to 24 hours. These powers would apply to rough sleeping, begging and behaviour deemed disorderly, including for young people aged 14 and over.
At Hāpai Te Hauora, we are concerned that this approach focuses on visibility rather than cause.
“Using move-on orders may reduce what is seen in parts of the CBD, but it does not reduce homelessness,” says Jason Alexander, Chief Operating Officer at Hāpai Te Hauora.
“It shifts the problem without addressing why people are there in the first place.”
The real question: Why are people becoming homeless?
People do not become homeless overnight.
Homelessness is driven by housing shortages, rising rents, income insecurity, family violence, unmet mental health needs and long-standing structural inequities. It is the visible outcome of deeper instability.
In the past year, homelessness in Auckland has more than doubled. At the same time, one in seven tamariki in Aotearoa are living in material hardship.
These realities are connected.
When families are forced to choose between rent and food, when incomes fail to meet living costs, and when housing supply cannot meet demand, homelessness increases. Moving people away from a particular location does not change those conditions.
It may change what is visible in parts of the city. But it does not address the causes.
Māori are significantly overrepresented in homelessness statistics in Aotearoa.
While Māori make up around 17 percent of the population, they account for roughly 31 percent of people experiencing severe housing deprivation.
That disparity does not happen by accident.
It reflects uneven access to stable housing, income security and rental opportunities. Māori households are more likely to experience overcrowding and insecure housing, and research has also identified discrimination in the rental market, where applicants with Māori-identifying names receive fewer responses from landlords.
When housing becomes scarce and expensive, those already facing these barriers are the first to feel the pressure.
Jacqui Harema, Chief Executive of Hāpai Te Hauora, says the statistics point to deeper structural issues.
“When Māori are consistently overrepresented in homelessness statistics, it tells us the housing system is not delivering equitable outcomes,” she says.
“The response needs to focus on the drivers of homelessness.”
Housing is widely recognised as a fundamental human right. When Māori experience homelessness at disproportionate rates, it signals a system that is not working fairly for everyone.
Forcibly removing people experiencing homelessness, many of whom are Māori, to present a more curated image of the CBD raises important questions about whose wellbeing is prioritised. It also reinforces the historical pattern of contempt for the partnership embodied by Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Move-on orders may change what is visible in certain areas. But they do not:
Provide housing
Increase income
Connect people to care
Reduce trauma
Prevent future homelessness
They displace people who are already vulnerable.
Homelessness is not a public nuisance to be managed. It is a public health issue to be addressed.
Public safety and public wellbeing are not competing goals. Communities are safer when whānau are housed, supported and connected. Stability reduces harm. Visibility alone does not create it.
These proposed changes have not yet progressed into law. But the framing of homelessness as something to be moved along rather than resolved has consequences.
When policy focuses on appearances rather than underlying drivers, it risks deepening instability for those already at risk.
“We should be asking what is pushing people into homelessness, not how quickly we can move them away from view,” says Alexander.
“Real progress comes from addressing causes, not symptoms.”
At Hāpai Te Hauora, we believe homelessness is not the problem itself, but a signal that our housing and income systems are failing whānau.
Moving people out of sight is not a solution.
We will continue to advocate for responses that address the root causes of homelessness and reduce harm, particularly for Māori and other communities disproportionately affected.
When whānau have stability, our entire community thrives.
Flora and Fauna of Aotearoa is expressing deep alarm following confirmation that aerial drone spraying of glyphosate based herbicides (GBHs) has proceeded over the nationally significant wetlands of Te Henga — despite a last-minute application to the Environment Court of New Zealand seeking to halt the operation.
The spraying, which is aimed at targeting willow, has taken place in habitat known to support critically endangered long-tailed bats and matuku (Australasian bittern), within one of West Auckland’s most ecologically sensitive wetland systems.
This is reportedly the second year of a three-year aerial campaign to control the willow trees in the wetland, and is being carried out by the private environmental group Matuku Link in the public conservation area. The local community has twice prevented aerial spraying in this area due to major ecological and health concerns – including a successfully high court injunction in 2010 against Auckland Regional Council.
“This is shocking,” said Asha Andersen, spokesperson for Flora and Fauna of Aotearoa. “We are talking about the aerial application of glyphosate — a highly controversial agrichemical — by drone, directly over waterways and wetlands of national significance, and within the habitat of some of Aotearoa’s most endangered species.”
According to information confirmed by the Weed Management Advisory, an application for an interim enforcement order was lodged with the Environment Court last week to immediately stop the spraying. Despite this, and many other questions around its legitimacy the operation went ahead.
Flora and Fauna of Aotearoa says this raises serious questions about transparency, due process, social license and ecological risk.
“Conservation organisations should not be putting endangered species at risk,” Ms. Andersen said. “Their mandate is to protect biodiversity, not expose critically threatened wildlife to aerial pesticide applications in sensitive wetland habitats. When conservation work begins to mirror the very practices communities are concerned about, trust is eroded.”
Flora and Fauna of Aotearoa understands that Auckland Council had previously suspended aspects of the consent process for this year’s spraying on advice from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment. Yet aerial spraying with glyphosate has now reportedly resumed with more to come on Friday 6th March.
Glyphosate, widely known under the trade name Roundup, remains a subject of international debate regarding environmental and health impacts. Its aerial application over wetlands raises additional concerns about spray drift, contamination of waterways, and impacts on non-target species including people and properties.
Flora and Fauna of Aotearoa is calling for:
An immediate halt to all aerial pesticide spraying in the Te Henga wetlands while legal proceedings are underway. Full public disclosure of the consent status and decision-making process. An independent ecological review of impacts on endangered bats, bittern, and wetland ecosystems. Genuine community consultation before any further willow treatment is undertaken.
“Public conservation land must be managed with the highest level of care and accountability,” Flora and Fauna’s Ms. Andersen said. “People deserve to know what is happening in their wetlands — and endangered wildlife deserve better than to be caught in the fallout of controversial chemical operations.”
The people of West Auckland have a long history of standing up for their environment. They deserve answers.
“Regular physical activity is one of the most powerful things a person can do to improve their long-term health and wellbeing. In terms of increasing life expectancy, it sits second only to not smoking.”
“There are many examples globally where insurers contribute towards the cost of people being active because healthier members ultimately mean lower long-term healthcare costs. It’s a genuine win-win.”
“If we are serious about preventative health in New Zealand, supporting more people to be physically active needs to be part of the solution.”
Exercise New Zealand has criticised the decision by Southern Cross Health Society to remove its physical activity reimbursement from member policies, saying the move removes one of the few incentives within private health insurance that encourages people to invest in their own health preventatively.
Exercise New Zealand CEO Richard Beddie says while the benefit itself was relatively small, its removal sends the wrong signal at a time when improving physical activity levels should be a national priority.
“Regular physical activity is one of the most powerful things a person can do to improve their long-term health and wellbeing. In terms of increasing life expectancy, it sits second only to not smoking.”
The World Health Organization reports that people who are insufficiently active have a 20–30% higher risk of death compared with those who meet recommended activity levels. Recent research published in The Lancet also estimates that 7–9% of deaths globally are attributable to physical inactivity, making it one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide.
Exercise New Zealand notes that many insurers internationally actively support physical activity among their members, often contributing towards gym memberships, exercise programmes, or other activity incentives, because healthier populations reduce long-term healthcare costs.
Beddie says the organisation would welcome the opportunity to work with Southern Cross to explore how insurers can better support preventative health through physical activity.
“There are many examples globally where insurers contribute towards the cost of people being active because healthier members ultimately mean lower long-term healthcare costs. It’s a genuine win-win.”
Exercise New Zealand says stronger collaboration between insurers and the exercise sector could play an important role in improving physical activity levels across Aotearoa and strengthening preventative health outcomes.
“If we are serious about preventative health in New Zealand, supporting more people to be physically active needs to be part of the solution.”
Amid rapid expansion of regional hostilities across the Middle East following the ongoing joint United States-Israel attacks on Iran and the subsequent wave of Iranian retaliatory attacks across the region, Amnesty International is issuing an urgent call on all parties to protect civilians, adhere to international humanitarian law, in particular by ending unlawful attacks, such as deliberate, indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks on civilians and civilians infrastructures.
Military operations have spread across the region and now involve more than 10 countries. They have already resulted in significant loss of civilian life and destruction of civilian infrastructure. Israel has escalated its attacks on Lebanon in the past 24 hours in response to Hezbollah’s attacks. The US has said that “the hardest hits are yet to come”. Iran has warned of further intensification and insecurity across the whole region following the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader and commander-in-chief Ali Khamenei.
“Civilians should not pay the price for the unlawful and reckless acts by parties to the conflict, ravaging the principles of humanity and distinction at the heart of international humanitarian law and threatening the very foundations of international peace and security. The stakes could not be higher. Across the region, civilians have already endured successive cycles of conflict and mass violations and crimes under international law. Their protection should now be the top priority. Instead, they are facing more senseless killings and repression,” said Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
“Parties to the conflict must immediately refrain from and cease unlawful attacks, whether direct attacks on civilians, indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks, or the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in densely populated areas. They must take all feasible precautions to prevent civilian harm.
“As the threat of a protracted international conflict grows, compliance with international human rights law and international humanitarian law is more urgent than ever. Any failure to uphold these obligations will intensify an already devastating human toll and push the region even further towards another humanitarian and human rights catastrophe.”
Attacks on Iran and Iran’s response
On 3 March the Iranian Red Crescent Society, reported that 787 people have been killed in Iran since the attacks began. On 28 February 2026, according to the Iranian authorities around 150 school children were among 165 people killed when a school in the southern city of Minab, Hormozgan province, was struck. The UN has described the bombing of this school as a ‘grave violation of humanitarian law’, with UNESCO warning that attacks on educational institutions endanger students and teachers and undermine the protections guaranteed under international humanitarian law. The UN Human Rights Office has called for a prompt, impartial and thorough investigation into the “horrific” incident.
Amnesty International verified six videos from the aftermath of the strike that impacted the school, which show black smoke rising from the partially collapsed building and rescuers and excavators searching through the rubble for victims. Footage filmed from the school entrance shows walls marking the parameter of the school yard and building, with smoke visible in the background from the direction of a nearby Iranian Revolutionary Guards Compound.
According to the head of the Medical Council of Iran, 10 medical centres have been damaged by the Israeli and US attacks. Hospitals in Iran have already been subjected to militarized raids by Iran’s security forces who committed widespread human rights violations against injured protesters and medical workers during and in the aftermath of the protest massacres in January 2026.
The Iranian authorities shut down access to the internet again on 28 February, preventing millions of people from accessing essential information about armed hostilities and communicating with loved ones inside and outside the country, and suppressing the flow of information about violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.
The armed conflict has intensified concerns about the fate and safety of prisoners across Iran, including the thousands of protesters and dissidents arrested in connection with the January 2026 uprising. These concerns stem from reports by human rights defenders of explosions near prisons and other facilities where prisoners are held as well as Israel’s previous attack on Tehran’s Evin prison during the 12-day war.
Human rights defenders are also expressing fears that the Iranian authorities have often used armed conflict as pretext to subject dissidents to intensified patterns of torture and other ill-treatment as well as summary, arbitrary or extrajudicial executions. Amnesty International calls on the Iranian authorities to immediately release all those arbitrarily detained and take effective measures to secure the safety of all other prisoners, including through temporary release on humanitarian grounds. Concerns for the rights of people in Iran are compounded by the Iranian authorities’ well-documented record to repeated crimes under international law and other serious human rights violations, including during successive lethal crackdowns to eradicate dissent. On 8-9 January, Iranian authorities carried out unprecedented massacres of thousands of protesters and bystanders during anti-establishment protests calling for an end to the Islamic Republic.
Iranian authorities responded to US and Israeli attacks with missile and unmanned aerial vehicle attack in Israel and across the Gulf region, including in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia.
Media reports and official government statements indicate that some of the attacks, including as a result of falling debris from intercepted missiles or drones, led to some deaths, injuries or damage to civilian infrastructure. According to the authorities in Abu Dhabi, an Iranian drone targeting Zayed International Airport (AUH) was intercepted, leading to “falling debris” killing one person and injuring seven. On 2 March, both the Qatari and Saudi authorities claimed their oil facilities were targeted by the Iranians, and a Gulf Cooperation Council statement condemned “indiscriminate and reckless missile and drone attacks.”
In Israel, according to media and rescue agencies, at least 10 people have been killed and tens injured as a result of Iranian attacks. This includes nine people killed and more than 20 injured in Beit Shemesh after an Iranian ballistic missile strike, as well as the death of a woman in the Tel Aviv area from falling shrapnel. Iranian strikes also damaged at least 40 buildings in Tel Aviv, according to local authorities.
Israel has escalated severe restrictions on movement across the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), effectively blocking movement between villages and towns in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem. The authorities have also closed all external crossings into and out of the OPT including Kerem Shalom/ Karem Abu Salem and Rafah crossings blocking lifesaving aid and effectively placing the entire Gaza Strip under siege. Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem was reopened on 3 March.
These arbitrary measures are gravely exacerbating the suffering of Palestinians living under Israel’s unlawful occupation and apartheid and are further compounding the multi-layered humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where Palestinians are still living through Israel’s ongoing genocide.
In Iraq,a faction [Saraya Awliya Al-Dam] of the Iran-aligned militia groups, calling itself the Islamic Resistance, has claimed responsibility for multiple drone attacks on Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and later in the capital Baghdad, primarily targeting US military facilities. According to Kurdish Iranian opposition groups, drone strikes have targeted their positions in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq following warnings from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Escalation between Hezbollah and Israel in Lebanon
Following Hezbollah rocket attacks on northern Israel, which the group said was retaliation for Khamenei’s killing, the Israeli military significantly escalated its attacks on Lebanon, including the suburbs of Beirut, overnight on 2 March. Israeli air strikes in Lebanon had killed at least 40 people and injured 246, according to the Lebanese authorities, by 3 March. Before the recent escalation and since the November 2024 ceasefire agreement, Israel had been carrying out near daily attacks in the south of Lebanon,killing more than 380 people, including 127 civilians.
A new, mass “evacuation” warning, issued by the Israeli authorities after midnight on 2 March, has again displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians across Lebanon. The vague and broad warning covered more than 50 villages across the country’s south and east, and led to panic, clogged roads and another round of displacement for many. Additional broad mass evacuation warnings were issued early on 3 March ordering people in dozens of additional villages in southern Lebanon to leave their homes and expanding the area under threat.
On 2 March, the Israeli military said it would strike Hezbollah-affiliated financial institutions in multiple locations across Lebanon, then did. Israel previously targeted branches of the Hezbollah-affiliated financial institution in October 2024, which Amnesty Internationaldescribedas a likely violation of international humanitarian law, calling for such attacks to be investigated as a war crime.
International humanitarian law strictly prohibits direct attacks on civilians and civilian objects, as well as indiscriminate strikes that fail to distinguish between civilians and civilian object and combatants and military objectives, and disproportionate attacks. Aerial attacks impacting schools, medical facilities or residential buildings, as well as the firing of ballistic missiles and other explosive weapons with wide area effects into densely populated areas, raise grave concerns of possible violations of international humanitarian law.
Amnesty International is closely monitoring the situation and call on all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law. In instances of civilian death, injury and infrastructure harm, parties should initiate immediate investigations and hold anyone responsible for violations of international law to account.
“The escalating crisis in the Middle East poses a grave threat to multilateralism and to the integrity of the international legal order. Unlawful acts by parties to the conflict, particularly those committed by influential states, not only endanger civilians across multiple countries, but also accelerate the erosion of the global norms that are essential for the protection of human rights and global peace and security,” said Agnès Callamard.
“It is imperative that all parties take urgent measures to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, including airports, hospitals, residential buildings, schools and prisons. They must also ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all affected areas and enable independent international monitoring.
“We call on the international community to intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent further military escalation to avert additional civilian harm, and halt any further crimes under international law against populations who have already endured decades of repression. In line with international law, states must exercise the utmost restraint, refrain from any conduct that could fuel further violations, and remember that they have clear obligations not to aid or assist internationally wrongful acts, as well as a duty to cooperate to bring such breaches to an end.”