Author: MIL OSI Publisher

Posted on

Billions missing to deliver National Party promises, says NZCTU

Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions has today released costings showing a current funding shortfall of at least $3.3-5.2 billion in the National Party’s tax and spending plans.

The true gap is likely to be even larger, as many of National’s publicly stated policy commitments were either uncosted or were too vague to be included in the analysis.

NZCTU Economist Craig Renney says the shortfall raises concerns about the impact on crucial public services that New Zealanders rely upon.

“Our costings show National has spent around two dollars for every dollar available over the next
three years. Further billions are likely from the policies that they have not yet costed or will likely announce on the campaign trail.

“A shortfall of this magnitude can only be accounted for by raising debt, increasing other taxes, or slashing funding for critical public services like healthcare, education, and police.

“Given National has ruled out raising debt or increasing taxes, this can only mean billions of dollars in cuts to our already stretched public services. Cuts of this scale would have severe consequences for the people who depend on these services and the workers who deliver them.

“National must be upfront about where these cuts would come from. New Zealanders deserve to know long before the election what programmes will be cut, what investment wouldn’t get made, and how National will balance the books – because on these plans they aren’t.”

The NZCTU took on this task of costing National’s policies as, in contrast to other opposition parties in recent elections, National has yet to release its fully costed fiscal plan.

“It is essential for opposition parties to be transparent and accountable by sharing comprehensive fiscal plans. National cannot promise billions in tax cuts and pretend there will be no impact on our stretched public services.

“If National disagrees with this analysis, we invite them to present a fully costed alternative budget of their own, one that costs all of their policies and is clear about where the money will come from, including which public services will be cut.”

Methodology

The NZCTU’s analysis is based on publicly available information from the Treasury and IRD. The NZCTU has used the most generous interpretations when costing National’s policies. Even when disagreeing with National’s costings of their own policies, the NZCTU used National’s figures.

According to Treasury, there is $3.5 billion of new operational spending available in each of the 3 years of the next term.

Treasury also notes that at least $2.8 billion in cost pressures funding will be needed in each year to maintain our existing public services. This figure is just to keep delivering the same services as the previous year. It does not account for population increase, demographic changes, or new services.

That leaves around $700 million in ‘new’ money that is available each year, or $4.2 billion over three years.

National has set out between $7.5 billion and $9.4 billion of new spending over that period that we can identify based on their tax and spending commitments that are able to be costed. This is two dollars for every dollar available, leading to a fiscal gap of at least $3.3 billion to $5.2 billion.

No costs have been assigned to National’s vaguer policy commitments, although they should provide that analysis. This costing also assumes no further policies from National during the election campaign, or any governing partners’ policies. It also provided no contingency for emerging needs such as natural disasters or future Budgets. This is the minimum amount that they will need to cut to balance the books.

The analysis and the numbers within were reviewed by Dr Geoff Bertram, Economist and Former Senior Associate at the Institute of Government and Policy Studies at Victoria University.

The figures do not take into account the National Party’s transport announcement yesterday, though as these are delivered through the National Land Transport Fund, they will not have a material impact on the NZCTU’s costings.

Posted on

It’s official! The Green Party the only grown-ups in the room on public transport

Source: Green Party

People are tired of the three yearly public transport merry-go-round. It literally doesn’t get anyone anywhere.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if most people stuck in traffic on their regular commute yesterday spent the journey getting increasingly frustrated with the political circus that is literally stopping them from getting anywhere,” says Green Party transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter.

“The question most people will understandably be asking themselves is “what are we to do when the two major political parties lack the courage to get on with what we know is needed?” Every three years, uncertainty wins the day rather than a clear promise to invest in buses, trains and bike lanes. It means our streets will continue not working well for anyone, including for people who drive.

“Our message is clear: if people want real action on climate change and long-term investment in public transport, the only option this year is the Green Party. More Green MPs in government will mean we can finally direct decision-making towards fast, reliable and affordable buses and trains.

“Aotearoa was once a country with frequent, affordable bus and train services joined up right across the country – even to very rural areas. We can reconnect our communities and safeguard our climate. All it takes is political will.

“Political leaders don’t get to decide what will and won’t happen after the election. That’s the job of the New Zealand public. The Green Party has consistently fought for better transport options in every part of Aotearoa – and we are not going to stop now.

“Every major improvement to sustainable transport in Aotearoa over the last six years – and let’s face it, there haven’t been enough – has been led by the Green Party. This includes everything from the Clean Car Discount, Auckland rail electrification and the City Rail Link, to building more routes for people to walk or use a bike safely, to investment in regional rail.

“Imagine what we can do with more MPs sitting around the decision making table pushing for affordable, inclusive, and climate-friendly transport options that work for everyone. If that’s what people want, then the Green Party is the only option this October,” says Julie Anne Genter.

Posted on

Role with Panuku excites Cr Dalton

Source: Auckland Council

Manurewa-Papakura ward councillor Angela Dalton has added a role as Eke Panuku Development Auckland link to her workload.

Eke Panuku is the council-controlled organisation charged with delivering urban regeneration in Auckland.

“It works in many areas, including in my own ward and with our neighbours in Manukau and Franklin,” Cr Dalton says.

“Eke Panuku is involved in some long-term projects but also with smaller projects designed to meet the needs of the city’s growth, including in providing more affordable homes.

“It’s an exciting opportunity to work alongside people with a vision for the city that isn’t about right now, but about long into the future. It’s also about creating sustainable communities and enhancing not only our built environment, but the overall environment.”

In charge of council’s land and buildings, a portfolio that runs to billions, she says its purchase of 7.6 hectares of land around the Manukau Super Clinic for the Puhinui Stream regeneration programme is an example of its good work in the south.

“As the only land along the stream not publicly accessible, buying it to guarantee restorative work in a largely urbanised catchment that flows into the Manukau, is visionary. Had that land not been secured, a once in a lifetime opportunity would have been lost.”

Over time, the land will form part of a three-kilometre connection along the Puhinui from the Botanic Gardens to Hayman Park in Manukau.

Dalton has been flat out dealing with the fallout of this year’s weather disasters, which have left people homeless, displaced others, and caused millions of dollars in damage.

As Planning, Environment and Parks committee deputy, she says communities are desperate to get their assets back and council staff continue to focus on cleaning up areas where there are still public safety risks.

“We are trying to get minor repairs completed quickly but there are a lot of them.”

She says communities have shown immense patience. “We all want to get our parks, tracks and playgrounds operating again.”

More than 1,000 damage reports have been made across the city, more than 300 of those for slips on council land, and its estimated more than 1,300assets have been damaged, with repair costs expected to be as high as $55 million.

But Dalton says more than 500 jobs have been completed, mainly clean-ups, access restoration, minor repairs and flooding damage.

“The recovery process will take time, but we are making progress.”

Stay connected

Stay up to date with all news from your area. Sign up for our Manurewa Local Board E-news or our Papakura Local Board E-news and get it delivered to your inbox each month. 

Posted on

Carefully crafted exhibition honours Chinese settlers

Source: University of Otago

Variety of knitted Yum cha foods, Bev Moon – Fortune. Photo credit: Richard Ng.
A lockdown project turned intricate homage to ancestors – the Hocken Collections latest exhibition is a true feast for the eyes.
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland-based artist Bev Moon’s mixed media work, Fortune (a knitted yum cha for my mother’s 90th birthday) forms the centrepiece of the show, which opens on 12 August.
During Auckland’s lockdown in late 2021, Moon began knitting a yum cha banquet to mark what would have been her late mother Yip Sue Yen’s 90th birthday in March 2022, and to honour her grandmother Lee Choy Kee, whose skills of knitting and cooking were passed down the generations.
“While others perfected sourdough, binged on TV series, or went for walks in lockdown, I experimented and did my best to source just the right yarn shades, weights and textures online to create patterns for various wrappers and shapes.
“I folded and stuffed them the way mum taught me when I helped make yum cha with her, all those years ago. Slowly the number of dishes grew into a feast, and I realised it was an homage of sorts not only to my mother, but my grandmother as well.”
Hocken Librarian Catherine Hammond says Fortune will also include archival material from Hocken Collections, the New Zealand Chinese Heritage Charitable Trust Collection, held in the Presbyterian Research Centre Archives at Knox College, and private collections.
“We are so pleased to be able to bring Bev Moon’s beautiful creation to Dunedin, and are grateful for the support we have received from the Trust and the Otago Southland Chinese Association.”
Hope Wilson, Hocken Collections Curator Art, says some interesting pieces have been found, including a stunning, 5.8 metre-long embroidered banner, gifted to the Hanover Street Baptist Church around 1900 by a Chinese Sunday School class.
“Some of the key themes we are interested to investigate with this exhibition are connections over time between families and communities, and knowledge and skills passed down by generations.”
The Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust is helping fund a national tour of Moon’s work and she says it is “really important” for her to bring Fortune to Ōtepoti Dunedin and the South Island.
Bev Moon – Fortune. Photo credit: Dianne Thomson Photography.
Born and raised in Wellington, Moon is descended from Taishanese men who first arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand in the 1880s.
“My great grandfathers on both sides of the family arrived and settled in the Otago region – it was where they first set foot on Aotearoa soil.
“Relatives on my father’s side stayed and made Dunedin their home, including my father’s first cousin Dr Jim Ng, general practitioner and historian. Jim’s archives documenting the early Chinese settlers are now held in both the Hocken and the Presbyterian Research Centre at Knox College,” she says.
While the knitted yum cha may look appealing, Moon says behind it is the little-known story of the 500 Chinese women and children permitted into New Zealand as refugees between 1939 and 1941.
“In China they faced years of poverty, isolation and uncertainty separated from the men who had settled in New Zealand years earlier, and it was only the breakout of the Sino-Japanese War that opened the door for these lucky 500 to join their husbands and fathers on the other side of the world.
“I hope that people visiting the exhibition will learn more about the Chinese poll tax and the lives of the early Chinese settlers – the hardships they faced, the effort, sheer hard work and resilience it took to make their lives in a new land.”
Guest speaker, former Chair of the Dunedin Shanghai Association and current Chair of the Dunedin Chinese Gardens Trust, Malcom Wong, will open the exhibition, at which members of the Otago Southland Chinese Association will perform a lion dance.
A public paper lantern and fortune cat workshop will also be held at the Hocken on Saturday, August 12, from 10am to 12 noon. This workshop is free and open to all ages.
Exhibition details:
Fortune
On from 12 August to 21 October 2023, Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 3pm, at the Hocken Gallery, 90 Anzac Ave, Ōtepoti DunedinTel +64 3 479 8868Web www.otago.ac.nz/hocken
For more information, please contact:
Ellie RowleyCommunications AdviserUniversity of OtagoMob +64 21 278 8200Email ellie.rowley@otago.ac.nz

Posted on

When cheating pays – survival strategy of insect uncovered

Source: University of Otago

Researchers have revealed the unique ‘cheating’ strategy a New Zealand insect has developed to avoid being eaten – mimicking a highly toxic species.
In nature, poisonous species typically advertise their toxicity, often by producing high contrast colours such as black, white and yellow, like wasps and bees.
Along similar lines, New Zealand’s cyanide-producing stonefly, Austroperla cyrene, produces strong ‘warning’ colours of black, white and yellow, to highlight its threat to potential predators.
In a new study published in Molecular Ecology, University of Otago Department of Zoology researchers reveal that an unrelated, non-toxic species ‘cheats’ by mimicking the appearance of this insect.
Lead author Dr Brodie Foster says by closely resembling a poisonous species, the Zelandoperla fenestrata stonefly hopes to avoid falling victim to predators.
“In the wild, birds will struggle to notice the difference between the poisonous and non-poisonous species, and so will likely avoid both.
“To the untrained eye, the poisonous species and its mimics are almost impossible to distinguish,” he says
The researchers used genomic approaches to reveal a key genetic mutation in a colouration gene which distinguishes cheats and non-cheats.
This genetic variation allows the cheating species to use different strategies in different regions.
Similar ‘warning’ colouration of the non-toxic mimic Zelandoperla fenestrata stonefly (left), and cyanide-producing Austroperla cyrene (right).
However, co-author Dr Graham McCulloch says the strategy, known as Batesian mimicry, doesn’t always succeed.
“Our findings indicate that a ‘cheating’ strategy doesn’t pay in regions where the poisonous species is rare,” he says.
Co-author Professor Jon Waters adds cheating can be a dangerous game.
“If the cheats start to outnumber the poisonous species, then predators will wake up to this very quickly – it’s a bit of a balancing act,” he says.
The Marsden-funded team is assessing how environmental change is driving rapid evolutionary shifts in New Zealand’s native species.
Publication details
ebony underpins Batesian mimicry in melanic stonefliesBrodie J. Foster, Graham A. McCulloch, Yasmin Foster, Gracie C. Kroos, Tania M. King, Jonathan M. WatersMolecular Ecology
For more information, contact
Dr Graham McCullochDepartment of ZoologyUniversity of OtagoEmail graham.mcculloch@otago.ac.nz
Professor Jonathan WatersDepartment of ZoologyUniversity of OtagoEmail jon.waters@otago.ac.nz
Ellie Rowley   Communications AdviserUniversity of OtagoMob +64 21 278 8200Email ellie.rowley@otago.ac.nz

Posted on

Mining News – Mining industry asks new government to think big – Straterra

Source: Straterra Inc

The mining industry is calling on the next elected government to think smart, think big and think ahead when it comes to mining, says Straterra chief executive, Josie Vidal.
Straterra has sent its election hopes in a brochure to 119 MPs, along with a cup that points to the mined minerals that are required for an electric car, asking them to think about the valuable role of mining prior to the general election on 14 October.
“We want the next government, whatever its makeup, to back modern mining and acknowledge it operates under some of the highest standards in the world, which actually gives New Zealand an advantage and a selling point,” Vidal says.
“In asking the next government to think big, we believe it’s time for New Zealand to seize the once in a generation opportunity that the world’s move to green technology and a low carbon future offers. We have more mining potential and we want to be able to tap into that, as well as continue to supply the minerals we currently mine to the world – a world demanding more mining.
“Responsible mining, when all conditions are met, makes a positive contribution to the environment and to society.
“In the race to secure supply of the minerals needed to reach the big goals agreed to in the Paris Agreement our government needs to think ahead. What do we have here and how can we contribute to the big push to electrify transport, build renewable energy transmission, and advance technology.
“Our Election 2023 manifesto addresses mining and the environment, the need for a critical minerals strategy, and the value of mining and the contribution it will make to both adapting to, and mitigating climate change.
“Those who don’t want mining in New Zealand to continue paint a less than accurate picture of what modern, responsible mining looks like, and incorrectly conflate mining with climate change, seeing it as a problem when in fact, it is part of the solution.
“This won’t stop mining. It will shift it to places that might not mine as responsibly as we can. And New Zealand will become more dependent on imports and compromise energy security.
“There is a way we can protect the environment and mine for the minerals we need to retain and progress modern living for the good of everyone. In fact, New Zealand can lead the way in this.
“We want policy and law that encourages investment in mining in New Zealand and allows an effects-based, case-by-case approach to proposals for development that addresses the balance between social, cultural, environmental, and economic priorities. We need fewer constraints, appropriately targeted, not more.
“To reach the goals set for renewable electricity generation and decarbonisation we must rely on science, data, facts, and technology, and trust human ingenuity. That requires an enabling approach,” Vidal says.
Straterra is the industry association representing New Zealand’s minerals and mining sector. 
Posted on

Police make arrests, recover stolen items following Pokeno aggravated robbery

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Five people will face court today after an aggravated robbery at a Pokeno liquor shop last night.

Police responded to the Market Road store after 6pm, where a group of masked offenders entered the store and stole alcohol.

They were carrying a number of weapons including a pistol, shotgun and an axe.

Counties Manukau South Area Commander, Inspector Joe Hunter says Police responded immediately to the area.

“The five masked offenders initially fled in a vehicle which they abandoned nearby.

“As our staff arrived into the area, they sited another vehicle driving at high speed and continuing south on State Highway One.”

A pursuit of the vehicle was abandoned, but at this stage the Police Air Support Unit was overhead and keeping a watching eye.

“Eagle monitored this vehicle heading into the Meremere area and it was located abandoned on Emere Place.

“A dog unit was deployed into the area and successfully tracked to a nearby address.”

Five young people were taken into custody at the address, aged between 13 and 15.

“Police staff conducted a search at the address and we have recovered the stolen alcohol, along with masks and the weapons allegedly used in this incident,” Inspector Hunter says.

“It is pleasing we have been able to apprehend these alleged offenders. Police take this offending seriously and we will utilise our tools and resources to ensure we hold offending to account.”

“I’m conscious this is a second aggravated robbery in recent weeks at this store, and we will continue to ensure there is support in place for our business community.”

Those five will face the Manukau Youth Court, charged with aggravated robbery along with charges relating to the theft of a motor vehicle.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Posted on

Consumer News – Savvy Powerswitch users save over $5 million on their power bills

Source: Consumer NZ

Over the past year, New Zealanders who switched power provider using Powerswitch collectively saved over $5 million.

“That’s $5 million that will stay in the pockets of people paying for power, rather than bolstering the profits of electricity retailers,” said Paul Fuge, Powerswitch manager.

Powerswitch is a free and independent comparison service run by Consumer NZ that helps people check they’re on the best plan to meet the needs of their household. Powerswitch data shows people who switch providers can typically save $385 a year on their power bill.

“We want to see even more people using the Powerswitch service to check whether they could be getting a better deal.

“When more people switch, it generates competition in the market and forces retailers to sharpen their prices to hold on to their customers.

“There’s no such thing as premium electricity – so why pay more than you have to?” said Fuge.

“In our latest energy survey, 62% of people said they were concerned about their electricity costs, and 19% of households reported they had experienced financial difficulty paying their monthly power bill in the last 12 months.  

“Despite the savings available, the number of people changing provider remains stubbornly low. The paradox is bamboozling.

“According to data from the Electricity Authority, only around 6% of households changed provider in the last year, excluding people moving house.

“For every one percent of households that switch electricity provider there would be collective savings of around 7 million dollars a year. That’s money that should be retained by hard-working New Zealanders instead of boosting power company coffers,” said Fuge.

Consumer estimates over 40% of households have been with the same power provider for more than five years. The big four retailers and their subsidiaries provide power to more than eight in ten households across the country.

“Time and time again, our research shows that customers with the smaller power providers are more satisfied with the service they receive, including the price they pay for their power. But still, so many people stay with the big providers.

“It only takes a matter of minutes to check, switch and then save. It really could not be simpler.

“This winter we also have a dedicated Powerswitch call centre to help people who have limited online access or struggle to use the internet.

“We want as many people as possible to check to see if they could be saving. Together we can bring down the country’s power prices,” said Fuge.

The Powerswitch call centre number is 0800 266 786 – the team is available on weekdays between 8.30am and 4.30pm.

Notes

In the year ended June 2023, there were 662,742 Powerswitch users and 27,314 switch requests on the Powerswitch site.

The power plans available on the Powerswitch site make up almost 97% of the market.

About Consumer

Consumer NZ is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to championing and empowering consumers in Aotearoa. Consumer NZ has a reputation for being fair, impartial and providing comprehensive consumer information and advice.

Posted on

Government News – Privacy Commissioner frustrated by firearms privacy breach

Source: Office of the Privacy Commissioner

The Privacy Commissioner is frustrated by the New Zealand Police’s recent serious privacy breach.
The breach involved the inadvertent disclosure of 147 firearm owner’s email addresses by Te Tari Pūreke, the police’s new firearms safety authority on Wednesday, 26 July, 2023.
“This is frustrating, given the significant known risk of email address errors and the opportunity the new authority had to design in system guardrails,” says Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster.
This is the fourth breach of firearm owners’ personal information by the police in under four years.
“We found out about this privacy breach via the media. We had to ask the police to notify us,” said the Commissioner.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner was formally notified by the police at 10.28pm on July 27 of the serious breach.
“We understand the police sent out an email to affected people within minutes of the serious breach occurring. But this was an avoidable serious privacy breach.
“The purpose of the firearms register is to effectively regulate the legitimate possession and use of firearms to keep all communities safe. It can only do this if firearms owners trust that their personal information will be protected’, says Mr Webster.
The email error meant recipients of a bulk email were able to see the email addresses of everyone else who received the message.
“Email address errors were significant known risks, which were clearly signalled by my Office during the firearms registry policy process and by other privacy experts in the design and implementation of Te Tari Pūreke’s systems and processes. This should have been better managed”, said Mr Webster.
“I regard email privacy breaches caused by typical human mistakes as system design errors. I expect any agency that relies on communication via email, especially bulk email, to have system and process guardrails in place to help prevent human error and keep staff and the public safe.
Mr Webster said it was his hope the establishment of a special purpose Firearms Safety Authority would contribute to community safety – and the secure management of firearm owners’ personal information is an important part of that.
“I note that since the email breach, Te Tari Pūreke has put in place a new interim email policy and a pause on all email to groups while technology-based guardrails are put in place.
‘I will be asking Te Tari Pūreke to provide me with assurance that they have implemented robust systems and processes across the authority to protect the sensitive personal information they hold. 
This work is essential to gaining the trust and confidence of firearms owners in the new authority,” says the Commissioner.
For agencies who rely on email, particularly bulk email, to communicate with the public, some useful guardrails include:
  • ‘delay-send’ rules to allow
errors to be identified and reversed;
  • disabling ‘auto-complete’
addressing functions to reduce the risk of the incorrect email address
being used;
  • removing access to the ‘cc’
line to eliminate the potential for common “cc” vs “bcc” mistakes; and
  • ensuring that email
addresses are checked and potentially tested before being used to send
communications or information, particularly sensitive information.
Posted on

Child Poverty and Climate Change – Over 11 million children born during world’s hottest month on record: Save the Children

Source: Save the Children

About 11.2 million children [i] were born in July 2023 which is expected to be the hottest month ever recorded on earth, said Save the Children, as the climate crisis threatens to undo decades of progress in children’s rights and wellbeing, including the fight against hunger.
This milestone is a grim reminder of how many young lives continue to be blighted by the climate crisis, growing up in a world with soaring temperatures and unprecedented environmental risks.
Pregnant women are also more vulnerable during a heatwave, with exposure to high temperatures, including in early stages of pregnancy, associated with premature birth and stillbirth.
The child rights organisation urged world leaders to take immediate action to do everything in their power to curb warming temperatures to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels, in order to limit the impact of dangerous extreme weather events on children’s lives.
As well as being the hottest month recorded globally, July also broke two other records: Thursday 6 July was the hottest day ever recorded [ii] and record low levels of Antarctic sea ice [iii]. These followed the world’s hottest June on record [iv] and extreme marine heatwaves during May, June and July, with sea surface temperature the highest ever recorded [v].
Save the Children research released with the Vrije Universiteit Brussel found that children will face on average seven times as many heatwaves, twice as many wildfires and three times as many crop failures as their grandparents under initial Paris Agreement emission reduction pledges. In New Zealand, the research showed tamariki born in 2020 will face 5.6 times as many heatwaves, 4.3 times as many droughts, 1.5 times as many wildfires, 1.4 times as many river floods and 1.3 as many crop failures than their grandparents.
Children in lower-income countries and those already impacted by poverty and discrimination are particularly affected. For example, children in Afghanistan face up to 18 times as many heatwaves as their grandparents’ generation, while in Mali, they could face up to 10 times as many crop failures. 
But the research emphasises that if warming is limited to 1.5C, the additional lifetime exposure of newborns to heatwaves will drop by 45%, by 39% for droughts, by 38% for river floods; by 28% for crop failures, and by 10% for wildfires.
Kelley Toole, Global Head of Climate Change at Save the Children, said: ” For children born into the world in July 2023, life looks starkly different to what their parents and grandparents have been used to. And a future that caters to their rights, needs, health and security looks further and further out of reach.
“But we do still have a narrow window of time and with the right ambition and decision from leaders to rapidly phase out the use and subsidy of fossil fuels and curb warming temperatures, we can act to make the world a brighter pace for children. We also need to ensure children’s rights, needs and voices are placed at the heart of climate finance and loss and damage funding arrangements.”