MIL-Submissions – rnzngin Fifth Estate

February 12, 2025

Universities – Do public health measures really make us happier? – UoA

Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

Do policies aimed at making people healthier also make them happier? And to what extent do they infringe on personal autonomy are questions central to a new book by Martin Wilkinson from the University of Auckland.

Many of us accept public health policies relating to things deemed harmful, like alcohol, vapes, fatty or sugary food or cigarettes, without question.

However a new book by Martin Wilkinson, a professor of politics and international relations and former chair of the New Zealand Bioethics Council, concludes that many public health interventions probably make people worse off, infringe on their autonomy and don’t have compensating benefits for others.

Free to access, The Ethics of Public Health Paternalism (Oxford University Press, 2025) examines the various ways of making people healthier, according to whether they make it harder to be unhealthy, easier to be healthy, influence beliefs, or ‘nudge’ people towards certain choices.

The book covers measures like taxes, label warnings, age limits and bans on sales and marketing, as well as health promotions like ‘five plus a day’, subsidies to gyms, enticements to stop unhealthy behaviour, product placement in stores and the provision of walking and cycling infrastructure.

It features examples like the prohibition of alcohol in the US (from 1920 to 1933) or the Danish fat tax, a tax on saturated fat in food products, introduced in 2011, repealed in 2012, and the first of its kind in the world.

It also defines the concept of ‘paternalism’ in relation to health policies.

A main reason often given for the state to intervene in citizens’ health is because people would, if left to their own devices, make unhealthy choices that are bad for them, says Wilkinson.

“But trying to stop people harming themselves sounds paternalistic, and paternalism in public health raises two main questions: Why think that getting people to make healthier choices would make them better off? And should people not be free to choose for themselves?”

He specifies that adults, rather than children, are the focus of the book and that smoking is the one area where he believes the sheer weight of evidence supports efforts to discourage it.

Otherwise, he is on a collision course with the majority of public health advocates, he admits.

“I’m doubtful about the merits of many of the interventions they want. I argue that adults ought to be free to run their own lives, and that some, but not all, public health interventions would infringe on their autonomy.”

He says the book engages with ideas that writers and public health advocates have offered, found not only in books and academic articles but also in blogs, pamphlets, interviews, and health promotion campaigns.

He believes public health advocates who want to steer people into healthier behaviour have not been good at giving convincing reasons for doing so.

“They generally assume that to be healthier is to be better off, but this assumption is often wrong, because health is neither the only value nor the supreme value.

“To decide when people would benefit from being healthier, we must consider the value of health in their lives, how their unhealthy behaviour might be mistaken, and the evidence about whether it is or not.”

While the book is obviously critical of public health, Wilkinson says he’s not taking a free market or libertarian position
.
“I take no view about the size of the government, its role in the economy, or its duties to redistribute or to support a welfare state. Nor do I believe that paternalism towards adults is always wrong, only that it is questionable.”

He believes in fact that perhaps paternalistic influences on people’s choices would make them better off, perhapsthey wouldn’t infringe upon people’s autonomy after all, or perhaps the infringement is justified.

“Finally, however, I remain unconvinced,” he says. “A persistent theme of the book is that we often don’t have very good, or in fact competing, evidence on these issues. Because the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, I don’t conclude that public health interventions are unjustifiable, only that they have not been justified.”

The Ethics of Public Health Paternalism (Oxford University Press, 2025) by T M Wilkinson is
open access and now published online and in print. (ref. https://academic.oup.com/book/59451 )

February 12, 2025

Stats NZ information release: Ready-mixed concrete: December 2024 quarter

Source: Statistics New Zealand

Ready-mixed concrete: December 2024 quarter –12 February 2025 – Ready-mixed concrete statistics provide an indicator of construction activity.

Key facts

In the December 2024 quarter, the actual volume of ready-mixed concrete produced was 967,964 cubic metres, down 6.2 percent compared with the December 2023 quarter.
In the year ended December 2024, 3.82 million cubic metres of ready-mixed concrete was produced, down 7.7 percent compared with the year ended December 2023.
In seasonally adjusted terms, the volume of ready-mixed concrete fell 4.7 percent in the December 2024 quarter, following a 0.6 percent rise in the September 2024 quarter.

Files:

February 12, 2025

Media Funding Reforms – Joint statement from NZ On Air and NZ Film Commission on media reform consultation

Source: NZ On Air and the NZ Film Commission (NZFC)

NZ On Air and the NZ Film Commission (NZFC) acknowledge the importance of ensuring public funding delivers the best possible outcomes for audiences and the wider sector.

The Ministry for Culture and Heritage has today released a Media Reform consultation document that includes a number of proposals, one of which is the streamlining of Crown content funders. (ref. https://govt.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=defea490d12b73c4ed8504b5b&id=e08a05fe0f&e=84ce785bf3 )

The agencies welcome the opportunity for widespread consultation on potential changes to the funding support provided across a range of media. In a challenging environment for the media sector, it is crucial that every dollar invested has the greatest possible impact. If change can enhance this, it is in the public interest to explore those options.

NZ On Air and NZFC look forward to working closely with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage to flesh out the opportunities and risks of the options proposed.

We acknowledge that during this consultation period there will be many questions and some uncertainty for both stakeholders and agency staff. We encourage all who have an interest in this mahi to engage with the consultation process so that your views, concerns or support for different options are heard.

While the consultation process and policy considerations continue, both agencies remain committed to delivering the best outcomes for audiences and the sector, and continuing to collaborate where it makes sense to do so.

February 12, 2025

Southern Lakes Sanctuary – Extensive predator trapping leads to 18 takahē released in the Rees Valley

Source: Southern Lakes Sanctuary

The 18 takahē released on to 18,000ha of leasehold land in the Rees Valley near Queenstown was made possible thanks to a major predator control effort three years in the making.

Yesterday’s release of the 18 endangered flightless birds marked a major milestone for Southern Lakes Sanctuary, which led the land preparation in partnership with the custodians of the Rees Valley Station, Temple Peak Station and Mt Earnslaw Station, and supported by the Department of Conservation (DOC), Fulton Hogan and Ngāi Tahu.

The land area – the largest leasehold site (not public conservation land) in NZ to accommodate wild takahē – has seen a huge number of pests removed since Southern Lakes Sanctuary (SLS) began working on this project in 2022. Prior to the environmental consortium’s arrival, there were just 139 traps in the valley. Since 2022, a total of 596 traps have removed 1947 predators, including feral cats, stoats and rats, and the traps have been checked 5722 times.

Southern Lakes Sanctuary project director Paul Kavanagh says preparing the site for takahē has been a core focus for his team, but it requires ongoing resources to ensure the land is protected.

“It’s deeply rewarding to see what these proactive measures can lead to, and we’re grateful to the Scott Family, who are excellent custodians of the land,” he says. “The upper Whakatipu catchment area has the potential to sustain a population of up to 500 birds, which could see more than double the national number in the Rees Valley alone within the next 10 years. However, to achieve this, we need to give these taonga the best fighting chance by continually decreasing predator numbers.”

Rees Valley Station owner Iris Scott says it is truly magnificent to have takahē wandering the hills now.

“We already have some great species here, but to re-introduce wildlife is an excellent goal,” she says. “In a way, it’s quite validating to know that we have maintained this environment in a state that it is still a habitat, which species from the past, can return to.”

The Rees Valley is a mix of alpine tussock grassland, which is the optimal landscape for the endemic species. Takahē forage on starchy leaf bases of tussock and tussock seeds. When snow is heavy during the winter months, the bird moves into forests and will feed on the underground rhizomes of the summer green fern.

It is estimated between 70 – 80 takahē will inhabit the Rees Valley by the end of 2025, with two future takahē releases scheduled for March and September.

DOC takahē recovery senior ranger Glen Greaves says the robust pest control in the Rees is reassuring.

“Southern Lakes Sanctuary’s work to reduce predator numbers is a significant factor behind why we chose the Rees,” he says. “Without SLS’ proactive work, we wouldn’t have takahē in the area.”

There are currently 528 takahē in New Zealand, with half of the population in the wild.

To sustain the low predator numbers, ongoing funding is required to ensure takahē are protected from the future threat of mammalian predators. SLS’ work in the Rees Valley has been supported by RealNZ, Impact100, Lotteries, Stout Trust, Patagonia, QLDC, CLT, AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand and Heli Glenorchy.

“The Rees Valley, which borders Mt Aspiring National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Area, is a strategically important site with the potential for total predator elimination. By removing pests in this area, we’re not only protecting takahē, but more than 15 threatened species including kea, pīwauwau/rock wren, pekapeka/bat and braided river birds,” Kavanagh adds.

About Southern Lakes Sanctuary
The Southern Lakes Sanctuary Trust that oversees this project is a consortium of six local groups that collectively represent 84 community groups, landowners, and businesses, who in turn have been working for many years to protect and restore the declining biodiversity of the Southern Lakes region. The consortium relies on the mahi of hundreds of committed and dedicated volunteers, throughout the district. Their tireless work, which has been quietly ploughing on for many years, is the foundation upon which the Southern Lakes Sanctuary is built. Donations to the Trust can be made at https://southernlakessanctuary.org.nz/get-involved/

February 12, 2025

Banking Sector – ASB half year result: Profit up 1% as economy moves toward recovery

Source: ASB

ASB has reported a cash net profit after tax (NPAT) of $716 million for the six months to 31 December 2024, an increase of 1% on the prior comparative period, as the economy moves towards recovery.

Statutory NPAT is $763 million, a 2% increase on the prior comparative period. The increase in profit reflects a 4% rise in operating income driven by increased lending volumes and favourable interest rate hedging, partially offset by an 8% rise in operating expenses. Home lending grew 5% and business and rural lending grew 2% on the prior comparative period. Margins across lending and deposits remained flat overall.

Profitability, measured by return on equity, fell 0.6% on the prior comparative period. The increase in profit was more than offset by additional capital requirements, with the total capital ratio rising 80 basis points to 16.3%. During the period there was additional shareholder investment of $700 million, bringing total shareholder investment in ASB to $11.4 billion, supporting growth in New Zealand.

Chief Executive Vittoria Shortt says ASB has supported its rural, personal and business customers through more than two years of extremely challenging economic conditions and is well positioned to continue backing them as the economy enters the early stages of recovery.

“New Zealand has been through the most difficult economic cycle in a generation, and we need to be patient with what looks like a gradual recovery. With lower interest rates and inflation providing some relief, and export incomes looking up for a number of sectors, our focus remains on supporting customers and providing capital for the next phase of economic growth.”

Opening doors for homeowners

ASB has cut its one-year fixed home loan rate by a total of 1.65% and six-month rate by 1.35% since July 2024.

“Falling interest rates bring very welcome relief for Kiwi borrowers, but we’re aware most are on fixed mortgages, and the benefit is yet to be felt by many households. Around 45% of our fixed home loan customers are expected to roll onto a lower rate by the end of June, and 70% by Christmas. Since April 2024, we’ve seen borrowers shift toward shorter terms, with close to half of our fixed mortgage customers choosing to fix for just six months.

“ASB helped more than 23,000 customers build, refinance, buy or move house over the half year, including close to 5,500 first home buyers, with around 3,600 using their ASB KiwiSaver for deposits.

“We’re backing the build of more warm, dry homes and making it easier for social housing providers to buy them. Since our Accelerated Housing Fund launched in November 2023, we’ve committed $165 million, supporting around 450 new homes for community, affordable and Māori housing.

“We are continuing to develop new ways to enable Māori to secure lending for housing on Māori land, including supporting papakāinga shared living projects. Through our Accelerated Housing Fund, we’ve now committed $34 million for Māori-led housing developments.”

Strengthening exports, innovation and New Zealand

“ASB provided more than $1 billion in lending to new business, rural and corporate customers over the half year, as we continue to back businesses to compete, scale and drive the growth that will underpin New Zealand’s economic recovery.

“Our $30 million Clean Tech fund and $20 million ASB ACCESS food and fibre fund are accelerating exporters and innovators ready to grow, but lacking capital to do so. We’re partnering with these emerging business at an early stage, finding new ways to approach lending and unlock their potential. Our food and fibre capability within ASB is also expanding to better support this key sector.

“Another area where ASB can make an impact on New Zealand’s future is supporting upgrades to infrastructure. We estimate $1 trillion in infrastructure investment is needed over the next 30 years, with energy one of the critical sectors requiring funding. Enabling investment in renewable energy will be an ongoing priority for us, as our research tells us we can help households, businesses and farmers to cut costs, reduce emissions and improve profitability,” says Vittoria.

Energy Sector – Energy Competition Task Force identifies new ways to empower electricity consumers

Source: Electricity Authority

The Energy Competition Task Force (the Task Force) has identified new ways to give consumers more control over their energy costs and to harness the power of rooftop solar and batteries. The Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko (the Authority) is now seeking feedback on three proposed changes to regulation to promote competition, reliable power supply, and efficient operation of the electricity market for the long-term benefit of all New Zealanders.

Two of the three proposed changes are about rewarding consumers for supplying electricity to the network at peak times, typically through their own solar and battery systems. The other would make ‘time-of-use’ power plans (plans that reward off-peak electricity use) available to most New Zealanders.

Electricity Authority Chair and Task Force member Anna Kominik says there are real benefits if consumers are empowered to more actively participate in the electricity market, including increased energy resilience and reduced power costs over time.

“New Zealand’s electricity market currently relies on a few big generators to supply electricity at select locations and transmit it to households and businesses across the country. But as uptake of solar and battery systems continues to increase, more consumers will be able to contribute to our electricity system. And as smart electronics and vehicles become more ubiquitous, consumers will also be able to more actively manage their own energy use and costs.

“We’re proposing three changes to help support this consumer empowerment and decentralisation of our energy system. Over time, this will increase community resilience and lower power costs for everyone,” she said.

The proposals would require:

Consumer-supply rebates from distributors: lines companies to provide a rebate when consumers supply energy into congested parts of the network (Task Force Initiative 2A)
Time-varying retail pricing for consumption: large electricity retailers to offer at least one time-of-use pricing plan to all their customers (Task Force Initiative 2B)
Time-varying retail pricing for supply: large electricity retailers to offer at least one time-varying rate for when they buy electricity from consumers (Task Force Initiative 2C).

Making ‘time-of-use’ power plans more widely available for Kiwis

Commerce Commission Chair and Task Force member, Dr John Small, said the Initiative 2B proposal would significantly increase availability of ‘time-of-use’ pricing plans. These plans reward consumers for using power during off-peak hours, meaning they can take advantage of cheaper off-peak power, instead of paying a single flat rate.

“While time-of-use pricing plans aren’t new, many consumers don’t have access to one through their current retailer. As these plans provide a simple, effective tool for consumers to manage their energy use and costs, we’d like to see all major retailers offer them, so more consumers have this choice.”

Dr Small said the plans have the additional benefit of reducing overall electricity costs for consumers across the country.

“People on these plans are incentivised to shift their use away from peak periods when electricity is most expensive. The more consumers shift their use at these times – for example by running EV chargers later at night when electricity demand is generally lower – the less high-cost electricity needs to be generated, and this lowers costs for everyone,” he said.

Rewarding consumers for supplying electricity to the network at peak times

Kominik explains that the initiative 2A and 2C proposals would reward consumers who can supply electricity when demand on the network is peaking, typically through their own solar and battery systems.

“We’d like to see people fairly rewarded for supplying power when it’s needed, and incentivise efficient uptake of flexible, small-scale electricity generation systems such as rooftop solar and batteries. Energy from rooftop solar supplied at peak times can ease pressure on the electricity network, reducing demand and keeping the lines costs we all pay for through our power bills to a minimum.

“By incentivising households and businesses to invest in their own generation, we can help meet New Zealand’s electricity needs when demand is high and improve community resilience,” she said.

The Task Force invites feedback on these proposals through the eight-week consultation period, which closes at 5pm on Wednesday 9th April, with two further weeks for cross-submissions.

As part of this consultation package, the Electricity Authority is releasing an issues paper that explores whether the existing pricing rules for distributed generation are fit for purpose. The issues and potential solutions explored in this paper support the proposals in the Task Force initiative 2A consultation paper. Visit this Authority webpage for more information on the issues paper.

The Energy Competition Task Force was established by the Commerce Commission Te Komihana Tauhokohoko and Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko in August 2024 to investigate ways to improve the performance of the electricity market.

The Task Force is considering eight initiatives that will encourage more and faster investment in new electricity generation, boost competition, enable homes, businesses and industrials to better manage their own electricity use and costs, and put downward pressure on prices.

The attached diagram illustrates the various charges between distributors, retailers and consumers and where proposals for initiatives 2A and 2C would be incorporated.

February 12, 2025

Environment – Climate and public health the winners as big waste incineration proposal fails – Greenpeace

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace welcomes news that a land-use agreement in Glenavy has lapsed and will not be renewed, which means a proposed $350 million waste to energy incinerator cannot be built there by the company SRRL.

It would have been the first polluting waste to energy incinerator built of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“This is great news for the climate and for the health of the local community, which has strongly opposed the building of a waste to energy incinerator in Glenavy in the Waimate district. Aotearoa New Zealand’s energy future is in renewable clean energy such as wind and solar, not burning waste with fossil fuels,” says Greenpeace spokesperson Juressa Lee.

Greenpeace Aotearoa has opposed the proposal since it became public in September 2021 and subsequently wrote to the Minister for the Environment to call-in the proposal under the RMA. With a change of government in 2023, the Luxon government decided to include the proposal in its list of projects that could apply for consent under its new Fast-track Approvals legislation, under which community concerns, public health and environmental considerations would be set aside in favour of the company’s own questionable claims for economic benefits.

The local community in the Waimate district, including local iwi, Te Rūnanga o Waihao, Why Waste Waimate, Waimate Doctors and national environmental groups, including Zero Waste Network Aotearoa, 350 Aotearoa and others, have all campaigned to stop the proposed waste incinerator. Greenpeace pays tribute to all of them and shares in their delight at the news.

February 12, 2025

Tenants’ privacy rights in the spotlight

Source: Office of the Privacy Commissioner

The hunt to land a flat over summer shouldn’t come at the expense of people’s privacy rights, warns Privacy Commissioner Michael Webster.

“There’s often a lot of pressure on people, especially students, to find a flat quickly, which risks privacy shortcuts being taken and that can put both tenants and landlords at risk.

Tenants should be aware they have privacy rights when applying for a flat and that landlords have obligations under the Privacy Act, Mr Webster says.

“Tenants are often desperate to find a flat, so they might disclose a whole lot of personal information that isn’t legally required. Essentially, they’re giving others power over their own details and that isn’t a great strategy.”

The desire to get a tenant quickly could also lead some landlords to take privacy shortcuts, which puts people at risk.

“The majority of landlords care about their tenants’ privacy, but there can be a lot of factors to weigh up when considering applications and it can be tempting to over collect personal information and to get details that aren’t legally allowed. It can also mean they can end up with a large amount of information with no way to manage or store it safely.

“Landlords need to know what information they can legally collect, and when. They also need to make sure personal information collected during the rental application process is kept secure and is not disclosed without authorisation.”

“Personal information has value and is protected under the Privacy Act at all stages of the rental process. It’s important shortcuts aren’t taken to fill a flat and that only the necessary personal information is supplied and only when its needed.”

Personal characteristics, including relationship status, age, gender identity and employment status are protected under the Human Rights Act. Things like spending habits, experience of family violence, employment history and social media URLS are protected under other Acts.

To help educate landlords and tenants OPC had updated its guidance for the rental sector to help make sure that privacy is respected throughout the application process.

Information for both landlords and tenants is available at privacy.org.nz.

February 12, 2025

Finance – ASB drops mortgage rates further

Source: ASB

ASB has today announced decreases on some of its most popular mortgage terms, with market-leading rates across the major banks on 6-month, 1-year and 18-month terms from today. The 6-month term drops 10 basis points to 5.89%, the 1-year rate drops to 5.49% while the 18-month term falls 15 basis points to 5.19%.

ASB’s Executive General Manager Adam Boyd says today’s rate changes will be welcome news for home loan customers and those looking to refix or buy.

“We’ve lowered rates across several terms three times in the past month, giving our customers and prospective buyers a range of options – whether they’re after short-term relief or longer-term certainty. We already know how popular the short-term rates are, and we’ve seen growing interest in the 18-month term this year. Competition is fierce when it comes to interest rates, and we’re pleased to be offering lower mortgage rates for New Zealanders”, says Boyd.

In line with falling wholesale rates, ASB has also reduced some of its term deposit rates. “We know that an easing interest rate environment can mean different things for homeowners and for savers. We’ve got a range of options available to support our customers and we encourage them to reach out to us for tailored guidance and advice.”

All rate adjustments are effective immediately for new and current customers.

Fixed home lending term	Previous rate	New rate	Rate decrease
6-month	5.99%	5.89%	– 10 bps
1-year	5.54%	5.49%	– 5 bps
18-month	5.34%	5.19%	– 15 bps

February 11, 2025

Heritage – Frozen in time – National Lamb Day celebrations at Totara Estate

Source: Heritage New Zealand

Totara Estate near Ōamaru will play a prime role in this year’s National Lamb Day celebrations on February 15.

The historic farmstead, a Tohu Whenua cared for by Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, sent the first-ever shipment of frozen export meat from New Zealand to Britain in 1882, an event that created the multi-billion dollar industry that changed New Zealand’s economy forever.

February 15 commemorates the exact day 143 years ago when the ship Dunedin left Port Chalmers for the three-month voyage to London carrying just under 5000 sheep and lamb carcasses that had been freshly processed at Totara Estate.

“This was a significant moment in New Zealand’s history and Totara Estate was at the epicentre of it. It’s very appropriate that this place is a central part of National Lamb Day celebrations,” says Totara Estate Property Lead Jacqui Allison.

Celebrations will be particularly fitting for the occasion, with New Zealand’s rich agricultural heritage featuring prominently.

“We’re looking forward to inspiring people with live demonstrations by local experts who will showcase a range of farm-related talents including knife skills, butchery, blade shearing, spinning and other wool crafts,” she says.

“Visitors will also be able to engage their minds with some captivating live readings and entertaining talks that bring history and culture to life – or just ‘chill’ to the sounds of local musicians who will create the perfect festive mood.”

And if that wasn’t enough, a range of outdoor games for kids, and older people with a finely developed inner child, promise laughter and smiles all around.

People can bring their own picnic, or support some of the local businesses who will be there on the day, including Mark from That Food Guy and Barb from Brews and Bites.

“We’re looking forward to hosting the community in what is shaping up to be a fantastic celebration of a very important date in New Zealand’s history,” says Jacqui.

Totara Estate would like to acknowledge the support of Gallaway Cook Allan , the National Lamb Day team and The Better Drinks Company in putting together this event.

From minus zero to hero

It was a big gamble sending a load of frozen meat from New Zealand to London in 1882.

Besides the huge investment of actually prepping the first export shipment, the sheer size of the cargo versus the logistics of carrying coal for the long trip made a steam-powered ship impractical, and so the cargo had to travel for three months under sail. Success of the mission depended on the onboard refrigeration system running well.

Fortunately the man at the helm of the Dunedin was Captain John Whitson, who had taken the time to read up on refrigeration prior to leaving New Zealand. A good thing too. On the way, the ship was becalmed in the tropics and the crew noticed that the cold air in the hold was not circulating, endangering the meat.

Whitson crawled into the hold, sawed some extra air holes to improve the flow of cold air in order to keep the temperature low, though almost froze to death in the process. Thankfully the crew managed to haul him out of the freezer and resuscitate him.

As a result of Whitson’s determination, the ship arrived with its cargo in excellent condition. Only one carcass had to be condemned.