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Children make up nearly half of Rohingya refugees taking perilous boat journeys in 2024 as numbers continue to rise – Save the Children

Source: Save the Children

Children made up just under half – 44% – of predominantly Rohingya refugees leaving Bangladesh and Myanmar by boat in 2024 as the number of people taking to sea continues to rise with about 460 so far in 2025, Save the Children said. 
Last year, more than 7,800 Rohingya refugees embarked on perilous boat journeys, an increase of 80% on 2023. UN [1] data showed 44% of documented arrivals were children compared with 37% in 2023. A total of 656 passengers were reported dead or missing in 2024 compared with 416 in 2023, the highest number since 2014 [2].
So far 2025 has seen no let-up in the number of people embarking on the journey despite flimsy fishing boats often spending weeks at sea, with food and water sometimes running out before reaching land.
On 5 January, 254 Rohingya people landed in Aceh in Indonesia with 10 people reported missing or dead [1]. Save the Children’s partner organisation, the Geutanyoe Foundation, said 118 children were among the new arrivals.
Two days earlier 196 refugees arrived by boat in Langkawi in Malaysia with police detaining the new arrivals on the island. Two other boats are thought to be still at sea after authorities reportedly gave passengers food and water before escorting them out of Malaysian waters. Malaysia does not formally recognise refugees and has previously turned away boats or detained people as illegal migrants [3].
More than one million Rohingya refugees live in the world’s largest refugee settlement at Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Since fleeing violence in Myanmar more than seven years ago, they are stateless and confined to camps, often in squalid and overcrowded conditions. Refugees are almost entirely dependent on humanitarian aid to survive.
Sultana Begum, Asia head of humanitarian policy and advocacy for Save the Children, said:
“Since February 2022, thousands of Rohingya refugee children have taken life threatening boat journeys from Bangladesh and Myanmar [1]. Thousands of children who have got on rickety boats in the scorching sun with meagre supplies of food and water. Thousands of children who have no guarantee they will get to safety and have risked everything in the hope of a better future.
“2025 must not be yet another year of despair for Rohingya refugees. The surge in life threatening boat journeys in 2024, taken predominantly by Rohingya refugees, should sound a global alarm.
“Escalating conflict in Myanmar, and the deteriorating conditions in the Bangladesh camps, including violence, dwindling humanitarian aid, lack of freedom of movement, and limited access to education and livelihoods, is driving these risky journeys which often take refugees through several different countries in Asia.
“Regional governments must act decisively. All governments in the region must live up to their international obligations. They must not push refugee boats back and allow them to land safely, provide legal protection in transit and destination countries and address the root causes of boat journeys.”
Save the Children is one of the leading international NGOs working in the Cox’s Bazar camps in Bangladesh, providing child protection, access to learning, health and nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene services, and distribution of shelter and food items. We have reached about 600,000 Rohingya refugees, including more than 320,000 children, since the response began in 2017.
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Weather News – Southerlies continue, but summer lives on in the west – MetService

Source: MetService

Covering period of Thursday 9th – Monday 13th January – Southerlies look to persist into next week as a low pressure system to the east and ridge of high pressure to the west remain largely static. This status quo means the weather for the country is largely stratified between the east and west.

MetService meteorologist Alec Holden says, “The continuing southerlies will make it feel like summer is still lackluster in the east with cloud and showers washing in and out, but summer is alive and well elsewhere.”

MetService is forecasting temperatures along the eastern seaboard of the country to continue to fall short of the climatic average for January by 5° to 7°C. In fact, Christchurch has yet to reach their climatic average daily maximum temperature of 22°C this month. The weather is expected to be largely settled with no severe weather expected for the mainland moving into next week, as the ridge provides a steadying influence. However, near constant strong to gale southerly winds are expected for the Chatham Islands.

The weather for today (Thursday) and tomorrow is largely similar with cloud and isolated showers along the east coast, and fine conditions elsewhere, aside from a few afternoon showers about Waikato northward and the ranges of the South Island. That said, tomorrow cloud breaks up in the east making it a good day to get the washing done for east coasters, but a bad washing day for Southlanders as showers develop around midday when a weak front approaches from the southwest.

On Saturday winds pick up again in the east as the low drifts back towards the county, but showers are predicted to remain largely offshore. Conditions should be mainly fine elsewhere marking a good day for the Black Caps to take on Sri Lanka at Eden Park.

Looking long range, this status quo of southerlies in the east and more summery weather in the west looks to continue at least until the end of next week.

Please keep up to date with the most current information from MetService at https://www.metservice.com/

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Fire Safety – Fires restricted in Waikato district from Friday

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has declared that all of the Waikato district will be in a restricted fire season from 9am on Friday 10 January until further notice.
This will include Thames-Coromandel, Hauraki, Matamata-Piako, Waikato, Hamilton City, Waipa, Otorohanga and Waitomo areas. The Central North Island is already in a restricted fire season.
A restricted fire season means anyone who wants to light an outdoor fire will need a fire permit authorised by Fire and Emergency New Zealand, which can be applied for at checkitsalright.nz.
Waikato District Manager Daryl Trim says the fire risk has continued to increase despite unseasonably cooler days and some rainfall.
“In these conditions, we want to help landowners safely manage their fires to limit the risk of fires spreading out of control,” he says.
“Anyone planning to light fires in the open air will need to go to checkitsalright.nz, and go through a few easy steps to get a permit for their fire.
“If you don’t have internet access, you can phone 0800 658 628 to apply for a permit.”
The website also provides guidance on how to light open-air fires safely, and to make sure they are fully extinguished afterward.
“We are continuing to monitor the weather and the fire risk in the Waikato District, as it is expected conditions may dry out further,” Daryl Trim says.
“Please do the right thing and apply for a permit to help keep yourselves and your community safe when using fire.”
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Fire Safety – Outdoor fires restricted in Te Tai Tokerau Northland

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Te Tai Tokerau Northland will move into a restricted fire season from 8am on Friday 10 January 2025 until further notice.
A restricted fire season means anyone who wants to light an outdoor fire will need a fire permit authorised by Fire and Emergency, which can be applied for at checkitsalright.nz.
Northland District Manager Wipari Henwood says very little or no rain is predicted in the region for the next 10 days, with strong southwest winds continuing.
“Grass is drying out and forecast spike days – where fire risk rises sharply – increase the difficulty of controlling fires quickly once they have started,” he says.
“As we have seen with recent fires, it takes a large number of our fire brigades, many of them volunteers, with supporting resources and aircraft to contain and control wildfires in Northland.”
Large wildfires such as the Waiharara fire in 2021/22 and near Cape Reinga in 2023 required huge resources to combat and control.
“It took eight days to extinguish the Cape Reinga fire at a cost of more than $1.5m, while the Waiharara fire burnt for 50 days at a cost of more than $10m,” Wipari Henwood says.
“It’s these sorts of fires which we are trying to avoid by implementing a restricted fire season now.”
The restricted fire season covers all of Te Tai Tokerau Northland including Muriwhenua, where a restricted fire season is already in place.
All Department of Conservation land on islands in Northland remain in a prohibited fire season, which means all outdoor fires are banned.
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Stats NZ information release: Household labour force survey estimated working-age population: December 2024 quarter

Source: Statistics New Zealand

Household labour force survey estimated working-age population: December 2024 quarter – information release – 9 January 2025 – The household labour force survey estimated working-age population table shows the population benchmarks used to produce household labour force survey estimates for the upcoming labour market statistics release. 

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Animal Welfare – SAFE calls for release of delayed rodeo code of welfare following two deaths

Source: SAFE For Animals

Animal rights organisation SAFE is reinforcing its call for the immediate release of the revised rodeo code of welfare following the deaths of two animals over the new year period.
The first fatality was of a horse used in the Taupō rodeo. The horse was exhibiting lameness following the event in Taupō on 29 December and was killed the following day.
SAFE Campaign Manager Emily Hall says the 23-year-old horse had likely endured years of exploitation in rodeo.
“No animal should suffer and die for entertainment” says Hall. This horse’s tragic death is yet another example of the mistreatment deeply embedded in the rodeo industry”.
The second death on December 30 occurred at the Te Anau rodeo, where a three-year-old bull’s hind leg was dislocated during the bull riding event. He was killed on-site.
“This bull’s leg literally came out of its hip socket” says Hall. “The pain and torment these animals are subjected to is absolutely appalling.”
SAFE asserts these most recent injuries and deaths are indisputable examples of rodeo being in breach of New Zealand’s animal welfare laws and underscore the urgent need for Government action.
“Our Animal Welfare Act states that any physical handling of animals must be done in a way that minimises the likelihood of unnecessary pain or distress, and rodeo practices clearly violate this legislation” says Hall.
“Animals forced to participate in rodeo are subjected to extreme psychological and physical trauma and we should have seen these barbaric events outlawed a long time ago”.
SAFE understands the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) drafted a revised rodeo code of welfare two years ago, however no further steps have been taken either by the NAWAC or Andrew Hoggard, the Minister responsible for Animal Welfare.
“These delays are costing animals their lives”. says Hall. “While NAWAC and the Animal Welfare Minister hold up progress on the revised code of welfare, animals are enduring unnecessary suffering at these brutal events.”
SAFE highlights that the physical pain and distress rodeo practices inflict on animals not only breaches their legal rights, but also goes against Kiwis expectations of animal welfare, particularly as rodeo is promoted as a family-friendly event.
“We continue to call attention to the significant disconnect between what the rodeo industry considers a sport, and the harm inflicted upon the animals in their care”.
“We were deeply concerned to discover that horse trainer Kurtis Pertab, who received a disqualification last year for abusing horses, has been participating in recent rodeo events across the country.” says Hall. “This is yet another indicator that rodeo clubs simply do not take animal welfare seriously enough”.
Following the Government’s 10 December announcement confirming a ban on greyhound racing, SAFE emphasises the similarities with animals being used and abused for the entertainment of a very small minority.
“Rodeo, like greyhound racing, has no place in a society that values compassion for animals” says Hall.
“No animal should have to endure extreme trauma or catastrophic injuries in the name of entertainment, and we are calling on NAWAC and Minister Hoggard to release the revised rodeo code of welfare as a matter of urgency.” 
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Climate News – NIWA Seasonal Climate Outlook January-March 2025

Source: NIWA

Changing airflows mean changing weather from here till March and, to quote our principal forecaster Chris Brandolino, “La Nina hasn’t gone away”. In short, it’s going to be mixed.
– There is an increased likelihood of more westerly quarter (SW to NW) winds than previously indicated. However, this pattern is expected to be interspersed with easterly quarter (SE to NE) air flows, especially during periods of La Niña-like weather.
– There is enhanced potential for rain events linked to the tropics and sub-tropics to impact the country from mid-January through to March. Apart from the west and east of the South Island, the rest of New Zealand has about equal chances for near normal or above normal rainfall for the coming three months.
– Air temperatures are likely to be above average for the North Island, with about equal chances for near average or above average seasonal temperatures for the South Island. The change in air flow patterns, as noted above, increases the odds for spells of cooler than usual summertime temperatures.
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Transport – Congestion charging plans have some fishhooks for road freight

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
2025 is set to be a big year for transport policy, with Parliament set to debate legislation enabling time-of-use or congestion charging, the Land Transport Management (Time of Use Charging) Amendment Bill.
National road freight association Transporting New Zealand is backing the draft legislation, but says the Bill should be amended to allow goods-vehicle exemptions to avoid efficiency benefits being offset by freight fees and surcharges.
Transporting New Zealand Chief Executive Dom Kalasih says that all New Zealanders are currently indirectly paying for congestion, either through unproductive time spent in gridlock, or increased freight and delivery costs for everyday goods.
“According to the TomTom Traffic Index, New Zealand’s largest cities are significantly more congested than comparable Australian centres, with Kiwis spending up to 35 per cent more time commuting. That’s a massive drain on labour productivity, and we need time of use charging as a tool to address it,” he says.
The Bill would allow councils to propose time-of-use schemes, with design and implementation being led by NZTA and subject to Ministerial and Cabinet approval.
Kalasih says this centralised control will be good for ensuring national consistency and effective delivery, but it risks deterring council participation.
“The Bill has a backstop allowing the Government to propose schemes through NZTA if councils don’t act within three years, but it’s difficult to see a congestion charge successfully going ahead without joint buy-in from local government.
“The Select Committee considering the Bill will have to take careful note of submissions from councils to ensure the enabling legislation will actually deliver enduring time-of-use schemes within a reasonable timeframe.”
While the proposed legislation would allow congestion charging to be adopted across the country, Auckland is clearly the primary candidate. Ministry of Transport modelling suggests that effective charging could cut peak Auckland traffic by 8-12 per cent, reducing road congestion at peak time to around school-holiday levels.
Kalasih says that depending on the design of the scheme, congestion charging could be a game changer for freight movement around Auckland.
“While the individual cost benefit calculation will be different for all road freight companies, meaningful improvements in trip times should outweigh modest congestion charges during peak times. According to Ministry of Transport analysis, an Auckland time-of-use charge could reduce freight vehicle kilometres travelled in severe congestion by between 1.6-25.7 per cent.”
While broadly supporting the Bill, Transporting New Zealand is concerned that the proposed legislation strictly limits exemptions to emergency vehicles only.
“This restriction on exemptions is bad news for bus users and road freight businesses who will have to pass those costs on to consumers. Overseas schemes allow for wider exemptions. Around half of all vehicles in the London charge area are exempt or qualify for a discount. Ruling them out entirely will prevent a context-specific assessment being completed, such as where a scheme operates on key freight routes or around freight or passenger hubs.
“Heavy goods vehicles represent only around six per cent of total vehicle kilometres travelled, making trucks a small element of urban congestion.
“Where at all possible, road freight firms already avoid peak-travel, with the overwhelming proportion of freight movements occurring during the inter-peak period. When a truck is travelling at rush-hour, it is almost certainly due to the customer’s “capacity to receive” being restricted by staffing and logistical constraints.”
A practical illustration of this is the Port of Auckland’s container booking system that hikes charges for trucks picking up or dropping off containers during peak times. The end result has seen only small shifts in demand to off-peak times, due to inelastic customer demand. As a result, businesses and consumers have been stuck with higher freight rates and charges.
Kalasih says Transporting New Zealand will work with its members to ensure freight considerations are addressed during select committee deliberations later this year.
“With bipartisan support and constructive engagement, this legislation could be a game-changer for New Zealand’s transport system and economic productivity, as long as supply chain considerations are taken into account.”
Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4,700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion. 
About Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand
Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand is the peak national membership association representing the road freight transport industry. Our members operate urban, rural and inter- regional commercial freight transport services throughout the country. 
Road is the dominant freight mode in New Zealand, transporting 92.8% of the freight task on a tonnage basis, and 75.1% on a tonne-km basis. The road freight transport industry employs over 34,000 people across more than 4,700 businesses, with an annual turnover of $6 billion.
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Health – Licensing decision lauded for prohibiting buy now pay later schemes in bottle stores

Source: Alcohol Healthwatch

A decision of the Auckland District Licensing Committee sends a strong message to alcohol retailers who engage in Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services in retail alcohol outlets.
AfterPay is such a BNPL service, and it offers consumers the ability to be almost instantly approved with credit. This service being used for alcohol retail purchases has been an issue that has been raised before, most recently sparking concerns from a credit risk advisory firm.
An application for a renewal of a bottle store, Bottle-O Queens Road in Panmure, was opposed by the Council Licensing Inspector and the Medical Officer of Health, triggering a hearing in late November 2024.
In a reserved decision released yesterday, the Licensing Committee noted that the applicant had previously faced a ‘ flood’ of negative comment for having BNPL services, after which they withdrew the service.
On renewal of their alcohol licence the applicant rejected having a condition prohibiting BNPL suggested by the Council Licensing Inspector. The application was then opposed by the Inspector and Medical Officer of Health.
During the November hearing, it surfaced that the applicant was concerned about the ‘unfairness’ of the condition being applied to its licence and not being imposed on other premises offering BNPL.
The Licensing Committee looked to the provision of BNPL services that would be offered, and were of the opinion that the provision of that type of service would contribute to alcohol harm in the community, based on the evidence provided by the Inspector, the evidence given on behalf of the Salvation Army and Alcohol Healthwatch, and followed the lead of the Hamilton District Licensing Committee in dealing with similar matters.
The Licensing Committee gave a clear message to the alcohol licensing inspectorate, ” The Committee has an expectation of the Inspectorate that they will bring any Applicant before the Committee on renewal of licences if that is the case. As we have said, the Committee considers that there is the potential for alcohol-related harm from any premises offering such services…”.
Alcohol Healthwatch welcomes the decision of the Auckland District Licensing Committee, and further puts bottle stores on notice regarding BNPL services.
“We presented evidence in the hearing that shows the use of BNPL services to purchase alcohol at an apparent and often advertised low cost and no interest, increases its perceived affordability. This can lead to increased consumption and related harm,” says Executive Director, Andrew Galloway.
Alcohol Healthwatch and the Salvation Army had both previously made public submissions on the Government’s review of Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Regulations calling for alcohol to be excluded from any BNPL services, citing extensive evidence of BNPL services adding another layer of harm related to alcohol.
The Salvation Army gave evidence in the November hearing, including that they had almost 200 clients that have significant BNPL debts amounting to almost $1000 per client. Evidence also included the fact that BNPL users often came from disadvantaged backgrounds. These clients were said to often struggle with multiple debts, poor financial literacy and face physical and mental health issues. Many were said to have been associated with significant family violence issues, struggling to break the cycle of addiction and poor financial habits.
“We are pleased to welcome the decision of the Auckland District Licensing Committee, and in particular the stern warning to any alcohol retailer that participating in BNPL for alcohol will likely see applicants face challenges from reporting agencies” says Andrew. 
“There is no place for buy now pay later schemes for Aotearoa New Zealand’s most harmful drug”. 
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Fire Safety – Easing of fire restrictions for Hawke’s Bay

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire restrictions in Hawke’s Bay have been eased on Tuesday following recent wet weather.
The fire danger has decreased in the area, with Fire and Emergency New Zealand District Manager Glen Varcoe revoking prohibited and restricted fire seasons in some areas until further notice.
The changes are as follows:
– Heretaunga, Tukituki West, Tukituki East, Southern Hawkes Bay Coast and
Porangahau – Move from prohibited to restricted.
West – Move from restricted to open.
Tararua Central, Tararua South, Esk-Tutaekuri, Te Haroto, Wairoa Inland and Coast to remain at restricted.
A restricted fire season means people need a permit to light an open-air fire. You can go to www.checkitsalright.nz to check what fire season you are in and to apply for a permit if needed.
Glen Varcoe says people should not become complacent because the fire seasons have changed.
“Recent rainfall has reduced the fire risk in many areas of Hawke’s Bay, but people must remain vigilant to prevent unwanted fires from occurring.
“Even if you are in an open season, you should go to www.checkitsalright.nz to see if it is safe to have an outdoor fire.”