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ASB Classic Auction for Youthline gives Kiwi opportunity to grab ultimate Christmas presents for sports fans

Source: ASB

Kiwi looking for the ultimate Christmas present for sports-loving whānau and friends will have an opportunity to get their hands on priceless experiences and sports memorabilia in the ASB Classic Auction for Youthline, while playing their part in supporting Kiwi youth. Items up for grabs include a 1:1 padel tennis match with French tennis superstar Gaël Monfils, a tennis racket signed by former world no.1 Venus Williams, and a wining and dining experience in a corporate box for six during women’s week at the ASB Classic 2025.

The auction, supporting Youthline and youth mental health services, is now live on TradeMe until Sunday 22 December, with money-can’t-buy experiences and items. A second round of auction items will go live during the tournament and run until Sunday 12 January, with all funds raised going to Youthline.

But the auction isn’t just for tennis fans, with other upcoming auction items including a signed One Warriors jersey from the 2025 season and a year’s worth of Proper Crisps to share with family and friends.

For the third year running, Youthline is the official charity partner of the 2025 ASB Classic. All funds raised at the tournament will help Youthline to support young people across Aotearoa who reach out to its 24/7 Helpline for support.

In addition, all funds raised from Lobbo, the much-loved and iconic ball throwing competition held during the tournament, will go to Youthline. Fans will have the chance to win prizes and support a great cause by purchasing tennis balls which they throw from the stands into targets on the court. Lobbo will be run on Friday 3 January, Tuesday 7 January and Thursday 9 January.

Shae Ronald, Youthline Chief Executive, says: “We continue to have a mental health crisis among our rangatahi, so we must be there for them when they reach out for support. Our 24/7 line means young people can connect with a trained Helpline counsellor at any time of the day or night. Funds raised through the ASB Classic will help us deliver on this. We are truly grateful for the generosity of the event organisers, sponsors and players, including One NZ and Go Media, as well as our principal partner ASB, who have shown their support by donating some incredible items for our auction.”

Mark Graham, ASB Executive Manager Commercial Partnerships, says: “We are delighted to be able to bring together two of our most important partners – the ASB Classic and Youthline – again for the 2025 tournament. Over the years with support from everyone who attends the ASB Classic, we have raised several hundred thousand dollars for our community partners. We know all funds raised are so important and we’re pleased to be able to highlight the critical work Youthline does for our young communities, and to help them reach their goals.”

To get involved and support a good cause, tennis fans can view the ASB Classic charity auction items by searching ASB Classic Auction on TradeMe, or here: https://www.trademe.co.nz/stores/ASB-Classic-Auction

About Youthline

Youthline is a ‘with youth, for youth’ organisation that has been supporting young people across Aotearoa for over 50 years. Youthline provides the only wraparound, youth focused 24/7 mental health service through its 24/7 Helpline, face-to-face counselling, and other youth development and mentoring services. Since its inception, Youthline has assisted thousands of Kiwi and is the most well-known support organisation for young people in New Zealand. However, with the youth mental health crisis showing no signs of abating the demand for its services continues to grow. https://youthline.co.nz/

Text ‘ASB’ to 5144 to donate $3 to Youthline.

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Employment Issues – Govt acting with too much haste to upend established flexible work practices – PSA

Source: PSA

The PSA is disappointed the Government is proceeding with new guidelines for flexible work, including working from home, when the issue is now the subject of legal action.
Te Kawa Mataaho today issued new flexible work guidelines just days after the PSA filed action with the Employment Relations Authority challenging the Government’s legal right to do so.
“The PSA questions why the Government is choosing to rush this decision when there is an outstanding legal issue to be sorted. It’s not fair on the thousands of public service workers, including many women, who rely on flexible work,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, acting National Secretary of the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“Flexible work practices have long been established in the public sector and are part of employment agreements. The Government has also signed up to the Gender Pay Principles, which it must also respect. The new guidelines completely disregard these.
“In addition, the Government is also required to respect the ‘employment requirements of women’ under the Public Service Act, which includes flexible work.
“It’s just wrong to inject so much uncertainty into the working arrangements for public service workers, many of whom are women who rely on flexible work to look after family and others.
“The Government is proving again it is out of step with modern workplace practices around the world where flexible work is proven to increase productivity and improve culture.
“We urge the Government to think again. The PSA is determined to keep pursuing our legal action on this – the stakes are too high for so many of our members.”
Previous statement
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Weather News – Wet Weather Clearing to a Warm Weekend – MetService

Source: MetService

Covering period of Thursday 12 – Monday 16 December – MetService is forecasting a period of heavy rain for the upper half of the North Island today (Thursday) with thunderstorms and localised downpours possible as an area of low pressure descends from the northern Tasman Sea.  

Associated with the passage of the low is a – Heavy Rain Watch, currently in place, stretching from the Coromandel Peninsula to Gisborne/Tairāwhiti, covering the Bay of Plenty. Meanwhile, rain moves up the West Coast. Tomorrow, more settled conditions develop for the North Island as a ridge takes hold and scattered shower for the South Island as the rain band from the day before eases and becomes stationary.  

Looking to the weekend we see the mercury rise for much of the country especially in the east as warm and humid westerlies spread east. Those westerlies provide a resurgence for the stalled rain band, bringing a wet Saturday to the West Coast with patchy showers south of Marlborough.  

MetService meteorologist Alec Holden says, “For those on the North Island looking to enjoy summertime activities such as watching the Black Caps play in Hamilton or joining in on the Christmas in the Park festivities in Auckland, conditions are set to be fine, if a bit muggy.”  Sunday looks much that same as the day before, with rain is set to ease for the West Coast and temperatures across the South Island track closer to what we’d expected to see at this time of year.  

Showers and rain greet many at the start of the next working week as the ridge over the North Island breaks down. The stalled front lingering over the South Island finally moves north bringing a change to southwesterly winds, dropping the temperatures for Canterbury southward.  

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Pacific – Dirty water stops Pacific kids learning – ChildFund

Source: ChildFund New Zealand

Contaminated water in some parts of the Pacific is a major contributor to diseases like diarrhoea. In children this is leading to preventable dehydration, malnutrition, hospitalisation and even death.
“Access to clean water is a basic human right, yet many communities (in Kiribati and the Solomon Islands for example), lack sufficient access. When children are getting sick regularly, they miss out on so much school, it’s hard for them to catch up or complete their education,” says ChildFund CEO Josie Pagani.
“Investing in literacy and human capital is fundamental. There is little value in investing in trade and economic development initiatives if the general population is not healthy or skilled enough to read, write and innovate.”
“At ChildFund New Zealand we want to help remove the barriers that get in the way of a child’s education in the Pacific. That’s how we contribute to the Pacific’s own development goals. It’s how New Zealanders can help power the Pacific into a future where its people are not dependent on aid or charities like ours.”
The Pacific Community’s PILNA (Pacific Islands Literacy and Numeracy Assessment) reports on literacy and numeracy rates in the region, and show that while there has been some improvement in numeracy, literacy rates are still well below acceptable rates.
“There are many reasons for this, including lack of teaching resources, teacher training, and digital connectivity. But contaminated water is making too many kids sick too often. It’s an entirely preventable problem that can fixed cheaply – and fixed now.”
Almost half of Year 4 and 6 students at primary school are not meeting minimum proficiency levels in reading. Those from disadvantaged backgrounds are at even greater risk of lower learning outcomes.
Only half of children in Year 4 are at the Pacific literacy benchmark for their grade, compared to around 95% of students in OECD countries, for example. In areas in remote Pacific islands with higher rates of poverty, the number is much higher.
“It is unacceptable in 2024 that 1 in 10 deaths for children under 5 years in parts of the Pacific is linked to diarrhoea, vomiting and dirty water. And its unacceptable that too many children miss school, or are unable to benefit from their schooling because of sickness related to contaminated water.
“This is a problem that is fixable. Help us fix it,” says CEO of ChildFund Josie Pagani.
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Security – EPA seizes $1 million + of HFC gases in illegal import investigation

Source: Environmental Protection Authority

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has seized hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) gases valued at more than $1 million in a joint operation with New Zealand Police and New Zealand Customs Service investigating illegal imports.
The gases are mainly used in heat pumps, air conditioning, and refrigeration and in some medical devices.
“The EPA is cracking down on operators who import and sell cheap bottles of HFCs without applying for a permit or paying a levy to cover the greenhouse gas emissions of the HFCs,” says the EPA’s Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement General Manager, Gayle Holmes.
“Illegal importers are undercutting legitimate operators and, in some cases, selling contaminated HFCs that could damage vehicles and equipment.”
HFCs are synthetic greenhouse gases with a high impact on the climate despite being emitted at relatively low quantities. They can have global warming potentials of up to 14,800 times that of carbon dioxide.
In New Zealand, HFCs are controlled under the Ozone Layer Protection Act and the Climate Change Response Act. Since 2020, New Zealand has been phasing down the use of HFCs as part of an international effort expected to avoid 0.5 degrees Celsius of global warming by 2100.
“There are rules around HFC imports so New Zealanders can have confidence that we’re reducing the use of these potent greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change,” says Gayle Holmes.
As part of our investigation, several search warrants were executed across New Zealand. We have so far seized 3 tonnes of HFCs and the investigation remains ongoing.
Offences can carry a fine and in some cases up to five years’ imprisonment.
We encourage anyone being offered bottles of HFCs at significantly lower than market price to contact our investigations team in confidence at investigations@epa.govt.nz.
Anyone importing bulk HFCs needs a permit under the Ozone Layer Protection Act and must be registered as a participant in the Emissions Trading Scheme. Bulk HFCs are containers of new or recycled HFC gas in an unprocessed form, alone or in a mixture.
Permits are not needed to import HFCs in goods, such as HFCs in car air conditioning or in fire extinguishers. Goods containing synthetic greenhouse gases, including HFCs, are subject to a levy under the CCRA.
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Electronic card transactions: November 2024 – Stats NZ information release

Source: Statistics New Zealand

Electronic card transactions: November 2024 – information release – 12 December 2024 – The electronic card transactions (ECT) series cover debit, credit, and charge card transactions with New Zealand-based merchants. The series can be used to indicate changes in consumer spending and economic activity.

Key facts

All figures are seasonally adjusted unless otherwise specified.

Values are at the national level and are not adjusted for price changes.

November 2024 month

Changes in the value of electronic card transactions for the November 2024 month (compared with October 2024) were:

  • spending in the retail industries was unchanged
  • spending in the core retail industries increased 0.1 percent ($3.2 million).
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Updates to environmental indicators – Stats NZ information releases

Source: Statistics New Zealand

Updates to environmental indicators – 12 December 2024 – Stats NZ has today updated the following environmental indicators:

Farm numbers and farm size data is from Stats NZ’s Agricultural production statistics (APS) programme, with data presented from the APS census nationally for the period 2002 to 2022, and regionally from the APS census years 2002 and 2022.

Livestock numbers data is presented nationally for the period 1990 to 2023 from the APS census and survey years, and regionally from APS census years 1990 and 2022. ]

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Education – Excellence in education and research recognised at Whitireia and WelTec

Source: Whitireia and WelTec

Outstanding tertiary educators have been celebrated with the presentation of the Whitireia and WelTec Tertiary Educator Awards and Research Medals, recognising excellence in teaching and learning, high-quality research outcomes and significant contribution to research and rangahau.
Mark Oldershaw, Executive Director at Whitireia and WelTec, says the awards celebrate a commitment to providing high-quality vocational education to the diverse communities of Te Whanganui-a-Tara and the wider Wellington region.
“Congratulations to our tertiary educators – our tutors, researchers, mentors, learning support and course leaders. These awards acknowledge their expertise and dedication to ensuring successful outcomes for ākonga (students) and providing learning environments where our ākonga and communities are welcomed and supported.”
We are delighted to acknowledge all kaimahi (staff) who were nominated for these awards and congratulate the following award winners:
Whitireia and WelTec Research Medals 2024
The Whitireia and WelTec Research Medals are celebrated and supported by the Kawenata Rangahau, the Whitireia and WelTec Centre for Pacific Health and Social Practice, and the Teaching Innovation and Research team.
– Research Excellence Award: Dr Minjie Hu (IT, School of Innovation Design and Technology). This award acknowledges and honours kaimahi who have delivered substantial high-quality research outcomes, and whose work assists in giving back to the many communities we serve.
– Emerging Research Award: Dr Gopal Krishan (Engineering, School of Innovation Design and Technology). This award recognises an outstanding research contribution made early in a research journey.
– Commendations: Odessa Owens (Publishing, School of Creative and Hospitality) and Swetha Thammadi (Built Environment, School of Innovation Design and Technology).
Whitireia and WelTec Tertiary Educator Awards 2024
– Sustained Educator Award Winners: Maria Eda Arado (NZ Diploma in Engineering, School of Innovation Design and Technology), Teresa Shailer (Paramedicine, School of Health and Wellbeing) | Commendation: Ali Bahmad (Cookery, School of Creative and Hospitality).
– Emerging Educator Award Winner: Jade Eru (BCAP, BSW, BYD, Centre for Pacific Health and Social Practice) | Commendation: Emma Blake (Vet Nursing and Animal Care, School of Health and Wellbeing).
– Team Award Winner: Learner Support Services Mentoring and Disability team (Petone/Te Kāhui Auaha) – Rebecca Burns, Dane Divine, David Johnson | Commendation: Nursing Simulation team (School of Health and Wellbeing) – Irene van Hunen-Bos, Philip Hawes, Carryn Poki, Shelley Winters, Alexandra Wordsworth.
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Acknowledgements – Share My Super founder named a Forbes Asia Hero of Philanthropy

Source: Share My Super

Share My Super founder Liz Greive says she’s honoured to be named as a Forbes Asia “Hero of Philanthropy” for 2024. “I am passionate about enabling my generation to invest in the bright future of our young people,” said Greive. “I hope my story shows the joy, hope and energy that philanthropy can bring to the giver as well as the recipient.”
Only 15 heroes of philanthropy were chosen for “having made significant contributions and demonstrated commitment to causes they cherish over the past year.” Greive is one of only two women to make the list as individuals.
A former social worker, Grieve founded Share My Super in 2018 as a way for people to share any surplus superannuation they receive with partner charities focussed on making a difference for New Zealand children. The Forbes honour acknowledges Grieve’s gift of $10 million in late 2023 to ensure Share My Super operating costs are covered in perpetuity, so all other supporters’ gifts go directly to the partner charities, with no overheads or administration fee taken by Share My Super itself.
“Liz more than deserves this tribute, not only for her generosity and caring focus but also for the wonderful way she’s enabling other people receiving surplus superannuation to also make a difference alongside her,” said Share My Super chief executive Rachel Scott. “The Share My Super model empowers people to contribute meaningfully as philanthropists in a hassle-free way.”
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Property Market – Cost of building a home up 1.5% annually – QV

Source: Quality Valuation (QV)

Construction costs have increased at their slowest annual rate since CostBuilder’s inception in 2015, despite a small spike in the last quarter.

The latest QV CostBuilder construction cost update shows the average cost of building a standard one or two storey 150/230m² home in Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch or Dunedin has risen by just 1.5% in the 12 months to the end of November 2024.

That figure is less than a third as much as the average increase recorded in the year prior. For comparison, construction residential costs grew by an average of 5.6% in the year to November 2023, as well as by 11.3% and 18.9% over the same 12-month period in 2022 and 2021 respectively. The previous lowest annual increase was 1.6% for the 12-month period to November 2020.

Overall residential construction costs have increased by an average of 0.6% this quarter alone – compared to an average increase of 0.3% in the February, May, and August quarters – but this was also a comparatively smaller rate of growth than in recent years.

“After four years of pronounced volatility, construction costs have been significantly more stable in 2024,” said QV CostBuilder quantity surveyor Martin Bisset. “This is reflective of inflationary pressures continuing to ease at home and abroad.”

“Many of the catalysts behind the rapid residential construction cost growth we saw throughout the early years of the pandemic are now no longer a major factor. Record low interest rates are long gone, house prices have generally been on the wane for some time, supply chains have been re-established, and population growth has slowed,” he said.

“Although these are undoubtedly tough times for the residential construction industry as a whole, with demand dropping precipitously in recent years, interest rates are on their way back down again now and construction costs are largely stable. This could well pave the way for increased optimism in 2025.”

Meanwhile, he said the average building cost per square metre for non-residential buildings (excluding educational buildings) had increased by 1.4% in the year ending November 2024, including by 0.7% this quarter.

“It’s important to remember that all of these figures are averages and the cost of building will always depend on the level of finishes, internal layout, and all manner of other elements. For example, whether or not a home has a single or double garage will obviously have a significant impact on its cost of construction,” Mr Bisset added.
 
QV CostBuilder is an online subscription-based building cost platform. It covers everything from the building costs per square metre for warehouses, schools, and office buildings, to the approximate retail supply cost of GIB and more than 8,000 other items, plus labour rates, labour constants, and more.

In this latest monthly update, approximately 23,100 current material and labour prices were applied to QV CostBuilder’s comprehensive construction cost database of more than 60,000 rates across six main centres: Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

Cost planning rates increased by an average of 0.3% in November, with site preparation costs falling 1.2% due to the reduced cost of steel sheet piling rates. Framing costs also reduced by 0.7%, while exterior walls, wall and ceiling finishes all increased at an average rate of between 0.8% and 1.2%.

The cost of structural steel reduced by 1.7% last month, but steel framing increased by an average of 4.7%. Suspended ceiling costs also grew by an average of 5% due to an increase in panels and grids systems.

Visit QV CostBuilder at costbuilder.qv.co.nz