New Zealand

Health Minister Simeon Brown will be speaking at an invite-only Health Forum in Auckland after a week of rapid-fire announcements. Hosted by BusinessNZ, the forum is expected to feature more announcements and insights into the future of healthcare under Brown's leadership. Brown's speech will conclude a busy week of engagements and interactions with various stakeholders in the healthcare sector. Full Article

James (Jim) Grenon, a Canadian billionaire residing in New Zealand, has acquired a significant shareholding in NZME and proposed to remove current directors and appoint new ones, with support from 37% of shareholders. Grenon's previous ventures, The Centrist and NZNE, focus on trans rights, Treaty coverage, and vaccine issues, challenging mainstream news agendas. This move has caused fear and instability within NZME, raising concerns about the future direction of the media company under Grenon's influence. Full Article

Emergency services responded to a crash on Cascades Road in Pakuranga, east Auckland, where a vehicle ended up overturned on its roof. Three people sustained moderate injuries in the incident involving two vehicles, with one rolling over just before 11.30am. Hato Hone St John paramedics attended the scene, assessing the patients on-site without the need for transportation, while the road remained partially closed for clearing by emergency services. Full Article

Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertiliser SustaiN, containing a urease inhibitor to reduce ammonia release, is now MPI registered as the first of its kind in New Zealand. This achievement assures farmers of its safety and efficacy, with the inhibitor slowing volatilisation of nitrogen and increasing yields. SustaiN, a widely used fertiliser, is recognized for reducing ammonia loss and increasing crop yields, with ongoing registration efforts for related products underway. Full Article

Clemenger BBDO and Less than 10% F*ck That have launched Fee Speech for International Women’s Day to address the issue of women being asked to speak for free, highlighting the value of women’s work and the need for fair compensation. Award-winning journalist Jane Caro stars in a social video promoting the initiative, calling out corporations that exploit women's labor. The campaign aims to spark conversations about recognizing and respecting women's time and talent, advocating for fair treatment in the workplace beyond just one day of recognition. Full Article

Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor Adrian Orr has resigned after seven years of service, with Deputy Governor Christian Hawkesby taking over until March 31. Orr, who was first appointed in 2018 and reappointed in 2023, highlighted achievements in maintaining inflation and economic recovery, leaving behind strategies on cash, climate change, and Maori access to capital. Finance Minister Nicola Willis will appoint a temporary governor from April 1, praising Orr for his leadership in institutional reforms and modernizing the Bank's culture. Full Article

East Auckland locals can participate in the Rotary Club of Highbrook Fun Run Walk on March 12, a charity event in its 12th year that raises funds for the Middlemore Foundation and Totara Hospice. Participants can join individually or as a team, with options for a 10km run, 5km run, 5km walk, or a 'Healthy Hearts' 1km walk. The event includes prizes, a warm-up session, and refreshments for a $30 entry fee, starting at 5.30pm at Highbrook Park. Full Article

Last week, the US faced foreign policy disasters by voting alongside countries like Belarus, Russia, and North Korea against a UN resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, followed by a troubling Oval Office meeting with Ukraine's president, showcasing volatile and unstable American foreign policy. South Korea and Japan, key US allies in the Pacific, are dealing with political instability, with South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol impeached and facing criminal charges, and Japan's coalition government facing uncertainty due to minority seats in parliament. These challenges may impact US collective security arrangements in the region, as well as economic aid programs in...

Helen Clark, former PM of New Zealand, discussed NATO and US-European security on Q+A, criticizing Vance's views. She expressed orthodox social democratic European perspectives on foreign policy but mocked NZ's military and dismissed collective security. Clark's comments on China and the Cook Islands reflect a dated worldview, raising questions about her understanding of current geopolitical realities. Full Article

Protesters in Christchurch scaled a building housing an arms company, accusing it of supplying sniper scopes used in Israel's war on Gaza. Peace activists highlighted the company's link to civilian deaths and urged termination of partnerships with controversial manufacturers. The protest led to arrests and calls for public support to prevent the company from operating in New Zealand. Full Article