Infoblaze New Zealand, Auckland (2024)

10/09/2024

delivering more for Kiwis following major funding boost

Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour has welcomed the increased availability of medicines for Kiwis resulting from the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac.“Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour.

“When our Government assumed office, New Zealanders were facing an uncertain future for medicine access. Pharmac had a $1.7 billion funding hole and had no new money to increase access for medicines.“It was a priority for this Government to fix that. We’ve allocated Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, so that it can get on and do its job – negotiating the best deals for medicine for New Zealanders....
https://bit.ly/3XzsDrV

Via beehive.govt.nz

06/09/2024

NZ’s and takes centre stage in Korea

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise hosted an event showcasing some of New Zealand’s leading food and beverage brands during the Prime Minister’s Mission to Korea.

In 2023, New Zealand exported NZ$1.2 billion in food and beverage to Korea, with the sector making up 43% of all New Zealand’s exports to Korea.

Dairy is the single largest category (NZ$504 million), but fresh produce, honey and wine have all seen significant growth since 2015. Wine is now New Zealand’s fastest growing category in Korea.

The showcase, hosted by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, was attended by key industry partners, retailers and Korean media to highlight the innovative and unique products that New Zealand is known for.....
https://bit.ly/4dRPLrp

New Zealand Trade & Enterprise

05/09/2024

ComCom pushes telcos for better mobile coverage information with ‘exit right’

The Commerce Commission is requiring mobile network operators to make it easier for Kiwi consumers to compare coverage between providers, and to exit without penalty if they run into coverage problems.

"Coverage is a key consideration for consumers but can vary considerably across networks. It's never 100% everywhere. Too many Kiwis are signing up to find that they're not getting the coverage they expected – so we've been working with stakeholders on how to help consumers make more confident and informed choices," said Telecommunications Commissioner, Tristan Gilbertson.

Mr Gilbertson said the outcome of this engagement is a roadmap that will see mobile providers:

- Standardise key components of their coverage maps to make them more comparable;

- Make coverage maps and related information easier to find on their websites; and

- Provide a clear ‘exit right’ when consumers find a material difference between what a coverage map shows and their real-world experience.

To improve comparability, the Commission has asked mobile providers to agree a standard set of coverage descriptors – such as ‘excellent’, ‘good’, ‘fair’ and ‘no coverage’ – and signal strength thresholds for each of these coverage levels.....
https://bit.ly/3XfkKX3

Commerce Commission

04/09/2024

NZ’s latest online buy, sell and swap marketplace launches - with a difference

Imagine a place where you can buy, sell, and swap items without the hassle of complicated fees and payments. Imagine if the money for your item went straight into your pocket. Imagine getting rid of the items you no longer use … and getting exciting pieces in return.

Now there’s no need to imagine. Enter buysellswap.nz, where Kiwis come together to trade goods effortlessly and economically. Founded by Surindar Gill, this unique online marketplace is set to change the way New Zealanders think about classifieds.

A woman with a vision

Surindar Gill, a proud Aotearoa native, spent her life on dairy farms in the picturesque Waikato region....
https://bit.ly/3zdPEHl

Surindar Gill

Via www.stuff.co.nz

02/09/2024

Turning rubber into resources

New Zealand’s first national tyre recycling scheme is now fully operational with free collections starting Sept 1, says Environment Minister Penny Simmonds.

“The first priority product stewardship scheme for end-of-life tyres marks a significant step toward addressing a long-standing issue for our country,” Ms Simmonds says.

“Every year, New Zealand imports around 6.5 million tyres. Of these, only about 40 per cent are recycled, reprocessed or exported.

"The remainder often end up in landfills, stockpiles, or are illegally dumped. This not only wastes a valuable resource, but it also places a heavy burden on local communities and councils who are usually left to handle the cleanup. This will change under the new scheme.”

Industry has led the co-design of the scheme, known as ‘Tyrewise’, which will see end-of-life tyres collected, processed and turned into new products....
https://bit.ly/3X8nWDZ

30/08/2024

Energy Competition Task Force set up to improve electricity market performance

The Task Force brings together government market regulators to consider the complex factors underlying wholesale prices and put in place a suite of measures to help address the current issues across the energy system.

The Task Force has already met and is considering two key outcomes:

1. Enable new generators and independent retailers to enter, and better compete in the market.

This may include:

- requiring gentailers to contract with independents more and in new ways, both in relation to firming new generation and to manage risks around high electricity prices. This would also assist New Zealand’s large industrials to make longer-term operational decisions.

- investigating a sequence of regulatory options that could be promptly deployed if other interventions are not effective. This would include considering the pros and cons of level playing field measures used in other countries, such as non-discrimination requirements for gentailers to not treat others in the market differently from their own business.....
https://bit.ly/478FSmy

Commerce Commission

29/08/2024

NZ PM Christopher Luxon to visit Malaysia and Korea accompanied by a senior business delegation

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to Malaysia and the Republic of Korea (Korea) next week, accompanied by a senior business delegation. “Malaysia and Korea are both strong partners for New Zealand on the world stage, crucial to our prosperity and security. I look forward to meeting with my counterparts and working with them to explore what more can be done to further deepen our relationships,” Mr Luxon says. “My first official visit to Malaysia demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to building on our relationship with one of our longstanding friends in South East Asia and expanding our cooperation into new areas....
https://bit.ly/4748FJ0

Via beehive.govt.nz

28/08/2024

Modern, resilient, secure radio communications technology for first responders

The Coalition Government today welcomed the launch of a new national radio network that will provide emergency responders with the modern, resilient, secure radio communications technology they need, says Emergency Management and Recovery Minister, Mark Mitchell and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden.

The first component of the Public Safety Network Land Mobile Radio (LMR) network is a pilot area in South Canterbury consisting of eight digital radio transmission sites. Emergency services will use this ‘pilot’ area to test new radios using operational scenarios. This will inform the following eleven-region roll-out of the LMR network to emergency services across the country through until 2026...
https://bit.ly/3AGuBhb

Mark Mitchell MP | Brooke van Velden MP

Via beehive.govt.nz

27/08/2024

Mother Trucking startup to streamline lifting and shifting industry processes

Mother Trucking startup to streamline lifting and shifting industry processes

A startup aiming to streamline the heavy haulage and ‘lifting and shifting’ industries has created a digital dispatch management system for drivers to run their operations more smoothly and directly from the cabs in their vehicles.

Mother Trucking, a Nelson-based limited liability startup launched in March 2023, wants to shape the future of the heavy haulage industry with a new logistics software solution....
https://bit.ly/3AGLVCC

Jason Teunissen | Kitti Bradley

Dave Crampton | Nelson Tasman
Via nzentrepreneur.co.nz

26/08/2024

Australia Post to deploy NZ born 'DUTY' bikes setting a new standard in sustainable motorcycle delivery

In early 2024 a contract was signed committing to an initial order of 175 DUTY motorbikes. The DUTY bikes will be deployed across all states and territories, setting a new standard in sustainable motorcycle delivery solutions for Australia. The new electric DUTY fleet will further support Australia Post in reducing emissions, lowering operational costs and enhancing delivery performance, all while prioritising the safety of its team members. The new motorbikes also expand Australia Post’s capability to electrify routes that were previously challenging for three-wheel electric delivery vehicles (eDVs) to access.

Speaking at the launch of Australia Post’s new DUTY fleet on 26 August 2024, Australia Post CEO and Managing Director, Paul Graham, highlighted the significance of the new fleet.

“This is a pivotal moment for Australia Post and demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and forward-thinking technology. This new fleet allows us to electrify a broader spectrum of routes, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and further advancing our sustainability goals...
https://bit.ly/4cINL3f

UBCO has opened discussions with other delivery fleets, including NZ Post

UBCO Ltd

24/08/2024

American company announces deal to fly to space from

American company Space Scout has announced a deal to fly out of Kaitorete Spit in Canterbury.

The Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre has been struggling with early efforts to attract customers, and documents show the government - unhappy at the lack of international customers - had refused the agency's proposal for more funding....
https://bit.ly/4fUKPU1

Via www.stuff.co.nz

23/08/2024

Technology to enable more court remote participation

Enabling more remote participation in our courts using Audio Visual (AV) technology is an important part of the Coalition Government’s commitment to improving court performance and access to justice, Minister for Courts Nicole McKee MP says.

“The second reading today of the Courts (Remote Participation) Amendment Bill has moved us closer to fulfilling that commitment. As we know, our courts are under pressure and delays in justice have a significant impact on participants, particularly victims.

The amendments will mean more options for attending court for victims, and other participants such as lawyers, Corrections, and probation staff.....
https://bit.ly/3WUijct

Via beehive.govt.nz

22/08/2024

Stronger, faster, wider: New competitors in the banking Olympics

Lowering the capital bar from $30m to $10m would allow Christian Savings, Dosh, Emerge and others to register as new banks

Finance companies and fintechs are lining up to register as banks, after the Commerce Commission opened the door to new competition.

And smaller existing banks like TSB and Kiwibank want government backing to scale up to compete....
https://bit.ly/3Mewvbi

Jonathan Milne
Via newsroom.co.nz

20/08/2024

Delivering more competitive for Kiwis

The Government will act on all 14 recommendations made by the Commerce Commission’s final report into bank competition Finance Minister Nicola Willis MP and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister, Andrew Bayly MP say.

“The Commerce Commission has proven what’s been long-suspected: New Zealand’s banking sector is uncompetitive, and Kiwis are not being well served by a highly profitable, two-tier oligopoly.

“Today’s report calls-out the market behaviour of New Zealand’s big four banks: they are highly profitable compared with international peers, they lack innovation and do not aggressively compete for customers,” Nicola Willis says.....
https://bit.ly/4cCea2y

Via beehive.govt.nz

18/08/2024

Telco report and new interactive map show competition heating up in rural broadband

The Commerce Commission’s latest Annual Telecommunications Monitoring Report released today highlights an increasingly competitive broadband market in rural New Zealand – illustrated by a new interactive map revealing detailed coverage and connection information.

Telecommunications Commissioner, Tristan Gilbertson, says the telecommunications market in New Zealand has reached a major milestone in urban areas with the successful completion of the UFB roll-out and the widespread availability of Fixed Wireless to cater for those with lower data needs.

He says attention is now on closing the connectivity gap in rural areas to help boost digital inclusion for consumers and productivity in a critical sector of the economy.

“It’s exciting to see competition heating up as Starlink – using its Low Earth Orbit satellite technology – disrupts the rural market and forces a response from existing providers.....
https://bit.ly/3Aqv077

Via comcom.govt.nz

17/08/2024

Fingermark | Optimising and empowering those in Quick Service Restaurants

In Founder Focus NZ Entrepreneur introduce entrepreneurs and change-makers working on innovative startups, social enterprises and SME’s around Aotearoa New Zealand.

At a glance

Founder: Luke Irving

Business: Fingermark

Founded: 2006

HQ: Hawke’s Bay

Can you tell us a bit about your business?

Fingermark is a technology company that specialises in optimising and empowering those in Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) with our software platforms that power everything from self-ordering kiosks to digital menu boards and drive-thru intelligence systems.

By capturing and analysing data, Fingermark provides valuable insights for a deeper connection to your restaurant, connecting operators to their customers, staff members, and managers.

We strive to improve operational excellence, speed of service, and overall customer and staff satisfaction, leading to maximised revenue…..
https://bit.ly/4csUC0I

Luke Irving Fingermark

Via nzentrepreneur.co.nz

15/08/2024

MFAT Market Intelligence Reports
Qatar: economic report - August 2024

Qatar’s strong economic base, strategic location, wealthy population with significant purchasing power and government support for diversification, conceptually has an abundant base of opportunities for New Zealand businesses, especially in the hydrocarbon, healthcare, and education sectors. That said, businesses should be aware of challenges such as the regional situation, the legal framework and Qatar’s learned focus on its domestic self-sufficiency.....
https://bit.ly/3M4dcBB

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

13/08/2024

Visitor arrivals up on 2023 but down on 2019

Overseas visitor arrivals to New Zealand totalled 3.2 million in the June 2024 year, according to data released by Stats NZ today. This was up 676,000 (27 percent) from the June 2023 year.

“The rise in visitor arrivals in the June 2024 year was mostly driven by China, the United States, and Australia,” population indicators manager Tehseen Islam said.

Despite the increase, overseas visitor arrivals in the June 2024 year were 17 percent lower than the record for a June year of 3.9 million in 2019.

For the June 2024 year, Australia was the main source of visitor arrivals, followed by the United States, China, the United Kingdom, and India......
https://bit.ly/3SKIp0h

Via stats.govt.nz

12/08/2024

Time of use schemes to reduce travel times

The Government will introduce legislation this year to enable time of use schemes to be developed to reduce travel times on our busiest roads and boost economic growth, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.

“Congestion is a tax on time and productivity. It means that we are away from home for longer, sitting in gridlock. It results in fewer jobs being done, fewer goods being moved, and delays to services across the city.

“Faster, more reliable travel times will increase productivity, and lower costs for businesses and their customers. That is why we are enabling time of use schemes to be put in place....
https://bit.ly/3SMDZGh

“..will improve network efficiency to increase productivity & enable Kiwis and freight to get where they need to go quickly and safely" Simeon Brown MP

Via beehive.govt.com

11/08/2024

Forestry boss wants exporters to join forces for new market

A forestry director is calling on plantation owners across to join forces to conquer the lucrative timber market in after a sharp decline in demand from .

Jacob Mannothra, founder and managing director of Ltd, a New Zealand forestry company that exports radiata pine to India, said a recent slump in China’s economy and changes to biosecurity regulations in New Delhi meant it was the ideal time for Kiwi timber exporters to look to the Indian subcontinent for new export avenues....
https://bit.ly/4fBSYwl

Andy Brew
Via www.stuff.co.nz

10/08/2024

hit with $3.25m fine for blocking rivals

The Wellington High Court has penalised Foodstuffs North Island $3.25 million for lodging anti-competitive land covenants with the purpose of blocking competitors.

In handing down his judgment today, Justice Radich described the conduct as “deliberate” and “serious”. He said it reflected a deliberate effort to hinder rivals from opening new supermarkets or developing existing ones at three locations in the Lower North Island - Newtown and Petone in Wellington and Tamatea in South Napier.

The court action by the Commerce Commission followed an investigation into the historical conduct which came to light during the market study into the grocery sector completed in 2022. The study identified that the use of covenants on land had limited the number of sites available to competitors......
https://bit.ly/3Ah9vFU

Via comcom.govt.nz

09/08/2024

to invest a combined NZ $47.5m, working alongside other partners such as the to establish with partners across the Pacific

New Zealand and Australia have joined a range of other partners in supporting the establishment of humanitarian relief warehouses across the Pacific, Foreign Ministers Winston Peters and Penny Wong say.

“As we know all too well, the Pacific is exposed to a wide range of natural hazards and other risks – including cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, volcanoes and disease. These disasters can lead to immense humanitarian need,” New Zealand Foreign Minister Peters says.

“This initiative places Pacific countries at the centre of responses. It will give countries access to humanitarian relief supplies within 48 hours of a disaster to help meet immediate needs following an emergency.”....
https://bit.ly/3WwxQ1K

Winston Peters
Penny Wong - Senator for SA

08/08/2024

Daisy | Supporting women through the challenges of

Founder Focus

In Founder Focus NZ Entrepreneur introduces entrepreneurs and change-makers working on innovative startups, social enterprises and SME’s around Aotearoa New Zealand.

DAISY

Founder: Emma Michelsen

Business: Daisy

Founded: 2023

HQ: Auckland

Can you tell us a bit about your business?

Daisy is a pioneer in women’s health, focusing on innovative over-the-counter antenatal products to improve maternal health outcomes. We specialise in creating science-backed supplements designed to support women through the challenges of pregnancy.........
https://bit.ly/4fEWR3B

Emma Michelsen
Daisy

Via nzentrepreneur.co.nz

07/08/2024

Further funding boost for second phase in battle

Efforts to contain and remove exotic caulerpa seaweed have received a $10 million funding injection to drive the ongoing development of new tools and techniques, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard MP.

“This is new investment on top of the $5 million boost earlier this year for an urgent work programme to rapidly develop technology to locate exotic caulerpa and get rid of it where possible.

“We acknowledge it is a challenge because exotic caulerpa spreads easily, and no other country has been able to adequately control or eradicate it at the scale it is here....
https://bit.ly/3WEzeQb

Via beehive.govt.nz

05/08/2024

ComCom testing if supply code ‘rule book’ is helping fix power imbalance in groceries

New Zealand’s Grocery Commissioner is launching a review of the new Grocery Supply Code to see if it’s helping fix the ongoing power imbalance between suppliers and the major supermarkets

In calling for views, Pierre van Heerden says that this review is crucial to make sure the Code that came into effect in September last year is operating as intended, and to identify the best way forward for continued and increased effectiveness.

New Zealand’s mandatory Grocery Supply Code was introduced under the Grocery Industry Competition Act (GICA). The Code was created to increase transparency and certainty for suppliers through a set of rules supermarkets need to follow when dealing with suppliers. Bringing increased certainty to agreements between supermarkets and suppliers would give suppliers more confidence to innovate and invest in more choice for consumers....
https://bit.ly/3YDYZ5T

Via comcom.govt.nz

05/08/2024

Awareness & perceptions of culture in the

NZTE surveyed British consumers about their awareness of Māori culture and their perceptions of it when incorporated into company branding. If you run a Māori-owned business targeting the UK, these insights can help inform your marketing and product pitch to retailers and consumers.

Key insights

- Familiarity with Māori culture is low in the UK. About 16% of people say they are very or somewhat familiar, while 65% are unfamiliar.

- However, some groups were more familiar with Māori culture than the general population, including high income earners (33%), those based in London (24%), and the university educated (21%).

- Despite low familiarity, people were generally positive about Māori culture, and negative perceptions were rare....
https://bit.ly/3Ytqf6L

Via my.nzte.govt.nz

04/08/2024

MACSO Technologies and Avnet enter strategic relationship

Avnet and MACSO Technologies have entered a strategic relationship to accelerate and scale IoT deployments for customers worldwide by advancing artificial intelligence (AI) models on hardware and electronic components through Avnet’s IoTConnect Partner Program.

Auckland based MACSO trains advanced artificial intelligence models that can simultaneously use different types of sensors on Avnet’s components.....
https://bit.ly/46Fjjpq

Avnet

Dave Crampton
Via nzentrepreneur.co.nz

03/08/2024

Innovating to reduce manufacturing emissions

A new set of tools to support manufacturers to grow their business and reduce their emissions has been launched by Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Andrew Bayly and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts.

“Manufacturing is a sleeping giant for New Zealand’s economy; with the right tools and support, manufacturing has the potential to supercharge our economic growth,” Mr Bayly says.

“The manufacturing sector accounts for 10 per cent of GDP, 60 per cent of our exports, and employs 230,000 people....
https://bit.ly/3LQrqWA

Via beehive.govt.nz

02/08/2024

Indonesia’s economy grew by 5.11 percent in the Q1'24 | Opportunities for NZ to partner with Indonesia

Bilateral Trade update

In the year ending March 2024, two-way trade with Indonesia totalled $2.99 billion. Indonesia is New Zealand’s 9th largest export market and is our 11th largest trading partner by total trade value. Total exports to Indonesia were worth $1.62 billion, a decrease of 22.1% when compared to exports of $2.08 billion in the same period in 2023.

In the education sector, there were a total of 795 international student enrolments from Indonesia in the year ending June 2023. Of the 795 students, 570 (71.7 percent) were enrolled in universities, 101 (12.7 percent) were enrolled in private training establishments, and 85 (10.7 percent) were enrolled in the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology.

Potential economic impact of President-elect Prabowo’s free nutritious meal programme

The government has budgeted IDR 71 trillion (NZ$ 7.1 billion) for the implementation of President-elect Prabowo’s free nutritious meal programme in the 2025 Draft State Budget. In the programme, at least 83 million school children will be supported. This will require more than 6 million tonnes of rice, 1 million tonnes of chicken meat, and 4 million kiloliters of fresh cow's milk every year. The budget was set at IDR 15,000 (NZ$ 1.50) per portion, although the final cost has yet to be confirmed. On multiple occasions, Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming, has given out free milk to the public, showcasing the incoming government’s commitment in the programme.

Some economists commented that the programme will increase the domestic consumption rate and has the potential to stimulate economic growth and raise Indonesia’s GDP, whilst others noted that the programme could undermine Indonesia’s track record of fiscal discipline.

Positive example of foreign direct investment flowing into Indonesia aimed at increasing milk consumption in Indonesia was the opening of PT Frisian Flag Indonesia’s (PT FFI) third factory in Cikarang, West Jawa in July 2024. The factory, which covers an area of 25.4 hectares with an investment value of IDR 3.8 trillion (NZ$ 380 million), is said to be the largest production investment in the world for Dutch dairy cooperative and parent company of PT FFI, Friesland Campina. The new plant will process 400,000 kgs of milk per day or 700 million kgs of dairy products per year, with the potential to grow to 1 billion kgs. The products produced in the factory are milk and condensed milk.

PT FFI will also take part in a free nutritious food pilot project (Kick Off Collaboration Programme) in August 2024. PT FFI is collaborating with the Indonesia Food Security Review Foundation (IFSR) to reach ten schools in Cikarang, benefitting more than 2000 students every day until December 2024. PT FFI will contribute to the distribution of fresh milk, which is one of the supporting components in the President-elect Prabowo’s free nutritious meal programme.....
https://bit.ly/3LMfVPM

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

01/08/2024

Transparent investment reporting to drive fiscal discipline

The Government has released its first Quarterly Investment Report as part of the drive to deliver better value for money from government expenditure and restore fiscal discipline, Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Associate Finance and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say.

“We will be publishing these reports quarterly to provide the public with much better visibility of the government’s investment portfolio, to improve investment discipline, and drive better performance from agencies,” Ms Willis says.

“The first report prepared by The Treasury, to March 2024, is concerning. It indicates that some agencies are not meeting their reporting obligations, and there are significant issues with the quality and completeness of data reported including agencies not submitting investment proposals to the Treasury.....
https://bit.ly/3YtYnzG

Nicola Willis MP
Chris Bishop

Via beehive.govt.nz