AGP Executive Report

Online Safety Bill: The Children’s Commissioner says New Zealand’s Online Safety (Minimum Age and Child Safety Risk Assessment) Bill is a step forward, but warns age limits alone won’t protect kids—calling for stronger tech accountability, education, and support for whānau. Social Media Ban Politics: Labour says it’s “no rush” to back National’s under-16 social media ban, with a position likely only after the election; coalition partners ACT and NZ First oppose it, leaving National needing extra votes. Local Government Rates: Government legislation caps council rates increases at 4% (with a 2–4% target range), aiming to curb steep hikes while councils focus on core services. Auckland Commuters: Auckland councillors are set to confirm three congestion charge options for peak-time driving into and out of the city, with consultation planned for later this year. Māori Assets & Insurance: New FMA research says the insurance system leaves marae exposed, citing affordability issues and products built around individual ownership. Crime Crackdown: Police shut down a major Vietnamese cannabis syndicate in Auckland, arresting 12 and seizing about $1.25m in cultivation equipment plus cash and drugs. Health & Justice: Police have handed the reinvestigation file into the death of Southland toddler Lachlan Jones to the coroner. Business Appointments: Southern Cross Healthcare appoints Renate Swart as CFO; Thompson Spencer names Oliver King managing partner for strategy. Sports: Laneway Festival 2027 will end in Auckland on Feb 21 at Western Springs, and Erin Routliffe has drawn Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz in US Open mixed doubles.

Social Media Safety: New Zealand is set to introduce legislation to ban children under 16 from using high-risk social media platforms, with age checks such as account data, facial estimation and digital ID, and penalties for non-compliance of up to 10% of global revenue. Health Policy: The Dental Association is pushing a sugary drink levy, arguing it could cut preventable tooth decay and reduce inequities for Māori and Pasifika children, with revenue earmarked for dental care and school water fountains. Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: New Zealand’s All Blacks beat South Africa 33-16 at Ellis Park, and the series continues with the next Test in Cape Town as the Springboks look to bounce back. Hockey World Cup: New Zealand beat Pakistan 4-2 in the classification match, topping Pool G and booking a ninth-place playoff against Ireland. Economy & Markets: NZX 50 slipped amid softer consumer spending data and mixed company updates, while borrowing-cost expectations remain a key theme for households and investors. Workforce: Health New Zealand says more nurses are moving into frontline roles, with thousands progressing into recruitment and graduate placements.

All Blacks & Rugby: Richie Mo’unga returns to the All Blacks after a two-year absence, named to start against the British & Irish Lions at Ellis Park. NRL/PNG Chiefs: Joey Manu is unveiled as PNG’s “007” signing, returning to the NRL in 2028. Local Governance: Queenstown Mayor John Glover wants an urgent meeting after the Government backed away from a bed night levy. Economy: Stats NZ says retail sales volumes fell 0.5% in the June 2026 quarter, with fuel values up but volumes down. Environment & Courts: Sweetwaters in Northland—council and contractor fined after clearing native vegetation, with the EPA stressing wetland protections. Crime: Police have laid an extra 33 corruption-related charges over alleged prison bribery and contraband smuggling linked to Operation Jasper. Health (Pacific): Waikato paediatric surgeon Dr Stephen Adams led a Samoa mission, assessing 50+ children and performing 26 operations. Weather: A significant South Island winter storm is forecast midweek, with heavy rain and possible snow closures. Community & Faith: Muslim families in Labasa marked Prophet Mohammed’s life with messages of love, respect and unity. Election 2026: Labour launches its campaign slogan “Better starts now.”

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: The All Blacks stunned South Africa 33-16 at Ellis Park, overturning a 13-12 halftime deficit with a dominant second-half set-piece and five-try clinical finish, handing New Zealand a series opener and World No.1 bragging rights. Team News: New Zealand called up concussion replacements Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Jamie Hannah after head knocks, with more injury cover added for the tour. Springboks Response: Rassie Erasmus says Siya Kolisi is expected back next week, while Jesse Kriel insists the Boks won’t panic despite needing wins in the remaining Tests. Basketball (NZ link): Canada beat New Zealand 86-71 in the FIBA women’s Olympic pre-qualifying semifinal, ending the Tall Ferns’ run. NZ Science & Community: THINK Hauora appointed Dr Chris Gallavin as its new board chair, and freediving research led by University of Auckland scientists earned major international recognition. Health Access (NZ): An Indian mother in New Zealand sparked debate after struggling to get a doctor appointment for a sick child. Auckland Policy: National has ruled out a bed tax for Auckland, despite earlier city-deal talks.

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: The All Blacks stunned world champion South Africa 33-16 at Ellis Park, trailing 13-12 at halftime before a dominant second half delivered five tries and first blood in the four-Test series. Team updates: Prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi and lock Jamie Hannah called up as injury cover after Ethan de Groot and Josh Lord were hurt. Constitution debate: ACT released its “One Law for All with One Future Together” policy, promising to strengthen Parliament’s authority, enshrine property rights, and curb “activist judges” and divisive Treaty clauses—while also proposing limits on courts using tikanga. Economy politics: Labour says it will return to surplus by 2029/30 and restore the Reserve Bank’s dual mandate, while ACT and the Taxpayers’ Union attack the plan as unaffordable and risky. Weather: Severe gales and heavy rain left hundreds without power, with warnings across parts of the South Island and lower North Island. Heritage: New Zealand’s oldest surviving building, Kemp House, is undergoing a re-roofing and strengthening project after revealing its timber is in surprisingly good condition. Community culture: Kiwi Tamil Samoogam announces Deepavali celebrations going nationwide across Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: The All Blacks kick off their Ellis Park opener against South Africa with Ardie Savea back in charge, but loose forward Anton Segner is ruled out with a swollen ankle and Simon Parker comes onto the bench; Team News: Springboks captain Siya Kolisi is also left out, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu starting at fly half; All Blacks Focus: New Zealand’s late squad tweak underlines a high-stakes series where both sides are unbeaten this year; Immigration Update: Immigration New Zealand has published new Green List salary requirements for foreigners seeking straight-to-residence pathways, with Tier 1 jobs offering direct residence and Tier 2 roles requiring a work-to-residence step; Black Ferns Rugby: New Zealand thrashed the Wallaroos 66-19 in Australia’s 100th Test, with Maddison Levi making her debut but the Wallaroos undone by errors and penalties; Hockey World Cup: India begin the second round against the Netherlands after a mixed first phase, needing to tighten defence against a Dutch side yet to lose; Court Case: A High Court judge found TikTok creator Harnoor Gill defamed Wellington businessman Amandeep Bakshi over allegations about employee treatment, with damages awarded.

Pay Equity Fight: The PSA says Treasury modelling shows cancelling pay equity claims would cost the economy billions, arguing reinstating settlements could create about 13,000 jobs and lift GDP by $13.5b over four years. Climate & Law: Climate advocate Mike Smith’s push for accountability is colliding with Parliament moves that block some climate-damage claims, raising fresh questions about where responsibility lands. Māori Politics: The battle for the Māori seats is sharpening into a bigger fight over how far the next government should go to protect Te Tiriti and strengthen Māori political power. Health System Scrutiny: A new report highlights how the nursing workforce picture is being questioned in Parliament, with claims about nurse numbers challenged. Bird Flu Update: MPI confirms a third H5 bird flu detection in New Zealand, in a northern giant petrel on the Wairarapa coast, with no poultry detections reported. Auckland Homes & Energy: Ducted heat pump demand is rising in Auckland as whole-home climate control becomes the new norm. Science & Innovation: The New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology launches in Auckland to accelerate advanced tech and commercialisation. Weather: MetService issues new heavy rain and strong wind warnings for parts of the South and lower North islands. Local Crime: Rollers Bakery in Northcote faces temporary closure after an alleged break-in attempt damaged doors and windows. Transport Safety: An interim report says a tourist catamaran grounding was linked to contact with a known submerged hazard approached from an unusual direction. International: EU leaders, including New Zealand, condemn Israel’s E1 settlement plan as unacceptable and warn it undermines the two-state solution.

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: South Africa and New Zealand kick off their four-Test series at Ellis Park on Saturday, with Rassie Erasmus and Dave Rennie trading barbs over pace and refereeing as the Springboks aim to handle the All Blacks’ tempo. Sporting Spotlight: South Africa’s Paul de Villiers is set to step up with Siya Kolisi left out of the opening Test, while Erasmus says the Springboks will respect the Haka rather than try to neutralise it. Immigration & Travel: New Zealand Immigration has published 15 reasons some foreign travellers can be denied entry or stopped from boarding, even with a valid visa, covering documents, health, character and border behaviour. Finance & Markets: The NZX 50 rose for a third week as earnings rolled in, with Spark and Ebos strong after results, while consultation on capital market reforms runs until Sept 15. Business Tech: Xero has teamed up with Cambodian firm VCAT to push cloud accounting and tax tools for SMEs. Environment & Science: Researchers are mapping migratory seabird “marine flyways” across 56 countries to target protection for threatened species.

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: All Blacks and Springboks lock in their first-Test clash at Ellis Park with line-up shake-ups, including Ardie Savea leading and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu starting at flyhalf as Siya Kolisi misses for South Africa. Food prices: Beef mince has surged past $24.40 a kilo, with Rabobank warning it could stay elevated into 2027 as tight global supplies keep pressure on shoppers. Health: TV personality Jaquie Brown says she’s recovering after a breast cancer diagnosis and mastectomy, sharing her long treatment plan. Mental health investment: Rotorua Hospital opens a new mental health and addiction inpatient unit after a costly build, with Health NZ Lakes noting Māori make up a large share of inpatients. Weather: MetService issues orange warnings for heavy rain and strong winds across parts of the South Island, urging extra care on roads. Pacific policy: Naoero (formerly Nauru) defends its citizenship-by-investment programme after Winston Peters urged Pacific nations to focus on stronger local economies. Business & jobs: Spark reports a big profit jump, but underlying earnings and revenue growth remain flat, while Fisher & Paykel Healthcare flags $23m in US tariff refunds.

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: The All Blacks name Ardie Savea to captain against South Africa at Ellis Park, with Fabian Holland starting at lock and Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan and Cam Roigard passed fit. Team news: South Africa drop captain Siya Kolisi for the opener due to a hamstring injury, with Pieter-Steph du Toit captaining and Ox Nche returning in the front row; Damian de Allende is set for his 100th Test cap. Business & housing: Heartland Bank flags strong reverse-mortgage momentum, targeting NPAT of at least $102m and ROE of 7.5% as it presses ahead with the TSB transaction. Markets: NZX 50 slips slightly as Auckland Airport reports $309m underlying profit and passenger growth, while Spark hits a four-month high on earnings in line with expectations. Tech & AI: Kiwibank backs its position with high mortgage loan-to-value ratios and pushes tech upgrades, while Goldman Sachs warns AI is already weighing on entry-level job growth.

Auckland Crime & Justice: Court documents from RNZ detail the criminal history of Hapai Otene, fatally shot by police after allegedly carrying a stolen air rifle while approaching Sylvia Park. Health: The New Zealand Sepsis Trust has launched endorsed Infection Cards for GPs and urgent care clinicians to prompt safety-netting when infections worsen after patients go home. Education & Food Security: The Greens pledge to restore and permanently fund the Ka Ora, Ka Ako school lunch programme, expanding to about 400 more schools for 150,000 more students. Agriculture & Regulation: Drone reform plans would scrap some certification for lower-risk agricultural spraying, but aviation and drone groups warn it’s not safe enough for the public or environment. Economy: Infometrics says NZ’s June quarter recovery grew 2.6% year-on-year, with momentum strongest in the South Island. Business & Markets: NZX says it’s working with Government and regulators to strengthen capital markets, while conditions remain mixed. Weather: MetService warns of a fine, frosty Friday turning into a wet weekend with heavy rain and strong winds in parts of the South Island. Sports: Silver Fern shooter Georgia Heffernan signs with Super Netball’s Sunshine Coast Lightning.

Formula 1 (NZ): Isack Hadjar will miss the Dutch Grand Prix with a wrist injury, and Liam Lawson steps up for Red Bull—an unexpected return that also opens the door for Yuki Tsunoda to race for Racing Bulls. Rugby (NZ): Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is asking Ellis Park fans to respect the Haka, after the 2024 Ellis Park crowd chaos that led to an apology to New Zealand Rugby. Business (NZ markets): The NZX 50 rose for a second day as investors liked results from Ebos Group and Fletcher Building, while Turners Automotive warned Middle East conflict is hitting demand. Tech/Services (NZ): Google says some users in New Zealand and Australia are experiencing slow service in Google Workspace, with engineers investigating. Community (NZ): A Malaysian community theatre production in Auckland marked Malaysia’s National Month with performances including “Merdeka” and kompang/dikir barat. Health/Science (NZ): An international trial reports cefazolin is non-inferior to penicillins for MSSA bacteremia, with lower acute kidney injury rates. Sports (NZ): Volleyball New Zealand mourns the death of 22-year-old Kyla Te Wano Greensill, after a meningococcal infection.

Appointments & Economy: NZX has named former NZ Super direct investments head Hishaam Mirza as its new chief executive, ending a long search after Mark Peterson’s July resignation. Road Safety & Crime: A police officer was injured after a ute allegedly rammed a patrol car twice during an early-morning pursuit on Auckland’s Hibiscus Coast; the 33-year-old suspect has been charged. Justice & Public Safety: In Hawke’s Bay, the family of crash victim Marco Milliaccio says meth-using driver Brydon Boyce may reoffend after being released on parole. Māori & Law: After 40 years of advocacy, the Nelson Tenths bill passed its third reading, with kaumātua Rore Stafford and whānau calling it a long-awaited return of justice. Earthquake Remembrance: A brass memorial plaque from Christchurch’s CTV earthquake site has been stolen, with council seeking a replacement. Health & Services: Primary care leaders are pushing for a bipartisan 10-year strategy, while aged care reform groups warn the system needs urgent, connected change. Conservation: Auckland Council-backed kōkako translocations from Hūnua to Waipoua aim to prevent local extinction in Northland. Business & Community: Trade Me announced CEO Anders Skoe will step down at month-end, replaced by Kul Singh Kargil.

Rugby League World Cup 2026: Premier Sports has confirmed exclusive UK broadcast rights for the 2026 tournament, with all 18 men’s matches live plus England women and wheelchair games, as the event kicks off in Sydney on October 15. Hockey World Cup: Ireland kept their Women’s World Cup hopes alive with a 3-2 win over New Zealand in Belgium, with goals from Sarah Hawkshaw, Róisín Upton and Katie Mullan. All Blacks vs Springboks build-up: Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says New Zealand’s attack under Dave Rennie will be faster and more physical, while assistant coach Tana Umaga warns South Africa can’t just focus on the All Blacks’ forwards. NZ in the courts: A legal fight in the Employment Court is arguing bosses should be able to demand all data from work devices, even personal messages. NZX market: New Zealand’s S&P/NZX 50 bounced back as A2 Milk’s outlook shifted, with Mercury and Vector among the stronger performers, while the Reserve Bank scrutinised payments competition. Arts & culture: Actor-turned-director Sayani Gupta says her short film Aasmani is original after TIFFNZ withdrew a screening invite amid copyright concerns.

Population & Health: Stats NZ says natural increase hit its lowest level since World War II, with births dropping and deaths rising as NZ’s population ages. Consumer & Courts: Kmart has been ordered to pay Christchurch parents $15,185 after asbestos was found in recalled children’s play sand, with the tribunal calling it unsafe and not fit for purpose. Energy & Housing: Mercury Energy’s profit bounced back to $321m as renewables and hydro lifted results, while winter housing remains weighed down by record unsold stock and weaker sales. Politics & Education: The NZ Principals’ Federation wants a permanent independent curriculum and assessment council to stop disruptive reforms cycling every few years. Auckland & Infrastructure: The Government is again tied up in the second harbour crossing debate, with Winston Peters calling more spending a “gross waste of money.” Business & Work: Jarden alleges inside-information helped coordinate a Barrenjoey raid, and the Employment Court case is underway. Environment & Iwi: Invasive freshwater gold clams have been detected near NZ Steel in South Auckland, raising urgent biosecurity and mauri concerns for local iwi. Transport & Safety: Hutt Hospital is trialling green flashing lights on some doctors’ vehicles to help them reach the hospital faster amid Lower Hutt congestion. Sports: Rugby league State of Origin is set for Eden Park on 16 June 2027, with Game 2 confirmed in Auckland.

All Blacks Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry: Dave Rennie’s tour starts in Johannesburg with injury worries mounting as prop Ollie Norris is the fourth player sent home, joining Caleb Clarke (shoulder) and Billy Proctor (fractured shoulder blade) while hooker George Bell was ruled out before departure; Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus says captain Siya Kolisi and prop Ox Nche are “niggles” but could be available after training. Auckland & Infrastructure: The Government is progressing a detailed business case for an extra Waitematā Harbour crossing, including a tunnel option, and will commission more work on the Meola Reef bridge proposal. Economy & Markets: NZX 50 slid about 1% as a2 Milk’s weak China sales dragged the index; retail spending bounced in July but services stayed just in expansion. Business Appointments: GHD names Andrew Jackson regional GM for New Zealand Pacific from Aug 31. Domestic Cricket: NZC confirms the Ford Trophy starts Oct 28 and the women’s Hallyburton Johnstone Shield begins Nov 14. Health & Safety: A large woodland blaze near Bishop Auckland left the floor smouldering; cause not yet known.