Current affairs

Auckland Faces 7.9% Rate Hike Driven by City rail Link Costs & Budget Priorities

Auckland, New Zealand – Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is proposing a 7.9% average rates increase for the 2026/2027 year, citing the ongoing costs associated with the City⁢ Rail Link (CRL) and a broader push for financial⁣ efficiency and smarter city services. The proposal, unveiled ahead of public consultation, aims to deliver savings and revenue growth while navigating the operational expenses of the $5.5 billion CRL project,which‍ began construction in 2017 and is slated to open in the latter​ half of 2026.

The CRL is expected⁢ to ⁤nearly​ double Auckland’s rail transportation capacity and deliver “huge economic benefits” transforming the ⁤city, according to proponents. Though, operating the new infrastructure will require significant financial management. Deputy Mayor and Value for Money Committee Chair ⁢Desley Simpson stated a continued “unwavering⁢ focus on savings and ‍financial efficiency” is​ crucial. “Having worked to‍ achieve over​ $1b ⁤in financial benefits in the⁤ last six years, my commitment to Aucklanders is to continue strongly ⁣with that focus ​on ‌financial efficiencies,” Simpson said. “Given the⁣ costs of ‌operating CRL that we ⁤are expecting, it is vitally vital we keep⁤ our⁣ focus on opportunities for revenue growth and ⁤continued savings.”

The proposed plan increases the city’s savings target by an ⁣additional $20 million for⁢ 2025/2026, bringing the total goal to $106 million.

Brown’s proposal⁤ prioritizes transport reform, including a restructuring of Auckland Transport into a Public Transport service provider, with other functions brought under council control. “We’re‌ looking at transport investment that is cheaper and ‍less annoying⁣ than currently under Auckland Transport,” Brown said. ​He emphasized the need for integrated land-use and transport planning to “transform Auckland,” and urged councillors ‌to ⁣consider regional needs.

Beyond transport, Brown aims to deliver “smarter ⁣services and faster progress” focusing on better use of public ⁢spaces, notably the waterfront, and ensuring a “vibrant, clean, safe ⁤and welcoming city centre ⁣that is open for business.” He noted increased collaboration with the government, stating, ‌”we do places, they do people.”

A workshop to discuss the draft Mayoral Proposal​ for the Annual Plan 2026/2027 will be held this ⁤week, with ⁢public consultation scheduled for early next year.

Sheep ⁢Poo holds Key to Facial Eczema‍ Fight, Landmark Study Reveals

Palmerston North, New Zealand ⁢ – A nationwide study analyzing sheep fecal samples is yielding crucial⁣ insights into the environmental factors driving outbreaks of facial eczema (FE), a debilitating ⁢condition for livestock. led by Beef and Lamb New Zealand, the research is uncovering links ‌between elevation, ⁣pasture height, neighboring farm spore counts, and FE incidence, ‌with the ⁤final season of data​ collection proving ⁢”critical” to understanding the disease.

Facial eczema, caused by the Peziza fungus, affects sheep ⁤and cattle, leading to skin lesions, weight loss, and in severe cases, death. The three-year study offers farmers ⁢free testing, including sampling kits ​and prepaid return‍ courier ⁤packaging, alongside regular fungal spore⁤ count​ results and access to an anonymized nationwide map tracking FE⁣ spore levels.

Beef and Lamb principal scientist Dr. Cara Brosnahan highlighted the early findings, noting the influence of environmental⁣ factors on FE outbreaks. “There’s ‌already been some engaging findings…which revealed early signs‌ that elevation,pasture height,and even neighbouring farm’s spore counts can impact FE,” she said.

The intensive data analysis is carried out by parasitologists at Awanui Labs​ in ⁤Palmerston⁤ North.Teams,⁤ led by Sarah Riddy, process up ‍to⁣ 260 samples collected from‌ farmers each ​fortnight during peak FE periods. Farmers submit 10 samples per mob,providing a ‌representative “pool value”​ to assess risk across the group rather than individual animals.

The ⁢lab process involves meticulously weighing ‍out a ⁣total⁢ of 10 grams of fecal matter from the samples, diluting it with 90 millilitres of water, and spinning it to ensure even spore ‍distribution.Spores are then counted manually ⁣under a​ microscope⁣ using ‌a⁢ grid system. “One thing parasitologists ‍are good at is microscopy, we spend our whole days on⁢ a microscope counting. So we’re very good ‌with numbers,” Riddy explained.

New Zealand’s Climate​ Ranking Declines, Earns “Fossil of the Day” ​at COP30

New Zealand’s commitment to climate action is ‌facing ⁣scrutiny as the nation has fallen in the latest Climate Change Performance Index, prompting criticism at the ongoing COP30 climate summit ⁣in ​Brazil. ​Climate activists awarded new ‌Zealand the “Fossil of the Day” award, citing recent policy⁤ shifts as⁤ evidence of backsliding.

The report highlights a rollback of ⁣the ​ban on new offshore oil and gas fuel exploration as a key factor in the declining ranking, shifting ‌focus away from renewable energy sources. Despite generating over 80% of it’s electricity from renewables – described as a “spark⁣ of hope” – progress‍ on further developing renewable supply has stalled.

David Tong, a new Zealander campaigning⁢ for Oil‍ Change ⁢International, noted the report’s assessment predates ​recent policy changes. “New Zealand could expect an even worse rating, if the Climate ​Change Performance ⁤Index were⁣ re-assessed today,”⁢ he said, adding that significant changes have occurred in the last four weeks alone. These‍ changes will be ‌reflected in​ next year’s report.

This‌ week, the government announced it would further loosen clean car ⁣standards, a move likely to worsen the ⁤country’s standing.

Climate Change Minister Simon Watts, currently attending ​COP in Brazil, ‌declined to⁢ comment on the report ​directly, ⁤stating he had⁣ not yet received a ​copy. He⁢ affirmed New Zealand’s commitment to its climate targets, stating, “The latest projections released last month show we are on track for the first two emissions budgets and could hit carbon net zero as early as‍ 2042.”

Watts ⁢acknowledged the unique challenges New‍ Zealand faces,‌ noting the country’s reliance on renewable electricity alongside ​significant methane emissions from agriculture. “We’re blessed⁤ with abundant renewable energy…but simultaneously occurring over half our emissions come from methane, which is far harder to abate without shutting ⁤down ⁣farms and sending that production offshore.”

The declining ranking has⁣ drawn strong⁤ criticism from environmental organizations. ⁢Kayla Kingdon-Bebb, chief executive⁤ of​ World Wildlife Fund ⁤NZ, ‌described the results as “pretty‌ depressing and rather shameful.” She warned that New Zealand risks damaging its “very credible role” in the Pacific region, ⁢where leaders have repeatedly urged Australia and New Zealand⁤ to prioritize meaningful climate action and refrain from restarting offshore oil and gas‌ exploration.

Kingdon-Bebb emphasized the broader consequences⁣ of the policy changes,⁢ stating they are “setting up future generations of Kiwis to shoulder a relatively unconscionable burden, in terms of the⁢ cost of dealing to future climate-related weather.”