Midday Report Essentials for Thursday 10th July 2025
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RNZ News
5 hours ago
- RNZ News
Senior Labour MP Megan Woods won't contest seat at next election
Megan Woods at the last Election Night. Photo: RNZ / Niva Chittock Senior Labour MP Megan Woods has announced she will stand as a list-only candidate at the next election. Woods has held the Wigram seat since 2011. Announcing the move on Facebook, she said it had been a difficult decision, but she could not commit to serving a full six-year boundary cycle. "When I first stood, I made a commitment to myself - I'd only run if I could commit to serving the full six-year boundary cycle. "In 2014 and 2019, when we had new boundaries, I could say 'absolutely yes' to a six-year commitment. This time, I can't." - more to come
RNZ News
9 hours ago
- RNZ News
Government has 'no intention whatsoever' to close NorthTec, Northland MP promises
NorthTec has campuses in Whangārei, Auckland, Kaitāia, Kerikeri and Ngāwhā, near Kaikohe (pictured). Photo: Peter de Graaf Northland MP Grant McCallum says the government has "no intention whatsoever" of closing down the region's polytechnic - despite being listed among institutes facing potential closure or merger as part of the break-up of mega-polytech Te Pūkenga . Revelations last week about NorthTec's uncertain future, as well as a fresh round of course and staff cuts, sparked concerns among tutors, students and industry. The news also drew more than 100 people to a public meeting at the main campus in Whangārei, but McCallum told RNZ closure of NorthTec was not on the cards. "Northland needs vocational training and NorthTec's got an important part to play in that, but it's got to be able to stand up on its own two feet and be credible," he said. "That's our goal. "It's just taking a bit longer, because it's got a chequered past and we've got to work through all that." McCallum said the exact form NorthTec would take was not yet clear, but it would still include satellite campuses in places such as Kaitāia and Kaikohe, which were essential for the widely dispersed Northland region. Northland MP Grant McCallum says he will fight to keep NorthTec open. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf He said Vocational Education Minister Penny Simmonds understood the importance of regional training facilities such as NorthTec, because of her long association with the Southern Institute of Technology. NorthTec would not say how many courses and jobs were included in the restructuring proposal, saying the final numbers had yet to be determined. However, according to the Tertiary Education Union, courses facing the chop included forestry, primary industries, pest control and apiculture (beekeeping). McCallum said that was an operational decision for NorthTec management. "As a local MP, what I would be expecting is sectors like the primary sector, which is one of our biggest in Northland, will have courses available. We just have to make sure they're the right ones." At the public hui, it was claimed the forestry industry had been blindsided by the proposal to drop forestry courses. McCallum said the government was conscious of those claims and NorthTec would be in touch with the affected sectors. While the final decision was the minister's, McCallum said he would fight to keep NorthTec open. "What it looks like going forward and the courses it offers, that has yet to be determined, because it has to be a sustainable, credible organisation." NorthTec operations lead Derek Slatter said the organisation was currently consulting staff over proposed changes to teaching and support roles. "The number of positions impacted will be dependent on the final decisions made following the full consultation process," he said. "The proposed changes are designed to address issues of financial sustainability and to forge a pathway towards financial viability for NorthTec, enabling us to continue delivering high-quality education and training." Slatter acknowledged staff had been through a prolonged period of change and uncertainty, and that would continue, as NorthTec became financially viable. "However, I am confident that viability is within our reach," he said. Slatter said enrolments for semester two were higher than this time last year and applications for 2026 were also up. Earlier, Minister Penny Simmonds said the government's aim was to build a vocational education system that was "locally led, regionally responsive and financially sustainable, including for Northland". Ten of the institutes merged by the previous government into Te Pūkenga would be returned to standalone, regionally-governed polytechnics. The future of polytechnics in four regions - Northland, Taranaki, Wellington and the West Coast - would be decided in the first half of 2026. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
11 hours ago
- RNZ News
Two former Labour MPs vie for seats on Hamilton City Council
Photo: RNZ / Isra'a Emhail Two former Labour MPs will vie for a seat on the Hamilton City Council at the local body elections in October. Sue Moroney and Jamie Strange will run against a field of 26 candidates , including former National MP Tim Macindoe, in the East Ward. Six seats available in each of Hamiltons East and West wards. Macindoe, an incumbent councillor, is also standing for mayor. Moroney left Parliament in 2017 and has been the chief executive of the Community Law centres for the past seven years. Strange, a former school music teacher and church minister, exited Parliament in 2023. In total there were 51 candidates vying for a place on the council, including 12 for mayor. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
