Kiwibank $500M cap raise landing flat and the flightpath for the new Air NZ chief executive
Act minister David Seymour and Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick join Ryan Bridge on Herald NOW to discuss oil and gas exploration, the nurses' strike and electoral law changes.
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RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Advertising unapproved medicines not legal, despite government claim
In a statement, Minister for Regulation David Seymour said the restriction on advertising new medicines at medical conferences "is being removed". Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii Despite a government announcement suggesting it has lifted the ban on advertising unapproved medicines, it remains a criminal offence, warn legal experts. In a joint media release with Health Minister Simeon Brown, Minister for Regulation David Seymour welcomed "confirmation" of two major medical conferences in New Zealand next year, following the rule change to allow advertising of unapproved medicines at trade shows. The Ministry for Regulation had found the "overly cautious approach" was out of step with other recognised jurisdictions, and the government "acted fast to fix it", Seymour said. However, leading intellectual property lawyer Paul Johns - head of litigation for Pearce IP - cautioned the law had not yet changed. "If I were the organiser of these conferences and had seen those media releases, I would be making sure that my sponsors were aware that in fact the law has not changed and any medicines they want to advertise ought to be approved, because the consequences are criminal - there are fines and even imprisonment. "I don't think you would get that far, but they're there." Parliament was currently considering some amendments to the Medicines Act (to enable faster approval of drugs and widen powers for nurse prescribers) but there was nothing to do with advertising, he said. "It's still possible that the government could submit an amendment paper and put this advertising thing in there as well, but they haven't. So they appear to have a policy but they've done nothing about it in terms of legislation." The "great irony" was that under the Therapeutic Products Act - which was repealed by the current administration - the government could have simply introduced new regulations allowing such advertising, Johns noted. "But now they need to amend the Medicines Act." Others have pointed out that medical conferences were planned years in advance, so the new policy could not have been the deciding factor for next year's bookings. In a written response to RNZ's questions, Minister Seymour said the restriction on advertising new medicines at medical conferences "is being removed". "Ending New Zealand's prohibition on advertising medicines at medical conferences and trade shows has sent a message that New Zealand is open for business. That's exactly what medical conference organisers needed to hear, with two already confirmed for 2026." Medicines New Zealand chief executive Dr Graeme Jarvis said New Zealand had been missing out on conferences worth up to $90 million a year because it was impossible to run trade shows alongside them. "So you're actually losing out on not only the income you would get from running the conference and trade show here, but also the tourism spend as well." Clinicians had also been missing out. "Doctors here aren't getting exposed to all of the latest and greatest in terms of conferences, scientific exchange, the information and updates on all sorts of things." However, Auckland University associate professor of psychological medicine David Menkes said it was "misleading" to suggest doctors did not already have access to the latest information about new treatments. "But usually that information comes not from a company rep, it will come from an expert who's presenting as a colleague, rather than as an exhibitor or a sponsor of a conference." The academic psychiatrist said doctors liked to "believe they can't be swayed by corporate largesse" - but studies showed they were not immune. "That's why academic journals require peer review and disclosure of interests." Menkes is a long-time critic of New Zealand's permissive marketing regime : it is the only OECD country - apart from the United States - to allow direct-to-consumer advertising of medicines. Further loosening of the rules could compound the risk of over-prescribing, he said. "You don't want to be held up by red tape and bureaucracy, right? But you also want to have checks and balances in place. "I'm afraid this new policy doesn't have adequate checks and balances against overt promotional behaviour by vested interests." Seymour's office was unable to say when the government was planning to turn the policy into something Parliament could consider.
NZ Herald
15 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Local elections 2025: Meet the Hamilton City Council candidates
Aside from the above, there are 22 candidates standing for the six vacancies in Hamilton's East ward. They are: business director Rachel Afeaki, Stuart Aitken, Act party candidate Preet Dhaliwal, Marie Hamilton, Louise Harvey, Suhair Hassan, former council candidate Horiana Henderson, Peter Humphreys, Tim Hunt, previous council candidate Jason Jonassen, Leo Liu, Danielle Marks, Alexander Mcconnochie, former Labour MP Sue Moroney, previous council candidate Jenny Nand, Jono Ng, Turi Robinson, former Labour MP Jamie Strange, Jackie Talbot, as well as current councillors Andrew Bydder, Anna Casey-Cox and Maxine Van Oosten. Current councillor Kesh Naidoo-Rauf announced last month she would be stepping down to spend more time with her family. She served on the council for two terms. On LinkedIn, Naidoo-Rauf said the decision to step down hadn't been easy. 'But the passing of my beautiful mum earlier this year reminded me to slow down and be present for my family, for life beyond the busy rhythm of public service. 'I'm proud to have been the first South African-born and Indian-descent councillor elected in Hamilton, and one of the very few to welcome a baby while in office.' Candidate nominations closed last week. Voting opens in September. In the West ward, 13 candidates, aside from Taylor and Thomson, have put their names forward for the six vacancies. They are: Paul Alforque, Matthew Beveridge, Modern Transport Group chief financial officer Mark Flyger, Act candidate Nidhita Gosai, previous council candidate Mesh Macdonald, Allan Mckie, JP and celebrant Graeme Mead, previous council candidate Michael West, and Roderick Young, as well as current councillors Louise Hutt, Angela O'Leary, Emma Pike and Geoff Taylor. Current councillor Ewan Wilson announced in July that he would not seek re-election and would be taking up a job as a Commissioner of the Environment Court. Wilson has been a councillor for 18 years across six terms. Announcing his decision on social media, he said it was time for a new chapter. 'I've genuinely loved being part of the conversations and decisions that have helped shape our city ... but the time feels right. 'I've recently been appointed as a Commissioner of the Environment Court, starting in early 2026. While it's a shift in direction, I'll remain based here in Hamilton and very much part of our community.' In the Kirikiriroa Maaori ward, six candidates have announced their candidacy for the two vacancies. They are: Jarrad Gallagher, Lawrence Jensen, Robbie Neha, Andrew Pope, Jahvaya Wheki and current councillor Maria Huata. Current councillor Moko Tauariki is not seeking re-election. Nominations closed last week. Candidate profiles will be published on the council's website soon. Voting packs will start arriving in the mail from September 9. Voters are asked to post their ballots by October 7 to guarantee they will arrive in time to be counted. There is no online voting. Until October 11, voting papers can also be hand-delivered to the council's office in Garden Place or dropped off at ballot box locations around the city. Votes received after midday on October 11, won't be counted. Alongside the candidates, Hamiltonians will be asked to vote in a binding poll on whether the city's Kirikiriroa Maaori ward should continue beyond the 2028 election. In the 2022 local election, only 29.4% of eligible Hamiltonians voted. For more information visit
1News
19 hours ago
- 1News
Govt on next steps to replacing fuel tax with road user charges
Cabinet has agreed on a set of changes as it looks to roll out electronic road user charges to all light vehicles as it seeks to replace petrol tax. A replacement of fuel excise taxes in favour of electronic road user charging is part of National's coalition agreement with ACT. Currently New Zealanders help pay for the roads via their vehicle licence (or 'rego') fee, road user charges (RUC) and the petrol excise duty (PED). Minister of Transport Chris Bishop said the transition will ensure all vehicles pay based on actual road use (including weight) regardless of fuel type. "Right now, New Zealanders pay Fuel Excise Duty (FED, or petrol tax) of about 70c per litre of petrol every time they fill up at the pump with a petrol car. ADVERTISEMENT "Diesel, electric, and heavy vehicles pay road user charges based on distance travelled." Bishop said as hybrid and petrol efficient vehicles become more common, the way New Zealand funds its roads needed to change. He said in 2015, there were 12,000 hybrid vehicles in the country, whereas now, there are over 350,000. "For decades, petrol tax has acted as a rough proxy for road use, but the relationship between petrol consumption and road usage is fast breaking down. Minister of Transport Chris Bishop. (Source: Q and A) "For example, petrol vehicles with better fuel economy contribute less FED per kilometre towards road maintenance, operations, and improvements. "As our vehicle fleet changes, so too must the way we fund our roads. It isn't fair to have Kiwis who drive less and who can't afford a fuel-efficient car paying more than people who can afford one and drive more often." ADVERTISEMENT Timeline Bishop said the transition will happen in stages, beginning with legislative and regulatory reform to modernise the current road user charges system and enable private sector innovation. "The current road user charges system is outdated. It's largely paper based, means people have to constantly monitor their odometers, and requires people to buy road user charges in 1000km chunks." Bishop said he expects to pass legislation in 2026, followed by an updated code of practice for road user charge providers and an upgrade in systems for both New Zealand Transport Agency and police. "By 2027, the RUC system will be 'open for business', with third-party providers able to offer innovative payment services and a consistent approval process in place. "At this stage, no date has been set for the full transition of the light vehicle fleet. That's a deliberate choice, as we're focused on getting the system right rather than rushing its rollout." The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, new report into submersible implosion, body found in Auckland park, and mixed injury news for the Warriors. (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT Key legislative changes the Government is progressing include: Removing the requirement to carry or display road user charge licences, allowing for digital records instead. Enabling the use of a broader range of electronic road user charge devices, including those already built into many modern vehicles. Supporting flexible payment models such as post-pay and monthly billing. Separating NZTA's roles as both road user charge regulator and retailer to foster fairer competition. Allowing bundling of other road charges like tolls and time of used based pricing into a single, easy payment. "The changes will support a more user-friendly, technology-enabled RUC system, with multiple retail options available for motorists," Bishop said. "Eventually, paying for RUC should be like paying a power bill online, or a Netflix subscription. Simple and easy." Who currently pays road user charges? Vehicles that weigh more than 3500kg pay RUC. Lighter vehicles also pay RUC if they are powered by diesel, electricity or another fuel that isn't taxed at its source. ADVERTISEMENT Light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids began paying road user charges last year. EVs that weigh more than 3500kg are still exempt from paying RUC, but will start paying them after December 31, 2025. 'Fairer and more efficient' - Motor Industry Association Motor Industry Association chief executive Aimee Wiley is supportive of the Government's plan, which she said will make for "efficient administration and compliance". "Converting the whole fleet to road user charges will be a major undertaking, and we will gain nothing if we do not make use of the latest technology to manage the system digitally and in real time. It'll make compliance much easier and administration less expensive." She said it is the "correct approach" to determine the technology platform for the new system before deciding the approach and timeframe for the transition. Overall, the association, which represents manufacturers and suppliers of new vehicles to New Zealand, said the move "places all vehicles on the same footing, making the system fairer and more efficient".
