logo
Aid Is Under Attack - Meet Pacific Community Leaders Implementing Kiwi Funded Aid

Aid Is Under Attack - Meet Pacific Community Leaders Implementing Kiwi Funded Aid

Scoop01-05-2025
Join ChildFund for a special session on New Zealand's aid in the Pacific.
Pacific community leaders from Kiribati, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu are visiting New Zealand to talk about their projects funded by the New Zealand public and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Aid is under attack.
They will be joined by geo-political experts for a frank discussion - what's working, what's not, and how do we navigate the volatile geo-politics in our region.
Venue: ChildFund, 2 Kitchener St, Level 3, Auckland CBD, 1010
Date: Wednesday 7 May
Time: 4pm-5:30pm (nibbles and drinks provided)
Please RSVP at https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=dAf_TcB83EmfLg00T1h2ycv_1-6fc_RAnPvppxXGrOxUOVQzWVRESkFVUDMxSVlYQU5WRTNXMk1JTi4u&route=shorturl
Join us for a spirited discussion:
Sharon Inone - National Geographic Society's Explorer of the Year. CEO of Greenergy Pacific, a community organisation leading development and climate projects in Temotu Province, Solomon Islands. Sharon came home after working at the United Nations in New York, because she 'wanted to get things done faster' and bring clean water to the island where she grew up.
Teima Onorio - Country Director of ChildFund Kiribati. Leads water and food security projects in one of the world's most climate-vulnerable nations, plus projects to up-skill young people. Teima works closely with the Kiribati government.
Robert Oliver - Global Executive Director and host of Pacific Island Food Revolution. Robert's 'Masterchef' type TV show promoted healthy local food, and has helped lower rates of non-communicable-diseases in the Pacific. Robert's new TV projects will focus on supply chains and markets for Pacific food.
Joanna Bourke - CEO of Pacific Cooperation Foundation, an organisation that amplifies Pacific voices, and builds partnerships between government, business, and communities. With a background in tourism, international trade, and Pacific development, Joanna brings business and community together, both in New Zealand and the Pacific.
Josie Pagani - CEO of ChildFund with more than 25 years' experience in development and politics. Also, a geo-political media commentator with a fortnightly column in the Post.
Other guests TBC.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Tariff ‘jungle' growing back: expert
Tariff ‘jungle' growing back: expert

Otago Daily Times

time29-07-2025

  • Otago Daily Times

Tariff ‘jungle' growing back: expert

A trade expert warns the tariff "jungle" is growing back as nations grapple with United States President Donald Trump's fast approaching tariff deadline. Many US trade partners face hefty tariff increases in the fallout, including close allies such as Japan and Korea. Mr Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs have New Zealand exporters watching how it will play out for them, their trading partners and the wider marketplace on the August 1 deadline. Another concern is his trade policy might encourage more nations to step up protectionism. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's trade and economic deputy secretary Vangelis Vitalis told meat professionals at the Red Meat Sector Conference in Christchurch the uncertainty was a real challenge for exporters looking to trade with the US. He said nobody really knew what was happening in day-to-day international policy. Research showed trade uncertainty was worth the equivalent of at least a 10% to 12% tariff, he said, "The jungle is definitely growing back. We do face a really challenging and turbulent external environment and it's not just the US, although that's a major factor at the moment for uncertainty. "The challenges are real. All of the big players are thinking whether these [free trade agreement] rules work for them any more and we place a premium on these rules." A baseline tariff applies to almost every nation, including New Zealand, of 10%, with auto parts at a 25% tariff and aluminium 50%. The 10% tariff is on top of existing tariffs such as about 16% or 18% New Zealand exporters already face sending frozen vegetables to the US. "Over the last two to three weeks the president has been announcing additional tariffs. He's extended the pause to August 1 and so we know a whole series of tariffs may be imposed at that time, although we also know the president does tend to extend those delays as well so, again, lots of uncertainty." He said the known certainties were the US was striking some deals, including with Vietnam eliminating all of its tariffs in exchange for a 20% tariff. Some countries not concluding deals had the threat of additional tariffs being placed on them, including 25% on Japan and Korea, while and Brazil was being hit with a 50% tariff on the deadline. Mr Vitalis said the concern for all nations facing a 10% tariff was this might increase to 15%-20%. That would really concern New Zealand wine, red meat and other exporters, he said. A lot of official engagement was being carried out in Washington to talk to counterparts and listen closely to build a picture of Mr Trump's trade direction. "Again we don't actually know what he's going to do, but he's certainly suggesting there are going to be further increases out there." Mr Vitalis said ministerial leaders and officials were taking a structured, calm and thorough approach to the coming challenges. New Zealand wanted to protect its interest in the US as it was our second-most important export destination and the tension between it and China was being followed closely, he said. The option he favoured for the global trade turbulence was to negotiate new free trade agreements and expand existing agreements as explaining the logic of global economic damage from tariffs was not working. Another focus of New Zealand's strategy was pushing back against non-tariff barriers, worth an estimated $22.6b in the Asia-Pacific region alone, and protectionism, he said. Dairy giant Fonterra was modelling trade implications from tariff hikes and the dynamics between the US and China. Fonterra trade strategy manager Justine Aroll said the uncertain trading marketplace was the new normal for the co-op exporting to 100 markets globally. One of the silver linings was agricultural exporters were familiar with a protectionist and challenging trade environment and had built up resilience in their businesses, she said. "Like other New Zealand exporters, our product is facing the additional 10% tariff into the US and for us we are finding our way through that." A concern was the disruption to the global dairy market, the reaction of other countries and the implication of US deals with other countries, she said. Special agricultural trade envoy Hamish Marr said uncertainty was the new certainty. "We have been living in a world of globalisation for many years and now it seemed we are not in globalisation — we are in regionalisation." Countries were more focused on food security and New Zealand's strong reputation would mean it was well positioned to navigate through the uncertain times, he said. New Zealand International Business Forum executive director Felicity Roxburgh said governments around the world were shifting from economics to security for supply chains and critical materials, including red meat.

Warning US tariff ‘jungle' regrowing
Warning US tariff ‘jungle' regrowing

Otago Daily Times

time27-07-2025

  • Otago Daily Times

Warning US tariff ‘jungle' regrowing

Special agricultural trade envoy Hamish Marr explains the impact of United States President Donald Trump's tariffs on New Zealand exporters. PHOTO: TIM CRONSHAW A trade expert warns the tariff "jungle" is growing back as nations grapple with United States President Donald Trump's fast approaching tariff deadline. Many US trade partners face hefty tariff increases in the fallout, including close allies such as Japan and Korea. Mr Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs have New Zealand exporters watching how it will play out for them, their trading partners and the wider marketplace on the August 1 deadline. Another concern is that Mr Trump's trade policy might encourage more nations to step up protectionism. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's trade and economic deputy secretary Vangelis Vitalis told meat professionals at the Red Meat Sector Conference in Christchurch last week the uncertainty was a real challenge for exporters looking to trade with the US. He said nobody really knew what was happening in day-to-day international policy. Research showed trade uncertainty was worth the equivalent of at least a 10% to 12% tariff, he said, "The jungle is definitely growing back. We do face a really challenging and turbulent external environment and it's not just the US, although that's a major factor at the moment for uncertainty," Mr Vitalis said. ''The challenges are real, all of the big players are thinking whether these [free trade agreement] rules work for them any more and we place a premium on these rules." A baseline tariff applies to almost every nation, including New Zealand, of 10%, with auto parts at a 25% tariff and aluminium 50%. The 10% tariff is on top of existing tariffs — such as the about 16%-18% New Zealand exporters already face sending frozen vegetables to the US. "Over the last two to three weeks the president has been announcing additional tariffs, he's extended the pause to August 1 and so we know a whole series of tariffs may be imposed at that time, although we also know the president does tend to extend those delays as well so, again, lots of uncertainty." He said the known certainties were the US was striking some deals — including with Vietnam, eliminating all of its tariffs in exchange for a 20% tariff. Some countries not concluding deals had the threat of additional tariffs being placed on them, including 25% on Japan and Korea, while and Brazil was being hit with a 50% tariff on the deadline. Mr Vitalis said the concern for all nations facing a 10% tariff was this might increase to 15%-20%. That would really concern NZ wine, red meat and other exporters, he said. He said a lot of official engagement was being carried out in Washington to talk to counterparts and listen closely to build a picture of Mr Trump's trade direction. "Again we don't actually know what he's going to do, but he's certainly suggesting there are going to be further increases out there." Mr Vitalis said ministerial leaders and officials were taking a structured, calm and thorough approach to the coming challenges. New Zealand wanted to protect its interest in the US as it was our second most important export destination, and the tension between it and China was being followed closely, he said The option he favoured for the global trade turbulence was to negotiate new free trade agreements and expand existing agreements, as explaining the logic of global economic damage from tariffs was not working. Another focus of New Zealand's strategy was pushing back against non-tariff barriers, worth an estimated $22.6b in the Asia/Pacific region alone, and protectionism, he said. Dairy giant Fonterra was modelling trade implications from tariff hikes and the dynamics between the US and China. Fonterra trade strategy manager Justine Aroll said the uncertain trading marketplace was the new normal for the co-op, which exports to 100 markets globally. One of the silver linings was agricultural exporters were familiar with a protectionist and challenging trade environment and had built up resilience in their businesses, she said. "Like other New Zealand exporters our product is facing the additional 10% tariff into the US and for us we are finding our way through that." A concern was the disruption to the global dairy market, the reaction of other countries and the implication of US deals with other countries, she said. Special agricultural trade envoy Hamish Marr said uncertainty was the new certainty. "We have been living in a world of globalisation for many years and now it seems we are not in globalisation — we are in regionalisation." Countries were more focused on food security and New Zealand's strong reputation would mean it was well positioned to navigate through the uncertain times, he said. NZ International Business Forum executive director Felicity Roxburgh said governments around the world were shifting from economics to security for supply chains and critical materials, including red meat.

SpaceX seeks cause of Starlink's global satellite network outage
SpaceX seeks cause of Starlink's global satellite network outage

RNZ News

time25-07-2025

  • RNZ News

SpaceX seeks cause of Starlink's global satellite network outage

Starlink is a satellite internet provider. Photo: 123RF SpaceX's Starlink satellite network was back up and running on Friday (local time) as engineers hunted for the root cause of one of its biggest international outages the night before, a rare disruption for the powerful internet system set off by an internal software failure. Users in the US and Europe began experiencing the outage at around 3pm EDT Thursday (7am NZST Friday), according to Downdetector, a crowdsourced outage tracker that said as many as 61,000 user reports to the site were made. In Ukraine, where troops rely heavily on Starlink for battlefield communications, the outage affected combat operations as service was "down across the entire front", said Robert Brovdi, the commander of Ukraine's drone forces. Starlink, active in roughly 140 countries and territories and used by a growing number of militaries and government agencies, is a key source of revenue for Elon Musk's SpaceX. The network has grown rapidly since 2020 into a disruptive force in the satellite communications industry. Starlink acknowledged the outage on its X account on Thursday and said "we are actively implementing a solution." The service mostly resumed after two and a half hours, Michael Nicolls, SpaceX vice president of Starlink Engineering, wrote on X. By 8pm, the company wrote on X that the "network issue has been resolved, and Starlink service has been restored". "The outage was due to failure of key internal software services that operate the core network," Nicolls said, apologising for the disruption and vowing to find its cause. Musk also apologised: "Sorry for the outage. SpaceX will remedy root cause to ensure it doesn't happen again," the SpaceX chief executive wrote on X. The outage was a rare hiccup for SpaceX's most commercially sensitive business. Experts speculated whether the service, known for its resilience and speedy development, was beset by a glitch, a botched software update or perhaps a cyberattack. Doug Madory, an expert at the internet analysis firm Kentik, said such a sweeping global outage was unusual. "This is likely the longest outage ever for Starlink, at least while it became a major service provider," Madory said. As Starlink amasses more than 6 million users, SpaceX has focused in recent months on updating its network to accommodate demands for higher speed and bandwidth. The company, in a partnership with T-Mobile, is also expanding the constellation with larger, more powerful satellites to offer direct-to-cell text messaging services, a line of business in which mobile phone users can send emergency text messages through the network in rural areas. SpaceX has launched more than 8000 Starlink satellites since 2020, building a uniquely distributed network in low-Earth orbit that has attracted intense demand from militaries, transportation industries and consumers in rural areas with poor access to traditional, fiber-based internet. "I'd speculate this is a bad software update, not entirely dissimilar to the CrowdStrike mess with Windows last year, or a cyberattack," said Gregory Falco, director of a space and cybersecurity laboratory at Cornell University. An update to CrowdStrike's widely used cybersecurity software led to worldwide flight cancellations and impacted industries around the globe in July last year. The outage disrupted internet services, affecting 8.5 million Microsoft Windows devices. It was unclear whether Thursday's outage affected SpaceX's other satellite-based services that rely on the Starlink network. Starshield, the company's military satellite business unit, has billions of dollars' worth of contracts with the Pentagon and US intelligence agencies. Separately, Reuters reported on Friday that Musk ordered a partial shutdown of Starlink during a pivotal push by Ukraine to retake territory in its war with Russia in late September 2022. - Reuters

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store