Menopause an industry and medicalised problem
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Techday NZ
9 hours ago
- Techday NZ
Atturra rebrands Plan B to expand IT services in New Zealand
Atturra has confirmed that Auckland-based Plan B Limited will rebrand as Atturra, following its recent acquisition by the advisory and technology services business. The rebranding will take effect from 31 July 2025, marking the integration of Plan B's nationwide network of five data centres and its portfolio of over 1,000 clients into Atturra's operations. Atturra's expansion in New Zealand brings five business divisions to the market: Managed Services, Cloud Services, Business Applications, Data and Integration, and Advisory and Consulting. The move aligns with Atturra's commitment to delivering a broad IT solutions portfolio across Australia and New Zealand, further strengthened by the recent acquisition of ComActivity, which provides Infor M3 ERP services. Expanded services As part of its local service expansion, Atturra is introducing several new offerings for New Zealand clients. These include enhanced end user support focused on "modern workplace/helpdesk" services, aiming to improve staff productivity through desktop and workplace technology solutions. The enhanced security suite will offer cybersecurity services designed to safeguard organisations' data and infrastructure, leveraging Atturra's skills in managed security, threat prevention, and compliance with regulatory requirements. Public cloud services, including expertise with major cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure and AWS, will also be available. These services cover the architecture, deployment, and management of cloud solutions, supported by Atturra's managed cloud services team. Additionally, a procurement service will enable streamlined access to hardware and software through Atturra's supplier network, offering end-to-end provisioning for IT equipment and software licensing. Leadership appointments Atturra has announced several senior leadership appointments alongside the rebrand. Frazer Scott has been named Country Manager for New Zealand and will also support Atturra's ANZ network strategy. His remit includes aligning the company's go-to-market efforts in New Zealand and leading the managed services division locally. The company's regional leadership team, predominantly based in Auckland, has also been drawn from existing Plan B talent. The team includes Diego Nievas as Chief Technology Officer, leading technical strategy and innovation for managed services across Australia and New Zealand; Sachin Jain as Director, Customer Experience, overseeing delivery and client success; and Rudi Hefer as Director, Commercial and Connect, responsible for the ANZ networking, connectivity business, and commercial and channel activities. "Our enhanced service portfolio will allow Atturra to deliver more comprehensive, integrated solutions - from infrastructure to cloud and user support - tailored to New Zealand organisations. Frazer Scott commented further on the transition, stating, "While existing clients will see no immediate changes to the services they receive and will continue working with the same local team, work is underway to combine Plan B's infrastructure and local expertise with Atturra's broader solutions and resources. Shared planning, cross-training, and alignment workshops will help teams operate as one. Clients can expect improved innovation and delivery as a result." The leadership restructuring aims to reinforce Atturra's commitment to managed services, local leadership, and collaboration across regions. The company intends for existing Plan B clients to benefit from a seamless transition with continued support from the local team, while accessing a broader suite of services under Atturra's brand. Atturra's clients span a wide range of industries including government, utilities, education, defence, financial services, and manufacturing. Its partnerships with global technology providers such as Boomi, Cisco, HP, HPE, Infor, Microsoft, Nuix, OpenText, QAD, Smartsheet, Snowflake, and Software AG underpin the company's service offerings. The rebrand and leadership appointments underscore Atturra's strategy to deliver expanded IT services to organisations in New Zealand while integrating Plan B's local experience and resources into its broader operational framework.
NZ Herald
10 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Shane Jones unveils plan to double geothermal energy by 2040
Jones said he saw potential for the geothermal sector to expand and diversify into areas such as the extraction of minerals from geothermal fluid, and more use of direct geothermal energy to power industrial, commercial and agricultural applications. Among the proposals were improving access to geothermal data and ensuring regulatory settings were fit for purpose. The draft strategy paper said 'supercritical' geothermal technology – which involves drilling deeper into the Earth's crust – could offer up to three times more energy than current geothermal energy. The Government has ring-fenced $60 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to fund research into the 'super' resource. Jones said $5m of that funding has been drawn down for work on the detailed design and cost to drill the first of three exploratory deep wells in the Taupō Volcanic Zone. New Zealand's first, and the world's second, geothermal power station was Wairakei, near Taupō, which started generating electricity in 1958. Wairakei is now one of 17 geothermal power plants across eight geothermal fields in New Zealand – which deliver a combined generation capacity of 1207 megawatts. Unlike wind and solar, geothermal energy is consistently available. In 2024, geothermal energy accounted for 8741 GWh, or 19.9%, of New Zealand's annual electricity generation. The country's geothermal reservoirs (up to 350C and located between 1km and 3.5km deep) have long powered renewable energy. The Taupō Volcanic Zone offered a rare opportunity to access superhot fluids at depths beyond 5km and temperatures exceeding 400C, the paper said. Jamie Gray is an Auckland-based journalist, covering the financial markets and the primary sector. He joined the Herald in 2011.
1News
15 hours ago
- 1News
Kiwibank greenlit to raise $500m capital to challenge big four banks
Kiwibank has been given the green light to raise up to $500 million in new capital, a move the Government says will help the New Zealand-owned bank better compete with the big four Australian-owned banks. Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced on Wednesday that, following a market-testing process, Cabinet had approved Kiwibank's parent company to raise up to $500 million of capital to fund the bank's growth. "Allowing Kiwibank to raise up to an additional $500 million is the first step towards giving Kiwibank access to the capital it needs to truly compete with the big four Aussie banks while retaining its intrinsic New Zealand identity." A Commerce Commission report released in August last year found the banking sector was "uncompetitive' and that the four big Australian-owned banks made high profits while Reserve Bank rules made it hard for smaller banks to challenge. Several recommendations were made, including to increase Kiwibank's capital funding. ADVERTISEMENT Willis said advice to the Government was that an additional $500 million of capital could support up to $4 billion of business lending or $10 billion in home lending. "To assess interest in Kiwibank, Kiwi Group Capital (KGC) engaged with New Zealand KiwiSaver funds, investment institutions and professional investor groups including Māori institutions." They advised her there was "sufficient interest" from professional New Zealand investors groups to proceed. While the capital raise is not a state asset sale—no Crown shares will be sold and all funds raised will go toward Kiwibank's future growth—Willis said a future government may consider a public listing of the bank but that this would not happen without an electoral mandate. The Government had also approved measures to safeguard the bank's New Zealand identity. These include: Maintaining at least 51% government ownership of KGC for the foreseeable future. Requiring a majority of KGC's directors to be normally resident in New Zealand. Ensuring Kiwibank retains its current name and principal place of business in New Zealand. Limiting any future foreign investors to a maximum of 20% ownership. Keeping Kiwibank's head office in New Zealand. ADVERTISEMENT KGC had until June 30, 2026 to complete a capital raise which would be subject to final approval of terms and conditions from shareholding Ministers. Kiwibank. (Source: Supplied) KGC chairperson David McLean said the Government had reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Kiwibank as a competitive, New Zealand-owned alternative to the large banks. "The capital raise process aims to provide Kiwibank with capital to continue its above market growth and enhance its competitive position while ensuring all funds raised are invested into New Zealand's future. There will be no return of capital to the Crown, and no changes for Kiwibank customers." Kiwibank chief executive Steve Jurkovich said the bank existed to challenge the status quo and disrupt the banking sector for the benefit of New Zealanders. "Delivering on our purpose of 'Kiwi making Kiwi better off' is what differentiates Kiwibank and drives our performance, and that is what we continue to be focused on. Any capital raise would be structured to ensure Kiwibank's continued role to improve services and pricing for consumers."
