
New Plymouth District Council joins opposition to seabed mine
New Plymouth's council has joined the opposition to seabed mining in South Taranaki, saying the would-be miner lacks credibility and evidence of environmental safety.
Councillors were scathing on Tuesday about Trans-Tasman Resources' attitude to Māori when the Australian mining company presented to New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) last week.
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Ngātiwai iwi urges Māori pride after Winston Peters' moko comments
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Te Pūkenga 2024 Annual Report Shows $122 Million Turnaround In Two Years
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With 226,645 learners, including 90,919 trainees and apprentices, outcomes continued to improve, with course completion, including 10,828 trainees and apprentices completing their programmes and 45,146 graduating. We also had strong domestic and international enrolments for our Institutes of Technology and Polytechnic (ITP) divisions and increased our net promoter score. "The financial result, showing a 144% improvement on the previous year, is the outcome of focusing on addressing financial performance through an intensive cost savings exercise across all divisions, structural changes, vacancy management, lease reduction, property sales and programme rationalisation," said Mr Gilmore. Ākonga satisfaction increased to over 93% following a strong focus on improving learner support. For example, a partnership with Health New Zealand, with an investment of $4.1 million, saw more than 12,500 learners access mental health services - a 71% increase from 2023. Course completion rates across all priority groups - Māori, Pasifika and disabled learners - also showed an increase in 2024. Te Pūkenga also developed major commercial partnerships with national employers and international partners. Amongst the highlights are a successful partnership with Apple, which included the development of the Hangarau Matihiko (digital technology) micro-credential, training for 50 teachers in 12 Te Tai Tokerau schools, and more than 2,200 ākonga supported in strengthening their digital skills. A memorandum of arrangement was signed with the Centre for International People-to-People Exchange (CCIPE) from China to establish the New Zealand - China Vocational Cooperation and Development Alliance. It seeks to promote vocational education in both countries through talent cultivation, cross credits, student exchanges, and academic visits. Te Pūkenga also achieved many successful work-based training initiatives including the Connexis-run Girls with Hi-Vis (GWHV), seeking more women apprentices which last year co-hosted 36 events with employers, attracting more than 650 students from 98 schools. It was also the second year that events were co-hosted with BCITO for industry experience days onsite with companies in the civil infrastructure, electrical supply, water industries, building and construction sectors, and at some of the country's major infrastructure projects. Plumbing, Gasfitting, and Drainlaying (PGD) programmes were updated by EarnLearn to better align with industry demands and improve outcomes for employers and learners. Meanwhile Primary ITO achieved a 96% completion rate in its programme to develop a skilled and qualified workforce for Whakatōhea Mussels new farm and processing facility in Ōpōtiki with many of the learners securing full-time jobs afterwards. Research revenue exceeded expectations by 38% - $12.02 million compared to the target of $8.73 million, demonstrating the continued strength of rangahau and research within Te Pūkenga. The 2024 ITP Rangahau and Research Symposium, the largest and most diverse research event delivered by Te Pūkenga, attracted more than 275 submissions, representing the work of over 500 kairangahau (researchers) across diverse areas of rangahau and research, including Pacific research. "Looking back on the year 2024, our kaimahi can be very proud of the outcomes achieved for our learners and employers, and a good financial result for the sector during a time of significant change. We thank kaimahi for their continued commitment and manaakitanga even as they have faced uncertainty about their own futures." 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Techday NZ
4 hours ago
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Refresh smarter, spend smarter: Why flexible IT financing is on the rise
In today's fast-paced business world, owning IT assets outright is becoming increasingly outdated. Technology evolves faster than ever, budgets are under pressure, and flexibility has become a top priority for Australian businesses of all sizes. Rather than investing large amounts of capital in depreciating assets, more businesses are shifting towards more intelligent and agile models, including leasing, financing, and structured refresh programmes. It's not just enterprise giants making the move; mid-sized organisations and growing SMEs are increasingly embracing flexible financing to stay competitive, manage risk, and keep their teams equipped with the latest technology. Here's why the traditional "own and operate" approach is losing its shine — and how a modern financing strategy can help future-proof your IT environment. Why Ownership is Losing Ground Owning technology used to be seen as a long-term investment. Today, it's often a liability. 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Pay for the use of technology over a set period, without the burden of ownership. Upgrades and returns are built into the model. Finance leases and chattel mortgages: Structure repayments over time, allowing businesses to own assets at the end if desired — while keeping cashflow healthy during the term. Structure repayments over time, allowing businesses to own assets at the end if desired — while keeping cashflow healthy during the term. Structured refresh programmes: Predetermined upgrade cycles that ensure businesses stay current, competitive, and efficient without spikes in capital expenditure. Predetermined upgrade cycles that ensure businesses stay current, competitive, and efficient without spikes in capital expenditure. Technology Lifecycle Solutions: Comprehensive asset management services that span procurement, usage, upcycling, and responsible retirement — helping to maximise value across the full lifecycle. Leading financial service providers are offering new models that combine financing flexibility with sustainability initiatives, enabling businesses to extend, optimise, or responsibly retire IT assets through services like Asset Upcycling and Tech Buyback programmes. The Business Benefits of Moving to Finance-First Models Free up capital for growth Redirect funds from depreciating equipment to strategic investments, like customer growth, talent acquisition, or innovation projects. Stay agile and current Regular refresh cycles ensure your teams always have access to the latest, most secure technology without the costs and delays of large-scale replacements. Improve security and compliance Older hardware often lags in critical security updates. A structured refresh strategy enables businesses to maintain a strong cybersecurity posture and meet evolving compliance standards. Advance sustainability goals Circular economy models, such as asset upcycling and technology recycling, facilitate the achievement of environmental targets while often recovering residual value from retired assets. Gain predictability and control Fixed monthly costs, flexible end-of-term options, and streamlined asset management help businesses plan better and avoid budget surprises. What to Consider Before Moving to a Finance Model Choosing the right financing strategy means balancing operational needs with financial and strategic goals. Important questions include: How fast does technology evolve in your sector, and how often should you refresh? Do you require full lifecycle support, including maintenance, upgrades, and end-of-life recycling services? Is preserving cash flow and balance sheet flexibility a major driver? How important are sustainability and circular economy initiatives to your business stakeholders? Are you planning for hybrid workforces or technology expansion in the near term? An experienced IT partner can help model various scenarios and design a solution that aligns with both your business and technology objectives. How BPC Commercial Can Help At BPC Commercial, we work closely with businesses across Australia to deliver flexible, cost-effective IT financing solutions. Whether you're looking for a simple lease agreement, a structured refresh programme, or a full Technology Lifecycle Solution with sustainable asset retirement, we can tailor a strategy that supports your growth. We partner with trusted finance providers to ensure our customers get access to the most modern, efficient, and sustainable financing and asset management options available today.