Latest news with #Dakin
Scoop
21-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Wise Urges Parliament To Act On Misleading Foreign Transaction Fees That Cost Kiwis Hundreds Of Millions Each Year
As the Financial Markets Conduct Amendment Bill 2025 moves through parliament, Wise highlights the full scale of the problem to MPs Wellington: Wise is calling for more transparency and fairness on foreign transactions, as New Zealand consumers and businesses continue to be ripped off by hidden fees. In a submission to Parliament's Finance and Expenditure Select Committee on the Financial Markets Conduct Amendment Bill 2025, Wise explains how banks claim to provide 'fee-free' cross currency services while hiding true costs behind inflated transfer rates. According to research by Edgar, Dunn & Company, commissioned by Wise, New Zealand consumers lost a total of NZD 667 million due to hidden FX payment fees in 2023, with this figure projected to increase to NZD 991 million by 2029.1 Tristan Dakin, Country Manager ANZ at Wise says: 'New Zealanders think they're getting a good deal because they see 'no fees' or 'zero commission'. But the real cost is hidden in the exchange rate mark-up, which can be vastly different to the rate you find on Google. By ensuring more transparency, parliament can put millions back into the wallets of consumers, while removing barriers for small businesses that want to expand internationally.' Growing push to tackle hidden FX While there are no current laws in place in New Zealand to address the issue, momentum for change is growing. Last year, the NZ Commerce Commission said there 'appears to be room to improve competition' in the space. And internationally, the G20 is acting on its roadmap for making international payments cheaper, faster, and more transparent. Dakin adds: 'What the banks are doing right now is unfair, misleading, and is somehow perfectly legal. That needs to change, or they will continue to take an unfair share from Kiwi consumers and businesses. With the Financial Markets Conduct Amendment Bill 2025 and the growing international calls for reform, it's only a matter of time before governments all around the world take action on misleading FX fees. New Zealand has an incredible opportunity to set an example for the rest of the world. These proposed reforms offer a practical, low-cost solution that would help Kiwis make better choices and save money, while driving competition and innovation in the space', says Dakin. The Bill is currently before Parliament's Finance and Expenditure Committee which is due to report on 19 October. Wise is calling for the following changes: Require banks and financial service providers to show the full cost of a transfer upfront, including both fixed fees and exchange rate markups. Ban advertising that claims transfers are 'fee-free' when a fee is hidden in the exchange rate. Standardise how pricing is shown, so people can compare providers easily. Define key terms like 'mid-market exchange rate' to ensure consistency. 1 The 2023 hidden fee data from Edgar, Dunn, and Company (EDC) were calculated based on the exchange rate margin offered by the largest banks in New Zealand when their customers move money from the country. Fee data from 2024 to 2029 are projected based on expected GDP growth of New Zealand. About Wise: Wise is a global technology company, building the best way to move and manage the world's money. Wise has more than 400,000 active New Zealand customers. With Wise Account and Wise Business, people and businesses can hold 40 currencies, move money between countries and spend money abroad. Large companies and banks use Wise technology too; an entirely new network for the world's money. One of the world's fastest growing, profitable tech companies, Wise launched in 2011 and is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker, WISE. In fiscal year 2025, Wise supported around 14.8 million personal customers and 700,000 business customers, processing approximately £145.2 billion in cross-border transactions, and saving customers an estimated £2 billion.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dakin Humane Society in Springfield awarded large grant for facility upgrade
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Dakin Humane Society has been awarded a $100,000 grant for a vital HVAC upgrade. Dakin Humane Society of Springfield awarded grant for adoption and lifesaving efforts The nonprofit animal shelter states that the grant was awarded from the John T. and Jane A. Wiederhold Foundation, a supporting organization of the Northwest CT Community Foundation. The grant will be put towards a capital improvement project for Dakin's facility, and will specifically be used for replacing an aging cooling tower and condenser water pumps for the building's HVAC system. The system is important for climate control and to create a healthy environment for animals, maintaining stable temperatures to minimize stress and promote overall animal health. It also provides optimum air quality for people working in and visiting the building. 'We're grateful to the John T. and Jane A. Wiederhold Foundation, a supporting organization of the Northwest CT Community Foundation, for their continued, generous support of Dakin. The foundation understands that our facility is critical to our operations and capital funding for this type of project is not easy to secure. Many of our major mechanical systems, including HVAC, are original to the building which was constructed nearly thirty years ago. Being able to replace our cooling tower and pumps will enable our building's HVAC system to operate at peak efficiency during the warmer months when we are busiest, and provide a comfortable setting for our many animals, employees, and volunteers.' WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
19-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Iowa football special teams star given lofty predictions from CBS Sports
Iowa football special teams star given lofty predictions from CBS Sports Strong special teams are synonymous with the Iowa Hawkeyes. LeVar Woods, Iowa's special teams coordinator and arguably the best in the country, has transformed the unit into one that has won games for Iowa and often dictates field position in Big Ten battles. One way Iowa helps its offense and defense is with the punting unit. While it isn't flashy or always the most fun, Iowa does it more effectively than just about anyone in the country. They back their opponents up to help the defense, which in turn creates short fields for the offense to work on. Leading the charge for Iowa in the punting game is the Australian, Rhys Dakin. Entering his second year with Iowa, Dakin knows he is a vital part of Iowa's success and is hoping to take the next step forward after a strong freshman campaign. If he can continue his punting prowess, CBS Sports believes he could take home the Ray Guy Award as college football's top punter. Ray Guy Award (Top Punter) Prediction: Rhys Dakin, P, Iowa Iowa is a punting factory. The Hawkeyes have another really good one in Dakin, who averaged 44.1 yards per boot as a true freshman last season while totaling 2,822 yards with his leg, ranking eighth nationally. He also led the Big Ten with 29 punts downed inside the 20-yard line. - Will Backus, CBS Sports Rhys Dakin punted 64 times for Iowa in the 2024-25 college football season with a booming average of 44.1 yards with a season-long of 61 yards. More impressively, Dakin dropped 29 of his punts (45.3%) inside the opponents' 20-yard line, which puts them against the odds on pure yardage, let alone going against Phil Parker's Iowa defense. Iowa will continue to punt and play the field position game as a more conservative team in the country. When done right, as Iowa so often does, it can win games. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald
West Australian
13-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Allison Dakin is selected for National Farmers' Federation competitive leadership program
Myroodah Station's Allison Dakin has been selected for the National Farmers' Federation's mentoring and networking program designed to nurture women in the agriculture industry. Ms Dakin joins 11 other women from across the country in the 2025 Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program which will connect and empower the leaders to elevate their careers, expand their networks, and drive meaningful change within the industry. All candidates will be matched with an industry-leading mentor and will work towards personal and professional goals during the program. Ms Dakin — who currently lives at Myroodah Station, Derby — has spent the majority of her life working in the Australia agriculture industry and said she was looking forward to the three-day leadership retreat in Canberra in June. She said she is particularly looking forward to learning and being inspired by 'amazing women doing amazing things'. Ms Dakin is no stranger to leadership, currently working as an executive officer at the Kimberley Agriculture and Pastoral Company — an integrated pastoral enterprise made up of four Indigenous-owned pastoral stations in northern WA, including Mt Anderson, Myroodah, Frazier Downs and Bohemia Downs. KAPCO provides an avenue for Indigenous people to gain training, skills and employment on country. NFF President David Jochinke said it was a very competitive selection process for the 2025 cohort. 'These twelve women are the cream of the crop, and we congratulate them for taking the time and effort to further their leadership skills through this program,' he said. 'The NFF has set a goal to double the number of women in agriculture's leadership ranks by 2030. 'This program boasts dozens of alumni and is now in its eighth year, a testament to the desire for diversity in ag's leadership spaces. 'I look forward to seeing these talented professionals thrive in this year's program.' Ms Dakin will be joined by Queensland's Karen Penfold, Courtney Bailey, Vivienne McCollum and Bronwyn Venus, New South Wales' Nada Sukkarieh, Malinda Newton, Mary Johnson and Georgia Campbell, Northern Territory's Anna Cochrane, and South Australia's Mon Saunders. The flagship initiative was implemented in 2018 to address the under representation of women in agriculture's leadership ranks. WA 2024 graduate Ming Fung Chua praised the program for expanding her leadership horizons. 'The program has empowered me to break free from self-imposed limitations, embrace my potential, and build lasting bonds with incredible women who have supported my journey toward personal and professional growth,' she said.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nearly four tons of pet food donated to Dakin Humane Society in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A premium pet food company donated nearly four tons of product to a Springfield non-profit animal shelter. In a news release sent to 22News from Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food, a pet food manufacturer based in Connecticut, donated approximately 32,000 meals to Dakin Humane Society through its Chicken Soup for the Soul's Fill A Bowl… Feed A Soul program. Target to open new store at former Eastfield Mall location Through this program, a portion of all proceeds from the sale of Chicken Soup for the Soul pet food helped provide 7,976 pounds of all-natural dog and cat food to Dakin Humane Society. Their all-natural dog and cat food is made in the USA and is crafted with real meats, healthy vegetables, and fruits. 'We choose to donate to Dakin because of its long history of dedication to the Springfield, MA community as well as outlining towns. Through its adoption, transport, medical and educational programs Dakin has sheltered, rehabilitated and adopted out thousands of animals,' said Jeanne Blandford, Senior Director of Marketing for Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food. 'Their Pet Food Aid Program assists people who are experiencing an unexpected, personal emergency and need temporary assistance with dog and cat food – helping to keep their family together.' Dakin's Executive Director Meg Talbert stated, 'We couldn't ask for a better partner to help us assist people when they are in need. There are so many challenges facing people that affect their ability to stay with their pets, and we are more determined than ever to remove as many of those barriers as possible. Thanks to the incredible generosity of Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food, we can offer valuable resources to our community to keep their pets fed and by their side, while also tending to the many pets in our care. We are grateful to this organization for joining us in offering compassion and comfort to so many – both animal and human – who need our help.' 'As workers go back to their offices and living costs increase for families, the rescue community is seeing a spike in dog and cat intakes,' said Ed Uebele, Senior VP Sales and Marketing, Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food. 'Animal rescue organizations are a continued source of inspiration to us at Chicken Soup for the Soul Pet Food as they continue their dedication to the care and safe treatment of all animals during uncertain times. We are proud to be able to lift some of the financial burden for these rescues as well as members of the communities they serve by providing this nutritional support.' 'Thank you again for your company's generosity. This delivery comes at a critical time as our animal population is beginning to increase as we get closer to spring and summer months as well as the demand for our Pet Food Aid Program increasing,' said Stacey Price, Director of Development and Marketing for Dakin. For over 55 years, Dakin Humane Society has provided shelter, medical care, and spay/neuter services to more than 20,000 animals a year. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
