Latest news with #NewZealand-trained
Scoop
5 days ago
- Climate
- Scoop
Safety Improves From AKL Incident Learnings
Press Release – NZALPA The New Zealand Air Line Pilots' Association (NZALPA) has reviewed the report just released by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC), providing learnings from the Auckland Anniversary Weekend 2023 runway excursion of an Air New Zealand Boeing 777 at Auckland International Airport. NZALPA President Andrew McKeen, also a 787 Pilot, said that the severe weather that Auckland experienced that evening was significant and the rainfall recorded during the aircraft's approach and landing no doubt contributed to the incident. 'We acknowledge the lessons identified by TAIC and appreciate the range of actions Air New Zealand has undertaken as a result,' says President McKeen. 'NZALPA supported TAIC in their investigation as their intent is always to prevent similar accidents and incidents occurring. 'New Zealand-trained pilots learn their profession in a geographically and meteorological challenging environment. The most important thing that comes out of any investigation, for both our members and for the safety of the travelling public, is that we understand and share those learnings. 'In NZALPA's 80 years of representing professional pilots in New Zealand, we have found that taking the time to together gather all facts and analyse all relevant information has assisted aviation in becoming the safest form of transportation in the world,' President McKeen says.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Climate
- Scoop
Safety Improves From AKL Incident Learnings
The New Zealand Air Line Pilots' Association (NZALPA) has reviewed the report just released by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC), providing learnings from the Auckland Anniversary Weekend 2023 runway excursion of an Air New Zealand Boeing 777 at Auckland International Airport. NZALPA President Andrew McKeen, also a 787 Pilot, said that the severe weather that Auckland experienced that evening was significant and the rainfall recorded during the aircraft's approach and landing no doubt contributed to the incident. 'We acknowledge the lessons identified by TAIC and appreciate the range of actions Air New Zealand has undertaken as a result,' says President McKeen. 'NZALPA supported TAIC in their investigation as their intent is always to prevent similar accidents and incidents occurring. 'New Zealand-trained pilots learn their profession in a geographically and meteorological challenging environment. The most important thing that comes out of any investigation, for both our members and for the safety of the travelling public, is that we understand and share those learnings. 'In NZALPA's 80 years of representing professional pilots in New Zealand, we have found that taking the time to together gather all facts and analyse all relevant information has assisted aviation in becoming the safest form of transportation in the world,' President McKeen says.
NZ Herald
7 days ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Proposed $5.4 billion sale of Rosehill Gardens racetrack ruled out in vote
Prowess is just one of many great New Zealand-trained winners to have run at Rosehill Gardens. Rosehill Gardens will remain one of Sydney's premier racetracks after Australian Turf Club members voted against a proposed sale to the NSW South Wales Government on Tuesday. The move to potentially sell the track and facilities for A$5 billion ($5.4b) has been hotly debated in New South Wales and Australian
NZ Herald
08-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Concerns over impacts of shrinking psychiatry workforce
'Many psychiatrists are experiencing burnout and moral distress, being regularly forced to make unsafe decisions or discharge people too early due to a lack of beds, staff, or appropriate services.' He said demand for psychiatry services has increased by almost three-quarters over the past decade – with rates of psychological distress nearly tripling. But he said resignations are outpacing recruitment, with forecasts pointing to further strain if nothing changes. Thabrew said the workforce shortages are also adding pressure to other parts of the health system, like emergency departments and general practice. 'People experiencing mental health crises cannot be given enough help or the right help in a system that's always operating at crisis point itself.' Health New Zealand said it's committed to growing the psychiatry workforce to make it sustainable both now and into the future. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists spoke to members last year who had moved away from the public mental health system and into private or locum roles. Thabrew said they raised numerous issues contributing to widespread job dissatisfaction, including workforce shortages, unsustainable workloads, burnout, inflexible conditions, poor management, and insufficient pay. 'All of these are driving them into alternative models of work that offer greater autonomy and better work-life balance - or to go overseas where working conditions are more lucrative.' Meanwhile, Thabrew said a fifth of New Zealand's psychiatrists are aged over 65 – with many looking to retire over the next decade. The College estimated we need about 60 new psychiatry trainees a year to cope with workforce changes and service demand. Thabrew said we also have ongoing problems with retention because we depend so heavily on overseas-trained psychiatrists. 'About two-thirds of them will stay long term compared to 93% of New Zealand-trained psychiatrists.' Thabrew said over-reliance on short-term and transient staff undermines a patient's continuity of care. 'This affects community trust in the health system, puts pressure on local teams and makes workforce planning more difficult.' He said we need to properly invest in training a local workforce that knows the health system, is culturally competent, and is likely to stay. Health New Zealand national chief mental health and addiction Leeanne Fisher said the service relies on a combination of permanently employed staff and locum (temporary) doctors. Fisher said there is significant work underway to increase the number of psychiatry registrar placements and develop a framework for accrediting experienced nurses and allied health professionals into non-senior medical officer responsible clinician roles. 'These senior staff would then provide some of the care and responsible roles required by the Mental Health Act.' Claudia O'Neill is an Auckland-based multimedia journalist with interests in science, health and geopolitics. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Auckland and a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism (Distinction) from Massey University. She joined NZME in 2023.
Scoop
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Secondary Teachers Initiate Bargaining Amidst Teacher Shortage And Pay Equity Tensions
Press Release – PPTA More than a third of schools that responded to the survey have teachers working in subjects they are not specialists in because they simply cannot find the teachers. The survey was responded to by almost 150 principals of state secondary and area Every secondary student in Aotearoa New Zealand deserves a teacher who is trained in the subject they are teaching, and too many are being denied this, the latest PPTA Te Wehengarua staffing snapshot shows. Today, to mark the initiation of bargaining for the Secondary Teachers' Collective Agreement, PPTA is releasing its annual staffing survey. Chris Abercrombie, PPTA Te Wehengarua president, says the findings make sombre reading. 'Far too many rangatahi are missing out on the depth of knowledge and richness that subject specialist teachers bring to the classroom. More than a third of schools that responded to the survey have teachers working in subjects they are not specialists in because they simply cannot find the teachers. These findings come on the heels of the law change that put an end to the teachers' pay equity claim. The outcomes of this claim would have helped address the pressures placed on schools due to the ongoing shortage of secondary teachers. Other findings from the survey include: Thirty percent of teaching vacancies had no suitable applicants and 39% had only one A quarter of advertised vacancies could not be filled at all and 6% were filled by people with limited authority to teach (LATs) Almost 30% of schools have cancelled or transferred courses to distance learning because of a lack of qualified teachers Numbers of available day relief teachers (about six per school) are among the lowest on record since the staffing survey began about 25 years ago As at 15 March 2025, 34% of schools had vacancies that had not yet been advertised – the highest number on record. While the average number of applications per teaching position is better than last year's largely because of a significant increase in overseas applications, it is neither sustainable nor appropriate for schools to rely so heavily on teachers from overseas. 'We need a healthy supply of New Zealand-trained teachers across all subjects to ensure our young people receive the education they deserve. 'One of the most tragic things is that there is a good supply of locally trained and qualified teachers here in Aotearoa New Zealand – who have left the job for better pay and conditions. Many of these teachers would return to the classroom if the salary was attractive and there was a good work/life balance. 'Secondary teaching is an immensely rewarding career – helping young people discover their strengths, their passions and skills is so invigorating. It's also increasingly challenging, complex, and ever-changing. In bargaining we will be seeking salaries and conditions that will attract graduates to the profession and keep highly skilled and amazing teachers in the classroom.' The survey was responded to by almost 150 principals of state secondary and area schools around Aotearoa New Zealand. The Secondary Teachers' Collective Agreement covers approximately 25,000 teachers in secondary schools as well as specialist technology teachers in intermediate schools and technology centres. The agreement expires on 2 July 2025.
