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NZ Economy is collapsing – why it will get worse

Martyn Bradbury
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19
NZ Economy is collapsing – why it will get worse

Newsroom makes the point…

Growing labour market cracks to dominate next year’s election

Kiwibank chief economist Jarrod Kerr highlights the fact that some businesses he has spoken to recently – already burnt from the misfire that occurred at the start of the year when initial growth quickly petered out in the wake of the tariff scare – are not convinced about the integrity of their own order books.

“Many of them would rather run lower inventories and miss out on potential business than run the risk of being overstocked, which highlights the lack of confidence that is evident and also explains why many employers are simply not hiring.”

… The decisions made by this Government to destroy the Infrastructure Pipeline that Labour built has had a cascade effect across the NZ economy that has seen 73 000 flee and 30 000 jobs destroyed in the construction industry.

National’s response to this is mass importation of cheaper labour from exploited migrant workers while allowing multi millionaires to buy $5million mansions.

NZ is 3 huge sparsely populated Islands.

We simply don’t have the population density for free market dynamics to generate the competitive advantages that they can provide, NZ has ALWAYS required the State to step in as the foundation stone.

National and ACT want to kick that foundation stone out from under us and pretend that’s not economic vandalism.

Unemployment reached a 9-year high of 5.3 percent, it’s 10.5% for Māori, 12.1% for Pacifica and 15.2% for 15-24year olds while an increasing number of disillusioned job seekers are opting out of joining the workforce altogether.

The reality is that it is likely to get far worse…

Is another GFC about to upend New Zealand’s recovery? – Liam Dann

  • Speculation about a Wall Street tech bubble is rising, with concerns over overvalued stocks.
  • Michael Burry is short-selling big tech stocks, drawing parallels to the late 1990s tech bubble.
  • A major crash could dent consumer confidence and impact exports, but New Zealand’s banks are well-capitalised.

…if the AI bubble pops, if Trump invades Venezuela, if India and Pakistan destabilise, if climate change extremes become even more extreme, the list if instabilities that can all snuff out any ‘green shoots’ of recovery are becoming a doom scroll.

All this Government now have is flogging off assets, when we need a completely different upgrade and urgent redistribution of capital with a post growth focus on adaptation and self sustainability.

Bernard Hickey makes the point...

  • In my view, Luxon and the Treasury are right to view the Government’s balance sheet as lazy, but for debt, not assets. New Zealand’s Government has a positive net worth after including assets and the NZ Super Fund of 43.6% of GDP, largely because the Government hasn’t used debt to invest to keep up with population growth and maintain existing infrastructure.
  • The Government and Aotearoa would get a much better ‘return on equity’ by using leverage to build up its assets and the wellbeing of its people.

Shit ’bout to get real.

 

Increasingly having independent opinion in a mainstream media environment which mostly echo one another has become more important than ever, so if you value having an independent voice – please donate here.

Poor Erica Has Made a Big Mistake

Allan Alach
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21
Poor Erica Has Made a Big Mistake

A very interesting revelation has been published in this article.

The Mistake in Te Tiriti Clause Erica Stanford Hopes the Media Don’t Spot

When the Education and Training Act went through parliament, it included the change to remove the Te Trite requirements from school Boards of Trustees.

 But there was a little error baked into it, that was spotted by Labour Education spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime.

‘In her rush to seize control of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, Erica added a new clause: 29B — a clause meant to show her humane side, to extend a lifeline to our over-exhausted educators.

“We know that schools will need some time to give effect to these changes, and that is why the Education and Workforce Committee have agreed to amend the date at which school boards’ next strategic plan takes effect — from 1 January 2026 to 1 January 2027. This will provide for boards to prepare for and make changes to their strategic plan in 2026…”’

Very reasonable of her, right?

Except there was a big catch she didn’t realise.

“The very strategic plans that already embed Te Tiriti commitments are now rolled over — frozen in time — until 2027. Even those few (if any) schools that might have wanted to remove their Te Tiriti clauses — Hobson-aligned or otherwise — now have no escape.

They must keep them.”

So any school that was eagerly looking forward to removing Te Tiriti obligations is now stuck with having to continue with their present plans to implement Te Tiriti in their school, until the start of 2027. 

‘When Willow-Jean Prime pressed the Minister for clarity:

“Just for absolute clarity for all our schools and kura out there — are you saying that their current strategic plans, which give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, are not required to change until 2027? Could you just clarify for all those schools in their planning?”

The room shifted.

The penny dropped.

The Minister blinked.

The error revealed itself.

A move meant to weaken Te Tiriti commitments has instead preserved them.’

And we know what is likely to happen at the 2026 election…. 

“The longer game is alive: if a new government after 2026 values educator wisdom and Te Tiriti integrity, the undoing of this ministerial mistake will be the first order of business.”

Hah.

Her controllers will not be happy.



Mark Mitchell shines in McSkimming’s nightmare

Martyn Bradbury
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25
Mark Mitchell shines in McSkimming’s nightmare

Senior cops who exposed the McSkimming police ‘cover-up’ revealed

Standing at the podium inside the Beehive’s theaterette after acknowledging there had “interference at the highest levels of police” in relation to a woman’s accusations of sexual assault by former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers acknowledged a group of police officers who “did stand up and challenge what was happening here”.

“I thank them for their courage, for the leadership and the integrity they showed in doing so.”

The IPCA’s report also dedicates section to several police officers under a heading ‘Officers who displayed commendable integrity and moral courage’.

The courageous Police prepared to speak up should be saluted.

I am still astounded that information was specifically hidden from Mark Mitchell.

Mark Mitchell as the Police Minister is our civilian oversight of te Police force, that this scandal was hidden from him is shocking.

I am no fan of Mitchell, but I think he has really shone in this crisis.

His denouncement and anger is righteous.

 

Increasingly having independent opinion in a mainstream media environment which mostly echo one another has become more important than ever, so if you value having an independent voice – please donate here.

How bad are things when all National have left are asset sales?

Martyn Bradbury
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10
How bad are things when all National have left are asset sales?

Christopher Luxon calls for ‘mature’ conversation on asset recycling, as Chris Hipkins pledges to hold onto all state assets

Opposition leader Chris Hipkins is dismissive of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon saying the country needs a “mature” conversation around the potential sale of state-owned assets.

“What would this government do when they’ve run out of things to sell?” Hipkins said, after Luxon spoke positively of a new Treasury report that calls for better management of the country’s $571 billion portfolio of assets.

Oh he wants a mature conversation now does he?

When you consider all the immature things he has said in 2 years, when you consider the contempt he has shown poor people, when you consider how he demanded a rates relief for his holiday home on Waiheke Island.

Now he wants a mature conversation does he?

Unemployment has reached a 9-year high of 5.3 percent, it’s 10.5% for Māori, 12.1% for Pacifica and 15.2% for 15-24year olds while an increasing number of disillusioned job seekers are opting out of joining the workforce altogether.

600 000 need food banks monthly.

Our suicide rate continues to soar.

And 73 000 have fled the country.

How bad has shit gotten that all National have left is selling our public assets to cover up the disaster of their austerity program?

They have underfunded public services while borrowing billions for tax cuts, landlord tax loop holes, gas and oil subsides, tobacco subsidies and Michelin Star programs.

Their decision to destroy Labour’s infrastructure pipeline has had a cascade effect throughout the economy that has seen 73 000 flee the country and the destruction of 30 000 jobs in the construction sector.

National’s response to this is mass importation of cheaper labour from exploited migrant workers while allowing multi millionaires to buy $5million mansions.

How bad are things when all National have left are asset sales?

Increasingly having independent opinion in a mainstream media environment which mostly echo one another has become more important than ever, so if you value having an independent voice – please donate here.

Erica Stanford’s Blatant Power Grab

Allan Alach
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15
Erica Stanford’s Blatant Power Grab

Recently Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced her intention to restructure the New Zealand Teachers Council, replacing the majority of its members with ministerial appointees. 

Minister’s plans for Teaching Council a ‘power grab’, union says

Currently elected members have the majority on the council representation and so the council is representative of teachers’ interests. Clearly teachers having influence is anathema to Stanford, for reasons I will discuss later.

“All professional standard-setting functions for teaching education would be moved from the council to the Ministry of Education, and the Government would urgently “reconstitute” the council, reversing the current model of seven elected members and six ministerial appointments to seven members appointed by the minister and six elected by teachers by removing the requirement for a teacher educator-elected representative, a change Stanford said would come into effect this month.”

It gets worse:

“Next year, the council would be reduced from 13 members to between seven to nine members (with three elected by teachers) to “ensure stronger governance and professional capability”, Stanford said.”

Stronger governance? In other words, making sure teachers don’t have a voice and have to jump hoops.  As the teacher unions say, this is no more than a blatant power grab. 

I don’t see other professional associations, e.g., doctors and lawyers, having the same issues with government takeover of their organisation.

As PPTA President Chris Abercrombie says, the changes are an attack on the professionalism and independence of teachers.

“Our professional body – the people that register us, that look after our code, our standards, our professionalism – is being overthrown by the government in a blatant power grab.”

Stanford justifies this move on what she claims are failures in preservice teacher education and problems with beginning teachers lack of preparation.  Having been out of the system for many years I’m not in a position to comment on the current situation. However in my experience, problems with beginning teachers were not new, and to sheet the blame home to the Teachers Council is merely looking for a scapegoat. 

Many of us old fogeys, who received our teacher education at dedicated teachers’ colleges, would say that the deterioration started when the teachers colleges were swallowed up by universities, thus turning preservice education into an academic course with a bit of teaching practice on the side, whereas back in my time at Hamilton Teachers College, it was the other way around. 

But I believe there’s more to Stanford’s power grab than is apparent. There has been a widespread teacher uproar over curriculum and teaching changes, from the ‘knowledge rich curriculum’, to the very prescriptive ‘science of learning’ to the equally prescriptive one sized fits all of structured reading and structured mathematics. 

Stanford will be very aware, as were her National Party predecessors, Anne Tolley and Hekia Parata, that for her agenda to be implemented, teachers need to be muzzled and prevented from speaking out.

Now she has control of the Teachers Council, she has the levers to ensure rules are established to put teachers in their place. Democracy? Freedom of speech? Maybe the Free Speech Union could get involved…

Another way Stanford could be planning to use her powers is set out in this article:

Erica’s Play for Teacher Performance Pay — The Real Teaching Council Takeover

“URGENT INTEL — Erica Stanford is making a play for teacher performance-related pay — and we know this.

We said it before about the Curriculum Shitshow.

We proved it with the Learning First intel (thanks to Bevan Holloway for his OIA that proved it on 3rd November).

Trust us again.

This is the next stage.

While the media noise distracts everyone with test scores, teacher shortages, and “dire training” headlines, the real story is unfolding quietly under the cover of bureaucratic reform: the Teaching Council Takeover.”

Teacher performance pay has been a dream of the right for a long time. For a myriad of reasons, too long to discuss in this article, this is impracticable – it has been tried and failed in many overseas countries. It doesn’t work, not that I will be able to convince some people who don’t actually know much about teaching, as I’m sure will be reflected in the comments!

“Right now, the Teaching Council is our firewall.

It keeps professional standards in the hands of educators, unions, iwi, and the profession itself.

Erica wants that firewall gone.

Once the standards move inside the Ministry of Education, the Minister decides what “effective teaching” looks like — and that is the gateway to performance-related pay.

Erica says this is about “lifting quality” and fixing “teacher misconduct” and “dire training.” That’s the decoy — the dead cat thrown on the table to keep everyone talking about the wrong thing.

Behind that noise sits the real intent: a centralised, data-driven system where teacher pay is linked to measurable “impact,” not professional trust.”

How do we know this? Because it is promoted in plain sight by the New Zealand Initiative – yes there’s their agenda yet again.

“The government could set a new, higher pay scale for new teachers meeting a higher standard… or create promotion tiers for exceptional teachers.

Every other service sector manages to link pay to performance… Doing it in education would allow the government to attract and retain superb teachers at less than enormous cost.”

And not to be left out, here’s Dr Michael Johnston:

‘Dr Michael Johnston, another from the New Zealand Initiative, has set the philosophical groundwork:

“An overly sociocultural philosophy of teaching… insufficient focus on the science of learning… poor preparation of teachers…”

“At the heart of these deficiencies lie the Standards for the Teaching Profession.”’

As with everything Erica Stanford says or does, we need to look beneath her sleight of hand and see what is really going on.

“If this passes, “effectiveness” will be defined by data.

Progress and pay will be measured by metrics.

Teachers working with trauma-affected, neurodiverse, or high-needs ākonga — where success looks different — will be penalised for the very work that matters most”.

And that is why performance pay doesn’t work – I know Erica thinks all brains work the same but that is arrant rubbish.

Erica hasn’t finished with the big sticks to clobber teachers though. Brie Elliot has produced another excellent video where she explains the way Stanford is using teacher professional development as another stick.

Here’s link to her Facebook video, for those of you with a Facebook account. Watch it if you can.

Brie has provided this synopsis:

“The Ministry of Education has quietly rolled out the Network of Expertise (NEX) programme, offering funding to subject associations to support teachers in implementing the refreshed national curriculum for Years 9–13. The programme focuses on delivering a knowledge-rich curriculum, updating assessment and qualifications, helping teachers plan etc.

While this is presented as support, it comes with strict conditions, including a mandatory non-critique clause and a 7-day deadline for compliance. Associations are expected to follow Ministry guidance fully, leaving little room for discussion or public questioning.

What’s especially concerning is that this rollout was done quietly, behind closed doors, without consultation or transparency. Teachers and associations are being pressured to implement these changes in silence. This directly affects teachers’ professional independence, their ability to advocate for students, and ultimately the quality of education in classrooms for our kids”. 

A comment on this video sums up the situation.

“Its extraordinarily authoritarian.

What worries me, is in a democracy, we teach guidance, we teach critical thinking, and we teach consent,

When the education leadership is extreme totalitarian authority, the teachers are forced to comply, the teaching the students receive is unbendable, unresponsive, invalidating, unapplied, uncritical, unconsenting.

It’s just not fit for purpose in modern world.”

It takes a lot to make Anne Tolley and Hekia Parata look like good ministers of education, however Stanford is doing that easily. 

The scary part is waiting to see what is coming next.



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The Daily Blog
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The Daily Blog Open Mic – 13th November 2025

The Daily Blog
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4
The Daily Blog Open Mic – 13th November 2025

Announce protest actions, general chit chat or give your opinion on issues we haven’t covered for the day.

The Editor doesn’t moderate this blog,  3 volunteers do, they are very lenient to provide you a free speech space but if it’s just deranged abuse or putting words in bloggers mouths to have a pointless argument, we don’t bother publishing.

All in all, TDB gives punters a very, very, very wide space to comment in but we won’t bother with out right lies or gleeful malice. We leave that to the Herald comment section.

EDITORS NOTE: – By the way, here’s a list of shit that will get your comment dumped. Sexist abuse, homophobic abuse, racist abuse, anti-muslim abuse, transphobic abuse, Chemtrails, 9/11 truthers, Qanon lunacy, climate deniers, anti-fluoride fanatics, anti-vaxxer lunatics, 5G conspiracy theories, the virus is a bioweapon, some weird Bullshit about the UN taking over the world  and ANYONE that links to fucking infowar.

In Occupied Palestine – 10 November 2025

Leslie Bravery
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0
In Occupied Palestine – 10 November 2025

In Occupied Palestine

Zionism in practice

Israel’s Daily Toll on Palestinian Life, Limb, Liberty and Land

08:00, 10 November 2025 until 08:00, 11 November 2025

Sanction Israel

Gaza‘s death, injury and sickness totals continue to rise

Victims 10 November – 11 November 2025:

2 dead – 3 wounded

Total killed 69,182

Total wounded 170,694

Israeli tank shelling as well as other live ammunition attacks killed three Palestinians and wounded another, bringing the total number, now killed in Gaza since 7 October 2023, to at least 69,182. The total wounded is now at least 170,694. The daily average number of men, women and children killed in Gaza is at least 90 and, that of those injured, is more than 223. A UN report states that, as of 14 January 2025, around 70% of those killed in Gaza were women and children.

Israeli Spy Stayed for Weeks at a Time at Jeffrey Epstein’s Mansion

Published 11 November – Drop Site News

Leaked emails show Epstein working on a wire transfer to Ehud Barak’s top aide, Yoni Koren, who regularly stayed at his mansion.

“. . . the House panel also released a new cache of documents from Epstein’s estate containing direct evidence of Epstein’s links to Israeli intelligence: Epstein’s personal calendars reveal that a senior Israeli intelligence officer, with personal ties to former CIA Director Leon Panetta, lived at Epstein’s Manhattan apartment for multiple stretches between 2013 and 2016. When cross-referenced with emails leaked from the in box of former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, a portrait emerges of Epstein at the nexus of high-ranking intelligence officials in both the US and Israel.” Read more . . .

Video: Drop Site News is live on Substack now: “Israeli Attacks Surge Across the Occupied West Bank & The Epstein Files”

B’TSELEM: Ceaseless Israeli fire in Gaza and West Bank

A month into the so-called ceasefire in Gaza, Palestinians remain unprotected and Israel continues to treat their lives as expendable. From President Trump’s declaration of the agreement to early November, Israel killed 241 Palestinians in Gaza, 117 of them children, and injured more than 600. It also continues to starve the population and has rejected some 75% of humanitarian aid requests. The details of the agreement remain vague, with no clear plan for implementation.

Life in Gaza continues to be horrifyingly lethal. Eleven-year-old Dima Abu Ashkayan, from Jabalya Refugee Camp, lost her entire family. She is one of over 58,000 Palestinian children orphaned by Israel’s attacks.

Listen to Dima describe losing her parents and siblings and the night her home was bombed



West Bank

Since midnight on 07 October 2023, Israeli Occupation forces have been imposing a complete closure of the West Bank, with the exception of approved diplomatic and international missions and humanitarian requirements.

Israeli Army attacks – refugee camp: Jenin – the Israeli Army, firing live ammunition, continued to storm the city and the refugee camp.

Israeli Army attacks – refugee camps – home invasions: Tulkarem – Israeli soldiers, firing live ammunition, continued to storm the city as well as the Tulkarem and Nur Shams refugee camps,invading and occupying homes.

Israeli Army attack – 1 wounded and taken prisoner: Hebron – 19:30, Israeli forces opened fire on, wounded and took prisoner a motorist, Abdul Aziz Abdul Hamid, driving near the entrance to the Hagai Occupation settlement, south of the city.

Home invasions: Jenin – 18:30, Israeli Occupation forces raided the town of Ya’bad and invaded three homes.

Home invasion: Hebron – 06:35, Israeli forces raided the city and searched a house.

Israeli police and settlers’ mosque violation: Jerusalem – 08:00, Israeli settlers, escorted by Occupation police, invaded the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and molested worshippers.

Israeli Army land-grab for settlement: Jerusalem – the Israeli Occupation began building a new settlement outpost in the Jabal al-Tira area, near Beit Duqqu.

Israeli Army assault with stun grenades and tear gas canisters: Jerusalem – 20:30, Israeli Occupation forces, on the Annexation Wall adjacent to the town of Al-Eizariya, fired stun grenades and launched tear gas at people.

Israeli Army olive harvest sabotage: Nablus – 18:00, Israeli forces bulldozed ​​land in the Al-Khala’il area of Beita and uprooted olive trees.

Israeli Army assault, injury and hospitalisation: Bethlehem – 12:00, Israeli troops, stationed at the Container checkpoint, severely beat–up and hospitalised Ismail Abdullah Dargham, a paramedicand ambulance driver from the Mental and Psychological Diseases Hospital in Bethlehem.

Occupation settler vandalism: Jerusalem – 14:00, Israeli settlers raided the Bab al-Rahma Cemetery adjacent to the eastern wall of Al-Aqsa Mosque in the city and vandalised graves.

Occupation settler terrorism and Israeli Army complicity: Ramallah – afternoon, invading Occupation settlers, accompanied by the Israeli Army, surrounded the home of a resident, Hassan Sandouqa, on the outskirts of Al-Mazra’a Al-Sharqiya, detaining his children and wife for a time.

Occupation settler land-grab: Ramallah – 22:30, Israeli settlers fenced-off an area of Al-Taybeh town land.

Occupation settler agricultural sabotage and vandalism: Tubas – evening, Occupation settlers demolished a tent-dwelling in the Khirbet al-Farsiyah district of the North Jordan Valley and destroyed the family’s crops.

Occupation settler agricultural sabotage: Tubas – 13:55, Israeli settlers grazed their livestock on farmland in the Ehmeir area of ​​the North Jordan Valley, destroying crops on approximately five hectares of land.

Occupation settler terrorism: Tubas – 17:55, Israeli Occupation settlers invaded the Khirbet Makhoul area of the North Jordan Valley, terrorising residents while roaming between their homes.

Occupation settler pastoral sabotage: Nablus – 09:55, Israeli settlers assaulted working shepherds, in the Khirbet al-Tawil area of Aqraba, and attempted to force them off the pasture land.

Occupation settler olive harvest sabotage: Nablus – 10:15, Occupation settlers assaulted working olive harvesters on Jama’in town land.

Occupation settler arson and agricultural sabotage: Nablus – 13:35, Israeli settlers set fire to crops on agricultural land in the al-Dahr area, near Beita.

Occupation settler olive harvest sabotage: Salfit – 10:55, Israeli Occupation settlers assaulted olive harvesters in the Al-Yanbu’ area of Farkha village and stole part of the olive harvest.

Occupation settler olive harvest sabotage: Salfit – 14:40, Israeli settlers, accompanied by Occupation forces, forced off approximately 40 olive harvesters from land in the Al-Batin area of ​​Farkha village, to prevent the harvest from proceeding.

Occupation settler vandalism: Jericho – 13:55, Occupation settlers invaded the Al-Auja waterfall community and grazed their livestock among people’s homes.

Israeli settler assault with stun grenades and tear gas canisters: Bethlehem – 09:15, Israelis, from the Ebei Hanahal Occupation settlement outpost, began bulldozing Kisan village land in order to build a new settlement road on the western side of the village.

Raid – robbery: Jerusalem – 13:15, Israeli Occupation forces seized two bulldozers from inside a vehicle scrap–yard, during their raid on the town of Kafr Aqab.

Raid: Jerusalem – 17:45, Israeli forces raided and patrolled the town of Hizma.

Raid – 2 taken prisoner: Jerusalem – 23:30-05:45, the Israeli Army raided Al-Eizariya, taking prisoner two people.

Raid: Jerusalem – 23:30-05:45, Israeli troops raided Abu Dis.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Ramallah – 10:55, the Israeli military raided the town of Beitunya, taking prisoner one person.

Raid: Ramallah – 14:35, Israeli soldiers raided and patrolled the town of Al-Mazra’a Al-Sharqiya.

Raid: Ramallah – 15:45, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled the town of Kobar.

Raid: Ramallah – 16:10, Israeli forces raided the city of Al-Bireh.

Raid: Ramallah – 11:05-01:30, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled the village of Beit Ur Al-Fauqa.

Raids: Ramallah – 06:35, Israeli troops raided and patrolled the villages of Deir Ammar and Beitillu.

Raid: Ramallah – 00:35, the Israeli military raided and patrolled Al-Bireh.

Raids: Jenin – 14:20, Israeli soldiers raided and patrolled the villages of Tura and Zabada.

Raids: Jenin – 19:05, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled the towns of Yamun and Silat al-Harithiya.

Raid – home demolition order: Tubas – 23:05–03:15, Israeli forces raided the town of Aqaba and delivered a demolition order at the family home of a prisoner: Ayman Najeh Ghanem.

Raids: Tulkarem – 14:30, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled the towns of Quffin, Baqa al-Sharqiya and Nazlat Issa.

Raid: Qalqiliya – 17:10, Israeli troops raided and patrolled the town of Azzun.

Raids: Qalqiliya – 21:25, the Israeli military raided and patrolled the villages of Al-Funduq and Jinsafut.

Raid: Qalqiliya – 07:35, Israeli soldiers raided and patrolled the village of Kafr Qaddum.

Raid: Nablus – 10:55, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled the village of Ein Shibli.

Raids: Nablus – 13:05, Israeli forces raided and patrolled the villages of Nisf Jubeil and Ijnisinya.

Raid: Nablus – 15:10, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled the town of Beita.

Raid: Nablus – 16:10, Israeli troops raided and patrolled the village of Majdal Bani Fadil.

Raids – refugee camp: Nablus – 00:40-02:40, the Israeli military raided and patrolled the City as well as the Balata and Askar refugee camps.

Raids: Nablus – 07:45, Israeli soldiers raided the town of Jama’in as well as the village of Zita Jama’in.

Raids: Salfit – 13:15-14:30, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled the towns of Bruqin and Kafr al-Dik.

Raids: Salfit – 21:15, Israeli forces raided and patrolled Kafr Haris, Deir Istiya and Qarawat Bani Hassan as well as the village of Haris.

Raid: Jericho – 01:55, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled the city.

Raids: Bethlehem – 08:25-11:10, Israeli troops raided and patrolled Al-Ubeidiya and Za’tara as well as the villages of Dar Salah and Al-Shawawra.

Raid: Bethlehem – 21:45, the Israeli military raided and patrolled the town of al-Khadr.

Raid: Bethlehem – 03:30, Israeli soldiers raided and patrolled the village of Marah Rabah.

Raid – 1 youngster abducted: Bethlehem – 07:50, Israeli Occupation forces raided the village of Dar Salah and abducted a 17-year-old youth: Ahmed Mustafa Hamamra.

Raid – 1 wounded – stun grenades fired: Hebron – afternoon, Israeli forces, firing stun grenades, raided Beit Ula, wounding one resident and taking prisoner one other.

Raid: Hebron – 16:20, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled the city.

Raid: Hebron – 22:00-01:35, Israeli troops raided and patrolled the town of Bani Na’im.

In Occupied Palestine – 09 November 2025

Leslie Bravery
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0
In Occupied Palestine – 09 November 2025

In Occupied Palestine

Zionism in practice

Israel’s Daily Toll on Palestinian Life, Limb, Liberty and Land

08:00, 09 November 2025 until 08:00, 10 November 2025

Sanction Israel

Gaza: death, injury and sickness totals continue to rise

Victims 08 November – 09 November 2025:

2 dead – 3 wounded

Total killed 69,176

Total wounded 170,690

Since dawn, Israeli air strikes, missile–launches and gunfire on homes, as well as medical and other facilities, have resulted in one person dead and six wounded. Civil Defence crews retrieved one more body from underneath bomb-damaged property, bringing the total number now killed in Gaza, since 7 October 2023, to at least 69,179. The total wounded is now at least 170,693. The daily average number of men, women and children killed in Gaza is at least 90 and, that of those injured, is more than 223. A UN report states that, as of 14 January 2025, around 70% of those killed in Gaza were women and children.

UN OCHA Gaza Humanitarian Response – Situation Report No. 17

8 and 9 November 2025

The quantity of food assistance brought into the Strip remains insufficient; partners need more access to multiple key roads inside Gaza, in addition to more crossings to open. Partners continue to face administrative restrictions and access challenges across all corridors for delivering food to Gaza. Most international organisations are not given authorisation to bring in food assistance.

At present, only the Kerem Shalom and Kissufim Crossings in southern Gaza remain open and operational. It has been 59 days since the last aid convoy entered Northern Gaza via Zikim Crossing, which was closed on 12 September. Read more . . .

ZANDLAND has been commissioned by ITV to produce a brave, bold, and unflinching new documentary examining the human and ethical dimensions of the Israel Gaza war.

Published 07 November 2025

Breaking Ranks: Inside Israel’s War presents the first-hand recollections of IDF soldiers who have broken official silence to share their experiences of the war in Gaza – accounts that may raise serious questions about conduct on the ground and potential breaches of international law.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Ben Zand, the film features exclusive interviews with Israel Defense Forces (IDF), reservists and veterans – many speaking for the first time – who served during the war in Gaza.

Their testimonies describe what they recall as indiscriminate bombardment, instances where Palestinian civilians were used as human shields, and an operational culture that some soldiers characterised as “no innocents in Gaza.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGtG9TvRkXo

West Bank

Since midnight on 07 October 2023, Israeli Occupation forces have been imposing a complete closure of the West Bank, with the exception of approved diplomatic and international missions and humanitarian requirements.

Israeli Army attack – 1 wounded: Jerusalem – 16:55, Israeli Occupation forces opened fire, from the Annexation Wall adjacent to Al-Ram, towards people trying make their way to work in the city, wounding and hospitalising one person: Qais Suhail Alawneh.

Israeli Army attack – 1 wounded: Jenin – the Israeli Army, firing live ammunition, continued to storm the city as well as the refugee camp.

Israeli Army attack: Tulkarem – Israeli soldiers, firing live ammunition continued to storm the city as well as the Tulkarem and Nur Shams refugee camps, invading and occupying homes.

Home invasions and seizure for settlement: Jerusalem – 10:30, the Israeli Occupation seized three houses in the Silwan neighbourhood, for the benefit of settlement associations, claiming that the land belongs to the settlers.

Home invasions – 2 taken prisoner: Tulkarem – 02:10, Israeli forces raided the towns of Deir al-Ghusun and Beit Lid, searching several homes and taking prisoner two people.

Home invasion and demolition: Salfit – 10:55, the Israeli Army raided the town of Bruqin and demolished a prisoner’s family home.

Home invasions and terrorism Hebron – 16:50, Occupation settlers raided the Al-Fakhit area in Masafer Yatta, searching homes and sheep–pens and threatening to steal a number of sheep.

Israeli police and settlers’ mosque violation: Jerusalem – 08:00, Israeli settlers, escorted by Occupation police, invaded the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and molested worshippers.

Israeli Army violence – 2 injured: Jerusalem – Occupation forces beat-up and severely injured two people, Jamil Jamal Marar and Mahmoud Marar, near the village of Beit Duqqu.

Israeli Army population–control – olive harvest sabotage: Bethlehem – 11:35, Israeli forces prevented farmers from accessing their land, to harvest olives in the Wadi Salem area of Nahalin.

Occupation settlement development – land-grab: Jerusalem – Israeli settlers established a new settlement outpost on seized land, near the Bedouin communities of Abu Ghalia and Al-Ara’ara, east of Anata, where they began construction work and parking areas for mobile homes.

Occupation settler – olive harvest sabotage: Jerusalem – Israeli Occupation settlers assaulted working olive harvesters in the Kroum al-Hara’iq area of Beit Duqqu village, as well as other workers trying to reclaim agricultural land. One bulldozer was destroyed and workers’ computers were stolen from them.

Occupation settler stoning: Ramallah – 19:50-21:00, Occupation settlers stoned passing vehicles, on the road between Deir Dibwan and the village of Rammun.

Occupation settler stoning: Tubas – Israelis, from the Maskiyot settlement, stoned passing vehicles at the nearby road junction on Route 90, in the North Jordan Valley.

Occupation settler – water crime and population–control: Tulkarem – Israeli settlers cut off the water supply to the village of Al-Nazlah Al-Sharqiya and prevented people from accessing the Al-Maghraqa area near the village.

Occupation settler – olive harvest sabotage: Qalqiliya – 15:45-17:00, Israeli Occupation settlers assaulted olive harvesters, on land north of the village of Kafr Qaddum.

Occupation settler – population–control: Nablus – 08:00, Israeli settlers invaded the outskirts of Burin village and blocked the road leading to a family home.

Occupation settler – population–control: Nablus – 08:45, Occupation settlers intercepted a bus carrying students, from the Bedouin community near Duma village, and prevented them from reaching their schools.

Occupation settler – arson and agricultural sabotage: Nablus – 19:30, Israeli settlers set fire to crops on land in the Al-Jisr area of ​​Majdal Bani Fadil village.

Occupation settler land-grab: Salfit – 14:25, Israeli Occupation settlers began building agricultural access roads on land seized, in the west of ​​Deir Ballut.

Occupation settler terrorism: Jericho – 16:00–17:00, Israeli settlers raided the Al-Auja Waterfall area and terrorised residents while roaming among their homes.

Occupation settler – agricultural and olive harvest sabotage: Bethlehem – 10:05-12:45, Occupation settlers grazed sheep and cut off branches from olive trees and grapevines, in the Wadi Saif area of ​​Beit Fajjar.

Occupation settler terrorism: Hebron – 09:20-11:10, an Israeli settler pursued terrified schoolchildren, near the Ibrahimi Mosque, and invaded the Ibrahimi School while Israeli Occupation forces detained the school Principal.

Occupation settler – population–control: Hebron – 10:05, Israeli settlers blocked roads providing access to Al-Burj village agricultural land.

Occupation settler – olive harvest sabotage: Hebron – 11:25, Occupation settlers cut off branches from approximately 70 olive saplings, in the Al-Tabana area of ​​Masafer Yatta.

Occupation settler – pastoral sabotage: Hebron – 11:25, Israeli settlers pursued a working shepherd, Shehadeh Makhamra, in the Asfi area of ​​Masafer Yatta, injuring a youngster and attemptingto steal several sheep.

Raid: Jerusalem – 20:50, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled the town of Al-Ram.

Raid – 2 taken prisoner: Ramallah – 04:20, Israeli forces raided the town of Birzeit, taking prisoner two people.

Raid: Ramallah – 12:40-14:00, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled the village of Deir Jarir.

Raid: Ramallah – 17:05, Israeli troops raided Beit Rima as well as the village of Nabi Saleh.

Raid – 1 abduction: Ramallah – 17:05, the Israeli military raided the village of Aboud and abducted a youngster.

Raid – 1 abduction: Ramallah – 01:30-03:00, Israeli soldiers raided the village of Deir Abu Mash’al and abducted a youngster.

Raid: Ramallah – 03:40, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled the town of Beitunya.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Ramallah – dawn, Israeli forces raided the town of Beit Liqiya, taking prisoner one person.

Raids: Qalqiliya – 09:25-14:05, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled the villages of Beit Amin and Azzun Atma.

Raid – 2 taken prisoner: Qalqiliya – 16:55, Israeli troops raided the town of Hablat, taking prisoner two people.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Qalqiliya – 03:15, the Israeli military raided the city, taking prisoner one person.

Raid: Jenin – 09:35, Israeli soldiers raided and patrolled the village of Faqua.

Raids: Jenin – 10:45, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled Silat ad-Dhahr, as well as the village of Fandaqumiya.

Raids: Tubas – 22:40–02:10, Israeli forces raided the city, Aqaba and Tammun as well as the village of Tayasir.

Raids: Tulkarem – 14:00, the Israeli Army raided and patrolled Zita and Allar, as well as the villages of Nazlat Issa and Saida.

Raid: Tulkarem – 18:00-22:20, Israeli troops raided and patrolled the town of Kafr al-Labad.

Raid: Nablus – 08:15, the Israeli military raided and patrolled the village of Sarra.

Raid: Nablus – 11:05, Israeli soldiers raided and patrolled the village of Tell.

Raid: Nablus – 13:05, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled Asira al-Shamaliya.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Nablus – 15:20, Israeli forces raided the village of Madama, taking prisoner one person.

Raid – rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades fired: Nablus – 20:50, the Israeli Army, firing rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades, raided the village of Burin, detaining for a time three villagers.

Raid – 4 taken prisoner: Nablus – 12:40-02:50, Israeli troops raided the city, taking prisoner four people.

Raid – 1 abduction: Nablus – 20:40–22:00, the Israeli military raided the town of Beit Furik and abducted a 16-year-old youth: Muhammad Rabih Allan Khatatba.

Raid: Salfit – 23:50–03:05, Israeli soldiers raided the town of Bruqin.

Raid – 7 taken prisoner: Salfit – 00:55–03:05, Israeli Occupation forces raided Qarawat Bani Hassan, taking prisoner seven people.

Raid: Jericho – 10:05, Israeli forces raided and patrolled the town of Al-Auja.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Jericho – 00:40–03:10, the Israeli Army raided the city, taking prisoner one person.

Raid – population–control: Bethlehem – 12:00, Israeli troops raided the village of Al-Walaja and ordered two residents to report for interrogation at Israeli Military Intelligence.

Raids: Bethlehem – 21:15-02:20, the Israeli military raided and patrolled al-Ubeidiya and Za’tara as well as the villages of Dar Salah and Al-Shawawra.

Raid: Hebron – 10:10, Israeli soldiers raided and patrolled the city.

Raid: Hebron – 10:10, Israeli Occupation forces raided and patrolled the town of Dura.

Raid – 1 taken prisoner: Hebron – 11:55, Israeli forces raided the town of Beit Ummar, taking prisoner one person.

Raid – 3 taken prisoner: Hebron – 12:55, the Israeli Army again raided Beit Ummar, taking prisoner three more residents.

National caves to big tobacco as NZ tumbles down global rankings – Labour

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National caves to big tobacco as NZ tumbles down global rankings – Labour

The National Government has put the profits of tobacco companies ahead of New Zealanders’ health and now the world can see it.

 

 

“Christopher Luxon’s Government has rolled over for the tobacco industry, and it shows how badly in a new report released today,” Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said.

 

 

Since National took office, New Zealand has crashed from 2nd to 53rd on the Tobacco Industry Interference Index – a ranking that measures how well countries protect their health policies from tobacco lobbying.

 

 

“From handing a $300 million tax break to a tobacco company, to scrapping laws that would have created a smokefree generation, National has put tobacco profits ahead of New Zealanders’ health.

 

 

“Smoking rates are rising again for the first time in over a decade. That’s no coincidence.

 

 

“Earlier this year, I lodged a members’ bill to expose and block tobacco lobbying.

 

 

“Tobacco companies have a long history of weakening health policies to protect their bottom line. Christopher Luxon’s weak leadership means they’ve had the opportunity to do that at the expense of New Zealander’s health.

 

 

“New Zealand signed up to an international pledge to keep health policy free from tobacco company interests over two decades ago. My bill makes sure we get back to honouring that,” Ayesha Verrall said.

One year on and survivors still waiting for justice – Labour Party

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One year on and survivors still waiting for justice – Labour Party

One year on from the formal apology, the Government’s promises to survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care have proven hollow.

“It’s been a year since the apology and we’ve seen a disgraceful lack of progress on the Royal Commission’s recommendations, as survivors continue to face injustice,” Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said.

“Survivors are due the independent redress they’ve been waiting years for.

“Pausing historic claims for months and forcing survivors to prove they’re a ‘good’ survivor is both cruel and immoral. They’ve waited far too long and adding new hurdles is simply wrong.

“We took politics off the table and offered to work with the Government to get this right for survivors – that offer was ignored.

“Successive Governments have let survivors down. It is appalling that this continues today, a year after the Crown apology for the abuse that remains a hideous stain on our history. We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past,” Chris Hipkins said.

One year on from apology, Government still missing in action – Green Party

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One year on from apology, Government still missing in action – Green Party

Today marks one year since the Government’s formal apology to survivors of abuse in state care. On that day, words were spoken that recognised the harm done, acknowledged the suffering that was endured, and promised change.

“One year on, we must question the value of an apology made by a Government that refuses to listen and respond to the voices of survivors,” says the Green Party’s Spokesperson for Children, Kahurangi Carter.

“Survivors have repeatedly called for the Government to implement all 138 recommendations which resulted from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, honour the principles of Te Tiriti, and critically, stop the boot camp programmes that continue the cycle of harm to rangatahi in care today.

“The Inquiry provided us with harrowing testimony from survivors as well as invaluable insight into how we failed as a society and how we must change.

“Every child, young person or adult placed in state or faith-based care should be protected from harm and given everything they need to thrive. Survivors of abuse suffered at the hands of the state and churches deserve more than an apology; they deserve action.

“This Government has a responsibility to ensure that no one ever again suffers the horrific abuses these survivors have. But what’s clear is that the Government’s policies are going in a different direction.

“Today, we renew our commitment to all those survivors, whānau, hapū, iwi, communities and support networks who advocated and told their stories throughout the Inquiry. We will continue to stand with them and support their urgent call for action.

“We are proud to back the petition calling for an independent redress system,” says Kahurangi Carter.

Govt. Must Step In And Stop The Deep Cuts Proposed By FENZ – PSA

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Govt. Must Step In And Stop The Deep Cuts Proposed By FENZ – PSA

– Net loss of 169 roles including 46 directly supporting firefighters

– 13% of FENZ of non-firefighting staff proposed to go

– FENZ cutting spending by $70m/year – 10% of annual budget

Fire and Emergency NZ’s proposal to cut 13% of non-firefighting staff across the country and shave 10% off its annual budget, is reckless at a time of escalating climate-driven emergencies.

Staff at Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) were today given a 260-page consultation document and told to provide feedback within two weeks before the new structure is confirmed just days before Christmas.

“The Government must step in and stop these short-sighted cuts – FENZ is telling its workers to do more with less, which will impact FENZ’s ability to deal with emergencies and prevent future emergencies,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.

“It’s alarming that the proposed cuts include the net loss of 46 roles in the Operational Response branch that sits at the heart of FENZ’s ‘frontline delivery’, supporting fire stations and firefighters and communication centres.

“These workers do critical work like ensuring the urgent coordination of resources for fires and other emergencies.”

FENZ is also proposing to cut 45 roles in the Prevention branch which according to FENZ aims to ‘reduce risk and harm before emergencies occur and currently has the accountability for ensuring our people are well trained should they occur’.

“This includes cutting the roles of four wildfire specialists – how does that make sense when the Tongariro National Park fire shows how important it is to be prepared for such emergencies?

“The wildfire, which required mobilisation of resources from across the country, coupled with concerns about the state of the ageing fire engine fleet should have been a wake-up call that FENZ needs more investment, not deep cuts.

“At a time of rising climate risks from more frequent extreme storm events and wildfires, and the increasing population in major urban centres, these proposed cuts are completely the wrong approach.”

The restructure follows the Government in December refusing to agree to the insurance levy increases FENZ wanted – 95% of its revenue funded through the levy, forcing FENZ to shave spending by $50m a year over the next three years. On top of that the Government has ordered FENZ to cut $60m from its budget by 2029, all up about 10% of its current expenditure is to be cut.

“The Government is deliberately allowing the underfunding of FENZ, and ignoring the risks to New Zealanders’ lives and property.

“Yet again, we are seeing the Government pushing through shortsighted decisions regardless of the consequences for public safety.

“Workers who are impacted are in a state of shock. And this comes at a time of great uncertainty with bargaining for a new collective agreement currently ongoing.

“Imposing such a fundamental restructure on staff with an extremely short consultation period, just before Christmas is insulting and unfair.

“Many workers and their families now face a bleak Christmas period knowing their jobs are on the line. This tells you how much the Government cares about workers who do such a courageous job keeping New Zealanders safe.

“The PSA will be strongly opposing these changes and will be setting out the risks in a comprehensive submission. It should never have come to this.”

Health Coalition Aotearoa Slams Country’s Fall In Global Tobacco Industry Interference Ranking – Health Coalition Aotearoa

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Health Coalition Aotearoa Slams Country’s Fall In Global Tobacco Industry Interference Ranking – Health Coalition Aotearoa

Health Coalition Aotearoa says it is an “indictment on our nation” for New Zealand to fall from second in 2023 to 53rd in a global study released today assessing the interference of the tobacco industry.

The 2025 Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index outlined New Zealand’s “most deteriorated” and paper-thin protection against tobacco industry interference.

Health Coalition Aotearoa’s Smokefree Expert Advisory Group co-chair Professor Chris Bullen says the report shows the Government’s actions are far too closely aligned with the tobacco industry’s agenda.

“This report shows our Government blindly letting Big Tobacco waft back into New Zealanders’ lives despite decades of relentless work towards Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 goal. How many times do we have to remind the government that tobacco kills?” asks Bullen.

Despite overwhelming opposition from health experts, Māori health providers and other New Zealanders, in early 2024, the Government repealed crucial elements of the Smokefree Act, gave tax breaks to tobacco companies through the reduced excise tax on heated tobacco products, and continues to allow unregulated lobbying by the tobacco industry.

Bullen says, “We are the first country in the world that we’re aware of with a government that has reduced a tobacco tax. Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death in Aotearoa. Rolling back protections and bending to industry pressure is not just shameful, but harmful – it will have health consequences for many of New Zealand’s most vulnerable people.”

This report reflects the decades of progress dismantled by the current Government and sends a clear signal to New Zealand: tobacco industry priorities now outrank public health.

Health Coalition Aotearoa (HCA) is a coalition of member organisations committed to closing the health prevention gap in Aotearoa. HCA has been campaigning for tighter regulation of lobbying and industry influence on policy across all government sectors in its Level the Playing Field campaign since April 2025.

HCA works with the Cancer Society, ASPIRE Aotearoa research group, Public Health Communication Centre and Vape-Free Kids in a collaborative effort to increase transparency on tobacco industry lobbying and improve smoking and vaping cessation policy.

New Zealand increases work hours for international students under the 2025 Growth Plan

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New Zealand increases work hours for international students under the 2025 Growth Plan

International students in New Zealand can now work 25 hours per week and have more opportunities to work during exchange or Study Abroad programs. These are just a few changes that took effect on the 3rd of November under the new International Education Going for Growth Plan. 

International education Going for Growth Plan 

Announced in July, the NZ government’s International Education Going for Growth Plan’s goal is to double the international education market in less than a decade. 

NZ Minister of Education, Erica Stanford, said in a statement that the government aims to grow the education sector to NZ$7.2 billion by 2034. At the moment, the education market is worth NZ$3.6 billion. The government wants to increase the number of enrolled foreign students from 83,700 in 2024 to 105,000 in 2027 and 119,000 in 2034, and to double its value in 2034.

As part of the plan that came into effect this November, the government:

  • increased the number of hours eligible students can work while they have a student visa, from 20 to 25 hours a week,
  • extended eligibility for in-study work rights to all tertiary students on approved exchange or Study Abroad programs, including 1-semester courses,
  • clarified that if you change your education provider or lower your level of study, in most cases, you will need to apply for a new student visa, not just a variation of conditions,
  • increased the number of hours eligible holders of dependent child visitor visas and Skilled Migrant Category Interim Visas can work while on their visa, from 20 to 25 hours a week.

The increase of working hours (20 to 25) will only apply to those who have been given a visa from November 3 onward. The students with existing visas limited to 20 hours per week will need to reapply to work more hours. If they applied before November 3 but were granted the visa on the day or after, the new rule is valid.

Additionally, “if you already have a student visa with a 20-hour work limit and want to work up to 25 hours, you will need to apply for a variation of conditions or a new student visa. The relevant immigration fees will apply,” read a statement by Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

Foreign students aged 12 and 13 are likewise eligible to the new rules. However, just like before, they will need to obtain parental and school permissions to work during the school year.

To make the process of applying for a visa online more efficient, Immigration New Zealand has moved all student applications to an upgraded Immigration Online system. The new digital platform helps students communicate in a clearer manner, decide more quickly, and is more user-friendly in general.

The visa application fee is about NZ$850, and students need to show they have enough money to study and live in the country, which is at least NZ$20,000 per year for living costs.

The Growth Plan in the international context

The Growth Plan comes into effect at a time when the policies of popular countries for foreign students, such as Australia and the United States, are changing.

The administration of Donald Trump restricted visa access for foreign students, particularly those from China. 

Meanwhile, the Australian government limited the number of new international student enrollments to 270,000 in 2025, to help reduce record migration levels that have increased rental prices across the country.

For New Zealand, whose economy has grown in a slower pace, this move will help revive its struggling economy. All this follows the change of visa policies made to attract digital nomads and foreign investors.

Changes in NZ: 2025’s legislative overview 

Here’s an overview of legislative changes in other sectors than education in November 2025:

  • The Sentencing (Reinstating Three Strikes) Amendment Act 2024, which reintroduces mandatory minimum sentences for repeat offenders convicted of serious violent or sexual crimes, came into force,
  • A licensing framework for online casinos in New Zealand was established under the Online Casino Gambling Bill,
  • The Equal Pay Act of 2025, which regulates the rules for equal pay claims, redefines jobs in which women predominate, and limits the time limits for filing claims, was approved,
  • The Electoral Amendment Bill changes voting rules and donation thresholds.

Saving on Fuel, Food, and Fees: Smart Budgeting for Campervan Trips

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Saving on Fuel, Food, and Fees: Smart Budgeting for Campervan Trips

One of the most popular ways to explore New Zealand is by travelling in a campervan. The country is remarkably campervan-friendly, with well-maintained roads, scenic routes, and a wide range of campgrounds that make it easy to roam from place to place. A campervan rental NZ adventure also offers the perfect mix of freedom and flexibility. You can wake up beside a quiet lake one morning and park beneath a sky full of stars the next. 

Although life on the road feels wonderfully liberating, the expenses can build up quickly. Fuel, food, and campsite fees often take a significant share of the travel budget, especially on long journeys. Fortunately, with a few smart strategies, you can keep costs low and still enjoy the adventure campervan trips bring. Here are some of the most valuable tips that seasoned campervan travellers can offer for those trying the experience for the first time: 

1) Drive Smoothly and Steadily

Fuel is often one of the largest expenses on any campervan journey, but maintaining a steady speed helps your vehicle use less fuel. New Zealand’s roads are known for their twists and turns, so easing off the accelerator on steep climbs or sharp corners conserves petrol and enhances safety. Whenever you avoid rapid acceleration and sudden braking, it will keep the engine running more efficiently and prevent unnecessary wear on your campervan.

2) Keep Your Tyres in Check

Another simple yet effective habit is checking your tyre pressure regularly. Properly inflated tyres reduce rolling resistance, helping the engine work less to maintain speed. Most service stations offer free air pumps, so it’s easy to include a quick tyre check whenever you stop to refuel.

3) Plan Your Refuelling Stops

Fuel prices vary between regions, and rural areas often charge more, so planning where to fill up can save you a surprising amount. You can use apps like Gaspy to find the cheapest fuel nearby and plan your route accordingly. Some travellers even choose to fill up in larger towns before heading into more remote areas, ensuring they avoid the higher prices often found along scenic but isolated routes.

4) Lighten Your Load

Another underrated money-saver for campervan trips is packing light. A fully loaded campervan requires more energy to move, increasing fuel consumption. But when you only bring the essentials, it keeps your vehicle lighter and your trip more comfortable.

5) Maximise Your Campervan’s Kitchen

Food is another major expense, but the beauty of campervan travel lies in having your own kitchen wherever you go. Most campervans in New Zealand are equipped with a compact kitchen that includes a gas hob, a small fridge, and basic cooking utensils. Although space may be limited, it’s enough to prepare hearty, home-style meals.

For example, simple dishes such as pasta, stir-fries, or curries can be cooked in one pot, which makes cooking easier and reduces washing up. 

Batch cooking at the beginning of the week also helps you make the most of your time on the road. If you have leftovers, you can store them in reusable containers, and you’ll always have something ready for a quick lunch or dinner, saving you from impulse restaurant spending.

6) Shop Smartly

Shopping smartly adds another layer of savings. Large supermarkets such as Countdown, New World, and Pak’nSave generally offer better prices and a wider selection than smaller highway dairies or petrol station shops. It’s also worth visiting local farmers’ markets, where you can pick up fresh fruit, vegetables, and regional delicacies while supporting local growers. Additionally, consider shopping in bulk for pantry staples like rice, pasta, and tinned goods to reduce the need for frequent restocks and help manage space in your campervan.

7) Save on Water and Snacks

It’s easy to overlook the cost of drinks and snacks, but they add up quickly during a long trip. That said, refill your water bottles at holiday parks, public refill stations, or Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites to eliminate buying bottled water. 

You can also prepare your own snacks, such as sandwiches, trail mix, or homemade muffins. Doing so keeps you fuelled during hikes and sightseeing and prevents expensive café detours when hunger strikes unexpectedly.

8) Try Freedom Camping or Stay at DOC Sites

Freedom camping is a popular choice for those travelling in self-contained campervans. This option allows you to stay overnight in designated public areas at little to no cost, provided you follow local regulations and leave no trace behind. It’s also a fantastic way to experience New Zealand’s natural landscapes up close, from lakesides and forests to remote beaches. 

For travellers who prefer basic facilities such as toilets or picnic tables, DOC campsites provide excellent value. These sites are located throughout the country and often offer some of the most breathtaking views at a fraction of the price of commercial holiday parks.

9) Get a Camping Pass

If you plan to stay at multiple DOC sites, purchasing a DOC camping pass can lead to substantial savings. This pass allows unlimited stays at selected DOC campgrounds for a set fee, which is ideal for long-term travellers exploring multiple regions.

10) Travel Off-Season

Another way you can keep campervan trip costs low is by travelling during the off-season. The months outside summer, typically from April to October, come with lower campsite rates, quieter roads, and more availability. The cooler seasons still offer beautiful scenery, from snow-capped mountains to crisp, clear mornings perfect for exploring.

11) Find Free Things to Do

New Zealand’s natural beauty also means you don’t need to spend much on entertainment. Many of the country’s best experiences are free, such as walking the trails around Lake Tekapo, exploring the geothermal wonders near Rotorua, or visiting beaches along the Coromandel Peninsula. Scenic lookouts, waterfalls, and local markets add to the experience without costing a thing, allowing you to enjoy the richness of the country without stretching your budget.

Enjoy the Journey Without the Splurge

Campervan travel in New Zealand offers the perfect mix of independence, adventure, and simplicity. When you drive thoughtfully, plan your meals wisely, and choose your stops strategically, every dollar stretches further without compromising the magic of the journey. With the right approach, it can take you through unforgettable landscapes and experiences while keeping your wallet happy.



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