Three Kings news is brought to you by the team at Central Leader
Recent posts
Thank you for using Neighbourly
Get painting and help Kiwi kids. Buy any Resene 60 mL testpot colour starting with the letter P, O or T and Resene will donate $1 to Plunket NZ.
Visit your local Resene ColorShop to find all the colour you need to bring out the best in your home.
Some of the best moments are shared over food. That’s why we’re giving you 10,000 New World Dollars when you sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse by 30 September 2025.*
We’ll cover the grocery bills, so you can spend less time worrying about what’s in the trolley and more … View moreSome of the best moments are shared over food. That’s why we’re giving you 10,000 New World Dollars when you sign up to an independent apartment or townhouse by 30 September 2025.*
We’ll cover the grocery bills, so you can spend less time worrying about what’s in the trolley and more time enjoying who’s around the table.
And because life at Ryman means less home maintenance, you’ll have even more time for the things you love.
*Participating villages only, promotion terms and Clubcard terms and conditions apply.
New Zealand First is invoking the rarely-used “agree to disagree” clause in its coalition agreement over two new pathways to residency the Government is today announcing for skilled migrants.
The clause has been triggered only a handful of times, with this the first time this term over … View moreNew Zealand First is invoking the rarely-used “agree to disagree” clause in its coalition agreement over two new pathways to residency the Government is today announcing for skilled migrants.
The clause has been triggered only a handful of times, with this the first time this term over immigration policy, which is expected to be a significant focus for NZ First at the 2026 election.
Leader Winston Peters said the Government’s two new pathways to residency represented “unfocused immigration proposal”, with his party having concerns it may be used as a stepping stone to Australia.
“We take them in, train them, up-skill them, look after their families, and then they emigrate. How is this an effective immigration policy?” Peters asked.
However, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis said today the invoking of the agree to disagree clause reflects “stable coalition management” and from time to time parties have different perspectives on issues.
“We have a different perspective [to NZ First]. We have designed this policy to be really really careful it is a narrow pathway,” Willis said.
“It is NZ First signalling their concerns. We have shared those concerns, so in developing this policy we have been careful there are belts and braces.”
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford has previously said New Zealand’s Skilled Migrant immigration category was not fit-for-purpose, claiming tradies do not have adequate pathways to residency.
One of the new pathways to residency looks to cover that. Called the “Trades and Technician Pathway”, it will “recognise the practical skills needed in industries where sub-degree qualifications are widely used and valued”.
To be eligible to apply under this pathway, migrants in specified skilled roles will need to hold a relevant qualification at Level 4 or above and have at least four years of relevant post-qualification skilled work experience. At least 18 months of this needs to have happened in New Zealand, where they have been paid at or above the median wage.
There’s also a new “Skilled Work Experience Pathway” for migrants in certain skilled roles who have at least five years of directly relevant work experience, including two in New Zealand where they have been paid at least 1.1 times the median wage.
“The Skilled Work Experience pathway is designed to help employers retain experienced workers who are already contributing to New Zealand’s economy and have demonstrated value in their roles,” said Stanford.
She said that to ensure the new pathways are focused on where skilled and experienced migrants are most needed, additional eligibility restrictions will be placed on some occupations.
Further information about the occupations covered by the pathways and their requirements will be provided before the pathways open in mid-2026.
“We are also reducing the amount of time that migrants with New Zealand university qualifications need to work in New Zealand before they can get residence,” Stanford said.
“This is about further incentivising people to study here - and keep contributing after they graduate.”
She said the Government was “carefully balancing attracting higher-skilled workers, while managing migration levels responsibly, and ensuring New Zealanders remain prioritised for jobs”.
“This helps Kiwi businesses access the skills and experience needed to grow the economy, while hiring New Zealanders where they can. These changes are part of a suite of smart, flexible and nuanced immigration solutions we’ve introduced.”
Willis also added that skilled and experienced migrants “play an important role plugging workforce gaps, and in turn helping businesses to grow”.
“Businesses told us it was too hard for some migrants to gain residence, even when they had crucial skills and significant experience that was not available in the existing workforce. We’re fixing it.”
But Peters said New Zealand needed a system that provided young Kiwis with the skills New Zealand needed domestically.
“While we recognise the importance of retaining some critical workers, we have serious concerns about this unfocused immigration proposal,” he said.
“This is why we would support extending existing work visas for those workers already here for another three years to address the short-term demand - not making them residents.
“We cannot maintain this decades-old papering over the cracks for short-term needs.”
Stanford said New Zealand doesn’t need to be concerned about the new pathways being used as a stepping stone to Australia, claiming it is easier to use Australia’s immigration pathways to be a stepping stone to New Zealand.
“It is not something that is happening,” Stanford said.
Asked why NZ First didn’t believe that, Willis said “sometimes they just have a different perspective”.
In the long term, Peters said a “smart immigration system”, focusing on the needs of employers, industry and Kiwi workers, was needed.
The “agree to disagree” clause in the coalition agreements is rarely used. Earlier this year, Act invoked it amid a disagreement over the firearms registry. Act also opposed the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill and NZ First raised it in relation to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 response.
Immigration has traditionally been a key area of focus for NZ First, and Peters previously told the Herald he was concerned about “careless” immigration policies overseas “transforming cities”.
At his party conference earlier this month, Peters confirmed NZ First would campaign next year on a “Kiwi values document” for all new migrants.
“If you don’t want to sign up to those values, we have a clear answer; don’t come,” he said.
A similar values statement has been mooted by the Act Party, with minister Brooke van Velden saying she had work under way to take to Cabinet by the end of the year.
Stanford, who has made adjustments to various different visa categories since taking office in 2023, has been vocal in the past about wanting to make changes to the Skilled Migrant Category.
The current set-up requires a migrant to have a skilled registered job, a Bachelor’s qualification or higher, or earn 1.5 times the median wage. There is also the Green List pathway to residency for those with in-demand jobs.
In a speech last year, Stanford said there were limited options for skilled migrants to get residency.
“There is a whole category missing of skilled workers, predominantly in the trades, who may have many years of experience, are well qualified and can help train up Kiwi workers but who have no pathway to residence.
“I know for many employers, it is a source of deep frustration that they cannot retain their skilled workers in trades or manufacturing because they do not have a pathway to residence.”
The Government has already changed the Accredited Employer Work Visa to remove median wage thresholds and reduce the experience required.
=====================================================
We still have 135 long-stay animals in our care, waiting to find their forever homes! ? If you can provide the right home for them, you can adopt for just a donation/koha when you start the process by this Sunday, September 21st.
These wonderful animals have been waiting patiently for their … View moreWe still have 135 long-stay animals in our care, waiting to find their forever homes! ? If you can provide the right home for them, you can adopt for just a donation/koha when you start the process by this Sunday, September 21st.
These wonderful animals have been waiting patiently for their special someone – could that be you? ? You might need to travel a bit further than your nearest SPCA Center, but we promise they're worth the journey.
Even though we’re waiving our standard adoption fees for our long-stays, every animal is desexed, microchipped, vaccinated, treated for fleas and worms – all ready to head home with you. Meet all of our long-stays on our site now!
6000 senior doctors and dentists on strike until midnight Wednesday
Health Minister says they're putting pay and politics ahead of patients
Health NZ says more than 1800 elective procedures, more than 3600 first specialist appointments, about 7000 follow-up appointments and more than 800 … View more6000 senior doctors and dentists on strike until midnight Wednesday
Health Minister says they're putting pay and politics ahead of patients
Health NZ says more than 1800 elective procedures, more than 3600 first specialist appointments, about 7000 follow-up appointments and more than 800 out-patient procedures postponed
====================================================
Some patients blame government for failing to invest in healthworkers
Six thousand senior hospital doctors and dentists are striking for 48 hours as the battlelines harden in their long-running pay dispute with Health NZ.
Their message to Health Minister Simeon Brown laid bare on placards on the picketline outside the Minister's Pakuranga electorate office in Auckland: "Code Brown, Simeon's in charge", reads one.
"We serve the interests of New Zealanders, Do you?", reads another.
In contrast to his predecessors - who tended to gratefully defer to Health NZ "as the employer" in contract negotiations - Health Minister Simeon Brown has taken a more hands-on approach.
He has openly criticised doctors who "chose" to strike, calling it "a decision by some of the most well-paid public servants in New Zealand to walk away from patients and cancel care", and voiced his disappointment over the union's refusal to enter binding arbitration.
Based on the previous 24-hour strike in May, Health NZ estimated about 13,000 patients would likely be affected by the two-day action by members of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists.
'He doesn't speak for me'
====================
Wellington cancer patient Charyl Robinson, who had her first date for surgery cancelled due to the nurses' strike at the end of July, said healthworkers had her "full support".
"My second date for surgery was also cancelled, because of a bed shortage, because I'm going to need a couple of days in HDU or ICU," she said. "I have been directly affected by the strain on health services."
While this week's doctors' strike would not affect her treatment directly, she worried that doctors were "not being valued and properly recognised here the way they would be overseas".
"I'm worried constantly that I could lose one of the incredible team of specialists looking after me, they could move for better conditions - that's what worries me. I get fed up with Simeon Brown trying to pit us patients against the people caring for us.
"I find it really quite despicable how he does that, because he doesn't speak for us. He doesn't speak for me, anyway."
Robinson, co-founder of the advocacy group Vape Free Kids, said she did "not buy the excuse" that the government was limited by the current dire financial circumstances.
"When I think about the money that's been set aside for tax breaks for tobacco companies... that stuff is incensing, when you are a person sitting there in hospital, seeing the shortfall in our health system.
"Sitting there in that hospital, my blood was boiling, when I consider the other things that have been prioritised in terms of funds over the very people that are delivering care for patients like me."
Plenty of "frivolous, down-right disingenuous spends" could be walked back to make some room for health workers' needs, she said.
Government 'taking advantage' of doctors' goodwill
==========================================
Another patient, who spent four days in North Shore Hospital last week, after an emergency admission, said the reality on the frontline was "the exact opposite" to what the minister claimed.
"The only reason the wheels haven't fallen off is because the government has taken advantage of the goodwill of all the medical professionals," said the 60-year-old, who did not want to be named.
"If I were to describe the staff, I would liken them to All Blacks, only far more skilful and with much greater levels of stamina, because their match isn't measured in minutes, but in 12-hour shifts, and with such high levels of overloading that only totally professional harmonic team work can keep the cogs turning."
From "the girls that mop the floors and clean the toilets" to specialists and administrators, everyone worked "at full-speed, all day".
Staff were obviously bearing the brunt of years of under-investment in facilities, when patients jammed the ED waiting room and clogging the hallways with stretcher beds, he said.
"After years of Labour's wasteful spending, this National government has decided the best medicine is austerity."
Meanwhile, the government appeared to have plenty to spend on some things, like top-of-the-line military helicopters, he said.
"I think it's absolutely ludicrous... Yes, you have to defend the country, but if there's no-one left alive in the country, what's the bloody point?"
Health NZ says it's out of options
===========================
Meanwhile, Health NZ has taken the unprecedented step of applying to the Employment Relations Authority to make the final decision on terms and conditions, saying it has "exhausted" all bargaining options with the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists.
National clinical director Dr Richard Sullivan, who took part in last-ditch talks last week, said it was frustrating to put forward a new offer and receive "nothing to work with in response".
"We are disappointed this is necessary, but we have been in bargaining with ASMS for over a year. We have attended 11 days of formal bargaining, a number of informal meetings, mediation, six days of facilitated bargaining and accepted the invitation to binding arbitration, which the union refused.
"We believe all bargaining options have been exhausted and that the application for fixing is the best way forward to ensure certainty for New Zealanders."
Hospitals remained open during the strike, but to maintain patient safety, most clinics were closed and planned care appointments for surgery would be postponed.
"The strike will disrupt care for the entire week," he said. "It is estimated that over 1800 elective procedures, over 3600 first specialist appointments, around 7000 follow-up appointments and over 800 out-patient procedures will have to be postponed.
"Anyone who needs emergency care will still be able to receive it and patients who are already in hospital will continue to receive treatment.
"It is very important that our EDs are kept for emergencies only during the strike to protect our capacity to give urgent care to those who need it most."
An agreement was in place with the union to provide life-preserving services throughout the strike, which was due to finish at 11.59pm Wednesday.
The union maintained its members had yet to receive an offer that did not amount to "another pay cut in real terms", at a time when workforce shortages were at crisis levels in many places.
Executive director Sarah Dalton said Health NZ had "failed to turn up with any meaningful improvement on its offer".
"ASMS members are not walking away from patients, they simply know it is critical to have a pay offer that is competitive and continues to attract the medical workforce to New Zealand."
=====================================================
Celebrate the Moon Festival at Epsom Community Centre! 🌙✨
Join us for a fun-filled day for the whole family featuring mooncake making, food and craft markets, kids' activities, traditional songs and stories, cultural performances, and more!
• FREE
• Saturday 4 October
• … View moreCelebrate the Moon Festival at Epsom Community Centre! 🌙✨
Join us for a fun-filled day for the whole family featuring mooncake making, food and craft markets, kids' activities, traditional songs and stories, cultural performances, and more!
• FREE
• Saturday 4 October
• 10.30am-2.30pm
• Epsom Community Centre, 202 Gillies Ave, Epsom
• epsom-community-centre.org.nz/moonfestival
📍 OUTDOOR MARKET
• Food Trucks + Vendors
• Craft Stands
• Community & Information Stands
• Traditional Korean outdoor games
📍 EPSOM HALL
• Mooncake making workshops
• Chinese calligraphy, making mooncakes with playdough, and lantern making.
📍 RANFURLY ROOM: TSUKIMI - JAPANESE MOON-VIEWING FESTIVAL
• Tsukimi (Japanese Moon-Viewing Festival) celebration
• Origami, Japanese Games, Tsukimi Crafts
• Traditional Story Time
📍 KIMBERLY ROOM: CHINESE CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
• Chinese Cultural Experience
• Traditional Musical Instrument (Guzhen) performances
• Hangu Performances: The Legend of Chang’e & Hou yi
This event is proudly brought to you by The Village Square's Epsom Community Centre and Albert-Eden Local Board, in collaboration with the following organisations:
• Welcoming Communities: www.immigration.govt.nz...
• Moore Art and Design Studio: www.mooreartdesign.co.nz...
• Japan Kauri Education Trust
• Epsom Chinese Association
• Asian Safety Education & Promotion Charitable Trust
• Albert-Eden Climate Action Network
• Eco Neighbourhoods: livelightly.nz...
• Auckland Emergency Management
• Neighbourhood Support - Albert Eden & Puketāpapa
A West Auckland funeral home is preparing a mass interment for more than 700 unclaimed urns containing human remains, some of which have been stored for close to a century.
Morrisons Funerals, which has locations in Henderson and Glen Innes, put a call out yesterday for anyone who may have a loved… View moreA West Auckland funeral home is preparing a mass interment for more than 700 unclaimed urns containing human remains, some of which have been stored for close to a century.
Morrisons Funerals, which has locations in Henderson and Glen Innes, put a call out yesterday for anyone who may have a loved one whose ashes were never collected to get in touch.
Location manager Natasha Plunkett told the Herald they had inherited several urns after the closure of nearby funeral homes, while others from the 1930s and 1940s were still being looked after.
“For some, it’s been a long period of time,” she said.
She said it highlighted the emotional weight of post-death decisions, and how a simple task such as collecting ashes can be overwhelmed by grief, conflict or not knowing what to do with them.
Anyone with a loved one whose ashes were never collected has been asked to contact Morrisons Funerals, which is preparing a mass interment.
The funeral home is asking for ashes to be claimed by December 1.
“We’re doing a mass interment of the ones we’ve got up until 2020,” Plunkett said.
“And then the ones from 2020-2025, we’re actually keeping on-site for the last five years, so that if anybody has been overseas or something like that, there’s still a chance they might contact us.”
Currently stored in a secure room, the unclaimed ashes will be interred in a Māngere Lawn Cemetery plot.
A plaque with a QR code with a link to the names of the people whose ashes have been interred will beat the site, allowing people to check whose ashes are there, Plunkett said.
“If you’re not sure, you know, ring us and we can look the names up and see if we can match them with anybody that may be out there.”
Ashes do not get collected for many reasons, including the death or illness of the person meant to collect them, family conflict, people living away from where the urns are, or emotional avoidance, she said.
“We find a lot of things these days, like the children are overseas and the mothers or parents die in New Zealand.”
The funeral home recently had a success story where a grandson collected his grandfather’s ashes.
“He came and he claimed them and now he’s laid his grandfather to rest.
“He’s just really pleased that he ... eventually found out where they were and that he could come and get them.”
Families should talk with their loved ones about what they want to happen to their ashes after they die, as it often gets overlooked in wills, which can lead to worries about what to do with them, she said.
========================================================
Step out in plaid this spring with the Red Cross Shop Onehunga!
📍 200 Onehunga Mall
📞 096221565
Mon-Sat: 9.00am to 5.00pm
Sun: 10.00am to 5.00pm
Neighbourly is celebrating 50 years of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week)
Do you use te reo at home? Greet your neighbours with kia ora? Sing waiata with your tamariki?
Share how you celebrate te reo in your daily life in the comments below, and you could win a $50 Prezzy Card!
… View moreNeighbourly is celebrating 50 years of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week)
Do you use te reo at home? Greet your neighbours with kia ora? Sing waiata with your tamariki?
Share how you celebrate te reo in your daily life in the comments below, and you could win a $50 Prezzy Card!
For some amazing te reo resources, head to ReoMāori.co.nz
Me mahi tahi tātou, Neighbours 🌿
Alberton Vintage Market Day
When: Sunday 5 October, 11 am - 3 pm
Cost: Market entry free, normal house entry applies
Once a year the historic Alberton house and the grounds become a setting for a wonderful vintage and antique “mini market”. A range of specialist stallholders … View moreAlberton Vintage Market Day
When: Sunday 5 October, 11 am - 3 pm
Cost: Market entry free, normal house entry applies
Once a year the historic Alberton house and the grounds become a setting for a wonderful vintage and antique “mini market”. A range of specialist stallholders will be offering fine china, textiles, Crown Lynn, clothing, jewellery, crystal, silver and tableware, bric-a-brac and more!
Come along to find a treasure and enjoy delicious food and coffee. It’s also a great opportunity to explore the historic house and learn more about the original owners, the Kerr Taylor family.
Feeling tight in your neck or upper back after long days?
In this session, our therapist started by feeling areas of tension with her hands and checking pressure for comfort.
She found tightness along the bladder meridian and trapezius area.
We used:
✔ Sliding cupping to release surface … View moreFeeling tight in your neck or upper back after long days?
In this session, our therapist started by feeling areas of tension with her hands and checking pressure for comfort.
She found tightness along the bladder meridian and trapezius area.
We used:
✔ Sliding cupping to release surface tension
✔ Gua Sha to boost circulation
✔ Deep acupressure to relax deeper muscle layers
After the full treatment, the client said she felt lighter, looser, and totally rebalanced.
🌿 If your body’s been holding on to stress — we’re here to help you let it go.
📍 Evergreen Clinic · Epsom
📩 DM us to book a session or learn more!
Clocks will go forward one hour at 2am on Sunday 28 September.
====================================================
Finding stillness within, a 4 evening free course.
When: Mondays, Thursdays, Sept. 22, 25, 29; October 2. 7:30-9pm nightly.
Where: Sri Chinmoy Centre, 89 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden
*Night one, Sept.22: still breath, still mind – three breath techniques and guided meditation.
*Night two, … View moreFinding stillness within, a 4 evening free course.
When: Mondays, Thursdays, Sept. 22, 25, 29; October 2. 7:30-9pm nightly.
Where: Sri Chinmoy Centre, 89 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden
*Night one, Sept.22: still breath, still mind – three breath techniques and guided meditation.
*Night two, Sept.25: mantras and connecting with the heart centre.
*Night three, Sept.29: overview – the four pathways of yoga.
*Night four, Oct.2: seven secrets of meditation - a summary of the essentials.
This free admission intensive course provides an excellent package of skills and guided meditation designed to help you regain control of the mind and find the peaceful stillness that we all have within. Our teacher has taught meditation in many countries and will share his own insights and love of meditation during these consecutive evening w/shops.
All welcome, registration is encouraged to ensure seating. No admission after the second session please, this is a structured course. To register, call / text via whatsapp to: 021 892 153
Summerset’s Nationwide Open Day is on Sunday 5 October. All 38 of our villages are open from 10am to 2pm.
© Neighbourly 2025
Loading…
