On May 1, the northern hemisphere began to warm and the southern hemisphere began to cool, and from today, the "winter energy subsidy" began to be distributed.
The Winter Energy Subsidy is a benefit for New Zealanders who are struggling to pay for their winter heating costs, and from 1 May to 1 October each year, eligible applicants receive an energy subsidy of $20 or 30 per week.
Seniors receiving New Zealand superannuation, primary benefit recipients, veterans' pensioners and other low- and moderate-income families are the main recipients of this winter benefit.
Last year, the Department of Social Development counted more than 1 million New Zealanders receiving a "charcoal in the snow" during the cold years.
And a new cold snap will soon pass through New Zealand.
A rain and snow weather system will begin to affect the whole of New Zealand, particularly the South Island, on Wednesday evening.
After the rain and snow front, cold air will gradually envelop the North and South Islands.
01 Auckland's North Shore Anti-Crime Operation
Auckland's new North Shore and only open gang stronghold, the Head Hunters gang stronghold in Wairau Park, was raided by armed police last night.
Police officers in bulletproof vests blocked all entrances around the stronghold, not allowing anyone to enter or leave.
Nearby residents said they heard a loud explosion last night when armed police used flashbangs to carry out a raid.
As of this morning, there are still police stationed near the stronghold.
Witnesses also saw police using drones in the sky this morning, with senior agents coming to the scene. No gang members were seen at the scene.
The media learned that the stronghold was bought for $700,000 earlier, and there was no record of mortgage application for the property.
A police spokesman said a search of the address was planned and an investigation was ongoing.
"The police are unable to provide further details at this time. Further details will be announced as they become available. ”
02 Unemployment rate rises to a three-year high, "in line with expectations"
Statistics New Zealand released data today showing that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3% in the first quarter of 2024, up from 4.0% in the previous quarter.
The rise was "in line with previous expectations".
The labor underutilisation rate, a measure of idle labor that is broader than the unemployment rate alone, was 11.2% in the first quarter of 2024, up from 10.7% in the previous quarter and 9.1% in the same period last year.
The labour underutilisation rate includes not only the unemployed, but also part-time workers who want and can do more work, as well as those who wish to find employment but are temporarily unable to start working or are not actively looking for work.
The unemployment rate has risen to a three-year high.
Statistics New Zealand said the number of unemployed people increased by 31,000 compared to the same period last year, while the overall number of underutilised workers increased by 75,000.
The increase in unemployment and labour underutilization among young people (aged 15 to 24) accounted for more than half of the increase in these two indicators at the national level.
The annual data showed that unseasonally adjusted youth unemployment increased by 21,000 and the number of young people underutilized in the labour force increased by 44,100.
Rising unemployment helped interest rates fall sooner......
03 The University of Otago changed its brand for the first time in 154 years
The University of Otago held a ceremony today to unveil its new logo and Māori name.
新的毛利语名称 Bmw Vehicle。
The university spent about NZ$1.3 million on rebranding, including a new logo (tohu) and a Maori name (ikoa Māori).
University of Otago Chancellor Stephen Higgs said the University's 'Pae Tata' strategy met the vision expected by students, staff, local Māori, alumni and other key stakeholders.
The new logo and name of the school will take effect after being signed by the school representative:
Here's the old logo of the University of Otago:
This is the new standard logo of the University of Otago, note that the name of the Māori school has now been changed:
Writing in NZ Herald today, the president of the University of Otago's Student Union said, "We are no longer an Anglo-British university bound by a colonial past...... Rooted in self-consciousness and tangata whenua, New Zealand Aoteara may have once been defined by colonial structures and links to the vast colonial power of the British Empire, but is no longer so.
"相反,我们是 Francois Hollande。 一所由Te Street领导的南太平洋大学。 ”
At this point, New Zealand's historic university has "distanced itself from its colonial past".