Daily Archives: January 9, 2022

The New Zealand Herald is bringing back some of the best premium stories of 2021. Today we take a look at the pandemic's impact on careers

Employers are already keenly aware that labour shortages in many sectors, exacerbated by border restrictions, have made it hard to recruit staff in many sectors.

Now research strongly suggests that bosses need to worry about retaining their current workers, too.

The latest instalment of AUT's Wellbeing@Work survey, which covers intentions to jump, should ring alarm bells for employers, says the academic behind the rolling survey of 1000 Kiwi workers.

Read how workers' intention to leave their current job has risen sharply during the pandemic.

I'm 40 years old and work in a very good paying job in a low-cost-of-living area of New Zealand. I paid off my mortgage last year and am now focusing on saving 50 per cent of my salary for retirement.

My plan was to save for five more years to get me to a total of $250,000 in shares, cash and KiwiSaver and then reassess my life. I don't want to stop work then. I just want to look at different job options.

Trouble is ... I really, really don't like my job.

Do I hold on for five years in my current job just for the money?

Mary Holm looks at what you should do in this situation.

Many people dream of handing their notice to their boss and taking off on a global trip, in pre-Covid times, or just not having to wake up to an alarm clock every morning.

But what would it take to retire at 50 or just be financially independent enough to stop working the day job when you want to?

The best tips and tricks from the experts.

Read the original post:

Covid and your career - The 'great NZ resignation'; What to do if you hate your job - New Zealand Herald

The United States women's national team will compete with Czech Republic, Iceland and New Zealand in the 2022 SheBelieves Cup, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced on Wednesday.

The tournament will run Feb. 17-23, starting with a pair of doubleheaders at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. The final day of games will be held at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.

- ESPN+ viewers guide: LaLiga, Bundesliga, MLS, FA Cup, more- Futbol Americas on ESPN+: USWNT, MLS, USMNT, NWSL

The U.S. will open the tournament against the Czechs on Feb. 17, followed by a game against New Zealand three days later. The Americans will conclude the tournament against Iceland on Feb. 23.

"These will be the first matches of what will be a really important year, and as focus on World Cup qualifying, the SheBelieves Cup will be extremely valuable for the continued development of the team," USMNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski said in a statement.

"As a coaching staff, when we are integrating newer players, we need as many games as possible, and all three of our opponents are very hard to play against. They will all be highly motivated to have the chance to play in this great tournament, so we're not only looking forward to competitive matches, but also playing in front of fans, as there was only limited attendance at last year's tournament in Florida."

The tournament was first contested in 2016, with the USWNT winning the inaugural edition. France took top honors in 2017, followed by the USWNT in 2018 and England in 2019. The Americans have since won the past two editions of the tournament.

The match involving the USWNT and the Czech Republic will mark just the second ever between the two teams. In January 2000, the USWNT defeated the Czechs 8-1 in Australia at a tournament.

The USWNT has played New Zealand 18 times, most recently a 6-1 victory in group play in July at the 2020 Olympics in Japan. The USWNT got goals from Rose Lavelle, Lindsey Horan, Christen Press, Alex Morgan and two own goals.

The USWNT has played Iceland 14 times, with the last encounter being a 0-0 tie in 2015 during Algarve Cup group play.

The rest is here:

SheBelieves Cup - USWNT to face Czech Republic, Iceland and New Zealand in 2022 edition - ESPN

AirlineRatings.com, a source for airline safety and product reviews, has revealed its top 20 safest carriers in the world for 2022, with five US airlines making the list.

Established in 2013, AirlineRatings.com is a trusted website that rates airline safety, inflight products, and COVID-19 compliance of 385 worldwide carriers on a unique seven-star scale. Every year, AirlineRatings.com releases a list of the top safest airlines in the world, and, this year, Air New Zealand snatched the title from Australia-based Qantas.

AirlineRatings.com editor-in-chief Geoffrey Thomas explained in a press release that "there is very little between the top 20, they are all standouts."

"Our top 20 safest airlines 2022 are always at the forefront of safety innovation, operational excellence, and the launching of new more advanced aircraft like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787."

Air New Zealand is the safest airline in the world for 2022, according to AirlineRatings.com, with carriers like Etihad Airways, TAP Air Portugal, Qatar, Qantas, Lufthansa, and Finnair also making the list. Five US carriers also earned top spots, including Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines, and United Airlines.

According to Thomas, ANZ earned the title because of its superb incident record, number of technological innovations and cockpit advancements, comprehensive pilot training, and low fleet age, which averages just 6.8 years.

AirlineRatings also said ANZ's pilots operate in harsh weather conditions and remote environments, adding to the carrier's safety ranking. Moreover, the airline excelled in COVID policies and practices.

"Air New Zealand has won countless awards and has a firm focus on safety and its customers and over the past 18 months, COVID-19 has brought yet another new dimension to the challenges," Thomas said.

According to the organization, the 2022 awards were based on six factors, including crashes in the past five years, serious incidents over two years, audits from aviation governing bodies, government audits, fleet age, and COVID policies.

However, Thomas clarified that all airlines experience incidents and that it is not always the fault of the carrier when things go wrong, but sometimes rather the aircraft or engine manufacturer.

"It is the way the flight crew handles these incidents that determines a good airline from an unsafe one," he said.

There were several ranking shifts in 2022 compared to 2021, most notably were Qantas losing its crown to Air New Zealand after a three-year winning streak, Southwest Airlines falling out of the top 20 after ranking number 13 last year, and TAP Air Portugal being named Europe's safest carrier after not making the list in 2021.

Here's a closer look at AirlineRatings' top 20 safest airlines in the world.

Emirates barely made the top 20 this year after ranking number five in 2021. The fast-growing airline, which is one of the flag carriers of the UAE, is based in Dubai and operates the world's largest fleet of Airbus A380 aircraft. Emirates flies routes within the Middle East, as well as to destinations in Africa, Asia, the South Pacific, North America, Europe, and South America.

US-based United Airlines jumped one spot in 2022's safest airline list after barely making the top 20 in 2021. The airline is one of the world's largest carriers after merging with Continental Airlines in 2010 and operates a strong domestic and international network to over 120 destinations worldwide.

US-based Delta Air Lines dropped four spots in this year's ranking. The airline is a large international carrier, having merged with Northwest Airlines in 2008. Delta operates to destinations across the Middle East, Central and South America, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe out of its several US hubs.

British Airways fell seven spots from number 10 in 2021. BA is headquartered in England and is the flag carrier of the United Kingdom. The carrier flies to dozens of cities across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas, operating out of three London-area airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, and London City.

Air France-KLM is a European airline holding company that was formed after the two airlines merged in 2004, though both operate under their own individual brands, according to CAPA. Air France, which did not make the list in 2021, is the national airline of France and is based at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Meanwhile, KLM, which jumped three spots from last year, operates as the Dutch national carrier and has its hub at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

Helsinki-based Finnair jumped two spots from number 17 in 2021. The airline is the national carrier of Finland and operates a vast domestic and international network, flying regional routes in Finland and Scandinavia as well as long-haul routes to Asia, Europe, the US, and Canada.

Lufthansa, which ranked 18 in 2021, is based in Frankfurt and operates a large international network across Europe, the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, North America, Latin America, and Africa. The carrier is part of the larger Lufthansa Group that also consists of Swiss International Air Lines, Edelweiss Air, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, and Eurowings Discover, according to the company.

American Airlines jumped two spots from number 15 in 2021. The Dallas/Fort Worth-based carrierhas a robust domestic and international network carrying passengers to destinations in Europe, the Asia Pacific, Central America, and South America.

Hawaiian Airlines maintained its number 12 spot in 2022. The carrier is a US-based airline operating flights out of its hubs at Honolulu International Airport on O'ahu and Kahului Airport on Maui. The carrier flies around the Hawaiian islands, offers routes to the continental US, and operates international service to Asia, the Pacific, and Australia.

Cathay Pacific Airways dropped two spots from number nine in 2021 to rank 11 this year. The carrier is based in Hong Kong and operates regional and international flights to the Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic, which ranked number 11 in 2021, operate under the Virgin brand but do not compete on overlapping networks, according to the airlines. Virgin Australia is based in Brisbane and is Australia's second-largest carrier, operating routes across Australia, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and South Africa. Virgin Atlantic is UK-based and operates flights to North America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia.

EVA Air dropped three spots from number six last year. The Taiwanese carrier is based in Taipei and is the second-largest airline in the country behind China Airlines. EVA flies regional and international routes to destinations in Asia, Australia, Europe, Canada, and the United States.

Alaska Airlines is the highest-ranking US-based carrier on the top 20 list, maintaining its number eight spot from 2021. The Seattle-based carrier is partnered with American Airlines and is a new Oneworld member. Alaska operates domestic flights across the US as well as international routes to Canada, Central America, and Mexico.

After being crowned the world's safest airline in 2021, Qantas lost the title to Air New Zealand this year. The national carrier is based in Australia and operates routes to New Zealand, the Americas, Asia, South Africa, and Europe.

Scandinavian Airlines, better known as SAS, jumped an impressive 10 spots in 2022 from number 16 last year. The Stockholm-based carrier is the national airline of three Scandinavian nations, including Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. SAS operates routes around Europe and Scandinavia, as well as to Asia and North America.

TAP Air Portugal, also known as TAP, made its way into the top 20 list this year after not ranking in 2021. The national carrier of Portugal, which is Europe's safest airline for 2022, operates routes across Europe, North America, South America, and Africa.

Singapore Airlines maintained its number four spot in 2022. The national carrier is known for its strong long-haul product and serves destinations in Asia, North America, Australasia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Qatar Airways dropped one spot this year after being named the number two safest airline for 2021. The Doha-based airline is the national carrier of Qatar and is one of the world's fastest-growing airlines, according to the company. Qatar maintains an extensive network of routes across the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and North America.

After ranking number seven in 2021, Etihad Airways jumped to number two this year. The Abu Dhabi-based airline is one of the flag carriers of the UAE and flies to destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia.

Rounding out the top 20 list this year is Air New Zealand after taking the number three spot in 2021. ANZ is the country's national carrier and serves Australia, the Pacific, Asia, and North America.

Read the original here:

Safest airlines in the world according to experts - Business Insider

Malcolm Hood's decision to go on tour with the Cavaliers to South Africa in 1986 resulted in threats to burn down his family home with his wife and young children inside it. Photo / Michael Craig

Former All Black physiotherapist Malcolm Hood shares some remarkable stories from his long career with Neil Reid

Leading sports physiotherapist Malcolm Hood has revealed he received a chilling threat that his family home would be torched with his wife and children inside it if he travelled to South Africa with the rebel Cavaliers rugby team.

And in an exclusive interview with the Herald, the former long-time All Black physio has also revealed more about the financial benefits the controversial Cavaliers enjoyed.

The 1986 tour was organised privately after the issuing of a court injunction saw the cancellation of the scheduled All Blacks' tour of South Africa a year earlier.

The Cavaliers featured all but two of the 30 players originally selected for the aborted All Blacks tour; with David Kirk and John Kirwan making themselves unavailable for the unsanctioned team.

Hood who by 1986 had ended his lengthy stint as All Black physio was a late call up to provide care for the touring team.

In an exclusive interview with the Herald, he revealed that before leaving the country he received a chilling threat directed at his family.

"A young person walked up to me and asked, 'Are you going over to South Africa?'. I replied, 'Well, why do you ask that?'. I was then told: 'If you go to South Africa, I will get my brothers to burn your house down'.

"I said, 'Well what purpose will that serve?'. They then said, 'We will burn your family . . . burn your wife, your family, your children'."

The threat was reported to police, with the Hoods' then home in Waiuku being put under police surveillance.

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A nearby farm owned by Cavaliers and All Black captain Andy Dalton was also monitored by police.

It wasn't the first time the police had stepped in to provide protection for high-profile rugby figures involved in sporting fixtures against the Springboks.

In the lead-up to, and during, the Springboks' controversial 1981 tour of New Zealand the homes of Hood and some members of the All Blacks were put under police surveillance.

While the disturbing threat issued to Hood personally was never acted upon, there were several incidents of arson in the Waiuku area around the time of the Cavaliers tour.

The threat never saw him question going on the unsanctioned tour.

"I know it sounds weird, but we had our minds so much on the mission that it wasn't frightening," he said.

"We were determined to do what we were doing."

Hood also revealed that one of his young children was targeted while he was away travelling with the Cavaliers through South Africa.

"One of our boys was beaten up and had his head shoved down a toilet because I was on tour," he said.

"It was crazy; he didn't have any say over whether I went on a tour or not. That's what we had to put up with."

Meanwhile, Hood confirmed he had been paid $20,000 by South African officials who organised the Cavaliers tour to travel as the side's physio.

Hood said that sum was based on what his earnings would have been at his physiotherapy clinic for the duration of the Cavaliers tour.

He said there was also "no doubt" that players on the tour also benefited financially; something which put them offside with rugby's then amateur status.

In the 35 years since the tour, various theories over what the Cavaliers might or might not have received have been aired; including claims players might have been paid in diamonds.

Hood said the deals were more about compensation over lost earnings from jobs back in New Zealand.

"It was the first time we came out even [from a tour].

"They [the players] weren't paid directly [for playing], but they received something. And I don't begrudge them that."

The Cavaliers lost the four-match series against the Springboks 3-1. On their return home, the players were handed two-test bans.

Hood stressed that as far as he was concerned, not one member of the Cavaliers playing or management staff went on the trip for financial gain.

A veil of secrecy shrouded their departure from New Zealand.

Most players left in small groups, travelling with overnight bags and no team-issue gear. The groups who flew out from New Zealand met later in Hong Kong, before then hooking up with several players who were already in Europe playing for invitational teams.

Secrecy also surrounded a night-time visit that Hood paid to the Soweto township during the Cavaliers' late-tour stay in Johannesburg.

The township was the scene of an uprising in 1976 which saw police eventually opening fire on 10,000 students. Estimates of how many black students died that day range from 176 to over 700.

Due to security fears including rioting - the Cavaliers management and their security detail banned squad members from visiting Soweto.

Hood initially found a local who promised to take him to the township, only for the man to back out saying the trip would be "too dangerous".

But that person eventually found a replacement after Hood told him: "In my book no one breaks a promise".

"We went through the back roads. I remember the fires on the side of the road and driving through them," Hood said.

At one stage he was hidden under a blanket to keep his presence secret. When they finally stopped outside a shebeen - an unlicensed bar selling homebrew beer - Hood was initially told to stay in the car.

"He later came out and said 'come on in'. He introduced me to a woman and said, 'This is the Queen of Soweto'," Hood said.

"We got along really well and we talked politics. She said, 'You are safe in Soweto'. I felt pretty secure there even though it was late at night . . . and there were 50 murders a week."

A British journalist later almost busted him for the unapproved visit.

"One member of the British press came to see me one morning at breakfast and said, 'I heard you went into Soweto at night'," Hood said.

"I just said, 'I don't know where you go that story from'. He asked if it was true and I replied: 'Do you think anyone would be able to go into Soweto at night with all these riots taking place?'. He said no and disappeared."

Rebel tour security: 'What I have in my bag will kill you'

Heavily armed troops guarded the Cavaliers 24/7 throughout the 1986 rebel tour of South Africa.

Members of South Africa's elite special forces protected the side from the moment they flew into Johannesburg in mid-April 1986.

The squad was also allocated a floor in the city's brand new Johannesburg Sun Hotel, with an ever-present security detail.

"We were told that we would not be able to get in and out of our floor without first going through their special forces," Hood said.

"We were accompanied by their special forces the whole way through South Africa. They were on the bus . . . everywhere we went they were looking after us."

Given the amount of time the security forces spent alongside the Cavaliers, Hood and some of the players developed a strong bond with some of the elite soldiers.

One of them was the personal bodyguard of then South African president P.W. Botha.

Another special forces member who travelled on the Cavaliers' bus constantly had with him a satchel stuck together with velcro which peeked the players' interest.

"I asked him what he had in there and he said, 'What I have in my bag will kill you'," Hood said.

One day the soldier left the bag momentarily unattended, with a member of the squad opening the bag to find an Uzi submachine gun and several grenades.

The closeness between security and members of the Cavaliers saw Hood and star backs Bill Osborne and Steven Pokere spending several hours shooting a variety of weapons at a military firing range.

"At the end of the day, with a bit of humour, they said you have just used $4000 worth of ammunition sponsored by the South African government and you have just used $2500 worth of AK47 ammunition sponsored by Russia."

Read the original:

Chilling Cavaliers rugby tour threat: 'We will burn your family' - New Zealand Herald

New Zealand has seen an explosion in glamping escapes as Kiwis embrace exploring their backyard like never before.

We've stayed in dozens and here are our best picks from around the country.

Brook Sabin/Stuff

Tui Hilltop is in Maungakaramea.

One of the most popular spots in Bali is Ubud, where luxury villas line the hilly hinterland.

A trip to Bali is off the cards at the moment, but the next best thing is found less than two hours drive north of Auckland where youll find our very own version of Ubud.

READ MORE:* Pacific Coast Highway: A road trip of secret spots most have never heard of* Matai Peak: a secret slice of heaven above the clouds* Pukeiti Piwakawaka Family Hut, Taranaki: New Zealand's cheapest treehouse for families* Pepin Island: Experience one of New Zealands pristine private islands for $190 a night

Tui Hilltop is an off-grid series of huts perched on the side of a mountain, where Greg Hall has spent 20 years meticulously landscaping the grounds.

The retreat comprises three huts; a kitchen and dining area, a glass-lined bedroom, and a separate shower block with composting toilet.

You'll be surrounded by the sounds of birds and may even wake up above the clouds as we did. On those mornings, you really do feel like you're in heaven.

Brook Sabin/Stuff

Moonlight Peak is reached via a steep 4WD track youll be driven to the top.

On a towering hilltop overlooking the Wairarapa is adults-only retreat Moonlight Peak, which feels a bit like spending a night in a luxurious lair overlooking your kingdom below.

This isn't glamping in the traditional sense of the word it's more like a designer off-grid solar-powered cabin but it does have a few rustic elements. One of those is the journey there: you'll be met by the hosts and transported up a steep off-road track to the retreat.

From there, you will be a prisoner of the peak and won't be able to leave until you're picked up. But not to worry; you'll have a hot tub with magnificent views to help soak up the time.

Brook Sabin/Stuff

The bath tub at Rocky Point Hut on Pepin Island.

Need a little alone time? How does a $13.5 million island sound? Pepin Island is just 30 minutes from Nelson, and you can drive right onto the island thanks to a causeway. Once you arrive, you'll find a hilly 518-hectare sheep and beef farm with three eco-chalets dotted around the island.

One of the chalets, known as the Rocky Point Hut, is on the far side of the island, so unless you want a sweaty start to your romantic break I'd suggest taking the farm transport and paying a little extra. This hut has an incredible outdoor bath overlooking the sea.

Once you're there, not even the International Space Station will have a clue what you get up to both the Rocky Point and Passage Huts overlook the ocean. And they're under $200 a night, which is exceptional value.

They're basic but you get to enjoy one of the most underrated feelings in 2022: peace.

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Nest Tree Houses is so popular, its hard to get a spot.

Who doesn't want to relive their childhood and spend the night in a tree house?

Nestled near the mountains in Kurow, which is just over half an hour drive from marama, you'll find Nest Tree Houses.

The cosy cabin, with an indoor bathroom and outdoor kitchen, is on stilts up in the trees and has a suite of little luxuries. One of them is a Netflix-enabled TV that folds down from the ceiling for those bad weather days when you want to stay in bed all day.

But there is more, after all, good things come in trees. Take a little walk through the forest, and you'll find what looks like a submarine suspended in the air.

Ascend a boardwalk, and you'll discover its a tree house sauna, with a transparent dome at one end overlooking the forest.

The tree house is proving so popular, construction of a second is under way.

Growing up in New Zealand, many of our favourite memories are school camps. You can now recreate that with family or friends at an escape an hour from Auckland.

Glam Camping at Castaways is found on the hills above the wild Karioitahi Beach. It's most famous for its coastal tents, designed as a romantic escape for couples.

However, the resort is also home to a separate glamping village, which has 12 tents and 24 bedrooms making a capacity of up to 48.

On top of that, there's a massive central marquee, dining room and outdoor firepit and pizza oven.

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Wai Ora is between a river and lake.

If you've ever been lucky enough to explore Hawke's Bay, most people first take a look at Napier, Hastings and Havelock North.

However, a visit to Central Hawke's Bay gets you right off the beaten track, with Wai Ora glamping an ideal place to catch up with friends.

This retreat is at the luxury end, with three main cabins.

There is a large central kitchen and lounge with leather couches around a roaring fire.

There are also two rustic cabins; one overlooks a river, the other a lake. There's also a large hot tub.

It's an ideal location for two couples to catch up in a place so good, you won't want to leave.

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Indo Kiwi is 15 minutes from Charleston and an excellent place to stargaze.

On a remote stretch of the West Coast, just over an hour north of Hokitika, you'll find a little Bali-inspired oasis.

Indo Kiwi has a small hut with an outdoor kitchen and bath but the real attraction here is the view: you're overlooking the raw beauty of the Tasman Sea.

With no light pollution, it's also one of the best places to tuck up next to the outdoor heater and watch the stars.

Brook Sabin/Stuff

The Pwakawaka Family Hut is reached by an hour-long walk.

If your kids love the idea of staying in a tree house, one of the cheapest places to do that is at Taranaki's Pukeit an enormous 360-hectare rainforest that sits adjacent to Egmont National Park.

It's also home to one of the world's largest collections of rhododendrons.

To reach the tree house, you and the family need to walk about an hour after which you'll reach the 12-person basic tree hut, with bunk beds.

From the expansive deck, you'll enjoy views of Mt Taranaki, and in the opposite direction, you can even see down to the coast. It costs $150 a night for up to 12 people.

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Clifton Glamping is full of luxury touches, although it still has an outdoor shower.

Cape Kidnappers is a playground for the rich and famous, with a night at the eponymous resort setting you back many of thousands a night.

However, on a separate farm, right at the base of the peninsula, is a chance to experience a night of luxury for a fraction of the price.

Clifton Glamping is tucked away on one of the oldest working farms in New Zealand, with an uber-comfy bed in a luxury setting there's even an indoor fire making it perfect for winter.

Brook Sabin/Stuff

Kokowhai Bay Glamping is a three-hour drive from Blenheim.

In one of the most remote corners of the Marlborough Sounds, you'll find a luxury glamping tent tucked away in its own bay.

It's called Kokowhai Bay Glamping, and combines all the magic ingredients: a luxury tent, hot tub, absolute privacy, and you're just a few steps from the water.

It's quite the adventure getting to this place: you'll need to drive the breathtaking Croisilles HarbourFrench Pass Road, which is a narrow windy road where extreme caution is needed: fatal car crashes have recently occurred there.

But take it extremely slow, and you'll be rewarded with one of the most beautiful places to unwind in total solitude.

Moonlight Peak: $450 a night, Wai Ora: From $310 a night for two, Tui Hilltop: $290 a night, Indo Kiwi: $290 a night. Bookable via canopycamping.co.nz

Castaways Village: From $140 per person. See: castaways.co.nz/glamping

Pepin Island: $110 to $190 a night. See: pepinislandfarm.co.nz

Nest Tree Houses: $490 a night. See: nesttreehouses.com

Pwakawaka Family Hut: $150 a night. See: trc.govt.nz/piwakawaka-family-hut

Clifton Glamping: From $350. See: cliftonglamping.co.nz

Kokowhai Glamping: From $220 a night. See: kokowhaibayglamping.co.nz

Staying safe: New Zealand is currently under Covid-19 restrictions. Face coverings are mandatory on all flights and public transport. Proof of vaccination or vaccine exemption may be required in some public venues under the traffic light system. Follow the instructions at covid19.govt.nz.

The author does photography for Canopy Camping, but inclusions in this article are based on merit.

Excerpt from:

Guide to glamping in New Zealand: Here are the best places to stay - Stuff.co.nz

As COP 26 takes place in Glasgow, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern talks to us about New Zealand's commitment to emissions reduction in an extended joint interview with the Herald, US broadcaster NBC and news agency AFP as part of Covering Climate Now, a coalition of international media reporting climate change. Video / NZ Herald

OPINION

The year is 2040 and Aotearoa New Zealand has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the commitment to keep global heating below 1.5C above pre-industrial temperatures.

The economy, society, local government, transport, housing and urban design, energy, land use, food production and water systems have all changed significantly. Fossil fuels have been mostly phased out internationally and import taxes are imposed on high emissions goods.

New Zealand is now a world leader in natural infrastructure, clean hydrogen energy, engineered wood and high quality low emissions food. Despite ongoing challenges, with a prosperous economy, most people think the transition was worth it. Cities are more pleasant places to live, air and water are cleaner, nature is more abundant.

Following the emissions budgets stipulated by the Zero Carbon Act in late 2021, emissions are now properly priced into all economic decisions. The Emissions Trading Scheme has been reinforced and the price of emitting carbon has stabilised at $300 per tonne, after hitting $75 in 2022 and $200 by 2030.

In 2026, New Zealand signed the International Treaty to Phase out Fossil Fuels, which prohibits fossil fuel extraction, phases out use and requires international cooperation on renewable energy.

Carbon import taxes mean many high emissions commercial activities are no longer economically viable. Trade unions have played a major role in the industrial strategy underpinning the transition to a lower emissions economy.

The Mori economy is bigger than any other sector and has benefited from wider international recognition of the long term value of climate and biodiversity work.

New Zealand's economy is based on productive activity that stays within planetary boundaries including emissions and pollution of land and water while respecting social requirements, such as a decent standard of living for all.

Building on their successful response to the Covid pandemic, marae-based organisations are prominent as centres of excellence for climate and economic strategy, health and social services, managed retreat from coastal areas and natural infrastructure development.

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Public financing was radically rebalanced in the 2020s, delivering more for local government and a greater partnership between councils, government and Mori organisations. This has enabled far better delivery of local services and much more meaningful connections within communities.

Councils and council organisations laid the groundwork for the climate transition, helping address the unequal impacts of climate change on different groups. Councils and mana whenua collectively administer substantial funds for regional development.

The government's 2022 Climate Budget provided the massive injection of funds required to redesign our cities, which are now organised around mass transit, safe and segregated routes for cycling and vibrant pedestrian areas. People can access fast, frequent light rail and dedicated busways with low cost fares. Less road space is required for driving, which is more accessible now for those who need it, including disabled people and service vehicles.

People travel between cities primarily via electric rail, managed by a new national passenger rail agency InterCity, which acquired the InterCity regional bus operator in 2023. Through major reforms in 2024, KiwiRail became a dedicated rail freight operator. A new government agency, OnTrack, oversees maintenance and renewal of tracks and rail infrastructure.

Passenger rail services run across the North Island main trunk line on improved electrified tracks at up to 160km/h. South Island rail uses hydrogen trains fuelled by locally produced green hydrogen.

Most of the work to upgrade transport, housing and energy infrastructure has been done by a new Ministry of Green Works set up in 2025. This ministry partners with local hap and iwi, as well as councils through regional hubs. It is backed by the government's expanded Green Investment Finance company.

Anger at the divide between property owners and renters culminated in a general rent strike in 2024. The government responded with new financial rules ending the treatment of housing as an asset class. Kinga Ora, Mori organisations and councils have undertaken a massive public housing construction effort.

Most new housing is now public infrastructure rather than private homes built to store individual wealth. Public ownership has expanded, in particular for entities that provide core services such as transport, energy and water.

In 2024, the government worked with councils to focus plans on quality universal design housing. Since the new building code was adopted in 2025, all new homes have high standards for energy efficiency and accessibility. Higher density apartments line public transport routes in the main centres, with terraced homes in smaller towns. Structural timber has replaced concrete and steel in many construction projects.

Changes to housing, transport and urban design have supported improvements in health, wellbeing and physical activity. Health improved dramatically after universal basic services were introduced in 2024 to cover free visits to the doctor and dentist as well as free childcare and elderly care.

Electricity generation has doubled, with a mix of wind, solar and geothermal. Many more energy storage facilities exist, including pumped hydroelectricity. Distributed energy is commonplace. Many councils have helped their communities set up local solar schemes and dozens of towns are completely independent of the national grid.

Green hydrogen is produced at the converted aluminium smelter at Tiwai Point using hydroelectricity. This is used in heavy industry and transport and exported from Southport.

In 2027, after New Zealand blew its first carbon budget, the government replaced MBIE with a new Ministry for Economic Transition. The ministry oversaw the transition to green jobs via a universal job guarantee scheme.

It also supported a dramatic reduction in energy use in all parts of society and the economy. This effort had a greater impact on emissions reduction than the replacement of energy and fuel with renewable sources.

In 2025 the government established a Natural Infrastructure Commission. The term "natural infrastructure" emerged in the 2020s as a term to include native forests, wetlands, coastal environments and other ecosystems that store and clean water, protect against drought, flooding and storms, boost biodiversity and absorb carbon.

The commission has supported massive land restoration for carbon sequestration and biodiversity purposes, with an annual budget of $5 billion from emissions revenue. Among other uses, the fund compensates landowners for land-use changes that reduce emissions and build up resilience.

Under the new Constitution of Aotearoa adopted in 2040, ownership of the Conservation Estate transferred from Crown ownership to its own status of legal personhood.

International carbon taxes have transformed agriculture. Dairy herds have reduced in size and New Zealand is known for organic, low emissions food and fibre. High quality meat and dairy products, as well as plant-based protein foods, supply international markets.

Seaweed and aquaculture operations have flourished. Along with regenerative agriculture, this transition has reduced pollution and emissions. With native ecosystems regenerated, ttara and harakeke can now be sustainably harvested for timber and fibre.

In urban and industrial settings water use has dramatically reduced. Every business, home and building stores its own water. Water use is measured and charges are levied for excess water use beyond the needs of the household. No water is ever wasted.

The country feels steadier than 20 years ago. There is hope for the future in a world that was full of uncertainty after the pandemic-stricken early 2020s.

Many government agencies and councils are now seen as useful and relevant, having been equipped with the money to provide housing, social services, environmental restoration and support for economic and land use change.

Moving away from high emissions exports was more successful than anyone expected, but it took strict rules to make it happen. Some in the business sector opposed more government direction and regulation, but it's widely accepted that relying on market forces would not have delivered a successful transition.

That approach had driven the country to the brink of failure on climate, biodiversity and social cohesion. Having been leaders in milk powder and tourism, the country now leads on natural infrastructure and the future of food, timber and energy.

In 2040, Aotearoa is a better place to be.

Thomas Nash is a Social Entrepreneur in Residence, Massey University.

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The Conversation: Aotearoa New Zealand is looking good in 2040 here's how we did it - New Zealand Herald