Trans Supermarket Staff Get Fair Treatment (Yes, That's News)

Supermarket chain Countdown is the first in the country to introduce a comprehensive policy to support trans employees. The

NZ Herald

reports that the newly-announced policy promises to support correct name and pronoun use, give employees the right to use toilets and changing rooms matching their gender identity, and allow them, to use leave—including sick leave—for medical treatments while transitioning. Countdown corporate affairs manager James Walker said there were currently two staff members transitioning in Auckland. "We wanted all our team to feel included and supported, so we felt this was the right thing to do," he said. Agender NZ president Tracee Nelley told the

Herald

the new policy was "spectacular". "I think it is one of the most amazing steps forward for a large scale business in this country," she said.

In a totally chill and no-need-to-be-alarmed development, toxic waste from a Wellington landfill is spreading through waterways and creating deformed snails. A new report found the leaking landfill was creating abnormal growth in native snails downstream, and had wiped out whole populations of water-dwelling invertebrates.There was a "70 to 80 percent reduction in the overall number of macroinvertebrates, a near disappearance of pollution–sensitive species and the presence of abnormally coloured and formed freshwater snails downstream of the discharge," it reads. RNZ reported the testing was started after complaints were made about the stream's water being discoloured and foaming in November last year. The report recommends urgent action to divert the stream away from the landfill, and capturing and treating any liquid coming from the dump.

Rugby league captain Jesse Bromwich says he was so wasted he doesn't remember the cocaine-snorting incident that resulted in him stepping down from leadership with the Kiwis and Storm. Bromwich and a teammate were alleged to have bought and snorted the coke in Canberra after their team's 30-12 loss to Australia. According to the NZ Herald, Storm chief executive Dave Donaghy said: "Jesse's knowledge or recollection of that evening are quite hazy at this stage. Clearly there was a number of players that partook in far too much alcohol which is a concerning matter in itself.
"His recollection of the evening, he is somewhat unsure of. What he does admit to is consuming far too much alcohol and putting himself in a position of risk. It looks like something of a trend is developing with hard-partying NEw Zealand rugby reps. This latest disgrace comes a few months after Australasian rugby internationals Ali Williams and James O'Connor were arrested by French police scoring cocaine outside a Paris nightclub; and ex–All Black Dan Carter was busted for drink driving.

The yearly feijoa harvests could be under threat, with introduced pests found in the north of New Zealand. Most recently an outbreak of Myrtle Rust disease has hit New Zealand, threatening native plants and introduced fruit species. The Ministry of Primary Industries told RNZ this morning that the outbreak, which started in Northland, was "no longer contained" The fungal disease is originally from South America, and has been killing large numbers of native trees in Australia since 2010. It spreads by air and is threatens natives including pōhutukawa, rātā, mānuka and kānuka, as well as introduced species including feijoas. The Myrtle Rust comes hot on the heels of news that infestations of guava moth were killing feijoa crops in the North Island. Gather ye feijoas while ye may.

Pharmac is getting a boost in this year's Budget with an extra $60 million to pay for new medicines. The funding will be spread over four years and go towards treatment for HIV, lung cancer, Hepatitis C and insomnia. This year's Budget doesn't come out until May 25, but the Government is already releasing announcements on upcoming spending, and expect more sweeteners over the next few weeks. So far there have been hints of more funding for mental health, support for low-income families and $27 million for Māori housing initiatives.