ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on October 5, 2026.
‘We are not a French province’ – Vanuatu slams pro-France lawmaker’s ‘racist rant’
RNZ Pacific reporters Vanuatu’s government has condemned a “shameful, racist, and neo-colonial rant” made by a pro-France New Caledonian lawmaker. Nicolas Metzdorf, a French politician from New Caledonia and a member of France’s National Assembly, made a social media post over the weekend calling out Vanuatu for “denouncing French sovereignty over Matthew and Hunter Islands
Samoan PM La’aulialemalietoa apologises for historical ‘Heil Hitler’ video
RNZ Pacific reporters Samoa’s Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa (La’aiuli) Leuatea Schmidt has apologised for a historical video in which he used the term “Heil Hitler”. “I have been made aware of historical video footage reported in the media relating to a private family gathering in Savai’i in 2007,” La’auli said in a statement today. “The footage
A magnitude 4.8 earthquake just shook southeast Victoria. Here’s why we may expect more
There’s a reason why Gippsland gets so many earthquakes, compared to most of Australia.
Before the budget: how Governor Phillip managed without cash in the colony
Without coins or British currency, Phillip managed the fledgling colony with a bunch of IOUs.
Anger, remorse, conspiracy theories: how sports fans cope when their club does wrong
After investing so much emotional energy in supporting a club, many fans struggle to manage public shame in overheated environments.
Kauri dieback threatens more than trees: it could change how much carbon forests store
New research shows forests affected by severe kauri dieback can shift from accumulating carbon to losing it, with mature trees particularly affected.
Albanese’s ratings slump in Redbridge poll after interest rate hike
In other polls, Victoria appears set for a change of government in its November state election.
Fiji PM Rabuka urges climate action as Pacific hosts pre-COP31 meeting
RNZ Pacific reporters Fiji’s prime minister has called on global leaders coming to the country to see and listen to the people on the climate frontlines as the pre-COP31 meeting is gets underway today. Sitiveni Rabuka addressed an interfaith church service yesterday ahead of the meeting this week. He said climate finance must reach the
New research looks at how screens are actually being used in Australian classrooms – the results may surprise you
Parents, teachers and students were all surveyed as part of a new study looking at how screens are used in NSW schools.
Friendships are important. Could (or should) they be legally recognised?
For many people, friends play second fiddle to partners and family. Here’s what legal recognition could change, and why getting there is tricky.
Breaking up NZ’s power gentailers sounds appealing. The consequences may not be
Splitting up NZ’s big gentailers promises more competition and lower power bills. But the economics of separating generation and retail are more complicated.
The disability royal commission laid bare violence, abuse and neglect. Three years on, what’s changed?
People with disability shared their harrowing experiences with the royal commission. But not everyone’s happy with the pace of change since.
The same satellite can have military and civilian functions. This creates a dilemma for NZ
As geopolitical tensions rise, dual-use satellite technology could threaten the many benefits of the space services New Zealand relies on.
BYD is reshaping Australia’s car market. How did it get here?
BYD is suddenly our second-highest selling car brand. Four key factors are behind its rapid ascent.
A new study finds that to counter misinformation online, we need to copy its style
How do you get reliable information to someone who isn’t looking for it? New research using Facebook ads suggests a change in language makes a big difference.
Here’s how scientists aim to speed up drug development for treating new viruses
Generating up to 100 times more antiviral drug candidates than was previously practical — in weeks rather than months or years — could improve the odds of finding a drug quickly when necessary.
The ‘dream job’ myth: Why a fulfilling career does not have to define your life
A more sustainable approach sees careers as one part of a meaningful life, not the entire foundation of it.
Protecting endangered species must include supporting habitats and nearby human settlements
The Barbary macaque is legally protected in Algeria; however, crop losses could increase hostility toward the species if farmers lack practical ways to protect their crops.
Africa’s new credit agency: why it’s needed
Credit ratings have become so important in the financing of development that Africa has seen fit to build its own agency.
Africa’s new credit agency: why it’s about a lot more than just ratings
The new credit rating agency set up by African countries was not established to replace the existing rating architecture but to expand it.