Source: Radio New Zealand

By Peter Hutchison and Helen Rowe, AFP with aditional reporting from RNZ

New Zealand High Commissioner to the UK, Hamish Cooper, has attended a meeting discussing joint action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement from a spokesperson for Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters, the discussions were ” collaborative and provided a useful opportunity to discuss diplomatic and political options for restoring freedom of navigation and the free movement of vital commodities through the Strait of Hormuz, including how countries might work together to achieve this.”

The statement also said the coming together of 40 countries for the meeting demonstrated “strong international agreement on the urgent need to restore freedom of navigation and see the Strait of Hormuz reopened.

It also alluded to the impacts felt in New Zealand due to the Strait being shut, saying it is directly impacting New Zealand’s economy and leading to higher fuel prices.

The statement said New Zealand will continue to work with partners to “identify a constructive way forward”, and that the talks are in line with “our longstanding commitment to freedom of navigation,” and reflects “the critical importance of this region to New Zealand’s economy.”

The meeting, hosted by the UK, included France, Germany, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and India.

The US did not attend the meeting.

The meeting wrapped up on Thursday (local time) with a demand for the “immediate and unconditional” reopening of the vital shipping route, but no immediate breakthrough.

“Iran is trying to hold the global economy hostage in the Strait of Hormuz. They must not prevail,” British foreign minister Yvette Cooper said in a statement.

“To that effect, partners today called for the immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait and respect for the fundamental principles of freedom of navigation and the law of the sea,” she added.

The strait has been virtually closed since the US-Israeli war against Iran started on February 28, impacting global supplies of important commodities including oil, liquid natural gas, and fertiliser.

That has led to a sharp rise in energy prices.

The foreign ministers and representatives who joined the call discussed a range of areas of “possible collective, coordinated, action,” Cooper added.

This could include increased diplomatic pressure, including through the UN, as well as possible sanctions, she said.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) meanwhile called Thursday for the UN Security Council to authorise the use of force to protect the key waterway.

Bahrain has proposed a draft resolution that would greenlight states to use “all necessary means” to assure free transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

However, the measure has divided the 15-member Security Council, with Russia, China and France — who each hold veto privileges — all voicing strong objections.

Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajanialso, who joined the virtual talks, called for a “humanitarian corridor” for fertiliser and other essentials through the strait to avoid a food disaster in Africa.

Cooper earlier slammed Iran’s “recklessness” over the strait as she kicked off the virtual meeting.

She said Iran’s blockade of the waterway was “hitting our global economic security”.

Around a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the strait in peacetime.

A total of 37 countries have signed a statement, first published last month, expressing “readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through” the shipping lane.

Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands are among those to have signed it.

The United States, China, and most Middle Eastern countries have not, according to a list provided by the UK government.

‘Unrealistic’

A spokesperson for the French foreign ministry said securing the Strait of Hormuz could “only take place once the intense phase of the bombing is over”.

French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking on a visit to South Korea, said a military operation to liberate the Strait of Hormuz was “unrealistic”, while lamenting Trump’s differing daily statements on the Iran war and NATO.

“There are those who advocate for the liberation of the Strait of Hormuz by force through a military operation, a position sometimes expressed by the United States,” Macron said.

“I say sometimes because it has varied, it is never the option we have chosen and we consider it unrealistic,” he said.

The virtual meeting hosted by Britain came after Trump urged oil-importing nations to show “courage” and seize the narrow strait.

“The countries of the world that … receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage,” Trump said in a prime-time address late Wednesday.

“Just take it, protect it, use it for yourselves,” he added.

Trump has said he would consider a ceasefire only when Hormuz is “free and clear”.

Many countries have however insisted any operation to protect seafarers using the strait could only come after a ceasefire.

“We are also convening military planners to look at how we marshal our collective defensive military capabilities, including looking at issues such as de-mining,” Cooper told Thursday’s meeting.

The channel normally sees around 120 daily transits, according to shipping industry intelligence site Lloyd’s List.

But since March 1, commodities carriers have made just 225 crossings, according to maritime intelligence firm Kpler, a 94-percent decrease on peacetime.

-AFP

(Additional reporting by RNZ)

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Police have arrested and charged two women after a kidnapping and aggravated robbery in Botany earlier this week.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dean Batey said on Tuesday, a woman was allegedly kidnapped in her own vehicle from outside a shopping centre on Chapel Road, Botany.

A 20 year-old and a 32-year-old are both due to appear in Manukau District Court on Saturday.

They are facing charges of kidnapping, aggravated robbery and injuring with intent to injure.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

The flooding of the Moa Point sewage treatment plant damaged its ”heart and nervous system”, Wellington Water says.

The catastrophic failure of the plant led to the significant, months-long discharge of untreated wastewater off Wellington’s South Coast.

In its latest update about the breakdown, Wellington Water said the February flooding of the plant damaged critical mechanical equipment, ”…including the odour treatment, sludge pumping and aeration equipment. Electrical damage included the PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), MCC (Motor Control Centre) systems, control instruments and cabling – essentially the heart and nervous system of the treatment plant.”

The water services provider said the scale of the damage was such that 14.5 kilometres of cables would need to be repaired or replaced.

Wellington Water said the damage assessment was done for insurance purposes and a final report would be made public ”as soon as appropriate”.

”The report may need to be reviewed as part of any potential insurance claim/s before being released to the public.”

The plant’s failure continues to see untreated sewage discharged into the sea, almost two months since its breakdown.

In an earlier report released by Wellington City Council, it outlined the failure may have been caused by air trapped in the pipes.

Wellington Water commissioned the engineering report on 5 February – the day after the failure – to understand how the plant could be operated during the recovery.

Experts from Stantec used software to develop a hydraulic model of the plant, and replicated the likely flow of water running through the plant when it failed.

While the report was not commissioned to identify the cause, it had revealed valuable information, Wellington Mayor Andrew Little’s office said at the time.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

A crash has closed a section of State Highway One in mid-Canterbury.

New Zealand Transport Agency said the crash happened near the intersection with Chertsey Kyle Road, between Ashburton and Rakaia.

The highway is closed between the intersections with Elizabeth Avenue and Somerton Road.

UPDATE 11:20AM
SH1 is now CLOSED between Elizabeth Ave, Rakaia and Somerton Rd.
Southbound traffic at Rakaia turn right onto Elizabeth Ave, then left onto Railway Tce, continue on Thompsons Track, then left onto Somerton Rd and back onto SH1. Reverse for northbound traffic. ^JP https://t.co/WskMzNbJYT pic.twitter.com/nGOKISBIwS

— NZ Transport Agency – Canterbury & West Coast (@nztacwc) April 2, 2026

Traffic is being diverted.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Police closed off two roads in Petone as part of their response to reports of a person with a possible firearm being seen in a street.

Three people have now been taken into custody, a police spokesperson said.

Emergency services were called at around 7.20am to the Lower Hutt suburb, and armed police were quickly deployed as a precaution.

Roads from East Street to Waione Street were closed in the area and the public were asked to stay away during the incident but they are open now with cordons and diversions removed.

Officers are continuing to investigate the matter.

Police are thanking the public for their patience if their Easter holiday weekend was slightly disrupted while emergency services worked at the scene.

They say they can reassure the community that there appears to be no further concerns, and officers will remain present around the area.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

The primary teachers’ union says there have been gains in the deal its members accepted following drawn out bargaining, despite the salary settings being the same as an earlier offer.

Educational Institute Te Riu Roa primary teacher members agreed to a 2.5 percent pay rise with a further 2.1 percent in January next year.

Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche said the pay increase was the same as was offered in December and the delay had cost primary teachers about $550 each.

NZEI Te Riu Roa primary teacher leader and bargaining team member Barb Curran said if the ministry had made the new offer earlier, a settlement could have been reached sooner.

She said there were gains in the final deal, including an increase to the camp allowance, funds for training and parity with secondary school teachers over allowances for extra duties.

“We will finally at the very end of the term of this have our management units be worth the same as a secondary unit. That’s been a point of contention for some time and an anomaly that no-one could satisfactorily explain.”

The value of a unit would increase from $4500 to $5250 by October 2028.

Around 60 percent of teachers qualified for extra duty payments, Curran said.

“We’re also pleased we’ve got some opportunity for our relievers to do some professional learning and development – you could argue that should be business as usual, that the government would be providing professional learning for all teachers, but our relievers have been missing out, so we’re pleased for them.”

The union had hoped to negotiate a payment to acknowledge the extra work involved in implementing the new curriculum but was unsuccesful, she said.

“We had hoped for some sort of recognition of that work. Primary principals received a lump sum to recognise that work towards the curriculum changes, and we were hoping primary teachers who were actually in the classroom doing the work would be offered something to recognise that.”

Curran said it was frustrating the pay offer was below inflation, especially when there were huge increases in costs around fuel that were seeping into other areas.

“But our members have made the decision, so we’ll move on. We have other things we need to work towards in the education sector.”

It had been a long, difficult bargaining period, including scathing public critiques of teachers by senior government ministers and an unprecedented offer to non-union members ahead of settlement, Curran said.

The union requested Employment Relations Authority intervention over the stalled pay talks earlier this year after rejecting a mediated offer it described as mostly unchanged from the rejected December offer.

Following facilitated bargaining, a proposed settlement was put to NZEI members late last month.

Under the terms of the settlement, teachers on the top two steps of the salary scale would receive a cumulative pay increase of 4.7 percent by January next year.

This meant teachers at the top of the pay scale would see their base salary increase to $107,886 per annum.

Teachers moving up the pay scale would continue to receive annual increases along with a cumulative 4.6 percent pay increase by January next year.

Secondary teachers accepted a similiar deal in December and primary school principals accepted an offer in February.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Police have arrested a person in Auckland after they rammed a police car and attempted to flee.

Inspector Keki Wilson said shortly before 10am on Good Friday police noticed a vehicle near Victor Street and Great North Road in St Lukes because of the way the car was being driven.

Wilson said police signalled for the vehicle to stop but “the driver failed to do so and fled, ramming a police vehicle, then continuing to flee”.

No one was injured and the vehicle only sustained minor damage, Wilson said.

The police Eagle helicopter assisted in tracking the vehicle to a location near St Lukes’ mall.

The passenger got out of the vehicle and was taken into custody, however the driver of the vehicle fled on foot.

A police dog unit followed the man, while the Eagle helicopter monitored from above, Wilson said.

A 33-year-old man was arrested in the St Lukes Mall carpark.

Inspector Wilson said inquiries were ongoing.

Meanwhile, police are encouraging members of the public to report any unsafe driving they see on roads this Easter holiday weekend.

“We encourage all road users to be safe on our roads,” Wilson said.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

A man who fatally crashed into a speeding motorcyclist had three drinks at the pub after a “busy day selling items” before he got behind the wheel.

Ronald Kelvin David Hills’ “momentary lapse of judgment” saw him turn in front of the father of three, Richard Chase, who was travelling on his motorbike at up to 90km/h on a 50km/h Hamilton street.

Chase’s death has devastated his family, who have now told Judge Gordon Matenga just how traumatic the past 11 months have been for them.

Hills, who now lives in Auckland with his son, was meanwhile fighting to stay out of prison.

‘Life isn’t the same’

Six of Chase’s close relatives had their victim impact statements read to the Hamilton District Court, including that of his 13-year-old daughter.

She said losing her dad was the “hardest thing I have ever had to go through”.

“My dad was always there for me,” she said at Hills’ sentencing on Thursday.

“He came to my sports games, supported my schooling, and never missed birthdays.

“He was the kind of dad who showed up no matter what.

“Life does not feel the same anymore. Sometimes, I still expect to see him or hear his voice.

“I will always carry him in my heart, but it’s not the same as having him here.”

Slurring his words

The court heard that around 4.30pm on May 7 last year, Hills was driving his Subaru west on Norton Rd, in Hamilton, after leaving the pub.

At the same time, Chase was speeding east on his Yamaha and pulling a “wheelstand”, or a wheelie.

He’d just dropped back down to two wheels before he reached the intersection with Maeroa Rd.

Hills, 63, had by then pulled into the turning bay to turn right into Maeroa Rd.

Traffic was heavy, and as he turned, Hills incorrectly judged the gap and turned directly into the path of Chase, who was travelling at between 80km/h and 90km/h.

Chase was thrown from his bike.

Members of the public and a nearby police unit performed CPR and a defibrillation attempt, but he never regained consciousness and died at the scene.

Hills, meanwhile, had turned into the Gull service station and spoke to police who could smell alcohol on his breath, and noted he was slurring his words.

He returned an excess breath alcohol level of 577mcg. The legal breath alcohol limit for driving is 250mcg.

A serious crash unit investigation found contributing factors of the crash were Hills’ alcohol level, Chase’s headlight being pointed in the air while doing the wheelstand, and his speed.

Determining culpability

Defence lawyer Glen Prentice asked the judge to look at the circumstances of the crash “as a whole” when determining his client’s culpability.

Effectively, he asked the judge to weigh up his client’s “poor decision making” with Chase’s speeding and wheelstand.

“It’s my submission that we will never know what role the defendant’s alcohol actually had in this crash.

“Could this crash have occurred but for his alcohol?

“Speed was a factor in this crash,” and due to that, it was unknown “how easily he would have been able to be seen”, he submitted.

Prentice said on the day of the crash, Hills had a “busy day selling items” before going to the pub where he had “about three drinks”.

Hills’ two previous drink driving convictions, from 1991 and 1992, were irrelevant, he said, as they happened more than 30 years ago.

He was remorseful and also had $10,000 to pay in emotional harm reparation.

They’re in court to ‘eyeball you’

Judge Matenga told Hills that Chase’s whānau and friends were in court today to “eyeball you”.

“That is part of the process.

“They have expressed their anger and frustration at you, but also their deeply felt loss.”

The judge accepted that Hills’ breath alcohol level was moderate, and not an aggravating feature of the crash.

Hills was also waiting in a turning bay to turn right.

“All of these actions are expected of any driver. I do not see these as being aggravated driving at all.”

However, the evidence did show that he failed to keep a proper lookout and give way, which involved a “momentary lapse of judgment”.

“At a time when that judgment was affected by the amount of alcohol you had consumed.”

The fact that Chase had just completed a wheelstand, moving his light up, and speeding were also factors.

“Drivers would not be expecting vehicles travelling much quicker than [50km/h],” the judge said.

As for Hills’ previous convictions, he agreed they were not relevant.

However, Hills had received several speeding tickets in the past, which was an indication of his poor judgment, the judge said.

Judge Matenga took a starting point of two years and nine months’ imprisonment, before allowing 30 percent in discounts, reducing the sentence to 23 months.

He commuted that to 11 months and two weeks’ home detention.

Hills was also disqualified from driving for 30 months and ordered to pay the $10,000 reparation immediately.

This story was first published by the New Zealand Herald.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police are asking the public to keep away from the East Street area in Petone as officers respond to an incident.

Armed officers were among those who were attending, a police spokesperson said on Friday.

The area is cordoned off, with road closures in place from East Street to Waione Street.

Diversion for traffic will be down Kirkcaldy Street onto Marine Parade.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Police investigating two deaths in Hamilton have arrested a 34-year-old man.

Two people were found dead at a property on York Street on Thursday afternoon.

Detective Inspector Stephen Ambler, Field Crime Manager, said later that evening, an injured man arrived at a hospital and “officers connected the man to the deaths”.

The man is due to appear in Hamilton District Court on Saturday faces two charges of murder.

Cordons remained in place on the street, Ambler said, and police were undertaking a scene examination.

“Police would like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and we are not looking for anyone else in relation to the matter,” Ambler said.

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One person has died following a crash on Moa Flat Road, Ettrick, in Central Otago.

Police were alerted to the single vehicle crash around 11.20am on Thursday.

A car had veered off the road and gone down the bank.

One person was found deceased at the scene.

The Serious Crash Unit were advised and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are continuing.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Inside nearly 300 pages of documents released by police lies a series of messages between Police’s director of media and strategic communications Juli Clausen and the CEO of a documentary crew Dame Julie Christie. National Crime Correspondent Sam Sherwood reports.

Police’s director of media and strategic communications Juli Clausen and Dame Julie Christie had been messaging each other for months before Clausen messaged details about Tom Phillips’ last hours.

On Thursday, police released 289 pages of correspondence in relation to the documentary including a series of messages between Clausen and Christie, the chief executive of a documentary production company.

This included the message at 6.14am on 8 September which began “I’m on a flight to Hamilton now”.

“I wanted to give u a heads up.. T [redacted] were involved in another burglary this morning. T has been shot – we have [redacted] We will do media but every man n dog there.”

The messages released on Thursday reveal the two women had been messaging since at least February last year.

The messages included conversations about the contract agreement, filming and even a message advising the documentary boss to go direct to the officer in charge, adding “everything discoverable so maybe ask for a call”.

Following the revelations, the police’s executive director media and communications Cas Carter said police were reviewing the processes around the management of the documentary. Asked about what confidence she had in Clausen she replied:

“That’s part of the review as well. That’s one of the many things that we’re looking at, at the moment.”

First contact

Documentary producer Karen Rutherford first approached Clausen about the documentary in October 2024.

By December, Christie had sent a “wishlist” to police.

The first text message between the two (according to the OIA) was on 28 February, when Clausen texted Christie shortly before 7pm.

“Hi Julie – sorry to bug u during happy hour. Do you have 5 mins for a quick chat pls. Juli Clausen.”

Shortly after she sends another text to say she was keen to get the crew back in on Wednesday.

“Regardless of where the agreement is at. We are all happy the intent to work together is there. Everything will make sense to you once you are read in.”

The following day Christie texted asking for another chat as the “guys in UK are meeting with Netflix on Monday and I would like to know what is acceptable to tell them”.

Clausen said Christie would be in a better position to update them after Wednesday.

“I have made a judgment to share more with just u so u can have some sense of what’s coming and think about how u organise.”

Christie and Rutherford met with the officer in charge of the investigation Detective Senior Sergeant Andy Saunders on 5 March. That evening Christie asked Clausen if she knew what the fee might be that they needed to pay police.

Clausen told her how much the cold case programmes were [this was redacted from the OIA].

Christie asked “should I put [redacted] or more?”

Clausen said she would talk to a colleague.

Christie also thanked Clausen for arranging the meeting with police.

“Today was fantastic,” she said.

“I’m beyond pleased. It’s a world first too which is even more amazing” she said in another message.

Clausen replied it was “pretty incredible access given our laws”.

“And it’s different because it’s not an unresolved case – it’s a live case. I’m going to work on STG [Special Tactics Group] next … they will be tough so need some space for them to agree.”

The contract

On 19 March, Clausen texted Christie to say she believed she had the agreement “almost ready”.

That evening at nearly 11pm, Christie texted her to say she had just got word that Netflix had signed the old contract, and would try and get the new one past them overnight.

The contract was formally agreed on 20 March.

About 5pm, Clausen emailed Police Commissioner Richard Chambers to say an agreement had been signed.

“It’s been an interesting and useful exercise to work our way through the terms of Agreement, and what’s reassuring is the certainty that Police will have final sign off.”

Clausen thanked Chambers for his support.

“It’s been helpful being able to say this project had your support.”

‘A saint!’

On 7 April, Christie texted Clausen saying she had a list of questions to send her in the morning. Clausen said she had some stuff for her as well.

Another text message was redacted in full.

In response, Christie said “Absolutely. Go well. I swear u r a saint!”

The following day, Christie asks Clausen to “call me asap”.

“Sounds like we have an issue”.

Clausen said she was “trying to resolve it”.

Christie said a person involved would only be with drone operations and “will never go anywhere else”.

“And we can accommodate separately if that helps. His background check was clear.”

Clausen said: “It’s not him – it’s our people. Talk soon”.

On 21 April, Christie asked if she could message Saunders direct.

“We respect completely reasons for not shooting at the drone base but wondered if we could perhaps get even 30 mins night-time flight today. That would satisfy our editorial needs.”

Clausen told her to “go direct”.

“Everything discoverable so maybe ask for a call.”

The early morning text

On 28 August, Christie texted Clausen asking if there was going to be a press conference that day. Clausen said it would be the next day.

On 29 August, Saunders fronted media to say police investigating a retail burglary in rural Waikato on 27 August believed Phillips was responsible.

After the press conference, Christie texted Clausen to say Saunders was “excellent. Better than I’ve ever heard him”.

Clausen said “we play bingo with the questions … we picked most of them”.

Then, at 6.14am on 8 September Clausen texted her to say she was on a flight to Hamilton.

“I wanted to give u a heads up.. T [redacted] were involved in another burglary this morning. T has been shot – we have [redacted] We will do media but every man n dog there.”

Christie appears to have replied immediately asking if she could call. Clausen said the door was closed, but would land at 7.30am.

“It’s big.”

Christie and the documentary crew appear to have been at the police station by 8am.

Clausen told Christie she had asked if they would be allowed to film the prep for the 11am media conference.

“To be clear, I’ve told Karen she is not coming with us to shoot prep. My decision re keeping us small.”

Just before 8am, Christie also asked if they could film Police Commissioner Richard Chambers arriving at the scene.

Christie was going to visit the scene with the officer in charge of the police investigation, dubbed Operation Curly.

Later that day, Christie sent Clausen a copy of a text she had received from another media outlet about the documentary. Christie asked if she would be around for a chat about the media query.

It appears the two women then met at a restaurant.

Two days later, Christie asked if a camera operator could attend the demolition of the campsite.

“Answer is no Julie!,” she replied.

“The weather will turn tomorrow and they are cranking thru to complete evidence gathering then dismantling and cam presence will slow them down. They said they will let u film when they find the main camp that always abandoned during drone phase. We need to leave them be today. Sorry!”

A few days later, Christie texted again asking when they might be able to join the team looking for the other camp.

“I think we need to leave some air space for now,” Clausen said.

“People v sensitive. I’m talking to them tomorrow hopefully.”

Christie said she hoped it was realised that all their filming “shows how hard the police team always worked to recover those children”.

“It would be disappointing not to be able to complete that story in the best possible way. I’ll keep in touch. So grateful for everything so far.”

In another message, Clausen told Christie police had received “a few OIAs”.

“Our normal process would be to consult u as part of reviewing for release. Wont be a quick turn around as we’ll need legal advice re contracts. But I do need to check one thing with u as soon as you can call. Thanks.”

‘I think Netflix is your issue’

The OIA also included messages between Clausen and Rutherford.

On 18 February last year, Rutherford texted Clausen about a potential sighting of Phillips that had been reported.

Clausen said there was “nothing to film”.

“We are needing to verify report which is looking like at the mo.”

Rutherford said it was a “real shame Juli”.

“The article indicates police have already been door knocking. So disappointing, we could have filmed. Please can we lock in a day to meet Andy, by the end of today? Netflix has already questioned why we weren’t told.”

In response, Clausen said “Karen – we don’t have a written agreement or obligation yet”.

“I think Netflix is your issue to manage at the moment. I will work really hard to make it up to u but I think we will need to set some really strong and clear lines to protect the investigation.”

‘Incredibly regrettable’

Police’s executive director media and communications Cas Carter said on Thursday police were reviewing the processes around the management of the documentary, and “considering whether we need to reassess the protocols for handling such projects”.

RNZ asked Carter what confidence she had in Clausen and what concerns she had about the correspondence and whether the relationship with Christie was appropriate.

She replied: “The documentation of the communications has prompted many questions that will all be part of the review. I won’t be pre-empting that review.”

In an interview on Checkpoint, Carter said the decision to tell the documentary crew before Phillips’ family found out was “incredibly regrettable”.

She said there were a number of things that had been revealed in the OIA process that concerned her “in terms of the conversations between our people and the documentary crew”.

She did not know who gave the documentary crew permission to go into an active crime scene.

Asked if she retained confidence in Clausen, Carter replied:

“That’s part of the review as well. That’s one of the many things that we’re looking at, at the moment.”

Pressed further, Carter said she needed to review what happened during the period in question before she could comment further.

“I’ve just started reading all of this, and … I am concerned about everything that happened … that’s thrown up a lot more questions than I have answers for at the moment, and that’s why we’re looking into it further.”

She was also asked about the message from Clausen to Christie where she said “everything discoverable so maybe ask for a call”.

“That’s one of the things that I read and went ‘that’s very interesting conversation that I need to find out more about, what was the intent behind that?’”.

Carter said police still believed the idea of having a documentary was a good one, and that at the moment they still had a contract with the production company.

Chambers said on Thursday there was a “constructive relationship” between police and the documentary team.

“However, it has become apparent this documentary was not always handled in line with the usual protocols and processes that apply to documentaries police take part in.

“That included decision-making and oversight around the access the documentary crew were given at various points.

“I would not have allowed access to what was an active crime scene and had not been aware that was happening ahead of time.”

He said had he known it was to happen he would have stopped it.

“I am also disappointed the documentary team was told ahead of the family and of other media about the events of the night Tom Phillips died.

“The strict conditions that applied to the documentary project did give Police the ability to protect any sensitive information and that meant the documentary team could be given more access to Police operations than media would usually be given.”

Chambers said he would be concerned if there were any instances in which the documentary’s interests meant media did not get information or access they would otherwise have got.

“That does not serve the public interest. This was a high-profile investigation and, in my view, it is crucial police share as much as they possibly can with the media during such investigations because of the legitimate public interest.

“I have asked for further information to be sure this was handled appropriately at all stages and to allow us to consider whether police need to reassess the way we engage in such projects.”

He said police had a long history of cooperating on documentaries or programmes involving ongoing investigations.

“They offer unique and interesting insight for the public into police work and into the investigation in question.

“I do not want that to change in the future, however I do want to be certain we have robust processes in place to ensure they are handled well and fairly.”

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Two people have been found dead at a property in Hamilton East.

Detective Inspector Stephen Ambler said the deaths were under police investigation and at this stage being treated as “unexplained”.

Ambler said police were notified about 4pm on Thursday that two people had been found dead at a property on York Street.

An investigation was underway to find out what happened at the property.

Cordons remained in place on the street, Ambler said, and a scene guard would remain in place overnight.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

A Wellington businessman who had pleaded not guilty to posting harmful digital communications has had his name suppression continued.

The 57-year-old man appeared in Wellington District Court last month charged with making a Facebook post that would cause harm to an ordinary or reasonable person and that in doing so, caused serious emotional distress.

In court it was agreed that Judge Bruce Davidson would consider the matter of the accused’s suppression based on written submissions from the parties involved.

In a judgement released on Thursday, Judge Davidson said the defendant argued that there was a “real and appreciable risk” that publication of his name would cause him and his family “extreme hardship, endanger his safety, and lead to identification of the victim/witness of the alleged offending”.

The charge related to an alleged offence on 13 January, 2026 in Wellington.

The defendant denies the charge, claiming he was not responsible for the social media post.

The judge’s decision stated that the alleged victim said the post was completely untrue and highly defamatory, and that there was a high level of stress and anxiety, both personally and professionally, arising from such offensive and unfounded allegations.

The judge said the defendant accepted he has openly sought publicity in a variety of ways.

“He is undeserving of suppression.

“He has openly courted publicity and the suggestion that publication of his name would cause him extreme hardship is fatuous.”

However, he said if the defendant’s name was published there was a real risk it could identify the alleged victim.

“As unconscionable as it sounds, by allegedly making such a dreadful Facebook post about his alleged victim, the defendant’s name, in the interim at least, must be suppressed to prevent the risk of further reputational and emotional damage” to the alleged victim.

The interim suppression would therefore remain in place.

Interim name suppression continues for the alleged victim.

The man is due to reappear in court in June.

The accused faces a maximum penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Christchurch city councillors has voted to add more air to sewage ponds at its troubled Bromley treatment plant to reduce the stench that’s afflicted parts of the city for years.

The council backed a staff recommendation to add 16 aerators which will provide oxygen to some of the ponds, assisting in breaking down sewage.

Staff say the putrid stench that has plagued residents on the city’s east since a fire damaged a plant in 2021 is caused by high Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels.

It’s hoped the new activated sludge system the council is building will solve the issue, but with the repairs not due to come online until 2028, a surge in stench over summer resulting in thousands of complaints each month and an abatement notice from the regional council, the pressure was on for a temporary fix.

A controversial plan floated by mayor Phil Mauger which caused backlash in some quarters, raised the ire of the minister for oceans and fisheries and caught the regional council unaware was not recommended by staff who warned of potential environmental and health risks.

Instead, the staff recommendation to add 16 more aerators, which will bubble or pump air into the sewage increasing the ability to break down into CO2 and sludge, passed 15 votes to two.

Staff said this option, which would reduce the risk of offensive smells on 95 percent of days a year, would cost $7.7 million dollars,

Another option to add 21 aerators, which was modelled to reduce the risk on 99 percent of days a year at a cost of $11.2 million dollars was not recommended by staff.

Several councillors noted they would have preferred that option, which added in extra capacity and provided more assurances to local residents, who have suffered from migraines, nausea, respiratory issues and mental health impacts since the 19 day blaze destroyed key infrastructure at the plant in 2021.

“I’m frustrated that we’re not putting up the 99 [percent odour reduction option] first, because I believe we don’t have any social licence out there in Bromley any longer and any possibility of the stench coming back in the future, I don’t believe we have that luxury,” councillor Mark Peters said.

He said the plan couldn’t come soon enough.

“It’s been really tough watching the people in Bromley suffering through this episode and my heart, from the other side of the city, goes out to you.”

Councillor Andrei Moore agreed the option of more aerators should have been put to the vote.

But he said he was relieved something would finally be done, and at staff assurances it would take three weeks to add more aerators if needed.

“I struggle to stand that stench for more than three minutes, I can barely begin to imagine how the locals have gotten by.”

Peters and Moore voted against the 95 percent reduction option.

Councillor Celeste Donovan told the meeting odour from the plant had been an issue in the area for decades, but the worst of it had plagued the area for close to five years.

She said she was also disappointed the more comprehensive option had not been put forward.

“I think we can all agree we’ve heard the community view, and I can say with some confidence this is not the time for anything less than the full option. We need to do it once, we need to do it right.”

She said she would support the 95 percent option, because “we just need to get on and do something”.

But she said the 99 percent option provided a third more aerators, as well as a buffer and redundancy in the system.

“To me that’s good value for money for a community that’s been short-changed for too long.”

While the upfront costs were higher, “we can’t afford any further uncertainty when it comes to this community, and any further impacts that fall on them is a cost we can’t afford to pay.”

Councillor Yani Johanson told the meeting he would have preferred the 99 percent option.

“We owe it to this community to minimise and mitigate the risk as much as we can, rather than leave any risk that they would go through the hell that they’ve been through in the past, in the future.

“We cannot change the past, but we can change the future,” he said.

“Today is about addressing recognising we’re doing something constructive and positive to address an ongoing issue that has happened in our community, particularly in the east of the city, that’s had an adverse and significantly negative impact.”

The council also passed a motion noting a trial of a “biochemical additive product” to reduce odour was underway, and that staff would apply it more widely if it was found to be effective.

A council spokesperson said they could not disclose details of the product until after the Easter break.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

New data from the country’s biggest bank shows the impact of the start of the fuel price rise on New Zealanders’ spending.

Card spending at fuel stations jumped almost 30 percent in March, or 20.6 percent when seasonally adjusted.

Chief economist Sharon Zollner said, using Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment fuel price data, it seemed that almost all of the increase was due to prices, not volumes.

“Fuel volumes actually went up a little bit despite the cost increase because there’s been lots of stories about people making sure that their car is full and farmers filling up their utes and whatnot, just in case.

“That would have been offset by people probably driving less because the cost of driving has increased but that netted out to a small volume increase.”

Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan said it did seem that people were stocking up because they were worried fuel could be more expensive if they did not buy it now, or because they were worried about the security of supply.

“Now they’ve fuelled up as much as possible, they’re probably responding by cutting back in terms of their driving behaviour and fuel use as much as possible.”

Spending on public transport was up 14.2 percent.

Spending at car and truck dealers lifted 14.8 percent as EV sales lifted sharply. There were 2890 full battery electric vehicles registered last month, the single biggest since the end of the clean car discount and four times the number of March last year.

But there were signs that people might have been shifting their spending – spending at fast food, cafes, restaurants and bars dropped in the month.

“Some people have a buffer that they can use to smooth things out but quite a lot of people don’t and so if they’re having to have to drive and they have to fill up the car then it leaves less money over for other things and so it looks like hospitality took a bit of a hit.

“With only one month of data you’ve got to be a little bit cautious because these things do bounce around a bit month to month but it was pretty consistent across bars, cafes and restaurants and fast food. It all saw a drop in the month so I suspect that’s not coincidence.”

Secondhand shop spending also dropped, which Zollner said might reflect the impact of fuel prices on lower-income households.

She said there was also a drop in spending in supermarkets, which could reflect people being more careful about their grocery shopping.

Overall, card spending rose 1.2 percent in March when seasonally adjusted, and was up 6.2 percent compared to a year earlier.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

The Social Investment Agency has commissioned an independent external review of its procurement practices for contracts over $100,000.

The announcement follows the resignation of Social Investment Agency (SIA) deputy chief executive Kylie Reiri in February while under investigation in relation to allegations of bullying and harassment.

It also follows the resignation of former SIA chief executive Andrew Coster who quit in December following a scathing Independent Police Conduct Authority report.

The SIA confirmed to RNZ as part of an Official Information Act request on Thursday that they had commissioned an independent external review of its procurement practices for contracts valued over $100,000.

“The review is intended to provide assurance that procurement activity complies with the Government Rules of Sourcing and is appropriate for the scale and complexity of the agency’s work. This review is ongoing.

“While the review is underway, SIA continues to apply contract and work management practices to ensure that procurements support delivery of the agency’s work programme and provide value for money.

This includes ongoing oversight of supplier performance and alignment of contracted work to evolving agency priorities.”

Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz

As the review had not been completed, SIA was not in a position to confirm whether any procurement activity breached the Government Rules of Sourcing, required an exception to those rules, or whether proper procurement processes were followed in all cases during the period in question.

RNZ also asked for a copy of all briefings, correspondence and reports in relation to investigations into Reiri.

“SIA has identified 63 documents within scope of your request. These documents relate to employment related processes and the internal consideration of allegations, including terms of reference, correspondence, and one email relating to alleged financial and procurement matters.

“The documents concern sensitive employment and internal matters and contain personal information. It is necessary for SIA to be able to manage employment issues and assess allegations effectively, including by enabling staff and other parties to communicate freely and candidly in the course of such processes.”

SIA provided a table setting out all contracts with a value of over $100,000 that were initiated or maintained during the relevant period.

“Ten of these contracts related to work within the scope of the Deputy Chief Executive – Strategy and Performance and/or the Deputy Chief Executive – Technology, Transformation and Enabling Services roles.

“While this includes all contracts within those functional areas, not all of the contracts listed involved work commissioned or directed by the former Deputy Chief Executive.”

The OIA said that while Reiri held “certain budget delegations”, responsibility for budgets “ultimately rested with the former Chief Executive”.

Lawyers acting for Reiri earlier told RNZ in response to questions that she was not aware of any allegations relating to financial and procurement irregularities concerning herself or any other person.

“To the extent there are any allegations of this nature, these are false and denied.”

In an email on 12 February, released to RNZ, SIA’s acting chief executive and secretary for social investment Alistair Mason said Reiri had resigned.

“We acknowledge the contribution Kylie has made during her time here. We thank her for her service to the organisation and wish her well for the future,” he said.

“I know you may have questions, however, out of respect for Kylie’s privacy I am not able to discuss this matter.”

In an OIA released to RNZ, the SIA confirmed there had been two employment investigations over the last 12 months.

“I am also able to confirm that there has been one investigation in response to four formal reports of bullying and harassment. In the interest of privacy, we cannot provide a breakdown as to what each allegation was concerning.”

RNZ understands the investigation, which is ongoing, relates to Reiri.

“As a responsible employer, SIA takes these matters seriously and all complaints are investigated and followed through to the end. We have robust policies and procedures to manage disclosure of any allegations including protected disclosures (speak safe) and bullying and harassment policies, which provide informal and formal options for staff to raise concerns of serious wrongdoing and bullying and harassment.”

A SIA spokesperson said in a statement to RNZ they could confirm Reiri had resigned from her role.

Reiri’s profile on the SIA website, which has since been taken down, said she brought a “unique blend of public and private sector experience to the Social Investment Agency”.

“Her career has been dedicated to improving outcomes for New Zealanders through data-driven decision making and social investment approaches.”

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Māori All Black and Highlander Shane Christie has been diagnosed with a brain disease likely to be connected with repeated head knocks by a pathologist at the University of Auckland’s brain bank.

Dr Clinton Turner found the former Tasman Mako captain had “high stage” chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) before his death by suspected suicide at the age of 39 in August 2025.

A report by a second pathologist Dr Michael Myskow noted Christie suffered several significant concussions during the course of his playing career.

RNZ is able to report on the pathologists’ opinions with the discharge of an interim non-publication order.

Christie’s former teammate and close friend Billy Guyton, who died by suspected suicide in 2023, was the first New Zealand-based professional rugby player to be diagnosed with CTE.

Christie retired from professional rugby in 2017 because of severe post-concussion symptoms.

He had spoken publicly about his belief he was suffering from CTE, which is linked to repeated head trauma, and can only be definitively diagnosed after death by examining brain tissue.

Myskow said Christie’s brain was donated to the University of Auckland’s brain bank, as per his wishes, and examined by Turner, an Auckland Hospital pathologist.

“Note is made of the fact that [Shane] was a professional rugby player who had suffered several significant concussions during the course of his playing career,” he said.

“In summary Dr Turner confirms the diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) which he characterises as ‘high stage’.”

Player welfare a priority – New Zealand Rugby

New Zealand Rugby interim chief executive Steve Lancaster said support for players with post-concussive symptoms was a priority.

“Our thoughts are with Shane Christie’s whānau, friends and former teammates for their ongoing grief following his passing, especially during difficult times like this,” he said.

“New Zealand Rugby acknowledges the CTE pathology results for Shane Christie confirmed by The Neurological Foundation Human Brain Bank. We also acknowledge and respect the role of the coroner to determine the nature of any inquiry they may hold examining the cause and circumstances of Shane’s passing.

“We share the concerns about the potential long-term effects of repeated head knocks in rugby and support the need for ongoing research into this.

“NZR recognises an association between repeated head impacts and CTE and takes this issue seriously.

“We are working with researchers to strengthen the understanding of CTE, recognising that further research to look at the brains of individuals who have not played contact sports is needed, before a definitive link can be established.

“While research into the long-term impacts of head injury is ongoing, our focus remains on the support we provide to our rugby community now.

“We take a precautionary approach focused on reducing injury risk at all levels of the game. Education, sanctions and, initiatives like Head Injury Assessments, flashing mouth guards, mandatory recovery periods, and brain health services for players reflect a growing commitment to safety across all levels of the game.

“Support for players who do experience post-concussive symptoms, mental health issues, or cognitive difficulties is a priority, regardless of any pathology that may or may not be identified later.

“With community rugby registrations now open, we know many parents will be giving some thought to their children’s safety. Community rugby is very different from the professional game, with an emphasis on fun, non-contact options, and a gradual, age-appropriate introduction to contact. This means the risk of concussion is significantly lower with the average rate of one concussion per 700 games for under-12s.

“We appreciate the public interest in this matter. Due to the circumstances surrounding Shane’s death, this matter was referred to the coroner, and as confidentiality obligations apply, we will not be commenting further during this process.”

Diagnosis confirms Shane Christie’s belief he had CTE

After Guyton’s death, Christie co-founded the Billy Guyton Foundation to try to prevent and raise awareness about brain injuries in rugby, while calling for increased duty of care in the sport.

Christie posted several stories on social media documenting his battles with concussion and fears that he was suffering from CTE.

In March 2024 Christie said he believed he was suffering from the same neurodegenerative brain condition that was diagnosed in Guyton’s post-mortem.

Christie said his own well-being plummeted following Guyton’s death.

“My concussion symptoms had significantly worsened since learning of Billy’s tragic death on May 13, 2023,” he wrote.

“Over the months of May to September 2023, I gradually exhausted my brain’s energy and cognitive capacity, pushing myself to a point where I became delusional and paranoid.

“During a critical 12-day period in early to mid-September, I experienced four manic, psychotic events. These events not only exacerbated my symptoms but also became increasingly radical and difficult to comprehend.”

After years of struggling with fatigue, anxiety and suicidal thoughts post-retirement, Christie came to the following conclusion: “As I now understand the effects that concussion had on Billy’s brain and witnessing the drastic changes in his life, I can only assume that I’ve developed CTE myself.”

In April 2024 Christie said he was trying to show “New Zealand Rugby, Players Association, ACC how players are having issues for multiple years about having concussion problems”.

“When you go to a specialist and you’ve had ongoing concussion problems, we’re not getting treated with CTE diagnosis or probable,” he said.

“And it means the treatment is non existent, instead of getting daily plans of how to recover or things that we need to do to monitor our health, reducing cognitive overload or stress, things like that, that can be practically implemented into our lifestyles, we just get told there’s nothing you can do about it.”

‘Desperately looking for help and misunderstood’

Christie’s former partner and friend Holly Parkes said the pathologist’s diagnosis did not come as a surprise.

“He would be like, ‘I told you, you should have listened to me. I was trying to tell you’,” she said.

Parkes, who first met Christie in 2010 and later spent time as his carer, said she knew he had CTE in 2023.

If Christie had not chosen to donate his brain to the University of Auckland’s Sports Human Brain Bank they would not have received the confirmation that he was suffering from CTE, not just poor mental health, Parkes said.

“The public thought that Shane had just sort of lost his mind but now to know that something was physically, biologically wrong with his brain, not psychologically wrong with his brain, it does vindicate his last years where he became a completely different person and everybody was very confused by his behaviour,” she said.

Parkes said research had already established a link between repeated head trauma and CTE.

“New Zealand Rugby and the Players Association want to keep their head in the sand and not admit that this is really a problem, they don’t want to implement the research,” she said.

“The current pathway… led Bill and Shane to the grave, essentially, because it’s a series of specialists and doctors who basically tell the boys that it’s mental health issues,” she said.

“To be told that there’s nothing wrong with you, but there’s something very, very wrong with you, it’s a painful experience to go through as a human.”

Parkes said Christie began experiencing concussion symptoms after the Māori All Blacks played the Harlequins in London in 2016, which was the last game of rugby he ever played.

“His full-time job became dealing with his concussion symptoms for those nine years and desperately looking for help and being misunderstood every year about his brain injury,” she said.

Before his death, Parkes said Christie was desperately searching for treatment and support, not only for himself but for other players in the same situation.

“I watched a man lose parts of his personality, I saw him slip into psychosis, I saw him having paranoid, psychotic episodes, not able to remember even a lot of our relationship,” she said.

“Before he died he was speaking to the Concussion Legacy Foundation overseas, desperately looking for help, desperately trying to be an advocate for other people so that their concussion injuries didn’t need to turn into CTE the way it did [for him].”

“He was really standing up and yelling and shouting, something very bad happened to Billy, my best friend, and now it’s happening to me. Can we please change? Can we please listen? Can we please implement the research?”

Since Christie’s death, Parkes has continued his work, advocating for better access to support and treatment for people dealing with the effects of head injuries sustained in contact sport.

She had started KnockStop, to provide early intervention, clear guidance and a pathway to proper care for the crucial 24 to 72-hour period after concussion.

The aim was for concussion kits to be available in pharmacies around the country, with instructions on how to manage a concussion, supplements to minimise post-concussion symptoms and links to different clinics that could treat brain injuries.

Parkes was also raising money for people to access treatment so they did not have to go overseas.

More work needed to make rugby safer

Nelson-based lawyer Craig Morice first got to know Christie in 2017 when he worked with him during negotiations with New Zealand Rugby and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association at the end of his career.

Morice said the CTE diagnosis provided a lot of answers.

“It confirmed what I’d always thought was going on in Shane’s head, but [the report] was hard to read and hard to take in,” he said.

“He’s right, he wasn’t crazy, he had a brain disease.”

Morice said Christie had complained to New Zealand Rugby about how his debilitating concussion injuries had been managed during his career and pushed for his treatment to be investigated.

A 2019 report by judge Jeremy Doogue made five recommendations, saying New Zealand Rugby needed to address a culture of under-reporting concussions and downplaying concussive events, standardise a concussion rehabilitation plan, establish a protocol for escalating serious cases and closely monitor scientific developments around the link between concussion and long-term degenerative conditions.

Morice said Christie had been motivated by a desire to make rugby safer current and former players and children but he felt increasingly shut out of conversations with the governing body.

“If there are recommendations made to make the game safer for everyone, why would New Zealand Rugby for years and years continue to not agree to release those?” he said.

“Shane loved rugby. He didn’t want to destroy it. He felt there needed to be a discussion about making it safer in respect of concussion and repeated concussive knocks.”

Morice is a former Tasman Rugby Union director, an age-grade rugby referee, and an advocate for player welfare.

“I’ve got two young boys who play rugby and my 15-year-old had his first concussion two years ago and Shane helped us through that,” he said.

He had heard from former All Blacks and other Super Rugby players in recent months, asking about the results of Christie’s brain scan and when the findings would be made public.

“Those players are battling their own demons, as they call them, and similar symptoms to Shane but there’s no cast or bandage and people can’t see what they’re battling with,” he said.

Christie played 29 matches for the Highlanders between 2014-2016 and was part of their Super Rugby-winning side of 2015, although he spent most of that campaign sidelined with injury.

He also played 73 times for Tasman over seven seasons before retiring because of concussion-related symptoms. He skippered Tasman to the team’s first NPC title in 2013.

The coroner’s inquiry into Christie’s death is ongoing.

Where to get help:

• Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357.
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
• Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202.
• Samaritans: 0800 726 666.
• Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz.
• What’s Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds.
• Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and English.
• Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254.
• Healthline: 0800 611 116.
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155.
• OUTLine: 0800 688 5463.

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

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