Thursday 26th of February 2026 03:58:54 PM
Page 108

Privacy Commissioner notified following ‘technical issue’ with police incident management tool

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

everythingpossible/123RF

A “technical issue” with police’s incident management tool may have led to sensitive information that was supposed to be redacted during disclosure being made visible.

An investigation is under way into the extent of the issue and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner has been notified.

RNZ understands police have recently contacted lawyers of defendants advising them of the issue.

An email, seen by RNZ, says that a technical issue with police’s Incident Management Tool (IMT) had been discovered that resulted in a proportion of redacted documents produced from the investigation software since 4 December that had redactions that were not applied correctly by the system.

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

    • This meant that information that was supposed to be redacted could become visible.

    The lawyers were advised to retrieve the disclosure packages from their clients or request deletion of the email.

    They were also told to advise them that they must comply with the Lawyers and Conveyances Act which included not disclosing information that would be likely to place a person’s health or safety at risk.

    In response to questions from RNZ Acting Assistant Commissioner Investigations, Serious and Organised Crime Keith Borrell said that on 15 December the disclosure functionality of Police’s IMT was placed on hold after a “technical issue” was identified.

    “Information that had been redacted could potentially be made visible to justice sector partners.

    “Police’s ICT department tested and applied a fix, enabling functionality to resume yesterday.

    “Emails are being sent directly to officers and file managers in charge of cases affected by the issue, with clear instructions on action that needs to be taken.”

    Police had notified the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and continued to investigate the extent of the issue, Borrell said.

    Chief Victims Advisor Ruth Money told RNZ she had contacted police asking for information on what had happened and what actions police were taking regarding both at risk victims and victims and witnesses in general who have been affected.

    A spokesperson for the Office of the Privacy Commissioner confirmed to RNZ police notified them of a privacy breach on 16 December 2025.

    “The Privacy Act sets out that agencies are required to notify the Office of the Privacy Commissioner as soon as they are aware of breaches that they have assessed as ‘serious harm.’

    “As with any breach, Police will need to investigate so they can fully understand the size and scope of the breach and its impact on New Zealanders. It’s possible that further investigation of a breach could result in an initial assessment of serious harm being downgraded.”

    The commissioner’s initial focus was to “support agencies who have experienced a breach with advice on how to minimise the harm to any people affected.”

    Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for December 19, 2025

By -

ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on December 19, 2025.

Should I pour this down the sink? (Probably not, and here’s why)
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Faisal Hai, Professor and Head of School of Civil, Mining, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Wollongong Mathias Reding/Unsplash, CC BY Ever been about to pour rancid milk down the sink and thought…“Hmm, maybe I shouldn’t…”? What about the tomato passata that’s gone off? Or the water

Will the ‘Scandinavian sleep method’ really help me sleep?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yaqoot Fatima, Professor of Sleep Health, University of the Sunshine Coast It begins with two people, one blanket, and two very different ideas of what’s a comfortable sleeping temperature. By midnight, one partner is hot and sweaty while the other is freezing. Sounds familiar? You’re not alone.

A virtual reality tool I developed is helping Indigenous people connect with Country
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kevin Taylor, Senior Lecturer, School of Indigenous Studies, The University of Western Australia Quaranup, also known as Point Possession, in Western Australia. AndrewofBornholm/Wikimedia “It makes me feel like I am right there on Country”. This was the response of a student after they used a new virtual

Trump’s new security strategy exposes the limits of NZ’s ‘softly-softly’ diplomacy
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert G. Patman, Professor of International Relations, University of Otago Getty Images President Donald Trump’s recently-issued National Security Strategy marks a decisive break in United States foreign policy. It also poses an uncomfortable challenge for New Zealand and other countries that have long depended on a rules-based

Dunedin’s inner-city greening project shows even small spaces can be wildlife havens
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacqueline Theis, PhD Candidate in Ecology, University of Otago Even small green spaces can bring nature back into cities, as our project in Ōtepoti Dunedin has shown. Over the past two years, Dunedin’s city centre has become greener and more biodiverse thanks to the installation of street-side

Australia’s roads are full of giant cars, and everyone pays the price. What can be done?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milad Haghani, Associate Professor and Principal Fellow in Urban Risk and Resilience, The University of Melbourne You may have noticed — there’s a car-size inflation on Australian roads that some have nicknamed car “mobesity”. Most SUVs and utes from a decade or two ago look small next

What’s the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant? Quite significant, actually
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Eldridge, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, Swinburne University of Technology Kinga Krzeminska/Getty Images When summer hits, the combination of heat and activity often result in increased sweating. Sweat is great – it’s our personal evaporative cooling system. Most of us will sweat out at least half a

Just 2 in 3 patients are treated on time in emergency departments. Check how your public hospital performs
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anam Bilgrami, Senior Research Fellow, Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy, Macquarie University If you arrive at an emergency department (ED) today, you’ll be triaged. That’s a quick judgement about how urgently you need care. Those in crisis are seen quickly, while others may wait hours.

Uh oh, my child just discovered the truth about Santa
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cher McGillivray, Assistant Professor in Psychology, Bond University GettyImages ArtMarie/ Getty Images Christmas can be a magical time of year for kids. Writing wish-lists, seeing Santa at the shops, leaving carrots for the reindeer out on the porch. And then of course, the presents under the tree.

Inequality alone doesn’t cause civil unrest – but internet access adds the crucial spark
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hassan F. Gholipour, Associate Professor of Property, Western Sydney University The gap between rich and poor has reached historic highs. According to the World Inequality Report 2026, released in recent weeks, the richest 10% of the global population now receive 53% of all income and own a

Battleship Potemkin at 100: how the Soviet film redrew the boundaries of cinema
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Howard, Senior Lecturer, Discipline of English and Writing, University of Sydney IMDB People crowd together in the sun. All smiles and waves. Joyous. Pandemonium erupts. Panic hits like a shockwave as those assembled swivel and bolt, spilling down a seemingly infinite flight of steps. Armed men

Sudan’s civil war: A visual guide to the brutal conflict
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Tounsel, Associate Professor of History, University of Washington Mahmoud Hjaj/Anadolu Agency via Getty, Ebrahim Hamid, Getty, Hussein Malla/Getty, Anadolu/Getty, The Conversation Sudan’s brutal civil war has dragged on for more than 2½ years, displacing millions and killing in excess of 150,000 people – making it among

‘This year nearly broke me as a scientist’ – US researchers reflect on how 2025’s science cuts have changed their lives
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carrie McDonough, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University U.S. researchers are seeking the light at the end of a rough year for science. Westend61/Getty Images From beginning to end, 2025 was a year of devastation for scientists in the United States. January saw the abrupt suspension

Grattan on Friday: Anthony Albanese is forced into policy catch up after Bondi atrocity
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In an extraordinary personal censure, Australia’s Jewish community effectively denied Anthony Albanese the role of being the nation’s chief public mourner in this week of national tragedy. In such circumstances, a prime minister would normally attend the funerals of the

Hallyu! rides the Korean wave. It’s a fun exhibition with depth – but misses the Australian story
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alison Carroll, Senior Research Fellow, Victorian College of the Arts, The University of Melbourne National Museum of Australia As a K-drama tragic I have long wondered what qualities it has that make me marvel so. K-drama and K-pop are the clearest manifestations of the Korean cultural wave

Albanese announces new crackdown on hate, in sweeping initiatives to combat antisemitism
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a suite of legislative and other action to combat antisemitism including new measures against hate speech and extra power to reject visas. The package, unveiled after a meeting of cabinet’s national security committee on

How much does it cost to end rough sleeping? An Australian-first study may have just found out
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katrina Raynor, Research associate, The University of Melbourne Jon Tyson/Unsplash Homelessness is a growing issue in Australia. Data released last week by the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare show 350 requests for support go unmet every day due to a lack of resources. Most of those

How misreading Google Trends is fuelling Bondi attack conspiracy theories
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacques Raubenheimer, Senior Research Fellow, Biostatistics, University of Sydney Google Trends, Facebook, The Conversation, CC BY-SA In the wake of Sunday’s tragic Bondi shooting, conspiracy theories and deliberate misinformation have spread on social media. Many social media posts suggested the name Naveed Akram was searched before the

Don’t talk – listen. Why communities affected by forever chemicals in water must be heard
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Kearnes, Professor of Environment & Society, UNSW Sydney 97s/Unsplash, CC BY-NC-ND Until recently, Australia’s efforts to tackle “forever chemical” pollution focused on highly polluted firefighting and defence sites. But last year, elevated levels of some of these chemicals were detected in the untreated water supply for

ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for December 18, 2025
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on December 18, 2025.

Some urgent care clinics extend hours

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

Eastcare and Local Doctors Ōtara in Auckland will both extend their hours next year. 123RF

A number of urgent care clinics will extend their opening hours in the new year.

Minister of Health Simeon Brown said Local Doctors Ōtara in south Auckland had already extended its hours until midnight this week, and would shift to full 24/7 care from the 19th of January.

He said Eastcare in east Auckland would also push its closing time from 11pm to 1am in March.

“These changes mean people can get help for urgent health issues any time of the day or night, without going to hospital unless it is a genuine emergency,” Brown said in a statement.

Brown said the changes were a result of the government’s national “Urgent Care and After Hours Framework”, which was pushing for all New Zealanders to have a clinic within an hour’s drive.

He noted that recent progress under the framework included a new 24/7 urgent care service in Dunedin, which also opened this week.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Australian company Santana Minerals push for quicker decision on its fast-track application

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

Santana Minerals chief executive Damian Spring. RNZ / Katie Todd

The Australian company planning an open-cast gold mine near Cromwell is pushing for a quicker decision on its fast-track application after government officials suggested it might need to wait until next September.

Santana Minerals is seeking consent to tap into what it believes is a $4.4 billion gold deposit between Bendigo and Ophir, in a proposal that has resulted in fierce backlash from some locals.

The company submitted its fast-track application in November, which under the rules at the time was to be processed within either 30 working days or a timeframe set by the panel convenor.

In early December, panel convenor Jane Borthwick sought the company’s views on a proposed decision date “in the range of 110-120 working days”, which would result in a decision between August and September 2026.

A visual simulation released by Santana Minerals showing what the mine would look like from Māori Point Road, Tarras. Supplied

Santana Minerals, through its New Zealand subsidiary Matakanui Gold Limited, rejected the time extension, insisting that officials aim for the “shorter range of the decision-making timeframe”, towards the default timeframe of 30 working days.

Chief executive Damian Spring told RNZ the application was “deliberately comprehensive”, with more than 9400 pages of evidence and technical material.

He said the documents were submitted so the panel had everything it needed to assess the proposal efficiently, not as a reason to slow the process down.

“Robust applications are meant to support faster, better decisions, not justify extended consideration periods,” he said.

“We respect the panel process, but it’s important to maintain fidelity to the Act as parliament designed it. Moving away from the statutory timeframes risks undermining the very purpose of a fast-track regime.”

If approved, the project would carve out a 1000×850-metre open pit, plus three smaller satellite pits and a tailings dam.

Santana previously told shareholders that the company planned to extract its first gold by about March 2027.

Spring said that timeline remained unchanged.

“The pathway outlined earlier this year, including a first gold target in 2027, is subject to regulatory outcomes and planning continues on the basis of the statutory timeframes set out in the Act,” he said.

In early December, the government backtracked on a proposed 60 working-day time limit for fast-track decisions, opting instead for a 90-day limit with the ability to extend, that was due to come into force at the end of March 2026.

Sam Neill warns of ‘toxic’ legacy

Hollywood star Sir Sam Neill said a decision within days was not suitable for something he believed would have “enormous” effects on the region for centuries.

“It’s an Australian company which has never dug a mine before but our children and their children will be stuck with this horrible, toxic thing for forever,” he said.

Neill, who has been staunchly opposed to the mine, told Nine to Noon the proposal had been imposed on the community too quickly.

“The last thing that you should do, with a mine that will have serious ramifications for our area for hundreds of years, is be fast-tracked,” he said.

While Resources Minister Shane Jones was championing the mine as a potential source of well-paid jobs, Central Otago already had plenty of jobs, Neill said.

“It’s hard to find labour. I wonder, if they introduce this absurd mine, how many of those jobs will be affected. I’m, sure they’ll be seriously affected by a toxic mine,” he said.

Neill, who has lived in Otago since 1985, said the region was flourishing.

“We have great orchards, a great tourism industry and vineyards of course … I’d hate to see any change to that,” he said.

Other people in Cromwell and Tarras have raised concerns about the environmental impacts of the mine, possible damage to the tourism industry and their limited ability to have a say under the fast-track regime.

In November, New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals, part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, granted the company a 30-year mining permit, giving it legal rights to extract gold at the site.

Santana Minerals and the Environmental Protection Authority, which administers the fast-track regime, have been approached for comment.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Goldsmith unlawfully appointed Human Rights Commissioner and Race Relations Commissioner

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

The minister appointmented Derby and Rainbow in August 2014. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The High Court has ruled Human Rights Commissioner Stephen Rainbow and Race Relations Commissioner Melissa Derby were appointed unlawfully by the Minister of Justice Paul Goldsmith.

Goldsmith says he’s taking advice on the judgment and considering “next steps”, including a possible appeal.

Human rights advocate Paul Thistoll had challenged the minister’s decision to appoint Rainbow and Derby, making four key arguments.

Two of those were upheld, that the minister failed to apply the correct legal test, and failed to take into account mandatory considerations. That the minister breached a “legitimate expectation” and “made an unreasonable decision” were not upheld.

The minister opposed the argument, but Justice David Gendall found the appointments were unlawful.

The appointment of Rainbow in August 2024 had prompted concern from some quarters – including Labour and the Greens – given his staunch pro-Israel views and previous comments about “a trans agenda”.

Derby had also come in for some criticism for sharing a tweet in 2023 which said the “trans movement” could not be tolerated in civil society.

The Judge explained in his ruling neither Rainbow or Derby were part of the initial shortlist of candidates for either role. A briefing was provided to Goldsmith, seeking approval for the shortlist of candidates proposed an assessment panel.

That panel included former Court of Appeal judge Sir Terence Arnold and former Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson KC.

After considering the briefing, Justice Gendall said the minister requested the panel remove two names from the shortlist for the role of Chief Commissioner and add two names, including Rainbow, and did the same with the shortlist for the Race Relations Commissioner role.

After the candidates were interviewed, the panel’s assessment of Rainbow resulted in “not recommended.” The panel observed his strengths, describing him as “articulate and engaging” and as having the ability to “build bridges across the political divide”, but noted his lack of legal experience.

The Judge also noted the applicant, Thistoll, contends there’d been “concerns raised by the ACT party” after Rainbow was initially unsuccessful, with its leader speaking directly to Goldsmith.

Derby was also interviewed, and while it considered she met a number of the criteria, the panel also found Derby “lacked depth and experience”, concluding it was unable to recommend her for appointment as Race Relations Commissioner.

The minister went on to appointment Derby and Rainbow in August, with them both commencing their roles in November 2024.

Thistoll’s lawyer Monique van Alphen-Fyfe argued the minister didn’t “expressly consider” the Commission’s detailed functions and whether Rainbow or Derby were capable of assisting in performing those functions.

The minister’s lawyer, Peter Gunn, argued saying it can reasonably be concluded that it is unlikely any candidate will have knowledge, skill or experience in all areas.

“Accordingly, the minister must assess the weight to give to the varying knowledge, skills and experience of each candidate.”

The Judge largely accepted van Alphen-Fyfe’s argument, but also agreed no one candidate will have skills in all areas. He ruled the incorrect legal test had been applied, “therefore, narrowly, this ground of review is made out”.

Thistoll took the case as a private citizen, “the Human Rights Commission exists to protect the rights of all New Zealanders, particularly the most vulnerable”.

“It is vital that those appointed to lead it are selected through a lawful, robust process that respects the statutory criteria set by Parliament.”

He told RNZ “coalition dynamics were definitely in play” in these appointments. He said ACT seemed “very keen” to have Rainbow appointed even though he “didn’t meet the statutory requirements”.

“The Court has confirmed that the minister cannot simply bypass the legal requirements of the Crown Entities Act and the Human Rights Act.”

Goldsmith told RNZ he’d received the judgment and was taking advice on next steps, “including a possible appeal”.

“The Court found that there was evidence to support both appointments, and it rejected arguments that my decisions were unreasonable.

“It also found I do not have to accept appointment panel recommendations, and could place different weight on the appointment criteria in the Human Rights Act.

“The two grounds that it did uphold by a narrow margin, could be described as technical.”

Neither Commissioner will be removed from their roles as a result of the ruling as Thistoll didn’t argue for this.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Two men arrested after shooting in Gore

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police said one of the victims was still recovering in hospital, while the other had been discharged. 123RF

Police have charged two men after a shooting in Gore that left two people injured.

The men, aged 36 and 54, were due to appear in court in Invercargill on Friday after being arrested on Thursday afternoon.

They have been charged with burglary with a weapon and two counts each of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Two people were flown to hospital, one with serious injuries and another with moderate injuries, after the shooting in Aparima Street on Wednesday night.

Police said one of the victims was still recovering in hospital, while the other had been discharged.

Southland area commander inspector Mike Bowman said investigators were following a number of lines of enquiry but information from the public had proved invaluable.

“We want to thank the community for their help so far, the support we’ve had from the public shows people aren’t willing to tolerate violence like this,” he said.

“The arrests are the result of excellent work across the team involved and help from the public.”

Bowman said investigators were still keen to speak with anyone with information.

He said police officers would have a visible presence in Gore as they carried out reassurance patrols.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Police examine toilet block in homicide investigation in Hamilton

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Police are examining a toilet block at a yacht club as they investigate a homicide in Hamilton.

Police were called to a home in Lake Crescent at around 6.15pm on Thursday, where they found two people seriously injured.

One of the victims died at the scene and the other was taken to Waikato Hospital.

Officers are conducting scene examinations at the home and also at a toilet block at a yacht club several hundred metres away.

Police believe the people involved travelled on foot between both locations and are asking anyone who may have seen them to contact police.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Meet Loki: The Harley Davidson-riding service dog

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

When Stevin Creegan gets on his Harley Davison to go on a ride, his best mate Loki is always along for the journey.

Loki is a six-year-old black labrador – and a service dog for former Air Force Sergeant Creegan – who was the sole survivor of the 2010 ANZAC Day Iroquois helicopter crash near Wellington.

Creegan lives with PTSD and chronic pain from the spinal and leg injuries he sustained in that accident.

Loki has been Stevin Creegan’s constant companion since he was a pup.

Supplied

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Should I pour this down the sink? (Probably not, and here’s why)

By -

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Faisal Hai, Professor and Head of School of Civil, Mining, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Wollongong

Mathias Reding/Unsplash, CC BY

Ever been about to pour rancid milk down the sink and thought…“Hmm, maybe I shouldn’t…”? What about the tomato passata that’s gone off? Or the water you washed the paint in? Or that pungent oil from a tuna can?

Let’s consider the wisdom – or not – of putting everyday items down the plughole.

Unfortunately, they can cause problems by clogging or damaging pipes, creating health hazards and polluting the environment. And they add to the load on wastewater treatment plants.

Where it goes

All indoor wastewater is carried through the sewer system. Everything flushed down the toilet or drained from the kitchen sink, bathtub, or shower connects to the same pipes within our home.

From there, the water flows into the municipal sewer — the large pipes running beneath backyards or streets — and eventually flows to a wastewater treatment plant. Wastewater treatment plants have large aerated tanks full of bacteria that decompose the organic matter in wastewater.

“Chemical oxygen demand” measures how much oxygen is needed to break down organic matter. Every bit of additional matter – from passata to tuna oil – adds to the load. And a higher organic load requires greater aeration and larger tanks, thereby increasing the cost and complexity of operating a wastewater treatment plant.

Spilt milk

Should you pour milk down the sink? Liquid dairy products, or any food item containing fat, oil and grease, including cooking oil, can block sewer pipes. When oil and grease mix with cool water in wastewater pipes, they harden. Then, they can combine with other waste, such as wet wipes, to form a rock-hard blockage known as a “fatberg”.

Cleaning such blockages is very expensive. For example, in the nine months up to July 2025, Sydney Water spent A$12 million dealing with 11,805 “chokes” in the wastewater system.

Clogged sewers are not just a foul nuisance for the water industry — they are a problem that affects us all. They can trigger the release of raw and untreated sewage into the environment.

Sydney Water suggests people add water to old milk and pour it in moderation on plants, rather than into the sink. Alternatively, milk can be left in its container and put in your rubbish bin.

What about the old and expired sauces, dips and gravy, which often lurk in the fridge at this time of year? These can be composted or runny sauces can be soaked up with newspaper or paper towels and put in the rubbish bin.

Chemicals like bleach or paint

If a cleaning liquid such as bleach is approved to be sold in Australia, use it at the concentration specified on the container. But do not tip concentrated cleaning liquids into the sink.

Pouring your remaining paint or paint-brush cleaning water into sink is not a good idea. You risk potentially clogging the plumbing system – exposing yourselves to heavy fumes – and pouring flammable liquids down the drain.

We need an alternative. You could use a disposable brush, or – if the paint job lasts multiple days – wrap the brush in plastic and only clean when done with painting. You can soak the small amount of brush water into an old towel and dispose of that in the rubbish bin once the paint has dried.

However, the best way to get rid of potentially hazardous household chemicals such as paint, cleaners, pesticides, motor oil, or cooking oil, is to take them to a Household Chemical Cleanout event. These events are free services held in some states and territories specified dates.

And there are industries that have funded their own collection schemes, for example, “paintback” drop off centres. Commercial and industrial entities will need proper recycling and treatment processes in place.

Collective problem

We should not put anything down the sink that we would not want in our waterways. Instead of using sinks as disposal points, households should adopt safer alternatives such as composting food waste and taking hazardous substances to approved chemical cleanout events.

The problem is not what one individual does, but what everyone in a city contributes together. Small individual actions, when combined across a city, make a significant difference in protecting plumbing infrastructure, public health, and our creeks and oceans.

Faisal Hai previously received different research fundings from government organizations including water utilities on the broad topic of wastewater, but not directly on the topic of the article.

– ref. Should I pour this down the sink? (Probably not, and here’s why) – https://theconversation.com/should-i-pour-this-down-the-sink-probably-not-and-heres-why-269701

Villagers who watched Manawanui sink still waiting for compensation

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

The HMNZS Manawanui, aground in Samoa. Profile Boats / supplied

More than a year after the New Zealand navy vessel HMNZS Manawanui sank off the south coast of Samoa’s island of Upolu, affected locals have yet to be compensated.

Information showing a compensation payment from the New Zealand government to the Samoa government of SAT$10 million – about NZ$6m – made as far back as May this year has also raised concerns over the process in Samoa.

The NZ Navy vessel crashed into the Tafitoala reef on 6 October 2024, and spilled diesel and rubbish into the surrounding water. It eventually sank into the reef, where it remains today.

Residents from the village of Tafitoala in the district of Safata watched the ship crash and burn less than two kilometres from their homes.

Fagailesau Afaaso Junior Saleupu, a matai of the village, has been helping co-ordinate the Tafitoala compensation claim to the government of Samoa and New Zealand High Commission over the incident. He said the wreckage continued to cause problems for families who have long depended on the ocean for sustenance and income.

“So many sea resources we [rely] on for food, not only for food, but for selling [so we] get money – it’s gone.

“We don’t know why, and that’s the only thing we [can think] of. Since the Manawanui grounding, all these issues start coming up.”

A ‘disappointing’ process

When the ship ran into the reef, a five kilometre precautionary zone was placed around the wreck, preventing locals from fishing and using the waters in front of their homes.

After five months, the no-go zone was reduced to two kilometres, which Fagailesau said remained in place today.

Locals were initially pleased at the development, returning to the ocean surrounding their village to fish and gather seafood, only to find – even after more than a year – much of the regular marine life was missing.

Seasonal fish like igaga and lupo, and sea cucumbers – harvested as a delicacy – had been scarce, which had significantly affected families who sold seafood often at roadside stalls along the coast, he said.

“That’s the other source of income for us.”

The whole process had been disappointing, Fagailesau said.

Documents released to RNZ Pacific under the Official Information Act show the SAT$10 million compensation payment was requested by Samoa’s Ministry of Foreign of Affairs and Trade.

Then-Samoa Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa made a formal request for the money to New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters in May.

Peters agreed and the exchange of letters between the leaders facilitated the “immediate” payment of the SAT$10 million, according to the documents.

However, seven months after the transaction, locals from the villages most affected by the Manawanui wreckage remain unsure about what has happened with the money.

Transparency over information has been difficult, with the compensation amount only disclosed publicly in October when the New Zealand government announced it at the one-year anniversary of the wreckage.

Fagailesau said it simply was not good enough.

“That money is from the government of New Zealand for our village. The money is the compensation for Safata, so they should distribute the money now for the district for us,” he said.

“We’ve already [given] our request to the government.”

Maninoa chief says payment delays due to govt change

Despite the delay, not everyone has lost faith in the process.

Atanoa Tusi Fa’afetai, the paramount chief from the neighbouring village of Maninoa in the district of Si’umu, believes delays in compensation are due to a change in government.

Laaulialemalietoa Polataivao Schmidt took over from Fiame in September following the general election.

Atanoa said the government was working on the distribution process.

“We know that we’re supposed to be compensated, and we are expecting payment, but because of the new administration, the new government, I think they are trying to make sure that they iron out all the details from the previous administration and New Zealand government to get some understanding of how the funds [are] being released.”

Like Fagailesau, he believed the New Zealand government had not paid enough for the damage caused by the Manawanui.

“It’s not sufficient,” he said.

Atanoa, an engineer, drew comparisons to the Rena ship, a commercial vessel which crashed into a reef off the coast of Tauranga, New Zealand in 2011. An estimated 350 tonnes of oil spilled into the sea and significant damage and pollution to the environment occurred.

Maritime NZ, which led the response, said the clean-up cost NZ$47 million, of which more than $27 million was paid for by the ship’s owners. The salvage of the vessel came to $700 million, which was paid by the ship’s owners but overseen by the New Zealand government.

Atanoa said if the Manawanui wreckage remained on the reef, then the New Zealand government would need to contribute more.

“If they cannot remove the vessel, they have to compensate for the vessel’s displacement here in our ocean, and also the fishery loss.

“People depend on consuming the fish and marine life… [and] tourism losses.

“Those are the things that New Zealand has to look into for the liability of what’s been happening.”

A New Zealand Defence Force Court of Inquiry into the Manawanui incident also found multiple failures of the crew, the ship and the New Zealand Navy. It also showed the ship grounded after it was left in autopilot and could not turn.

Peters had no comment following the release of his correspondence about the SAT$10 million compensation payment.

Fiame said she signed off on what was recommended by her officials, and did not have access to the relevant files to look at while speaking to RNZ Pacific.

Laaulialemalietoa has not yet responded to requests for comment, nor has the chief executive of Samoa’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, which is the Samoa agency leading the compensation process.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

New Zealand’s busiest airport days and tips for flying this summer

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

Auckland Airport on Friday, its busiest day of the year for domestic departures. RNZ / Kim Baker-Wilson

Whether it’s Christmas with family, or a New Year’s Eve event with friends Air New Zealand figures show 2.7 million New Zealanders and international visitors will be flying this summer.

The busiest days for domestic air travel in Aotearoa are Friday 19 December with up to 32,000 travellers flying, followed by Sunday 21, Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 December, with around 31,000 customers taking to the skies on each of those days.

Air New Zealand’s domestic network will transport around 1.6 million passengers. Three of its most popular destinations are located in the South Island.

“Queenstown will see 260,000 customers travel to and from the region while Nelson is gearing up for 150,000 customers, and Dunedin 110,000. Napier and the Bay of Plenty are also in hot demand this summer,” Air New Zealand general manager airports Kate Boyer said.

Internationally, around 1.1m passengers will be flying in or out of New Zealand.

A passenger at Auckland Airport today said it was already busy.

Dan Yee who was on his way to Napier had had some interruptions.

“Our flight got cancelled, so that’s why it’s been a lot busier… Engine failure, I hear,” he said.

“Definitely today has been a lot busier than usual. I was surprised to be caught up in a very long queue.”

“Yeah, it’s probably a good idea to get here early.”

Michael Gallagher was waiting for his flight to Tauranga, but said he felt well looked after.

“Don’t stress, the staff are always really good and they’ll always get you where you need to go,” he said.

“We’ve had a few issues over the journey with flights delayed, etcetera, but everyone looks after you and everyone’s trying to get you home safely so just relax, you’ll get there.”

Corina Warren, on her way to Nelson, remarked that the airport felt busy but “quite organised”.

Air New Zealand’s most popular regional destinations from 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2026 are Queenstown Lakes District with 260,000 travellers, Nelson at 150,000, Bay of Plenty at 120,000, Dunedin at 110,000 and Napier at 100,000.

While internationally the top contenders are Sydney with 195,000 travellers, Melbourne at 185,000, Brisbane at 120,000, Pacific Islands countries at 170,000 and Los Angeles at 56,000.

“Three Australian cities are firm favourites with 195,000 customers travelling to and from Sydney, 185,000 to and from Melbourne, and 120,000 to and from Brisbane.

“Around 170,000 customers will be crossing the Pacific with Tahiti and Fiji clear go to getaways,” Boyer said.

There will be 56,000 passengers flying to or from Los Angeles from New Zealand on the airline.

Saturday 20 December and Saturday 3 January are the busiest international travel days with up to 20,000 passengers travelling each day.

Auckland Airport’s departure board on Friday. RNZ / Kim Baker-Wilson

Auckland Airport

An estimated 2.5 million travellers are expected to pass through Auckland Airport between 8 December 2025 and 18 January 2026.

Unlike other New Zealand airports, the majority of its travellers will be international with 1.5m international travellers arriving or departing, an increase of 7.5 percent on last year.

“We’ve been working closely with border agencies, airlines and their ground handlers to make sure travellers get away smoothly. It will be busy, so our advice is simple: plan ahead, arrive with plenty of time and pack smart,” Auckland Airport chief customer officer Scott Tasker said.

There’s capacity for as many as 5.8m travellers to arrive or depart in Auckland, from 43 destinations.

Domestic and international travel numbers will peak at different points through the Christmas and New Year period.

The busiest day for international departures from Auckland is expected to be 4 January, while 15 January is forecast to be its busiest day for international arrivals.

In terms of domestic departures from Auckland 19 December is tipped to be the busiest day, while 16 January is the busiest for domestic arrivals.

Passengers killing time at Auckland Airport on Friday. RNZ / Kim Baker-Wilson

Wellington Airport

Nearly half a million travellers are expected to pass through Wellington Airport over the Christmas and New Year period.

The busiest single day being Thursday 18 December with around 18,000 travellers.

Flights in and out of Wellington between 15 December and 11 January have the capacity to fly 350,000 domestic passengers and 90,000 international.

Wellington Airport’s head of operations Matthew Palliser said as well as the possibility of seeing Air New Zealand’s first ever electric aircraft on the tarmac, it also claimed to be the country’s most festive.

“We’re proud to be the most Christmassy airport in the country with over 65 individually decorated Christmas trees raising funds for cystic fibrosis. We’ve also got live music and Christmas carol singing,” Palliser said.

Christchurch Airport

Christchurch Airport’s capacity between 25 November and 26 March has increased 11 percent compared to last year, with an additional 236,000 domestic seats and 139,000 international seats in and out of Christchurch will be available during that period.

Popular destinations out of Christchurch include Adelaide, Cairns, Gold Coast and Fiji.

Dunedin Airport

Close to 150,000 passengers will be travelling on flights in and out of Dunedin over the December and January period.

As many locals head off for a break over summer, the airport’s chief executive Daniel De Bono is also ready for some downtime.

“It’s been a big year for Dunedin Airport with the Gold Coast direct service starting and winning Medium Airport of the Year being big highlights amongst many. While the airport never closes, many of our people will now get some well deserved time with their families,” De Bono said.

Queenstown Airport

New Zealand’s tourism capital will see around 150,000 passengers passing through its airport between 20 December and 4 January, with nearly 57,000 of those heading to or from Australia.

Around 10,000 passengers a day will be flying in or out on 20, 27 and 28 December, and 2, 3, and 4 January.

“Summer is always a special time in Queenstown. We love the excitement in the terminal as people fly in to spend Christmas with whānau or head off on adventures,” head of operations, compliance and safety Juliet Breen said.

The number one piece of advice for those flying this summer is to ensure that items containing batteries are packed in carry-on luggage. RNZ / Kim Baker-Wilson

Advice for flyers

RNZ spoke to a number of airlines and airports in the lead up to the holiday season to find out what tips they had for people travelling over the summer period. Almost all of them listed ensuring items with batteries were dealt with correctly as their number one piece of advice.

Before you pack your luggage, make sure any item that may have a battery in it is packed in your carry on luggage, that includes anything powered by lithium batteries such as hearing aids, vapes or headphones. Anything that is checked in will be removed and cannot be returned. Aviation Security has extensive information on its website.

Arriving at the airport with plenty of time and ensuring you’re at your gate in time will also help ensure a less stressful trip.

While some airports no longer need laptops and liquids to be removed at security, for most this is still the norm. So pack accordingly and be ready to remove these items when you get to security. This includes liquids, aerosols and gels such as perfume.

Make sure you drink plenty of water before and during your flight, and remember alcohol can hit you harder in the air than it does on the ground.

Check in online, and use the time that saves you to get through security earlier so you’re at your gate with plenty of time to spare should there be any issues.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Sam Neill: ‘Retirement it’s like a swear word to me’

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

“The last thing I would ever, ever do is retire,” Sir Sam Neill says.

Recently named Screen Legend at this year’s New Zealand Screen Awards, the 78-year-old actor says his 54-year long (and counting) career still excites him.

“I love being able to go away, go home again too, but I love to go and work with some new people on new material.

Sam Neill at Two Paddocks in Central Otago.

RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Fate of Hamilton-to-Auckland Te Huia train to be decided next year

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

Te Huia provides an interregional passenger rail service between the regions of Waikato and Auckland. Supplied / Waikato Regional Council

The future of the Hamilton to Auckland train, Te Huia, looks set to be decided in the first half of next year.

The Waikato regional council voted on Thursday to ask the New Zealand Transport Agency board in February to keep funding steady at a 60 percent funding assistance rate for a one-year extension.

If NZTA would not keep funding steady for an extra year, council asked for a formal decision on what permanent support the agency will give the service by April.

Te Huia was launched in April 2021 for a five-year trial ending in June 2026. It provides an interregional passenger rail service between the regions of Waikato and Auckland.

It had faced several issues, including covid delays, being temporarily banned from operating in Auckland, and being impacted by repeated line closures on the Auckland network.

The coalition government had a history of negativity about Te Huia, and last year NZTA decided to progressively reduce its contribution to the funding assistance rate from 75.5 in 2024 to 51 percent by 2026.

Councillor Chris Hughes said there was no point in the council continuing its plans to run the train until it knew it had NZTA support.

“Once we’ve got it, we’ve got a commitment, and we can move forward. At the moment there’s too much uncertainty and I don’t believe our ratepayers should be wearing the cost,” he said.

Other councillors echoed this need for certainty from NZTA.

However, councillor Jennifer Nickel pointed out that NZTA had put more money into Te Huia than anyone, and although the council should be strong in its request for certainty it should also be flexible to allow NZTA to “say what it wants to say.”

“We are a partner with them,” she said.

Councillor Tipa Mahuta also said council had a long relationship with NZTA and should be thinking in terms of a partnership.

“It’s not in our role to tell NZTA what their job is, we can express a preference and our key timelines, but I’m pretty sure they know their remit… it’s not our jurisdiction to direct them to do anything,” she said.

Hamilton city council, Waipa district council and Waikato district council told the regional council they supported their request for an extra year of steady funding.

Hamilton city councillor Sarah Thomson spoke at today’s meeting and said the city had been a very supportive partner of Te Huia.

She said the city had brought forward public transport investment to support the train, particularly around the Rotokauri transport hub where most passengers get on and off the train.

“That transport hub was in a master plan, but it would still not be built to this day, most likely, if it was not for the need to support the Te Huia service,” Thomson said.

Hamilton councillor Sue Moroney also spoke and said the city had “significant skin in the game”.

“The city council has seen the importance of having a really fit-for-purpose transport network between the largest city in the country and the fourth largest – but the fastest growing city – in the country,” Moroney said.

She said she regularly used the service for meetings in Auckland.

“Importantly I use it because I can get a lot of work done on the way up and the way back, I can get all my emails done, it’s great for productivity, I can’t do that in a car, I can’t do that in a bus, I can only do that in the train,” she said.

After discussions, the letter tabled in the council’s agenda and the final letter being sent to NZTA were slightly different.

Regional councillor Liz Stolwyk said it was important that the surrounding district and city councils were fully aware of what was being asked for and were taken along on the journey.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Loafers Lodge fire: Esarona David Lologa handed life sentence for murder of five people

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

Esarona David Lologa in the High Court in Wellington on Friday. Samuel Rillstone

The man who murdered five people by lighting the Loafers Lodge blaze has been sentenced to life in prison, with no chance of release for at least 22 years.

Esarona David Lologa, 50, set the Wellington boarding house alight in May 2023.

He was sentenced in the High Court in Wellington on Friday, to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 22 years.

He will be detained as a special patient in a hospital, and will need to be assessed before he can be moved a prison.

Michael Wahrlich, Melvin Parun, Peter O’Sullivan, Kenneth Barnard and Liam Hockings died in the fire.

In September, a jury found Lologa guilty of five counts of murder, and guilty of one count of arson.

His defence argued he was insane when he lit the fire.

The Crown called around 100 witnesses over its four weeks of evidence.

They included Loafers Lodge residents who described their harrowing escapes from the blaze, firefighters who fought tears recounting their experiences, and crucially, five mental health professionals who believed Lologa was not insane when he lit the fire.

The experts said Lologa did know his actions were morally wrong.

They pointed to Lologa’s own comments to police and psychiatrists, including that he had “done nothing wrong”, as evidence he understood the difference between right and wrong.

During the trial psychiatrist Dr Krishna Pillai, testifying for the defence, believed the man was insane when he lit the fire, and was experiencing a serious psychotic relapse.

Pillai told the court the man’s hallucinations – hearing voices telling him to light the fire – rendered him incapable of knowing lighting the fire was morally wrong, which is a threshold required for an insanity defence.

Esarona Lologa – also known as Esa – was born in Wellington in 1975, but was raised by his grandmother and uncle in a small village near Apia, Samoa.

He was initially educated in Samoa but moved to Wellington when he was about 13, where he lived with his uncle. He attended high school in Lower Hutt.

As a young man, Lologa had a relationship with a woman almost 20 years his senior, who had a teenage son.

In 2009 Lologa was convicted of attempting to murder the son with a machete, after he believed his partner was cheating on him.

Lologa had 50 previous convictions – including the attempted murder and an attempted arson in 1996, after he broke into a butcher and tried to burn it down.

He had also been found guilty of common assault and fraud.

He first came to the attention of mental health services in 1999, when he was 24. He was hearing voices in his head that were swearing at him.

Lologa was diagnosed as having schizophrenia, and was first admitted to a mental health facility in 2000.

The court heard details about Lologa’s clinical history spanning more than two decades, including nine hospital admissions.

During adulthood, Lologa lived in Wellington and Auckland. He stayed in social housing and boarding houses, as well as his car and the street, psychiatrists told the court.

Lologa absconded from a mental health facility on 21 April, 2023, three weeks before the fires, and there was a warrant out for his arrest.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Will the ‘Scandinavian sleep method’ really help me sleep?

By -

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yaqoot Fatima, Professor of Sleep Health, University of the Sunshine Coast

It begins with two people, one blanket, and two very different ideas of what’s a comfortable sleeping temperature. By midnight, one partner is hot and sweaty while the other is freezing.

Sounds familiar? You’re not alone.

Many couples have nightly arguments over blankets or doonas, bedroom temperature and differing sleep habits. Poor sleep and relationship strain can follow.

So it’s no wonder couples are curious about the “Scandinavian sleep method”, which is having a moment on social media.

But what is it? And will it end your nightly “doona drama”, as TikTok suggests?

What is the Scandinavian sleep method?

This is a sleeping arrangement for couples who share a bed. But rather than sharing bedding, each has their own blanket or doona.

This arrangement allows couples to continue sleeping together while meeting each person’s individual needs. It offers a balance between sleeping together and sleeping apart.

As the name suggests, it’s said to be a popular in Scandinavian countries. It reflects the preferences of many couples who value both intimacy (sharing a bed) and personal sleep comfort (their own blanket or doona).

Now many couples from non-Scandinavian countries say trying the Scandinavian sleep method has been a game-changer for their sleep.

Does it really work?

Most research on how couples sleep focuses on broader factors. These include the sleep environment (whether it’s safe, quiet or dark), temperature and routines, rather than whether couples share a blanket.

In the absence of research specifically testing “two blankets vs one blanket” it is hard to check if the Scandinavian sleep method is scientifically valid.

However, this method has many aspects that align with healthy sleep practices. So there’s reasonable evidence to suggest it could reduce the type of sleep disturbances you can get from sharing a blanket with your partner.

I’m hot, you’re cold

The body’s internal clock manages daily rhythms in core body temperature, which drops when you fall asleep. And different bedding materials can influence your sleep by affecting your skin and body temperature.

For instance, different fibre types can affect how quickly you fall asleep or the amount of deep sleep you get. Blankets that are too hot and raise your body temperature can also affect your sleep.

But night time body temperature patterns can vary with age, body composition, hormones, and whether you’re a morning or evening person. These contribute to whether you’re a hot sleeper or a cold sleeper, and can explain why you need different types of bedding to your partner.

Hot sleepers generally prefer lightweight, breathable fabrics, whereas cold sleepers tend towards heavier, insulating fabrics that trap heat.

Individuals may also prefer different bedding for other reasons. Someone with
heightened sensory awareness or skin sensitivities might favour more natural, smooth fibres. Or they may opt for weighted blankets to provide a calming effect that helps reduce anxiety or sensory processing issues.

With the Scandinavian sleep method, each person can choose the type of bedding that suits them best.



Read more:
What are cooling blankets? Can they really help me sleep?

My feet are cold

For female-male bed partners, sex differences in night time core body temperature patterns can lead to one person shivering while the other sweats under the same cover.

Women’s hands and feet often have lower skin temperatures, as their body prioritises keeping their internal organs warm. This can explain why women might want to tuck their hands and feet in under the doona or blanket, while their male partner is happy to stick theirs out.

Women may also reach their lowest night time body temperature earlier in the night than men. As women age and transition to menopause, they might experience hot flushes and night sweats, which often disturb sleep.

These differences in temperature regulation mean men and women usually have varying preferences for their ideal temperature for sleeping.

I was almost asleep!

If you have insomnia, your sleep can be disturbed by your partner’s noise or movement. Your sleep can also be disturbed by your partner’s influence over the sleep environment – whether they watch TV or use their phone in bed, or if they sleep with the lights on.

Female partners report being disturbed more often by their male partner’s movement than the other way around.

So separate bedding may help minimise someone’s sleep being disturbed when partners go to bed and wake at different times. And as each person has their own bedding, it would also avoid the disturbed sleep that would arise when one person “hogs the blanket”.

What’s the verdict?

For couples who have poor sleep due to conflicting comfort needs – whether it’s blanket-hogging, different temperature preferences, restlessness or misaligned sleep schedules – the Scandinavian sleep method seems to offer a practical and affordable solution.

It allows you to manage your microclimate to suit your body’s needs.

But sleeping with a separate doona or blanket can make it harder to make the bed and make bedtime cuddles more tricky. Unless you have a queen-size or bigger bed, they might also be tough to balance on the bed without one sliding off.

While the Scandinavian sleep method appears promising, it certainly isn’t a game-changer. Until there is research evidence, it should be best regarded as a practical “sleep hygiene hack” rather than a scientifically tested sleep method.

The Conversation

Yaqoot Fatima receives funding from MRFF, NHMRC and Beyond Blue.

Danielle Wilson and Nisreen Aouira do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Will the ‘Scandinavian sleep method’ really help me sleep? – https://theconversation.com/will-the-scandinavian-sleep-method-really-help-me-sleep-270359

The Ashes live: Australia v England – third test, day three

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the cricket action as the third in the five-test series between arch rivals Australia and England continues at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, and England are staring down the barrel of a third Test defeat.

Australia currently has a 2-0 lead in the series, after successful campaigns in both Perth and Brisbane.

First ball is at 12.30 NZT

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Alex Carey of Australia catches Will Jacks during day two of the Third Test Match Philip Brown

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Supreme Court finds government must consider climate change when offering oil and gas tenders

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Supreme Court has found that climate change is a mandatory consideration when the government considers opening up new blocks for exploration and extraction. RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

The country’s highest court has found that governments must consider climate change when deciding whether to offer oil and gas blocks for tender.

The Supreme Court dismissed an appeal on Friday that former Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods was required to take climate change into account when she granted on-shore exploration permits to two companies in 2021.

However, the court found that climate change is a mandatory consideration at the earlier stage of offering blocks for tender.

Climate change was “so obviously relevant” to a decision that could lead to the extraction and consumption of fossil fuels that it must be considered, the panel of five Supreme Court justices ruled.

“Climate change is a matter of pressing concern for New Zealand and its well-being both in the near and long term,” the justices wrote in their decision.

“Moreover, the Crown has entered into binding obligations on New Zealand’s behalf in connection with reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“Petroleum extraction and consumption are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand and internationally.”

The Crown Minerals Act’s aim was to “promote” prospecting, exploration and mining “for the benefit of New Zealand”.

The court found that ‘benefit’ was “not simply a recognition of the benefits that flow from mining”.

“Climate change is therefore a mandatory relevant consideration … when deciding whether to offer petroleum exploration permits for tender,” the decision said.

“This is because climate change is so obviously relevant to a decision to commence a process which is intended, if successful, to progress through to extraction of petroleum.”

Student group first took case in 2021

The case against the Energy and Resources minister was taken all the way to the Supreme Court by a group of Victoria University law students.

Students for Climate Solutions, now called Climate Clinic Aotearoa, first took the case in 2021.

The group argued that when then-Energy Minister Megan Woods made her decision to grant the permits, she did not properly consider the impacts of climate change, despite advice from the Climate Change Commission that the government should avoid locking in new fossil fuel assets.

The students argued that climate change should be considered at the point when a minister is deciding whether to grant a permit.

Friday’s judgement dismissed the students’ case, but on the basis that once a tender process had already been completed, going on to refuse a permit would undermine the intent of offering a block for tender.

The proper place to consider climate change and other mandatory considerations was at the earlier stage to offer blocks for tender in the first place, the court ruled.

Friday’s judgement found that even though she was not required to consider climate change at the permitting stage, Woods had adequately done so anyway.

She had received detailed advice from officials and was aware of other relevant matters, including policy work on a National Energy Strategy and a broader climate change work programme.

Supreme Court decision at odds with earlier rulings

The High Court earlier found against the students’ case, ruling that while no one could doubt the importance of climate change issues, the purpose of the Crown Minerals Act was to promote mining for fossil fuels.

“Such activity may be at the expense of climate change, but that is what the Act seeks to advance,” Justice Francis Cooke found.

On that account, the Energy Minister had acted in line with the law, he said.

The Court of Appeal also dismissed the students’ appeal, with a panel of three judges finding that there was no requirement for the minister to consider climate change when making permitting decisions.

However, one of the three appeal judges, Justice Jillian Mallon, found that climate change was a ‘permissive’ consideration – in other words, that the minister could factor it into her decision if she chose to.

That was because the Climate Change Response Act, more widely known as the Zero Carbon Act, allows ministers and public agencies to take New Zealand’s emissions targets and budgets into account when carrying out their duties.

Justice Mallon said in her judgement: “Given the accepted climate emergency, and that the combustion of fossil fuels is the main cause of climate change, it would be odd if the Minister responsible for petroleum exploration was precluded from taking into account these key components of New Zealand’s response to climate change, when Parliament has said in the Climate Change Response Act that those exercising powers may do so.”

As an example, she said if the country was on course to exceed one of its emissions budgets, “it would be odd (and potentially contrary to the benefit of New Zealand) if the Minister was precluded from taking into account any published advice from the Climate Change Commission about this in determining whether to grant a permit in furtherance of the purpose of the Act to promote further exploration or prospecting of petroleum ‘for the benefit of NZ”.

At the time Woods granted the two permits, the Climate Change Commission had advised the government it was not on track to meet its emissions targets.

Current projections show New Zealand is on track to meet it emissions budgets for 2022-25 and 2026-2030, but not the budget for 2031-35.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

600 Santas sweat it out in fun run

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

Nearly 600 keen runners showed up dressed in Santa suits to run 5km around Hobsonville Point in the first ever Early Bird Run Crew’s Santa Run.

The run club’s founder, and event organiser, Duncan Oswald, told RNZ he had always wanted to get the event going but didn’t think it was viable.

That changed at the last minute this year when Oswald made a swift move to grab hundreds of Santa suits and local brewery Little Creatures covered the cost.

When Oswald heard from the hospice about raising some money with the festive event, one of the club’s runners had just lost his sister and he described the team at Hospice West Auckland as “angels on earth”.

Oswald said another crew member worked in the nursing team and he knew how tough funding could be.

“It’s amazing how many people have come and spoken to me during the build up to share how the hospice has helped them,” he said.

Given the club’s small budget, he wasn’t sure how much interest there would be in the inaugural event, but a spot prize to Fiji helped build hype.

Oswald said he was always trying to come up with new theme-inspired fun runs. Their annual Neon Run for Pink Shirt Day in support of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand was another great success this year.

“Hundreds of runners with light batons running in the dark all in pink fancy dress. It’s so much fun to get the community together for things like this so I’m always on the lookout for other ideas.”

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Restaurants may be able to sell take-home alcohol under revised law

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The government is proposing to amend alcohol legislation so restaurants with on-site retail spaces can sell take-home booze.

The amendment to the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act would mean restaurants can apply for an off-licence, if they also sell takeaway food or non-alcoholic beverages prepared by the business.

The bill was originally a National Party member’s bill lodged by Hutt South MP Chris Bishop in 2018, and then transferred to Wairarapa MP Mike Butterick in 2023 once Bishop became a minister.

The bill was pulled from the ballot in April, but has now been picked up by Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee as government legislation.

McKee said restaurants were already trusted to supply alcohol through an on-licence, and the law change would mean they can apply for permission to sell it for off-site consumption as well.

“Right now, restaurants that prepare and sell food products like sauces, pastries or desserts for consumption off site are effectively barred from selling customers a bottle of wine to take home,” she said.

“These rigid rules have created absurd barriers to responsible businesses providing a unique experience their customers want.”

McKee said the current law was “nonsensical.” She gave the example of La Bella Italia in Petone, which has both a restaurant and an on-site shop under the same roof.

She said the restaurant had had to jump through “all sorts of hoops” to sell wine for customers to take home with their meal.

“When the rules can’t adapt, they block good ideas and kill the spirit and ambition of the people behind them.”

Restaurants would continue to be required to hold an on-licence to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises.

Alcohol legislation flows through Parliament

This would not be the only legislation liberalising alcohol sales to be considered by Parliament this term.

In August, McKee announced she would loosen the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act to make it harder for people to block liquor licences, and easier for ministers to declare one-off special trading hours for venues screening major sporting or cultural events.

Labour’s Kieran McAnulty has a member’s bill to allow businesses that are already allowed to open on Anzac Day morning, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Christmas Day to sell alcohol.

That bill is up for second reading, and is set to be debated at the first ‘member’s day’ session next year.

In October, the Justice Committee recommended the bill be passed, but proposed retaining restrictions for off-licence premises.

A bill from ACT’s Cameron Luxton to repeal alcohol restrictions on Good Friday and Easter Sunday was voted down at first reading in 2024.

National MP Stuart Smith’s bill allowing winery cellar doors to charge visitors for samples and add off-licence categories for wineries holding an on-licence passed successfully through the House in 2024.

Parliament treats alcohol legislation as a conscience matter, meaning MPs vote according to their personal view instead of as a party bloc.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

A virtual reality tool I developed is helping Indigenous people connect with Country

By -

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kevin Taylor, Senior Lecturer, School of Indigenous Studies, The University of Western Australia

Quaranup, also known as Point Possession, in Western Australia. AndrewofBornholm/Wikimedia

“It makes me feel like I am right there on Country”.

This was the response of a student after they used a new virtual reality (VR) tool I codeveloped to help Indigenous people around Australia learn on Country.

Learning on Country is the way in which Indigenous people teach and learn about Indigenous knowledge systems and culture – and the new VR tool, known as 360 On-Country, makes it more accessible than ever.

It not only brings Country to the classroom, but it also has the potential to bring Country to one of our most vulnerable populations who need it the most – our Elders.

Country is knowledge

Indigenous knowledge is intricately linked to the natural environment.

It is a knowledge system taught by being present with the changing environment and observing the changing colours of the land, the moving position of stars, the changing availability of food and water. It’s based on interactions with the environment made over thousands of years and is embedded in Indigenous language, culture, identity, totems, kinships and Dreaming stories.

Learning on Country is core to Indigenous knowledge. However, it isn’t always possible. For example, students sometimes can’t access Country due to disability, location or other constraints such as travel costs.

Using virtual reality to access the opportunity to learn on Country remotely can potentially remove such challenges.

The 360 On-Country journey

The idea to develop a VR tool came during the time of COVID lockdowns, when universities were moving from teaching face-to-face to completely online.

At the time I was coordinating a unit alongside Elder Len Collard looking at Country through a western scientific and Indigenous lens.

A large proportion of the unit was delivered on Country. Students would note their observations in scientific field journals and then research the Indigenous perspectives after. Developing the unit for online delivery was challenging.

Luckily, Perth was not severely impacted by lockdowns, so students were able to access local parks and observe the native flora and fauna close to home while staying within the restrictions.

When investigating alternative options where students could replicate learning on Country, VR was one idea we had. And eventually we secured funding to launch a pilot.

The VR resources were co-designed and developed with Indigenous academic Shandell Cummings, a Menang woman local to Kinjarling (Albany), Western Australia.

Shandell’s mother Dr Lynette Knapp, a Menang Elder, along with daughter Jessikah Woods, provided access to sites and stories with historical and cultural significance to their family and local Menang people. Shandell took me on an on-Country tour at Quaranup (Point Possession) sharing her cultural knowledge at several sites including the petroglyphs, lizard traps, the keeping place and local waterholes.

Strapped to my head was a 360 degree video camera filming a first-person experience of walking on Country. Later, our team edited the footage and turned it into a 360-degree virtual reality experience.

Connecting with the land

Aside from the slight nauseated feeling students experienced when removing the headset, they found the experience profoundly positive. As one told us afterwards:

The VR made me feel like I was really on Country, helping me connect with the land and its cultural meaning.

Another echoed this, saying:

It was a respectful and engaging way to learn about Indigenous stories, knowledge, and traditions. The visuals and sounds helped show the strong connection between people, culture, and the environment.

Students still preferred to be outside on Country. However, they saw VR as a tool which gives them a more immersive learning experience while creating a connection with Country they didn’t think was possible.

A young person in a red top wearing a headset.
Students who used the VR tool found the experience profoundly positive.
Kevin Taylor, CC BY-SA

VR connecting Elders to Country

360 On-Country has the potential to benefit not just Indigenous students, but also Elders who are far beyond the classroom.

A 2023 study assessing the quality of life factors most important to older Indigenous people identified that opportunities to connect to Country was the most unmet factor in urban settings.

Though VR is currently used in aged care in cognitive stimulation, physical exercise and reminiscence therapy resources aren’t targeted towards cultural therapy such as using it to access Country.

Elders’ last wish in end-of-life is to return to Country – something that is not always possible. This is where VR such as the ones developed here can help Elders return home in their final days.

The Conversation

Kevin Taylor does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. A virtual reality tool I developed is helping Indigenous people connect with Country – https://theconversation.com/a-virtual-reality-tool-i-developed-is-helping-indigenous-people-connect-with-country-271851

Kiwibank scraps $500 million capital raising plan

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Marika Khabazi

  • State-owned Kiwibank’s $500m capital raise won’t go ahead
  • Its parent Kiwi Group Capital cited recent RBNZ capital settings and $400m raise
  • KGC engaged with leading investors

Kiwibank has scrapped a plan to raise extra capital from local investors to strengthen its finances.

The state-owned bank had been working with potential investors to raise up to $500 million in new equity capital to compete better with the big four Australian-owned banks.

In a statement on Friday, Kiwibank’s parent company, Kiwi Group Capital (KGC), said recently announced easing of the Reserve Bank’s capital settings, combined with Kiwibank’s recent $400m Tier 2 capital raise via bonds, meant it could grow without the need for additional equity.

“While prospective investor feedback has been positive on Kiwibank’s performance and strategy, it appeared unlikely by the time of the Reserve Bank’s announcement that terms would be able to be agreed with prospective investors that would meet KGC’s objectives for the transaction,” it said in a statement.

“Kiwibank is in a strong position to continue growing and challenging the larger banks.”

KGC would not reveal the structure of the proposed raise and the price of the offer, and it would not reveal investor feedback.

It said it engaged with a number of leading institutional investors, KiwiSaver funds and professional investment groups, including Māori institutions.

“When KGC started the process, it was unclear whether the Reserve Bank would review its capital settings,” it said. “KGC acted prudently to ensure Kiwibank could maintain its above market growth under the previous rules.

“The changes announced during the process, combined with the successful Tier 2 capital raise, mean Kiwibank remains well funded to maintain its abovemarket growth trajectory.”

Throughout the process, the government remained committed to retaining a minimum 51 percent stake and said no share market listing would occur without an electoral mandate.

Maverick challenger

The Commerce Commission banking study said Kiwibank should be given a financial boost to become a maverick challenger to the big four.

When the proposal was first floated, the extra funds were said to be enough for Kiwibank to chase billions of dollars worth of extra business and home lending, and over the past year or so it has been expanding at a faster rate than the others.

But some observers suggested $500 million was not enough to break the grip of the big four banks and may have led to Kiwibank chasing riskier business that others did not want.

Victoria University associate professor of finance Martien Lubberink previously said the amount might sound large, but it was small in banking terms, and he was dubious about the impact it would have on banking competition.

He said investors would have needed to see a plan before committing to an investment, a point which was echoed by the head of KiwiSaver provider Simplicity, Sam Stubbs, who said Kiwibank needed billions not just millions.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Have you had a Christmas gift from your KiwiSaver provider?

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

A small number of KiwiSaver schemes have been sending gifts to members this Christmas. 123RF

Have you had a Christmas gift from your KiwiSaver provider?

A small number of KiwiSaver schemes have been sending gifts to members this Christmas.

RNZ has discovered an umbrella sent to a member from Generate KiwiSaver, who said he received a gift last year, too.

Pie Funds said it liked to give gifts to recognise customers.

“Christmas is a time for giving, and at Pie Funds we view our investors as whole-of-relationship clients, not just account holders,” chief executive Ana-Marie Lockyer said.

“At this time of year, we like to recognise and thank our clients for the trust they place in us and have been lucky to be able to do so in person with many over the last month at our annual investor updates.

“Any Christmas gift we provide is personal to the individual client and reflects that relationship, rather than being a broad promotional item or incentive. There is no universal entitlement or set criteria – it is about acknowledging our clients in a thoughtful and appropriate way at the end of the year.”

MAS, while not giving a gift to customers, is giving gift bags showcasing New Zealand food and beverage products to customers at random through the pre-Christmas period.

The largest KiwiSaver provider, ANZ, said it was not sending gifts.

Simplicity did not give gifts but donated to charity. Milford said that was its strategy, too. It had donated $66,600 each to Nurturing Families, Pet Refuge and Pillars this year.

Bodo Lang, a marketing expert at Massey University, said showing customers they were appreciated was “seldom used but is an incredibly powerful tool to keep customers for longer, particularly when the relationships are likely long-lasting and revenue and profit from each customer is high”.

“So sending gifts to every person who buys Wattie’s baked beans would not be feasible but sending gifts to highly profitable customers in subscription industries, such as banking and finance, can be well worth it. The success of such tactics would have been calculated in advance. The campaign would have taken place because that analysis showed it would likely be profitable.”

Mike Lee, of the University of Auckland, said it could help keep the KiwiSaver provider top of mind for a service that did not have many opportunities to provide immediate benefits.

“So just something to remind their customers that the relationship still exists and potentially to stop them from transferring their funds to another provider.”

Rupert Carlyon, founder of KiwiSaver provider Koura, said people were better off to pay lower fees and miss out on Christmas gifts.

Sign up for Money with Susan Edmunds, a weekly newsletter covering all the things that affect how we make, spend and invest money.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Trump’s new security strategy exposes the limits of NZ’s ‘softly-softly’ diplomacy

By -

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert G. Patman, Professor of International Relations, University of Otago

Getty Images

President Donald Trump’s recently-issued National Security Strategy marks a decisive break in United States foreign policy. It also poses an uncomfortable challenge for New Zealand and other countries that have long depended on a rules-based order.

The document formalises the most significant shift in Washington’s global outlook since 1947. It confirms, as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned earlier this year, that the “West as we knew it no longer exists”.

By claiming that liberal democracies in the European Union were on a trajectory towards “civilisational erasure”, the Trump administration framed Europe as being in deep decline.

On that basis, it pledged to support far-right populist parties that, in its words, “oppose elite-driven, anti-democratic restrictions on core liberties in Europe, the Anglosphere and the rest of the democratic world”.

The security strategy also stated Europe should “take primary responsibility for its own defence” at a time when it acknowledged “many Europeans regard Russia as an existential threat”. At the same time, it made clear the US would increasingly focus on its “Western Hemisphere”.

More broadly, the document prioritised state sovereignty, rejected multilateral institutions unless they directly advanced US interests, advocated limits on immigration and free trade, and outlined a vision of global order managed by a small concert of great powers: the US, China, Russia, India and Japan.

From strategy to reality

Trump’s strategy should not have come as a surprise. Rather, it formalises a set of positions and instincts that have been increasingly evident throughout the president’s second term.

The document was foreshadowed by the administration’s steady alignment with Project 2025 – a suite of policy proposals advancing an ultra-conservative vision domestically and internationally.

It was also signalled by outlandish territorial threats directed at democracies such as Canada and Denmark by Vice-President JD Vance, who claimed in his controversial February speech in Munich that European Union states suffer from a democratic deficit. Trump has also repeatedly implied that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine should largely end on Vladimir Putin’s terms.

The contrast with New Zealand’s worldview could hardly be greater.

Since the end of World War II, all governments in New Zealand have firmly supported a rules-based system of international relations embodied in norms of multilateralism and institutions such as the United Nations.

Nevertheless, the current coalition government, like many liberal democratic states, has responded to the second Trump administration by adopting a “softly-softly” approach.

Such diplomacy has involved a determined effort to stay off the radar, and exercising marked restraint when the Trump administration acts in ways that show little respect for New Zealand’s national interests.



Read more:
Europe must reject Trump’s nonsense accusations of ‘civilizational erasure’ – but it urgently needs a strategy of its own

As a result, the New Zealand government has declined to publicly support allies and partners such as Canada, Mexico and Denmark as they face pressure from Washington.

It has also had little to say about the erosion of international law by the US and Israel in Gaza and beyond, refused to recognise a Palestinian state, and appeared publicly unwilling to challenge Trump’s trade protectionism.

The underlying assumption was that New Zealand was too small to make a meaningful difference on the world stage. By avoiding offending or provoking Trump, it was hoped he could be persuaded over time to soften key policies – or at least be coaxed into negotiating exemptions from proposed tariffs on exporters such as New Zealand.

This strategy was flawed from the outset. It has deprived New Zealand of a clear stance on some major international issues and has risked being interpreted by Washington as supportive of Trump’s “America First” policies.

More importantly, quiet diplomacy did not curb Trump’s sustained assault on the multilateral, rules-based order on which New Zealand – and most small and middle powers – depend.

Nor did it prevent a 15% tariff on New Zealand exports to the US, despite US imports facing average tariffs of just 0.3%, with few restrictions.

Why softly-softly won’t work

For countries such as New Zealand that have favoured this softly-softly stance, it is surely now time to abandon the post-war ideal of the US as champion and ally of liberal democratic states.

If alliances are arrangements through which countries safeguard shared values and interests, it has become increasingly difficult to describe New Zealand’s current relationship with Trump’s revisionist administration in those terms.

To be sure, New Zealand has continued to weigh participation in AUKUS Pillar Two and has joined a number of US-led strategic initiatives, including Operation Olympic Defender, Project Overmatch and the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience.

These steps reflect a desire to maintain defence and security cooperation, even as the broader political and strategic foundations of the relationship have shifted.

Yet Trump’s security strategy now leaves the government with little room to avoid reassessing its stated goal of closer strategic alignment with the US.

That pressure is reinforced by newly-released polling showing New Zealanders have low levels of trust in both the US and China acting responsibly in world affairs.

For a country that depends on rules rather than power, this scepticism points to the growing challenge of navigating a global order in which the assumptions of the post-war era no longer hold.

The Conversation

Robert G. Patman does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Trump’s new security strategy exposes the limits of NZ’s ‘softly-softly’ diplomacy – https://theconversation.com/trumps-new-security-strategy-exposes-the-limits-of-nzs-softly-softly-diplomacy-272354

Live: Black Caps v West Indies – third test, day two

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow all the action on day one of the Black Caps’ third test against the West Indies at Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui.

First ball is scheduled for 11am.

Black Caps squad: Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Daryl Mitchell, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Will Young

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Shai Hope fielding during play on Day 1 Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz / Photosport Ltd 2025

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Consumer confidence reaches highest level in four years

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

The ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence index lifted 3 points to an optimistic 101.5 points in December. 123rf

Consumer confidence has risen to the highest level in more than four years.

The ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence index lifted 3 points to an optimistic 101.5 points in December from a still pessimistic 98.4 points in November.

While that sounds like a strong uplift, ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner said it is not, considering anything under 100 points was pessimistic.

“Consumer confidence took a body blow from the rapid increase in inflation in 2021 and is still recovering,” she said.

The proportion of households thinking it was a good time to buy a major household item rose 8 points, though remained still slightly in negative territory at negative-1, with mortgaged households more keen to buy than others.

“Mortgage holders have had a bigger swing in willingness to spend, understandably, as interest rates have cycled,” Zollner said.

ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner. ABC / Luke Bowden

“It will be interesting to see in January whether the recent change in direction in interest rates affects this sentiment, or whether the RBNZ Governor’s reassuring words about interest rates staying low for a considerable period, alongside brighter economic headlines, see willingness to spend continue to lift.”

Inflation expectations eased to 4.6 percent from 5.2 percent, consistent with easing food price inflation.

Zollner said the drop in food price inflation could have contributed to the more positive outlook.

As for the outlook, the future conditions index made up of forward-looking questions lifted to 108.9 from 106.8, which was the highest level since July 2021, though the current conditions index remained at 90.4 points.

Still, a net 22 percent of respondents expected to be better off this time next year, which was the highest level since April.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Man faces murder charge after body found in a car in Rotorua

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

123RF

A 28-year-old man has been charged with murder a week after a body was found in a car in Rotorua.

The man is due to appear in the Rotorua District Court on Friday morning, charged with the murder of Nicholas Mitchell, who was 37.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark van Kempen said the investigation was ongoing and he would not rule out further arrests.

Mitchell, 37, was [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/581732/homicide-investigation-launched-in-rotorua-after-police-called-to-alleged-crash-scene

found dead in a vehicle on Ford Road in the city, last Friday].

Officers were called to the scene after receiving reports of a vehicle crashing into a tree.

The only person in the car was found critically injured and died shortly after.

A police spokesperson said later that the injuries the person had “are not consistent with a crash”.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Ruatiti homicide: Police appeal over quad bike and trailer as search for Mitchell Cole continues

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

A photo of Mitchell Cole that was released by police. Supplied / NZ Police

Police are looking for the owner of a parked up quad bike and trailer as part of their search for a person of interest in relation to a double homicide in the central North Island.

Police have been looking for 29-year-old Mitchell Cole since Saturday, after two bodies were found in Ruatiti near Ohakune.

They have advised the public not to approach Cole and to call 111 if they see him.

Police Central District CIB field crime manager Detective Inspector Gerard Bouterey said they were seeking information about the owner of a red quad bike and trailer.

“They are currently parked on Murumuru Road in an area known locally as the airstrip.

“If this quad and trailer are yours, or you know who they belong to, please tell us.”

The Mangapurua and Kaiwhakauka tracks have also been closed while police searched the area, and hunters were being asked to keep out.

Police are also appealing for anyone with useful information to report it online and click ‘Update Report’, or by calling 105, using the reference number 251213/6207.

The area police were focusing on was very remote, with a number of huts, lodges, and camps, Bouterey said.

“Police’s appeal to the public is for anyone who has a hut or lodge in the wider Ruatiti area to please get in touch with us via 105.

“Also, if you have CCTV footage which covers roads in the area and you have not yet spoken to police, please let us know.”

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Dunedin’s inner-city greening project shows even small spaces can be wildlife havens

By -

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacqueline Theis, PhD Candidate in Ecology, University of Otago

Even small green spaces can bring nature back into cities, as our project in Ōtepoti Dunedin has shown.

Over the past two years, Dunedin’s city centre has become greener and more biodiverse thanks to the installation of street-side planters.

This change, though modest, proves popular with a range of insects that have moved in even though the city centre remains dominated by grey non-permeable surfaces.

This real-world example shows that urban dwellers with limited green spaces can still have a positive impact on urban biodiversity through the use of planters and raised garden beds.

Since most New Zealanders live in urban areas, these are the places where people frequently interact with and experience nature. The way we design cities shapes our experience of the natural world, and it should include habitat for our native flora and fauna.

As housing pressure rises, stand-alone homes with private gardens are increasingly replaced by medium-density housing with limited greenspace. If we want to keep our living environments green, we have to find ways to enhance biodiversity in increasingly smaller spaces.

Opportunities to connect with nature are linked to increased mental and physical wellbeing, sense of place and pro-environmental behaviours. In fact, having a connection to nature was deemed equally important as income in a recent Australian survey that ranked life satisfaction.

Planning with biodiversity in mind

Amid the growing recognition of biodiversity’s importance, the Dunedin City Council has started weaving it into city planning, despite the absence of national policies for modified urban habitats.

The council partnered with local agency Aukaha to incorporate mana whenua values of environmental guardianship into the design of the city’s main shopping street.

Aceana microphylla groundcover
The native ground-covering bidibid can be used with plants of different heights to create new habitats.
Author provided, CC BY-ND

The upgrade of Dunedin’s George Street comprises three consecutively installed blocks, each with a slightly different theme. The first block is dominated by native plants, the second features more flowering species, and the third has a mixture of both.

In total, the planters include more than 2,500 plants representing close to 60 species, of which more than half are native. These offer a variety of resources for wildlife, from food (pollen, nectar, fruit) to habitat niches created through the plants’ varying heights and physical structures. Each block’s planters have either loose stone or bark as the ground medium.

Urban insect colonisation

To test whether George Street’s planters actually do enhance biodiversity we conducted a two-year study of insect colonisation.

A handheld vacuum used to suck insects of fern leaves
Insects were sampled in traps and by vacuuming leaves.
Author provided, CC BY-ND

We used pitfall traps buried in the ground and hand-held vacuuming of plants to catch insects and assessed whether the planters act as stepping-stone habitats – small patches that connect fragmented urban landscapes to more natural ones, thus enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Our results are promising. As expected in a harsh, disturbed urban environment, we found the insect communities in the George Street planters differ from those found in more extensive natural areas such as the Town Belt or Ross Creek, which tend to have more specialised species.

However, several groups have successfully colonised the planters, including spiders, flies, native wasps, beetles and other insects.

Beetles, New Zealand’s largest insect group, are good indicators of ecosystem health. We found a small population of Scopodes fossulatus, a native ground-dwelling carnivorous beetle, also present in the surrounding natural areas. Its presence indicates sufficient food resources (other smaller insects) and a functioning micro-ecosystem.

Gardening for wildlife

The George Street planters offer practical guidance for urban dwellers on how to enhance biodiversity in their own outdoor spaces, regardless of size.

Bark was found to be more successful in attracting insects than loose stone as the planter medium. Planting vegetation of varying heights is one of the best ways to enhance urban biodiversity.

This can be achieved by planting a native ground cover such as Aceana microphylla (bidibid), together with a variety of structurally complex plants between 30 centimetres and more than two metres in height.

Plants with more leaf surface area and complex shapes and forms, such as Polystichum vestitum (prickly shield fern), are more likely to offer habitat, and thus attract insects, compared to structurally simple plants like Libertia (New Zealand iris) species.

While non-native plants add colour, including native plants will attract native insects as they have co-evolved.

George Street demonstrates that even in a small space, staggering flowering times throughout the year to provide continuous food resources is achievable: native Veronica (formerly Hebe) “Beverly Hills”, for instance, produces bright purple flowers throughout spring and summer, while non-native Lenten roses flower from late winter to spring.

When sourcing native plants for pots, planters or gardens, growers should consider supporting local nurseries. They often offer a greater genetic diversity and in-depth knowledge on local climatic preferences.

Most importantly, it’s good to take time to connect with nature, be it on a balcony, backyard or the seats around the George Street planters, and enjoy the species these small but mighty green spaces can attract.

The Conversation

Jacqueline Theis receives funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. She is affiliated with the Entomological Society of New Zealand.

Barbara I.P. Barratt receives funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment for research on border biosecurity, risk assessment for biological control agents and native grassland ecology; from the Department of Conservation for research on endangered insect species; and from Environment Canterbury for expert advice on terrestrial invertebrates.

Connal McLean is affiliated with the Entomological Society of New Zealand and a trustee of the Moths and Butterflies of NZ Trust.

Yolanda van Heezik receives funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

– ref. Dunedin’s inner-city greening project shows even small spaces can be wildlife havens – https://theconversation.com/dunedins-inner-city-greening-project-shows-even-small-spaces-can-be-wildlife-havens-267097

Principals say ERO not giving schools credit for challenges

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

ERO says it has the same high expectations of every school. RNZ/Sally Round

Principals say the Education Review Office isn’t giving schools in poor communities enough credit for the challenges they face.

They say the review office makes no allowances for the fact many of their students come from disadvantaged backgrounds and start school performing at levels several years behind that expected of their age group.

Leaders at one school, which RNZ agreed not to name, said ERO reviewers told them they had witnessed excellent teaching but could not say that in the school’s report because its attendance and achievement rates needed to improve.

ERO said it has the same high expectations of every school.

Earlier this year the Principals Federation warned the review office was being too hard on under-performing schools and the office’s most recent annual report called for stronger consequences for schools that did not improve.

Secondary Principals Association president Louise Anaru said some of its members felt ERO reports had become more punitive and the situation was creating anxiety.

Anaru said the principals believed ERO did not give sufficient attention to their school’s context or to students’ progress.

“Many young people may be progressing more than a year in any given year, however may still be behind the expected level or outcome, so some of the concerns are around that schools are able to show accelerated progress and significant improvements however the review focus has just been on outcomes or the expected levels where students should be at,” she said.

Anaru said that resulted in schools getting a negative ERO report that did not reflect their hard work.

She said potential consequences included more frequent reviews, requiring schools to seek support for aspects of their work, or statutory intervention such as limited statutory managers or commissioners.

Anaru said it might take a school two or three years to accelerate a student’s achievement to the point where they were achieving at the expected level and ERO should acknowledge that progress and support.

“The focus now is more around outcomes than the progress that’s been made and it’s important to look at both,” she said.

Principals’ Federation president Leanne Otene said schools should not be held accountable for wider social problems that were the government’s responsibility.

She said schools in poor communities kept records of student progress so they had hard evidence of the difference they made for children.

Otene said some schools also recorded the achievement of students who remained with them for three or more years because transient pupils often had poor results that dragged down average achievement but were not a fair reflection of the school’s work.

Asked if it was taking a less forgiving line on socioeconomic disadvantage as a reason for under-achievement, the Education Review Office said it took schools’ contexts into consideration.

“However, we deliberately have the same high expectations for every school in every community. Every learner has the right to a great education that sets them up for success. It shouldn’t matter where in New Zealand you grow up, you should have access to the same high-quality education,” it said.

“Our school reports detail a bespoke action plan for every school. These are all focused on the things that matter most for learners – attendance, achievement, the quality of teaching and learning, leadership capability – but the plan is designed for that individual school and the areas we have identified that need immediate attention.”

Principals’ Federation vice president Jason Miles told Morning Report ERO’s focus on achievement and attendance did not account for schools supporting students with very high needs.

“We’re wanting to see ERO reviewers coming into schools and looking at things like effort and support given to students to raise engagement, cultural inclusiveness effort – that all leads to academic achievement – if there is a sole focus on looking at academic data, those things … can get lost.”

He said there was not enough consideration of the socio-economic situation of communities schools served.

“Principals and teachers support children to belong in the classroom, to engage in learning, to be able to focus on their basic human needs such as having food in their tummies, to feel safe and ready to learn.

“Some schools are working really hard to get children ready and support them so they’re ready to learn and not be hungry, cold or dysregulated.”

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

A bach is a lot more expensive than a decade ago

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Houses in holiday hotspots have increased in value significantly over the past decade – but there’s a warning for anyone daydreaming about a purchase this summer.

Realestate.co.nz data shows asking prices for properties in Albert Town, in the South Island, have lifted 225 percent over the past 10 years, from $553,500 in 2015 to $1.796 million this year.

Hahei, Coromandel houses lifted from $623,000 to $2.005m.

Russell, in the Bay of Islands, rose from an average price of $1.356m in 2015 to $3.563m in 2025.

Lake areas had delivered large price increases, too, Realestate.co.nz said.

Lake Hawea was up 199 percent over 10 years and Lake Rotoiti 175 percent. Lake Wanaka was just behind at 171 percent.

A graph showing the top 20 holiday places with the highest property price increases from September 2015 to November 2025. realestate.co.nz / screenshot

Spokesperson Vanessa Williams said the data showed how big increases could be over time,

“We all love a bit of hindsight, but these numbers are next level. If you bought in Albert Town or Hahei a decade ago, you’ve basically won the property lotto. It just goes to show sometimes the dream bach can also be the dream investment.

“While iconic destinations still hold lifestyle appeal, we’re seeing serious price gains in less expected spots, particularly around the lakes. Buyers chasing both lifestyle and long-term value gains may need to look beyond the classic beachside favourites.”

Kelvin Davidson, chief property economist at Cotality, said most people probably only day dreamed about buying a house in the places they visited over summer. They would then get back to normal life and do nothing about it.

“But some people would have no doubt acted too.

“The issue with holiday houses is that they don’t generally have the same level or consistency of cashflow as a standard rental. Yes, some will do really well on Airbnb and the likes, but the average bach purchase right now probably doesn’t stack up purely as an ‘investment’ – you’d need to factor in non-monetary benefits such as pleasure in being able to get away to your own place, as well to justify it.”

Sign up for Money with Susan Edmunds, a weekly newsletter covering all the things that affect how we make, spend and invest money.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

NZ Cricket CEO Scott Weenink resigns after controversy

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

Scott Weenink. photosport

NZ Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink has resigned following a disagreement with the organisation’s board and the sport’s key stakeholders.

Weenink’s departure follows an increasingly public rift with the organisation’s board and cricket’s key stakeholders.

In a statement, Weenink said he had advised the board of his resignation after “careful consideration”.

“It has become clear that I hold a different view from several Member Associations, and the NZCPA (Players Association), on the future priorities for NZC, including the long-term direction of the game and the best role for T20 cricket in New Zealand.

“Given these differences, I believe it is in the best interests of the organisation that new leadership takes NZC forward from here.”

He said it had been a privilege to be in the role and he was proud of what the organisation had achieved in the past two and a half years.

“We have delivered exceptional results on and off the field, including record financial performances and the signing of long-term broadcast agreements with Sky and Sony. Our people have driven a culture of strong engagement and commitment, and NZC is now in a strong financial position.”

Weenink abruptly went on leave earlier this month while he underwent mediation with the board.

It followed reports the chief executive was “fighting for his survival” in his role amid a highly political battle

Photosport / RNZ composite

NZ Cricket denied an employment process was underway and said Weenink was spending time with family.

The situation had been building for months, with growing concern inside the game that the board and the chief executive were no longer on the same page.

Sources have told RNZ there was a clear disconnect between Weenink and NZ Cricket’s directors, with trust breaking down and communication becoming strained.

Earlier this month, NZ Cricket said an agreed date for Weenink to return to the role had been set for today.

Sources at the time said Weenink offered to go on leave as his position at NZC has become increasingly untenable as he has been sidelined from attending key events.

“He basically exists in a state of purgatory right now,” one insider said.

Weenink’s sudden absence marked a dramatic escalation in a battle that has been brewing over several months.

He faced allegations of working to “actively undermine” a bid by a private consortium to establish a new T20 franchise competition – a proposal supported by all six major associations and the NZ Cricket Players’ Association (NZCPA).

According to one source, concern around Weenink’s leadership has been simmering for several months, culminating in a letter sent to the NZ Cricket board on 16 October following a series of meetings between the six major associations.

It is understood the major associations have obtained independent legal representation from high profile employment lawyer Stephen Langton, who has gone through a process of formally documenting the concerns of each of the regions.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Fishing for crayfish to be banned on Northland’s east coast

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

Most commercial fishing for spiny rock lobster – better known as red crayfish – off Northland’s east coast had already stopped under a voluntary industry closure. RNZ /Dom Thomas

Commercial and recreational fishing for crayfish off Northland’s east coast will be banned from 1 April next year in a bid to stop the species’ rapid decline.

Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones said the closure of the rock lobster fishery was needed to give the species a reprieve and allow stocks to build up again.

Most commercial fishing for spiny rock lobster – better known as red crayfish – off Northland’s east coast had already stopped under a voluntary industry closure.

The recreational limit for crayfish on Northland’s west coast would be reduced to two per day, Jones said.

“This fishery is a priority for me and I’m aware people have concerns about low spiny rock lobster numbers. Rock lobsters play an important role in the marine ecosystem by helping keep kina numbers in check. The changes I am making will help restore balance by increasing the numbers and size of spiny rock lobsters in the fishery.”

Jones commended the industry for already taking action to stop the decline in crayfish numbers.

However, he believed further measures for commercial and recreational fishers were needed to give the fishery the best opportunity for recovery.

With the inner Hauraki Gulf already closed to spiny rock lobster fishing earlier this year, the new restrictions will put the east coast and most of the waters from Northland to Coromandel Peninsula off limits to anyone hoping to catch crayfish.

To prevent fishers simply switching to packhorse crayfish, Jones said he had set a nationwide recreational catch limit of three packhorse crays per person per day.

More than 600 submissions were received when Fisheries New Zealand consulted on the closure between August and September.

The new rules, from 1 April 2026, will be:

  • The CRA1 (northern rock lobster fishery) closure will extend from Ohao Point (just south of North Cape), including Pārengarenga Harbour, to Hauraki Gulf at Cape Rodney.
  • The recreational daily catch limit for spiny rock lobster will be reduced to two per person per day in the rest of the CRA1 fishery, which includes the west coast of Northland.
  • A portion of the CRA2 fishery will also close between Te Ārai Point and the inner Hauraki Gulf. The inner Hauraki Gulf fishery is already closed.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

More funding announced in battle to eradicate yellow-legged hornets

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

More than 30 queen hornets and 22 nests have been located and destroyed so far in Auckland. Biosecurity NZ

The government has announced additional funding will be allocated to help eradicate yellow-legged hornets in Auckland.

More than 30 queen hornets and 22 nests have been located and destroyed so far in the region, with trapping and ground searches expanded significantly across the city’s North Shore recently.

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said the government has committed $12 million to cover the cost of the response to 30 June 2026.

“This funding gives us the best possible chance to eradicate yellow-legged hornet,” he said.

“The hornet is a predator that poses a serious threat to honeybees and, by extension, to New Zealand’s agricultural sector and overall economy. It’s crucial we prevent it from establishing here to protect what matters most to New Zealand-our environment, our primary industries, and the livelihoods that depend on them.”

Biosecurity New Zealand will contribute $2m from its baseline funding, while the remaining $10m would come from reprioritised funds.

Hoggard said the government would consider further funding if costs were to rise.

He said Biosecurity New Zealand was working with industry partners as part of the agreement, as well as with beekeepers and their groups.

“I’m confident that strong and swift measures are in place to deal with the hornet, and we will continue to draw on the knowledge of our local and international experts who are guiding our work,” Hoggard said.

He urged the public to be vigilant, and to report any sightings of the yellow-legged hornet to Biosecurity New Zealand.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Woman on work visa endures long ACC wait after rare blood clot found in brain

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

Nataly Vitreras, originally from Chile, was living in New Zealand on a work visa when the blood clot was found. NATALY VITRERAS / SUPPLIED

A woman who developed a rare blood clot in her brain more than four months ago says she’s stuck in limbo and unable to work while ACC investigates her case.

Chilean national Nataly Vitreras had been in New Zealand for three years on a work visa when she experienced a medical emergency in Queenstown on 28 June.

“I was at work and suddenly had a severe headache, vomiting and a feeling of loss of control.”

She ended up in Dunedin Hospital for seven days where doctors confirmed she had a cerebral venous sinus thrombosis – a blood clot in her brain.

Vitreras said she had begun taking the contraceptive pill Cerazette shortly before she became ill and ACC was now investigating whether it could be related to the cause of the clot.

Nataly Vitreras pictured before she became unwell. NATALY VITRERAS / SUPPLIED

A letter from Te Whatu Ora, seen by RNZ, noted Vitreras had recently started the oral contraceptive pill.

A discharge letter from Dunedin Hospital said she was started on a blood thinner and should repeat an MRI in three to four months.

It noted she should not use a combined oral contraceptive again and progesterone contraceptives should not be used until after attending neurology clinic, as there was a “small but significant increase in venous thrombosis risk in some studies”.

Since then, Vitreras said she had been unable to access proper follow up care due to the cost and was unable to return to work.

“It’s all on hold pending the ACC investigation,” she said.

ACC has been investigating the case since the end of June. (File photo) Supplied

ACC told her the investigation would take four months, but had since asked for more time, Vitreras said.

Finding out there was a clot in her brain had caused her a large amount of emotional distress and she said she felt “very afraid”.

“The system is so slow. Since I wasn’t considered urgent, they [ACC] said it could take months. It’s been traumatic.”

Vitreras said she had since been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by her GP and a psychologist.

Her request for occupational therapy had been declined by ACC while the investigation continued, she said.

Vitreras spent seven days in Dunedin Hospital. SUPPLIED

Vitreras had been relying on financial help from her parents in Chile and her partner in New Zealand since she became unwell.

She’d been unable to return home to Chile as doctors told her she couldn’t fly with the clot.

Vitreras said she still had near-constant headaches, and it was taking a huge toll on her mentally and physically.

“I feel lost in a system that doesn’t seem to care… I just want to walk, work and live normally again. To have my life back.”

Vitreras is on a working visa in New Zealand until 2029. NATALY VITRERAS / SUPPLIED

A complex investigation

ACC’s head of service operations Phil Riley said Vitreras had put in a claim for a treatment injury which could be “more complex” than typical physical injury claims.

“We acknowledge this wait has been difficult for Nataly, particularly as she has been unable to work and the financial impact this is having.”

Riley said ACC was focused on getting her a clear outcome as soon as possible.

On average, it took 44 days to make a cover decision on treatment injury claims, he said – but complex cases where the cause of injury wasn’t clear could take longer.

He said ACC relied on medical professionals providing detailed clinical information and the current pressures on the health sector affected how quickly this happened.

“In Nataly’s case we are waiting on one final specialist report.”

A treatment injury was an injury caused because of seeking or receiving medical treatment, Riley said.

“For us to accept a treatment injury claim, the person must have suffered a personal injury and there must be a casual like between the treatment and injury.”

Visitors to New Zealand could access ACC support if they had a covered claim, Riley said, but no support could be given until there was an accepted claim.

ACC suggested Vitreras speak to her GP as there could be other agencies who could provide support.

“We’re in regular contact with Nataly to ensure she knows what’s happening to her claim.”

The cause of the clot

Pinning down the specific cause of a blood clot could prove very difficult, the chairperson of the NZ Blood Clot Foundation Trevor Johnston said.

“I’d say the emotional and mental aspect of having a blood clot… is extremely high. Some people can really struggle because of the lack of practical information given to you by the system.”

Dr Emma Jackson, NZ vice president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecolgists (RANZCOG), said it was important to note published evidence said there was no increased risk of a blood clot while taking the progesterone pill (mini pill).

“It is increased by the combined pill, but the risk is greater during pregnancy,” she said.

“The current data on the mini pill shows no association.”

Jackson said often women who were at a higher risk of clots were put on the mini pill opposed to the combined.

“Women on the mini pill or any contraception should feel comfortable taking it. The risks of a clot from contraception are less than in pregnancy.”

Jackson urged anyone with concerns to see their health provider.

Vitreras started a Givealittle to raise funds for an MRI scan, private neurology consultation and living expenses while recovering.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Australia’s roads are full of giant cars, and everyone pays the price. What can be done?

By -

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milad Haghani, Associate Professor and Principal Fellow in Urban Risk and Resilience, The University of Melbourne

You may have noticed — there’s a car-size inflation on Australian roads that some have nicknamed car “mobesity”.

Most SUVs and utes from a decade or two ago look small next to today’s models.

As we head for a fifth consecutive year of rising road deaths and what could be the worst year for pedestrian fatalities in nearly two decades, it’s time to look more closely at what this means.

We already know bigger cars cause greater impacts in collisions.

But what’s less discussed is whether driving one also changes how we drive – if larger vehicles make us feel safer inside them, do they also make us take more risks behind the wheel?

What’s driving this trend?

Four in five new cars sold in Australia are SUVs or utes – more than double the share of 20 years ago.

This isn’t purely consumer-driven.

With no domestic car manufacturing, Australia imports vehicles shaped by global production trends, many of which trickle down from United States policies that reward larger vehicles.

Two subtle US policy features explain why.

First, the “SUV loophole”: under US law, most SUVs are classified as light trucks, meaning they’re subject to less stringent fuel-efficiency and crash-safety standards than passenger cars.

Second, under US fuel economy rules, fuel-efficiency targets are adjusted based on the size of the vehicle’s “footprint” — the area between its wheels. In practice, this means larger vehicles are allowed to consume more fuel while still meeting the target.

Together, these rules have encouraged American manufacturers to build and sell heavier SUVs and utes.

Large vehicles can deliver significantly higher profit margins than small cars.

These trends have resulted in more bigger cars being driven on Australian roads.

The combination of high car ownership, years without fuel efficiency rules, and the luxury-car-tax exemption that many utes qualify for has made Australia a highly lucrative market for large, high-emission models.

Marketing has played a significant role too: in 2023, car makers invested about A$125 million in SUV and 4×4 advertising in Australia – a 29% increase from the previous year.

The dangers of bigger vehicles

There’s a physical mismatch between large and small vehicles that usually transfers the danger from the occupants of the bigger car to everyone else.

While the risks of being hit by a large SUV or ute might seem self-evident, the question is how much greater those risks are.

Research provides a clear answer.

Car-to-car collisions:

  • Collisions between large SUVs and smaller cars show occupants of a smaller vehicle face about 30% higher risk of dying or sustaining serious injury.

  • A 500kg increase in vehicle weight is linked to a 70% higher fatality risk for occupants of the lighter car.

  • For every fatal accident avoided inside a large vehicle, there are around 4.3 additional deaths among other road users.

Car-to-pedestrian and cyclist collisions:

These differences help explain why US pedestrian deaths — once on a steady decline — have climbed back to their highest level since the early 1980s.

This is while most countries have reduced pedestrian fatalities.

Bigger cars, more risk-taking?

Evidence from multiple countries suggests driving larger vehicles may lead to more confident or risk-prone behaviour:

Policy can make a difference

Taxes and size-dependant registration fees could potentially offset some of the extra costs of heavier vehicles on roads surfaces, congestion and emissions, or regulate demand.

Two measures would make a tangible difference:

Licence testing by vehicle class

Many drivers obtain their licence in a small sedan but can legally drive a two-tonne ute the next day. Yet, larger vehicles demand different manoeuvring skills, longer braking distances and greater spatial awareness.

Requiring a practical test in a vehicle of comparable size to what the driver intends to drive (or a streamlined license upgrade for an experienced driver when upsizing) would acknowledge that added responsibility.

The reform would also carry a symbolic message: driving a heavier vehicle comes with greater responsibility.

Penalties scaled to impact potential

A ute or SUV travelling 10kmh over the limit carries greater kinetic energy and longer stopping distance than a small sedan.

A tiered approach – where fines or demerit points scale with vehicle mass – would better reflect the disproportionate risk that bigger cars pose.

If Australia is serious about reducing road trauma, these are the kinds of targeted, evidence-based adjustments that should be considered.

The Conversation

Milad Haghani receives funding from The Australian Government (The Office of Road Safety).

– ref. Australia’s roads are full of giant cars, and everyone pays the price. What can be done? – https://theconversation.com/australias-roads-are-full-of-giant-cars-and-everyone-pays-the-price-what-can-be-done-268212

More total fire bans take effect in Hawke’s Bay

By -

Source: Radio New Zealand

A huge forestry fire near the Central Hawke’s Bay village of Pōrangahau in October took weeks to extinguish. Supplied

More total fire bans on open air fires have been put in place for parts of Hawkes Bay.

They apply to the Southern Hawke’s Bay Coast and Porangahau zones of Hawke’s Bay.

Fire and Emergency’s district manager Tony Kelly said the new prohibited fire season zones will join the Ahuriri-Heretaunga and Tukituki East zones of Hawke’s Bay, which are already in a prohibited fire season.

“There is also no rainfall forecast for the coming weeks, which means the risk of a fire starting and getting out of control has become too great.”

During a prohibited fire season, no fires are allowed in the open and all fire permits are suspended.

Hawke’s Bay’s Tararua East zone is also moving into a restricted fire season from today.

Kelly said that meant anyone who wanted to light an open-air fire will need to obtain a permit.

“This area has also seen consistently warm days and not much rain, and this is set to continue.”

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

What’s the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant? Quite significant, actually

By -

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Eldridge, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, Swinburne University of Technology

Kinga Krzeminska/Getty Images

When summer hits, the combination of heat and activity often result in increased sweating. Sweat is great – it’s our personal evaporative cooling system. Most of us will sweat out at least half a litre each day, and that’s before any intense exercise.

Unfortunately, sweating can also exacerbate body odour. To control this, many of us use an antiperspirant or deodorant every day. Even though we apply both to our underarms, the two products are actually distinct and function in different ways.

Knowing this difference can help you troubleshoot your personal hygiene products – and stay stink free.

Sweat doesn’t smell

To understand how underarm products work, we first need to look at where the unpleasant odour comes from.

The sweat our bodies release is actually odourless. It comes primarily from one of two types of glands: eccrine and apocrine.

Eccrine sweat glands, responsible for the greatest amount of sweat, are located over most of the body. They tend to release a mostly water-based sweat primarily responsible for our thermoregulation. This sweat also contains electrolytes and small amounts of other substances that typically don’t result in bad odours.

The apocrine sweat glands, found primarily in the armpit and groin regions, produce sweat with a more oily composition, containing proteins, sugars and oils. This sweat is also odourless at first.

However, several types of bacteria that live on the skin feed on this sweat, and in doing so, produce volatile and odorous substances. They cause body odour, and the scent of some of these compounds can be sensed by nose in concentrations of trillionths of a gram per litre of air. Apocrine sweat glands tend to become active at the onset of puberty.

An infographic explaining the chemistry behind flatulence, underarm odour, halitosis and foot odour.

Compound Interest, CC BY-NC-ND

To combat these odours, we reach for antiperspirants or deodorants. Although we tend to use the terms interchangeably, each name actually describes the precise way these products work.

What antiperspirants do

Broadly speaking, all antiperspirants work in the same way. They contain active ingredients that stop your body from releasing the sweat in the first place.

The ingredients that do this are usually one of a variety of metal-containing salts, most frequently aluminium chlorohydrate, aluminium sesquichlorohydrate, aluminium chloride, or a zirconium-aluminium compound.

These combine with water and other molecules in the sweat gland to produce a temporary plug that prevents the flow of sweat to the skin’s surface. As a result, the bacteria on your skin are deprived of the substances they digest to produce unwanted odours.

Demonstration of how antiperspirant forms a plug with the combination of an aluminium salt, water and an amino acid.
Daniel Eldridge

What deodorants do

Deodorants work differently – they allow sweat to flow out onto the skin, but then prevent the odour either from being released, or from becoming detectable. This is achieved with a range of different ingredients.

Some deodorants may have antimicrobial agents, designed to reduce the microbial population responsible for producing the odorous molecules. Some are perfumes, designed to mask unwanted odours.

Other compounds are sometimes added as odour absorbers to bind volatile molecules, and sometimes to absorb moisture too.

Finally, selected active ingredients may alter the local pH level of your skin, making it less hospitable for bacteria.

Other approaches – currently in development – look to inhibit bacteria from producing odours, or to neutralise odour precursors before the bacteria can consume them.

There’s some overlap, too

Outside of these main ingredients, you can expect your underarm product to contain a few other additives – to work as preservatives, provide a pleasant fragrance, assist with application, and improve the feel of the product on your skin.

If you’re just looking to stop the smell, a deodorant can get the job done. If you want to sweat less too, an antiperspirant is what you need. If you can’t decide, quite a few products use a combination of both strategies – a strongly scented antiperspirant, or antiperspirants with antimicrobials are common examples.

As with many consumer products, some people will have either personal or outcome-based preferences for one approach over another. As we age and change habits, our bodies may respond differently to these products, so you may need to engage in some trial and error, or even to seek medical advice in some cases.

What about ‘natural’ deodorants?

Despite a rumour started by an email hoax, evidence-based research indicates aluminium-based antiperspirants are safe, and don’t pose any risks to our health.

That said, “natural” deodorants are popular for various reasons. Although they sometimes use different active ingredients compared to “regular” deodorants, the mode of action is usually the same – antibacterial, masking the smell, absorbing moisture or a combination thereof.

One common active ingredient in “natural” formulations is sodium bicarbonate, used to absorb moisture and odour, and to modify the underarm pH. Certain essential oils, used for their antimicrobial properties and scent, are common ingredients too.

Importantly, a product being “natural” does not necessarily mean that it’s safer. In fact, some alternative deodorant ingredients haven’t been as thoroughly tested for safety. Others pose the same risks as their synthetic counterparts – for example, that bacteria might develop antimicrobial resistance against both synthetic ingredients and natural ones, such as essential oils.



Read more:
Whole-body deodorants: a solution to a non-existent problem

The Conversation

Daniel Eldridge does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. What’s the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant? Quite significant, actually – https://theconversation.com/whats-the-difference-between-deodorant-and-antiperspirant-quite-significant-actually-271626

Just 2 in 3 patients are treated on time in emergency departments. Check how your public hospital performs

By -

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anam Bilgrami, Senior Research Fellow, Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy, Macquarie University

If you arrive at an emergency department (ED) today, you’ll be triaged. That’s a quick judgement about how urgently you need care. Those in crisis are seen quickly, while others may wait hours.

A decade ago, three-quarters (74%) of emergency patients in public hospitals were seen within the clinically recommended time by a nurse, doctor or other health professional after arrival. Now, only two-thirds (67%) of patients are seen on time.

The same pattern shows up in elective surgery. Ten years ago, the median wait was around 35 days between a doctor deciding you need surgery and you having the operation. Today, it’s 45 days. Some wait over a year.

Longer wait times reflect the balance between demand for services, the supply of staff, beds and theatre time, and how efficiently hospitals coordinate care and discharge patients through the system.

Let’s look at who waits longest.

How quickly should patients be seen in EDs?

Every patient arriving at an ED is assigned a triage category based on urgency:

  • resuscitation: requires immediate treatment, within seconds (for example, during a cardiac arrest)
  • emergency: should be seen within ten minutes (for example, a suspected heart attack or stroke)
  • urgent: within 30 minutes (symptoms such as high blood pressure or persistent vomiting)
  • semi-urgent: within 1 hour (for example, a minor head injury or non-specific abdominal pain)
  • non-urgent: within 2 hours (for symptoms of low-risk conditions or minor wounds).

Fewer ED patients seen on time than a decade ago

On-time performance mostly slipped over the past decade, although there’s been a small rebound since 2023–24, after a low the year before.

But median waiting times have changed little over the same timeframe and remain steady at 18 minutes. This is partly because there have been proportionally more patients in the “emergency” category and fewer classified as “non-urgent”.

However, most people who come to EDs aren’t in life-threatening situations. Last year, there were 9.1 million presentations. Only 0.96% were resuscitation cases (86,831). Nearly all these patients were seen immediately.

How states and territories compare on ED waits

There were 1.6 million “emergency” category cases in 2024-5. New South Wales and Queensland performed relatively well, with around three-quarters of emergency cases seen within the ten-minute target.

In contrast, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory lagged behind, with half, or just under, seen on time.

The largest patient groups were “urgent” (3.8 million) and “semi-urgent” (3.0 million) presentations, accounting for around three-quarters of ED activity.

Western Australia was an outlier for urgent patients, with less than a third treated within 30 minutes, the lowest rate nationally.

Most “non-urgent” patients were seen on time, but performance for semi-urgent patients dipped below 50% in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

What about elective surgery? How does the queue work?

Elective surgeries are planned surgeries that are medically necessary and may be urgent, but not the result of an ED presentation.

These are classified by level of urgency based on clinically recommended timeframes for surgery:

  • category 1: within 30 days. Condition may deteriorate quickly and require emergency care (for example, a limb amputation or a malignant skin lesion)
  • category 2: within 90 days. Includes conditions that cause pain, dysfunction or disability (for example, a hernia or nerve compression)
  • category 3: within a year. Includes conditions that cause pain, dysfunction or disability but that are unlikely to deteriorate quickly (for example, a knee replacement or cataract extraction).

Longer waits for surgery than a decade ago

Over the past decade, the median wait for elective surgery in public hospitals has risen modestly, from 35 days to around 45 days in 2024–25.

The bigger story lies in the tail: the share of patients waiting more than a year for surgery has tripled, from about 2% a decade ago to around 6% today, peaking at nearly 10% in 2022–23 as hospitals dealt with post-COVID backlogs.

While the median wait is now fairly stable, the much larger long-wait tail points to sustained backlog pressures consistent with demand outstripping available capacity.

How do states compare on elective surgery performance?

Performance varies across Australia.

Over the past year, almost all category 1 patients (those needing surgery within 30 days) were treated on time in Victoria (100%) and New South Wales (99%), but only around two-thirds in Tasmania (66%).

For category 2 procedures (within 90 days), on-time admission ranged from about 79% in NSW to just 53% in Tasmania and 52% in the ACT.

For the less-urgent category 3 cases, outcomes were more consistent, with most states admitting around 80–87% on time, excluding the ACT (69%) and NT (72%).

A composite of a health worker looking stressed

When it comes to public hospitals, everyone seems to be waiting – waiting for emergency care, waiting for elective surgery, waiting to get onto a ward. Private hospitals are also struggling. In this five-part series, experts explain what’s going wrong, how patients are impacted, and the potential solutions.

Why do patients wait so long? And what does ‘bed block’ actually mean?

Nearly one-third of ED patients are admitted to hospital; for those aged 65 and over, it’s more than half.

Some public hospital patients stay long after they’re medically ready for discharge because they’re waiting for aged care or disability support placements.

When wards are full, new patients can’t be admitted: a problem known as bed block. This can create a chain reaction: EDs back up, ambulances with patients queue outside (“ramping”), and staff have less capacity to treat new arrivals.

But bed pressures don’t just come from EDs. Rising chronic disease and potentially preventable hospitalisations add to hospital demand.

Meanwhile, with elective surgery backlogs, hospitals under bed pressure may become more likely to delay procedures.

In short: bed block and ambulance ramping reflect system-wide mismatches between hospital demand (acute, chronic and elective care) and supply (beds, community care and discharge capacity).

Consequences may be felt in EDs, elective surgery waitlists, and ultimately patient care and outcomes.

What could help?

There’s no single fix for long public hospital waits. The challenge spans demand, supply and system design.

On the demand side, Australia lags behind other high-income countries in per capita spending on prevention, leaving many risk factors and chronic conditions mismanaged until they turn into preventable hospitalisations.

Research finds older Australians living alone or with subtle cognitive impairment may miss GP appointments, diagnostic care or allied health support, which may mean small problems become emergencies.

Urgent care clinics may help divert some less urgent cases away from EDs but the final evaluation is still pending.

Innovative care programs, such as remote monitoring for patients with heart failure also show how technology can keep people well at home.

On the supply side, freeing capacity is as important as building it. In some states, 8-10% of public hospital bed days are occupied by patients waiting for aged care or disability supports.

Investment in step-down, transitional care, and faster aged-care placement would “unblock” discharge pathways by using other capacity in the system.

Hospital workforce shortages and burnout remain major barriers. While recent funding boosts will help, sustained staffing and training pipelines are essential to lasting gains.

At the hospital level, efficiency matters. Transparent resource prioritisation, consistent clinical scoring, and protected elective surgery streams may reduce bottlenecks.

Ultimately, clearing the queues means preventing what’s preventable, unblocking what’s stuck, and efficiently and transparently managing what’s left.

Read more from the Hospitals in Crisis series here.

The Conversation

Anam Bilgrami does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Just 2 in 3 patients are treated on time in emergency departments. Check how your public hospital performs – https://theconversation.com/just-2-in-3-patients-are-treated-on-time-in-emergency-departments-check-how-your-public-hospital-performs-270683

Uh oh, my child just discovered the truth about Santa

By -

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cher McGillivray, Assistant Professor in Psychology, Bond University

GettyImages ArtMarie/ Getty Images

Christmas can be a magical time of year for kids. Writing wish-lists, seeing Santa at the shops, leaving carrots for the reindeer out on the porch. And then of course, the presents under the tree.

So what happens when the penny drops and a child realises the guy who brings toys in a sleigh is not real? Perhaps an older sibling, friend or even a parent breaks the news. Perhaps the child works things out for themselves.

This can lead to some big feelings – sadness, disappointment, perhaps even betrayal. How can you work through this?

Believing in Santa is OK

Research shows us magical thinking – such as believing in Santa – supports many components of social and emotional development.

This includes imaginative play and creativity.

Research tells us children who are able pretend play are more socially competent with peers and able to engage in classroom activity. These playful experiences boost language, empathy and self-control.

Between ages three and eight, kids start to tell fantasy apart from reality, but believing in Santa during this time still helps them enjoy healthy pretend play.

Believing in Santa can also support language development – writing letters or talking to him at the shops. And it introduces moral lessons, as Santa (in theory) rewards good behaviour.

But not believing in Santa is equally OK!

Not believing in Santa is also a normal developmental milestone.

Children typically learn the truth at about seven years of age. Some kids experience brief sadness or betrayal.

Despite this, research shows most children maintain trust in their parents and the disappointment over Santa is mild and fairly short-lived. Some children may even experience relief if the story just wasn’t adding up for them.

It’s normal for kids to be disappointed

Disappointment is a healthy emotion that teaches coping skills and emotional resilience.

Remember, disappointment triggers emotional responses before logical thinking. This can make the initial experience feel intense.

This means a child may be upset when their older brother says, “Santa’s just Mum and Dad”. But they will then quickly get over it. This may of course be helped when they realise the presents still come on Christmas Day.

What can parents do?

Children who learn gradually about the reality of Santa are less upset than those told abruptly. This may not be possible if an older sibling is around.

If your child is upset, validate their feelings – “I know this is disappointing” – and then shift the focus to other positive values like gratitude or giving. For example, “how would you like to surprise Nanna with one of your special drawings to show her how much you love her?”

Does Santa make kids behave?

Research also suggests belief in Santa alone does not prompt good behaviour from kids at Christmas. But enjoying wider festive traditions can make some difference between children being “naughty” or “nice”.

Parents, not Santa, are the real influence on children’s behaviour. When adults remind kids to “share your toys with your sister, Santa is watching” or “stop fighting with your brother or Santa won’t come”, it works because of the parent’s intervention not the myth alone.

Meanwhile, other rituals around Christmas, such as family gatherings or tree decorating, can encourage kindness and cooperation, because they teach children the importance of doing things for and with others.

What’s really important?

When children stop believing in Santa, parents can turn this moment into an opportunity shifting from one magical guy to meaningful family rituals and shared experiences.

So whether Santa is “real” in your house or not, involve your kids in meaningful holiday traditions such as decorating, baking, storytelling, music, family and friend gatherings and religious observance – and have yourselves a merry little Christmas.

The Conversation

Cher McGillivray does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Uh oh, my child just discovered the truth about Santa – https://theconversation.com/uh-oh-my-child-just-discovered-the-truth-about-santa-271747

Inequality alone doesn’t cause civil unrest – but internet access adds the crucial spark

By -

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hassan F. Gholipour, Associate Professor of Property, Western Sydney University

The gap between rich and poor has reached historic highs. According to the World Inequality Report 2026, released in recent weeks, the richest 10% of the global population now receive 53% of all income and own a staggering 75% of all wealth.

The poorest half of humanity, meanwhile, receive just 8% of income and own 2% of wealth.

Looking at these stark figures, it is easy to assume such extreme inequality is a guaranteed recipe for revolution. If people are struggling to survive while a tiny elite prospers, you’d think they would eventually rise up.

However, history and data tell a more complex story. Many deeply unequal societies remain politically stable for decades, while others with moderate inequality erupt into chaos. Why does economic grievance boil over in some places but not others?

As geopolitical tensions rise – from the “Gen Z uprising” in Asia to civil unrest in the Middle East – understanding the trigger for conflict is urgent.

Our new study, published in the Scottish Journal of Political Economy, suggests inequality alone is rarely enough to drive instability. Instead, we found a crucial accelerant that transforms economic grievance into political action: the internet.

The missing link

For years, political scientists have debated the link between inequality and conflict. Some studies found a strong connection; others found none.

To help solve this puzzle, we analysed data from more than 120 countries from 1996 to 2020.

We looked at income inequality (measured by the Gini index) and paired it with political stability scores from the World Bank. We then introduced a third variable: how much of the population uses the internet.

We found digital connectivity acts as a moderator. This means the internet changes how inequality affects society.

In countries with low internet access, higher inequality does not lead to higher political instability. In fact, we found that in such relatively unconnected societies, inequality is sometimes associated with greater stability.

This may be because marginalised groups lack the information to compare their lives with others, or the tools to organise effectively.

Close up of a smartphone being used to take a photograph of a protest.
In 2013, there were nationwide marches in Brazil protesting about heavy spending on sports events at the perceived expense of essential public services.
Evaristo Sa/AFP via Getty Images

The tipping point

Our analysis identified a specific “tipping point”. We found income inequality begins to significantly drive political instability only when roughly more than 50% of the population uses the internet.

In highly connected societies – where more than half the population is online – the relationship between inequality and unrest becomes positive and significant.

This pattern holds true even when we control for other factors that usually cause conflict, such as youth unemployment, corruption and excess profits from natural resources (such as oil rents).

We also robustly tested these findings using data on actual conflict-related deaths, rather than just perception-based stability scores, and the results remained consistent.

So, why can internet connection fuel conflict? Why does the internet make inequality so combustible? Our research points to two main mechanisms: information and coordination.

The visibility of wealth

Before the digital age, a person living in poverty might compare their living standards only to their immediate neighbours. If everyone around you is poor, your situation might feel normal, or at least tolerable.

The internet destroys this isolation. It provides a window into the lives of the wealthy, both domestically and globally. Social media platforms act as a relentless showcase of luxury, creating a sense of “relative deprivation”.

When citizens – particularly young, underemployed men and women – can see the vast gap between their reality and the lives of the elite on social media, it generates psychological strain.

Grievances move from abstract statistics to visceral, daily reminders of what they lack.



Read more:
Deadly Nepal protests reflect a wider pattern of Gen Z political activism across Asia

Lowering the cost of protest

Feeling angry is one thing; doing something about it is another. Historically, organising a mass movement was dangerous, expensive and slow.

The internet, specifically through social media and encrypted messaging apps, solves the collective action problem. It drastically lowers the coordination costs for dissatisfied citizens.

We have seen this play out repeatedly. During the Arab Spring of 2011, Facebook was used to help mobilise protesters against regimes in Egypt and Tunisia.

In Iran, social media was vital in spreading the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement of 2022, allowing citizens to bypass state media blackouts.

Just months ago in Nepal, a country where about 56% of the population uses the internet, what began as protests over a social media ban quickly escalated into a nationwide anti-corruption movement. This resulted in dozens of deaths, substantial economic disruption and the resignation of the prime minister.

In these contexts, the internet did not create the grievance. Inequality, corruption and repression did that. But the internet provided the spark and the fuel that turned grievance into fire.

Grappling with inequality

As the World Inequality Report warns, wealth concentration is rising while public wealth stagnates. At the same time, global internet use continues to climb, reaching nearly 71% of the global population in 2024.

As more developing nations cross the 50% digital threshold, governments can no longer rely on lack of awareness or lack of coordination to maintain order in unequal societies.

Some regimes may be tempted to shut down the internet to maintain stability. However, our research suggests a different path.

If governments want to ensure political stability in the digital age, they cannot simply police the internet. They must address the economic grievances it reveals.

Policies that reduce income disparities such as progressive taxation, investment in public services and control of corruption are no longer just economic ideals. They are security imperatives.

The Conversation

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Inequality alone doesn’t cause civil unrest – but internet access adds the crucial spark – https://theconversation.com/inequality-alone-doesnt-cause-civil-unrest-but-internet-access-adds-the-crucial-spark-272058

1...107108109...1,217Page 108 of 1,217
Listen on Apple Podcasts

- Advertisement -
© Copyright 2024 EveningReport.nz and Multimedia Investments Ltd. All rights reserved.