Source: Radio New Zealand

Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster says he had “absolutely no idea” about allegations staff were instructed to redirect emails about Jevon McSkimming from the Minister of Police’s office.

On Wednesday, RNZ revealed Coster had resigned as chief executive of the Social Investment Agency, after the Independent Police Conduct Authority’s damning report into police’s response to allegations of sexual offending by former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.

Coster has not responded to several interview requests from RNZ.

In an interview with TVNZ’s Q+A on Sunday, Coster was asked about comments made by Police Minister Mark Mitchell, who earlier said 36 emails containing allegations about McSkimming were sent to his office, but he never saw them.

A protocol had been put in place for police staff in Mitchell’s ministerial office to forward the emails directly to then-Commissioner Andrew Coster’s office, and not share them with Mitchell or his political staff, he said.

On Sunday, Coster said the first he heard of the allegation was after the IPCA report was released.

“I had absolutely no knowledge of that whatsoever. I can’t validate whether that was, in fact, a protocol that was in place, but what I can say is there’s no way in the world that agency employed staff in a minister’s office are able to prevent the minister or the minister’s staff from seeing email coming in on the minister’s email address.

“The role of the agency staff is to have emails given to them by the minister’s own staff to prepare responses for the minister through the agency, there’s just, there’s just no way that police staff in Minister’s office could, could somehow intercept.”

Coster said he had seen a file note that was prepared by police in recent weeks, which said there was a conversation between the head of ministerial services – who is not in the minister’s office – and the director of Coster’s office about emails that came through in late 2023 and early 2024.

“It was ‘there are these emails. What do I do with them?’… the file note says the direction was send them through to Deputy Commissioner Tania Kura, who was overseeing the process.”

Coster did not know why the “retrospective note” was created.

“I imagine there will have been some concern across more than one Minister’s office about … where did all these emails go, and who saw them and and I assume that this paperwork was created in response to those conversations.”

On Sunday, chief operating officer Andrea Conlan said police could confirm a handwritten file note was made at the time of a discussion with the director of the office of the former commissioner on 17 January, 2024, regarding the processing of emails to the minister’s office.

The manager of Ministerial Services was asked to speak with the minister’s office staff on 11 November, 2025, to outline how the emails sent to the office were handled.

“The handwritten file note was typed up by the manager after that conversation (and some detail added from memory). This was to make a digital record in parallel with the email the manager was asked to provide the minister’s office confirming the earlier conversation (and the process followed) in writing.

“Nobody asked for the file note to be prepared, but a confirmation email was requested by the minister’s office following the conversation on the morning of 11 November.

“Following the 17 January, 2024 conversation, at the request of the director of the office of the (former) commissioner, the manager of Ministerial Services provided hard copies of the emails to the (former) commissioner’s office.”

The manager also spoke to the staff member in the minister’s office to convey the director’s instruction.

“This was not included in the file note, but these actions corroborate what was documented in the manager’s original handwritten file note.”

Mitchell had previously also defended the police staff in his ministerial office, saying they were put in an “awful situation” by the protocol, which he was unaware of.

Coster fronts

On Wednesday, RNZ revealed Coster had resigned as Social Investment Agency chief executive, after the Independent Police Conduct Authority’s (IPCA) damning report into police response to allegations of sexual offending by McSkimming.

Coster has not responded to several interview requests from RNZ. In a statement on Wednesday, he said his resignation was “a result of my acceptance of full responsibility for the shortcomings” identified in the IPCA’s report.

In an interview with TVNZ’s Q+A on Sunday, Coster said there were ministers who knew more than they admitted.

He said he briefed the then-Minister of Police Chris Hipkins in 2022, as he felt it was important Hipkins knew what he knew.

Coster said he told Hipkins that McSkimming told him he had an affair with a “much younger woman” and that the relationship “soured badly”, and she was now emailing “all sorts of people with allegations about him”.

He said the briefing was in the back of a car, while the two men were travelling in the South Island. He said he was unable to prove the conversation occurred.

“It’s simply my account.”

He said a big reflection for him was to take better notes, adding he wrongly assumed people would not “run for the hills”.

He also disputed that Mitchell was not aware of the allegations before November last year.

“There is no way I was only just telling him about this in my last couple of weeks in the job,” he said. “We had discussed this informally through 2024.”

He did not have the exact date, but said it was an “informal conversation” in the same terms as his conversation with Hipkins.

Asked why Hipkins and Mitchell would deny that, he said: “You would have to ask them. All I can say is no-one wants to be close to this.”

Coster said he was not saying others acted inappropriately, but that they knew more than they have admitted.

“There doesn’t appear to have been a full disclosure of the conversations.”

Asked why he should be trusted, Coster replied: “I acted honestly, I acted in good faith. My judgements were wrong, and I accept that.”

Politicians reject Coster’s claims

Responding to Coster’s allegations, Mitchell said it was “disappointing that, following his resignation, that came with an apology to police less than a week ago, Coster is trying to deflect and relitigate matters”.

“I firmly stand by all my statements and facts presented in relation to the IPCA report. Coster’s recollections are wrong.

“I want to make very clear that Coster never briefed me, either formally or informally, about Jevon McSkimming and [the woman had had an affair with] prior to 6 November, 2024. I would note his recollections of disclosures in the IPCA report were often found to be inconsistent and unreliable.

“If Coster’s focus is on relitigating matters, there are legal resources available to him and, if he truly believes what he is saying, nothing prevents him pursuing those.”

Mitchell said that, as a government, the focus was on “implementing the recommendations of the IPCA report to ensure this cannot happen again”.

Hipkins also denied Coster’s allegations.

“I was never briefed on Jevon McSkimming’s relationship with [the woman] during my time as minister of police or prime minister. Had I known what has now been detailed in the IPCA report, Jevon McSkimming would never have been appointed to the role.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

An Auckland family violence refuge says it would likely have had to pay for women and children to stay in hotels and motels this weekend, because their beds are full.

Shine Refuges has two safe houses, but only one of the 10 beds was available on Friday.

Presbyterian Support Northern oversees Shine and social services general manager Grenville Hendricks said family violence escalated at this time of year, when financial pressure mounts.

“We’ve got one bed and the email that went out to our after-hours staff is, if somebody comes in, you’re going to have to put them into the hotel and we’re going to have to say to our lines we’re actually full up at the moment.”

Hendricks said they would check availability at other refuges, but many were experiencing high demand.

“This is not going to be unusual,” he said. “This is going to be particularly usual and commonplace over the December period.

“We’ve got a really good arrangement with the hotels and motels, and so that helps us. We try and keep that to a minimum, because we have to carry the cost of that as well.

“What I’ve noticed is a steady increase in the numbers of people accessing the refuge, which is a bit concerning, but we do also have a spike, particularly around Christmas time,” he said.

“Over the last year or so, things have been exacerbated with the cost-of-living pressures, with the high unemployment rates, the job insecurity, there’s been more redundancies, the cost of living, the food banks [demand] has gone up as well.

“All of these things go hand in hand, because you’ll find that domestic violence is linked in with financial pressures, is linked in with mental health, is linked in with food insecurity.”

He said donations paid for the refuge and it would like the government to fund more refuge beds.

Hendricks said policy settings, such as the tightening of access to emergency housing, had impacted people needing their services.

“It’s commonsense that other parts of the system are going to have huge demand and their numbers are going to start to increase.”

Shine Refuges said one woman wanted to share her experience to help with the service’s Christmas appeal.

Hannah (not her real name) said few people knew about the violence she and her children endured, but she hoped to encourage anyone in similar situations to seek help.

She said her now ex-husband’s violence escalated over years, from breaking the furniture to other forms of control.

“Before we got married, [he] would be so kind, carrying things for me, cooking for me… but even then, he could suddenly become violent – breaking the furniture and smashing my phone,” she said. “Afterwards, he’d persuade me it wouldn’t happen again… and I would believe him.”

He gradually controlled every aspect of her life, isolating her from her friends and family to the point, she and her children had to ask permission to use the toilet.

Hannah said the turningpoint came one night, when he began strangling her.

“I thought that I was going to die,” she said. “My baby daughter was right there.

“Then he just stopped and said, ‘I nearly killed you’. At that moment, in my heart, I knew this had to stop, if not for me, for my children.

“I waited until he was asleep, went into my son’s room and told him to pack his things, that we were going. I packed my baby daughter’s things and called 111.”

Hannah said the police took them to a refuge and she was able to get back on her feet.

“Shine was amazing. My advocate arranged counselling for the children and I, a bank account, a car to get my son to school, a lawyer, clothing, food and later housing.

“When you have nothing, that means the world.”

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Family Violence: Where to get help

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

By Noam Mānuka Lazarus, Massey University journalism student

A star-studded array of celebrities are landing in Wellington next weekend, as the city lights up with events.

With cruise ships also due to bring thousands to the capital, Wellington City Council said the two days of 13/14 December would be a huge boost for the local economy, hospitality and screen sectors. 

The Australasian premiere of Avatar: Fire and Ash will held on Saturday, 13 December, with stars Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Sam Worthington and Jemaine Clement, as well as film-maker James Cameron, walking the red carpet outside the Embassy Theatre.

The council said Courtenay Place and surrounding areas would get a “spring clean” for the impending global attention and for the holiday season.

Pedestrians should take extra care, as temporary bus stops and diversions were put in place, and drivers should reconsider routes and modes of transport during the events.

Christmas in the Quarters at Waitangi Park will also begin at 11am Saturday and Te Papa’s Breathe/Mauri Ora digital art experience will open.

Meanwhile, the second Black Caps v West Indies test match begins on Wednesday, 10 December, at the Basin Reserve.

WellingtonNZ chief executive Mark Oldershaw said the Avatar franchise alone had contributed $1.1 billion to New Zealand’s economy over the past eight years.

“What a weekend ahead!” Oldershaw said. “With the Basin Reserve just a short stroll from the premiere venue – the Embassy Theatre – cricket fans can walk straight from the final session of the day’s play to spot celebrities on the red carpet, enjoy dinner in the city, soak up the electric atmosphere and head off to carols in Waitangi Park.”

Mayor Andrew Little said there would be something for everyone.

“I encourage everyone to head into Wellington and get amongst the exciting atmosphere, and support our local shops and hospo, while you’re there,” he said.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Two people have been taken to hospital after two jet boats crashed in the Wairarapa.

Wellington Free Ambulance said two patients were transported to Wairarapa Hospital in a moderate condition following the collision in the Tauwharenīkau River on Sunday morning.

The Jetsprint Association confirmed the crash happened during the round one of the New Zealand Jetsprint Championship in Featherston.

Police said they received reports of the crash at the river, near Tauherenikau Racecourse Road, at about 10.45am on Sunday.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

MetService has issued a heavy rain warning for Fiordland, with up to 150mm of rain and thunderstorms predicted on Sunday morning.

“Peak rates of 20 to 30mm/h expected, mainly Sunday evening. Minimal chance of upgrading to a red warning,” the forecaster said.

The orange-level warning was in place for between 9am on Sunday and 2am on Monday.

“Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions [are] possible.”

Another orange-level warning was in place for the headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers from Sunday evening through to early Monday morning.

“Expect 90 to 120mm of rain about the main divide, and 50 to 80mm within 15km farther east. Peak rates of 20 to 30mm/h expected about the divide with possible thunderstorms.

“Freezing level above 3000 metres. Minimal chance of upgrading to a red warning.”

A strong wind warning for the Canterbury High Country was in place for Sunday afternoon, with severe gale-strength northwesterlies expected.

“Damage to trees, powerlines and unsecured structures possible,” MetService said. “Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.”

That was forecast to begin around 1pm and last until early Monday.

A strong wind watch was in place for Fiordland, Southern Lakes and parts of Southland and Central Otago from midday Sunday through to early Monday.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

MetService has issued a heavy rain warning for Fiordland, with up to 150mm of rain and thunderstorms predicted on Sunday morning.

“Peak rates of 20 to 30mm/h expected, mainly Sunday evening. Minimal chance of upgrading to a red warning,” the forecaster said.

The orange-level warning was in place for between 9am on Sunday and 2am on Monday.

“Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions [are] possible.”

Another orange-level warning was in place for the headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers from Sunday evening through to early Monday morning.

“Expect 90 to 120mm of rain about the main divide, and 50 to 80mm within 15km farther east. Peak rates of 20 to 30mm/h expected about the divide with possible thunderstorms.

“Freezing level above 3000 metres. Minimal chance of upgrading to a red warning.”

A strong wind warning for the Canterbury High Country was in place for Sunday afternoon, with severe gale-strength northwesterlies expected.

“Damage to trees, powerlines and unsecured structures possible,” MetService said. “Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.”

That was forecast to begin around 1pm and last until early Monday.

A strong wind watch was in place for Fiordland, Southern Lakes and parts of Southland and Central Otago from midday Sunday through to early Monday.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster says he does not accept the “perception” that he pressured staff to rush staff to investigate allegations against Jevon McSkimming so he wouldn’t miss out on the top job.

RNZ revealed on Wednesday Coster had resigned as chief executive of the Social Investment Agency after the Independent Police Conduct Authority’s damning report into police’s response to allegations of sexual offending by former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.

Coster has not responded to several interview requests from RNZ. In a statement on Wednesday he said his resignation was “a result of my acceptance of full responsibility for the shortcomings” identified in the IPCA’s report.

In an interview with TVNZ’s Q+A on Sunday, Coster said he did not pressure staff to get an investigation done in a week so as to not impact McSkimming’s chances of being commissioner.

He said he did not believe it was a complicated investigation to resolve.

“I was really saying let’s make sure we balance the need for him to make an application if he chooses to do that.”

He said that at time McSkimming was a victim of criminal harassment.

The IPCA report said all attendees of meetings regarding the investigation reported feeling pressure.

“I accept that I was very keen to make sure the investigation was moved forward in a timely manner. I wasn’t asking for a shortcut… I had an understanding that in the end it was a pretty simple question of where does the truth lie in this, is there sufficient evidence in the allegations.

“My intention was for this to be done properly.”

He said the “worst case scenario” was if the allegations were false “the ultimate victimisation of Jevon for criminal harassment was missing out” on applying for Commissioner.

IPCA’s damning findings

The IPCA said that when McSkimming disclosed his affair to Coster in 2020, the former Police Commissioner should “at a minimum have asked more questions”.

“This is particularly the case given Deputy Commissioner McSkimming had told him that the female was aggrieved and was sending harassing and threatening emails to him and his community.”

Then in 2023, while a member of the interview panel for the statutory Deputy Commissioner appointment process, Coster “failed to disclose” to the Public Service Commission his knowledge of McSkimming’s relationship which had subsequently led to the emails.

“This failure clearly fell below what a reasonable person would have expected of a person in his position. Notwithstanding his recollection that the matter was already known to the panel, the panel members we spoke to were firm in their recollection that Commissioner Coster did not raise it, and that at that time they did not otherwise know about it. We have seen documentary evidence from the PSC that supports that view.”

In January 2024, Coster due to the number and nature of emails and concern for McSkimming’s welfare, Coster directed Deputy Commissioner Tania Kura to seek the input of the Fixated Threat Assessment Centre (FTAC), as well as consider mental health support for the woman.

An investigation into the woman, referred to as Ms Z, began February 2024 and she was charged under the Harmful Digital Communications Act in May 2024.

The charge against the woman was withdrawn in the Wellington District Court in September because McSkimming did not wish to give evidence.

The IPCA accepted that Coster entrusted Kura to commission the FTAC’s involvement, and to adequately respond to any recommendations they made.

“However, he was the Deputy Commissioner’s direct supervisor in terms of overall operations. Ultimately, he bore the responsibility for managing organisational risks.

“Given the very significant risk this matter posed to the organisation, even if the allegations were false, he should have given it higher priority and assured himself that the FTAC report was being handled appropriately. We cannot escape the conclusion that his preconception of Deputy Commissioner McSkimming as the only potential victim clouded his decision-making.”

Coster’s disclosure to the Public Service Commission on 8 October 2024, during the interim Commissioner appointment process also “fell well short of what a reasonable person would expect, given what he knew at the time.”

“At about the same time, he also inappropriately tried to influence the National Integrity Unit’s investigation into Ms Z’s complaint and to persuade the IPCA that the matter could be resolved quickly.

“While Commissioner Coster focused on the need to afford natural justice to Deputy Commissioner McSkimming, he did not sufficiently consider the injustice that would arise if there was indeed truth to Ms Z’s allegations.”

The IPCA said the influence was “most stark” in his letter to the IPCA on 22 October 2024 and in his meetings with staff on 30 October and 4 November 2024, during which he “sought to bring a serious criminal investigation to an unduly rapid conclusion so that it did not impact on a job application process”.

‘I acted in good faith’

In a statement to RNZ on Wednesday, Coster said his resignation was “a result of my acceptance of full responsibility for the shortcomings” identified in the Independent Police Conduct Authority’s report.

“I regret the impact on the young woman at the centre of this matter and sincerely apologise to her for the distress caused.

“I accept that I was too ready to trust and accept at face value Deputy Commissioner McSkimming’s disclosure and explanations to me. I should have been faster and more thorough in looking into the matter.”

Coster acknowledged he should have more fully investigated the allegations when they were brought to his attention, “rather than assuming that their previous disclosure to senior Police staff a few years earlier would have resulted in an investigation if necessary”.

“It is clear that Police’s handling of the whole matter was lacking and that I was ultimately responsible for those matters. It was sobering to read of a number of missed opportunities which should have proceeded differently and more appropriately.”

Coster welcomed Sir Brian’s acknowledgement that the report made no finding of corruption or cover-up, nor did the IPCA find any evidence of any actions involving officers consciously doing the wrong thing or setting out to undermine the integrity of the organisation.

“I made decisions honestly. I acted in good faith. I sought to take all important factors into account with the information I had at the time. While it is not possible to alter past events, I am prepared to take responsibility – I got this wrong.

“I want to apologise to all members of the NZ Police. They work hard every day to keep our communities safe. I know they have been adversely affected by these events.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Te Pāti Māori, including co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi, are gathering for the yearly AGM in Rotorua on Sunday. RNZ

Te Pāti Māori will gather for its long-awaited Annual General Meeting in Rotorua today, after months of turmoil that led to the expulsion of two of their six MPs.

Mariameno Kapa-Kingi will now attend the full AGM following a high court ruling reinstating her to the party, while Tākuta Ferris remains expelled and won’t be in attendance.

Ferris told RNZ he wasn’t surprised Kapa-Kingi was reinstated, and it was just “the next step in unfolding this big fat mess”.

He said the AGM agenda was “sterile”, suggesting it would be shut down following the updates provided.

Items on the agenda include updates from the party president, the co-leaders, and the electorates, as well as a financial report, constitution amendments and general business.

Ferris said following the news of Kapa-Kingi’s reinstatement, “you’ve got this whole other conversation that’s going to rear its head tomorrow.”

It also put the membership of the National Council – who made the decision to expel the MPs – “on notice”, Ferris said. He said their conduct will be scrutinised when the whole case is heard in February.

“If it’s not up to standard, well there’ll be consequences.”

On Friday, Justice Paul Radich said there were serious questions to be tried regarding Kapa-Kingi’s expulsion.

In response, Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said on Friday she looked forward to hosting party members and “bringing this directly to them”.

The ruling discussed the party’s concerns that reinstating Kapa-Kingi would likely “create extreme tension within Te Pāti Māori’s MPs and leadership”.

Ferris agreed there would be tension, but not only within the parliamentary members of the party.

“There’s going to be resentment and tension from the membership that arrive.”

But he indicated the senior nature of those in attendance would “quell all of that carry on.”

He said there would be “senior Māori leadership” in attendance.

“Those senior leaders are going to show up expecting an open marae style conversation.

“If they [party leadership] try and run the sterile agenda, that’s just another notch in their belt.”

He said the wider membership would also want to “say their piece” and if the agenda didn’t allow for that, “then that just won’t be a good look.”

“This ain’t going away until someone shows up to have a proper conversation in a forum of accountability,” said Ferris.

Part of Kapa-Kingi’s application for a temporary injunction had included orders to restrain party president John Tamihere from acting in his role as president because he hadn’t been “validly re-elected”.

While he acknowledged the re-election issue required further consideration, Justice Radich didn’t see it as necessary to preserve her position as party member and the immediate concern of Tamihere chairing the AGM was addressed by the party making an assurance vice-president Fallyn Flavell would now chair instead.

Ngarewa-Packer said in response to the ruling she was pleased the president’s position had been preserved.

The AGM begins on Sunday morning in Rotorua, part of the Waiariki electorate.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Nitrate levels are inching up in a small South Canterbury town where some council water supplies were previously off limits for extended periods twice following breaches of the drinking water standards.

On Friday, the Waimate District Council reported the Lower Waihao and Waikakahi East Rural Water Scheme had reached 8.8 mg/L of nitrate-nitrogen (N03-N).

The legal limit is 11.3 mg/L.

Nitrate contamination in drinking water above 5mg/L has been linked to an increased risk of preterm birth.

The New Zealand College of Midwives advised pregnant people to consider an alternative water source if their primary water source is above this level for nitrate.

Some international research has drawn links to bowel cancer at far lower nitrate levels, and some health advocates have advocated for New Zealand’s maximum to be lowered.

Two weeks ago, Greenpeace water testing in Waimate found the supply was at 6.07mg/L of nitrate.

Waimate District Council’s own testing on 20 November found the supply was 6.35 mg/L.

“The Lower Waihao Scheme has consistently tested around 5 mg/L since April, but nitrate levels have shot up in the space of less than a month,” Greenpeace Aotearoa spokesperson Will Appelbe said.

“The council has done what they can in an attempt to reduce the contamination, but this is the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. The only way to permanently improve nitrate contamination is to address the source of the pollution: the intensive dairy industry,” he said.

In late 2022, around 650 Waimate households were told their tap water was unsafe after nitrate levels in the Waihao and Waikakahi East rural water schemes exceeded the maximum allowable value.

Again, in December 2024, residents were advised not to drink the water after it breached the limit. At the time, the council provided water tanks, and diluted the supply with water from the Waitaki River.

However, the council reported the presence of didymo algae and sediment when the river was high meant that was not viable long term, and after ruling out plans for an expensive denitrifcation system has been granted a consent to tap a new, lower nitrate water source, with work expected to start in 2026.

In September, the outgoing canterbury regional council narrowly voted to declare a nitrate emergency at the final meeting of its triennium.

Government ministers and farming groups called the move a stunt, but Earth Sciences New Zealand research found the region had the highest percentage of elevated nitrates in groundwater in the country.

The council’s most recent annual groundwater testing found nitrates had increased during the past ten years in 62 per cent of test wells.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

An unknown chemical has injured two workers and forced the closure of Taumarunui Transfer Station, after it was left for recycling.

The liquid was in unlabelled containers that ruptured in the plastics recycling, burning one worker’s arm, and exposing another staff member to fumes that irritated their eyes and throat, Ruapehu District Council said.

The incident happened on Tuesday, 25 November, the council said.

On Friday, six people, including five children, were hospitalised with chemical burns in Christchurch, after a sterilising chemical was mistakenly used on a slip and slide at a childcare company.

Ruapehu District Council said the Taumarunui workers were exposed to the chemical, when they were packing the plastics to be moved off-site.

“The Taumarunui Fire Brigade’s hazardous materials team attended the scene, and safely collected and contained the substance in a sealed container.

“The chemical was believed to have been an acid, but without any labelling, its exact nature remains unknown.”

The transfer station had since re-opened, but the incident was a reminder to take care, when disposing of chemicals, the council said.

It had processes for staff to safely dispose of chemicals at both the Taumarunui or Ohakune transfer stations, and said anyone with concerns about chemicals or with unknown chemicals, should contact the council, or speak to the staff at the transfer stations.

“This was a major health and safety incident that could have been completely avoided,” Ruapehu District Council solid waste manager Anne Marie Westcott said.

“Unlabelled or partially full chemical containers pose a serious threat, not only to our staff, but also to the environment, if they make their way into waterways. We need the community’s support to keep everyone safe.”

The council issued a list of how to correctly dispose of chemicals, including to keep labels on chemical containers, ensure containers are empty before putting them in the recycling or rubbish, never putting unidentified liquids into recycling or rubbish, and treating unidentified liquids with extreme caution.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Severe weather alerts have been issued for overnight into Sunday, for a front moving onto the South Island accompanied by heavy rain and northwest gales, before it is expected to weaken over central New Zealand on Monday, MetService says.

An orange heavy rain warning was in place for Fiordland for the period from 2am Sunday through to 2am Monday, and for the headwaters of Otago lakes and rivers from 7pm Sunday until the early hours of Monday morning.

The Canterbury High Country had an orange high wind warning, to come into effect from midday Sunday, through to 4am Monday, where people can expect severe gale northwesterlies gusting up to 120km/h in exposed places, MetService said.

New Severe Weather Watches and Warnings have been issued.

To find out the details as well as keep up to date go the Warnings page on the MetService website:https://t.co/HZ2TSD5rV7 pic.twitter.com/eCXThSsnn4

— MetService NZ (@MetService) December 6, 2025

Damage to trees, powerlines and unsecured structures was possible, and driving could be difficult under those conditions, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles, it said.

“Prepare your property by securing items that can be picked up by strong winds. Drive cautiously.”

Elsewhere across Te Waipounamu, yellow heavy rain and strong wind watches were in place.

From 8pm Sunday, the ranges of Westland were due periods of heavy rain, which could approach warning criteria, MetService said.

Fiordland, the Southern Lakes, and parts of Southland and Central Otago could expect Northwest winds from midday Sunday until 2am Monday, which could approach severe gales in some exposed places, MetService said.

Both watches had a moderate chance of upgrading to a more serious orange warning.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

The summer season is expected to bring a record number of kākāpō chicks, according to conservation scientists.

The chair of the Kākāpō Recovery Group believes all breeding-age females may lay eggs, making it the most successful season in nearly five decades.

Currently, the nocturnal parrots are in four predator-free sanctuaries, but Auckland University professor Jacqueline Beggs said growth would require new habitats.

University of Auckland Professor Jacqueline Beggs. Photo: Supplied / University of Auckland

A successful breeding season depended on both the amount of fruit on rimu trees and all female parrots being in good breeding condition, something that was not common.

Beggs said the kākāpō was one of the few critically endangered species to make a genuine recovery and the group now hoped for chicks from all 84 breeding-age females.

This would significantly boost the population of the flightless native parrot, which currently sat at 237 birds.

The last big breeding season was in 2022, when 57 chicks fledged.

Mating was expected to take place about Christmas and January. The eggs would then be laid in February and March, hatching a month later.

About next September and October, the chicks should be independent and would be officially added to the parrot’s population.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

The childcare company where seven people suffered chemical burns admits it has failed on safety.

Emergency services rushed to the Kindercare facility in Woolston on Friday, after an incident in which police said a chemical intended for use in the kitchen steriliser was mistaken for dishwashing liquid, and was poured onto a slip and slide.

Seven people were hospitalised, including five children, but all were discharged from Christchurch Hospital by late Saturday morning.

In a letter to parents, Kindercare said it had failed to uphold its core value of safety.

The provider’s chief executive and regional manager flew to Christchurch on Friday night.

The company said the chemical involved was used in many of its centres.

It was normally kept in a kitchen cupboard or laundry, and plumbed directly into the centre’s steriliser.

Kindercare now wanted answers on how the chemical was taken from that storage area and used in a play activity.

“The teachers have had a waterslide – bit of fun for the kids… and at some point of time, some detergent’s unfortunately been misidentified, and a corrosive product has ended up on the slip and slide,” Fire and Emergency Woolston senior station officer John Herriot said on Friday.

“This has caused some irritation to the children’s skin and some light blistering.”

In total, 40 patients were assessed after the incident, and five children and two employees were taken to hospital, while the centre was put into lockdown.

In total, 40 patients were assessed, and five children and two employees were taken to hospital and the centre was put into lockdown.

“Eighteen units responded, nine ambulances, three rapid response units, five operations managers and one Major Incident Support Team vehicle,” St John said.

St John national operations manager Chris Harrison said the patients had suffered chemical burns and blisters.

Parents were “pretty upset but pragmatic about the situation”, Harrison said.

‘Someone’s obviously dropped the ball’

Kindercare has promised to carry out a full investigation and WorkSafe has also opened an investigation.

Meanwhile, a safety expert said the internal investigation must be systemic.

New Zealand Institute of Safety Management president Karl Berendt told RNZ the cleaning product used was fairly common.

“It does have a caustic nature to it, and one of the things you’ve got to look at there is are we making sure all our systems and processes are right, in place and working as they should do?

“Look, in this particular case, someone’s obviously dropped the ball, and we’ve got to try and and figure out what’s gone on there.”

Berendt said the fact children were injured was a prompt for the entire childcare industry to go over the safety systems they had in place.

“We really need to make sure all our kindergarten and childcare centres take a good hard look at some of the things they’ve got inside their work spaces as well.

“Nothing’s more important than looking after our kids, so this is a good wake-up call for all these centres.”

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Firefighters are mopping up, after a shed fire spread to a neighbouring house in Waltham, Christchurch, sending plumes of black smoke across neighbouring suburbs.

Fire and Emergency say four trucks attended the fire shortly before 4pm Saturday.

When they arrived, they found a garden shed well ablaze, with flames spreading to the roof of a neighbouring home, before the fire was brought under control.

A FENZ spokesperson said the fire was not being treated as suspicious.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

A woman enjoying the sunshine ended up being flown to hospital, after four dogs set upon her, attacking her arms and legs.

Then, when a neighbour tried to intervene, the dogs turned on him, resulting in him also being sent to hospital with bite marks across his legs.

Despite both victims suffering injuries, a judge has recognised Stacey Walker-Haturini’s struggles and spared her from jail.

The 39-year-old woman appeared in the Whangārei District Court recently for sentencing on four charges of owning a dog that caused injury.

On 15 March, 2025, Walker-Haturini was in Kaitāia, when her ex-partner allegedly let one of their four dogs out of their property on Settlement Rd in Kaiwaka.

The man left and the dog was roaming, when it saw a woman on her front lawn with her own two dogs, Blue and Roxy.

Blue ran over to the gate and got into a fight with Walker-Haturini’s dog. Three more of Walker-Haturini’s dogs came to the fence-line, and began barking and jumping at the victim.

She yelled at the dogs to go home and approached the gate to let the first one out, but it bit her on the left hand.

The three other dogs managed to get out under the fence, and all four began lunging and attacking the woman.

The victim managed to get the dogs off by kicking and yelling, and eventually got them out of the gate.

Another neighbour ran to assist her, but the dogs turned on him and he was also injured.

The woman, who was in shock, and bleeding from her arms and legs, had to be airlifted by helicopter to Whangārei Hospital for treatment, while the man was transported in an ambulance.

Meanwhile, Walker-Haturini, the registered owner of the dogs, heard they had got out and immediately began making her way back from Kaitāia.

She called the Kaipara District Council and said her dogs were out, and asked if they could make their way to the property and lock them up.

When she arrived home four hours later, she assisted in catching one of the dogs council workers were unable to restrain.

The court heard that, at the time, Walker-Haturini was in the midst of a messy break-up, dealing with a death in the family and a sick grandfather, who was in hospital.

“It was just bang, bang, bang, one thing after another,” she told Judge Peter Davey.

Nathan Pilkington, the victim who assisted, told NZME the dog attack left him with several scars and an ongoing ligament injury.

“It has stopped me from doing things I’d normally enjoy – the gym, jiu-jitsu and simple day-to-day movement.

“There was also a real sense of disappointment in the lack of empathy or accountability shown by the dog owners, right up until sentencing,” Pilkington said.

“The neighbourhood has been deeply affected too. People are now visibly on edge when they see unfamiliar dogs in public, something that never used to be the case.”

Kaipara council lawyer Jodi Libbey said the council and one of the complainants were both taking an empathetic approach to Walker-Haturini, and were in favour of a light sentence.

She said one victim had advised the council she did not want Walker-Haturini to be fined, which – given the injuries – would have been a sizeable figure.

Libbey also acknowledged Walker-Haturini had willingly agreed to euthanise the dogs, but noted further repercussions could follow.

“The council, upon convictions, can decide whether they disqualify her as a dog owner going forward.”

Walker-Haturini’s lawyer, Jody Garrett, said it was accepted she was the registered owner of dogs that caused injury, but the aggravating features were nothing to do with his client.

“When she discovered the dogs had been released… she was distraught, rang the council saying the dog went missing and, immediately upon what had occurred, she was concerned for the dogs,” Garrett said. “She’s not the one that released the dogs.”

As Judge Davey delivered his summation, Walker-Haturini wept in the dock, noting she had heard the summary of facts repeated at every court appearance.

“I know it’s hard to hear this,” Judge Davey said.

The judge said, given Walker-Haturini was not at the address when the dogs were let out, her blameworthiness was reduced.

“Ordinarily, my starting point would have been a sentence of imprisonment.

“Recognising the fact this was a serious attack and caused serious injury, but this was a situation where your culpability is towards the bottom end of the scale.”

Walker-Haturini was sentenced to 180 hours’ community work.

This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

A car has tipped onto its side, following a crash in central Auckland on Saturday afternoon.

Emergency services were called to the incident on Nelson Street at about 2.55pm, after a report of a crash involving four vehicles.

Police said there were no serious injuries, although it appeared one person suffered a moderate injury and one of the cars involved in the crash was on its side.

Occupants of that car needed assistance to get out.

Two lanes were blocked and traffic management was in place.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Seven people have been injured, after a crash between a car and a van in Auckland’s Kumeū.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Old Rail Road and Old North Road about 12.20pm.

St John said one person was in a serious condition and three people had moderate injuries.

They were taken to North Shore Hospital.

Police said the area affected around Old Rail Road and Old North Road was blocked, and traffic management was in place.

Travellers could expect delays, as emergency services worked at the scene.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

A person is in a critical condition after being shot in Auckland’s Papakura.

Emergency services received reports of a person sustaining a gunshot wound on Maadi Place, Papakura at 2.30am on Saturday morning.

The person was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

Those involved are believed to be known to each other, and police do not believe there is an ongoing risk to the community.

Police said enquiries to locate the offender are ongoing and a scene guard remains in place.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Extra police are on duty in two Auckland suburbs throughout Saturday, as an investigation into a fatal stabbing is underway

A homicide investigation was launched when an injured man arrived at a medical centre in Mt Wellington on Friday afternoon.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard said the man was stabbed during a fight with people in a hatchback vehicle on Harris Road.

“During this altercation, the victim has sustained stabbing injuries before both parties left the scene,” Beard said.

After suffering multiple stab wounds, the man arrived at a medical centre on Lunn Avenue around 12.15pm.

He was then quickly taken to Auckland Hospital, where he died Friday afternoon.

Beard has asked anyone with information about the incident, including dashcam or CCTV footage, to come forward.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Seven people including five children injured at a Christchurch kindergarten have been discharged from hospital.

Emergency services were called to Kindercare in Woolston on Friday afternoon.

Police said a chemical used in the kitchen steriliser was mistaken for dishwashing liquid and was poured onto a slip and slide.

“The teachers have had a waterslide – bit of fun for the kids… and at some point of time some detergent’s unfortunately been misidentified and a corrosive product has ended up on the slip and slide. This has caused some irritation to the children’s skin and some light blistering,” Woolston senior station officer John Herriot said on Friday.

In total, 40 patients were assessed, and five children and two employees were taken to hospital and the centre was put into lockdown.

“Eighteen units responded, nine ambulances, three rapid response units, five operations managers and one Major Incident Support Team vehicle,” St John said.

St John national operations manager Chris Harrison said the patients had suffered chemical burns and blisters.

Parents were “pretty upset but pragmatic about the situation”, Harrison said.

Kindercare is promising to carry out a full investigation.

WorkSafe has also opened an investigation.

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