Source: Radio New Zealand

A tribunal has found Chinese-media outlet Skykiwi did not discriminate against an Auckland forum user because of her political opinion when it deactivated her online blogging account.

May Moncur has been suspended from using the FML forum since 2021 when she wrote a message suggesting the forum’s moderation was akin to Chinese Cultural Revolution-era censorship.

The thread was removed and Skykiwi later froze her membership, preventing her posting further messages.

She took the company to the Human Rights Review Tribunal (HRRT), alleging Sky Media (trading as Skykiwi) was using ‘selective’ censorship and discrimination – as it allowed content about Western governments and politics.

The company maintained that its forum rules stated users should not make political posts, and many replies to Moncur’s post had “included extensive political discussions and content related to the Cultural Revolution”.

The repressive Cultural Revolution in the 1960s and 70s aimed to enforce communist ideology and resulted in the censorship and purge of intellectuals and former leaders, leading to widespread persecution, social upheaval, and political instability.

Skykiwi said it had warned Moncur, who moved to New Zealand from China more than 20 years ago, several times about her posts.

The tribunal heard her final post criticised Skykiwi, saying New Zealand should not tolerate “cultural revolutionary style behaviour”. Her account was muted, with a warning a permanent ban would follow if she violated the forum’s rules again.

Swatting the fly

On the same day as Moncur’s critical post, an admin post appeared, alluding to ‘Boss Lady’ as ‘Like a moth to flame, Stirring noise across the forum’.

It finished: “Like a fly in the living room – I always try to guide it out. But if it refuses to leave, a single swat ends it. And even then, I find myself sighing, “Wasn’t it better to just say [sic] alive?” Alright, fine. Had I lived through the revolutionary era, I’d probably be the first to confess under pressure as a self-preserving traitor. And maybe that’s not so bad. Adapt to survive. Victory is what matters. Methods? Who cares. Heroes? Villains? It’s all blurred. After all, isn’t this a world where petty people reign?”

The post also suggested she was courting attention or looking for clients.

Sky Media said the post was not a reference to Moncur – an employment law advocate – and denied the company had breached the Human Rights Act through its forum actions.

When Moncur also posted the company lawyers’ response to her allegations on the forum, her account was frozen by Sky Media’s project manager, who told forum users ‘everyone was prohibited from mentioning Ms Moncur’s account and the complaint made’.

The tribunal concluded administrators were in fact referring to Moncur with the ‘fly and moth’ post, and that the action in posting it and blocking her original cultural revolution post amounted to refusal or less favourable treatment.

But it did not believe the decision to freeze her account was discrimination arising from Moncur’s political opinion. It ruled the cultural revolution post itself was not political opinion, and agreed Skykiwi had instead removed it because of the political comments the thread generated. It suggested that Skykiwi may instead have breached contract law.

Moncur said she was very disappointed by the decision. “I commenced these proceedings because, for me, this is discrimination based on political content and selective censorship. In my submissions and also in my evidence, I touch on the issues which I think every Chinese user here in New Zealand understands what I’m talking about.

Censored, blocked or punished

“Skykiwi routinely allows overtly political posts about political issues. But this has to be New Zealand political issues, Western leaders, global political issues. Any contact touching on China in a negative light, culturally or indirectly, is immediately censored, blocked or punished,” Moncur said.

“This is a pattern, a very established pattern. This kind of inconsistent censorship has been imposed on all the users like me. And such an inconsistency I believe is inherently discriminatory.”

The company’s website said it had 480,000 registered users, reached 93 percent of the NZ-Chinese community, and had 1.75m monthly visits to its site.

“Skykiwi is the biggest Chinese website in New Zealand,” said Moncur. “And it’s like the public square for Chinese Kiwis here in New Zealand, and even probably overseas. So prohibiting people like me to participate in this kind of a social platform in my view, is putting a cap on free speech and also undermines democratic engagement and the ability of Chinese New Zealanders to speak openly on social issues – and the social issues sometimes could be political.”

She said the ‘fly and moth’ post showed how the company enforced its views. “Not only discrimination is rampant, but also personal attacks, online attacks conducted by the administrators on behalf of the website,” she added. “It’s concerning because such behaviour is condoned by the website and has a very eroding effect on the participation of ordinary members on this website, particularly if they target you and attack you personally. And yes, it’s very harmful, and has a chilling effect.”

Her account remains deactivated seven weeks after the ruling, Moncur said.

The tribunal decision last month concluded: “Sky Media was at pains to repeatedly say at the hearing that the suspension of Ms Moncur’s account was temporary, applying only for the duration of the [tribunal] legal proceedings. We observe therefore that there seems to be no reason why Ms Moncur’s account with Sky Media should not be re-activated, following the conclusion of the proceeding.”

Skykiwi has not replied to requests for comment.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Police are investigating after a fire broke out in the basement of a central Auckland nightclub early on Sunday.

Emergency services were called to Karangahape Road around 1.40am after an automatic fire alarm was activated.

The road was blocked for around an hour while Fire and Emergency worked at the scene.

Crews from Auckland City, Grey Lynn, and Parnell responded to the 40m by 20m fire in a two-storey building.

The blaze was extinguished within 20 minutes, but a fire investigator remained at the site until 2.30am.

Ambulance staff assessed one person.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

The trucking industry is urging the government to grant stronger powers to impound unsafe vehicles after an Auckland operator was jailed for manslaughter.

Ashik Ali kept his truck on the road despite it being banned, and its failed brakes caused it to roll away and fatally hit a roadworker last year.

National Road Carriers Association chief executive Justin Tighe-Umbers says the system needs more teeth.

He says the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) needs the ability to impound dangerous trucks.

“They used all available levers, but there wasn’t a significant lever to get this truck off the road – therefore, it’s a system failure.

“NZTA needs the ability to impound trucks, which they don’t have at the moment. So they need more teeth.”

He said there were signs that next year the system will be strengthened by police and WorkSafe to keep out bad operators.

The case against Ali outraged the trucking industry, triggering calls for greater accountability for dodgy operators and regulators.

WorkSafe said it did not give any advice to its board or minister about the case.

NZTA previously rejected an industry accusation the death resulted from systemic failure.

The truck remained on the road for years despite multiple safety checks and warnings to Ali.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

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Source: Radio New Zealand

“The word ‘sorry’ would have gone a long way,” a judge has told a woman whose driving on the way home from Rhythm and Vines caused a crash that killed her friend.

On New Year’s Day last year, Jasmine May Donaldson and Jade Nicole Richards were travelling back to Rotorua from Gisborne after spending four days at the music festival.

The car Donaldson and Richards were in, with a third friend and front-seat passenger, moved out of its lane, struck a rock wall and flipped on SH30, 20km northeast of Rotorua near Ruato Bay.

Donaldson, the driver, and the front passenger were able to get out, but Richards, who had been in the back asleep, died at the scene.

Donaldson was charged with careless driving causing death, which she defended at trial, claiming she was sunstruck, and, at the same time, an oncoming vehicle frightened her.

However, Judge John Berseng found her guilty, finding there were signs of fatigue, and describing the decision to drive as “flawed” and one that led to “tragic consequences”.

This week, Donaldson appeared for sentencing in the Rotorua District Court, where, through her lawyer, Roderick Mulgan, she sought a discharge without conviction.

Mulgan said a conviction would end her aspirations to join the Australian army, something the now 20-year-old had been working towards since she was 13.

The police opposed the application, pointing to her apparent lack of remorse.

This prompted a discussion between Judge Bergseng and Mulgan over whether Donaldson had expressed remorse or merely regret.

The judge referred to victim impact statements read by family members.

Richards’ twin brother said he had been waiting for her to return from Rhythm and Vines so he could help her unpack her bags and cook her dinner.

Instead, he was visited by police who told him his sister had been killed in a crash.

He spoke of seeing the wrecked car, his sister’s blood, and her lifeless body in the morgue, all as things that he “cannot unsee”.

Richards’ older sister said she no longer enjoyed doing the things she and her sister, whom she referred to as her best friend, used to do, and the trauma of washing blood from her sister’s clothes.

Richards’ mother gave a detailed account of the day she learned her daughter had died, her struggles to cope, and the mental image of her daughter’s “beautiful face lying dead in the morgue”.

All of Richards’ family members spoke of the grief of losing her just as she was preparing to start university.

The other theme was that Richards’ family felt Donaldson had shown little remorse and had not taken responsibility.

They all urged the judge not to grant a discharge without conviction.The judge noted that in Donaldson’s affidavit, it was clear she regretted what had happened, but he thought it needed to go further.

Richards’ father, Mark Richards, told the judge it would have helped his family to see Donaldson take ownership.

He said that while she may have written about her remorse in her affidavit, it was never verbalised or expressed directly to them.

His voice cracked as he said, “Not one of our family has ever seen a word from her”, and said it seemed to have been dragged out for “self-preservation”.

“And that’s what hurts the most … It could have been a way different outcome if we got closure two years ago. We could have sat in a room and all just grieved together.”

Donaldson’s lawyer said that her pleading not guilty didn’t mean she didn’t accept she made a driving error, but she had a right to test whether that error met a criminal threshold.

When it came to sentencing, the judge said there was “no doubt that Jasmine has suffered from knowing that her driving failure caused Jade’s death”.

But other than an offer of $10,000 emotional harm reparation, there was “little that can be taken as an expression of remorse”. She hadn’t undertaken any driver training or voluntary work, for example.

The judge said Donaldson’s approach to expressing remorse was “likely a consequence of her youth and her immaturity”.

“While I can’t speak for Jade’s family, it seems to me that the word ‘sorry’ would have gone a long way towards addressing the hurt that they feel,” the judge said.

He weighed Donaldson’s culpability as a driver and the consequences of a conviction.

“This was a mistake made by an 18-year-old driver,” he said.

Donaldson had been tired and shouldn’t have driven, but she hadn’t been “brazen”; it was the “product of youth” and her limited driving experience.

And there had been many “what ifs”.

“Unfortunately for Jade, she was effectively in the wrong place at the wrong time because of the consequences of Jasmine’s driving.”

The judge said it was clear a conviction would be an “absolute bar” to entry into her chosen career path in the Australian military, which she was accepted into before the crash.

Judge Bergseng granted the discharge without conviction, but Donaldson received a 10-month driving disqualification, was ordered to do a defensive driving course within four months, and was ordered to pay $10,000 in emotional harm reparation.

However, the judge noted he had placed “very little weight” on the reparation offer when considering the discharge application. “Out of all of this, Jasmine, there are no winners,” he said.

“You have heard what has been said [by Jade’s family]. They would be very much helped by a very overt expression of remorse, no matter what might be the state of the relationship. I can’t force that. That is a matter I leave with you and your counsel.”

* This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

“Easing the cost of new and used imported vehicles” was the pitch of transport minister Chris Bishop’s media release last Monday.

The means to that end was slashing by 80 percent the clean car standard – which incentivised sales of low- or zero-emission vehicles – by the end of the week.

$265 million in penalties would not now be charged on ‘ordinary’ cars, Bishop claimed.

On Monday, Newstalk ZB’s host Ryan Bridge pitched this as a promise of cheaper cars to come – and Bishop listed savings for selected makes and models set out in his media release.

Soon after, TVNZ’s political editor Maiki Sherman ran through those herself on 1News, even displaying the savings on the screen.

“This Corolla would see charges reduced by more than $6500,” she said, in the manner of a car yard commercial.

But on RNZ’s Morning Report the next day, Ingrid Hipkiss noted the minister’s figures for savings on different makes and models were only estimates.

“We’ve carefully caveated the words because it’s complex. Every vehicle importer will be in a different situation when it comes to penalties and credit so it will really depend on the particular type of car and the situation they’re in,” Bishop explained.

Bishop also said the changes would only have a minimal effect on emissions – and the main reason for changing the law now was that “the bottom’s fallen out of the EV market.”

“There just simply hasn’t been the demand there and they also haven’t been able to get the supply. It’s a double whammy.”

Among things that might affect demand – recent media reports about EV safety.

Safety fears hit headlines

Last week The New Zealand Herald reported a retirement village on Auckland’s North Shore – Fairview – had banned new electric vehicles.

“One resident who did not want to be named told the Herald he was pulled into a meeting with other residents where ‘management tried to scare us’ (about) the supposed fire risk electric vehicles posed,” the Herald reported.

“They’re concerned about the risk an EV fire would pose to the busy communities, residents and homes,” RNZ’s Lisa Owen explained on Checkpoint the same day.

But why, when there are no restrictions on parking or charging them anywhere else?

“As soon as there’s an EV that blows up or catches fire, it’s on the front page or it’s on the six o’ clock news. If it’s a diesel or a petrol car, you won’t hear about it,” Retirement Village Residents Association chief executive Nigel Matthews told Checkpoint.

“I’ve seen the YouTube clips where things have exploded, whether it be an e-bike or an EV of some sort that’s being charged and then just caught alight. But I’ve also seen it with cell phones. At what point do you actually stop and say we need to have a bigger holistic look at this?” he asked.

When 28 cars were set alight in Whangarei Hospital’s car park a month ago, it was dry grass on a hot exhaust that started the blaze. But plenty of online speculation suggested an overheated EV could have started it.

A day later the driver of an electric bus died after it was engulfed in flames following a collision with a petrol powered car on Tamaki Drive in Auckland.

The busy road was closed for almost a day.

“Due to the bus’s electric battery, the area could remain hazardous,” a Police statement said.

That prompted keyboard warriors to conclude batteries in the buses were not just a hazard – but could have caused the fire.

Some also cited a bus colliding with an Auckland railway station building earlier in October. Nobody was hurt in that, but smoke was seen emerging from the top of

the bus.

Alarmed by what he called ‘misinformation’ about the Tamaki Drive crash – and “bizarre anti-EV propaganda” – Auckland City Councillor Richard Hills then took to social media himself.

He pointed out that Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) had confirmed the fire started from the petrol vehicle that hit that bus on Tamaki Drive, and bus company Kinetic found the electric bus’s batteries were undamaged.

“But all I saw everywhere was: ‘Told ya, told ya – EV buses and EV batteries’,” Hills told the Newstalk ZB Drive show.

“But this cannot happen again if we have an electric bus that has a crash on Tamaki Drive. You cannot shut a road for 24 hours,” ZB host Heather du Plessis-Allan responded.

“If you thought it was because it was an electric vehicle – it was. We did some extensive looking into it for you,” she told ZB listeners.

“Once they got on the bus, what they saw was battery packs hanging through the roof and so they were worried about that.”

She also said firefighters saw gas leaking and were worried lithium batteries were starting to disintegrate.

“Actually it was an aircon problem, but again, they were treating it differently because it was an electric vehicle,” she said.

But those details were not in any news story published by Newstalk ZB or its stablemates at the Herald at the time. Or any other media outlet for that matter.

There’s been no official FENZ incident report about the incident made public yet. FENZ has not yet responded to Mediawatch’s request for further information.

The risks and the reality

It is true that fires involving electric vehicles can be harder to suppress and take longer to make safe.

On [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/video/herald-now/auckland-bus-fire-should-we-be-worried-about-lithium-batteries/OGYBS4PTGQJCANRCBPAVSVWZTQ/ the

Herald Now show] AUT professor of electronic engineering Adnan Al-Anbuky explained the reaction known as ‘thermal runaway’ – heat can excite a lithium battery cell causing ignition or even explosion in neighbouring cells in extreme circumstances.

But it still wasn’t clear how likely that is to happen on the road – or in a garage.

Ten days after the Tamaki Drive crash, another Auckland Transport electric bus caught fire when it struck an overpass.

There were no passengers and the driver got out safely that time, but dramatic images of the flames in the underpass were widely viewed on social media, sparking more speculation about the fire risk of electric buses.

That prompted an explainer from Stuff the next day: ‘[https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360874741/no-electric-buses-arent-catching-fire-because-their-batteries No. Electric buses aren’t catching fire because of their batteries.’

Australian fire safety expert Emma Sutcliffe – who researches battery fires for Australia’s Department of Defence – told Stuff there had been only eight such fires in

Australia in three years to 2024, at a time when there were more than 180,000 EVs in use there.

While Auckland has had three events in a row, they are unconnected, she said.

“It’s just unfortunate that they’ve happened in a bit of a cluster,” she told Stuff.

“You should be far more concerned about the cheap lithium-ion batteries in your house than the ones powering your bus to work,” Emma Sutcliffe added.

Not for nothing did Fire and Emergency New Zealand launch a campaign about that last month, with slogans like: ‘Warning! Using an incorrect battery in your e-bike can cause violent fire in seconds.’

But sometimes, the media give people the wrong idea.

Last year RNZ reported a Wellington man’s claim that his neighbour’s Tesla burst into flames in the garage next door. Eventually, FENZ ruled out electric vehicles or lithium-ion batteries as the cause. RNZ updated the story accordingly.

Earlier this year a fire destroyed a boarding house in a Sydney suburb. The Sydney Morning Herald said it was not clear if the blaze began as an electrical fire, but lithium ion e-bike batteries “had contributed to the fire’s rapid spread and intensity.”

But the headline on that – ‘Jet-like flame’. E- bike batteries fuel Sydney boarding house fire– created the impression the batteries were the cause.

Channel 7’s TV news report also suggested batteries as the cause of the fire, but one of the distressed residents could be heard off-camera telling the reporter: “I had a candle going. Maybe it was the candle.”

[embedded content]

Call for context and ‘pre-bunking’

Co-president of the New Zealand Association of Scientists – Dr Troy Baisden – was alarmed by how recent news reports described the risks of EVs and the possibility of ‘thermal runaway.’

Dr Baisden took to social media himself to point out that none of the recent vehicle fires were caused by EVs or their batteries.

But if the risk is real – albeit remote in normal circumstances – how should media report incidents like the ones in Auckland recently?

“We know there’s a risk of EV myths and misinformation spread. The most interesting thing about these stories is that there were stories about EV fires that contained … no EV fire,” Dr Baisden told Mediawatch.

He cited New Zealand Herald and RNZ’s Checkpoint coverage of the Fairview community’s dilemma as failing to make clear that EVs pose a much lower fire risk than combustion engine vehicles.

A recent peer-reviewed study of four nations found more people believed misinformation about EVs than disagreed with it – including vehicles being more likely to catch fire.

But if it was reports of the recent bus fires that prompted the Fairview residents and management to discuss the issue, news editors can not ignore that context?

“They could have said the risk of EVs catching fire is about 60 times less than an equivalent petrol or diesel vehicle. Adjusted for the mileage, it’s maybe 20 times less,” Dr Baisden told Mediawatch.

“There’s other information that you could think about. Anything that can move you hundreds of kilometres in two tonnes of metal is going to have a lot of energy stored in it, so it can create a fire.”

“I feel like the retirement village residents – and the decisions that were going on there – were really let down by our information ecosystem.”

Checkpoint‘s coverage of the Fairview controversy stated right at the start that EV fires are rare but they can be harder to put out.

Both things that are true – and an online story carried a link to an RNZ article from 2019 all about that.

Is that sufficient ‘pre-bunking’ – informing people of facts before they’re exposed to contrary opinions, misinformation or fringe views?

“Probably not. I still don’t think that’s the most relevant thing – which is risk reduction. Fires are scary and historically vehicle fires used to be much more common than they are now. The other issue is: are we ready to deal with EV fires? That’s actually a more important issue.”

“It’s important where there are a lot of EVs – or particularly really big batteries like the bus batteries – that those firefighting methods are known and ready to respond.”

“It also points out we’re not great at working through risk – and the information to support journalists reporting these risks in New Zealand isn’t great.”

“Consumer magazine in New Zealand is a great trusted source. But where news organisations responding to headlines and trying to come up with an angle and a story, need to make sure journalists or the editors can find those.”

“This is a classic gap. We’re talking about something that actually hasn’t happened. There’s been no EV fire that’s been caused by an EV in New Zealand as yet.”

But we know that this is not a ‘zero risk’ technology. When fires occur, batteries can become a specific fire hazard which needs special treatment.

“Everybody’s home has a number of risks. The risks associated with a barbecue. Storing that in a garage with a car and other things that can catch on fire is a problem. Maybe take it from a scientist who’s run large laboratories with a lot of dangerous things in them: Don’t put the dangerous things that can catch on fire together.”

Baisden is an environmental scientist who researches carbon emissions and is in favour of low and zero-emission technologies. Does he have a bias which might prompt him to minimise the risk associated with them?

“I am keen to see the uptake of electric cars. I’ve had one for a number of years. I don’t have any vested interest in it. But here we’re talking about … at least 20 times less risk associated with EVs than conventional cars. It’s difficult to say that I’d be causing more bias than that.”

“I really don’t want to be a regular performer on the radio talking about EV fires again – and there’s still been no EV fires.”

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Source: Radio New Zealand

A crash in the Canterbury town of Rakaia has partially blocked the main road.

There were delays on State Highway 1 between the intersection with Dunford Street and the Rakaia River Bridge on Sunday morning.

NZTA advised motorists to follow the directions given by traffic controllers on-site.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Seafood New Zealand says claims from commercial fishing is allowed in two of 12 new High Protection Areas (HPAs) is misleading.

A convoy of recreational fishers travelled across Auckland in a rally on Saturday morning, towing boats. The One Ocean protest, co-organised by fishing enthusiast Ben Chissell, targeted aspects of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Protection Act and other proposed fishing reforms.

The law, which came into effect in October, created a group of new marine protected zones while also allowing exclusive use of two highly protected areas by commercial ring-net fishing operators. Protesters wanted the marine reserves to apply to everyone.

Seafood New Zealand chief executive Lisa Futschek said one exception was made for five small-scale ring-net fishers who provide kaimoana to local communities and marae.

She said claims from protesters that commercial fishing was allowed in two of 12 reserves was misleading.

“[Five small-scale ring-net fishers] have been given a just transition. They are able to fish within a very small section of two of the HPAs, but it’s a grandfathered provision – so that means when all of those individual fishers exit, they can’t be replaced. They can’t pass on that exception.”

Seafood NZ assured One Ocean protesters the government was not planning to add any species to the quota management system.

She said what was being proposed was if marlin or some reef fish were caught as by-catch, they would be able to be kept and sold.

“What is on the table are two proposals which would see certain species, marlin and some reef fish, able to be sold commercially when they are caught as bycatch by commercial fishers. So that’s a very, very different thing.”

Despite concerns of traffic congestion, by 10am Saturday, the hundreds of people driving in part of the convoy had mostly passed over the Harbour Bridge with minimal disruption.

Fisheries Minister Shane Jones previously said it was “a bit late” to protest, as recreational fishing lobby group LegaSea had “signed up to this policy some years ago”. LegaSea denied this. Chissell said the One Ocean Protest was a separate entity.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

A Hawaiian waka will be on display for people to see at Mangonui’s main wharf in Northland on Sunday.

Hikianalia is accompanying waka Hōkūleʻa to take part in celebrations to mark 40 years since Hōkūleʻa visited.

It sparked the revival of building ocean-going waka and traditional navigation, led by the late Sir Hek Busby.

Hikianalia will be on display between 10 and 2pm, and will then head to a dry dock in Auckland for maintenance.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

A Taranaki study will investigate the health of one of New Zealand’s most iconic marine species – the kōura/spiny red rock lobster.

The collaboration between Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Tama and the Department of Conservation (DOC) will monitor kōura off the north Taranaki coast, comparing abundance, size, sex ratio and health inside the Parininihi Marine Reserve and several points outside the protected area.

DOC marine reserves ranger Oscar Cotter said the species, commonly known as crayfish (Jasus edwardsii), was a keystone in the coastal environment, playing an essential role in maintaining ecosystem health, but they were under significant pressure from commercial and recreational fishing.

“Kōura are a key indicator species in determining the success of marine reserves DOC is responsible for,” Cotter said.

“In marine reserves like Parininihi, they are fully protected and able to recover from fishing impacts. In marine reserves, people can see our marine life and fish species as nature intended.

“They are great places for people to enjoy naturing in our oceans and learn about the species that live there.”

Cotter said three days of field work were scheduled to begin on 1 December, with craypots placed at 50 specific locations inside the marine reserve and a further 50 points outside it.

All kōura caught would be returned to the sea, once they’d been measured and details recorded.

“We’ll be using a commercial vessel for this work and, as the boat will be inside the marine reserve, we wanted to pro-actively inform local residents and boaties,” Cotter said.

“Parininihi Marine Reserve is significant to the communities of the area, and DOC and Ngāti Tama feel it’s important to alert residents to the work, so there are no concerns or confusion about the commercial vehicle appearing to be harvesting koura in the marine reserve.”

Kaitiaki Taiao, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Tama, Troy Tawhiao said the iwi were fully onboard with the work.

“Through this kōura survey, Ngāti Tama shares our mātauranga and strengthens our connection to Parininihi as kaitiaki,” he said. “It also helps us educate our uri and wider community about the health of our moana.”

DOC staff and Ngāti Tama representatives would be onboard the vessel at all times during the field work, which was reliant on good weather and sea conditions.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

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Source: Radio New Zealand

A new law change allowing key immigration decisions to bypass established processes and earlier judges decisions, and relying on vague definitions, will put vulnerable migrants at greater risk, an immigration lawyer says.

Lawyer Alastair McClymont is ringing the alarm, after the Immigration (Fiscal Sustainability and System Integrity) Amendment Bill passed its third reading in parliament, saying the changes to the Immigration Act will put vulnerable migrants at greater risk.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford claims the bill is “introducing safeguards for vulnerable people”.

She said New Zealand needed an immigration system that was fit for purpose and responsive to risk, and the bill strengthened the integrity and flexibility of the system, acted on independent review recommendations and shared costs more fairly across users.

The bill created a new offence for knowingly seeking or receiving premiums for employment, either in New Zealand or offshore, with penalties of up to seven years in prison or a $100,000 fine. It also lifted the threshold for detaining asylum seekers and introduced electronic monitoring as a less restrictive option.

Stanford said the changes meant residents could no longer avoid conviction or sentencing by arguing that a criminal record might affect their immigration status, putting them on the same footing as citizens.

Other changes included a broader levy base, judicial warrants for out-of-hours compliance visits, extra safeguards for asylum seekers under warrants of commitment, clearer deportation rules for residents convicted of offences and a new power to cancel residence visas for people who posed a security risk, but could not be deported, because they might face torture.

McClymont told RNZ the bill would increase risk to vulnerable migrants, because it allowed key immigration decisions to bypass established processes – including decisions previously made by judges.

“Taking the decision-making power away from experienced and trained judges when looking at mitigating factors of convictions, and putting that in the hands of inexperienced, untrained immigration officials increases the risk of separating families and creating significant harm,” he said.

McClymont was also concerned about what he described as “a lot of very vague definitions” that could be interpreted in many different ways.

“That raises the risk that the bill is not much more than a ‘Trojan horse’ for potentially harsher action against migrants in the future, depending on how particular phrases are read.”

Failing to define key terms was dangerous, he said.

“Is it going to be up to the government of the day to decide what a security risk is?”

McClymont said similar shifts happening in the United States and the United Kingdom were starting to seep into New Zealand law and policy.

“That’s a very big concern, because a lot of that is dog-whistle politics – blaming immigrants, blaming refugees, associating them with security risks and mass arrivals – instead of policy that provides proper care and support for migrant families, and ensures refugee applications are processed promptly and fairly.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Air New Zealand has won a number of international awards, including being named the world’s safest airline for 2025 by AirlineRatings.com.

Alongside the top gong for safety, the airline was named the best in the South Pacific by APEX, and claimed Oceania’s Leading Airline and Oceania’s Leading Airline Brand at the World Travel Awards 2025.

Air New Zealand also won the Forbes Travel Guide’s Innovation of the Year for its Skycouch seats, while readers of USA TODAY’s 10 BEST Awards voted the airline among the world’s favourites, placing second for Best Airline, second for Best Cabin Crew, second for Best Airline Food, and third for both Business Class and Inflight Entertainment.

Alongside these awards, Air New Zealand was ranked as the third best airline in the world by AirlineRatings.com, and was named Australia’s most trusted airline in the Finder Awards as well as taking out the top value frequent flyer programme.

The airline was also awarded for its sustainability efforts, by taking out the Asia Pacific CAPA Environmental Sustainability Award of the Year for 2025.

Air New Zealand chief customer and digital officer Jeremy O’Brien said the recognition reflects the talent, creativity and commitment of the airline’s people.

“It’s fantastic to see Air New Zealand recognised alongside some of the biggest and best carriers in the world. It’s a reflection of New Zealand and where we come from, as well as our people on the ground and in the air who work tirelessly to deliver an experience that feels genuinely Kiwi.

“These awards belong to our team, and to our customers, who continue to support and believe in what we do. Our teams have ensured our manaaki and care continue to shine through, and it’s that unwavering commitment that’s clearly turning heads on the global stage,” O’Brien said.

Beyond the skies, Air New Zealand was again named New Zealand’s Most Attractive Employer by recruitment agency Ranstad, a title it has now held for three consecutive years.

“Awards are wonderful recognition, but they’re also motivation to keep moving forward,” said O’Brien.

“We’ll continue to innovate, evolve and do what we do best, taking care of our customers and showcasing the very best of New Zealand to the world.”

The awards come as Air New Zealand cabin crew prepare to strike in December after months of negotiations failed to secure a fair deal on pay and conditions.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Kereama Wright (Te Arawa), senior member of haka rōpū Ngāti Whakaue and Te Matatini 2025 champion, says kapa haka is a form of rongoā – healing body, mind and spirit – and one of the strongest expressions of Māori culture.

“It’s a vehicle for us to tell stories – stories of triumph, stories of oppression, stories about the birth of our children – but it’s a vehicle to continue our history, our stories and our legacy, and pass it on to our future generations,” he told RNZ.

Before cameras and social media, Māori preserved knowledge and stories through whakairo, waiata and mōteatea that traversed generations, Wright said.

“That’s why it’s important for me to perform and keep practising kapa haka – because it’s about an expression of our culture.”

Wright said kapa haka was also a statement of survival.

“It’s telling the oppressor that you’re never going to kill us, you’re never going to get rid of us, no matter how you try. Despite all the legislation you can put in place, we’re still here and we’re not going anywhere.

The whakapapa of haka

Wright said the origins of haka could be traced back to Tāne-Rore and Hine-Rēhia.

Tāne-Rore, the personification of shimmering heatwaves and the origin of dance, is the son of Tamanui-Te-Rā (the Sun) and Hine-Raumati (the Summer Maiden). When the land is hot and the air shimmers, Tāne-Rore performs the haka for his mother.

This is represented on stage through the trembling hand movement, known as wiriwiri or ‘Te Haka a Tāne-Rore’.

Hine-te-Rēhia is the goddess of entertainment, pleasure and games. Her influence ensures audiences are entertained and engaged, known as ‘Ngā Mahi a Hine-te-Rēhia’, performed on the stage or Te Whaitua o Rēhia.

“Over time, haka was used by our ancestors to prepare for battle,” Wright said. “Mentally, physically and spiritually.”

Today, haka is seen on the international stage, for example with the All Blacks, used to honour opponents or guests.

“All of those various expressions are still relevant today,” he said.

“Nowadays, it’s a heavily contested competition, but at the root of something like Te Matatini is practising our culture, keeping it alive and letting the world know that we’re still here.”

At the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education 2025, which took place over the week in Tāmaki Makaurau, crowds were given the opportunity to see the Matatini champions in action.

Wright said the message Ngāti Whakaue brought to the kaupapa was ‘Poua te Aroha’ – “share the love and spread the love”.

“It’s an ingredient that’s absent in many countries around the world, but it’s at the heart of everything we do as Indigenous peoples.”

He believes all indigenous cultures have a lot in common.

“We are fighting for our survival – the survival of our language, the retention of our land and the survival of our culture,” he said. “If we can’t practice now, if we don’t continue practising our culture and the teachings of our ancestors, then the coloniser will win.

“It’s important that we keep practising, and pass on variations of kapa haka, culture and dance to our children, so that our stories can live on.”

He also described kapa haka as a form of rongoā or Māori medicine.

“Not only for the body, physically, but the movement, the sound, the beats. It’s been scientifically proven that it can reduce dementia – it’s rongoā for illnesses like that.”

“You’ll see groups who live by the sea dance differently to groups like Tūhoe, who live in the bush. The movements we perform depict the environments we come from.

“We are the environment. That’s why it’s important for us to keep moving the way we do – it benefits mental, physical and spiritual health as well.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

A person and their dog have been winched to safety by helicopter, after getting stuck on a cliff in Otago.

Emergency services were called about 1pm Saturday and responded to the incident close to Thompson Hill, near Arrowtown, along the Twin Rivers Trail.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said the pair had to be rescued using harnesses and a helicopter, as they were trapped about 60 metres down.

The person became stuck, when they tried to rescue their dog and found they could not get back up to the track.

Two crews of firefighters from Frankton and one crew from Arrowtown were sent to the scene.

The rescue was wrapped up by 4pm Saturday, the spokesperson said, and there were no reports of injuries.

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Source: Radio New Zealand

Police say it may be some time before they can provide answers to the family of four who died in a housefire in the Manawatū town of Sanson this month.

On Saturday, Manawatū Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham confirmed the names of those who died in the 15 November blaze – Goldie May Iris Field, 1, Hugo John Field, 5, August James Field, 7, and 36-year-old Dean Michael Field.

Grantham said the whānau were receiving “wrap-around support”, as they dealt with the devastating loss, and acknowledged the grief felt throughout the community.

“The scene examination at the property has been completed and this was handed back to family on Thursday morning,” he said.

Grantham stressed that the investigation into the fatal incident remained active.

“Police’s investigation into the fatal incident is ongoing and it will take time for us to get answers for the family,” Grantham said.

“We would like to acknowledge the community for their outpouring of support for the family, as they come to terms with this tragedy.

“I would also like to thank the many police staff who have worked tirelessly over the last week and continue to work on this difficult investigation.”

Police have not released any further details about the cause of the fire.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu is taking the Crown to the High Court over proposed Conservation Act changes, claiming the plans are a threat to its Waitangi Treaty settlement.

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka proposed the changes in August to address a backlog of concession applications that he said “sometimes take years to process”.

The changes included streamlining and centralising conservation land management, and a review of Section 4 of the Conservation Act, requiring the Department of Conservation (DOC) to give effect to the principles of the treaty.

Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Justin Tipa told RNZ the proposal would shift decision-making from conservation boards and the Conservation Authority to the minister.

He said the Ngāi Tahu treaty settlement guaranteed the iwi representation in decision-makng and the proposal would lead to the privatisation of public conservation land.

“What they are proposing is that concessions may be granted up to 60 years for critical infrastructure and that essentially means that, on public conservation land, it’s going to be privatised by stealth.

“It’s alienating Māori, it’s alienating Ngāi Tahu, it’s alienating New Zealanders from the whenua.”

Tipa said the iwi had been left with no other choice and taking action in the High Court was not a step taken lightly.

“That’s the problem iwi are confronted with. Governments come and go, and they have no institutional memory of their commitment, so we are compelled to spend significant amounts of our settlements defending and protecting our settlements.

“Every time a new government comes into power, we are having to educate and re-educate on what our claims are, what they mean, how they work with legislation.

“At the end of the day, treaty settlements didn’t appear our of thin air. They were the culmination of sustained legal political and social dialogue spanning decades.”

Two-thirds of public conservation land sits within the Ngāi Tahu rohe and Tipa said vital contribution of localised knowledge would be lost.

“We always stand at the ready to engage with government departments, with ministers and ministries to help shape policy, and test thinking.

“Unfortunately, the advice we attempted to give fell on deaf ears and they went ahead with these proposals that would undermine the integrity of the Ngāi Tahu settlement.”

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka told RNZ he had been advised Ngāi Tahu had taken the matter to court.

“Our government remains focused on delivering clear, decisive conservation reform that strengthens biodiversity and provides greater certainty for communities,” he said. “We are progressing this work diligently.”

Tipa said the High Court action was only the first step and the iwi was determined to hold the Crown to the promises it made almost 30 years ago, when the Deed of Settlement was signed.

“I would like to see the changes scrapped, but if they don’t, we stand ready to engage,” he said.

“I don’t have a lot of faith. I’ve seen this government consistently overturn the rule of law.

“They don’t listen to the majority of New Zealanders. There’s a minority in this country that has a very large powerbase in this country and, unless we stand up and take action, I don’t have a lot of faith in the future for Māori under this government.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police are responding to a serious crash in Matamata on Saturday afternoon, after a pedestrian was struck by a car.

Emergency services were called to Manuka Street about 1.50pm. Initial indications suggested there were serious injuries.

The Serious Crash Unit was notified and the road was closed, while emergency services were at the scene.

Motorists were asked to avoid the area if possible and expect delays.

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