Labour leader takes aim at government in first speech of election year

January 21, 2026

Labour leader Chris Hipkins prepares to address his party’s caucus retreat in West Auckland, RNZ / Lillian Hanly

Labour leader Chris Hipkins has come out swinging at the government in his first speech of election year, saying its responsible for the situation New Zealand is in.

Hipkins said New Zealanders were looking for a “sense of hope” this year as he addressed his party at its caucus retreat in West Auckland, saying people weren’t getting that sense of hope from this government.

“They’re seeing more cuts, more negativity, real doom and gloom from the current government, and what they want is a sense of hope that better is possible and that a better future for New Zealand is possible.”

Hipkins took aim at the Prime Minister’s State of the Nation speech, saying New Zealanders got “another litany of blame and excuses” from Christopher Luxon on Monday when what they wanted was a “plan for the future.”

“Stringing together a bunch of management buzz words is not a plan, and it’s certainly not a vision,” said Hipkins.

There was no leadership from this government, he said, and referenced the comments Luxon had made in the past about New Zealanders.

“We have a prime minister who thinks that low-income New Zealanders are bottom feeders, who think that fundamentally, New Zealand is a wet, whiny, miserable country,” said Hipkins.

He joked that it was “little bit wet today” acknowledging the wind and rain outside the venue.

“But actually, what I heard from Kiwis over the summer break was not whiny and miserable, it was desperate for something to get excited about, for some sense of hope, some sense that the government has an idea about how to make the country better.”

He greeted his MPs at their first gathering following the summer break saying “welcome to election year.”

Hipkins said the party had done the “hard work” over the last couple of years, listening, taking stock, refreshing and renewing themselves after its defeat in 2023.

“Now we are into election year – that means we get to talk about what we want to do, how we will do things differently, but also remind New Zealanders of the absolute mess this government has created.

“Because while they will try and find everybody else to blame for the mess they’ve created, make no bones about it, this government are responsible for the situation that New Zealand is in at the moment.”

Speaking off the cuff to a conference room at the Quality Inn Lincoln Green in West Auckland filled with Labour MPs and staff, who nodded throughout the speech commenting “that’s right” in agreement.

Hipkins spoke of the “record number of Kiwis” who left the country last year looking for “opportunity elsewhere” they couldn’t find in New Zealand.

“That is an absolute indictment on Christopher Luxon and his government.

“New Zealanders now are looking to us to provide that alternative.”

Hipkins said the party had listened, taken stock and renewed itself after its defeat in 2023. RNZ / Lillian Hanly

He spoke of the “structural deficit” Nicola Willis had “created”, pointing to the pre-election fiscal update in 2023, “New Zealand was on a pathway to recovery.”

“We were heading back into surplus.

“The economy was going to start growing again, and the first thing that this government did was a slash and burn exercise that ended all of that.”

Hipkins said Labour wouldn’t be “shy” in reminding New Zealanders the situation they found themselves in now was because of the “bad choices of this government.”

“Tax cuts for landlords and tobacco companies, whilst hard working, New Zealanders find it harder to buy their first home or go and see the doctor.”

He pointed to Labour policies such as the New Zealand Future Fund and three free doctor visits, paid for by a capital gains tax, saying it had been “well received” by people.

“New Zealanders want it. They have made that very clear. They want to see investment moved out of the speculative housing market and into providing opportunities for New Zealanders.”

He blamed the current government for increased unemployment in New Zealand, and more people on job seeker benefits.

“Despite all of their tough talk about sanctions, they’re actually making it harder for New Zealanders to get a job, and we will hold them accountable for that.”

But he said Labour would do more than that by offering a “real and compelling alternative”, because “better is possible.”

He said Willis, Luxon, David Seymour and Winston Peters “all want to tell you that this is as good as it gets” and if they stand back that “somehow things will fix themselves.”

“They won’t.

“It requires some leadership from government, and there’s been no leadership from this government at all.”

Hipkins closed his opening remarks by saying the party was “fired up and excited for election year” and welcoming incoming Labour MP Georgie Dansey, as former Speaker Adrian Rurawhe announces his retirement from politics.

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Watch: Election to be held on 7 November, Christopher Luxon announces

By Evening Report -

January 21, 2026

Source: Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced that this year’s election will be held on 7 November.

National MPs are gathering for their first caucus meeting of the year in Christchurch, while Labour MPs will also hold theirs in Auckland.

Saturday, 7 November had already been the most mentioned frequently as a likely date.

Several pundits are picking the election to be called for after the American mid-terms set for 3 November, which will be a key indicator for how US President Donald Trump’s remaining two years in office will fare.

You can follow the livestream and our live updates at the top of this page.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announces the general election will be held on 7 November as National’s caucus meets to start the 2026 political year. RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon

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Weather: Gisborne region prepares for incoming deluge

By Evening Report -

January 21, 2026

Source: Radio New Zealand

Slash at Tolaga Bay following Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. RNZ / Alexa Cook

The mayor of Gisborne says the district’s Civil Defence and emergency services are ready to go ahead of heavy rains forecast for the next 24 hours.

Up to 350mm of rain is expected to fall north of Tolaga Bay overnight.

While nearly 150mm of rain is expected over Gisborne – south of Tolaga Bay – and Hawke’s Bay ahead of 10am Thursday.

Rehette Stoltz said people should avoid any unnecessary travel and be ready for power cuts in the area.

“With the land already so saturated we might see landslips and roads being blocked by trees so please drive the conditions. Also make sure your devices are charged, make sure you’ve got some basics at home if you need to look after yourself or whanau for a day or two,” Stoltz said.

Stoltz said people who were feeling unsafe in their current location should self evacuate if necessary. She said the council was working closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), police, ambulance and New Zealand Transport Agency, should the situation escalate.

She urged people to get in touch with Civil Defence or the council if they needed assistance.

Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz. RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Group controller for Tai Rāwhiti Civil Defence, Ben Green, said extra police and Fire and Emergency (FENZ) staff had been brought into the area.

“Across police additional staff [are] coming in, equipment and capability [have been] deployed supplementing particularly rural areas. FENZ have specialist teams bought in – they’re looking to embed some of those in the coastal areas and that allows us the ability to have a bit of back up if we do start losing access on [State Highway] 35.

“St John – in terms of additional medical support – they’re deploying and putting assets up into the northern area of the [East] Cape there.

“That is very much the main effort and focus for today, and that’s certainly been underway from yesterday as well.”

He said Civil Defence was checking in with campgrounds, particularly in coastal areas, where people from out of town might still be holidaying.

Area manager for Tolaga Bay Civil Defence, Greg Shelton, said if people felt unsafe – particularly those in exposed areas or near the Hikuwai River – they should leave their location ahead of nightfall.

Damage caused by Tologa Bay by Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. Supplied / Bridget Parker

Shelton said the high amount of rainfall forecast could see the Hikuwai River reaching levels of up to 12m or more.

“All those people now that are exposed or living along the Hikuwai River – even if they have lifted their houses – we encourage them to leave as well because – if the river does reach 12 [metres] plus, we really don’t want to be out there trying to rescue or find people at night-time.”

Shelton said Mangatuna – which lay along SH35 – was of particular risk, but the whole area should prepare for flooding, fallen trees and possible power cuts.

He said preparations had begun shortly after the incoming weather system was identified over a week ago.

He said overnight teams would be put in place and he was confident that the communities in the area – well versed in dealing with adverse weather – had the current situation under control.

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Watch live: Election to be held on 7 November, Christopher Luxon announces

By Evening Report -

January 21, 2026

Source: Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced that this year’s election will be held on 7 November.

National MPs are gathering for their first caucus meeting of the year in Christchurch, while Labour MPs will also hold theirs in Auckland.

Saturday, 7 November had already been the most mentioned frequently as a likely date.

You can follow the livestream and our live updates at the top of this page.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announces the general election will be held on 7 November as National’s caucus meets to start the 2026 political year. RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon

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

Women saved from ‘eye-level water’ in dramatic kayak rescue

By Evening Report -

January 21, 2026

Source: Radio New Zealand

John Welch paddles Jazmyn Welch’s partner Holly to safety after their Kūaotunu home was surround by neck-deep, fast-moving floodwaters. Peter de Graaf / RNZ

A woman rescued by kayak from the deck of her Coromandel home on Wednesday morning says she has never seen flooding like it – not even during Cyclone Gabrielle.

Jazmyn Welch said when help arrived, her home at Kūaotunu, north of Whitianga, was surrounded by neck-deep, fast-flowing water – and it was still rising.

The first she knew was when her partner, Holly, got up for work about 5.30am.

“She came into the room, burst open the door, and said, ‘You’ve got to get up now, because the whole entire outside of the house is water, like eye-level water.’ It was so high, and it was getting higher and higher.”

Welch called her father’s partner, a volunteer firefighter, who swung into action straight away.

“They organised a kayak, and my dad came and rescued us from the balcony. The water was getting higher as we were on the phone to dad’s girlfriend. Our house is on stilts and at that point I’d say the water was probably up to my neck.”

“The current next to us was rushing so fast, our barbecue was gone, the gas bottle was floating on the water.”

Her father, John Welch, took the women to safety one at a time, paddling through trees to the nearest dry land about 100 metres away.

“We have a massive backyard and it was completely underwater. Luckily we moved our cars to higher ground the night before.”

Welch and her partner took only their car keys, passports, phones and a change of clothes in dry bags.

They stacked the rest of their belongings on high shelves and on top of the beds, and blocked any gaps under the doors as best they could.

All they could take was their phones, car keys, passports and a change of clothes each, in dry bags provided by the fire brigade.

John Welch paddled through fast-flowing floodwaters to rescue his daughter and her partner from their deck of their Coromandel home. Peter de Graaf / RNZ

With a lot more rain expected overnight, she feared the house would go underwater.

She and Holly were now staying at her father’s home, but Civil Defence had opened up Kūatonu Hall for other residents, her neighbours included, who needed to evacuate.

“I’ve never experienced anything like that before. We moved here three days before Cyclone Gabrielle, so we’ve seen major flooding and major road damage before, but not that bad.

“This house is a little cabin on stilts, and it was 360 [degrees] surrounded by water. It was like we were sitting in the river. It was the craziest thing I’ve ever seen, especially at 5.30 in the morning. It was pitch black and there was just water rushing all around us.

“It was pretty, pretty scary, and now we’re sitting safe and dry at dad’s house and praying that water doesn’t go inside the house on Wednesday night. But I’m unsure.”

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Morgan poll has One Nation surging at Coalition’s expense; Trump’s net approval in negative double digits

By The Conversation -

January 21, 2026

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne

One Nation continues to surge after the Bondi terror attack, as a Morgan poll has them gaining six points at the Coalition’s expense.

A national Australian Morgan poll, conducted January 12–18 from a sample of 1,630, gave Labor a 53.5–46.5 lead by respondent preferences, a 1.5-point gain for Labor since the January 5–11 Morgan poll.

Primary votes were 28.5% Labor (down 1.5), 24% Coalition (down 6.5), 21% One Nation (up six), 13.5% Greens (steady) and 13% for all Others (up two). By 2025 election preference flows, Labor led by 53–47, a one-point gain for Labor.

It’s very unlikely One Nation actually surged six points in one week, and much more likely the previous poll was a pro-Coalition outlier. Resolve is now the only poll that gives the Coalition a clear lead over One Nation (ten points), with all other recent polls now between a one-point lead for One Nation (Newspoll) and four-point Coalition lead (Fox & Hedgehog).

Morgan also had a special SMS poll on Australia Day that was conducted January 14–16 from a sample of 1,311. By 72–28, respondents thought January 26 should be known as “Australia Day”, not “Invasion Day” (68.5–31.5 two years ago). By 60.5–39.5, they thought Australia Day should not be moved from January 26 (58.5–41.5 previously).

Further results from Resolve poll

I covered the Australian national Newspoll and Resolve poll on Monday. In further questions from the Resolve poll for Nine newspapers, supported a royal commission following Bondi by 61-10 (change from 48–17 in late December). By 37–35, respondents thought social cohesion was good rather than poor (37–30 in late December).

On gun laws, 66% wanted them toughened (down ten since late December), 21% kept as they are (up 11) and 7% wanted gun laws relaxed (up one). A big majority still wants tougher gun laws, but right-wing voters are now more opposed than in late December. The Coalition’s opposition to Labor’s gun control laws has probably contributed to increased public opposition.

NSW Resolve poll has strong support for post-Bondi measures

The New South Wales Resolve poll would normally have combined results from the early December and January federal Resolve polls. But the early December poll was pre-Bondi, and it appears The Sydney Morning Herald wants to wait for a complete post-Bondi poll before giving voting intentions.

What we have are questions from the January NSW sample of 550. By 49–19, respondents thought Labor Premier Chris Minns and the state government had had a strong rather than weak response to Bondi. By 67–16, they supported the state government’s gun reforms.

Trump’s ratings in negative double digits after one year

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s US net approval has been in negative double digits since late October. Trump became United States president for a second time on January 20, 2025. A year into his second four-year term, Trump’s net approval in Nate Silver’s aggregate of US national polls is -13.0, with 55.0% disapproving and 42.0% approving.

Trump recorded a positive net approval in Silver’s aggregate at the start of his term, but his net approval went negative last March. Since late October, Trump’s net approval has been in negative double digits, with a low of -15.0 in November.

Silver has ratings for past presidents since Harry Truman. At this point in their presidencies, Trump’s net approval is ahead of only his own first term, with Joe Biden the next worst at -12.0 net approval.

On four issues tracked by Silver, Trump’s net approval is -9.5 on immigration, -15.6 on trade, -15.9 on the economy and -25.2 on inflation. Recently, Trump’s net approval on immigration has dropped while his net approval on the other three issues has risen.

Trump’s ratings on immigration may have fallen because of the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent on January 7. On other issues, Trump’s ratings may have risen due to the continued strong stock market.

The benchmark S&P 500 stock market index has risen 7.8% in the last six months, hitting a new peak on January 12, although it slumped 2.1% in last night’s session owing to Trump’s threats of tariffs over Greenland. Trump’s ratings are unlikely to become very poor unless either the stock market or the broader US economy deteriorates markedly.

In a recent Ipsos poll for Reuters, by 47–17 Americans disapproved of US efforts to acquire Greenland, and by 71–4 they thought it was not a good idea to take Greenland using military force.

At midterm elections this November, all 435 members of the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 senators will be up for election. In Fiftyplusone’s aggregate of the national generic ballot, Democrats lead Republicans by 43.6–39.8.

I wrote on January 7 that if Democrats win the national popular vote by the 3.8 points they lead by in current polls, they would be very likely to gain control of the House, but not the Senate. The two senators per state rule skews Senate elections towards low-population, rural states.

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

– ref. Morgan poll has One Nation surging at Coalition’s expense; Trump’s net approval in negative double digits – https://theconversation.com/morgan-poll-has-one-nation-surging-at-coalitions-expense-trumps-net-approval-in-negative-double-digits-273804

New study sheds light on the threat of ‘marine darkwaves’ to ocean life

By The Conversation -

January 21, 2026

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By François Thoral, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Marine Ecology, University of Waikato

Surfers caught in a marine darkwave. Jean Thoral, CC BY-NC-SA

Life in the ocean runs on light. It fuels photosynthesis, shapes food webs and determines where many marine species can live.

Gradually, that light is fading. Since the early 2000s, more than one-fifth of the global ocean has darkened as sediment, nutrients and organic matter increasingly cloud coastal waters – raising concern about the future of reefs, kelp forests and seagrass meadows.

Alarming as this picture is, focusing only on gradual darkening may miss the most ecologically damaging part of the story.

Our newly published study introduces the phenomenon of “marine darkwaves”: sudden, intense episodes of underwater darkness that can last from days to months and push marine ecosystems into acute stress.

Darkness events are often triggered by storms, floods, sediment plumes or algal blooms. As with marine heatwaves, these short, intense episodes can be just as ecologically disruptive as slow, long-term trends.

Unusual underwater darkness is harmful for a range of marine ecosystems, yet the phenomenon did not have a name and definition until the marine darkwave framework was developed. Artwork of a darkened algal forest by Cassandre Villautreix, underwater picture by Leigh Tait.

Why light matters underwater

When light within the ocean drops suddenly, even for a few days, marine ecosystems can suffer. Prolonged darkness can slow growth, reduce energy reserves and in severe cases lead to dieback or mortality.

Fish, sharks and marine mammals can also change their behaviour when visibility drops, altering feeding and movement patterns.

Until now, scientists have examined ways to track long-term coastal darkening but have lacked a consistent way to identify, measure and compare extreme short-term light-loss events across regions and depths.

In other words, we have known this phenomenon exists – but we haven’t had a shared language to define and describe it. With marine darkwaves, we now have an event-based framework for extreme underwater darkness.

Thoral et al. (2026), CC BY-NC-SA

Darkwaves occur when underwater light falls below a depth-specific threshold for a minimum duration, relative to what is normally expected at that location. This allows scientists to identify when conditions shift from merely dim to unusually dark.

Importantly, this framework works across different depths, where light conditions naturally vary; across local to regional scales, from coastal reefs to entire coastlines; and across multiple data sources, including light sensors and satellite observations.

Its consistency enables meaningful comparison of events that were previously difficult to place into broader contexts.

What our research revealed

Our study used long-term datasets from both hemispheres in markedly different coastal regions.

In California, 16 years of underwater light measurements revealed repeated darkwave events, some lasting several weeks. In Aotearoa New Zealand, ten years of monitoring data from Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf showed rapid drops in underwater light during storms, at depths of seven and 20 metres.

Satellite data extending back 21 years revealed a broader pattern. Along New Zealand’s East Cape coast, up to 80 marine darkwaves have occurred since 2002, most linked to storms and river-driven sediment plumes.

Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 provided a stark example. The storm delivered vast amounts of sediment to coastal waters, smothering many reefs and creating prolonged underwater darkness over large areas.

In some places, the seabed received almost no light for several weeks.

Heavy sediment runoff around Waihau Bay, in New Zealand’s Eastern Bay of Plenty. This was observed following Cyclone Gabrielle on February 14, 2023 – an event that created marine darkwaves for several weeks, with continuing ecological impacts.
Copernicus Sentinel data (2023), CC BY-NC-SA

Long-term averages are important, but they can smooth over the very events that cause the greatest ecological damage.

Just as a single marine heatwave can devastate kelp forests and coral reefs, a single marine darkwave can sharply reduce photosynthesis and disrupt ecosystems already stressed by warming, acidification and nutrient pollution.

Climate change is likely to increase the frequency and intensity of these events. Heavier rainfall, stronger storms and intensified land use all increase sediment and organic matter flowing into coastal waters, reducing water clarity and light availability.

Our framework allows identification of discrete periods when light thresholds critical for ecosystem function are crossed.

A new tool – and cause for hope

The marine darkwave framework complements existing tools used to track marine heatwaves, deoxygenation and ocean acidification.

By focusing on extremes, it provides clearer insights into acute stress on coastal ecosystems. In New Zealand particularly, this information is increasingly important for iwi (tribes) and hapū (sub-tribes), coastal communities, conservation groups and environmental managers making decisions about land use, restoration and marine protection.

Related monitoring work is already underway in parts of New Zealand, where expanded sensor networks aid in linking land-based processes to changes in underwater light, and linking these to ecological changes on coastal reefs.

Ultimately, marine darkwaves remind us that the ocean doesn’t always change slowly. Sometimes, it changes abruptly and quietly if we don’t pay attention.

There is also reason for cautious optimism. Many marine darkwaves are driven by land–sea connections, so their frequency and intensity are not inevitable.

Reducing sediment runoff through nature-based solutions, such as restoring wetlands, stabilising riverbanks, improving harvest techniques of exotic forests, and replanting native forests in vulnerable catchments can directly increase water clarity and underwater light.

Understanding marine darkwaves is not only about detecting change, but also about identifying practical pathways to protect coastal ecosystems before further darkness descends.

The authors acknowledge the contribution of Rahera Ohia, Ngāti Pūkenga, Jean Thoral, Leigh Tait and Cassandre Villautreix.

François Thoral receives funding from the NZ Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment MBIE (Endeavour Fund Tau Ki Ākau UOWX2206). He is affiliated with the University of Waikato, University of Canterbury and Earth Sciences New Zealand.

Christopher Battershill receives funding from the NZ Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment MBIE (Endeavour Fund Tau Ki Ākau UOWX2206 is relevant to this project). He is employed with the University of Waikato and also receives contestable grant funding from other agencies (eg Regional Councils and Department of Conservation).

David R Schiel receives funding from the New Zealand government public good research fund (via the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment; Endeavour Fund Tau Ki Ākau UOWX2206).

Shinae Montie receives funding from The Australian Research Council and the Winifred Violet Scott Charitable Trust. She is associated with the University of Western Australia.

– ref. New study sheds light on the threat of ‘marine darkwaves’ to ocean life – https://theconversation.com/new-study-sheds-light-on-the-threat-of-marine-darkwaves-to-ocean-life-273225

4.87 tonnes of cocaine seized in French Polynesian waters – bound for Australia

By Asia Pacific Report -

January 21, 2026

RNZ Pacific

France’s High Commission in French Polynesia has reported the seizure of 4.87 tonnes of cocaine in its maritime zone.

The armed forces in French Polynesia (FAPF), the national gendarmerie and the local branch of the anti-narcotics office (OFAST) were involved in the intercept.

A statement from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have congratulated authorities in French Polynesia over the reported seizure, with the drugs reportedly bound for Australia.

Gulf News reported the cocaine was being transported on a ship sailing under Togo’s flag, according to a source close to the investigation.

AFP commander Stephen Jay said police staff posted in the Pacific, and members of Taskforce Thunder, would seek to work with French Polynesia authorities to identify people linked to the seizure.

Taskforce Thunder, launched in October, targets illicit commodities and the forced movement of people through the Pacific.

Jay said the AFP was committed to working closely with its law enforcement partners to deliver maximum impact against transnational criminal syndicates targeting Australia, the Pacific and throughout Europe.

‘Exceptional work’
“I would like to thank the exceptional work of our partners in French Polynesia, who have prevented a significant amount of illicit drugs from reaching Australia,” Jay said.

“The harm caused by organised crime syndicates attempting to import illicit drugs into Australia is significant, and extends beyond individual users to a myriad of violent and exploitative crimes.”

Australian Border Force acting commander Linda Cappello said Australia’s strongest defence against transnational organised crime was the depth of its relationships across the Pacific and beyond.

“For those seeking to exploit maritime and supply chains to move illicit drugs the message is clear: coordinated vigilance across the region significantly increases the risk of detection and disruption.”

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Mercury Energy powers up new geothermal generator

By Evening Report -

January 21, 2026

Source: Radio New Zealand

At full capacity the Ngā Tamariki power station was expectec to generate enough electricity to supply about 158,000 average homes. Supplied / Mercury Energy

Mercury Energy has powered up its new geothermal generator near Taupō, which is now delivering electricity generation to the national grid.

Built at a cost of $220 million, the new unit is expected to be fully operational by March.

Mercury said the unit will add a further 46 megawatts of renewable energy – enough to power about 55,000 homes – ahead of winter, lifting the station’s installed capacity from 86 MW to 132 MW.

At full capacity, Mercury said the Ngā Tamariki power station would generate around 1120 gigawatt hours of electricity a year, enough to supply about 158,000 average homes – more than all residential homes in Christchurch.

The station is powered by nine geothermal wells drilled more than 3000 metres below the surface, where temperatures reach up to 290 degrees Celsius.

Mercury chief executive Stew Hamilton said the expansion is part of a $1 billion investment in three renewable generation developments planned by the company.

“These include the Ngā Tamariki expansion, stage two of the Kaiwera Downs wind farm in Southland, and the Kaiwaikawe wind farm in Northland.”

The Ngā Tamariki geothermal station is owned by Mercury. However, the resource has been developed in partnership with Tauhara North 2 Trust and with mana whenua Ngāti Tahu Ngāti Whaoa.

The trust jointly owns the resource consents, receives a revenue stream from the station, and holds options to take an equity stake.

Investigations into geothermal development at Ngā Tamariki date back to 1986, with the power station first commissioned in 2013.

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Watch live: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announces Election Day 2026 date

By Evening Report -

January 21, 2026

Source: Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is set to announce the date of this year’s general election.

National MPs are gathering for their first caucus meeting of the year in Christchurch, while Labour MPs will also hold theirs in Auckland.

Saturday, 7 November has been mentioned most frequently as a likely date.

Luxon will speak to reporters shortly.

You can follow the livestream and our live updates at the top of this page.

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

A stronger focus on prevention could help governments rein in health care and social spending

By The Conversation -

January 21, 2026

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Angela Jackson, Social Policy Commissioner, Productivity Commission, and Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Tasmania

Deb Cohn-Orbach/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

At the start of the new year, many of us will commit to joining a gym, eating healthier or cutting back on drinking and smoking. We do this knowing that investing in our health today will pay off into to the future – that prevention is better (and cheaper) than the cure.

It’s advice the Productivity Commission thinks federal and state governments should also follow to improve Australia’s finances and productivity.

Late last year, my co-authors and I gave the federal government the final report of our inquiry on delivering quality care more efficiently.

We found preventative investments could save taxpayers billions of dollars in health and social care costs. But to achieve these gains, the way we think about investing in prevention needs to change.

Investing in early intervention

Australia’s spending on health and social care is growing as a share of the economy and now makes up five of the top seven fiscal pressures
facing the federal budget. The care sector is also absorbing more of our workforce – close to one-third of new jobs since the pandemic have been in the care sector.

In many respects this reflects changing preferences. As the nation has become wealthier, we care more about our health and wellbeing. But making the most of this spending is one of Australia’s key productivity challenges.

That means investing early to save costs later. Take for example the SunSmart skin cancer awareness campaign, which is estimated to have prevented more than 43,000 skin cancers from 1988 to 2010.

Investments like this save lives and money. We estimate that an investment of A$1.5 billion across all prevention programs over five years could be expected to save governments $2.7 billion over ten years. Factoring in the broader health, social and economic benefits, the total benefits would be about $5.4 billion.

Other countries are ahead of the game: Canada, the UK and Finland spend over twice as much of their health budgets on prevention as Australia.

Australia’s own health prevention strategy recommends that we increase spending on prevention from 2% to 5% of the health budget.

The big picture

Prevention goes beyond just health care. Investments in youth justice, out of home care and homelessness improve outcomes in a range of other areas, improving Australians’ quality of life and governments’ bottom lines.

For example, when people experiencing homelessness get stable housing, they tend to end up in hospital less often, make fewer trips to the emergency department, and in some cases, even avoid incarceration. It’s also easier to look for and hold down a job when you have a stable place to call home.

Such investments can also address systemic inequities in both access and quality of care.

One early childhood education program in outer Melbourne led to improved IQ and language development among socially disadvantaged Australian children, with participants reaching the same level of development as their peers within three years.

Evaluations of similar initiatives in the United States suggest that benefits can persist well into adulthood and even intergenerationally, through improved lifetime education attainment, employment and health, and reduced criminal behaviour.

A whole of government approach

Unfortunately, the way our government is structured can work against these investments. While it’s often one agency or level of government that needs to put up the money for these investments, they only enjoy part of the benefit.

The way governments think about and invest in prevention and early intervention needs to change. The Productivity Commission’s proposed solution is for a National Prevention and Early Intervention Framework to support strategic investments in programs that improve outcomes and reduce demand for future services.

The framework’s consistent approach to assessing interventions would bring all levels of government to the table, so that worthwhile investments no longer fall between the cracks.

It offers a practical way to put into operation the government’s Measuring What Matters framework. By directing funding towards outcomes and tracking progress against them, it would give federal and state governments confidence that they are investing in effective programs.

Like a person struggling with a new year’s resolution, policymakers often find it hard to delay gratification.

But given health and social care spending is only set to grow further, we need to start thinking long term to ensure we can afford to give future generations the standard of care we enjoy today. With a greater focus on prevention and early intervention, we can better care for future generations and put our care sector on a more sustainable path.

Angela Jackson is the Social Policy Commissioner at the Productivity Commission, as well as the chair of the Women in Economics Network. She has previously served on the board of Melbourne Health, which operates Royal Melbourne Hospital.

– ref. A stronger focus on prevention could help governments rein in health care and social spending – https://theconversation.com/a-stronger-focus-on-prevention-could-help-governments-rein-in-health-care-and-social-spending-273801

40,000 plates, 28,000 meatballs: Ikea breaks records

By Evening Report -

January 21, 2026

Source: Radio New Zealand

People queue to enter IKEA on its opening day in Auckland. Marika Khabazi / RNZ

More than half a million people visited Auckland’s Ikea in its first month of business.

Ikea said the Sylvia Park shop was the top-performing in the Ingka Group anywhere in the world for food sales.

The busiest day was Sunday, 7 December, when almost 30,000 people visited.

There were also 1.9 million website users in the first month.

Ikea sold almost 50,000 of its Frakta blue bag, 40,000 white Oftast plates and 29,480 white Oftast bowls.

New Zealand shoppers also bought more than 54,000 hot dogs and more than 21,000 cinnamon buns as well as 28,000 servings of meatballs and mashed potatoes.

University of Auckland marketing expert Shahper Richter said some of the activity was due to the novelty of a new shopping option.

People queue to enter IKEA on its opening day in Auckland. Marika Khabazi / RNZ

“Ikea isn’t a normal retailer, it’s destination shopping. The showroom acts like a decision-aid, the food makes it feel like a cheap outing, and Smaaland [a supervised play area] is a quiet superpower.

“Free childcare reduces the friction for families, which drives longer stays and repeat visits. Crowds will settle from opening-month levels, but I’d expect it to remain a major drawcard because it creates habits, not just hype.”

Retail consultant Chris Wilkinson, from First Retail Group, said it had been the country’s most anticipated retail opening.

“They hit the market at a key time for spending, pre-Christmas, and it benefited from owning every media channel for weeks leading up to and following the opening.

“Now the store has got through the fascination and novelty factor, we’re likely to see the serious shoppers venture in – those who will be looking for inspiration and want the space to enjoy the experience of those curated room spaces and unique products, that the initial frenzy would not have enabled.

“These are the people who tend to spend more, so I would anticipate this will propel the second wave of concentrated activity. This should carry on this year as locals and visitors make a visit part of their leisure itinerary. I say that because a visit there is a purposeful move – it’s not a place you simply pop into – due to its scale, and the intentional need for shoppers to navigate the large store and room settings and likely distractions of the food offer.

“So, I think that the novelty will be sustained for quite some time as they strategically launch new products and consumer chatter through socials continue to keep the brand top of mind.”

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

Emerging Māori artist TAWHAKI hopes music can help rangatahi choose a different path

By Evening Report -

January 21, 2026

Source: Radio New Zealand

Fast-rising artist Ngatainui Ratu, known by his stage name Tawhaki, says his music draws on kōrero passed down by his whānau, exploring themes of identity, pride, and impacts of colonisation. Supplied

Fast-rising Māori roots reggae artist Ngatainui Ratu, known by his stage name TAWHAKI, says his music is about turning inherited trauma into something positive – and encourages rangatahi Māori to believe in a future they may not yet be able to see.

Named Emerging Artist under 25 (Te Tohu Kaipūoro Rangatahi Hou) at the 2025 Māori Music Awards, the 20-year-old is quickly becoming one of the standout voices of new generation of musicians in Aotearoa.

His tracks ‘The Valleys’ and ‘Roaming’ have gone viral across social media, placing him among a growing wave of rangatahi gaining momentum alongside artists such as Te Wehi and Hori Shaw.

While his songs have found a wide audience online, TAWHAKI said their success was never something he anticipated.

“I didn’t expect it to blow up as much as it did,” he told RNZ. “It’s just cool to see our people re-indigenise to who they are in their own way.”

‘The Valleys’, one of his most well-known tracks, began as a song shared quietly with whānau.

“I first sang ‘The Valleys’ at my uncle’s birthday… It was something personal I kept to myself.

“My uncle encouraged me to put it online, and suddenly I was out of my comfort zone, just a boy from the middle of nowhere.”

Much of his songwriting centres on identity, pride, and the ongoing impacts of colonisation. He said those themes were drawn directly from the kōrero passed down through his whānau.

“My nannies and my koros, all they’ve spoken about is how they’ve suffered trauma over the years and over the lifetime they’ve lived,” he said.

“All I’m saying is, how do we turn this trauma into something positive? A positive mindset so we can all work together as one.”

Tawhaki said his early upbringing in kōhanga reo and kura kaupapa Māori has shaped the way he writes and tells stories through his music Supplied

One of the key messages woven throughout his lyrics is the idea of belief, such as believing in outcomes that may feel out of reach.

In ‘The Valleys’, the lyrics “Koi te mata pūnenga, maiangi te mata pūihoiho” reflect the idea of believing in the unbelievable. he said.

“We need to believe the unbelievable, asking how we reconnect and live alongside the people who colonised our lands.”

TAWHAKI said music was a tool for holding space for stories that were often left unspoken.

“That’s what music’s about at the end of the day – it’s speaking the untold stories that our people have told, but they’re just scared to tell the story.

“And it’s kids like us that have grown up in the society where people torment you and dishonour you… The question is how [do] we flip that story and make it a positive?”

TAWHAKI grew up immersed in te ao Māori and music.

“Tipu ake ahau ki te pā o Waiwhetū, ki Te Whanganui-a-Tara. I reira au i ako ai i ngā wheako o te ao waiata.”

He spent his early years in kōhanga reo and kura kaupapa Māori, and credited his talents to the likes of his whānau. His māmā and his grandparents were also musicians.

“Singing’s just been a part of my life since the day I came out of my mum’s womb.”

TAWHAKI was also raised within kapa haka, which he said helped shape both his voice and worldview.

“Tipu ake ahau ki roto ki ngā mahi kapa haka. Koira tōku ao, ko te ao ō te waiata.”

Growing up Māori-medium education, TAWHAKI said using te reo Māori in his music came with a sense of responsibility to future generations.

“I hope people take something from my music and write it into their own scriptures. It’s up to us to create pathways for the next generation so they don’t have to live the way we live today.”

In the current political climate, TAWHAKI believed it was important for Māori storytelling to be future-focused.

“It’s up to us to become the ancestors of tomorrow. I don’t care about narratives. I care about the future.”

Tawhaki says his mother and grandparents are the foundation of his whare. Supplied

Winning Te Tohu Kaipūoro Rangatahi Hou, TAWHAKI said, was a collective achievement.

“It’s beyond words, but it’s not just my achievement,” he said. “It’s not a one man’s band. It takes a whole village and a whole pā to raise a child.”

His strongest support system remained close to home.

“My mum and my grandparents, they’re the foundation of my whare,” he said.

“Ko rātou tōku poukaiawha, tōku pou tuarongo, tōku pou matua o tōku whare. They’ve enabled me to build my whare by myself, with their support.”

As his audience continued to grow, TAWHAKI said he had become increasingly aware of the responsibility that came with visibility.

“I come from a family where all I see is red, just like some people see blue,” he said.

“It’s cool to interact with people around the world that see many colours, and we’re all the same at the end of the day.”

He said seeing people from all walks of life come together through waiata was his “drive to keep going”.

“Not just for my family, but for families who suffer like mine did.”

Tawhaki said his aspiration is to be a positive role model for others, particularly for his tamariki. Supplied

At just 20 years old, he was also a father to two young daughters.

“I’ve got two beautiful kids, and this is for them,” he said. “I want to show that stepping away from that life is actually cool.

“Turn left down a pathway you don’t know, one day it will give you more than the life you were shown.”

With tour dates planned across the country and growing interest in his music, TAWHAKI said he was content to let the future unfold.

“I just jumped on the waka,” he said. “Whatever the future has for me, it has for me.”

For rangatahi Māori hoping to follow a similar path, his advice was to “just be yourself”.

“Koira te uho o tō ake manawa.” [Being yourself], that is your core. There’s nothing better than being yourself. Being yourself is the pinnacle of your world.”

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

Watch: Trump calls Renee Good’s death a ‘tragedy’

By Evening Report -

January 21, 2026

Source: Radio New Zealand

US president Donald Trump says he felt “horribly” about the shooting of mother of three Renee Good and hopes her father still supports him.

Good, a 37-year-old US citizen, was killed when an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot into her vehicle Minneapolis in early January.

She was was hit at point blank range as she apparently tried to drive away from agents who were crowding around her car, which they said was blocking their way.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, surged law enforcement up to about 2000 officers in the area by January, during an immigration crackdown it named ‘Operation Metro Surge’.

“And you know they’re going to make mistakes sometimes, Trump said.

“ICE is going to be too rough with somebody or you know – they’re dealing with rough people. They’re going to make a mistake sometimes, it can happen.

“I felt horribly when I was told that the young woman who was – had the tragedy, it’s a tragedy, it’s a horrible thing.

“Everybody would say ..ICE would say the same thing.

“But when I learned her her parents – an her father in particular is like, I hope he still is, but I don’t know – was a tremendous Trump fan.

“He was all for Trump, loved Trump. And uh … it’s terrible. I was told that by a lot of people, they said, oh he loves you … I hope he still feels that way, I don’t know – it’s a hard, hard situation.”

The fatal shooting sparked protest rallies across the United States.

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

What to do during a flood

By Evening Report -

January 21, 2026

Source: Radio New Zealand

Official safety information from the National Emergency Management Agency for flooding urges people to put safety first, don’t take any chances and act quickly if they see rising water.

Floods and flash floods can happen quickly. If you see rising water do not wait for official warnings. Head for higher ground and stay away from floodwater.

Stay out of flood water

Never try to walk, swim or drive through flood water. Many flood fatalities are caused by people attempting to drive through water.

Always assume that flood water is contaminated with farm run-off, chemicals and sewage. Contaminated flood water can make you sick. Make sure you wash your hands, clothes and property after contact with flood waters.

If flooding is possible

Stay informed in an emergency. Listen to the radio or follow your Civil Defence Emergency Management Group online.

Be prepared to evacuate and keep your grab bag near. Listen to emergency services and local Civil Defence authorities. Follow any instructions about evacuation of your area. Self-evacuate if you feel unsafe.

Move pets to a safe place and move stock to higher ground. If you have to leave, take your pets with you. If it’s not safe for you, it’s not safe for them.

Turn off water, electricity and gas if advised to.

Flooding began on 18 January, 2026, in Northland, including in Ōakura, after the first band of intense rain. Screengrab from video – supplied

Move valuable and dangerous items as high above the floor as possible. This includes electrical equipment and chemicals. Use watertight containers to store important items.

Lift curtains, rugs and bedding off the floor.

Check on your neighbours and anyone who may need your help.

What to do after a flood

Only return home after Civil Defence and emergency services have told you it is safe to do so. It may not be safe to return home even when the floodwaters have receded.

Stay away from damaged areas. You might hamper rescue and other emergency operations and be at further risk from the residual effects of floods.

Look before you step. After a flood, the ground and floors may be slippery or covered with debris, including broken bottles and nails.

Help others if you can, especially people who may need extra help.

If your property is damaged

Do not do anything that puts your safety at risk or causes more damage to your property
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible
If you rent your property, contact your landlord and your contents insurance company
Take photos of any damage. It will help speed up assessments of your claims

Food safety after a flood

Throw away food and drinking water that has come into contact with floodwater, including canned goods.

Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you are certain it is not contaminated. Follow any boil water notice instructions from your local authorities.

For more information on food safety during and after an emergency visit the Ministry for Primary Industries website.

Cleaning up after a flood

Clean and dry your house and everything in it. Floodwater can make the air in your home unhealthy. When things get wet for more than two days they usually get mouldy. There may also be germs and bugs in your home after a flood.

Mould may make some people with asthma, allergies or other breathing problems sick.

Talk to your doctor or another medical professional if you have questions about cleaning or working in a home that has been flooded. If there is a large amount of mould, you may want to hire professional help to clean up the mould.

Protect yourself by wearing:

a certified respirator
goggles
gloves
protective clothing that covers your arms and legs, and sturdy footwear

Throw away anything that was wet with flood water and can’t be cleaned.

Throw away any wooden spoons, plastic utensils, and baby bottle teats and dummies if they have been covered by floodwater. There is no way to safely clean them.

Disinfect metal pans and utensils by boiling them in clean water.

Information from NEMA’s Get Ready website – [ https://getready.govt.nz/ getready.govt.nz ]

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

What are interest rates likely to do this year, and should you fix?

By Evening Report -

January 21, 2026

Source: Radio New Zealand

Reserve Bank data shows the average two-year special rate has dropped from about 7 percent at the peak to just over 4.5 percent at the end of last year. RNZ

The big interest rate question this year will likely be when interest rates start to rise materially again – but borrowers might want to fix their home loans soon, forecasters warn.

Rates have generally been falling since 2024. Reserve Bank data shows the average two-year special rate has dropped from about 7 percent at the peak to just over 4.5 percent at the end of last year.

The main banks are now advertising two-year specials of 4.69 percent or 4.75 percent.

When the Reserve Bank indicated in its latest official cash rate update that it did not necessarily expect to cut rates further, it prompted wholesale markets to lift and some fixed rates to shift higher.

Reserve Bank governor Anna Breman indicated that the market may have moved too far.

BNZ chief economist Mike Jones said interest rates would likely be on hold for now.

“There seems to be a growing risk that interest-rate hikes, although they are a way off, might come a little bit earlier than our expectations,” he said.

“Formally, that’s still the first lift in the OCR coming in February of 2027, but from what we’ve seen from the data recently, there’s a risk it could be late 2026. That’s something the markets are now already pricing.”

He said wholesale markets had now priced in a full 25-basis-point hike by the end of the year, so retail rates may not move a lot, even if that proved true.

“I think we’re in a position we can probably draw a line under the downtrend in mortgage rates, but we can’t see mortgage rates jumping a whole lot any time soon either.

“It does seem to us like we’re in for a period of consolidation, I think, in mortgage rates… but it’s also watching and waiting nervously for what we see offshore in particular, because it is quite a heightened environment for geopolitical risk and risks generally.”

ASB economists said the OCR and mortgage rates were now lower than they had expected in forecasts made early last year. They expected short-term rates to stay at their current levels this year, before rising as the economy improved.

Longer-term fixed rates of more than two years could increase more over 2026.

“Major global central banks have also been cutting policy rates over 2025, at different paces,” they said. “That has impacted global interest rate markets, including markets where New Zealand banks compete for funding.

“Longer-term NZ mortgage rates eased over 2024 to reflect the combination of the global and local outlook. Our view now is that longer-term rates are under upward pressure, reflecting longer-term inflation expectations and global central bank actions.

“In addition, it is very significant that wholesale interest rates rose in immediate response to the RBNZ’s November OCR cut, after the RBNZ in effect downplayed the prospects of any further OCR cuts.

“In early 2026, the wholesale interest rates that influence term mortgage rates for one-year terms and onwards are past their lows for the easing cycle, and that’s put upward pressure on both longer-term mortgage rates and term deposit rates.”

Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan said he expected the OCR to stay at 2.25 percent until November, but inflation was still likely to come in higher than the bank anticipated this week.

“There are questions about how quickly that headline inflation rate might moderate and, if that’s the case, well, maybe the Reserve Bank does need to raise a little bit sooner rather than later, but at this stage, we’re still sticking to the end of the year.”

He said it would make sense for most people to think about fixing their home loan rates for longer.

“There doesn’t seem to be a lot of evidence that those retail rates will be coming down any further now. Previously, I think I talked about you’ve probably got until the middle of this year before you start to see upward pressure, but obviously, the market has turned a little bit quicker.

“It’s just a question now, for me, whether, if you’re going to go at three or four or five years, whether you’ve maybe missed the boat a little bit on some of those.”

Reserve Bank data shows three-year special rates hit a trough of about 4.8 percent in November, before increasing. The main banks are all now advertising rates more than 5 percent.

At Squirrel, David Cunningham expected little movement. He said banks were competing hard with things like cash back, rather than trying to tempt borrowers with new lower rates.

Jones said BNZ had also reduced its expectations for house-price rises this year.

“They were already pretty modest at 4 percent for the calendar year, but we’ve tapered them back a little to 2 percent. From what we’re seeing, particularly on the supply side, we think some of those risks we’ve been talking about for a while, about kind of sideways for longer, seem to be crystalising.

“It’s a market that looks pretty well balanced at the moment. It has been for most of the last 12 months, where you’ve got a bit of extra demand, you’ve got a faster pace of sales, but that’s been matched off pretty well by the supply side and new listings.

“We basically just think that market – all that sort of balanced type of conditions – will remain in play for longer.”

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

Man arrested after ramming stolen car into police vehicle in Auckland

By Evening Report -

January 21, 2026

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / REECE BAKER

A man has been arrested after a stolen vehicle was rammed into a police unit on Tuesday.

Officers were called to reports of a stolen Totoya Vitz travelling along Great North Road in Auckland just before 8.30pm.

Inspector Grae Anderson said the hatchback was tracked to Grey Lynn, where police attempted to stop it.

He said the police patrol vehicle was allegedly rammed but not seriously damaged, and the Toyota fled the scene.

Police pursued and stopped vehicle at the intersection of Karangahape Road and Pitt street, arresting both occupants.

A 36-year-old man has been charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, failing to stop, reckless driving, and assault with a weapon.