Labour inspector ordered to release employment information to Gloriavale

December 22, 2025

A sign which welcomes people to Gloriavale Christian Community. (File photo) RNZ / Jean Edwards

The Employment Court has ruled the Labour Inspector must release advice it received from Crown Law about the employment status of people at Gloriavale.

The leaders of the community were appealing a decision which found members were employees, rather than community volunteers.

The Gloriavale defendants said the Labour Inspectors’ action came too late because the breaches were, or should have been, known after investigations in 2017 and 2021.

Under the law the Labour Inspector must apply for a penalty within 12 months of the breach becoming known to it.

On the first day of the employment hearing in November 2025 the counsel for the Labour Inspector referred to advice from Crown Law in 2021 which said the workers were not employees, and that the Inspector could not act contrary to that.

The Gloriavale defendants and the plaintiffs say that in referring to the Crown Law advice the Labour Inspector waived privilege for that advice.

This had been opposed by the Labour Inspector.

In her decision Chief Judge Christina Inglis said Labour Inspector was trying to use the advice to justify the delay, while also saying the advice was privileged, thereby avoiding having that justification scrutinised.

The Judge said the Labour Inspector had the power to initiate proceedings against Gloriavale in 2021 but elected not to.

“It appears, from counsel’s submission in Court, that the Crown Law advice was a factor influencing that decision. Consequently, it is linked to the central issue of the Labour Inspector’s delay and whether it can be justified for the purposes of resolving the question as to when the clock started to tick for limitation purposes.”

The Judge said she found the privilege in the 2021 Crown Law advice had been waived, and the Labour Inspector has to disclose it to the defendants and plaintiffs in the Gloriavale employment case within five working days.

The Labour Inspector could appeal the order if it considers it appropriate.

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Loaded shotgun found under child’s bed while police search for stolen Bentley

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police found four other stolen vehicles and the gun at a West Auckland house. (File photo) RNZ / REECE BAKER

A loaded shotgun was found under a child’s bed during a police search for a stolen Bentley in Auckland.

Officers were searching for a luxury Bentley Bentayga SUV stolen from the North Shore in the early hours of December 1.

The investigation led police to a home in West Auckland’s Glen Eden, where they found four other stolen vehicles.

Police also found a loaded shotgun hidden underneath a bed where a young boy was sleeping.

A 31-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman were arrested.

Both were charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, and dishonesty charges for allegedly using stolen credit cards.

Neither were facing charges related to the stolen cars at this stage, but a police spokesperson said inquiries were ongoing.

Police didn’t find the Bentley in Glen Eden, but later found it in Huia last week.

“Police are continuing to investigate the initial burglary and theft and we cannot rule out further arrests being made,” police said.

The pair arrested in Glen Eden had already made their first appearance in the Waitākere District Court and were due to reappear in March.

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Queenstown restaurant fails in bid to stop Aussie spa chain using its name

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Bathhouse restaurant in Queenstown. GOOGLE MAPS / RNZ

A Queenstown restaurant has failed to secure an interim injunction to stop an Australian company opening a spa in the resort town with the same name.

The companies behind the restaurant The Bathhouse have been in dispute with a company planning to open a luxury spa and wellness centre called The Bathhouse Queenstown on Christmas Eve.

The restaurant argued by using a similar name, the spa company was taking advantage of its reputation.

Its High Court bid to temporarily prevent the Australian company from using “The Bathhouse” in any form as its trading name has been dismissed.

Justice Melanie Harland ruled that for now, the spa would be allowed to open provided it changed its trading and marketing name to “The Bathhouse Spa Queenstown”. The matter would be heard at a trial next year.

The Bathhouse restaurant on the lake front of Lake Wakatipu was originally a bathhouse built to commemorate King George V in 1911. Since the mid-1990s, the building has housed various restaurants which have traded there using the name “The Bathhouse”.

The Bathhouse Queenstown Pty Ltd is an Australian company that registered in New Zealand last month. It is launching a luxury spa and wellness centre in Queenstown’s central business district on 24 December.

The plaintiffs (two companies behind the restaurant) claimed the spa company breached the Fair Trading Act by using a similar name.

They argued this was likely to mislead or deceive customers into thinking there was a connection between the restaurant and the spa, and amounted to a false representation as to association, sponsorship or endorsement.

“The plaintiffs contend that the history of The Bathhouse building and the significance of its location are important drawcards which enable it to attract customers and, as such, this is part of its goodwill,” Justice Harland said.

The plaintiffs said members of the public had been misled or deceived already as a result of the spa company’s marketing and promotion.

In response, the spa company (the defendant) said “The Bathhouse” was a descriptive term and an accurate description of the nature of the business and services it intended to provide.

It said The Bathhouse Queenstown was a legitimate business that had operated a spa and wellness business under The Bathhouse name and banner in Australia since July 2023 and was in the process of establishing similar businesses in other locations.

The spa company said reasonable consumers, particularly tourists, would not be confused and there was no potential for damage to the restaurant.

It said there was no relevant evidence of any customers being confused, misled or deceived as a result of its activities.

“I observe that both parties have taken relatively staunch positions in relation to their respective cases,” Justice Harland said.

“I am satisfied that the balance of convenience would favour the injunctions not being issued if the defendant files a written undertaking confirming it will immediately change its trading and marketing name to “The Bathhouse Spa Queenstown” until further order of the Court.”

Justice Harland said in her view, inclusion of the term “spa” in the defendant’s trading name was likely to reduce confusion between customers while awaiting the substantive proceedings.

“I have also reached the very firm view that damages would be an adequate remedy for any losses or damage suffered by the plaintiffs in the interim if, at trial, they succeed in their claims and are successful in obtaining the substantive injunctive relief they seek,” she said.

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Top of the table at Christmas, no place Auckland FC would rather be

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

Auckland FC’s Hiroki Sakai and Steve Corica celebrate with the A-League Premiers Plate with a view to winning it again. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Auckland FC experienced high and lows in A-League football in 2025, but the lows can be put into perspective with the silverware, the records and the continued success.

The year began partway through the 2024/25 season with a goalless draw on 1 January against the team, Melbourne Victory, that would eventually end Auckland’s inaugural season a game short of the Grand Final.

But lifting the Premiers’ Plate in April, as the first New Zealand side to achieve the feat, and ending the calendar year in a new season and still at the top of the competition meant Auckland FC fans, players and staff could look back on the year fondly.

Days out from the new year coach Steve Corica summed 2025 up as “amazing”, but also had an eye on what lay ahead.

“We want to continue next year the same way we started this year.

“Three [wins] in a row is great, being top of the table at Christmas is nice as well.

“Especially this time of year we just want to keep building from what we’ve started. We’ve had a great start and I think there’s still improvement in this team to go, you can see the improvement over the last few games as well we’re scoring some really good goals, we kept a clean sheet which was positive on the weekend against the Wanderers strikeforce which is really strong so we’re happy with where we are at the moment.”

The last challenge of the year will be against second-placed Sydney FC, who sit just two points behind Auckland on the A-League ladder, and have not lost at home this season.

Home and abroad for the holidays

Jake Girdwood-Reich did not expect to be home for Christmas.

The centre-back has played every minute of his first season with Auckland FC and a quirk in the rejigged A-League draw means he will play in front of family and friends in his hometown on Saturday.

The Australian former age-group representative began 2025 rehabilitating an ankle injury and then struggling for game time with Major League Soccer side St Louis City.

A chance to link up with his former coach Corica on loan from St Louis City was too good to turn down for the 21-year-old, and it means he ends the year in a very different place than where he started it – both geographically and football-wise.

Such is Girdwood-Reich’s form and consistency for Auckland, there is suggestions Socceroos coach, Tony Popovic, should be taking notice of the former Sydney FC player.

Girdwood-Reich played 45 times for Sydney before he sought challenges abroad. Saturday will be the first time he has played against the Sky Blues.

Auckland FC’s Jake Girdwood-Reich will play against his former team, Sydney FC, on Saturday. Supplied

“I started there pretty young, when I was 12, went through the whole system so it is going to feel a little bit weird for me but I’m definitely excited for it.

“We need to continue [our] form into that game, obviously I know what Sydney’s like the home crowd’s good, we’re going to be under the pump sometimes, but I’d say we’re good away from home so we’re going there [and want] nothing but three points.”

Auckland’s first game against Sydney this season will be played at the smaller Leichhardt Oval, rather than Allianz Stadium where Girdwood-Reich had run out many times.

“I’ve watched a couple of their games, it actually looks quite good… I think the Leichhardt move is actually good, it looks like a lot of the fans are enjoying it closer to the field and it looks full.”

Auckland’s leading goal-scorer Sam Cosgrove is still adjusting to Christmas downunder.

The Englishman is familiar with a packed playing schedule at this time of the year but he said the Christmas spirit is a bit different in Auckland than Manchester.

Last Christmas Cosgrove was playing for Barnsley against Bolton in League One on 26 December. This year he will take his fifth international flight in 15 days and be staying in a hotel in Sydney where temperatures are forecast to be in the low 20s.

“You guys don’t do Christmas quite as heavily over here as we do back home, there’s not as many Christmas trees and Santa hats knocking about.”

The regular flights to Sydney this month, though airports that were heaving for the holidays, “took a toll” on the players.

“Travelling back and forth it’s not just the three hours to Sydney it’s the two hours beforehand and the two hours after, it’s tough but its part and parcel of what we do and the boys did it all last season last year and still managed to finish top of the table so there’s no excuses for us.”

Cosgrove was thankful the Auckland staff made the trips as seamless as they could for the players as they chase more away wins.

Sam Cosgrove his experiencing his first Christmas in summer. Supplied

“A few of the results went our way this weekend so we do find ourselves top going into this Christmas period, but there’s no complacency within the squad, within the club, we want to make sure we’re solidifying our place at the top of the table and that includes getting a good result this weekend and over the Christmas and festive period in general.”

Cosgrove had not completed his Christmas shopping on Monday.

“I’m absolutely useless, luckily I can probably try and use the excuse that I’m on the other side of the world this year so I’ll be using that one for sure.”

Corica was aware that there would be plenty going on in his players’ lives at this time of the year and that they would be celebrating the festive season differently.

Some players, including the South Americans, would be celebrating on 24 December a day before the team flew out.

“This is a period that you can get distracted, we don’t want to take away Christmas we want them to have fun with their families and all that kind of stuff, some of them have kids and I don’t want to be the grinch but it is a time to stay focused because we do have a lot of games early January and this is a time that if you stay focused then you pick up a lot of points on the road at this stage and you can move away from teams, and if we’re not focused you’ve got a chance of losing games and we don’t want that.”

The schedule has worked in Corica’s favour and he would spend Christmas at his family home in Sydney – including a family lunch for 20 people.

But he will not let his mind wander too far from the task against the club he played for and coached before he arrived in New Zealand.

“It’s constant thinking about football, that’s what my wife tells me as well.”

Once lunch was over Corica would shift to the team hotel.

“There’s no different rules for me I want to be there when the players get there, that’s the way we do it here.”

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Warning to Suzuki Fronx drivers after seat belt fails lab crash test

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Suzuki Fronx during testing by ANCAP. ANCAP / SUPPLIED

Suzuki Fronx owners are being warned not to carry passengers in the back seat after the seat belt failed a lab crash test.

NZTA warned a similar failure in an on-road crash could cause serious injury or even death for rear seat passengers.

It said officials encouraged Suzuki New Zealand to urgently address the problem including considering recalling the cars.

“Whether further regulatory action is required will depend on what steps Suzuki takes to address the issue,” it said.

“NZTA is advised that Suzuki NZ has stopped sales of the Suzuki Fronx in New Zealand and is contacting vehicle owners from today to provide them with further information, including advice that passengers do not travel in the rear seats at this time.”

Owners who hadn’t heard from Suzuki should contact the company or their local dealers, NZTA said.

There were more than 1115 Fronx vehicles registered in New Zealand.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP) gave the car a one-star safety rating due to the seatbelt failure, NZTA said.

“While the seatbelt failure is serious, the low ANCAP rating reflects the vehicle’s poor performance across all aspects of ANCAP’s testing.”

Suzuki New Zealand said a “thorough and disciplined” investigation was underway.

“Suzuki will take any actions required to uphold our safety standards and the trust our customers place in our brand.”

The company said it is urgently reviewing the ANCAP testing outcomes “at the highest levels of the organisation” with Suzuki Motor Corporation in Japan and Suzuki Australia.

“Suzuki firmly believes in learning from local testing and regulatory feedback as part of our continuous improvement philosophy.

“These assessments are treated seriously and play an important role in strengthening vehicle safety, performance, and reliability across our markets.”

The Fronx was certified as meeting Australia and New Zealand safety standards, it said.

It was released for sale in New Zealand in June 2025.

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Investors warned to ‘fully inform themselves’ before giving money to Christchurch-based investment firm

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

The FMA said a businessman was contacting investors seeking payments. (File photo) 123rf

Investors are being warned to “fully inform themselves” before giving businessman Bernard Whimp or anyone associated with investment firm Chance Voight any more money.

It was reported earlier this month the Financial Markets Authority was looking into Chance Voight Investment Corporation, as well as subsidiaries, persons and entities associated with the Chance Voight Group.

The High Court in Christchurch appointed PWC as interim liquidators at the request of the FMA.

The companies were associated with Whimp, who had rejected any suggestion they were insolvent.

The FMA said it understood Whimp had contacted investors about the interim liquidation and sought payments, which he described as donations to fund legal expenses.

“The FMA recommends that investors fully inform themselves before providing any funds to Mr Whimp. Those with any queries about their investments – including any communications received from Mr Whimp – should speak with the interim liquidators and seek independent advice from a lawyer or a financial adviser,” head of enforcement Margot Gatland said.

Gatland said the liquidation was because the FMA considered there was reason to believe they might be insolvent, the affairs of the group might have been conducted in a manner that breaches provisions of the Companies Act 1993, and that Chance Voight group companies and Whimp as their director might have breached the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 and other financial markets legislation.

She said before it sought the court orders, the FMA had corresponded with Whimp and issues Chance Voight four compulsory information request notices under s 25 of the Financial Markets Authority Act 2011. Among other things, the notices sought accounting and financial records.

But the FMA was not happy with the responses and formed the view the group could be insolvent and breaching legislation.

The court would hear the FMA’s liquidation application at a date to be confirmed.

The court also granted the FMA’s application for interim asset preservation orders against Whimp and another subsidiary, Hanmer Equities. These were sought to protect assets pending the outcome of the FMA’s investigation into Chance Voight and mean they cannot take or send out of New Zealand any money.

Whimp rose to prominence in the 2010s for making off-market offers to buy shares from investors at below their market value.

The then-Securities Commission took Whimp to court over what it termed the misleading “low ball” offers.

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Health workers should accept proposed collective agreement – union

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

The settlement covers 16,000 health workers, including mental health and public health nurses, allied health, policy, advisory, knowledge and specialist workers. File photo. 123RF

The Public Service Association (PSA) is recommending health workers accept a new proposed collective agreement when they vote on it in the new year.

The settlement for three collective agreements covers 16,000 health workers, including mental health and public health nurses, allied health, policy, advisory, knowledge and specialist workers.

The collective that has the largest number of workers covers 11,500 people and includes physiotherapists, social workers and anaesthetic technicians, along with a number of other roles.

PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said there had been lengthy negotiations and industrial action in October and November over the collective.

“We are recommending PSA members accept what’s on the table,” said Fitzsimons.

“The proposed settlements are better than the previous offers, but don’t contain everything we wanted.

“The decision to recommend has been made by the respective bargaining teams to give members a clear view that we consider this is the best deal we can achieve now.”

The PSA said that under the proposed settlement for all three collectives, base rates would rise 2.5 percent on 1 December 2025 and 2 percent on 7 December 2026 together with other enhancements.

It said there was also some agreement for the union and Health NZ to make progress on staffing levels that keep workers and patients safe.

“Our delegates worked incredibly hard to achieve this proposed settlement, and if agreed by workers, underscores why strong union representation is critical to achieving the best results for workers,” said Fitzsimons.

“These workers took effective strike action in October during the mega-strike and again in November to make their concerns heard loud and clear about pay and the underfunding of the health system.

“Many sacrificed pay at a difficult time to do this with cost-of-living pressures facing all, while others supported the strike action by providing life preserving services during the strikes.”

The PSA will hold meetings early in the New Year to explain the proposed settlement followed by voting on the deal.

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NZ researchers get $2.4 million for quest to develop Covid-style test for Crohn’s disease

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Otago team will work with researchers in Australia and India on the three year study. befunky.com

Otago University researchers on a quest to develop a Covid-style test for Crohn’s disease have been given a “huge” funding boost from a United States charity.

The team has been given NZ$2.4 million for their work to identify how accurately a biomarker found in the gut can identify the often debilitating disease.

Principal investigator Richard Gearry said he hoped the work would lead to the creation of an instant test that would initially be used by doctors for diagnosis.

“Or if patients have got Crohn’s disease and we want to monitor how effective treatments are we could have a point-of-care test that patients do themselves at home – at bit like a Covid test but instead of using saliva, using faeces,” he said.

That would allow people to stay on top of their symptoms and could also mean many they would not need colonoscopies – freeing up appointments for those who do.

The funding boost has come from the Leona M and Harry B Helmsley Charitable Trust, which often funds Crohn’s-related research.

By New Zealand standards, the amount was huge and the team were extremely grateful, he said.

The Otago team would work with researchers in Australia and India on the three year study.

The number of people with Crohn’s and other inflammatory bowel diseases was growing in Western countries – and would soon make up one percent of the population.

The conditions were also on the rise in newly industrialised regions of the world, he said.

Having faster, cheaper, easier diagnosis and monitoring was essential as demand grew.

Professor Gearry said he often explained to patients that the immune system was normally very relaxed about gut bacteria – but in Crohn’s patients, it became angry.

“Then those bacteria are attacked by the immune system, and the gut wall is caught in the middle and that causes inflammation that leads to diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bleeding from the bowel and a range of things,” he said.

Early diagnosis could help doctors intervene to help patients before the disease got worse.

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Cricket: Black Caps beat West Indies in third Test

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

Ajaz Patel of New Zealand celebrates with his team Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz / Photosport Ltd 2025

The Black Caps have won the third Test against the West Indies by 323 runs, with the bowlers impressing on the final day at Mt Maunganui.

The West Indies were dismissed for 138, chasing 462 for victory.

After starting the day on 43 without loss, the Windies openers got through the first hour intact, but then lost five wickets in the space of 11 runs and 10 overs.

Openers Brandon King (67) and John Campbell (16) were dismissed with the score on 87 and first innings centurion Kavem Hodge lasted just nine balls before becoming Ajaz Patel’s second wicket of the morning session.

Roston Chase (captain) of West Indies in action against New Zealand, 2025. Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz / Photosport Ltd 2025

Jacob Duffy grabbed three wickets of his own as the West Indies went to lunch on 99 for five.

Captain Roston Chase became Duffy’s fourth wicket not long after lunch and the wickets continued to fall regularly with Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra also getting in the wicket-taking action.

Duffy was unplayable at times as he got bounce out of the wicket and took five wickets to finish with match figures of nine for 128.

Ajaz Patel took three for 23 from 32 overs.

Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra took one wicket each.

Brandon King top scored with 67.

The first Test at Hagley Oval was draw, while New Zealand won the second by nine wickets.

The Black Caps play a white ball series in India in January.

Follow the action from today below:

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Drunk driver heading from Gore to Te Anau hits four times legal alcohol limit

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

Immediately call 111 if you see dangerous driving, police say. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

Police have arrested a drunk driver heading from Gore to Te Anau who was four times the legal alcohol limit.

They said they pulled the woman over at 7:30am on Sunday, after reports of a vehicle repeatedly crossing the centre line.

Police said “smell of alcohol, bloodshot eyes and slurred speech” greeted them as they walked up to the vehicle.

A breath test revealed the woman was four times the legal limit, driving completely impaired and on little sleep after leaving a hen’s do.

The 38-year-old is due to appear in Gore District Court on 21 January.

She has also been issued a 28-day driving suspension notice.

Acting senior sergeant Christopher Rigby said police were disappointed to see poor choices being made.

“The driver was seen driving erratically and its incredible that no one was hurt on the road.

“We always encourage people to sort sober drivers, rideshare or taxi if they have plans to drink. There’s no excuse to drinking and driving,” senior sergeant Rigby.

Police said to immediately call 111 if you see dangerous driving.

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Former Auckland Zoo elephant that moved across Tasman to have children has stillbirth

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

Auckland Zoo elephant Anjalee. Auckland Zoo

An elephant that moved from New Zealand to Australia to have children has had a stillbirth.

Auckland Zoo elephant Anjalee moved to Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, NSW in 2022, in the hopes she could breed with other elephants.

In a social media post on Sunday, Taronga Western Plains Zoo revealed that despite keepers trying their best to help Anjalee through labour, she gave birth to a stillborn calf on Thursday.

“Anjalee and the female herd are doing well, with Thong Dee, Porntip and Kanlaya staying close to her side,” the zoo said.

“We are very proud of the way the herd have been there for Anjalee throughout the whole experience and continue to be by her side after her tragic loss.”

The zoo noted that Asian Elephants like Anjalee are endangered and just 40,000 remain in the wild.

“This loss is a poignant reminder of the challenges faced in our conservation work, underscoring the critical need for ongoing conservation efforts,” it said.

“We remain dedicated to our mission to protect and preserve this endangered species.”

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Liam Lawson to drive laps in Central Otago for charity

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

Liam Lawson will be in Formula 1 in 2026 after being confirmed in one of the Racing Bulls seats earlier this month. DPPI / PHOTOSPORT

Formula 1 star Liam Lawson is taking a pit-stop from the racing circuit to drive laps in Cromwell in support of breast cancer research.

Lawson will drive the only V12 Aston Martin Vulcan in the southern hemisphere tomorrow as part of a fundraiser at Highlands Motor Park, where members of the public will have the chance to ride along.

Highlands Motor Park chief executive Josie Spillane planned the event after losing her friend Lou to breast cancer.

“She was just 44 years old, and it felt really fitting to use this opportunity to do something in her memory. And Liam was completely on board,” she said.

“He is on the world stage at the top of his game in F1. Yet despite all of that and every opportunity that he could be taking advantage of at this time of year, he’s coming to Central Otago, to Cromwell, to make a difference for people going through breast cancer.”

Spillane said the event has already raised $33,000 and she expected thousands of people to turn out to meet Lawson.

Two laps will be auctioned off and one – already purchased by Shaw and Partners Financial Services – will be given away in a charity draw.

A further 20 ride-along laps with Lawson in a Lamborghini Fast Dash Car were being sold for $399 each, she said.

“Hopefully it sends a really powerful message to all of the families and women and men who are going through the fight of their lives this Christmas, that there are complete strangers and superstars like Liam Lawson willing to do what they can to try and help make a difference,” said Spillane

In a statement, Lawson said the chance to drive the Vulcan, owned by Tony Quinn, and to do something special for charity was an “immediate yes”.

“The Tony Quinn Foundation and everyone associated with it have been great friends of mine and more than just supporters so I try to support them where I can,” he said.

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ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for December 22, 2025

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on December 22, 2025.

Albanese government announces gas reservation plan to address supply and price
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The federal government has announced its much-anticipated gas reservation scheme, to provide security for Australia’s domestic supply and put downward pressure on prices. The scheme, working though permits, will only affect new contracts. Although it will apply to all new

Who was Amelia Frank? The life of a forgotten physicist
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Jacobson, Senior Lecturer in Condensed Matter Physics, The University of Queensland Amelia Frank, June 1930. University of Wisconsin In 1977, an American physicist named John H. Van Vleck won the Nobel prize for his work on magnetism. In his Nobel lecture, amid a discussion of rare

More than just being well: teens and Gen Z are redefining what it means to be healthy
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susanna Trnka, Professor of Anthropolgy, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images Health isn’t what it used to be – namely the absence of being sick. Ask any teenager today what it means to them to be healthy, and you’re likely to hear about the vast

No gym or regular routine? Here’s how to stay fit over the holiday break
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanna Nicholas, Lecturer in Dance and Performance Science, Edith Cowan University Westend61/Getty The festive season can throw our exercise routines out the window. You might be staying somewhere different, with no access to a gym. Maybe your yoga studio is closed or social sport is on a

When disasters strike, home batteries could be a lifeline
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jamshid Aghaei, Professor of Electrical Engineering at Central Queensland University, CQUniversity Australia Extreme weather is placing greater strain on Australia’s power grids. In 2022, the record-breaking Northern Rivers floods blacked out almost 70,000 households. A powerful storm in 2024 cut electricity to more than half a million

Disaster after disaster: do we have enough raw materials to ‘build back better’?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Missaka Nandalochana Hettiarachchi, Adjunct Professor in Disaster Management, James Cook University This Christmas Day marks 21 years since the terrifying Indian Ocean tsunami. As we remember the hundreds of thousands of lives lost in this tragic event, it is also a moment to reflect on what followed.

Scammers won’t take a break over Christmas. Here’s how to make a plan with your family to stay safe
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cassandra Cross, Associate Dean (Learning & Teaching) Faculty of Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice, Queensland University of Technology Mart Production/Pexels, The Conversation, CC BY With Christmas just around the corner, it can be a very busy and stressful time of year. Between festive gatherings, ticking off

Australia’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies to be reviewed post Bondi
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Australian law enforcement and intelligence agencies are to be reviewed, in the Albanese government’s latest responsle in the wake of the Bondi tragedy. But Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is still resisting calls for a national royal commission. Albanese said in

Safety concerns after cheese dumped at Waikato landfill, taken and re-sold

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

NZFS is not currently aware of any related illness. 123RF

Cheese, previously dumped in a landfill, has been taken and re-sold in the Waikato, New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) says.

NZFS said the Over The Moon branded cheese was taken from Putaruru Landfill and was reportedly being re-sold on Sunday, despite it being unsafe to eat.

“We have serious concerns about the safety of this product given the company determined it was not suitable for sale and rightly disposed of it.

“Also, eating cheese that has been in a landfill for a period of time and out of the food supply chain carries very obvious food safety risks of contamination,” NZFS deputy-director general Vincent Arbuckle said.

NZFS is warning people to not eat affected cheese if found and to call 0800 00 83 33.

The affected cheeses have the batch numbers 18.11.25, 25.11.25 and 26.11.25. They include:

Camembert
OMG
Black Truffle Brie
Galactic Gold
Halloumi
Gee’s Spread (Black Truffle & Garlic Chilli flavours)
Smoked Chilli Camembert
Goat Camembert
Double Delight

Over the Moon reported the issue to NZFS.

NZFS is not currently aware of any related illness.

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

‘It was only 20 minutes outside their house’ – Christmas presents stolen from car

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

Some Christmas presents will not even get near a tree if left in the car, say police. File photo. 123rf

An Auckland man whose Christmas presents were stolen from his car on a quiet street is warning others not to repeat his mistake.

Police and the AA say opportunistic thieves are breaking into cars more frequently during the Christmas period.

Jeremy Rees, an RNZ staff member in Auckland, had packed his car full of gifts when he decided to visit a friend.

“Everyone had handed over presents and we had a couple of bags full of presents sitting in the back of the car,” he said.

“I decided it would be great to go round and see a friend, drop of some presents and say hello. My wife said to me ‘are you sure we should be taking this car?’ I said ‘I’m sure it’ll be fine’.

“I think it was only 20 minutes outside their house, a very quiet street, it was light out, we came out and my wife pointed out that someone had smashed the rear window, reached in and grabbed the presents and headed away.

“It was a shock, it was a shock partly because of the Christmas presents and partly because my wife had been telling me ‘don’t do that’.”

AA Insurance head of motor claims Beau Paparoa said roadside staff were responding to smashed windows more often.

“We definitely see car break-ins starting to occur a lot more around this time of year. We’re often hearing from customers and some of our roadside teams that there’s definitely a bit more opportunistic theft happening,” he said.

“We’re putting that down to it being a busy time of year, everyone’s out doing their Christmas shopping and there’s that much more presence of gifts and valuables being visible in the car.”

He encouraged people to be careful and make sure valuables were hidden from view.

“In terms of any valuables, if you’ve done some Christmas shopping or if generally you’ve got valuables in your car try and keep them locked away our out of sight, in your boot if you can,” he said.

“Where you’re parking is possibly a good thing to think about. if you can afford to, don’t park on the street, but if you have to park on street make sure you park in well-lit areas.”

In a statement, police said it was not uncommon for Christmas presents to be stolen.

“The key is to remove any opportunity, this includes taking valuables or documents out of vehicles wherever possible,” a spokesperson said.

Rees said he wished he had followed that advice.

“I feel a bit stupid to be absolutely honest, I read all of the things from police saying ‘don’t do this, don’t pack your car, don’t just leave it on the street,’ and I did exactly the opposite and I paid the price.”

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Albanese government announces gas reservation plan to address supply and price

By The Conversation -

December 22, 2025

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

The federal government has announced its much-anticipated gas reservation scheme, to provide security for Australia’s domestic supply and put downward pressure on prices.

The scheme, working though permits, will only affect new contracts. Although it will apply to all new contracts from now, the plan will not begin operating until 2027. Consultations on details will start in the new year.

The government acknowledges the importance of gas in the energy transition, and is seeking to get on top of both availability and cost issues.

“Australian gas for Australian users, ” Energy Minister Chris Bowen said, unveiling the plan with Industry Minister Tim Ayres after a cabinet meeting in Canberra.

The government says one of the principles to guide the detailed design of the scheme is that it “should increase domestic supply, as present contracts expire, to drive downward pressure on price”.

Exporters will have to reserve between 15% and 25% of gas production for the local market. The required proportion will be settled in the consultations.

Bowen said this would amount to 200 to 350 petajoules a year, “which our advice is would be enough not only to cater for the domestic shortfalls that are forecast, but obviously to slightly oversupply the Australian domestic market”.

The scheme will have the capacity to be national in scope, working with gas market mechanisms in states and territories. Western Australia presently has a reservation scheme which operates successfully.

The plan was due to be announced a week ago but that was delayed after the Bondi attack. The government was anxious to get it out before Christmas.

Before the May election the government attacked the Coalition’s plan for a reservation system, which varied in detail from this one.

“The reservation scheme should provide long term certainty for commercial production and investment, including by clearly setting domestic supply requirements well in advance of establishment and minimise impact on Australia’s LNG trade partners and their energy security,” Bowen, Ayres and Resources Minister Madeleine King said in a statement.

Bowen said: “Gas has an important role to play in our energy system as we transition towards 82% renewables. Unlike coal, gas power generators can be turned on and off in a couple of minutes – providing the ultimate backstop in our energy grid”.

Ayres said: “Secure and affordable gas for local manufacturing firms and heavy industry is critical to backing Australian industry and sovereign capability.

“Our government is supporting heavy industry to decarbonise as much as possible – but not every facility can, and some use gas as an irreplaceable feedstock.

“This is one of the reasons we will introduce a domestic gas reservation scheme – and I welcome industry input into its design in 2026,” Ayres said.

Michelle Grattan 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. Albanese government announces gas reservation plan to address supply and price – https://theconversation.com/albanese-government-announces-gas-reservation-plan-to-address-supply-and-price-272433

Police investigation underway after Taupō boat fire prompts rescue mission

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

Lake Taupō. 123rf

A boatie has been rescued from Lake Taupō after their vessel caught fire.

A callout came just after 6pm on Sunday to Whangamatā Bay at the northern end of the lake by Kinloch.

Police said a search and rescue operation got underway, and the person was rescued just before 8pm.

The person was taken to hospital.

Hone Hato St John said their airdesk got a call from police at 6.49pm.

Rescue helicopter company Greenlea said it had a chopper over the water just before 8pm.

Police said they were investigating the fire on the boat.

– More to come

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

Search underway after person missing in water in Coromandel Peninsula

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police were called about 9.45am on Monday to the scene off the Thames Coast Road. RNZ / REECE BAKER

A person is missing after getting into difficulty in the water in the Coromandel Peninsula.

Emergency services were responding to a report of a person missing in the water near Waikawau boat ramp.

One person had made it safely to shore and raised the alarm that a second party was still in the water.

Police were called about 9.45am on Monday to the scene off the Thames Coast Road.

Police, including Police Eagle, Coastguard Howick and Auckland Coastguard Air Patrol, and Fire and Emergency New Zealand have responded.

“The second person has not been located at this stage and the search is ongoing,” a police spokesperson said.

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Person in serious condition after vehicle, pedestrian collide in Mount Eden

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police say the Serious Crash Unit has been notified. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

One person is in a serious condition after a crash between a vehicle and pedestrian in Mount Eden, Auckland.

Police were called to the scene at the intersection of Dominion and Balmoral Roads at 11.40am on Monday.

The person in a serious condition has been taken to hospital.

Motorists are being advised to expect delays and to avoid the area if possible.

Police said the Serious Crash Unit had been notified.

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James Ransone, star of ‘The Wire’ and ‘It: Chapter Two’, dies at 46

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

James Ransone, an actor best known for playing Ziggy Sobotka in The Wire and also starring in It: Chapter Two, has died at age 46, according to LA medical authorities.

The actor took his own life, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.

Ransone played the dock worker-turned-petty criminal Zibby Sobotka throughout The Wire season two.

He also played adult Eddie Kaspbrak in the horror anthology It, and had roles in HBO’s Generation Kill, indie film Tangerine, and Black Phone 2.

Ransone was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and throughout his career openly documented his struggles with heroin addiction.

In a 2016 interview, he said he wrestled “with the catharsis of acting” due to the roles he leaned towards.

“I don’t end up playing a lot of likable characters, so I find myself living in a lot of unlikable skin,” he said.

“As a result of that, I don’t always feel good.”

He also credited the Iraq war-based miniseries Generation Kill — which kickstarted the career of co-star Alexander Skarsgård — as a “highlight” of his life.

“I remember going to Africa and I was going to be there for almost a year,” he said.

“I was number two on the call sheet and I was like, ‘I think somebody made a mistake. This is too much responsibility for me.’”

Instead, he found his time as Corporal Josh Ray Person helped him connect to his father, who was a Vietnam War veteran.

“A lot of things started to make sense to me in a different way,” he said.

“It didn’t do so much for my career but it shaped me and the way that I think about my life.”

In March 2021, Ransone also alleged on Instagram that he had been sexually abused when he was about 13.

The actor reportedly filed the allegations with police but the Baltimore County State’s Attorney Office did not make any charges, according to The Baltimore Sun.

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

Sexual abuse support services facing cuts have contracts extended

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

The government planned to redirect $1.7 million from various contracts with sexual abuse services from January. Supplied/123RF

Sexual abuse support services facing cuts in the new year have been given an extra six months, but are being told not to expect any more than that.

The government planned to redirect $1.7 million from various contracts with sexual abuse services from January.

That included a long-running contract with HELP Auckland, worth about $380,000 a year, to provide long-term counselling for survivors of sexual abuse that weren’t eligible for ACC coverage.

But the Ministry of Social Development this weekend revealed it had extended the contracts.

“We informed providers on Friday that contracts had been extended until June 2026,” MSD spokesperson Mark Henderson said.

Kathryn McPhillips, the executive director of HELP Auckland, said she was informed about the extension late Friday afternoon.

“It’s wonderful, but we did get that email late or mid-afternoon on Friday. Luckily we hadn’t let staff go, or we would’ve been needing to frantically re-employ,” she said.

“We’ve been talking to clients and turning people away, so the lateness of it is really not good for organisation staff or survivors, but we’re very grateful to get the extension.”

McPhillips said MSD had been adamant that no more extensions would be given.

“They have been very clear there is no further extension after the 30th of June, but I’m really grateful. For us that means another 60 survivors can get their needs met who would otherwise be turned away, so that’s fantastic,” she said.

“The contract is one this organisation has had for a very long time, more than 30 years, it was basically our fundamental contract for counselling of survivors. It was the basis of our longer term recovery service.”

McPhillips said HELP Auckland’s crisis work, which was for people who had been recently abused, was under a different contract and remained unaffected.

“Alongside that sits funding from ACC, but that insurance model precludes anyone who doesn’t fall within the schedule for that act,” she explained.

That excluded people who had been sexually assaulted overseas, or those who had experienced digital sexual abuse.

“This contract allowed us to still see those people, and basically going forward those people will have nowhere to go,” she added.

She said the decision to end the contract raised questions about equity.

“The impacts of this kind of violence against you aren’t lessened because it happened in another country and you migrated here, or you were on your OE and it happened there,” she said.

“There’s a real question of equity of access here. Why should it only be that if it happened in a certain way, in a certain place at a certain time that you’re able to get help to recover? That’s not the kind of country we think New Zealand is.”

McPhillips said she would spend the next six months pushing for the government to keep the contract going.

“We’re going to keep trying to show the government that this is a really fundamental need, that it’s an issue of equity,” she said.

“The government’s long term strategy is to end sexual violence. Well, having services available to people impacted by it is really a critical part of that strategy.”

Where to get help:

Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202
Samaritans: 0800 726 666
Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz
What’s Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds
Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, and English.
Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
Healthline: 0800 611 116
Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
OUTLine: 0800 688 5463
Aoake te Rā bereaved by suicide service: or call 0800 000 053

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

Sexual Violence

Family Violence

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

Takahē pair thought to be infertile hatch chick at Zealandia

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

A pair of takahē birds believed to be infertile have thrilled staff at Zelandia wildlife sanctuary by unexpectedly hatching a chick.

Bendigo, a male takahē, and Waitaa a female, came to Zelandia two years ago as a non-breeding pair.

Staff thought Bendigo had fertility issues, as he was not productive with two previous partners, so they let them live their lives, not expecting any chicks.

But in November, Waitaa had not been turning up for food, and as the team went to investigate her nest, they heard Bendigo and Waitaa making soft calls, noticing a high-pitch cheep in response.

Trail-cam footage confirmed Bendigo and Waitaa with their new chick.

Trail-cam footage confirmed Bendigo and Waitaa with their new chick. Supplied

“It’s a lovely Christmas miracle I think… we thought the birds weren’t able to have chicks at all,” general manager of conservation and restoration at Zealandia Jo Ledington said.

Takahē are a threatened, nationally vulnerable bird, with an estimated population of around 500.

Ledington said any new addition to the population was really significant.

“Having the unexpected happening is a little bit of a glimmer of hope. I think conservation takes many hands, and I think it’s fantastic that Zelandia as an advocacy site has been able to introduce about 140,000 people a year to takahē – some of those people would never ever have the opportunity to see them otherwise.”

She said the chick, whose sex is still unknown, is doing well. Though known for keeping to themselves and for their “roaming” natures, Bendigo and Waitaa have become “attentive and doting” first-time parents, and the chick is currently living in an area of the sanctuary that’s closed off.

That will open up more to the public as the chick grows and gets more resilient.

Ledington said the chick hatched in November, but this was kept secret until now due to a period of perilous weather that month.

“Takahē chicks in particular are quite vulnerable to cold, wet weather – they don’t have their feathers, so they just have down and it’s not waterproof, so if get wet they can get chilled.

“We just wanted to be a little bit certain that it was doing well, and just give it the best start in life.”

Bendigo, a male takahē, and Waitaa, a female, were believed to be a non-breeding pair. Supplied

The chick will be banded and vaccinated in March, and in time named and moved to a new home, as part of DOC’s Takahē Recovery Programme, Ledington said.

She said Bendigo, who hatched in 2017, and Waitaa, who hatched in 2020 are still a young pair – Takahē generally live to anywhere between 16-22 and are known to breed from the age of two into their mid-late teens.

As to why the unexpected occurred for Bendigo, who was thought to have fertility issues, Ledington said that’s an enigma that continues to confound staff.

“These are the mysteries of nature aren’t they… it’s not unheard of in Takahē world that when birds change partners they can have more breeding success. I don’t maybe… right girl, right place, right time.”

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Police arrest eight after gang targeted drug-bust in Southland

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

Detective senior sergeant Greg Baird says the social harm caused by illicit drugs is significant. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

A Southland police operation has ended in a mass drug and firearms bust, after police executed 12 search warrants around Invercargill.

Police said eight people were arrested after they seized methamphetamine, firearms and more than $3000 in cash.

Operation Diablo was led by Southland’s Organised Crime Group and Criminal Investigation Branch, with support from specialist teams including a Drug Detection Dog unit.

Police said they were targeting gang-related drug offending.

Detective senior sergeant Greg Baird said the social harm caused by illicit drugs was significant.

“Gang members facilitating this don’t care about the damage they cause,” detective Baird said.

“We will continue to find and prosecute those who think this sort of criminal activity is acceptable. People deserve to live, work and play in our communities without these negative influences ruining their plans.”

Police arrested five men and three women who have appeared in the Invercargill District Court charged with possession for supply of class A and class drugs, unlawful possession of a firearm and threatening behaviour.

Police investigations are ongoing, and further charges and arrests have not been ruled out.

During Operation Diablo, police seized:

Over 32 grams of methamphetamine
Various quantities of cannabis
Firearms and ammunition
More than $3,000 in cash
Multiple electronic devices

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

Finance Minister Nicola Willis not standing for electorate seat at election

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Finance Minister Nicola Willis will not be standing for an electorate seat at the next election.

At the last election, Willis campaigned for the Wellington electorate of Ōhāriu, which was narrowly won by Labour’s Greg O’Connor with 17,565 votes to Willis’ 16,305.

The electorate will next year be split into the new seats of Kenepuru and Kāpiti, which replace Mana and Ōtaki.

In a statement, Willis – who is also National’s deputy leader and has been confirmed as a list-only candidate – said she would campaign across New Zealand to re-elect a National government.

“I am honoured to have the support of the National Party Board to campaign across New Zealand to help re-elect a National Government focused on fixing the basics and building the future,” she said.

Willis said the economy was growing again and inflation had come down as a result of the government’s plan.

“We cannot take our recovery for granted. Labour have been clear – their plan is to tax more, borrow more, and spend more, leaving us worse off and jeopardising what all Kiwis have worked so hard for.

“With the economy recovering, exports at a record high and a new planning system on the way New Zealand is in safe hands under a National Government.

“I’m looking forward to supporting Christopher Luxon and National MPs and candidates around NZ to campaign for and win the Party Vote at next year’s General Election.”

O’Connor has said he intends to continue his political career, but will not challenge Labour colleage Barbara Edmonds.

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

New World back delivering groceries to Coromandel peninsula by boat

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

Houses in Tairua on the Coromandel Peninsula. RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Staff at the New World supermarket in Whitianga are back on the water as they deliver food to the Coromandel peninsula by boat.

New World has operated its Waka Kai service each holiday season since 2019, running groceries by sea to avoid the summer traffic.

Last year it upgraded to a larger vessel to keep up with demand.

“The old saying ‘we’re going to need a bigger boat’ has come true for New World Whitianga’s Waka Kai for sure,” Kerry Stanley, who runs the service, said.

“It’s 11.2 metres long so we can get up to 850 kilos of groceries at a time. We’ve been putting that to the test already with over four tonnes of groceries delivered in the first week.”

With an hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Coromandel Peninsula during the summer period, Stanley said New World had done the math and discovered boat deliveries were significantly faster than travelling by road.

“We realised that, as people who know the Coromandel well know, it’s one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand but the roads are challenging over summer because a lot of people want to come and enjoy that lovely holiday experience so it made it pretty difficult for our vans to deliver in a timely manner,” he said.

He said Waka Kai went as far as Pauanui, which is 60 kilometres away by road.

“It’s about an hour and a half on the road, but it’s only about 45 minutes on Waka Kai,” Stanley said.

He said the goal of the service was to let people relax, instead of sitting in traffic on their way to the supermarket.

“I was out on Waka Kai [on Sunday], we met some lovely people, big orders as they’re all expecting family and friends at this time of year, but they were just so relaxed and enjoying the service.”

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Ruatiti homicide: Police search bush for person of interest Mitchell Cole

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

Mitchell Cole. Supplied / NZ Police

Police say the 29-year-old they’re searching for after a double-homicide in the North Island has a dog with him.

Friends of sheep farmer husband and wife Brendon and Trina Cole say they were found dead at their Murumuru Road property in Ruatiti more than one week ago.

Their son, Mitchell Cole, has been missing since then and has been named by police as a person of interest.

Police said officers are continuing to search for Mitchell Cole in the Ruatiti bush on Monday and believe he has a black/blue bull mastiff dog with him.

Police are asking anyone heading into the bush there to be on the lookout and report any sightings. They should not approach him, police added.

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

Couple lose home loan complaint in face of $50,000 break fee

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

The main banks are now advertising rates of 4.49 percent for 12 months. RNZ

A couple who regretted their decision to fix their home loan for five years in 2023 have been unsuccessful in their complaint against their bank.

They complained to the Banking Ombudsman, which issued a case note on its decision this month.

It said the couple fixed their home loan for one year in 2021 and 2022. But in 2023, they refixed at the lowest rate available, which was for five years.

Reserve Bank data shows that through 2023, the average special five-year rate was between 6.29 percent and 6.66 percent.

This year, they contacted the bank to ask about breaking their fixed term.

The main banks are now advertising rates of 4.49 percent for 12 months.

The couple said the bank had misled and pressured them into refixing the loan for five years.

The woman said she relied on advice from bank staff and wanted the bank to waive the cost of breaking the fixed term, which had been estimated at $45,000 to $50,000.

The ombudsman scheme said it reviewed the correspondence the couple had with the bank,

“There was no evidence bank staff pressured [her] when they refixed in 2021 and 2022. In 2021, [she] chose to fix for one year at the lowest available rate after being offered hardship assistance, which she declined. In 2022, both customers again chose a one-year term at the lowest rate.

“In 2023, [the customer] requested a home loan review session with a senior business manager. [She] recalled the manager saying interest rates were likely to rise, and said she relied on this advice when choosing to fix for five years. The bank did not record the conference call with her, although the manager shared the standard bank disclosures with her, and the manager’s follow-up email summarised the scenarios discussed and interest rate options. The email did not contain any advice or suggestion to fix for a five-year term.”

The ombudsman noted the woman asked about the five-year rate and accepted it, along with a $3000 loyalty payment, which required her to stay with the bank for at least three years.

“[She] was given time, options and accurate written information before she made the decision. We found no evidence of pressure or misleading conduct by the bank.

“We also considered whether the bank properly disclosed early repayment charges. The original loan agreement and subsequent variation letters explained how these charges were calculated and noted that such charges ‘could be large’. The bank met its obligations under the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003.”

The complaint was not upheld.

Mortgage adviser Jeremy Andrews, of Key Mortgages said he did not see many cases like this.

“I did have a case last month where a client had fixed his loan in for five years with his bank directly at 6.39 percent. He didn’t receive any specific advice from the bank that there’s a was good chance of rates dropping over the next five years, and if they did, he could be looking at significant early payment penalties or break fees.

“He was horrified to find out how much the break fees were, even for a small mortgage with just over three years remaining, well into five figures of fees.

“Once we had his break fees on his mortgage, we ran figures through our break cost benefit calculator. Whilst his fees were substantial, it was looking in his favour at the time to pay the break fee to move onto lower rates at the most similar remaining term.”

He said it was part of a mortgage adviser’s job to check clients’ goals and help structure their mortgage to achieve them.

“We discuss the risks and costs of break fees, to confirm understanding before fixing in long term, and potential implications if there’s reasons they might want to restructure or break their fixed rate in future.”

Longer terms we restarting to become more popular again, he said.

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

Jagpreet Singh, 20, named as person who died in south Auckland collision

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

The scene shortly after the crash. X/ New Zealand Transport Agency

Police have named a man who died in a crash in south Auckland earlier this month as 20-year-old Jagpreet Singh.

Singh was critically injured after his car collided with a truck on the South-Western Motorway near Mangere on 3 December.

He was rushed to hospital, but died about two weeks later.

Police said their enquiries were ongoing, and their thoughts were with his friends and family.

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Pair arrested after reports of stealing three full shopping trolleys from Auckland Kmart

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

Kmart in Botany, Auckland. Google Maps

A south Auckland woman will spend Christmas Eve in court after being charged with shoplifting at Kmart.

Police were called to Kmart in Botany about 10:30am on Sunday, after someone reported seeing a man and a woman stealing three shopping trolleys filled with items.

“Police have made a number of enquiries and subsequently located the vehicle at an address in Great South Road, Manurewa,” senior sergeant Simon Cornish said.

“Two people were quickly arrested and about $400 worth of goods were recovered from the vehicle.”

Cornish said Christmas was “a time for giving, not taking”.

Though two people were arrested, police only said a 35-year-old woman was charged with two counts of shoplifting and driving without a license.

She is due to appear in the Manukau District Court on Wednesday.

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

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

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

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

First ball is scheduled for 11am.

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

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West Indies players Brandon King and John Campbell and Tom Latham during a delay with the sight screens on Day 4 of the 3rd cricket test match between New Zealand and West Indies at Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui, New Zealand. Sunday 21 December 2025. © Andrew Cornaga / Photosport Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz / Photosport Ltd 2025

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

Person dies in crash in Canterbury

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

The sole occupant of the vehicle was found dead, police said. RNZ / Marika Khabazi

A person has died after crashing into a power pole in Canterbury.

Police said staff received a report at around 9:10am on Monday from someone who had come across a crashed car on Seadown Road, north of Timaru.

The vehicle had collided with a power pole, and the sole occupant of the vehicle was found dead, police said.

The Serious Crash Unit has been advised, and Seadown Road is currently closed between Arowhenua Station Road and State Highway 1.

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

Government strikes Free Trade deal with India, RNZ understands

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi earlier in the year. RNZ / Marika Khabazi

RNZ understands the government has struck a Free Trade deal with India.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon promised to do so in his first term, and negotiations were formally launched in March.

He visited the country for four days in April, and Trade Minister Todd McClay has been on several trips there since.

Indian media over the weekend reported an agreement had gone through the country’s cabinet.

Reports have suggested negotiations were finalised in recent days, with Christopher Luxon expected to make an announcement soon.

Two-way trade between the two countries currently totals about $3.14 billion a year.

About $718m of that is exports from New Zealand, primarily wool, logs and apples.

The prime minister’s office in a statement said he had seen speculation, but had no comment for now.

McClay’s office has been contacted.

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

People who pushed the limits in 2025

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

A Taupō family of six walked the length of the country along Te Araroa trail, homeschooling all the way, having never done an overnight hike before.

A jubilant Courtney and Andrew Williams and their children Elliot, 6, Skye, 9, Summer, 11, and Oliver, 13, finished the 3048km walk from Cape Reinga to Bluff in April, in 218 days.

Their journey started September 2024, stretching from mountains to city streets, farm paddocks and native forest.

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

Winston Peters makes u-turn on Chorus debt sell-off

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has reversed his previous opposition to the Chorus debt sell-off, saying it is “monetisation” rather than an asset sale.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis last week confirmed the government would sell about $650m in interest-free loans Chorus owes the government, which is not due to be fully paid back until 2036.

In November, Peters told Morning Report he did not support the proposal, calling it “creative accounting of the worst sort”.

“You’re selling off a debt on the basis that you’ve got an asset? Why don’t we just make sure that Chorus pays us back?” he said.

“I don’t support that idea. I don’t support failed economics. I don’t support wanton neoliberalism, which is a disaster. We went through it once before.”

The government last week confirmed it would go ahead and sell off the debt, which would be ring-fenced for funding other infrastructure.

Asked why Peters had changed his mind, a spokesperson told RNZ a key word in the announcement was ‘monetisation’.

“Monetisation is a mechanism to effectively adjust the timing of the maturity of the debt,” the spokesperson said.

“New Zealand First stands firm on its position on state asset sales.”

The government’s statement announcing the move last week was titled “earlier monetisation of Chorus debt”.

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop had said the process would begin in early 2026, and would not change the ownership of Chorus, or the company’s services and assets.

The loan was to help Chorus finance and accelerate the rollout of fibre broadband across the country.

The government does not have a stake in Chorus.

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

‘Our sense of identity’: What New Zealand and Georgia have in common

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Marika Khabazi is a video journalist with Georgian and Russian ancestry. She moved to New Zealand as a 16-year-old in 2008 to pursue a career in the Film and TV industry.

Her documentary explores the power and similarities of the Māori haka to Georgian traditional dance.

As an immigrant, the first time I saw haka being performed, I got goosebumps. It reminded me of the traditional dance of my own home, Georgia.

Haka is a universal language to all New Zealanders. Its synchronised movement has a rare ability to display both power and vulnerability at the same time.

The traditional Georgian dance evokes the same powerful feelings haka does.

How could two countries, different in so many ways, share a similar way of expressing emotion?

I travelled home to Georgia in search of the answers.

RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Georgian National Ensemble “Batumi” Choreographer Miranda Bagdadishvili told me Khorumi is a traditional Adjarian dance that reveres Georgian warriors.

“Georgia being a small country has always had to defend itself from invaders.”

“A lot of our dances carry that history, reflecting both the struggles and the victories of our past.”

RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Matiu Hamuera has been involved in Kapa haka from a young age. They credit the bilingual school system, and their Auntie Riria who raised them, for their exposure to something they grew to love.

I showed Matiu videos of the Khorumi dance and they saw many similarities.

“I can see the warriors in this, I can see the kind of marching as a war party, which are the formations we also use in Kapa haka.”

RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Matiu highlighted the ability to explore both masculine and feminine sides in both traditions.

“In modern times too, we are recognizing that there is also space for our people who don’t often subscribe to either of those two binaries.”

Geo Tughushi is a Georgian performing artist living in New Zealand.

In early childhood, he made a decision to follow his passion for dance instead of the wrong crowd.

“Dancing saved me because I was growing up kind of on the street, for mental health it helps you focus a lot.”

Supplied

That resonated with Matiu Hamuera.

“There have been times in my life where I’ve been feeling so low and sometimes in the darkest place of my life and the things that have helped me get out of that is Kapa haka.”

My father, Guram Suleimanovich Khabazi, started dancing in the second grade and taught Georgian dance since the early 70’s. He still lives in the Adjara region where I was born.

RNZ / Marika Khabazi

“There’s an ensemble here in Adjara called Bermukha, and the dancers are 80, 85, 90, even 95 years old.”

“It’s like they’re saying, I am 98, but I can still dance, I’m still full of life.”

After traveling 16,000km across the globe it became clear to me traditional dance not only unites people in joy but gives us a sense of community and grounds us in our sense of identity.

“The dances show the weight of hard work, the challenges of war, and the calm that comes with peace”, said Miranda Bagdadishvili.

“In a way, Georgian dance tells the story of both the people and the country.”

RNZ / Marika Khabazi

“I feel like Kapa Haka for Aotearoa is what really grounds us in our sense of identity, not just for Māori, but for all of Aotearoa,” said Matiu Hamuera.

More than that though, cultural dance celebrates all of it: the struggles, the differences, the battles, the love and the sadness.

RNZ / Marika Khabazi

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

Holiday makers warned to check destination water is safe to drink

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

Water schemes for many small and rural communities lacked the same protections and treatment of systems for larger urban areas. HENDRIK SCHMIDT

Holidaymakers need to be vigilant by checking the quality of drinking water at their holiday spots which run on riskier schemes, Water New Zealand says.

The water industry body said water schemes for many small and rural communities, including some council-owned supplies, lacked the same protections and treatment of systems for larger urban areas.

Water New Zealand chief executive Gillian Blythe said improvements had made for publicly supplied water, with more councils having sufficient treatments for protection against protozoa and bacterial infection.

“However, almost 400,000 New Zealanders are still receiving water from council supplies that lack one or more critical barrier to safety,” she said.

“As well, many small communities rely on tank and ground water. It’s important that water from these sources is treated or boiled before use.”

Tank water at holiday homes and campsites were susceptible to “vermin or bird droppings”, Blythe said.

“If your water is from a public or council supply, keep an eye out for boil water notices. When a boil water notice is issued, it means E. coli has been found, usually from faecal contamination,” she said.

“No one wants their holiday spoiled by illness and a few simple measures can prevent unnecessary grief.”

Further warnings had been extended for swimming areas during the holiday period, particularly in the days following heavy rain.

Rivers, lakes, or at the beach were susceptible to runoff and sewage overflows that could cause E. coli contamination, Blythe said.

“It’s a good idea to check the LAWA website for information on the quality of water in your region and at your swimming spot.”

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

Alice Robinson an Olympic podium contender after another impressive result

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

Queenstown skier Alice Robinson is a genuine contender for the podium in two events at the Winter Olympics in February.

Robinson has followed up her historic Super G World Cup win last week by finishing second in the same discipline at the latest event in France.

The 24-year-old finished behind Sofia Goggia of Italy at Val d’lsere.

The result keeps her on top of the overall Super G standings, while she also tops the standings in her previously favoured event the Giant Slalom.

“With Super G it’s taken me some time to really feel confident and trust enough in my skiing to just go for it and trust what I can do, and I feel like the last two races I’ve felt really good,” Robinson said afterwards.

“We did a little bit of work this summer trying to up my Super G and just ticking away so I am really happy.”

Last week she won her maiden Super G World Cup title in St.Moritz becoming the first New Zealander to podium in the event.

Robinson has seven career World Cup victories and 22 World Cup podiums.

She continues to progress into a genuine contender in the speed disciplines.

“I was a little annoyed when I came through the finish because it was so close and I thought I could have done it better,” Robinson said, “I’m happy I was still able to stay in touch on that kind of course, where I’m not always the strongest.”

Sofia Goggia of Italy took her eighth Super G World Cup win today, 0.15 seconds ahead of Robinson with legendary American ski racer Lindsey Vonn finishing in third, 0.21 seconds behind Robinson’s time.

With two podiums (1st and 2nd) from a total of two Super G FIS World Cup races this season, Robinson retains the red bib and leads the 2025/26 Super G World Cup standings.

“It’s so cool to have the red bib in Super G and honestly so cool to share the podium today with Lindsey and Sofia, it’s like a dream podium because they’re both so awesome.”

Robinson has one more race for 2025 and will be back in the Giant Slalom World Cup bib in Semmering, Austria on the 27th of December.

She has also been named as a Halberg Award finalist.

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

Person with imitation gun arrested in Wellington CBD

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Marika Khabazi

A person has been arrested in Wellington CBD, after reports of someone with a gun.

Police said they received a report just after 6am on Monday that someone at a Willis Street residence could be in possession of a gun.

Police said they attended the residence and spoke to occupants, and they located an imitation firearm.

One person was arrested and taken into custody at about 7:45am.

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

Keeping cats away with sound: ‘It’s important we explore these different options’

By Evening Report -

December 22, 2025

Source: Radio New Zealand

The head of the Predator Free NZ Trust says there is “some complexity” in using sound to keep cats away from nesting native birds.

Jessi Morgan says it is important to keep the country’s native wildlife safe, while recognising the role cats play as companions.

A project from the Bioeconomy Science Institute has discovered a way to use sound as a harmless deterrent.

The research found feral cats were most averse to the sound of human voices, and domestic cats were most averse to the sound of other cats.

Feral cats were recently added to the Predator Free 2050 target species list, but domestic cats are still part of many New Zealand households.

There was no official estimate of how many feral cats live in New Zealand. While 2.4 million is often cited, some believe the true number is far higher.

Morgan said New Zealand has the highest rate of cat ownership in the world, with about 1.2 million owned cats.

She said the research could be applied to other animals.

New research project uses sound to protect native birds from cats. Supplied / Patrick Garvey

“Research that we do on protecting native birds from cats is also transferable to other species, which is really important,” Morgan said.

“The key is removing cats from those environments where the native birds are, that’s the ultimate.”

She said there needed to be a way of keeping the cats that were in the area away in the meantime.

The sound technology could be costly to establish, Morgan said.

“It’s quite an expensive application at the moment, in terms of you need the speaker to play the sound out loud, and it needs to be weather proof.

“There’s some complexity around it,” she said.

Morgan said sound could also be used to lure pests into traps.

“I think sound does have a role to play for cats but also for other predators, could we use sound lures to attract animals towards a trap or towards a cage so we were able to catch them.

“It’s really important that we explore all these different options because at the moment most of our lures for trapping are food lures, so it’s kind of smell and taste, and so if we can have sound lure as another option then it actually just makes our trapping more effective in time – it just give us different options.”

Exploring different strategies like sound, light or pheromones was important, Morgan said.

“It’s not going to be a cookie cutter approach, there’s not a one size fits all here.

“Obviously, the best thing cat owners can do is actually keep their cats safe and happy at home, so contained on their own property, and that means it minimises their impact on wildlife but also keeps the cats safe which is really important, especially when they’re important companions or members of the family.”

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

Who was Amelia Frank? The life of a forgotten physicist

By The Conversation -

December 22, 2025

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Jacobson, Senior Lecturer in Condensed Matter Physics, The University of Queensland

Amelia Frank, June 1930. University of Wisconsin

In 1977, an American physicist named John H. Van Vleck won the Nobel prize for his work on magnetism. In his Nobel lecture, amid a discussion of rare earth elements, one sentence leaps out:

Miss Frank and I made the relevant calculations.

Who was Miss Frank? Van Vleck credits her with key work on the quantum mechanics of magnetism, but she is almost absent from the history books.

Amelia Frank published a handful of scholarly papers which are well-cited for the time. Yet histories of physics mostly mention her only as the wife of Eugene Wigner, who was himself awarded the physics Nobel in 1963.

Why don’t we know more about Frank, and why aren’t her contributions recognised? When we searched through the archives, we found a remarkable scientific life unfolding at the dawn of quantum mechanics.

A bright beginning

Born in 1906, Amelia Z. Frank grew up a junkyard owner’s daughter in Adrian, Michigan. Local newspaper reports paint her as a bright, accomplished teen and an independent thinker.

As an undergraduate at a leading women’s university, Goucher College, Frank joined the physics club. Her senior yearbook relates that her presentation on the Compton effect – a description of how light interacts with electrically charged particles, named after Arthur Compton – was both highly technical and engaging.

Nine months later, Compton gained wide public recognition with the award of the 1927 Nobel prize for demonstrating that X-rays could behave like particles. Frank clearly had her finger on the pulse of the quantum mechanical revolution then occurring in physics.

Where many scholars intrigued by the quantum frontier pursued their study in Europe, Frank went to the University of Wisconsin. There, she met the recently recruited Van Vleck.

Quantum innovation

Arriving in Madison in 1928, Frank had placed herself at the American centre of quantum innovation.

At that time, quantum mechanics could describe isolated particles or atoms, but puzzling out the behaviour of solid materials was proving difficult.

Front page of a paper titled 'Temperature Variation of the Magnetic Susceptibility, Gyromagnetic Ratio, and Heat Capacity in Sm+++ and Eu+++' by Amelia Frank — Part of Amelia Frank’s PhD thesis was published in 1932.
Physical Review

Magnetism was the perfect testbed, as it can only be explained by quantum mechanics – not classical physics. Frank, supervised by Van Vleck, turned to rare earth elements, where magnetism is strong and existing theories were insufficient. Could quantum physics resolve this conundrum?

Frank’s thesis, partially published in Physical Review in 1932, focused on the element samarium. It showed quantum mechanical corrections were needed to explain the experimental data and contains a plot that appears in Van Vleck’s Nobel lecture, labelled “V.V. & F”.

Hard times

After her PhD, Frank worked as a tutor at the University of Wisconsin and continued her research. Her 1935 article on crystal field theory showed how samarium’s energy levels shift due to neighbouring atoms.

Colleagues described her as a promising scholar and her publication record was good. But she faced barriers that slowed her work.

Money was one issue. Frank was supporting her younger sister, an undergraduate chemistry student, and it was the middle of the Great Depression.

In an unpublished 1935 letter we found in Box 12, Folder 214 of the J. H. Van Vleck papers held by the American Institute of Physics in the Niels Bohr Library and Archive, Frank told Van Vleck she’d had to take another job to survive:

Our finances were in such bad shape that I suggested to various people that I’d be interested in typing […] and so I have taught classes, tutored, typed and cooked, but I have not finished my paper.

Van Vleck was seeking positions for Frank, but jobs were scarce – and as a Jewish woman in that era, Frank would have faced multiple forms of discrimination.

Marriage and death

Ultimately, Frank left physics, resigning from the University of Wisconsin around October 1936. When Van Vleck asked why, Frank let him in on a then-closely guarded secret: she had started a relationship with new colleague Eugene Wigner.

The pair married shortly before Christmas. Wigner described himself as astonished by his love for her.

But their happiness didn’t last. Just weeks after the wedding, Frank fell ill.

Wigner said it was her heart, others said it was cancer. Either way, Frank’s condition was grave.

After months in hospital, she returned to Michigan. She passed away in her parents’ home on August 16 1937. She was 31.

An enduring contribution

Frank’s untimely death is one reason why she is under-recognised today. But it is not a sufficient one.

Frank kept company with other trailblazing women across the country. Her flatmate in Wisconsin was Mary Bunting, who was later president of the women-only Radcliffe College and oversaw its integration with Harvard.

Frank’s ambition, intellect and drive took her to the frontiers of knowledge. There, Van Vleck’s support kept her in physics long enough to make lasting, if overlooked, contributions.

Ninety years have passed, but Frank’s life exemplifies women’s ongoing experiences in physics, good and bad.

Women remain drastically under-represented in quantum physics. To take one example, a 2023 survey found 87.5% of full-time Australian quantum researchers were men.

Women remain more likely than men to have caring responsibilities that increase financial stress and reduce research time. And mentorship and purposeful community-building remain vital to bring women into the field – and keep them there.

In the end, this may be Frank’s most enduring contribution to quantum physics. Recovering her story is important because it allows her scientific contributions to be appropriately recognised. Perhaps more importantly, her story reminds us that women have belonged in quantum physics from the beginning.

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

– ref. Who was Amelia Frank? The life of a forgotten physicist – https://theconversation.com/who-was-amelia-frank-the-life-of-a-forgotten-physicist-270953