CoveragePost
April 9, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Blues forward Suafoa announced his retirement from rugby at just 27 years of age. Photosport / AAP / Darren England The Blues will be sporting some new hair styles this weekend, as they pay tribute to a teammate forced out of the game. Cam Suafoa has been battling cancer since 2023, ... <a title="Blonde Blues pay tribute to terminally ill teammate Cameron Suafoa" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/09/blonde-blues-pay-tribute-to-terminally-ill-teammate-cameron-suafoa/" aria-label="Read more about Blonde Blues pay tribute to terminally ill teammate Cameron Suafoa">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 9, 2026
By Johnny Blades, RNZ Pacific bulletin editor Papua New Guinea’s Defence Minister Dr Billy Joseph has stepped aside to allow investigations into allegations he interfered with army recruitment. Prime Minister James Marape said he would assume the defence portfolio while an independent probe into PNG Defence Force recruitment irregularities proceeded. A media release from Marape ... <a title="PNG defence minister steps aside amid army recruitment controversy" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/09/png-defence-minister-steps-aside-amid-army-recruitment-controversy/" aria-label="Read more about PNG defence minister steps aside amid army recruitment controversy">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 9, 2026
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra If you want a basic measure of the difference between Liberal leader Angus Taylor and Nationals leader Matt Canavan, compare these two reactions to US President Donald Trump’s extraordinary threat this week that “a whole civilisation will die tonight”. Asked ... <a title="Grattan on Friday: Taylor and Canavan are chalk and cheese – and that’s a problem for Taylor" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/09/grattan-on-friday-taylor-and-canavan-are-chalk-and-cheese-and-thats-a-problem-for-taylor-279766/" aria-label="Read more about Grattan on Friday: Taylor and Canavan are chalk and cheese – and that’s a problem for Taylor">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 9, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand James Meager is confident the airlines can survive the current hardship. RNZ / Nathan McKinnon Associate Transport Minister James Meager hasn’t ruled out tweaking the current regional infrastructure package to help struggling airlines through the current fuel crisis. Later this month, Air Chathams will reduce flights into Whakatāne by 45 percent, ... <a title="Hope for struggling regional airlines during fuel crisis – Associate Transport Minister James Meager" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/09/hope-for-struggling-regional-airlines-during-fuel-crisis-associate-transport-minister-james-meager/" aria-label="Read more about Hope for struggling regional airlines during fuel crisis – Associate Transport Minister James Meager">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 9, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand (L-R) Bradley Walsh and Barney Walsh attend the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall on 12 May, 2019 in London, England. WIKTOR SZYMANOWICZ The son of The Chase host Bradley Walsh has been banned from driving after breaking a temporary 50mph speed limit on a ... <a title="Son of The Chase host banned from driving" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/09/son-of-the-chase-host-banned-from-driving/" aria-label="Read more about Son of The Chase host banned from driving">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 9, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Mark Papalii Tano Uilelea has been working towards his Restricted Licence with Youth Inspire for just over a year. He said he’s had amazing support from the Driving School and from his mum. With their support the learners test “wasn’t really hard,” he said, and his confidence is building ... <a title="Youth charity says inequitable access to drivers licences locks rangatahi out of jobs" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/09/youth-charity-says-inequitable-access-to-drivers-licences-locks-rangatahi-out-of-jobs/" aria-label="Read more about Youth charity says inequitable access to drivers licences locks rangatahi out of jobs">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 9, 2026
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Baldwin, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, Swinburne University of Technology; UNSW Sydney If you’ve been struggling with your mental health lately, a new free service could help. Medicare Mental Health Check In launched earlier this year to give more Australians access to mental health care. The ... <a title="How does Medicare’s new Mental Health Check In work? Is this low-intensity CBT likely to help?" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/09/how-does-medicares-new-mental-health-check-in-work-is-this-low-intensity-cbt-likely-to-help-279741/" aria-label="Read more about How does Medicare’s new Mental Health Check In work? Is this low-intensity CBT likely to help?">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 9, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand A tracker showing the current path of Cyclone Vaianu and the different paths it could take over the North Island of New Zealand. cyclocane.com Upwards of 200mm of rain could fall in 18-24 hours in some areas when Cyclone Vaianu makes its way over the North Island, according to Chris Brandolino ... <a title="Upwards of 200mm of rain could fall when Cyclone Vaianu hits North Island" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/09/upwards-of-200mm-of-rain-could-fall-when-cyclone-vaianu-hits-north-island/" aria-label="Read more about Upwards of 200mm of rain could fall when Cyclone Vaianu hits North Island">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 9, 2026
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samina Yasmeen, Director of Centre for Muslim States and Societies, The University of Western Australia When news of the fragile ceasefire between the United States, Israel and Iran first broke, it came via a post on X by Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif. Securing such a big ... <a title="In mediating the US-Iran peace talks, Pakistan is flexing its geopolitical muscles" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/09/in-mediating-the-us-iran-peace-talks-pakistan-is-flexing-its-geopolitical-muscles-280255/" aria-label="Read more about In mediating the US-Iran peace talks, Pakistan is flexing its geopolitical muscles">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 9, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand State Highway 16 full of slow moving morning traffic as the sun rises. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly New data suggests the economy kept its head above water in March – but storm clouds may be gathering. The latest ANZ Truckometer shows the heavy traffic index, a real‑time measure of economic activity, ... <a title="Truck data shows economy steady in March, but future demand softens" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/09/truck-data-shows-economy-steady-in-march-but-future-demand-softens/" aria-label="Read more about Truck data shows economy steady in March, but future demand softens">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 9, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand IKEA’s first Auckland store opens on December 4 Marika Khabazi / RNZ IKEA is tightening its returns policy for Australia and New Zealand. The homeware retailer told customers on Thursday that its “test and try” policy, which allows for products to be assembled and then returned, would only apply for 60 ... <a title="NZ, Australia get tighter IKEA returns policy" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/09/nz-australia-get-tighter-ikea-returns-policy/" aria-label="Read more about NZ, Australia get tighter IKEA returns policy">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
April 9, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Football Fern Grace Jale contests the ball during Fifa Women’s World Cup qualifiers. Joshua Devenie / Phototek.nz Football Fern Grace Jale has a new home off the field, but is still finding her place with the national team. Jale is reaching new heights in her professional career this season, as Wellington ... <a title="Football Fern Grace Jale seeking consistency, calm" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/04/09/football-fern-grace-jale-seeking-consistency-calm/" aria-label="Read more about Football Fern Grace Jale seeking consistency, calm">Read more</a>
