TV adventurer Bear Grylls has built a global reputation through his often unconventional and sometimes extreme survival feats to stay hydrated.
He has squeezed moisture from elephant dung, sipped the contents of camel intestines, downed yak eyeball juice and, perhaps most famously, drank his own urine.
If you’ve seen Grylls gulp down a mouthful of his own urine on camera, you might conclude it’s a legitimate survival hack. After all, Grylls used to be in the SAS.
This video is hosted on Youtube.
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This combination of pictures created on August 08, 2025 shows Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro (L) in Caracas on January 10, 2025, and US President Donald Trump (R) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on July 15, 2025. Powerful explosions, resembling aircraft flyovers, were heard blasting in Caracas on January 3, 2026 at around 2:00 am (0600 GMT), an AFP journalist reported. The sounds of explosions come as US President Donald Trump, who has deployed a large navy armada in the Caribbean with a stated mission of combatting drug trafficking, raised the possibility of ground strikes against Venezuela.JUAN BARRETO / AFP
RNZ presents a special edition of Worldwatch, airing after the midday news from about 12.10pm – listen live in the player above.
The New Zealand government has expressed concern, calling on all parties to respect and follow international law, while the United Nations has called an emergency meeting for Monday.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Juan Luis Manfredi, Prince of Asturias Distinguished Professor @Georgetown, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha
On the back of every dollar bill, the phrase Novus Ordo Seclorum (“New order of the ages”) hints at the principle guiding the US’ new security strategy.
The attack on Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro herald the decoupling of Trump’s United States from the rules-based international order, and the end of liberal order as a whole. A new international order is now emerging, based on the use of force, revisionism and security on the American continent.
Here are five keys to understanding the outcomes of the military intervention, and the new order it ushers in.
1. Expanded presidential power
The attack cements the new doctrine of an imperious president, one who executes orders without waiting for congressional approval, legal validation or media opinion.
With checks and balances weakened, the second Trump administration is free to present the new order as a question of urgent security: with the US at war against drug trafficking (or migration) and threatened by “new powers” (a euphemism for China), it has no need to respect proper procedures or timelines.
Trump identifies himself with historic, founding American presidents like Washington, Lincoln and Roosevelt. All three were charismatic leaders, and with the 250th anniversary of the US republic approaching such comparisons feed into Trump’s authoritarian rhetoric.
Erosion of the US political and legal system is undeniable. The president has approved an extensive package of regulations that promote emergency powers, a permanent state of crisis, and suppression of political opposition and the judicial system. The attack on Venezuela is yet another milestone in the reconfiguration of the presidency’s relations to the legislative and judicial branches of power, in line with the Hamiltonian tradition of a strong and unifying executive branch.
On the international stage, the attack on Venezuela advances a diplomatic agenda that is rooted in the defence of national interests. The concept of “America for the Americans” has made a strong comeback: Panama, Mexico and Canada have all been made to bow to Trump’s will, while the administration continues to push for control of Greenland.
In Latin America, Brazil and Colombia’s left-wing governments lead regional opposition to the US, while Chile’s newly elected José Antonio Kast and Argentina’s Javier Milei are Trump’s ideological allies. The continent as a whole is witnessing a broad shift towards nationalist, right-wing parties that oppose migration.
If Venezuela’s post-Maduro transition aligns with these values, any hope for national unity and a peaceful transition to full democracy will disappear.
Once again, it’s all about oil, but for different reasons than in Iraq. In a world where globalisation has shifted to geoeconomics, the United States wants to project its power in international energy markets and regulation. Venezuela’s infrastructure, ports and minerals are key to making this happen.
The US therefore doesn’t just want Venezuelan oil to supply its domestic market – it also wants to impose international prices and dominate supply. Its new vision aims to align energy sovereignty and technological development with trade and security.
Pax Silica – the international US-led alliance signed at the end of 2025 to secure supply chains for critical technologies such as semiconductors and AI – ushers in an era of transactional diplomacy: computer chips in exchange for minerals. For the “new” Venezuela, its oil reserves will allow it to participate in this new power dynamic.
The American view of territory fuels a revisionist foreign policy based on sovereignty – similar to those of China, Israel, or Russia – which is rooted in the concept of “nomos”, as defined by mid-20th century German philosopher Carl Schmitt. This is a worldview where the division of nations into “friend or foe” prevails over a liberal worldview governed by cooperation, international law, democracy and the free market.
Under this logic, spheres of influence emerge, resources are distributed, and power blocs are balanced, as the above examples demonstrate: without opposition, China would dominate Southeast Asia, Russia would scale back its war in exchange for 20% of Ukraine and control over its material resources and energy, and Israel would redraw the map of the Middle East and strike trade agreements with neighbouring countries.
5. Europe, democracy and Hobbes
Ideals like democracy, the rule of law and free trade are fading fast, and without effective capacity, things don’t end well for the European Union. As we have seen with Gaza, the EU often has strong ideological disagreement with other major powers but doesn’t command enough respect to do anything. The US’ military intervention revives Hobbesian political realism, where freedom is ceded to an absolute sovereign in exchange for peace and security.
In Trump’s new order, it is presidential authority – not truth, laws or democratic values – that has the final say.
2026 is an election year in the US, with 39 gubernatorial elections and a raft of state and local elections to be contested between March and November.
Through its actions in Venezuela, the Trump administration is effectively debating its model for succession. One faction, led by JD Vance, wants to avoid problems abroad and to renew the industrial economic model. The other, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is committed to rebuilding the international order with a strong and dominant US. The outcome of the Venezuelan operation may tip the balance, and could determine Trump’s successor in the 2028 presidential elections.
The attack on Venezuela is not just an intervention in the region: it also reflects the changing times in which we live. While international Trumpism was previously confined to disjointed slogans, it has now taken its first step into military strategy. Gone are the days of soft power, transatlantic relations and peace in Ibero-America. A new order is being born.
Juan Luis Manfredi no recibe salario, ni ejerce labores de consultoría, ni posee acciones, ni recibe financiación de ninguna compañía u organización que pueda obtener beneficio de este artículo, y ha declarado carecer de vínculos relevantes más allá del cargo académico citado.
A motorcycle rides past graffiti depicting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on Jan. 3, 2026.Juan Barreto/AFP via Getty Images
In the dead of night during the holidays, the United States launched an operation inside a Latin American country, intent on seizing its leader on the pretext that he is wanted in U.S. courts on drug charges.
The date was Dec. 20, 1989, the country was Panama, and the wanted man was General Manuel Noriega.
Many people in the Americas waking up on Jan. 3, 2026, may have been feeling a sense of déjà vu.
Images of dark U.S. helicopters flying over a Latin American capital seemed, until recently, like a bygone relic of American imperialism – incongruous since the end of the Cold War.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that, in an overnight operation, U.S. troops captured and spirited the couple out of Caracas, the Venezuelan capital. It followed what Trump described as an “extraordinary military operation” involving air, land and sea forces.
Maduro and his wife were flown to New York to face drug charges. While Maduro was indicted in 2020 on charges that he led a narco-terrorism operation, his wife was only added in a fresh indictment that also included four other named Venezuelans.
An image of a captured Nicolás Maduro released by President Donald Trump on social media. Truth Social
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he “anticipates no further action” in Venezuela; Trump later said the he wasn’t afraid of American “boots on the ground.”
Whatever happens, as an expert on U.S.-Latin American relations, I see the U.S. operation in Venezuela as a clear break from the recent past. The seizure of a foreign leader – albeit one who clung to power through dubious electoral means – amounts to a form of ad hoc imperialism, a blatant sign of the Trump administration’s aggressive but unfocused might-makes-right approach to Latin America.
It eschews the diplomatic approach that has been the hallmark of inter-American relations for decades, really since the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s took away the ideological grab over potential spheres of influence in the region.
Instead, it reverts to an earlier period when gunboats — yesteryear’s choppers — sought to achieve U.S. political aims in a neighboring region that American officials treated as the “American lake” – as one World War II Navy officer referred to the Caribbean.
Breaking with precedent
The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” – one of the earliest acts of the second Trump administration – fits this new policy pivot.
But in key ways, there is no precedent to the Trump administration’s operation to remove Maduro.
Never before has the U.S. military directly intervened in South America to effect regime change. All of Washington’s previous direct actions were in smaller, closer countries in Central America or the Caribbean.
The U.S. intervened often in Mexico but never decapitated its leadership directly or took over the entire country. In South America, interventions tended to be indirect: Lyndon Johnson had a backup plan in case the 1964 coup in Brazil did not succeed (it did); Richard Nixon undermined the socialist government in Chile from 1970 on but did not orchestrate the coup against President Salvador Allende in 1973.
And while Secretary of State Henry Kissinger – the architect of U.S. foreign policy under Nixon and his successor, Gerald Ford – and others encouraged repression against leftists throughout the 1970s, they held back from taking a direct part in it.
A post-Maduro plan?
U.S. officials long viewed South American countries as too far away, too big and too independent to call for direct intervention.
Apparently, Trump’s officials paid that historical demarcation little heed.
What is to happen to Venezuela after Maduro? Taking him into U.S. custody lays bare that the primary goal of a monthslong campaign of American military attacking alleged drug ships and oil tankers was always likely regime change, rather than making any real dent in the amount of illegal drugs reaching U.S. shores. As it is, next to no fentanyl leaves Venezuela, and most Venezuelan cocaine heads to Europe, anyway.
What will preoccupy many regional governments in Latin America, and policy experts in Washington, is whether the White House has considered the consequences to this latest escalation.
Trump no doubt wants to avoid another Iraq War disaster, and as such he will want to limit any ongoing U.S. military and law enforcement presence. But typically, a U.S. force changing a Latin American regime has had to stay on the ground to install a friendly leader and maybe oversee a stable transition or elections.
Simply plucking Maduro out of Caracas does not do that. The Venezuela constitution says that his vice president is to take over. And Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who is demanding proof of life of her president, is no anti-Maduro figure.
Regime change would require installing those who legitimately won the 2024 election, and they are assuredly who Rubio wants installed next in Miraflores Palace.
Conflicting demands
With Trump weighing the demands of two groups – anti-leftist hawks in Washington and an anti-interventionist base of MAGA supporters – a power struggle in Washington could emerge. It will be decided by men who may have overlapping but different reasons for action in Venezuela: Rubio, who wants to burnish his image as an anti-communist bringer of democracy abroad; Trump, a transactional leader who seemingly has eyes on Venezuela’s oil; and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who has shown a desire to flex America’s military muscle.
What exactly is the hierarchy of these goals? We might soon find out. But either way, a Rubicon has been crossed by the Trump administration. Decades of U.S. policy toward neighbors in the south have been ripped up.
The capture of Maduro could displace millions more Venezuelans and destabilize neighboring countries – certainly it will affect their relationship with Washington. And while the operation to remove Maduro was clearly thought out with military precision, the concern is that less attention has been paid to an equally important aspect: what happens next.
“We’re going to run the country” until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” occurs, the Trump promised. But that is easier said than done.
Alan McPherson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Explosions were seen across Caracas after the U.S. launched large-scale attacks on Venezuela and captured its leader and his wife. AFP via Getty Images
Americans woke up on Jan. 3, 2025, to blaring headlines: “US CAPTURES MADURO, TRUMP SAYS,” declared The New York Times, using all capital letters. The U.S. had mounted an overnight military raid in Venezuela that immediately raised questionsof procedure and legality. Prime among them was what role Congress had – or should have had – in the operation.
Politics editor Naomi Schalit interviewed political scientist Sarah Burns, author of the book “The Politics of War Powers” and an expert at Rochester Institute of Technology on the historical struggle between Congress and U.S. presidents over who has the power to authorize military action.
Is this a war?
I wouldn’t call it a war. This is regime change, and whether or not it has a positive impact on the United States, whether or not it has a positive impact on Venezuela, I think the likelihood is very low for both of those things being true.
How does Congress see its role in terms of military action initiated by the United States?
So you see some effort on the part of Congress to assert itself in the realm of war. But it failed predominantly on party lines, with Democrats saying we really don’t want to go into Venezuela. We really don’t want to have this action. Republicans predominantly were supporting the president and whatever it happens to be that he would like to do. Moderate Republicans and Republicans who are in less safe districts were and are more likely to at least stand up a little bit to the president, but there’s a very small number of them.
Congress has been largely absent as President Donald Trump has escalated his verbal and military attacks on Venezuela. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
So there may be an institutional role for Congress, a constitutional role, a role that has been confirmed by legal opinion, but politics takes over in Congress when it comes to asserting its power in this realm?
That’s a perfect way of putting it. They have a legal, constitutional, one might even say moral, responsibility to assert themselves as a branch, right? This is from Federalist 51 where James Madison says “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.” So it should be that as a branch, they assert themselves against the president and say, “We have a role here.”
In the 1940s, presidential scholar Edward Corwin said that in the realm of foreign policy, it is an invitation for Congress and the president to struggle. So it should be that Congress and the president are struggling against each other to assert, “I’m in charge.” “No, I’m in charge.” “No, I’m in charge,” in an effort to create a balance between the two branches and between the two things that each of the branches does well. What you want from Congress is slow deliberation and a variety of opinions. What you want from the president is energy and dispatch.
So certainly, if we have an attack like 9/11, you would want the president to be able to act quickly. And you know, conversely, in situations like the questions around what the U.S. is doing in Venezuela, you want slow deliberation because there is no emergency that requires energy and dispatch and speed. So the president shouldn’t be entirely in the driver’s seat here, and Congress should very much be trying very hard to restrain him.
One of the things that members of Congress have attempted to do several times, with very little positive impact, is go to the courts and say, “Can you restrain the president?” And political scientist Jasmine Farrier has written that the courts have regularly said to members of Congress: “You have the power to stop the president, and you are ineffective at that. And so if you want to stop the president, you shouldn’t turn to us. You should work together to create legislation that would restrain the president.”
What would such legislation do? Cut off money for troops? Is it finger-wagging, or is it something really concrete?
There are a few different tiers. Joint resolutions are finger-wagging. They just say, “Bad, Mr. President, don’t do that.” But they have no effect in law.
The War Powers Resolution, first passed in 1973, is a legitimate way of trying to restrain the president. Congress intended to say to presidents, “You cannot start a war and continue a war without our authorization.” But what they said instead was “You could have a small war or a short war – of 60 to 90 days – without our authorization, and then you have to tell us about it.” That just sort of said to presidents the opposite of what they intended. So President Barack Obama took advantage of that with the military engagement in Libya, as well as Trump in his first administration.
This is not a partisan issue. It’s not Republican presidents who do it. It’s not Democratic presidents who do it. It’s every president since the War Powers Resolution was passed, and the only time that Congress has drawn down troops or drawn down money was the Vietnam War.
Other than that disastrous war, we have not seen Congress willing to put themselves on the politically negative side, which is taking money away from the troops. Because if you take away money right now, they’re going to be harmed.
President Donald Trump and his national security team discuss the U.S. strikes on Venezuela at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., on Jan. 3, 2026. AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
What is the War Powers Resolution?
The War Powers Resolution from 1973, also known as the War Powers Act, was Congress – during the Vietnam War – saying definitively to President Richard Nixon, “You have overstepped your bounds.” They had explicitly said in law, you cannot go into Cambodia. And Nixon went into Cambodia.
So that was their way of trying to reassert themselves very aggressively; as I mentioned before, it didn’t work effectively. It worked insofar as presidents don’t unilaterally start wars that are large scale, the way that World War II was large scale. But they do have these smaller actions at varying levels.
Then we get to 9/11 and we see the 2001 authorization for the use of military force, and the 2002 authorization for the use of military force. The 2001 law authorized going after anyone in al-Qaida and associated with 9/11. The 2002 authorization was directly related to Iraq, saying “There is a problem with Iraq, we have to do something.” Both of them were extremely vague and broad, and that’s why we’ve seen four presidents, including Trump, using the 2001 and 2002 authorizations to carry out all sorts of operations that had very little to do with Saddam Hussein or al-Qaida.
In 2021, senators Mike Lee, Bernie Sanders and Chris Murphy collectively got together and tried to create a national security document that would restrain presidential unilateralism. It was a good effort on the part of members of Congress from a variety of different ideological views to attempt to restrain the president. It did not even sort-of pass – it barely got out on the floor.
Since that time, we haven’t seen a lot of efforts from members of Congress. They haven’t really reasserted themselves since the war in Korea, which began in 1950. It’s very clear that ambition is no longer checking ambition the way that it was meant to by the founders.
When you woke up this morning and saw the news, what was your first thought?
Here we go again. This is not a Republican or a Democratic issue. Lots of presidents have made this error, which is that they think if you do this smaller-scale action, you are going to get a positive result for the nation, for the region, for international stability. And very rarely is that the case.
Sarah Burns does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
A serious crash has closed State Highway 3/Ōhaupō Road where it intersects with Ryburn Road.Pretoria Gordon / RNZ
Emergency services have responded to the scene of a serious crash that has closed State Highway 3/Ōhaupō Road where it intersects with Ryburn Road in Waikato.
Police said a two-vehicle crash was reported about 9.15am on Sunday.
“Initial indications are that two people have serious injuries.”
Diversions are in place and delays are expected as emergency services work at the scene.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made the government’s first statement following the US military action against Venezuela, saying New Zealand is “concerned”.
US President Donald Trump said in the meantime, the US would “run” the country, which has some of the world’s largest oil reserves.
“New Zealand is concerned by and actively monitoring developments in Venezuela and expects all parties to act in accordance with international law,” Peters said in a post on X (formerly Twitter), using the official Minister of Foreign Affairs account.
New Zealand is concerned by and actively monitoring developments in Venezuela and expects all parties to act in accordance with international law. New Zealand stands with the Venezuelan people in their pursuit of a fair, democratic and prosperous future.
“New Zealand stands with the Venezuelan people in their pursuit of a fair, democratic and prosperous future.
“We continue to advise that New Zealanders do not travel to Venezuela. New Zealanders requiring urgent consular assistance can contact the 24/7consular emergency line on +64 99 20 20 20.”
The military action comes after months of accusations from the Trump administration that Venezuela has been shipping narcotics into the US, but Trump has made no secret of his desire to access Venezuela’s natural reserves.
“We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure,” he said. “We’ll be selling large amounts of oil.”
The United Nations is set to have an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the action, which has recieved both praise and condemnation from world leaders.
Invasion unlawful – expert
International law expert Professor Alexander Gillespie of the University of Waikato said while it was “very good that Peters has called upon all countries to ‘act in accordance with international law’”, he was curious to know whether Peters believed the US action was lawful or not, or if Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro had diplomatic immunity.
In theory, Gillespie said it appeared the US military action was unlawful.
Professor Alexander Gillespie of the University of Waikato.Alexander Gillespie
“You can only attack another country in times of self-defence and that situation must be urgent, proportionate in action, and no alternative to the use of force,” he told RNZ via email.
“Trump is not wrong to be concerned about the problem of illegal drugs and transnational criminal/terrorist groups, but the pretext of illegal drugs in this area is fanciful; where the ‘war on drugs’ has turned into something completely different. To say it is self-defence stretches the doctrine way beyond what it has previously been understood as.”
But it was unlikely Trump would face any legal retaliation, as the US has a veto on the UN Security Council and would “just laugh” at the prospect of being taken to the International Court of Justice.
Gillespie said there was a risk the US arrest of another country’s president would give others such as Russia, China and Iran “a green light to intervene in countries they disapprove of unilaterally – without going through the UN”.
“It will be a small step for countries like China to take Taiwan on this precedent; or Russia to push even harder into Ukraine.”
Pia Vlok of the Phoenix in action against Brisbane Roar.photosport
Brooke Nunn scored late in second half stoppage time to secure the Phoenix a 2-2 draw with Brisbane Roar and stretch their unbeaten run.
Coming off massive wins over Sydney FC (7-0) and Western Sydney (3-0), sharing the spoils in Brisbane was a small let-down but coach Bev Priestman said she walked away satisfied.
“If you’d asked me at the beginning of the game I’d say no, but you ask me at the end and yes, I’m very happy to take the point,” Priestman said.
“Overall whenever you take points on the road you have to be happy.
“The first half we weren’t at our best. They changed shape and we took some adjusting to that. But in the second half we did a much better job of preventing any shots.
“What I’m most proud of is that the team never gave up and they went to the very end. Sometimes some of the best teams cannot be at their best and still take points out of a game, especially on the road.
“And to get back-to-back points on the road and three games undefeated, we have to also be proud of that.”
Sabitra “Samba” Bhandari.photosport
Manaia Elliott had opened the scoring for the visitors in the 15th minute with a speculative effort from distance, wide on the left, but the Roar equalised almost instantly and took the lead shortly after the half hour mark.
It looked like Wellington’s pursuit of an equaliser would be in vain until the eighth minute of time added on, when Nunn delivered a cross from the right flank which beat Lincoln at her near post and nestled in the back of the net.
Wellington drop one place to six ahead of a home match against Melbourne City on Saturday.
The Phoenix could be without Sabitra “Samba” Bhandari, who limped off with a knee injury late in the second half.
“We’re not sure yet. I think she’ll definitely need to get a scan on her knee,” Priestman said.
“It could be nothing but it also could be something and it’s something we need to look into.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
It’s hardly a revelation that we’re living in an era of distraction and smartphone addiction. Our phones interrupt us, hijack our attention, and tempt us into scrolling. Even when we aren’t interacting with them, their mere presence makes it difficult to concentrate.
To address this, app developers have responded with a vast ocean of productivity and focus apps, each promising to tame the chaos with timers, app blocking, habit reminders, and rewards designed to help you stay focused and be productive.
To understand whether these apps are worth our while, we first need to consider why staying focused is so difficult in the first place.
A range of productivity apps now promise to tame the chaos with timers, app blocking, habit reminders, and rewards.
Rāhui from the Glinks Gully entrance to Mahuta GapPolice
Two people drowned at Ripirō Beach, between Mahuta Gap and Glinks Gully, on Saturday.
Police were called about 6.50pm to reports two men could be seen struggling in the water.
Police and other emergency services responded immediately, and the men were pulled from the water unresponsive.
Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) confirmed surf lifeguards responded to an incident at Glinks Gully.
Police had informed SLSNZ of two people caught in a rip, 300m north of the access way at Glinks Gully, approximately 17km south of the Baylys Beach patrolled area.
The first surf lifeguards to arrive at the scene launched an inflatable rescue boat and located both people, who were in the water and unresponsive.
They returned them to the beach to commence CPR, however resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.
The deaths have been referred to the coroner and local iwi have placed a rāhui on the area, until 7pm Monday 5 January.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Neighbourly is back online after it was shut down on New Year’s Day when its operators became aware of a data breach.Screenshot
Names, email addresses and GPS locations – as well as posts and private messages – of users of the Stuff-owned community website Neighbourly have been put up for sale on the dark web.
Neighbourly is back online after being shut down on New Year’s Day when its operators became aware of a data breach.
A website monitoring the dark web says a massive database of information belonging to Neighbourly was put up for sale over Christmas.
Daily Dark Web said a user claiming to possess more than 213 million lines of data from the site offered the information for sale on a cybercrime marketplace.
Neighbourly has told its members it will look to seek a court injunction against the use of any of the material, but said it was satisfied the breach was quickly contained.
State Highway 35 at Tolaga Bay has reopened to one lane and is expected to be fully reopened by mid-morning.
Flooding on Saturday closed a stretch of SH35 overnight between Wharf Road, just south of Tolaga Bay, and Okitu.
Dozens were evacuated and spent the night at Tolaga Bay Area School’s gymnasium, many of whom have now been able to return.
A majority of the evacuees were tent campers from Tolaga Bay Top 10 Camp, who moved early Saturday night.
Despite the road reopening, NZ Transport Agency / Waka Kotahi urged caution for travellers. It asked anyone in the area to be alert to possible flooding, slips and debris in other parts of the region.
Crews were also monitoring a build up of woody debris around Gladstone Road bridge on SH35 in Gisborne.
Ūawa deputy civil defence officer Nori Parata told RNZ the rain had been torrential.
“We had to open up the base because there are a number of travellers that had got caught with the road closure, and also didn’t have appropriate vehicles for that kind of situation.
“But equally we also had the holiday camp [at Tolaga Bay] needed to evacuate people that were camping in tents down there. So I think we’ve got about 80 people in our gym between the travellers and the campers.”
Parata said there were plenty of mattresses in the school gym for evacuees and anyone else caught out by the flooding, and the Civil Defence base was well-equipped with kai and other supplies.
“We’re set up to cater in these emergencies. This is not our first rodeo.”
Parata said the Tolaga Bay Holiday Park had just reopened this season after recovering from Cyclone Gabrielle three years ago.
Shanan Gray from Tolaga Bay Civil Defence hoped the worst was over on Sunday. He told RNZ it had been pelting down overnight, but had since eased.
“The wind is quite heavy at the moment, so hopefully it is pushing the rain out to sea,” he said.
MetService meterologist Braydon White said rain of more than 50mm/h had fallen in Tolaga Bay since 8pm on Saturday.
While the orange-level heavy rain warning had expired at 8am, White said there had been some reasonably large accumulations of rainfall on Sunday morning too, especially on the East Cape.
Ūawa Civil Defence has warned on Facebook that the wharf bridge was “underwater and dangerous”.
“Do not go near it or try to cross. Please stay home, stay off the roads, and keep yourself safe.”
Gisborne residents told to be prepared
Meanwhile, Tai Rāwhiti Civil Defence is monitoring the situation in the city of Gisborne. Group controller Ben Green told RNZ there was a lot of surface flooding across the region, but the Waimatā River and the Tarahiru River had remained steady overnight.
It was feared residents would have to be evacuated after the Waimatā River measured at 7m and the Tarahiru River at 4.26m at 11pm.
Green said access to Tolaga Bay had also been restored, after a slip had closed the gorge on Saturday night.
Tai Rāwhiti Civil Defence would be looking into the impact of the flooding on Sunday.
In a video message, Green said the focus was on the Taruheru River, which flowed through Gisborne City.
“What we’re asking people to do is adopt a ‘be prepared’ and cautious approach to really monitoring the river.
“If you haven’t already done so, check in with your neighbours. Make sure that they’re aware of what the current situation is. In the worst case if you do feel unsafe then, certainly, proactively evacuate if you are uncomfortable with that situation.”
Green said Fire and Emergency had been keeping people informed on Fergusson Drive and other low-lying streets.
Ifeanyi Eze celebrates after scoring for the Wellington Phoenix against the Brisbane Roar.photosport
Wellington Phoenix overcame a wretched run of form and an early red card to upset the Brisbane Roar 3-0 on the road in a major A-League upset.
In a result described by coach Giancarlo Italiano as his best win as a head coach, the Phoenix scored twice in the second half despite being without the services of winger Carlo Armiento, who was shown a straight red in the 38th minute.
The result came five days after their 5-1 loss to Melbourne Victory, which left the club languishing in 10th place ahead of a clash with the third-placed Roar.
Italiano was thrilled with their response, which included keeping a first clean sheet of the season.
“That’s probably the best victory I’ve ever had as a coach. We’ve had it very hard,” Italiano said, close to tears at one point in the press conference.
“I’m just immensely proud for the group. We suffered today. We spoke about it yesterday and it was like a self-fulfilling prophecy. We talked about in order for teams to be successful they need to learn to suffer, to grind, to be committed, to have courage and to be brave. They demonstrated everything today.
“It was almost like the football gods wanted Carlo to get sent off for us to go through this lesson. We needed this. It wasn’t so much the result, it was the performance.
“The boys showed a lot of character tonight. I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
Ifeanyi Eze scored Wellington’s first goal in the sixth minute, but their chances of victory nosedived when Armiento was shown red for an illegal tackle which sparked an all-in melee.
Wellington Phoenix and Brisbane Roar players involved in a melee.photosport
However, the visitors responded with resolute defence and speed on the counter after the break, scoring through
Kazuki Nagasawa and substitute Paulo Retre.
Italiano reserved praise for teenage goalkeeper Eamonn McCarron, who made a number of fine saves in just his second start.
“Eamonn is like an experienced goalkeeper caught in a young guy’s body,” Italiano said.
“He’s fearless and what I really liked about him today was the reaction from conceding five goals against Victory. It didn’t faze him.
“In the air he was fantastic and the last ditch, brave saves were amazing. He started as the number three at the beginning of the season and now he’s playing like a mature number one.”
Ninth-placed Wellington host sixth-placed Adelaide United on Sunday.
Tolaga Bay Civil Defence is cooking breakfast for the evacuees who have spent the night at the Area School’s gymnasium.
State Highway 35 is still closed on Sunday, after heavy flooding in the Tai Rāwhiti region overnight.
The 30 remaining evacuees at Tolaga Bay Area School are a mix of travellers who were caught out when the road closed, and campers evacuated from the Tolaga Bay Holiday Park.
Ūawa deputy civil defence officer Nori Parata told RNZ the rain had been torrential.
“We had to open up the base because there are a number of travellers that had got caught with the road closure, and also didn’t have appropriate vehicles for that kind of situation.
“But equally we also had the holiday camp [at Tolaga Bay] needed to evacuate people that were camping in tents down there.
“So I think we’ve got about 80 people in our gym between the travellers and the campers.”
Parata said there were plenty of mattresses in the school gym for evacuees and anyone caught out by the flooding, and the civil defence base was well-equipped with kai and other supplies.
“We’re set up to cater in these emergencies. This is not our first rodeo.”
Parata said the Tolaga Bay Holiday Park had just reopened this season after recovering from Cyclone Gabrielle three years ago.
Shanan Gray from Tolaga Bay Civil Defence hoped the worst was over on Sunday.
He told RNZ that it had been pelting down overnight, but had since eased.
“The wind is quite heavy at the moment, so hopefully it is pushing the rain out to sea,” he said.
MetService meterologist Braydon White said rain of more than 50 millimetres an hour had fallen in Tolaga Bay since 8pm on Saturday.
While the orange-level heavy rain warning had expired at 8am, White said there had been some reasonably large accumulations of rainfall on Sunday morning too, especially on the East Cape.
Ūawa Civil Defence has warned on Facebook that the wharf bridge was “underwater and dangerous”.
“Do not go near it or try to cross. Please stay home, stay off the roads, and keep yourself safe.”
Gisborne residents told to be prepared
Meanwhile, Tai Rāwhiti Civil Defence is monitoring the situation in the city of Gisborne.
In a video message, the Tai Rāwhiti emergency management controller Ben Green said the focus was on the Taruheru River, which flowed through Gisborne City.
It was at 4.26m at 11pm, and the level of concern that posed a risk to low-lying properties was 4.5m, so it would be under monitoring overnight.
“What we’re asking people to do is adopt a ‘be prepared’ and cautious approach to really monitoring the river.
“If you haven’t already done so, check in with your neighbours. Make sure that they’re aware of what the current situation is. In the worst case if you do feel unsafe then, certainly, proactively evacuate if you are uncomfortable with that situation.”
Green said Fire and Emergency had been keeping people informed on Fergusson Drive and other low-lying streets.
Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, has been apprehended and flown to the US where the US attorney-general has announced he will face charges of drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. The US military’s operation to snatch Maduro was carried out in the early hours of January 3 and follows months of steadily mounting pressure on the Venezuelan government.
Now it appears that the US operation to remove a leader it has designated as a “narco-terrorist” has come to fruition. But whether the capture and removal of Maduro will lead to regime change in the oil-rich Latin American country remains unclear at present.
The US campaign against Venezuela is the product of two distinct policy impulses within the Trump administration. The first is the long held desire of many Republican hawks, including the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, to force regime change in Caracas. They detest Venezuela’s socialist government and see overturning it as an opportunity to appeal to conservative Hispanic voters in the US.
The second impulse is more complex. Trump campaigned for election in 2024 on the idea that his administration would not become involved in foreign conflicts. But his administration claims that Venezuela’s government and military are involved in drug trafficking, which in Washington’s thinking makes them terrorist organisations that are harming the American people. As head of the country’s government, Maduro, according to the Trump administration’s logic is responsible for that.
TruthSocial
During Trump’s first administration, his Department of Justice indicted Maduro on charges of “narco-terrorism”. Now Bondi says there might be a new indictment which also covers Maduro’s wife, who was taken into detention with him. The fact that US law enforcement was involved in their capture reinforces the idea that they will now face those charges in a New York court, despite an early claim by opposition sources in Venezuela that Maduro’s departure may have been negotiated with the US government.
What comes next?
The big question is what comes next in Venezuela, and whether either the Republican hawks or the “America first” crowd will get the outcome that they want: ongoing US military presence to “finish the job” or simply a show of US strength to punish its adversary which doesn’t involve a lengthy American involvement.
The US has discovered time and again in recent decades that it is extremely difficult to dictate the political futures of foreign countries with military force. The White House might want to see the emergence of a non-socialist government in Caracas, as well as one which cracks down on the drug trade. But simply removing Maduro and dropping some bombs is unlikely to achieve that goal after nearly three decades of bulding up the regime under Maduro and his predecessor Hugo Chavez.
The Trump administration could have learned this lesson from Libya, whose dictatorial government the US and its allies overthrew in 2011. The country collapsed into chaos soon after, inflicting widespread suffering on its own citizens and creating problems for its neighbours.
In the case of Venezuela, it is unlikely that American military’s strikes alone will be enough to fatally undermine its government. Maduro may be gone, but the vast majority of the country’s governmental and military apparatus remains intact. Power will likely pass to a new figure in the regime.
The White House may dream that popular protests will break out against the government following Maduro’s ousting. But history shows that people usually react to being bombed by a foreign power by rallying around the flag, not turning against their leaders.
Nor would Venezuela’s descent into chaos be likely to help the Trump administration achieve its goals. Conflict in Venezuela could generate new refugee flows which would eventually reach America’s southern border. The collapse of central government authority would be likely to create a more conducive environment for drug trafficking. Widespread internal violence and human rights violations could hardly be portrayed as a victory to the crucial conservative Hispanic voting bloc.
If the Trump administration dreams of establishing a stable, pro-American government in Caracas, it is going to have to do more than just arrest Maduro. Bringing about durable regime change typically involves occupying a country with ground troops and engaging in “nation building”. The US tried this with decidedly mixed results in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Trump has pledged to avoid such entanglements and Rubio has said that, for now at least, the US has no plans for further military action against Venezuela. Trump has a penchant for flashy, quick wins, particularly in foreign policy. He may hope to tout Maduro’s capture as a victory and move on to other matters.
Nation-building failures
In almost no recent US military intervention did the American government set out to engage in nation-building right from the beginning. The perceived need to shepherd a new government into existence has typically only come to be felt when the limits of what can be accomplished by military force alone become apparent.
The war in Afghanistan, for instance, started as a war of revenge for the terrorist attacks on the US on September 11 2001 before transforming into a 20-year nation-building commitment. In Iraq, the Bush administration thought that it could depose Saddam Hussein and leave within a few months. The US ended up staying for nearly a decade.
It’s hard to imagine Trump walking down the same path, if only because he has always portrayed nation-building as a waste of American lives and treasure. But that still leaves him with no plausible way to achieve the divergent political outcomes he, his supporters and America’s foreign policy establishment want with the tools that he has at his disposal.
Meanwhile the US president will face pressure from a range of constituencies from Republican hawks to conservative Hispanic voters to force wholesale regime change in Venezuela. How Trump responds to that pressure will determine the future course of US policy towards the country.
Andrew Gawthorpe is affiliated with the Foreign Policy Centre in London.
Eighty evacuees are spending the night at Tolaga Bay Area School, which has been opened as a Civil Defence base because of heavy flooding in Tai Rāwhiti.
Surface flooding, slips and downed trees have led to the closure of State Highway 35 between Wainui Beach and Tolaga Bay.
Ūawa deputy Civil Defence officer Nori Parata told RNZ the rain had been pretty torrential.
“We had to open up the base because there are a number of travellers that had got caught with the road closure, and also didn’t have appropriate vehicles for that kind of situation.
“But equally we also had the holiday camp [at Tolaga Bay] needed to evacuate people that were camping in tents down there.
“So I think we’ve got about 80 people in our gym between the travellers and the campers.”
Parata said there were plenty of mattresses in the school gym for evacuees and anyone caught out by the flooding, and the Civil Defence base was well-equipped with kai and other supplies.
“We’re set up to cater in these emergencies. This is not our first rodeo.”
Parata said the Tolaga Bay Holiday Park had just reopened this season after recovering from Cyclone Gabrielle three years ago.
On social media, Civil Defence said the wharf bridge was “underwater and dangerous”.
“Do not go near it or try to cross. Please stay home, stay off the roads, and keep yourself safe.”
MetService lifted the thunderstorm warning for the Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay areas just before 9.30pm.
“Severe thunderstorms have eased, however a few thunderstorms are still expected this evening bringing localised heavy rain.”
Motorists in Gisborne are advised to avoid non-essential travel.mrtwister/123RF
Police are urging motorists in the Gisborne area to avoid non-essential travel due to heavy rain and surface flooding in the region.
A severe thunderstorm warning is in place from Tolaga Bay to Gisborne and up to 170mm of rain is expected about the wider Gisborne region – ahead of 10am Sunday morning.
A police spokesperson said several roads had been closed and there are multiple reports of surface flooding.
Police are asking drivers who must travel to use extreme care – drive to the conditions – and respect road closures.
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Lulu Sun has had to withdraw from next week’s ASB Classic.Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse/Photosport
New Zealand tennis star Lulu Sun has had to withdraw from next week’s ASB Classic with a wrist injury.
Sun was expected to be one of the big attractions for the tournament, but she said she was battling an injured wrist and it had not recovered in time.
“Definitely not the way I wanted to start the new year but since Guangzhou I have been struggling with a wrist injury following a neck injury,” the 24-year-old said in an Instagram post.
“Not being able to have a proper pre-season and being injured left me no choice to sadly withdraw.
“My team and I will start preparing the best to be able to compete at the Australian Open. Hope to see you guys at AO.”
Sun has not played since reaching the final of the Guangzhou Open in October. Attempting to become the first New Zealander to win a WTA Tour-level singles title since Marina Erakovic, in Memphis in 2013, she was beaten 7-6 6-2 by American second seed Ann Li.
“This means everything to me. I get to play in front of a home crowd and fans. It is going to be energising and it’s going to be fun,” she said. “I am biased, but it is pretty much my favourite tournament of the year.”
Sun is rated at No 90 on the WTA ratings, which puts her in the main draw for the Australian Open which begins on 12 January.
Elina Svitolina is women’s top seed for the ASB Classic.Photosport
Play begins in the tournament on Monday, with the draw headlined by Ukrainian Elina Svitolina and American Emma Navarro, who have world rankings of 14 and 15 respectively.
Venus Williams, who has won seven Grand Slam singles titles, returns to Auckland for the seventh time as a wildcard player. The 45-year-old has not played since the US Open when she and Layla Fernandez made the quarterfinals in early September.
A wildcard has been awarded to Kiwi player Monique Barry. Ranked 258 in the world she will also play in the doubles with compatriot Elyse Tse.
American Sloane Stephens and Briton Katie Boulter also have been granted wildcards.
Tse and fellow Kiwi Aishi Das attempted to gain entry to the main draw through qualifying but were both beaten by more experienced opponents on Saturday.
Das lost 6-3 6-4 to Veronika Erjavec from Slovenia, while Tse lost 6-0 6-1 to Sofia Costoulas on Belgium.
Tournament organisers said on Saturday that Williams and Svitolina would play together in the doubles.
Magma Healthcare director Simon Snook said the increase likely coincided with the launch of DECIDE, the National Abortion Telehealth Service.IGOR STEVANOVIC / SCIENCE PHOTO
A sexual and reproductive health specialist says a recent rise in abortion numbers reflects improved access to care rather than an increase in demand.
There has been a 37 percent increase since abortion was decriminalised in New Zealand – from 12,948 in 2019 to 17,785 in 2024.
The Contraception, Sterilisation, and Abortion Act 1977 and the Crimes Act 1961 were amended in March 2020.
However, Magma Healthcare director Simon Snook said the increase likely coincided with the launch of DECIDE, the National Abortion Telehealth Service, in 2021.
DECIDE can arrange an early medical abortion over the phone. The service is funded by Health New Zealand and run by Magma Healthcare and Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa.
In 2024, 67 percent of abortions were early medical, compared with 36 percent in 2020.
“I think what we are seeing now is people who previously would have wanted an abortion and couldn’t get one for their own reasons are now getting it,” Snook said. “We are getting the abortion numbers correct for the country’s need.”
Snook said that a similar number of abortions – approximately 18,000 per year – took place in the 2000s. The decline in the 2010s was likely due to better access to contraception, he said.
A longer-term form of contraception, the Jadelle implant, became government-funded in 2010, while the Mirena and Jaydess intra uterine device (IUD) became government-funded in 2019.
Snook said better sex education also likely played a role, as there had been a decline in risky sexual behaviours.
While Snook said access to abortion care in New Zealand was good – especially as 86 percent of abortions were provided at 10 weeks’ gestation or fewer in 2024 – he said there needed to be more funding, and for there to be no more associated costs.
“What could be better, I think, is greater availability of local abortion providers, in terms of primary care, midwives and that sort of thing.
“But there is a real lack of funding for them to deliver that care.”
It is free to terminate a pregnancy, but there can be an associated cost.
“Not everyone needs an ultrasound scan to continue to have an abortion, but in a number of cases, a scan is required to find out how far through the pregnancy is… so although abortion care is free in New Zealand, for some people, they’re paying $50 to $150 for an ultrasound scan to be able to access that abortion.
“I think that would be something that would be really good to get under control so that we can really have free abortion care for everyone.”
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Heavy rain to hit North Island’s east coast.Unsplash / Erik Witsoe
More than a thousand homes are without power in the upper North Island as a series of short and intense thunderstorms move across the region.
Power Co reported an outage affecting over 1300 properties in the Waikato town of Tīrau.
Residents in Muriwai – south of Gisborne have also taken to social media to report power cuts and torrential rain.
Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for the Far North in the Kaeo, Kerikeri and Matauri Bay areas.
Further south, a line of severe thunderstorms is lying near Auckland and is expected to affect areas in the Rodney and Albany regions.
And on the East Coast a warning is in place for Gisborne as MetService radar detects severe thunderstorms near Gisborne, Whangara and Waimata.
MetService early on Saturday afternoon issued a thunderstorm warning for Whangārei, saying it had detected “severe” storms near Bream Head, Pataua, Taiharuru, Opahi, Purua and Hikurangi. They were expected to be “accompanied by torrential rain and large hail”. Just after 2pm the forecaster said they were no longer considered “severe”.
The on-again, off-again warning for Auckland City was back on again shortly after 3.30pm, with Waikato and Franklin included this time.
A severe thunderstorm watch remained in place for Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Northland.
The east
Civil Defence in Gisborne was on alert for the second time in a week, with another bout of heavy rain forecast to sweep across the region Saturday afternoon.
MetService early on Saturday issued an orange heavy rain warning for Gisborne/Tai Rawhiti, and in the afternoon issued a thunderstorm warning.
Mayor Rehette Stoltz says 100mm of rain was dumped on Tai Rawhiti earlier in the week.
“We are asking the public to drive to the conditions, look after yourself, and most importantly, make sure you listen to all our Civil Defence messages as we update you.”
An earlier thunderstorm warning for Wairoa was cancelled, but renewed just after 2.30pm, this time with Gisborne included.
“These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the south, and are expected to lie near Wairoa and Frasertown at 11.37am and near Wairoa, offshore [Hawke’s] Bay and Frastertown at 12.07pm. These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain.”
MetService on Saturday morning also said thunderstorms in Bay of Plenty were “expected to become more widespread later this morning or during the afternoon and spread to southern Coromandel Peninsula”.
“From late morning until tonight, some of these thunderstorms may become severe, bringing localised downpours with intensities of 25 to 40mm per hour.”
At 12.30pm the forecaster said the storm had weakened. “There are other thunderstorms in the region, but none are currently classified as severe.”
From 12pm Saturday and for the next 22 hours, Gisborne-Tai Rawhiti could expect up to 150mm of rain, especially in the ranges, and thunderstorms are possible.
A similar heavy rain warning has been issued for Hawke’s Bay north of Napier from 9am Saturday until 3am on Sunday.
Up to 120mm of rain is expected and there is also a risk of thunderstorms. Metservice says the heavy rain will ease south of the Wairoa District on Saturday night.
MetService heavy rain warnings for the North Island’s east coast on January 3.MetService/Screenshot
Further South in the Ruahine Ranges, a heavy rain watch put in place on Saturday morning was quickly lifted.
“However thunderstorms are expected today and some of these thunderstorms could produce localised warning amounts of rain,” MetService said just before 10.30am.
Heavy rain over the Christmas/New Year period saw people attending the annual Rhythm and Vines festival in Gisborne having to wade through mud, as torrential rain struck.
Meanwhile, the Horowhenua District Council has activated the Mayoral Relief Fund to support residents who have been financially impacted by the recent severe weather and prolonged power outages across the district.
MetService says weather conditions should ease by Monday, with a ridge of high pressure forecast over the country, which would make the risk of severe weather minimal.
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A Northland boatie captured a waterspout in Whangārei Harbour.Chris Howe
A Northland boatie has captured a waterspout on camera as he was sailing out of Whangārei Harbour.
Chris Howe told RNZ on Saturday afternoon he could see a thunderstorm heading towards his vessel from the west.
“There was lots of lightning, and being in a sailing boat is concerning with the tall conductive mast.”
One member of Howe’s crew then spotted something forming over the Mount Mania range of Whangārei Heads.
“I managed to grab my camera and take the photographs before we decided that we actually needed to think about where we were and the situation we were in,” Howe said.
A second waterspout then began to form in the approaching storm, and Howe said it was not possible for his vessel to outrun the storm safely.
A second waterspout was captured in the approaching storm.Chris Howe
The three crew members decided the safest option was to spend time holding position at low power in open water.
Howe said thankfully the second water spout did not come to anything.
After 45 minutes holding position, they decided to head back to land, but their biggest concern was a lightning strike.
“The more immediate concern was now lightning, particularly given that we were on a large-masted vessel effectively acting as a conductor in the open harbour water.”
They decided to enter Smugglers Bay and anchor near higher terrain to reduce exposure.
“As the system moved east, lightning activity gradually reduced and became more distant. Conditions have since eased and no damage was sustained.
“While the situation was manageable, it was genuinely concerning for a period, and required careful judgement to balance the risks of remaining offshore versus sheltering near land.”
MetService early on Saturday afternoon issued a thunderstorm warning for Whangārei, saying it had detected “severe” storms near Bream Head, Pataua, Taiharuru, Opahi, Purua and Hikurangi. They were expected to be “accompanied by torrential rain and large hail”. Just after 2pm the forecaster said they were no longer considered “severe”.
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The operators of compromised patient data app ManageMyHealth say they have received “independent confirmation” from IT experts the flaws in its code have been fixed.
ManageMyHealth confirmed last week it had identified a security incident involving “unauthorised access” to its platform. It believed between 6 and 7 percent of the approximately 1.8 million registered users may have been impacted.
On Saturday it said just one part of the app – Health Documents – had been accessed by hackers, and not the whole app.
“We now have the complete list of people whose documents may have been accessed and expect forensic confirmation of the documents effected (sic) in the coming days,” the company said in a statement.
Affected users would be contacted in the coming days, it said, “following confirmation of forensics and liaison with PHOs and GPs to ensure that individuals are getting the right information, in line with Privacy Act requirements”.
The “specific gaps” that allowed hackers to access documents had been identified and closed, the company said.
“This fix has been independently tested and verified by external cybersecurity experts.”
Logins had been made more secure, the statement assured, and the number of access attempts in a short time limited.
“For peace of mind, any Manage My Health user can reset their password or enable two-factor authentication (2FA) where available including biometric measures, to add an additional layer of protection to their accounts.”
Users could now authenticate themselves using Google and Microsoft authenticator apps, the company said.
“In addition, keep an eye out for anything unusual, such as medical bills or insurance claims you don’t recognise, or unexpected letters from healthcare providers. If you see anything that looks odd to you, contact the relevant provider immediately.”
“This is a concerning breach of patient data and Health NZ is working closely with ManageMyHealth to ensure it is being appropriately addressed,” he said.
“At this stage, there is no evidence any Health NZ systems, including My Health Account, have been compromised as ManageMyHealth has separate systems.”
Shortly before midday on Saturday he said an incident management team had been established to support ManageMyHealth.
Brown said he had asked for advice from the Ministry of Health on options for an independent review of what occurred.
The Public Service Association said the incident was a warning to government departments shedding IT staff.
“We have seen it before in the public health system with the Waikato Hospital ransomware attack in 2021, and yet this government failed to heed that lesson in forcing Health NZ to cut the jobs of experts running digital services,” national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said.
“The risks are too high to play fast and loose with data systems – it’s a ticking time bomb.”
ManageMyHealth said it was working with the police, Health NZ and the privacy commissioner, and setting up a dedicated 0800 number and online helpdesk to help affected patients.
Stargazers can expect to see the first supermoon of the new year on Saturday night if skies are clear.
Dr Ryan Ridden from the University of Canterbury said a supermoon is when a full moon at its closest point to Earth.
He said it will appear to be 10 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter than a normal full moon.
Ridden said anyone with a view out to the northeast should be able to see the supermoon, and moonrise is roughly 9.40pm. He also added it will be visible throughout the night.
“As with all astronomical objects it’s usually better to be in the middle of nowhere to limit light pollution, but the moon is pretty bright so you’ll be able to see it from cities.”
Ridden said the moon is “hanging out near Jupiter” at the moment, so when you are looking at the supermoon, the bright star just to the south will be jupiter.
He also said there is a meteor shower happening in the general area, and even though they are best viewed in moonless skies, viewers might be lucky to spot some shooting stars.
The other two supermoons will happen later this year in November and December.
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A helicopter swoops over the mountains above the Milford Road and drops explosives. Snow and ice cascade down, and when everything has settled, the area is much safer for the hundreds of thousands of visitors who will use the road below.
Each year, close to one million visitors travel the remote and rugged State Highway 94 from Te Anau to Milford Sound to reach the popular tourist destination in Fiordland National Park.
But behind the postcard-perfect scenery of glaciers, steep cliffs and waterfalls lies a high-stakes operation to keep the road open and safe no matter the weather, including using explosives to trigger avalanches before nature does.
The Milford Road Alliance, a partnership between the NZ Transport Agency and Downer, is tasked with managing the 120 kilometre stretch of highway that winds through the national park.
Milford Road Alliance’s weather/camera station above Milford Sound.Supplied
A dedicated team of 27 people work all year round to ensure travellers get to and from Milford Sound safely.
Alliance manager Kevin Thompson said the fairly short length of road presented a lot of challenges.
“We have the avalanche programme, we have rockfall issues, we have the Homer Tunnel, we have the alpine fault, we’re operating inside Fiordland National Park, and we have a very large number of tourists who visit Milford Sound both New Zealand and international visitors,” he said.
“All of those things wrap together to be quite a challenging environment.”
Among the team’s most specialised tasks is managing the risk of avalanches. Each winter, snow builds on the steep slopes above the road, creating hazards that could bury the highway without warning.
“Fiordland is an interesting place and it’s why visitors from overseas come here, it’s dynamic, it’s a big landscape. The avalanches we get here are some of the biggest in the world if they get up to their maximum and it’s because of the big valleys we have,” Thompson said.
“We can have avalanches that start way up high, they come to the edge of the cliff and then go into freefall and land on the road. Not a lot of time or chance for people to get out of the way or survive those big ones, so that’s why we have to use a number of methods to try and prevent them starting for the first case, or keep people away if we can’t deal with them ourselves.”
Some of the avalanche team completing snow tests to see what snow layers and types are building as winter progresses.Supplied
The avalanche control programme was established in 1983 to predict and manage risk from snow, ice and avalanches more effectively.
“Every winter is different, this winter we didn’t get avalanche hazard on the road until, really, the end of August,” Thompson said.
When the snow builds to dangerous levels, sometimes the team uses explosives to trigger avalanches.
“Explosives are something we don’t use all the time but when we do we will direct those where needed. So explosives we will drop into the avalanche zones that are the highest risk and we’ll bring down avalanches as much as we need to. The aim there is to try and bring them down before nature brings them down so we can control that process,” Thompson said.
Milford Road Alliance operation lead Brad Carpenter said the conditions had to be right to use explosives.
“We have to have flyable weather to get the helicopter to do that. When the conditions warrant, it takes a lot of background experience even prior to getting to working at the Milford Road, so when we’re hiring people we look for pretty extensive experience using explosives in more ski area settings,” he said.
Spring adds another challenge, as rising temperatures destabilise the snow just as tourists return in large numbers. September through to November was usually the riskiest period for avalanches, Thompson said.
The team shifted focus when it turned to summer.
An alpine weather station above State Highway 94.Supplied
Summer was a time to maintain equipment, maintain the road and infrastructure and carry out tree work to keep the road clear of trees and debris. The team also calibrated their network of weather stations, which fed into avalanche forecasting alongside MetService data.
“What we really want people to be left with is a trip to Milford Sound where they have no delays, everybody is in and out safely and we don’t interrupt or affect their visit. That, for us, is what we aim for where we don’t impact their trip, they have a safe visit and they don’t even know we do our job,” Thompson said.
He said a warming climate was adding new challenges.
Avalanche zones were being exposed to more rain and warmer temperatures, making the snow more unstable. The risk of rockfalls and trees falling was also increasing, Thompson said.
“We are expecting far greater numbers into the future into Milford Sound over the coming years so tourism is predicted to increase. That’s going to bring some interesting challenges for us as a team to manage and be part of. We are looking forward to that, that’s going to be an exciting challenge. That said, we are going to be dealing with nature and that’s changing too.”
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ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on January 3, 2026.
Oldest known cremation in Africa poses 9,500-year-old mystery about Stone Age hunter-gatherers Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica C. Thompson, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Yale University Why did this community burn one woman’s remains in such a visible, spectacular way? Patrick Fahey Near the equator, the Sun hurries below the horizon in a matter of minutes. Darkness seeps from the surrounding forest. Nearly 10,000
Heavy rain to hit North Island’s east coast.Unsplash / Erik Witsoe
The bad weather has spread north, with thunderstorm warnings in the eastern North Island cancelled but new ones in place for the Far North.
MetService early on Saturday afternoon issued a thunderstorm warning for Whangarei, saying it had detected “severe” storms near Bream Head, Pataua, Taiharuru, Opahi, Purua and Hikurangi.
They were expected to be “accompanied by torrential rain and large hail”.
A severe thunderstorm watch remained in place for Coromandel, Auckland and the rest of Northland.
The east
Civil Defence in Gisborne was on alert for the second time in a week, with another bout of heavy rain forecast to sweep across the region Saturday afternoon.
MetService has issued an orange heavy rain warning for Gisborne/Tai Rawhiti. Thunderstorms were also possible.
Mayor Rehette Stoltz says 100mm of rain was dumped on Tai Rawhiti earlier in the week.
“We are asking the public to drive to the conditions, look after yourself, and most importantly, make sure you listen to all our Civil Defence messages as we update you.”
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Wairoa just before 11.30am on Saturday.
“These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the south, and are expected to lie near Wairoa and Frasertown at 11.37am and near Wairoa, offshore [Hawke’s] Bay and Frastertown at 12.07pm. These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain.”
MetService on Saturday morning also said thunderstorms in Bay of Plenty were “expected to become more widespread later this morning or during the afternoon and spread to southern Coromandel Peninsula”.
“From late morning until tonight, some of these thunderstorms may become severe, bringing localised downpours with intensities of 25 to 40mm per hour.”
At 12.30pm the forecaster said the storm had weakened. “There are other thunderstorms in the region, but none are currently classified as severe.”
From 12pm Saturday and for the next 22 hours, Gisborne-Tai Rawhiti could expect up to 150mm of rain, especially in the ranges, and thunderstorms are possible.
A similar heavy rain warning has been issued for Hawke’s Bay north of Napier from 9am Saturday until 3am on Sunday.
Up to 120mm of rain is expected and there is also a risk of thunderstorms. Metservice says the heavy rain will ease south of the Wairoa District on Saturday night.
MetService heavy rain warnings for the North Island’s east coast on January 3.MetService/Screenshot
Further South in the Ruahine Ranges, a heavy rain watch put in place on Saturday morning was quickly lifted.
“However thunderstorms are expected today and some of these thunderstorms could produce localised warning amounts of rain,” MetService said just before 10.30am.
Heavy rain over the Christmas/New Year period saw people attending the annual Rhythm and Vines festival in Gisborne having to wade through mud, as torrential rain struck.
Meanwhile, the Horowhenua District Council has activated the Mayoral Relief Fund to support residents who have been financially impacted by the recent severe weather and prolonged power outages across the district.
MetService says weather conditions should ease by Monday, with a ridge of high pressure forecast over the country, which would make the risk of severe weather minimal.
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Police are concerned about the owner of a bike left near Lake Ōhau.Police/Facebook
Police were concerned about the owner of a bike left near Lake Ōhau in the South Island for several days, but have since identified the owner.
The bike had been at the Temple Campsite shelter off Lake Ohau Road since at least 27 December, according to police.
The bike was left at the Temple Campsite shelter off Lake Ohau RoadPolice/Facebook
Otago coastal search and rescue coordinator Sergeant Matt Sheat earlier said the bike may have been left by a tramper or climber.
“Our concern is that the owner may be overdue from a trip or have got into trouble in the area, and we want to hear from the bike’s owner, or anyone who may know who it belongs to,” Sheat said.
Later on Saturday, police said they had identified the owner and were no longer seeking information.
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Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Wilson says officers found the body of a woman at the property on Old Coach Road on Thursday.
A 50-year-old man faces charges of assault on a family member. He was taken into custody and was due to appear in Tauranga District Court on Friday, charged with assault on a person in a family relationship.
Meanwhile, the man’s death was being treated as unexplained.
On Friday, officers also found the body of a man at a separate house on the property.
Post mortems were due to take place.
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Officers were called to the property on Kerr Street about 11pm on Thursday.RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Police are appealing to the public for information about an unexplained death in Auckland’s Devonport on New Year’s Day.
Officers were called to the property on Kerr Street about 11pm on Thursday.
Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting said a scene examination was ongoing, and police would be around the area through the weekend.
“We’re appealing for assistance from residents and businesses in the Devonport area with road-facing CCTV cameras,” he said. “Specifically, those on Vauxhall Road, between Grove Road and Church Street.”
Anyone who drove down Vauxhall Road or Kerr Street, between 10.30am and 10.30pm on 1 January who had dash camera footage was also urged to get in touch, referencing file number 260102/0177.
The St John ambulance had two officers on board, transporting a patient in a moderate conditionSt John
One person was critically injured in a crash between an ambulance and a car in Northland on Friday night.
Emergency services were called to Cove Road in Waipu around 7.50pm.
The St John ambulance had two officers on board, transporting a patient in a moderate condition from Mangawhai Heads to Whangārei Hospital.
One ambulance officer was treated for moderate injuries and was taken to Whangārei Hospital, along with a person in a critical condition.
The other officer and the patient on the ambulance were not injured as a result of the crash, and the patient was transported to hospital by another ambulance.
The damaged ambulance has been taken off the road for repairs, a St John statement said.
“Hato Hone St John takes the health and safety of the public and our people very seriously. We will assist Police with their investigation. Support will be provided to our ambulance staff involved; our thoughts are with everyone affected by the incident.”
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Police are concerned about the owner of a bike left near Lake Ōhau.Police/Facebook
Police are concerned about the owner of a bike left near Lake Ōhau in the South Island for several days.
The bike has been at the Temple Campsite shelter off Lake Ohau Road since at least 27 December, according to police.
The bike was left at the Temple Campsite shelter off Lake Ohau RoadPolice/Facebook
Otago coastal search and rescue coordinator Sergeant Matt Sheat says the bike may have been left by a tramper or climber.
“Our concern is that the owner may be overdue from a trip or have got into trouble in the area, and we want to hear from the bike’s owner, or anyone who may know who it belongs to,” Sheat said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the police.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Heavy rain to hit Norht Island’s east coast.Unsplash / Erik Witsoe
The latest bout of wet weather is targeting the east coast of the North Island, from Tai Rawhiti to the Ruahine Ranges.
Two orange heavy rain warnings and a heavy rain watch are in place.
From 12pm Saturday and for the next 22 hours, Gisborne-Tai Rawhitican expect up to 150mm of rain, especially in the ranges, and thunderstorms are possible.
A similar heavy rain warning has been issued for Hawke’s Bay north of Napier from 9am Saturday until 3am on Sunday.
Up to 120mm of rain is expected and there is also a risk of thunderstorms. Metservice says the heavy rain will ease south of the Wairoa District on Saturday night.
MetService heavy rain warnings for the North Island’s east coast on January 3.MetService/Screenshot
Further South in the Ruahine Ranges, a heavy rain watch is in force until 9pm Saturday.
Heavy rain over the Christmas/New Year period saw people attending the annual Rhythm and Vines festival in Gisborne having to wade through mud, as torrential rain struck.
Meanwhile, the Horowhenua District Council has activated of the Mayoral Relief Fund to support residents who have been financially impacted by the recent severe weather and prolonged power outages across the district.
MetService says weather conditions should ease by Monday, with a ridge of high pressure forecast over the country, which would make the risk of severe weather minimal.
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National Secretary for PSA Fleur Fitzsimons is calling on the Privacy Commissioner to reconsider investigating the impact of cuts to Health NZ’s digital services workforce.RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The Public Service Association (PSA) says the security breach at privately run ManageMyHealth highlights the risk of cutting IT experts in public health.
It said the government had “blundered” when they cut off the jobs of many IT experts “safeguarding the public health system”.
ManageMyHealth confirmed last week it had identified a security incident involving “unauthorised access” to its platform. It believed between 6 and 7 percent of the approximately 1.8 million registered users may have been impacted.
PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said the breach was a “wake-up call for the entire health sector in New Zealand”.
“We have seen it before in the public health system with the Waikato Hospital ransomware attack in 2021, and yet this government failed to heed that lesson in forcing Health NZ to cut the jobs of experts running digital services.
“The risks are too high to play fast and loose with data systems – it’s a ticking time bomb.”
She said hospitals were using outdated systems but no longer had experts who could understand their weaknesses
Fitzsimons called on the privacy commissioner to reconsider a previous request by the PSA to investigate the impact of cuts to Health NZ’s digital services workforce.
Health Minister Simeon Brown previously said government agencies were working with ManageMyHealth to fully understand the scope of the breach and to protect the privacy of patients.
“This is a concerning breach of patient data and Health NZ is working closely with ManageMyHealth to ensure it is being appropriately addressed,” he said.
“At this stage, there is no evidence any Health NZ systems, including My Health Account, have been compromised as ManageMyHealth has separate systems.”
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