It was the highest level since March 2015 and worse than forecast by economists and the Reserve Bank.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis said while she would prefer the unemployment rate was lower, the underlying details were positive.
“We are working very hard to get unemployment to come down. What is positive to see is that 15,000 more jobs were created in the past three months, that the hours people are working are increasing, that more people are feeling optimistic about getting a job, so are entering that workforce.
“So that’s really positive to see and what economists are interpreting that data to mean is that we are getting that stabilization and recovery in the economy.”
‘Incredibly embarrassing’ – Labour
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said the latest unemployment figures were an indictment on the coalition.
“I don’t think the government can spin their way out of this. They’ve been saying for over a year now that unemployment had peaked and that things were getting better, that there were green shoots in the economy, and for so many New Zealand families, things have continued to get worse.
“These are real people with real lives that cannot find work when they need it. Christopher Luxon, Nicola Willis, the whole government need to own up to the fact that they are making things worse, not better.
“This is incredibly embarrassing for Nicola Willis, but it’s worse for the families who can’t find work when they need it.”
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said the figures showed the three party coalition was a “government of despair”.
“There are more people without jobs and without income now, under this government, than at any time in over ten years.
“Food banks are overwhelmed. Homelessness is everywhere.
“Those who are fortunate enough to have jobs still have it tough. Groceries and bills continue to rise ahead of wages for many workers,” Davidson said.
“A just government would be fighting to make sure everyone had the means to have a good job, food on the table, and a safe place to call home.”
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A person has been seriously injured after a car crash in Springston in Canterbury on Wednesday.
Police were notified of the crash, involving a car and a pedestrian, around 3.30pm.
Initial indicators were that the pedestrian had received serious injuries, police said.
Leeston Road was closed and diversions were in place at the Goulds Road and Leeston Road intersection and at the Bethels Road and Leeston Road intersection.
Motorists were advised to avoid the area and expect delays.
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meaghan O’Donnell, Professor and Head, Research, Phoenix Australia, Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health, The University of Melbourne
In their day-to-day work, first responders – including police, firefighters, paramedics and lifesavers – often witness terrible things happening to other people, and may be in danger themselves.
For some people, this can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which usually involves intrusive memories and flashbacks, negative thoughts and emotions, feeling constantly on guard, and avoiding things that remind them of the trauma.
But our research – which tested a mobile app focused on building resilience with firefighters – shows PTSD isn’t inevitable. We found depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms were less likely when firefighters used a mental health program that was self-led, specifically addressed trauma and focused on teaching practical skills.
First responders’ mental health
First responders report high rates of psychiatric disorders and often have symptoms of depression (such as persistent feelings of sadness), anxiety (such as nervousness or restlessness) and post-traumatic stress (including distressing flashbacks).
Sometimes symptoms aren’t severe enough for a diagnosis.
But left untreated,these “sub-clinical” symptoms can escalate into PTSD, which can severely impact day-to-day life. So targeting symptoms early is important.
However, stigma – as well as concerns about confidentiality and career implications – can prevent first responders from seeking help.
What we already knew about building resilience
For the past decade, we have been testing a program designed to give people exposed to traumatic events the skills to manage their distress and foster their own recovery.
The “Skills for Life Adjustment and Resilience” (SOLAR) program is:
skills-based – it teaches people specific strategies and tools to improve their mental health
trauma-informed, meaning it has been designed for people who have been exposed to trauma, and avoids re-traumatisation
and has a psychosocial focus, focusing on what people can do in their relationships, behaviour and thinking to improve their mental health.
Participants complete modules focused on:
the connection between physical health and mental health
staying socially connected
managing strong emotions
engaging and re-engaging in meaningful activities
coming to terms with traumatic events
managing worry and rumination.
The SOLAR program trains coaches to deliver these modules in their communities. Importantly, these coaches don’t necessarily have specific mental health training, such as Australian Red Cross volunteers, community nurses and case workers.
What our new research did
The evidence shows the SOLAR program is effective at improving wellbeing and reducing depression, post-traumatic stress and anxiety symptoms.
But working with firefighters in New South Wales, they told us they wanted a self-led program they could complete confidentially, independently of their employer, and in their own time – a mobile app. So we wanted to test if the program would still be effective delivered this way.
A total of 163 firefighters took part in our recent randomised control trial, either using the app we co-designed with them, or a mood monitoring app.
A mood monitoring app tracks daily emotions to help understand patterns in how someone is feeling. There is evidence to show it can be useful for some people in reducing symptoms.
But this kind of app doesn’t teach a person practical skills that can be applied to different situations. And it does not specifically address stressful or traumatic experiences. So we wanted to test if taking a skills approach made a significant difference.
The app was self-directed, so firefighters could complete modules in their own time. Spark Digital
What we found
Eight weeks after they started using one of the two apps, we followed up with the firefighters.
The study found those who used the SOLAR app had significantly lower symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress, compared to those in the mood monitoring group.
We followed up with participants again three months after their post-treatment assessment.
We found:
depression was much lower in the group who learned practical skills about trauma, compared to those who used the mood monitoring app, and
anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms had reduced significantly for both groups since starting their program (but there was no real difference between them).
What does this mean?
Both apps improved mental health.
But the results show using the SOLAR app, which focused on building skills and specifically addressing trauma, reduced mental symptoms more quickly. It was especially useful for tackling depression longer term.
Firefighters also told us they liked the app. This is important – an app is only effective when people use it.
Around half of the firefighters started using it completed all the modules. This is much higher than usual for mental health apps. Typically, only around 3% of those who start using a mental health app complete them.
The more modules a firefighter completed, the more their mental health improved.
The takeaway
It’s common for firefighters and other first responders to struggle with mental health symptoms. Our study demonstrates the importance of intervening early and teaching practical skills for resilience, so that those symptoms don’t develop into a disorder such as PTSD.
A program that is self-led, confidential and evidence-based can help protect the mental health of first responders while they do the work they love, protecting us.
Meaghan O’Donnell (Phoenix Australia) receives funding from government funding bodies such as National Health and Medical Research Council, and Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and philanthropic bodies such as Wellcome Trust Fund (UK), Latrobe Health Foundation, and Ramsay Health Foundation. Funding for this study in this Conversation article was from icare, NSW.
Tracey Varker (Phoenix Australia) receives funding from government funding bodies such as Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and philanthropic foundations such as Latrobe Health Services Foundation. Funding for the study described in this Conversation article was from icare NSW.
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on February 4, 2026.
You spin some, you lose more: how Albanese’s gambling rhetoric falls short Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rohann Irving, Research Fellow, Flinders University As a new parliamentary year resumes, politicians such as the ACT’s David Pocock have renewed their calls for legislation to tackle Australia’s gambling losses, which are the worst in the world per capita. When questioned about its lack of action on
An ‘AI afterlife’ is now a real option – but what becomes of your legal status? Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wellett Potter, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of New England ziphaus/Unsplash Would you create an interactive “digital twin” of yourself that can communicate with loved ones after your death? Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has made it possible to seemingly resurrect the dead. So-called griefbots or deathbots –
What the RBA wants Australians to do next to fight inflation – or risk more rate hikes Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meg Elkins, Associate Professor in Economics, RMIT University When the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board voted unanimously to lift the cash rate to 3.85% on Tuesday, the decision was driven by one overriding concern. It wants to stop the rising cost of living from becoming entrenched.
Big Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi delegation joins Māori in solidarity over Te Tiriti Asia Pacific Report Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi, a Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawai’ian) initiative for self-determination and self-governance formed in 1987, has sent a 17-member Indigenous delegation to Waitangi to stand in solidarity with Māori in defence of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The delegation is present to “stand alongside Māori leadership, strengthen international solidarity, and affirm the
Why preferential voting is superior to first past the post Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The South Australian state election will be held on March 21. Preferential voting will be used to elect members for all 47 single-member lower house seats. This
Is NZ defence and intelligence policy aligning with AUKUS in all but name? Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicola Macaulay, Senior Tutor and PhD Candidate, Centre for Defence and Security Studies, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University NZ Defence Force Across the Pacific and the Southern Ocean, New Zealand has been trying to strike a careful balance in its defence and surveillance approach. While
High Court defeat piles pressure on ’embarrassed’ Fiji PM Rabuka’s leadership, says academic By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor A court ruling in favour of Fiji’s dismissed anti-corruption chief has “embarrassed” Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, a New Zealand-based Fiji politics academic says. University of Canterbury distinguished professor Steven Ratuva told RNZ Pacific Waves that while the Fiji High Court decision on Barbara Malimali offered “clarity” on the separation
The fall of Peter Mandelson and the many questions the UK government must now answer Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Martin Farr, Senior Lecturer in Contemporary British History, Newcastle University Peter Mandelson and Keir Starmer pictured in February 2025. Flickr/Number 10, CC BY-NC-ND No accident waiting to happen can ever have delivered on its promise so spectacularly as Lord Mandelson, with the continuous revelations of his ties
The rise and fall (and rise again) of gold prices – what’s going on? Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David McMillan, Professor in Finance, University of Stirling i viewfinder/Shutterstock In late January, the gold price reached an all-time peak of around US$5,500 (£4,025). January 30 saw one of the largest one-day falls in prices, which sank by nearly 10% after hitting a record high only the
A brief history of table tennis in film – from Forrest Gump to Marty Supreme Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jeff Scheible, Senior Lecturer in Film Studies, King’s College London Table tennis and film have a surprisingly entangled history. Both depended on the invention of celluloid – which not only became the substrate of film, but is also used to make ping pong balls. Following a brief
Winter Olympic security tightens as US-European tensions grow Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Keith Rathbone, Senior Lecturer, Modern European History and Sports History, Macquarie University Since the murder of 11 Israeli hostages at the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, security has been fundamental for games stakeholders. The 2024 Paris games set new benchmarks for security at a mega-event, and now the
I studied 10 years of Instagram posts. Here’s how social media has changed Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By T.J. Thomson, Associate Professor of Visual Communication & Digital Media, RMIT University Antoine Beauvillain/Unsplash Instagram is one of Australia’s most popular social media platforms. Almost two in three Aussies have an account. Ushering in 2026 and what he calls “synthetic everything” on our feeds, Head of Instagram
Voluntary assisted dying isn’t available to all Australians. In 2026, this may finally change Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben White, Professor of End-of-Life Law and Regulation, Australian Centre for Health Law Research, Queensland University of Technology Voluntary assisted dying is now available almost everywhere in Australia. This means eligible adults can choose to end their lives with medical assistance. In November 2025, the Australian Capital
Potoroos digging for ‘truffles’ keep their forests healthy – but for how long? Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emily McIntyre, PhD candidate in Ecology, The University of Melbourne Think truffles and you’ll probably think of France. But Australia is actually a global hotspot for truffle-like fungi, boasting hundreds of different species. Like culinary truffles, these truffle-like fungi produce underground sporing bodies rather than send up
New research shows Australians support buying local for different reasons – and not all will pay more Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Luckman, Professor of Culture and Creative Industries, Adelaide University We have now passed the annual Australia Day peak of calls urging us to “buy Australian” – especially lamb. The iconic green-and-gold “Australian Made, Australian Grown” logo, launched by then-Prime Minister Bob Hawke in 1986, turns 40
Olives have been essential to life in Italy for at least 6,000 years – far longer than we thought Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emlyn Dodd, Senior Lecturer in Classical Studies, Institute of Classical Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London; Macquarie University How far back does the rich history of Italian olives and oil stretch? My new research, synthesising and reevaluating existing archaeological evidence, suggests olive trees have been
Diabetes care in NZ: thousands of patient records reveal who’s being left behind Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lynne Chepulis, Associate Professor, Health Sciences, University of Waikato Getty Images For the tens of thousands of New Zealanders who live with type 2 diabetes, managing the chronic condition can start to feel like keeping score. A patient is given a list of numbers by their doctor.
Not an artefact, but an ancestor: why a German university is returning a Māori taonga Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael La Corte, Research Associate, Curation and Communication, University of Tübingen Restitution debates – the question of whether a cultural object should be returned from a museum or other collection to a person or community – often begin with a deceptively simple question: who owns an object?
‘Journalism is not a crime’ – US journalists arrested for covering ICE church protest AMY GOODMAN: We begin today’s show looking at the arrests of two American journalists for covering a protest at the Cities Church [in the Minnesota Twin City of] St Paul, where a top ICE official serves as pastor. Former CNN anchor Don Lemon and independent journalist Georgia Fort from the Twin Cities were released last
OpenClaw and Moltbook: why a DIY AI agent and social media for bots feel so new (but really aren’t) Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Binns, Senior Lecturer, Media & Communication, RMIT University NurPhoto / Getty Images If you’re following AI on social media, even lightly, you will likely have come across OpenClaw. If not, you will have heard one of its previous names, Clawdbot or Moltbot. Despite its technical limitations,
The hīkoi makes its way through Kerikeri on Wednesday morning.Supplied / Kishea Pihema-Wilson
Teenagers taking part in a hīkoi from Cape Rēinga to the Treaty Grounds this week say they’re standing up for future generations and sending a message to the government about honouring Te Tiriti.
About 60 people, many carrying banners and flags, took part in this morning’s leg of the march through Kerikeri’s town centre.
The are due to arrive at Waitangi on Friday morning.
The six-day hīkoi combines driving, walking and running, with many participants taking turns to run the length of Ninety Mile Beach on the first day, and planning to run between the Far North towns of Moerewa and Kawakawa today.
The march is a tradition stretching back decades, with this year’s theme, Mana Mokopuna, reflected in the large number of youth taking part.
Karirikura Taipari, 16, of Ahipara, said she was doing it to support future generations.
“And to make sure our generation knows how to stand up for their rights,” she said.
Taipari said she was looking forward to bringing the hīkoi’s message to Waitangi on 6 February.
The hīkoi made its way through Kerikeri on Wednesday morning, on is way from Cape Rēinga to Waitangi.RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Even if the government succeeded in sidelining the current generation, they couldn’t get rid of future generations, she said.
Capri Murray, 17, of Whangape, said she hoped that their message was “coming through loud and proud”.
“We’re doing all of this walking everywhere and heaps of running, so they should be getting the message – especially since it’s not just for us, it’s for everyone.”
Her call to the country’s leaders was to “honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi, because it was here before you were”.
Fifteen-year-old Kendra Matiu, from Kaitāia, said her aim was to tautoko [support] her whānau and future generations.
“It’s been really fun and we’ve been to a lot of places, and we’ve done a lot of running … that’s not really fun, but it’s cool when people support us.”
Haare Kawiti, 19, of Wellington, said he’d had experiences he wouldn’t forget, like sleeping on the ground in Kerikeri and running on Ninety Mile Beach.
“That was pretty tough … I’m doing it to celebrate our culture and uplift the tamariki out there – even though I probably still count as one,” he said.
Coordinator Rueben Taipari said the group left Te Rerenga Wairua (Cape Rēinga) on Sunday, marching through Kaitāia and Kāeo and staying overnight at Waimanoni and Kenana marae.
The hīkoi made its way through Kerikeri on Wednesday morning, on is way from Cape Rēinga to Waitangi.RNZ / Peter de Graaf
On Tuesday night they camped near Kerikeri’s Kororipo Pā, a hugely significant site due to be returned to Ngāpuhi next month.
Tonight they would be hosted by Ngāti Hine at Waiomio Marae, south of Kawakawa.
Taipari said no one could argue with the theme of this year’s hīkoi.
“Everybody should be thinking about a better future for their children and grandchildren. With all these fascist, racist governments, the world is in chaos. But we wanted to bring something different – to still make a strong statement, but to have a positive reason for marching.”
Taipari said many of New Zealand’s problems today would not exist if society was always focussed on future generations.
“Three generations ago, people did have that concept. They built good infrastructure, they invested taxes to make a good, strong country. But that hasn’t been happening for the past few generations, and I think that’s where the problems are. We’re not thinking about the good of society and the nation. We’re just thinking about ourselves.”
Taipari said the purpose of the hīkoi was whakawhanaungatanga, or making connections among people.
“But it’s also a physical thing to capture that mauri [life force] we bring from Te Rerenga Wairua, and connect it to every community and every tribe and every hapū that we pass through … It builds a strong movement and continues to uphold that living document of Te Tiriti Waitangi.”
Taipari said he was never concerned about the numbers taking part, but this year’s hīkoi had a particularly “intense energy” thanks to the large proportion of young people.
He was coordinating the march but rangatahi [youth] were making the decisions, he said.
“People complain about young people being on their devices all the time and say they don’t do anything. Well, I’ve seen a different energy on this hīkoi. And I’d say that’s an analogy for the future. Watch out everybody. They’re coming.”
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Recent storms which have resulted in blocked roads have stopped beekeepers from getting to their hives.123RF
Beekeepers blocked from getting to their hives mid-harvest due to roads closed by recent storms, are expecting a lighter and later honey harvest this year.
Barry Foster, an industry stalwart and semi-retired beekeeper of Tai Rāwhiti, said harvest was one of the busiest times of the year, but it was interrupted by the storms.
“The result is that numbers of beekeepers around the district have hives that they can’t access at the moment because of the lack of roads,” he said.
Foster said one beekeeper’s hives, truck and loader were still stuck in the Waioweka Gorge, that remained closed following slips.
“He needs this gear and he needs to access his hives to treat them for varroa mite, and other things.
“Thankfully, he’d taken his honey off then, but he can’t access important vehicles to do the rest of his 2000-odd boxes of honey he’s got to take off.”
A beekeeper tending his hivesRNZ/Sally Round
Foster said the geology of the East Coast was fragile and the area had suffered a lot of slips, particularly north of Tolaga Bay.
“Te Araroa has been badly affected, it’s been cut off at the top of the East Cape. Roads are blocked from slips, so it’s having a multiplying effect.”
He said access was compromised for some affected beekeepers whose hives were found near wild mānuka crops in remote backcountry.
“It’s not just us that are affected, it’s farmers and beekeepers who can’t access their hives and do the things that they need to do in a timely manner, like harvest honey and control of bee mite, the varroa mite.”
He said moisture was a challenge in the hive.
“Bees need sun and warmth, and plants need the same to produce nectar and moisture too, but not too much moisture.
“Those are the combinations, so if you get a deluge, it’s affecting the whole linked ecosystem.”
A beekeeper inspecting a hive.Linda Newstom-Lloyd
Bad weather hits national honey harvest
Karin Koss, chief executive of industry group Apiculture New Zealand, said national honey production was down this year.
“Harvest started well, but the recent bad weather has seen the harvest fall short of early expectations,” she said.
Honey extraction business Gielen Family Farm of Motukarara in Banks Peninsula had a late harvest last year and this year too.
Co-owner Stacey Gielen said weather delayed harvest into late December.
“Our first job was just after Christmas. My customer in Ashburton; she always has really strong, really healthy hives,” she said.
“It’s been really great to see how much honey she brought in, because we certainly don’t see any sort of volume like that at home at the moment.”
Gielen said it was hard to say how the remainder of the season would go.
“If the weather’s going to carry on like that, I don’t think there’s going to be a lot of honey to go about for just local honey producers.”
Foster said many in the honey industry were cash-strapped after a few tough years of low honey sales.
But he said higher demand for pollination services from the booming horticulture sector was helping offset this.
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Tanah Boyd of the New Zealand Warriors.Brett Phibbs/www.photosport.nz
The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has decided not to proceed with a proposed kick-off rule change but fans will notice other on-field rule changes for the 2026 NRL season.
The ARLC confirmed rule changes on Wednesday following a consultation process with clubs, players, coaches and key stakeholders.
“After careful consideration of feedback received during the consultation period, the ARLC has decided not to proceed with the proposed kick-off rule change, which would have allowed the conceding team the option to kick off or receive the kick-off following a try.
“The ARLC acknowledged the strong engagement from stakeholders and noted that, while the proposal was initially supported in principle, consultation identified a number of concerns.”
The commission endorsed a trial of a proposed rule regarding the non-scoring team having the option of kicking-off or receiving from the restart. The change will be trialled in games with no bearing on the finals at the back end of the 2026 season before further consideration.
Chairman Peter V’landys said the decisions reflected the commission’s commitment to a consultative approach to rule changes.
“The consultation process was thorough and constructive, and while there was initial support for the kick-off proposal, stakeholders raised legitimate concerns,” V’landys said.
“After weighing that feedback carefully, the commission determined that it was not in the best interests of the game to proceed with that particular change at this time.
“The changes that are being implemented are intended to build on the success of the 2025 season by enhancing the entertainment value for fans, while also providing additional tactical options for coaches.”
The ARLC approved the following on-field rule changes
Trainer rules
Trainers will be restricted from entering the field of play to prescribed and clearly defined circumstances. This will ensure player safety remains the priority while reducing unnecessary intrusions by trainers carrying messages.
Interchange rules
Teams may interchange four players, up to eight times per match, from a squad of six players (players 14 to 19 inclusive).
Accidental breach (“zero tackle”) in-goal
There will be no seven-tackle set following a knock-on in-goal by the attacking team.
Restarting the tackle count
For certain infringements beyond the 20-metre line, the tackle count will restart, replacing the current 40-metre threshold.
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The Prime Minister is due to speak to reporters after meeting with the Iwi Chairs Forum, which gave its backing to a court case against a piece of government legislation.
Minister for Māori Crown Relations Tama Potaka said the meeting was “robust” and “interrogative”, but also an “exchange.”
“There needs to be an exchange of ideas, an exchange of investigative queries, but also a sense of optimism and progress, and that’s what we’ve seen [on wednesday].”
Potaka said there were always questions around legislative frameworks and funding.
Christopher Luxon is in Waitangi with a contingent of government ministers ahead of the political pōwhiri taking place on Thursday, which he will attend.
Luxon was keen to talk to the Forum about the weather response and the economy.
Christopher Luxon is in Waitangi with a contingent of government ministers.RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith said this issue wasn’t raised directly. In terms of relations between Māori and the Crown, Goldsmith said “we are absolutely positive on opportunities for Māori to thrive and succeed”.
“There’s a lot we agree on, there’s lots of things we disagree on, but there’s plenty that we can work constructively together on, so it’s very positive.”
Prior to the meeting taking place, Pou Tangata chair Rahui Papa said the key message to the government would be what strategies would they employ to bolster Māori aspirations, instead of legislation which “unpicks” te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Afterward, Tukuroirangi Morgan of Waikato-Tainui said it was a “productive” meeting, saying the iwi leaders were at a position where “we need to get stuff done”.
Despite being election year he said, work needed to continue.
Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith.RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
“And the government needs to be conscious that actually working in a much more strategic way to complete action plans, business plans, all of the stuff that we’ve been talking to them for a long, long time should get done.”
Morgan said the Prime Minister was “very committed” to the Treaty relationship.
“We have to try and find creative ways of working with the government in the face of tough economic times, there are still opportunities, and we need to take those opportunities.”
And Aperahama Edwards of Ngāti Wai called the meeting “beneficial”.
“Some of the sensitive things that needed to be discussed were discussed. Some of the pain points that our people have been experiencing were addressed, at least given voice to, and then other matters were spoken to as well.”
Speaking to the mood at Waitangi compared to the last time Luxon was there in 2024, Edwards said there was still “a lot of pain”.
“Our people are hurting, and we’re mindful of that, but there’s also a calm here as well, and an optimism at the thought of what sort of change might be coming.”
Te Arataura chairperson Tukuroirangi Morgan with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.RNZ/Calvin Samuel
Henare announced his plans on Tuesday, citing exhaustion and a desire to spend more time focusing on his family and future.
While it was known Henare would not be contesting the Tāmaki Makaurau seat, his announcement he would not be standing at all came in the middle of a joint press conference by the Labour and Green Party leadership.
He told one media platform of his plans before Labour had the chance to put out its own announcement, but Labour leader Chris Hipkins, who initially refused to answer questions about the resignation, denied the announcement had been bungled.
As well, local government and diplomatic corps representatives were welcomed onto the Treaty Grounds with a pōwhiri for the Kiingitanga taking place this afternoon.
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A man who has cancer says he’s been so discouraged by what he’s discovered about early KiwiSaver withdrawals that he hasn’t even tried to get much-needed money out of his account – and wants the system to change.
The man, who wants only to be identified as Christopher because he has not told his teenage children about his prognosis, said he had been given about three years to live.
He was told in August that his cancer was stage four and terminal.
“At the time of discovery in August, the doctor said that based on what he saw, I only had a handful of months left. Fortunately, I have private health insurance and was therefore able to actually be seen and start treatment. If I hadn’t already had private health insurance, I’m sure I would have died before I was able to start treatment, if I’d been forced to rely strictly on the public health system.”
“I’ve got limited time and fighting with someone that’s holding my money and refusing to give it up is just one more stress I can’t afford.”
He pointed to a case that was dealt with by Financial Services Complaints Ltd, in which a woman wanted to withdraw her money early.
She too had incurable cancer and was not expected to reach 65.
She applied on the basis of serious illness but was declined because the supervisor for the scheme said she did not meet the criteria because she was expected to live at least another 12 months.
She argued it was unfair because she was not going to need the money for retirement. She said it was also unfair to say she was able to work because she was sacrificing time with her family to do so.
FSCL said the decision to decline her application was reasonable given that she did not face an imminent risk of death, which was determined as likely to happen in the next six to 12 months.
Christopher said he had lost his job as a public servant and had eight months without work before he found a contract role that lasts until June.
“Different kinds of cancer have different effects. Pancreatic cancer for example, is extremely painful and quite brutal. I’ve got bowel/colon cancer so the immediate first-order effects are moderate in comparison. However, things like the side-effects of chemo, the fact that treatment is two days out of five working days … it’s a lot for an employer to be willing to deal with. Those two days are strictly for the treatment/chemo infusion. The next day … it’s hard to even get out of bed. For me, that’s every other week.
“And that’s not even going into the various side effects of the medication, like puking, hyper-sensitivity to cold, brain fog and so forth.
“Even when I move, I’m super slow compared to a few months ago … Future contracts mean I have to disclose my diagnosis and hope that doesn’t mean I lose the contract to someone that doesn’t have cancer.”
He said living in Wellington with a mortgage and two kids meant that he had to work.
“I’ve got two or three years where I’ll be able to essentially function but … living ain’t easy. And dying is surprisingly hard too it seems. Instead of being able to spend time with the family, I’m either working or sleeping.”
He said the system should change.
“In theory, it’s my money. The government is apparently confident enough in my ability to manage it and get good returns, that they’ve cut the amount they’re willing to match.
“And yet trying to actually do something with it, people are treated as if they’re applying for a loan and have to justify it to the bank/service provider. I understand that there need to be rules to prevent people withdrawing it willy-nilly but when you’re talking about someone literally dying … I think it’s a bit ridiculous.
“I don’t deserve to actually enjoy the couple of remaining years of good life that I have and instead have to wait until I’m knocking on the hospice door, before they’ll reluctantly agree that they guess they can release my money? It feels like the banks/service providers consider it to be their money and it’s massively inconvenient for them when we need access to it. With the amount of profits the banking sector has turned in over the last few years, it’s kind of hard to swallow that these rules are in place just for my own good.”
David Callanan, general manager of corporate trustee services at Public Trust.Supplied / Public Trust
David Callanan, general manager of corporate trustee services at Public Trust, said he was sorry to hear about Christopher’s situation. He said while he could not speak about a specific case, in general people could apply to withdraw money under significant hardship or serious illness criteria.
“Under a serious illness application, people may meet criteria for ‘imminent risk of death’ as stated by law, allowing a full withdrawal of their KiwiSaver investment. The Financial Services Council’s guidelines interpret this as the person being diagnosed with a terminal illness with 18 months or less to live.
“However, supervisors and providers are encouraged to take a commonsense approach and the supervisor assesses each application individually.
“As part of the withdrawal application, the person will need a doctor or nurse practitioner to complete a declaration form confirming their illness. This form asks the medical practitioner to give a detailed description of their patient’s condition and attach any supporting evidence.
“Under a serious illness withdrawal application, a person may meet criteria to withdraw if they are totally and permanently unable to work due to their illness. This could allow them to access a full or partial withdrawal, or one-off costs.
“A person can also apply to withdraw on significant financial hardship grounds. In most cases, this could allow them to access an amount equivalent to up to 13 weeks of living expenses, including any one-off costs. We encourage people to speak to their KiwiSaver provider in the first instance to discuss early withdrawal options.”
The Prime Minister is due to speak to reporters after meeting with the Iwi Chairs Forum, which gave its backing to a court case against a piece of government legislation.
Minister for Māori Crown Relations Tama Potaka said the meeting was “robust” and “interrogative”, but also an “exchange.”
“There needs to be an exchange of ideas, an exchange of investigative queries, but also a sense of optimism and progress, and that’s what we’ve seen [on wednesday].”
Potaka said there were always questions around legislative frameworks and funding.
Christopher Luxon is in Waitangi with a contingent of government ministers ahead of the political pōwhiri taking place on Thursday, which he will attend.
Luxon was keen to talk to the Forum about the weather response and the economy.
Christopher Luxon is in Waitangi with a contingent of government ministers.RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith said this issue wasn’t raised directly. In terms of relations between Māori and the Crown, Goldsmith said “we are absolutely positive on opportunities for Māori to thrive and succeed”.
“There’s a lot we agree on, there’s lots of things we disagree on, but there’s plenty that we can work constructively together on, so it’s very positive.”
Prior to the meeting taking place, Pou Tangata chair Rahui Papa said the key message to the government would be what strategies would they employ to bolster Māori aspirations, instead of legislation which “unpicks” te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Afterward, Tukuroirangi Morgan of Waikato-Tainui said it was a “productive” meeting, saying the iwi leaders were at a position where “we need to get stuff done”.
Despite being election year he said, work needed to continue.
Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith.RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
“And the government needs to be conscious that actually working in a much more strategic way to complete action plans, business plans, all of the stuff that we’ve been talking to them for a long, long time should get done.”
Morgan said the Prime Minister was “very committed” to the Treaty relationship.
“We have to try and find creative ways of working with the government in the face of tough economic times, there are still opportunities, and we need to take those opportunities.”
And Aperahama Edwards of Ngāti Wai called the meeting “beneficial”.
“Some of the sensitive things that needed to be discussed were discussed. Some of the pain points that our people have been experiencing were addressed, at least given voice to, and then other matters were spoken to as well.”
Speaking to the mood at Waitangi compared to the last time Luxon was there in 2024, Edwards said there was still “a lot of pain”.
“Our people are hurting, and we’re mindful of that, but there’s also a calm here as well, and an optimism at the thought of what sort of change might be coming.”
Te Arataura chairperson Tukuroirangi Morgan with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.RNZ/Calvin Samuel
Henare announced his plans on Tuesday, citing exhaustion and a desire to spend more time focusing on his family and future.
While it was known Henare would not be contesting the Tāmaki Makaurau seat, his announcement he would not be standing at all came in the middle of a joint press conference by the Labour and Green Party leadership.
He told one media platform of his plans before Labour had the chance to put out its own announcement, but Labour leader Chris Hipkins, who initially refused to answer questions about the resignation, denied the announcement had been bungled.
As well, local government and diplomatic corps representatives were welcomed onto the Treaty Grounds with a pōwhiri for the Kiingitanga taking place this afternoon.
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When questioned about its lack of action on gambling reform, the government frequently responds with:
We have taken more action on problem gambling than any government since Federation – in history.
It’s a line heard repeatedly from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in defence of his government’s record.
But how much has actually been done? And how does this government’s gambling legislation record stack up against its predecessors?
Albanese’s efforts to curb gambling harm
When Albanese refers to the action his government has taken on gambling harm, two key measures are mostly mentioned.
The June 2024 credit ban forbids online wagering companies from accepting credit cards and other digital currencies (like crypto) as payment methods.
But recent research found the credit ban has the “least impact” among reforms on Australia’s highest-spending gamblers, with most swapping to transaction accounts following the ban.
The other key action Albanese mentions is the August 2023 introduction of BetStop, which allows online wagerers in Australia to add their names to a digital exclusion register.
This self-restriction from all forms of regulated online wagering is for a timeframe of the gambler’s choosing.
Additionally, gambling researchers have criticised measures like BetStop for placing the responsibility for harm reduction on people rather than the wagering industry.
Who can claim credit for BetStop?
BetStop is the centrepiece of Albanese’s ambitious case for action on gambling harm, but is this a fair claim?
BetStop is the last of ten harm-reduction measures designed and implemented as part of this framework, delivered in stages from 2018 to 2024.
Among these were new gambling advertising taglines such as “chances are you’re about to lose” and prohibition of betting companies offering lines of credit to consumers.
BetStop was launched a year after the incumbent Coalition government was defeated by Albanese’s Labor. But along with the wider National Consumer Protection Framework, it was designed and scheduled by former governments.
These are matters of timing rather than Labor initiative.
What have other governments done?
Even if BetStop was a solely Albanese/Labor-led initiative, the claim that this government has done more than any other in addressing gambling harm remains shaky.
In the past decade, the Coalition government made wagering providers offer deposit limits to customers and mandated more stringent customer verification processes, among a suite of other measures.
In 2013, the Julia Gillard-led Labor government banned the promotion of live betting odds on television and prohibited in-play generic gambling advertising for sports broadcasts.
Gambling ads, though, were allowed in breaks in play and either side of matches.
Gillard also came close to introducing mandatory pre-commitment at poker machine venues but eventually backed down, blaming lack of parliamentary support.
Looking further back, several state governments passed significant legislation in the early 20th century.
A series of reforms in the early 1900s restricted most legal betting to racecourses and sports grounds and imposed new age restrictions on gambling.
But since those pre-digital times, gambling in Australia has exploded, with most governments having done relatively little in tackling gambling harm.
The claim Albanese’s reforms are more significant than any others is a weak one, given so little has been done at federal level.
A way forward
Omnipresent advertising by online sport gambling companies and cross-border gambling flows have placed the federal government under increasing pressure to combat Australia’s chronic gambling habit.
In June 2023, the Labor government was handed a prime opportunity to cement its legacy in tackling gambling harm.
“You win some, you lose more” – the report of an inquiry into online wagering led by Labor’s late Peta Murphy – contained 31 cross-party supported recommendations.
The report’s most conspicuous proposal was a phased, complete ban on online wagering advertising.
But widespread political and popular support has come a distant second to the influence of professional sports, commercial television companies and gambling corporations.
A diversionary tactic of industry body Responsible Wagering Australia is to refocus the collective gaze onto illegal offshore bookmakers.
More than two years since former Opposition Leader Peter Dutton called aggressively for banning wagering ads during sporting broadcasts, and the Coalition’s inquiry members supporting the Murphy report’s recommendations, the Coalition has gone quiet on the subject.
Despite frequent promises that a full response to the Murphy report and ensuing action were imminent, Albanese continues to stall.
With each day he delays, his claim to unprecedented gambling reform looks increasingly disingenuous and overly influenced by vested interests.
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.
Would you create an interactive “digital twin” of yourself that can communicate with loved ones after your death?
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has made it possible to seemingly resurrect the dead. So-called griefbots or deathbots – an AI-generated voice, video avatar or text-based chatbot trained on the data of a deceased person – proliferate in the booming digital afterlife industry, also known as grief tech.
As with any application of new technology, the idea of such digital immortality raises many legal questions – and most of them don’t have a clear answer.
Your AI afterlife
To create an AI digital twin of yourself, you can sign up for a service that provides this feature, and answer a series of questions to provide data about who you are. You also record stories, memories and thoughts in your own voice. You might also upload your visual likeness in the form of images or video.
The AI software then creates a digital replica based on that training data. After you die and the company is notified of your death, your loved ones can interact with your digital twin.
But in doing this, you’re also delegating agency to a company to create a digital AI simulation of yourself after death.
From the get go, this is different to using AI to “resurrect” a dead person who can’t consent to this. Instead, a living person is essentially licensing data about themselves to an AI afterlife company before they’ve died. They’re engaging in a deliberate, contractual creation of AI-generated data for posthumous use.
However, there are many unanswered questions. What about copyright? What about your privacy?. What happens if the technology becomes outdated or the business closes? Does the data get sold on? Does the digital twin also “die”, and what effect does this have for a second time on the bereaved?
What does the law say?
Currently, Australian law doesn’t protect a person’s identity, voice, presence, values or personality as such. In contrast to the United States, Australians don’t have a general publicity or personality right. This means, for an Australian citizen, there’s currently no legal right for you to own or control your identity – the use of your voice, image or likeness.
In short, the law doesn’t recognise a proprietary right in most of the unique things that make you “you”.
Under copyright law, the concept of your presence or self is abstract, much like an idea is. Copyright doesn’t offer protection for “your presence” or “the self” as such. That’s because there has to be material form in specific categories of works for copyright to exist: these are tangible things, such as books or photos.
However, typed responses or the voice recordings submitted to the AI for training are material. This means the data used to train the AI to create your digital twin would likely be protectable. But fully autonomous AI generated output is unlikely to have any copyright attached to it. Under current Australian law, it would likely be considered authorless because it didn’t originate from the “independent intellectual effort” of a human, but from a machine.
Moral rights in copyright protect a creator’s reputation against false attribution and against derogatory treatment of their work. However, they wouldn’t apply to a digital twin. This is because moral rights attach to actual works created by a human author, not any AI-generated output.
So where does that leave your digital twin? Although it’s unlikely copyright applies to AI-generated output, in their terms and conditions companies may assert ownership of the AI-generated data, users may be granted rights in outputs, or the company may reserve extensive reuse rights. It’s something to look out for.
There are ethical risks, too
Using AI to make digital copies of people – living or dead – also raises ethical risks. For example, even though the training data for your digital twin might be locked upon your death, others will be accessing it in the future by interacting with it. What happens if the technology misrepresents the deceased person’s morals and ethics?
As AI is usually probabilistic and based on algorithms, there may be risk of creep or distortion, where the responses drift over time. The deathbot could lose its resemblance to the original person. It’s not clear what recourse the bereaved may have if this happens.
AI-enabled deathbots and digital twins can help people grieve, but the effects so far are largely anecdotal – more study is needed. At the same time, there’s potential for bereaved relatives to form a dependence on the AI version of their loved one, rather than processing their grief in a healthier way. If the outputs of AI-powered grief tech cause distress, how can this be managed, and who will be held responsible?
The current state of the law clearly shows more regulation is needed in this burgeoning grief tech industry. Even if you consent to the use of your data for an AI digital twin after you die, it’s difficult to anticipate new technologies changing how your data is used in the future.
For now, it’s important to always read the terms and conditions if you decide to create a digital afterlife for yourself. After all, you are bound by the contract you sign.
Wellett Potter is a member of the Copyright Society of Australia and the Asia-Pacific Copyright Association.
When the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) board voted unanimously to lift the cash rate to 3.85% on Tuesday, the decision was driven by one overriding concern. It wants to stop the rising cost of living from becoming entrenched.
For some, like self-funded retirees, the rate rise was good news. Higher interest means their savings and term deposits will earn more. But for many others, including first home buyers who might have stretched themselves just to get a foot into the housing market, it was a very bad day.
I know this is not the news that Australians with mortgages want to hear, but it is the right thing for the economy.
She warned the alternative – letting inflation keep rising – would be even harder for more Australians.
So what’s the psychology behind the RBA raising rates now and leaving the door open to further hikes if needed? And what does the central bank hope Australians will do in response?
The price squeeze you’re feeling
There’s a striking gap between how the RBA describes the economy and how most Australians experience it.
But as Bullock acknowledged on Tuesday, the daily reality has felt very different.
The price level has gone up 20% to 25% over the last few years, and people see that every time they walk into a supermarket, or they go to the doctor, or whatever – that’s I think what’s hurting people.
That relentless price squeeze is not something you forget, even when the rate of increase starts to slow.
What’s driving inflation up?
The headline consumer price index (CPI) hit 3.8% in the year to December, well above the RBA’s target band of 2–3%. The “trimmed mean” – the underlying measure the RBA watches most closely – rose to 3.3%. Both are too high and moving in the wrong direction.
Bullock singled out three factors contributing to inflation. Each behaves differently and requires a different response.
Housing was the single largest contributor to inflation in December, up 5.5% over the year. That includes rents, which rose 3.9% (or 4.2% stripping out government rent assistance), as well as insurance, utilities, and new construction costs, which rose 3% as builders passed through higher labour and material costs.
There is an irony here. Rising interest rates are intended to cool demand, but they slow housing construction. Limited supply of housing is what’s pushing rents up in the first place.
“Durable goods” are the things we buy to last, such as cars, refrigerators, washing machines, televisions and furniture. Demand for many of those has been higher in the past year.
“Market services” are items such as restaurant meals, taxis, haircuts, gym memberships, medical appointments and holiday travel.
The RBA watches these carefully, because these are services priced by supply and demand in the domestic market. Those prices tend to be “sticky”: once they start rising, they don’t come back down easily.
Wages are also a big part of market services inflation. If the people providing those services are earning more, the cost goes up.
This is where the behavioural psychology gets interesting.
The RBA cut interest rates three times in 2025. Each cut sent a signal, whether intentionally or not: it’s OK to spend a bit more.
And spend we did. CommBank data shows Australians spent A$23.8 billion over the two-week Black Friday period, up 4.6% on the year before.
It’s a cautionary tale about “rational expectations”. Each rate cut potentially fuelled the belief that more would follow.
If people feel like they can afford to spend, then they spend. Businesses, sensing demand, may raise their prices to match. That’s exactly the self-fulfilling dynamic central banks worry about.
When prices go up, as they have been, workers ask for bigger wage rises to keep up. To pay higher wages, businesses lift prices to protect their profit margins. Together, that can create a “wage-price spiral” that becomes very hard to break.
The RBA will be hoping Australians respond to this rate rise in three ways:
spending less
saving more
not asking for big wage rises (although they’d never phrase it that way).
RBA Governor Michele Bullock described raising interest rates as “a very blunt instrument” to bring inflation down, and noted setting rates is “not a science. It’s a bit of an art, really […] We’ve just got to respond as best we can.”
The RBA can’t undo the price rises that have already happened. It can only try to slow down further increases.
Meg Elkins 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.
Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi, a Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawai’ian) initiative for self-determination and self-governance formed in 1987, has sent a 17-member Indigenous delegation to Waitangi to stand in solidarity with Māori in defence of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
The delegation is present to “stand alongside Māori leadership, strengthen international solidarity, and affirm the deep genealogical and oceanic ties shared by Indigenous peoples of Moana Nui a Kanaloa”, a statement said.
Members of the delegation participated in a pōwhiri yesterday with iwi taketake at Te Tii Waitangi Mārae, marking a formal welcome and the beginning of their engagement alongside Māori communities and leaders.
Members of the delegation will speak at the Political Forum tent tomorrow, take part in the dawn ceremony on February 6, and march alongside their whānau in support of Te Tiriti.
The delegation has issued a formal Statement of Solidarity calling on the international community to watch developments in Aotearoa while “political actions continue to seek to weaken and reinterpret Te Tiriti and undermine Māori rangatiratanga”.
The Kanaka Maoli statement raised serious concern that recent New Zealand government actions and political rhetoric had “misrepresented efforts” to address structural discrimination as “racial privilege”.
The government actions had also enabled legislative initiatives seeking to “radically redefine” the meaning of Te Tiriti — triggering widespread national protests, multiple claims before the Waitangi Tribunal, judicial review proceedings, and large nationwide hui of Māori leaders.
‘World should know’ “The world should know what is happening in Aotearoa. As Kanaka Maoli, we know what it means to have our lands, waters, and political future decided without us,” said Healani Sonoda-Pale, spokesperson for Ka Lāhui Hawaiʻi.
“We came to Waitangi so the world can see that Māori are not standing alone — and that Indigenous peoples across the Pacific are watching, standing together, and demanding that Te Tiriti o Waitangi be fully honored.
“Our struggles are connected, and our collective liberation as Indigenous peoples of Oceania are bound to one another.”
Senior All Blacks have closed ranks around Ardie Savea after the superstar flanker bore the brunt of public backlash for Scott Robertson’s sacking.
Rumours of a Savea-led revolt against Robertson have been rife but firmly rejected by both players and NZ Rugby.
All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor staunchly hit back at the criticism of Savea.
“The way the narrative has been put onto Ards is totally unfair. When someone of his calibre goes away to a different comp, it’s easy to point fingers but that’s not the case at all. I know for a fact he wants the best for this team and he really respected Razor.”
Rumours of a Savea-led revolt against Robertson have been firmly rejected by both players and NZ Rugby.Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
Patrick Tuipulotu said Savea was an easy target.
“He’s been used as a scapegoat where he’s just expressed his views in a review where everyone on the team does. I suppose it’s just easy to latch onto him because he is probably the best player in the world at the moment. So yeah, bit disappointing, but people are going to say what they say.
“It won’t bother him. He’s the type of guy just carry on.”
Fellow loose forward Wallace Sititi reiterated that Savea will be unfazed by the speculation.
“He’s my brother, so yeah it’s a bit disappointing, but the fans are passionate about their footy, but we all know who Ardie is as a person and that’s the main thing.”
Sititi said putting the politics aside, the reality of the saga is that a man has lost his job.
“We’ve got to acknowledge the human factor of it. The jersey demand’s the best but I just wish Razor and his family the best.”
Having worked closely with Robertson with the Crusaders, Taylor said it was a hard personal pill to swallow.
Codie Taylor playing against the Pumas in Nelson.Photosport
“It was pretty tough. Came as a bit of a shock. I have got a lot of respect for Ray as a person, as a coach, what he’s achieved and for with what’s happened I feel for him and his family but I suppose from a high performance point of view, they’ve made the decision and now it’s looking to the future.”
Taylor said Robertson was incredibly passionate about the position.
“I know he gave everything, and wanted to give everything for the All Blacks every week and he wanted the best of the players, and for a coach to be like that, I know he was good for the group and there’s just some things that probably haven’t shaped up the way they should have.”
Having reached out to Robertson to offer support, Taylor said the enigmatic Robertson was struggling.
“He’s not great as anyone would expect when you get the honour of his job and then it’s taken away, and he’s feeling it. New Zealand’s a small place, so I feel for him, I feel for Jane (his wife), and his kids.”
Tuipulotu said there was also a real feeling of indecision amongst the players.
“Especially with the head coach vacancy. I suppose it’s the chance for players to step up and keep the group gelled. A lot of unknown and interesting times. Not knowing what’s going to happen, that’s the uneasy bit. However, in this day and age, high performance sport [is] really cut-throat and it just shows how it cut-throat it is. So it just means we have to be on our game a bit more.”
The injured Blues lock said senior All Blacks have been sure to stay connected during the fallout.
Tuipulotu and other senior All Blacks have been in close communication after Robertson was fired.ActionPress
“After it was announced about Razor, we had a team Zoom to sort of make it clear what happened and what the decision was, and it was important for the playing group to focus on Super Rugby, play well, and then hopefully by the time Super Rugby’s done, there’s a new coach and something in place for them and for us to come into.”
As for whether change was needed?
“Yes and no. I think there’s always change for improvement and certainly probably felt there was improvement needed.”
Tuipulotu said players have shared their hopes for the new man to take the reins.
“There’s a list there, but none of us know who the shortlist is. So I think we’re sort of asked what we see in a coach, what we want in a coach personally. So I think that was delivered to a panel.”
He said the reaction to the news by the public was just part and parcel for the All Blacks.
“I think we just have some die-hard fans who want to see us do well and that’s all part of the game.”
Taylor reiterated this notion.
“I think it’s sort of expected, right? It’s a high performance environment. It’s pretty ruthless. A process was played out and this is the outcome of it, It’s been done now, we just have to look forward to what’s ahead and hopefully we get back on that stage and be dominant.”
While a turbulent time for the team, Sititi believes the All Blacks remain a force in world rugby.
“I think we’ve still got our aura. I’m going to back my brothers, and back the black jersey.”
Wallace Sititi.Daniel Carson/Photosport NZ
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A cordon is in place on Ulster Street in Hamilton.Libby Kirkby-McLeod
A man is in a critical condition after being shot by police in Hamilton.
About 10am, police swarmed a Hamilton street and closed off a hotel.
In Inspector Will Loughrin said police responded to reports of a vehicle driving “erratically” in Te Awamutu just before 9am.
Information suggested the driver was wanted by police in relation to other serious incidents.
When police caught up to the vehicle on Ulster Street in Hamilton, the man allegedly pointed a shotgun at police.
“Police appealed for the man to put the shotgun down, which he failed to do.
“An officer then fired two shots at the offender.”
Medical assistance was given to the man immediately before he was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
He was now in a moderate condition, Loughrin said, and his injuries were not believed to be life threatening.
“A second occupant of the vehicle was taken into custody at the scene,” Loughrin said.
“Thankfully, no police staff were injured in this incident.”
Loughrin said Ulster Street remains closed off from the Mill Street intersection and the public is urged to avoid the area.
“We want to reassure the community that there is no ongoing public safety risk following this incident.
“Police are conducting reassurance patrols around the area. The community can also expect to see an increased police presence in the coming days.”
Earlier, an RNZ reporter at the scene said police cars could be seen parked in the street and police officers were going door-to-door speaking with people.
They declined to answer questions.
Alpha Motel manager Ford McArley, inside the cordon, said he also heard something before police arrived at the scene.
“I started drilling in the rooms to put TVs on the wall and just heard what sounded like two car tyres, and didn’t think anything of it,” he said.
“And then right outside the motel, there were police everywhere.”
McArley said police weren’t saying much about what happened.
He said it wasn’t typical of the street.
“I’ve been here just about three months now, and we’ve never had the street blocked off like this,” McArley said.
Police were expected to speak to media on Wednesday afternoon.
Loughrin said a critical incident investigation was underway and the incident will also be referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
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The adult pūteketeke didn’t see the danger as they don’t perceive ducks as a threat, DOC says.Supplied / Department of Conservation
Three murderous mallards have been euthanised after preying on pūteketeke chicks in Canterbury’s Mackenzie basin.
Department of Conservation (DOC) rangers were shocked when a person sent in photos of three ducks hunting and killing freshly hatched native pūteketeke (Australasian crested grebe) chicks next to Lake Alexandrina, south of Lake Tekapo.
The pūteketeke garnered international attention in 2023 when comedian John Oliver successfully campaigned for it to win the Forest and Bird’s Bird of the Century crown.
In a press release, DOC principal biodiversity ranger Dean Nelson said staff were horrified to see graphic photos of the chicks being eaten alive, as it was unusual for ducks to prey on other birds.
“Mallard ducks usually eat plant material, with a little bit of protein from insects and snails during the breeding season,” he said.
“It was shocking to see them eating pūteketeke chicks. We went out there straight away and I observed three mallard ducks in the outlet creek where the grebe nests are.”
Nelson said the ducks were “actively scoping out the pūteketeke nests to see if they had chicks”.
Pūteketeke are classed as nationally vulnerable birds.Supplied / Department of Conservation
“The adult pūteketeke didn’t see the danger as they don’t perceive the ducks as a threat.”
Duck behaviour of this nature was unknown to DOC’s experts, with further concern it could spread, as ducks learnt from each other, Nelson said.
“There was a case which was referenced in a research paper from a Cambridge University scientist describing how a group of mallard ducks were attacking and eating the chicks of two common bird species in Romania in 2017. It claimed this was a world first and the ducks may have been searching for a source of protein before laying eggs and nesting,” he said.
The person who raised concerns did the right thing by calling the department and taking photos as evidence, Nelson said.
“This is a great example of people taking action for nature and looking out for our vulnerable species. While some people think the pūteketeke is introduced because of its name (the Australasian crested grebe), the reality is they’re native and are classed as nationally vulnerable,” he said.
“We want the public to be really engaged with nature. People can be our eyes and ears out ‘naturing’ and that’s fantastic for us, as our rangers can’t be everywhere.”
Campers and boaties around Canterbury’s popular Lake Benmore shoreline were asked to look out for pūteketeke over the summer period last December following reports of nests being disturbed at the Ōhau C campground.
Many nests neighboured the boat ramp and spread out around the lake shore.
The pūteketeke colony had 40 to 50 nests annually for the last five breeding seasons and birds had raised their young much later than usual in the outlet creek next to Lake Alexandrina.
DOC staff had caught the three ducks in question with nets and removed them from the site and humanely euthanised them.
Staff were also heading out again on Wednesday to check no other mallard ducks had repeated the behaviour.
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Wellington’s Moa Point wastewater treatment plant has been shut down and staff evacuated from the site, after an equipment failure flooded multiple floors.
Untreated wastewater is being discharged into the sea and that may continue for some time, Wellington Water chief executive Pat Dougherty said.
“This is a serious situation and we anticipate the plant will be shut down for an extended period,” he said.
Wellington’s Moa Point wastewater treatment plant on Wednesday.RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Dougherty strongly advised the public to stay away from south coast beaches, and said a rāhui would be placed over the affected area.
“We will have boots on the ground today, with our customer teams distributing information about public health and advice.
“An environmental team will be undertaking water quality testing. More information will be provided at lunchtime today. This is a complex incident, and all necessary resources are being utilised,” he said.
Dougherty said it was unacceptable.
A sign warning of a sewage discharge from Moa Point.RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
“We apologise to the public, local community and our iwi partners for the public health and environmental impact caused.”
The mechanical failure began at 1am on Wednesday.
Fire and emergency shift manager Murray Dunbar said three fire trucks responded to a fire alarm activation there about 12.40 am.
The crews reported they were unable to access the lower building due to flooding and they were going to wait for a building representative to be contacted and respond, Dunbar said.
The Moa Point problem followed two other wastewater discharge notices on Tuesday night, which were caused by heavy rain.
Wellington Water’s Moa Point treatment plant (file photo).Wellington Water
Partially treated wastewater was discharged into Wellington’s Karori Stream at 10.45pm on Tuesday, which flows into the sea on the south coast.
About half an hour before that, fully treated sewage was released at 10.18pm into Waiwhetū Stream in Lower Hutt, which flows into the sea near Petone beach.
Water monitoring body Land, Air, Water Aotearoa advised people to stay out of the sea for two or three days after heavy rain.
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NZ Rugby (NZR) has confirmed today that Dane Coles is the recently retired player on its appointments panel for the next All Black coach.
NZR had previously announced the five-person panel would include Board Chair David Kirk, 132-test All Black Keven Mealamu, interim CEO Steve Lancaster and former Black Sox coach Don Tricker.
Coles comes back into the All Black environment after retiring in 2023, having played 90 tests over 11 seasons.
The panel will find a successor to Scott Robertson, who was sensationally sacked as All Black coach last month.
Robertson guided the team to 20 wins in 27 tests over two seasons, however Kirk said that the NZR board had concerns over the trajectory of the team before next year’s World Cup in Australia.
The leading candidates appear to be Jamie Joseph and Dave Rennie, after the confirmations that Joe Schmidt will stay in his role as Wallaby coach, and Vern Cotter’s move to the Queensland Reds next season.
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Wellington Phoenix player Pia Vlok has been called up to the Football Ferns for the first time.photosport
Fresh from scoring Wellington Phoenix’s first hattrick in the A-League Women, Pia Vlok will make her senior debut with the Football Ferns as the team begins the qualification process for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.
Head coach Michael Mayne has named two new faces in the 23-player squad for this month’s qualifying journey in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Seventeen year-old Vlok, who captaining New Zealand at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup last year, is joined by Newcastle Jets’ standout Charlotte Lancaster in a new cycle for the Football Ferns.
Lancaster is having a breakout A-League season and has scored three goals in eight games from midfield.
Goalkeeper Maddie Iro is also selected as part of the initial squad for the first time after joining as an injury replacement for October’s games in Mexico and the USA.
“It is great to get this group together ahead of an important year and start the journey to achieve the first of our goals, qualifying for Brazil in 2027,” Mayne said.
“This tour presents some different challenges, especially with the global nature of our squad and players both in the middle of competitive seasons or in preseason and looking to establish themselves, so we have had to account for a number of factors when selecting the final 23.
“I am confident we have the right balance of those who were available for selection and a group that are able to get straight to work when we arrive in Honiara to secure our qualification for the semi and finals back in New Zealand.”
Mayne said he wanted competition to be high in every position but was also working to ensure players “can thrive mentally and physically at this level with the high demands to perform as a cohesive team”.
“What has been exciting to see, and aligns with our strategy to build capability, is seeing players performing well and consistently in their leagues, so rewarding Pia and Charlotte, who have earned call ups after making a big impact in the A-League Women, is great to be able to do.”
The Football Ferns will begin their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 qualifying journey, as part of Group A at the Oceania Qualifiers, on 27 February against Samoa, before facing hosts Solomon Islands on 2 March and American Samoa on 5 March.
All games will be played at the National Stadium in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
The top two sides in Group A will then take on the top two from Group B, played in Fiji, in the Semi-Final and Final of the Oceania Qualifiers, played in New Zealand, to secure a place in Brazil for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.
The full squad is:
Liz Anton (25 caps/0 goals) Canberra United, Australia
Mackenzie Barry (22/1) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Hannah Blake (8/0) Durham FC, England
Kelli Brown (9/0) Newcastle Jets, Australia
Claudia Bunge (38/0) Melbourne Victory, Australia
Milly Clegg (20/2) Vittsjö GIK, Sweden
Manaia Elliott (5/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Victoria Esson (31/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Michaela Foster (30/1) Durham FC, England
Maya Hahn (8/1) FC Viktoria Berlin, Germany
Maddie Iro (0/0) Hills United, Australia
Deven Jackson (7/0) Melbourne City, Australia
Grace Jale (35/8) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Katie Kitching (23/6) Sunderland AFC, England
Charlotte Lancaster (debut) Newcastle Jets, Australia
Meikayla Moore (75/4) Calgary Wild, Canada
Emma Pijnenburg (8/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Indiah-Paige Riley (34/3) Crystal Palace, England
Alina Santos (1/0) University of Denver, USA
Rebekah Stott (108/4) Melbourne City, Australia
Pia Vlok (debut) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Lara Wall (2/0) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Grace Wisnewski (5/0) FC Nordsjælland, Denmark
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New Plymouth mayor Max Brough previously said the removal or modification of the cycleway would be one of his first jobs.ROBIN MARTIN / RNZ
The mayor of New Plymouth has revealed low-profile rubber lane dividers will replace the city’s controversial concrete cycleway separators – nicknamed Tim Tams due to their resemblance to the popular biscuit.
In a video briefing Max Brough said the rubber lane dividers – he’d branded Mallowpuffs – would replace the Tim Tams along a stretch of Devon Street West.
“We’re going from Tim Tams to Mallowpuffs. The concept is that we’re going to go away from those horrible concrete blocks that are causing so much stress and the new ones are going to be put down and I think people are going to be pleasantly surprised.”
Brough campaigned on pulling up the Tim Tams and wanted to turn it into a community event.
He apologised for how long it was taking.
“The Tim Tam battle could’ve been accelerated faster but we’ve got where we’ve got to and it’s largely down to the cost.”
The Transport Agency paid for and installed the $3.8 million cycleway and council staff had estimated it would cost $1.6 million to remove them adding 1.1 percent to rates.
Brough said councillors had baulked at the expense during a December meeting that recommended they remain for at least nine months.
“That was the appetite in the chamber on the day if we’re going to rip all of that out and go back [to what we had] is it a retrograde step and then the cost that was looked at it came back as too much to be doing in a hurry.”
Some motorists complained they had driven into the concrete lane dividers causing hundreds of dollars worth of damage to their vehicles, but the cycleway was popular with some bike riders and an audit by engineering firm Becca found it had improved safety along Devon Street West which feeds onto State Highway 45.
Brough said NZTA was co-operating with council and a design had been completed for the Morley Street to Belt Road section of Devon Street West.
That work would start at the end of March to coincide with the resealing of the road.
Some carparks would be reinstated and there was an information evening for planned residents.
Max Brough says NZTA are co-operating with council and a design has been completed for the Morley Street to Belt Road section of Devon Street West.ROBIN MARTIN / RNZ
Brough did not clarify what the ‘Mallowpuffs’ would be made of in the video briefing, but he told the Taranaki Daily New they would be low-profile rubber dividers about 80mm high and 2m-long.
Motorists would be able to drive over them.
The Tim Tams were more than 100mm high.
In the video briefing, Brough was not clear whether the ‘Mallowpuff’ solution was a trial or intended to be used along the entire length of the cycleway.
In a statement, council officers said it was only a trial.
“Several different types of separators as an alternative to the current concrete structures, will be trailed, along with a shared path.
“We will be monitoring the trial area and the rest of the corridor and report back to council in September. This will inform the elected members’ decision on what will happen next.”
Tim Tam Alley was the subject of two presentations due to be heard at the first meeting of the council’s new Public Engagement Committee.
The mayor established the committee to give the public a greater opportunity to speak directly with councillors and influence council decisions.
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A cordon is in place on Ulster Street in Hamilton.Libby Kirkby-McLeod
A person has been taken to hospital in a critical condition as police swarm a Hamilton street and close off a hotel.
A motel staff member inside the cordon along Ulster Street and Abbotsford Street in the suburb of Whitiora said they heard gunshots about 10am on Wednesday.
St John said they were called to the scene just before 10am and had taken a critically injured person to Waikato Hospital.
A police spokesperson said cordons were in place while they responded to an incident but did not provide further details.
Libby Kirkby-McLeod
An RNZ reporter at the scene said police cars could be seen parked in the street and police officers are going door-to-door speaking with people.
They declined to answer questions.
A resident who wanted to go home had been told by police he was not able to at this time.
Alpha Motel manager Ford McArley, inside the cordon, said he also heard something before police arrived at the scene.
“I started drilling in the rooms to put TVs on the wall and just heard what sounded like two car tyres, and didn’t think anything of it,” he said.
“And then right outside the motel, there were police everywhere.”
McArley said police weren’t saying much about what happened.
He said it wasn’t typical of the street.
“I’ve been here just about three months now, and we’ve never had the street blocked off like this,” McArley said.
Police were expected to speak to media about what happened on Wednesday afternoon.
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne
The South Australian state election will be held on March 21. Preferential voting will be used to elect members for all 47 single-member lower house seats. This is the same system as used for federal House of Representatives elections.
Some Australian conservatives are advocating Australia return to first past the post (FPTP), but a conservative government introduced preferential voting in 1918 to stop vote splitting between two conservative parties. Right-wing preferences helped the Coalition maintain its grip on power from 1949 to 1972. Preferential voting is far superior to FPTP.
After Labor’s landslide at the May 2025 federal election, some right-wingers have complained that preferential voting gave Labor too many seats. They want Australia to revert to FPTP, where there are no preferences. In FPTP, the candidate with the most votes wins the seat.
National primary votes at the election were 34.6% Labor, 31.8% Coalition, 12.2% Greens, 6.4% One Nation and 15.0% for all Others. After preferences, Labor defeated the Coalition by 55.2–44.8 and won 94 of the 150 House of Representatives seats (63% of seats). In both two-party and seat share, this was Labor’s biggest win since 1943.
While Labor’s margin expanded after preferences, they won the national primary vote by 2.8%. Analyst Kevin Bonham said that on primary votes, Labor would have won 86 seats to 57 for the Coalition (actual 94 to 43). Labor’s primary votes were much more efficiently distributed than the Coalition’s.
Labor won a disproportionate seat share at the election, but this occurs with single-member systems, particularly with a blowout result. Those complaining about Labor’s big majority should advocate switching to proportional representation, not FPTP.
The United Kingdom 2024 election was held using FPTP. Labour won 411 of the 650 seats (63% of seats) on 33.7% of the national vote. This occurred primarily because Labour’s vote share was ten points ahead of the second placed Conservatives.
A brief history of preferential voting in Australia
Prior to 1918, federal elections used FPTP. In 1918, there was a byelection for Swan that was contested by the Nationalists (a predecessor of the Liberals), the Country Party (a predecessor of the Nationals) and Labor.
Labor won this byelection with 34.4%, to 31.4% for the Country Party and 29.6% for the Nationalists. With the combined vote for the two conservative options adding to 61.0%, it was clear a different system would have given the Country Party the win.
After this byelection, the Nationalist government introduced preferential voting, resulting in Labor losing the Corangamite byelection in 1918 to a Victorian Farmers candidate by 56.3–43.7, despite Labor winning the primary vote by 42.5–26.4 with 22.9% for the Nationalists.
Originally preferential voting was introduced to allow the two conservative parties (now Liberals and Nationals) to compete against each other without splitting the conservative vote and giving Labor wins it didn’t deserve. There are still “three-cornered” contests now where the Liberals, Nationals and Labor all contest the same seat.
This Wikipedia page gives national primary votes for Labor, the Coalition and all Others, the Labor and Coalition estimated two-party share and House seats won by Labor, Coalition and others at elections from 1910 to 2022.
Until the 1990s, the combined primary votes for the major parties was around 90% in most elections. This means that other than in three-cornered contests, preferences had limited impact. There were high Other votes in 1931, ‘34, ’40 and ’43, with the first three cases due to a Labor split (New South Wales Lang Labor).
In the first two of these cases, Labor was far behind on primary votes and made up some ground on preferences, but the Coalition still won easily. In 1940, Labor trailed by 3.7% on primary votes but won the two-party vote by 50.3–49.7. However, the Coalition formed government with the support of two independents until those independents sided with Labor in 1941.
In 1943, there was a split within the Coalition, and other preferences favoured the Coalition, reducing Labor’s primary vote lead of 26.9 points to 16.4 points after preferences.
In 1955, a Labor faction split from Labor and became the Democratic Labor Party (DLP), directing preferences to the Coalition. From 1955 until the DLP’s demise in 1974, it dominated the third party vote, and so overall preferences in this period assisted the Coalition.
The DLP helped the Coalition to have the longest period of one-party government from 1949 to 1972. Labor was estimated to have won the two-party vote in 1954, 1961 and 1969, but the Coalition won a majority of House seats.
Since 1987, preferences have favoured Labor, allowing it to overturn primary vote deficits to win the two-party vote in 1987, 2010 and 2022. First the Democrats and then the Greens assisted Labor after preferences. One Nation’s first rise at the 1998 election didn’t stop overall preferences from favouring Labor.
The only time Labor formed government while losing the two-party vote occurred in 1990, when they won a majority of seats despite losing by 50.1–49.9. Labor lost the election in 1998, even though it won the two-party vote by 51.0–49.0.
Some recent polls have One Nation surging into second place behind Labor, ahead of the Coalition. On current polling, there are more right-wing sources of preferences than left-wing sources, so overall preference flows could favour the right at the next federal election, whether it’s One Nation or the Coalition that benefits most.
In early elections, some seats were often uncontested, meaning only one candidate nominated for that seat. No votes were counted in such seats, so national primary votes will be distorted by the exclusion of these seats.
Why preferential voting is superior to FPTP
At the 2025 election, Labor’s Ali France defeated Liberal leader Peter Dutton in his seat of Dickson by 56.0–44.0. But Dutton had more primary votes than France, winning 34.7% of the primary vote to 33.6% for France, with 12.2% for a teal independent, 7.6% for the Greens and 4.2% for One Nation.
FPTP gives a massive benefit to the side of politics (left or right) that has its vote more concentrated with one party or candidate. In the two 1918 byelections, the left vote was concentrated with Labor, and in Dickson 2025 the right vote was concentrated with Dutton. Preferential voting is far fairer by allowing all candidates’ votes to eventually count.
In FPTP, many voters need to choose between supporting the candidate they most prefer even if that candidate is uncompetitive, and voting for the candidate best placed to keep someone they dislike out. Votes for uncompetitive candidates are effectively wasted in FPTP.
Labor may have won Dickson under FPTP as some of the teal and Greens voters would probably have voted for Labor tactically to beat Dutton. But voters shouldn’t need to make these choices.
Parliaments require majorities to function. The party winning the most seats does not necessarily form government, for example Labour formed government after the 2017 New Zealand election even though the conservative National won the most seats.
In the UK, the Conservatives needed to form alliances with other parties after winning the most seats but not a majority at the 2010 and 2017 elections. Preferential voting is closer to parliamentary systems than FPTP.
Adrian Beaumont does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Three men have been sentenced to the life in prison for the murder of West Auckland teenager Jayden Mamfredos-Nair nearly three years ago.Supplied / NZ Police
Three men linked to the Head Hunters gang have been sentenced to life in prison for murdering a West Auckland teenager nearly three years ago.
Three men linked to the Head Hunters gang have been sentenced to life in prison for murdering a West Auckland teenager nearly three years ago.
After disappearing in April 2023, 19-year-old Jayden Mamfredos-Nair’s body was found on a Dairy Flat property nine months later.
Police determined he had been a victim of foul play.
At the High Court in Auckland on Wednesday, patched member Zak Kameta received a minimum period of imprisonment of 18 years.
Prospect Matthew Snaylam and their associate Hassan Al Fadhli both received a minimum period of imprisonment of 17 years.
Police Detective Inspector Callum McNeill said the death had placed a heavy toll on the victim’s family and he hoped they finally had some closure.
Police issued a statement on behalf of Mamfredos-Nair’s mother Maria who said the sentencing marked the end of a long legal journey, but “the ongoing journey of grieving and healing continues”.
“This crime has had a devastating permanent impact on our entire family, his friends and the community who loved him. The grief, the heartbreak, the devastation – it will never go away.”
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In the past 12 months, seed oils have become a divisive topic, with online claims they are “toxic”, “inflammatory”, and cause chronic health conditions.
When United States secretary of health and human services, Robert F Kennedy Jr announced the new US dietary guidelines on 7 January, he promised to “evangelise real food”.
The 2025-2030 guidelines included a new food pyramid putting protein, saturated fats and whole foods in the spotlight.
Robert F Kennedy Jr has claimed seed oils are toxic.
ANDREW HARNIK / AFP
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Diggers working at the burnt-out Bromley wastewater treatment plant. Christchurch City Council supplied pictures and video of work to remove rot from inside its filters on 10 June 2022.Christchurch City Council
Bromley community leader Jackie Simons has made an emotional plea for more help to be provided to those affected by the foul stench pouring from a sewage plant.
Simons, who sits on the Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board, made the plea at a Christchurch City Council meeting on Wednesday morning.
Offensive odours have plagued the city’s eastern suburbs after a fire damaged key infrastructure at the Bromley Wastewater Plant in 2021.
Bromley Wastewater Plant.
Complaints about the odour have spiked recently.
Simons told councillors the situation facing locals had now reached crisis point.
“The wastewater plant still stinks. It’s always stunk. It’s been stinking for the last four years,” she said.
“The last couple of weeks we’ve seen an influx of horrendous smell across the whole city. A crisis has come and everyone is in crisis mode.”
The Canterbury Regional Council had received more than 2000 reports about the plant in this year alone.
One Bromley resident told Morning Report the stench from the city’s sewage plant was so bad it had left her coughing up blood.
The city council said the recent heavy rain had affected the health of the oxidation pond and it was using all available tools to improve water quality.
An emotional and frustrated Simons told elected members she was regularly fielding complaints from the community.
There was a perception the council would have acted sooner if it was happening to more upmarket parts of the city, she said.
“When they come to me and they say ‘if this was happening in Fendalton you would’ve fixed it by now’, ‘the council doesn’t care about us in the east’, ‘they don’t give a toss’, ‘they’re not listening’, ‘when are they going to fix it?’ How am I supposed to tell them that you do care when it took the rest of the city to smell it to stand up and show that you cared.”
The council needed to provide more on-the-ground support for those worst affected, Simons said.
“I’d like to see those people asked ‘what do you need?’. Because a gift basket is no good to someone who needs a lift to the doctor. A supermarket voucher is no good to someone who can’t pay for a prescription,” she said.
“They can’t open their windows, they can’t hang their washing out, they have physical symptoms of ill-health, they have respiratory issues, they have depression, they have mental health challenges because of this situation. They are in crisis every day.”
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Inside OpenStar Technologies’ fusion reactor near Wellington.OpenStar Technologies
A Wellington-based fusion energy company says funding is in place to build a new research facility with the potential to put Aotearoa at the forefront of clean energy development.
OpenStar Technologies has secured a $35 million commitment from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to further their research towards creating a clean fusion power source capable of being scaled up to commercial output.
The Fusion Energy process forces light atomic nuclei to merge – releasing large amounts of energy without the radioactive waste associated with nuclear energy.
OpenStar’s current prototype device – named “Junior” – achieved the crucial milestone of First Plasma – where the device creates and confines the super hot ionized gas needed to trigger the fusion reaction – within two years of development.
The company said Junior – which used a unique approach called the levitated dipole – was the only one of its kind developed with the intention of upscaling to commercial levels of energy production.
Ratu Mataira says by delivering ‘Junior’ proved New Zealand be a global fusion player.OpenStar Technologies
Open star chief executive Ratu Mataira said the government was backing New Zealand researchers to forge a pathway towards developing the next step towards safe, clean and virtually limitless energy.
“By backing this critical infrastructure, the government is effectively de-risking the development of deep-tech in New Zealand.
“In delivering Junior, a machine once considered near impossible, we proved that New Zealand could give birth to a global fusion player. Now with this government commitment, New Zealand has decided to show up as a nation, for the vision of a fusion energy industry here in Aotearoa,” Mataira said.
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones said the technology could provide global benefits while the government’s support would help solidify the country’s role in the rapidly developing Fusion Energy sector, creating highly skilled jobs for years to come.
“Over a century ago, New Zealand scientist Ernest Rutherford pioneered nuclear science. Today we are backing New Zealanders to lead the next big breakthrough in harnessing fusion energy, a technology that could deliver significant benefits for our country and the world,” Jones said.
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicola Macaulay, Senior Tutor and PhD Candidate, Centre for Defence and Security Studies, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University
Across the Pacific and the Southern Ocean, New Zealand has been trying to strike a careful balance in its defence and surveillance approach.
While strengthening its security partnerships and expanding military capabilities, the government has so far said it is only assessing joining Pillar II of the AUKUS security pact between Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Pillar I of AUKUS involves Australia acquiring nuclear-powered submarines, while Pillar II focuses on cooperation in advanced military technologies, including cyber systems, artificial intelligence, autonomous platforms, undersea capabilities and space-based surveillance.
Yet key documents, including the Defence Capability Plan 2025 and a government procurement process for long-duration aerial surveillance, suggest many of the practical steps Pillar II would involve are already underway.
These far-reaching strategic decisions are being made largely out of public view. And they raise an important question: is New Zealand effectively aligning itself with AUKUS in all but name?
From patrols to permanent surveillance
The Defence Capability Plan is the government’s long-term blueprint for upgrading New Zealand’s military. It proposes a NZ$100–300 million investment in long-range, uncrewed, remotely-piloted aircraft to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance across vast ocean areas.
In parallel, the Persistent Surveillance (Air) Project tender (which recently closed for submissions) invites industry and academia to help design a system for long-duration surveillance across the southwest Pacific and Southern Ocean, involving aircraft, spacecraft and data-management software.
Taken together, these initiatives signal a shift from periodic surveillance patrols to continuous, networked monitoring. This aligns closely with the concept of “multi-domain maritime awareness” under AUKUS Pillar II.
The current government appears to be maintaining this careful line. But the proposed New Zealand Defence Force investments and procurement plans suggest a more substantive shift.
The long-range drones, satellite surveillance, data integration and counter-drone technologies outlined in the Defence Capability Plan closely mirror AUKUS Pillar II priorities.
New Zealand may be avoiding formal alignment for now. But defence officials have already been holding talks with the US, UK and Australia about advanced military technologies and surveillance systems.
The risk of being locked in
These policy shifts undoubtedly have benefits for a small country like New Zealand. High-quality surveillance capabilities boost its strategic value to defence partners and give Wellington a stronger voice in maritime monitoring across the Pacific.
But there are also risks. Research suggests integrating surveillance systems with allied networks can create lasting technical and political dependencies.
In turn, this could narrow New Zealand’s capacity to make independent decisions in the Pacific region, or calibrate its engagement with other regional stakeholders, including China and Pacific Island governments.
Arrangements such as the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness – involving Australia, India, Japan and the US, known as the “Quad” – allow countries to merge surveillance data and build a “common operating picture” of activity across the region.
The same is true of the Pacific Fusion Centre’s information-sharing network, PacNet #28. The catch is that these surveillance arrangements tend to lock countries in, with one host controlling how data is gathered and filtered.
Embedding NZ in surveillance networks
New Zealanders are broadly supportive of contributing to regional security. But polling suggests they are uneasy about being drawn into distant conflicts or military spending that mainly serve the priorities of larger powers.
Autonomous weapons, AI-assisted targeting and militarised space systems are particularly contentious, raising legal and ethical questions about human control.
Defence officials frequently argue that drones and space-enabled surveillance reduce risks to personnel and enhance humanitarian and disaster-response missions. While this may be true, there remains a need for clearer public discussion about how such technologies are deployed and where limits are being set.
For decades, the New Zealand Defence Force has been valued for its nimbleness and principled diplomacy. But the emerging surveillance approach being shaped through procurement decisions, tenders, space-launch licences and software standards is steadily embedding New Zealand within allied security networks.
The government has assured New Zealanders would be kept informed “at every step” about any future partnership with AUKUS.
Such transparency needs to extend to defence policy and strategy in general, before foreign-designed, militarised surveillance systems become the norm across the region.
Nicola Macaulay 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.
The sensors are flushable, battery-free and no bigger than a cigarette lighter.Supplied
Auckland’s beachgoers well know the frustration of being told to keep out of the water after heavy rain due to wastewater overflow, but researchers at Auckland University have been piloting flushable sensors designed to detect underground sewer faults.
The sensors are about the size of a USB stick, made from plant plastic and use ultra-high radio frequency to allow them to be detected as they move through the networks.
With some 8000 to 9000 sewer pipes under Aucklanders’ feet, the sensors can help find misconnections, where wastewater pipes are wrongly connected to stormwater or where there’s a blockages in sewer pipes causing an overflow.
Two field trials have already been completed with Auckland Council and Watercare in Browns Bay.
Dr Wei-Qin Zhuang is the project’s lead researcher based at the university’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Department.
He said he wanted to find ways to remove nitrate from waterways safely without the creation of significant greenhouse gas emissions.
He also wanted to look at water quality to detect indicator micro organisms in waterways and drinking water, he said.
There was discussion to identify the water problems specific to Auckland and consider how to use research to mitigate them, he said.
Problems identified included the overflow of the city’s sewer systems, as well as misconnections, Zhuang said.
The research team tried to come up with solutions to identify where there were misconnections on the basis it was less challenging than trying to deal with the overflow issue, he said.
“We developed this UHF-RFID [ultra-high radio frequency identification] based censors to identify illegal connections and we also found that it can be used to identify blockages of our pipes.”
Setting up the test in a stormwater utility hole.Wei-Qin Zhuang
They did not want the censors to be intrusive to avoid having to visit a house and install a bunch of devices to detect the issues, he said.
“So initially we were trying to develop something that can be flushed through our toilet bowls without clogging the pipes, the sewer lateral, and we purposely looked for small devices that has the size that is small enough to be flushed.”
They designed the censors to ensure they could be flushed and then could float on the water “so their sensitivities won’t be compromised by water,” he said.
“After they’ve been flushed into the sewer lateral, they’ll be washed and they’ll flow with the water flow and then get into the sewer mains and then we can install detectors at manholes to detect these censors.”
The censor sends out an ultra-high radio frequency which is then picked up at the various sites, Zhuang said.
“So you flush your censors through toilet bowls and then supposedly all the censors need to go through the sewer manhole, but if we catch some of the censors in the stormwater manhole then we instantly know that which household has a misconnection.”
Blockages can be detected when the censor takes much longer than expected to reach a certain point, he said.
“Then authorities can send CCTV cameras down pipes and see whether the blockage is severe or has just started building up.”
The first generation of the censors could be collected and then composted, while the second generation of the censors dissolve in water after two hours so it did not worsen the blockage situation, he said.
That provided a one hour window to use the censor to detect if there had been a blockage, he said.
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Ruby Star Andrews (R) on the podium at a Freeski Slopestyle World Cup.FIS Park & Pipe
Freeskiers Lucas Ball and Ruby Star Andrews are thrilled to have just made it to the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
Ball was a late addition to the New Zealand team and Andrews seriously wondered if she would recover in time for the Games after a tough injury.
After suffering a dislocated hip, the 21-year-old slopestyle and big air freestyle skier was racing the clock to be fit in time and described the last three months as the “craziest of her life”.
Ruby Star Andrews in action.Supplied.
Andrews said it will be an emotional moment when she wears the New Zealand uniform during Saturday morning’s opening ceremony.
“It’s really, really cool. I’ve worked really hard to be here,” Andrews said.
“It’s really, really special, and I’m so proud to represent my country and do everyone proud.”
“Yeah, feeling really good. Got to check out the course today, do a little inspection, just ride through the course and have a look at everything and got some ideas flowing, which was fun,” Andrews said.
“It looked like it was riding pretty good. I mean, we didn’t actually get to hit the course itself. We just got to look. So I’m really excited to hit it tomorrow.”
Andrews is enjoying being part of the New Zealand team and will have her family in Italy cheering her on.
“The team vibe that we have is so good and awesome. To have five people in slopestyle is really exciting. It’s a big team, so yeah, it’s going to be cool. My mum and my dad and my sister are coming, so I’m really excited to have them here and supporting me.”
New Zealand Olympians (L to R) Alice Robinson, Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, Luca Harrington, Fin Melville Ives, Cam Melville Ives, Ben Barclay and Ruby Star Andrews pictured during the New Zealand Team first selection announcement for 2026 Winter Olympic Games.James Allan / PHOTOSPORT
For 17-year-old Lucas Ball, it was a nervous wait to get confirmation he was going to the Milano Cortina Games and the teenager is loving the Olympic experience so far.
Wellington Water’s Moa Point treatment plant (file photo).Wellington Water
Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant has been shut down and staff evacuated from the site, with an equipment failure causing multiple floors and key areas of the plant to be inundated with water.
“This is a serious situation, and we anticipate the plant will be shut down for an extended period,” says Wellington Water chief executive Pat Dougherty.
He strongly advises the community to stay away from the South Coast beaches.
Untreated wastewater is being discharged into the water and this may occur for some time.
Earlier, Wellington Water had started discharging raw sewage off the city’s south coast, and issued two other wastewater discharge notices, after a mechanical failure and heavy rain.
The mechanical failure, at 3am on Wednesday, caused it to start an unconsented discharge of untreated wastewater from its Moa Point treatment plant.
The water agency said the sewage would emerge at the short outfall into the ocean at Tarakena Bay and may cause the water to appear cloudy or murky.
Meanwhile, during a night of heavy rain, partially treated wastewater was discharged into Wellington’s Karori Stream at 10.45pm on Tuesday. That would also flow into the sea on the south coast.
About half an hour before that, fully treated sewage was released at 10.18pm into Waiwhetū Stream in Lower Hutt, which flows into the sea near Petone beach.
Water monitoring body Land, Air, Water Aotearoa advises people to stay out of the sea for two or three days after heavy rain.
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With samples taken from patients, Dr Hossein Jahedi is building a collection of tiny, fleshy lumps of cancer.Supplied / University of Auckland
A project at the cutting edge of cancer research hopes to build a collection of tiny lab-grown tumours at the University of Auckland.
Smaller than a grain of sand, these so-called tumour organoids can be used to test experimental cancer treatments with quick results.
With samples taken from patients, Dr Hossein Jahedi is building a collection of these tiny, fleshy lumps of cancer.
“We take a tiny bit of their tumour, with their permission, and we take it into the lab. We digest it into single cells, so we kind of digest all the stuff around the cancer cells so that we only have the cancer cells, and then we grow these cancer cells in a jelly-like material,” he said.
The organoids themselves were barely the size of a grain of sand, but Dr Jahedi said their potential was enormous.
“They act like avatars for the cancers that we can grow in the lab. We can have a replica of that person’s cancer, not a 100 percent replica, but quite, quite similar,” he said.
“And what this does, it allows us to test some of the drugs that the patient may receive before they actually receive it to see if these organoids respond to those drugs.”
Dr Emma Nolan has been building a library of breast cancer organoids since 2022.Supplied / University of Auckland / Brett Phibbs
Jahedi’s new project, which focused on lung cancer, was inspired by his colleague, Dr Emma Nolan.
Nolan had been developing a library of breast cancer organoids since 2022 as part of a pilot study to prove how useful they could be.
To date, she had created organoids from 30 breast cancer patients, with a goal to build a library that researchers across the country could pull from to test life-saving treatments.
“So the idea with this organoid collection from these 30 patients, and we’re hoping to increase this, is that this becomes a tool for cancer research across New Zealand,” she said.
“And therefore, breast cancer labs across the country can use these models to answer their questions that they’re looking at.”
Cancer patients ‘put themselves as lab rats’
David DownsSupplied / David Downs
Cancer survivor David Downs knew firsthand how experimental treatments could save lives, but he said the process of undergoing new treatments was daunting.
“The pathway to medicines coming to the mainstream today does require humans to put themselves kind of as lab rats,” he said.
“You’re literally signing pieces of paper acknowledging that you’re one of the first humans to get this and they know roughly what the side effects might be but they’re not sure, etcetera. All that can create a bit of anxiety.”
Diagnosed in 2017 with a rare blood cancer that wouldn’t respond to chemotherapy, Downs braved a clinical trial in the United States that ultimately saved his life.
He hoped organoids could be used to improve that process and spare others the anxiety he felt.
“I went to Boston, I had a treatment, I was very lucky, it went really well for me. But you do certainly hear of side effects in some clinical trials, particularly early on, and so testing things in a way that involves human cells but isn’t involving humans, to me, feels like a really great breakthrough,” he said.
However, research into tumour organoids was still in the very early stages.
Even after three years of work, Dr Nolan said a clinical trial was years away.
“We would hope within the next five years to be able to initiate a small trial at one or two sites within Auckland in order to really test the clinical value of these organoids,” she said.
“There’s a lot of excitement in the group for this research and there’s a lot of potential but we really need to be able to confirm this in clinical trial before we’re able to know whether or not this actually ultimately could help.”
Dr Nolan said it would be some time before patients saw the benefits of the work, but the early results were promising.
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The company is a key supplier to A2 Milk.Synlait/supplied
Dairy company Synlait is forecasting a hefty half-year loss as its recovery takes longer than hoped.
The company has forecast a net loss after tax of between $77 million-$82m for the six months ended January.
The company – a key supplier to A2 Milk – said manufacturing challenges at its Dunsandel plant in Canterbury had been resolved, but the need to rebuild inventory pushed up costs, forcing Synlait to sell more raw milk at low margins.
Lower returns from commodities and a conservative approach to tax accounting also dragged down the results.
Chief executive Richard Wyeth said the company was “very disappointed” with the half-year result and the slower than expected pace of the turnaround.
He said there had been progress in the company’s operations, with a refreshed Canterbury-based leadership team and the asset sale (of its North Island businesses) helping strengthen the business.
“Our strategy is being reset, and we are confident it will provide a pathway to return Synlait to success, although this will take at least 12 months,” he said.
The company’s sale of its North Island operations was still expected to go through on 1 April, with the proceeds to be used to pay down debt.
Synlait said the sale would allow it to refocus on its core operations in Canterbury.
Along with a heavy bottom line loss, Synlait also expected an operating loss of between $28m-33m, and an underlying loss of $33-38m.
Synlait had an insurance claim approved that would cover part of the losses linked to its manufacturing issues, but the final amount and timing of the payout were still being worked out.
The insurance payout would be added back into the accounts at a later date, and the figures were subject to an audit.
Synlait said it was in active talks with its banking syndicate as it worked towards completing the North Island asset sale.
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A court ruling in favour of Fiji’s dismissed anti-corruption chief has “embarrassed” Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, a New Zealand-based Fiji politics academic says.
University of Canterbury distinguished professor Steven Ratuva told RNZ Pacific Waves that while the Fiji High Court decision on Barbara Malimali offered “clarity” on the separation of powers, it added “to the weight of responsibilities” piling up under Rabuka’s leadership.
On Monday, the court ruled that Malimali’s dismissal was unlawful — a decision she said “vindicated” her. Rabuka immediately announced that he would be appealing the decision, but later told local reporters that he would “consider” resigning if the appeal failed.
“[Resignation] is an option,” he said.
Despite this, Rabuka’s Information Minister Lynda Tabuya told reporters on Tuesday that the prime minister had the full support of the cabinet.
“It was a resounding sentiment in cabinet that we would not accept his resignation,” she said in a post-cabinet press briefing on Tuesday, adding that Rabuka had “unanimous support . . . to continue to lead this country and continue to lead us.”
Rabuka had not admitted to any wrongdoing and reports in the media “need to be corrected,” Tabuya said.
Fiji military commander Major-General Jone Kalouniwai also weighed in on the turn of events, telling local media that the army is maintaining “a [situational] awareness of what is happening” given that the country was heading into an election period.
“It’s important for us to understand what’s happening. Looking at it from a security perspective, things can cascade into a different situation,” he told The Fiji Times.
Former Fiji anti-corruption chief Barbara Malimali . . . High Court ruled that her dismissal was unlawful. Image: FB/RNZ
Dr Ratuva said all the issues Rabuka was having to deal with were “leading him to breaking point”.
“The fact that he has signalled his willingness to resign if the appeal doesn’t come through, is something which only [Rabuka] himself will have to decide,” he said.
“A lot of people have been asking for his resignation in the last few months for different reasons, particularly in relation to the way some of these complex challenges have been handled by the government.
Fiji Military commander Major-General Jone Kalouniwai . . . maintaining “a [situational] awareness of what is happening”. Image: FB/Republic of Fiji Military Forces
“So it depends very much on what’s going to happen after the appeal, and the process might go on for some time . . . even the election might come in between.”
Distinguished Professor Steven Ratuva . . . issues Rabuka is having to deal with are “leading him to breaking point”. Image: University of Canterbury
Dr Ratuva said Fijian opposition parties will try to use some of these issues faced by Rabuka as part of campaigning.
“Anything can be leveraged as a means of manoeuvring your opposition, so certainly it is something which will arise during the election campaigns,” he said.
He said other issues such as the cost of living, health, infrastructure, rising crime, drugs, would become campaign issues during the election.
The government under Rabuka, he said, would be on the defensive in terms of making sure that they would be re-elected.
“But then that depends very much on how they are able to handle these issues, and of course, the choice of the voters ultimately,” Dr Ratuva said.
“The number of scandals and the number of crisis, which have defined the rule of this particular coalition has diverted attention away from the real issues on the ground, so they have to live with it and the consequences are going to be felt in the next election.”
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
