CoveragePost
February 23, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Tevita Ofa wants to emulate the impact Savea had on his younger self on the next generation. Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz Shaking his idol Julian Savea’s hand was a surreal moment for an 11-year-old Tevita Ofa. Now in 2026, he calls him team-mate. “He was my favourite player growing up. He ... <a title="Rugby: Tevita Ofa hopes to follow in Julian Savea’s footsteps" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/23/rugby-tevita-ofa-hopes-to-follow-in-julian-saveas-footsteps/" aria-label="Read more about Rugby: Tevita Ofa hopes to follow in Julian Savea’s footsteps">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 23, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand The franchise has again made the decision to cancel this year’s round nine fixture against the Chiefs in Tonga, initially scheduled to take place at Teufaiva Stadium. Andy Radka/ActionPress The Pacific Islands will once again be without Super Rugby in 2026. Tonga was set to host Moana Pasifika against the Chiefs ... <a title="Tonga to miss out on Moana match again" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/23/tonga-to-miss-out-on-moana-match-again/" aria-label="Read more about Tonga to miss out on Moana match again">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 23, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Unsplash / RNZ composite A slightly premature baby who died while the nurse caring for him was on a break should have been checked while she was away, an investigation has found. The Health and Disability Commissioner report said the case highlighted the challenges of caring for late pre-term babies, those ... <a title="Baby died while nurse went on break, Health and Disability Commissioner says" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/23/baby-died-while-nurse-went-on-break-health-and-disability-commissioner-says/" aria-label="Read more about Baby died while nurse went on break, Health and Disability Commissioner says">Read more</a>
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February 23, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Sophia Crestani died at the Dunedin party in 2019. Facebook The man who rescued people from a fatal stairwell pile up at a Dunedin student party is being recognised for his courageous actions. University of Otago student Sophia Crestani died at the overcrowded party in October 2019, with a Coroner finding ... <a title="Samson Aruwa, who rescued people from a fatal stairwell pile up at a Dunedin student flat recognised for courage" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/23/samson-aruwa-who-rescued-people-from-a-fatal-stairwell-pile-up-at-a-dunedin-student-flat-recognised-for-courage/" aria-label="Read more about Samson Aruwa, who rescued people from a fatal stairwell pile up at a Dunedin student flat recognised for courage">Read more</a>
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February 23, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Wellington Phoenix interim coach Chris Greenacre, right pictured with former head coach Ufuk Talay in 2021. Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Chris Greenacre has taken over as head coach of the Wellington Phoenix for the forseeable future following the abrupt departure of Giancarlo Italiano. Greenacre is stepping up from his role at ... <a title="Chris Greenacre steps in as Wellington Phoenix coach for fourth time" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/23/chris-greenacre-steps-in-as-wellington-phoenix-coach-for-fourth-time/" aria-label="Read more about Chris Greenacre steps in as Wellington Phoenix coach for fourth time">Read more</a>
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February 23, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Charlisse Leger-Walker of the UCLA Bruins. RONALD MARTINEZ After an injury delay, Tall Fern Charlisse Leger-Walker’s dream of becoming just the second New Zealander to play in basketball’s WNBA is back on track. A torn ACL sidelined Leger-Walker from United States college basketball for the majority of last season and forced ... <a title="WNBA back on fit-again Charlisse Leger-Walker’s radar" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/23/wnba-back-on-fit-again-charlisse-leger-walkers-radar/" aria-label="Read more about WNBA back on fit-again Charlisse Leger-Walker’s radar">Read more</a>
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February 23, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Labour leader Chris Hipkins has taken aim at the government’s cost of living and climate policies in his State of the Nation speech in Auckland. Hipkins did not announce any new policy in the speech on Monday, repeating his promise that the public would see a “different” Labour to 2023. “Labour ... <a title="Labour’s Chris Hipkins to put ‘affordability’ at the heart of election year decisions" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/23/labours-chris-hipkins-to-put-affordability-at-the-heart-of-election-year-decisions/" aria-label="Read more about Labour’s Chris Hipkins to put ‘affordability’ at the heart of election year decisions">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 23, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Police officers retreated after their car was surrounded by what they describe as a “hostile” group of people at a car meet in Taranaki. Supplied / YouTube A South Taranaki District councillor says she’s “disgusted” at the behaviour of a “hostile” group of people who forced a police patrol into retreat ... <a title="South Taranaki councillor ‘disgusted’ at behaviour of ‘hostile’ group at car meet" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/23/south-taranaki-councillor-disgusted-at-behaviour-of-hostile-group-at-car-meet/" aria-label="Read more about South Taranaki councillor ‘disgusted’ at behaviour of ‘hostile’ group at car meet">Read more</a>
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February 23, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Flooding at Little River Cafe. Cameron Gordon/Supplied Three properties have been red-stickered on Canterbury’s flood-hit Banks Peninsula after torrential rain last week. The local state of emergency on the peninsula was lifted by Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger at 12.30pm on Monday. The area was lashed by heavy rain last week, causing ... <a title="Three properties red-stickered in flood-hit Banks Peninsula" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/23/three-properties-red-stickered-in-flood-hit-banks-peninsula/" aria-label="Read more about Three properties red-stickered in flood-hit Banks Peninsula">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 23, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand 123rf.com Requiring police officers to shift rough sleepers from one place to another could see other crime work delayed or dropped, the Police Association’s boss says. The government is giving officers new powers to move on rough sleepers or people displaying disorderly behaviour in town and city centres. Breaching an order, ... <a title="‘No doubt’ new move-on orders for homeless will drain police resources" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/23/no-doubt-new-move-on-orders-for-homeless-will-drain-police-resources/" aria-label="Read more about ‘No doubt’ new move-on orders for homeless will drain police resources">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 23, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Minister for Social Development Louise Upston. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Lawyers and health professionals are urging the government to slow down a law change, making it legal to claw back welfare supports once someone has been backpaid for an ACC claim. The coalition, with Labour’s support, is moving to quickly pass ... <a title="Critics urge coalition to slow down on MSD law change" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/23/critics-urge-coalition-to-slow-down-on-msd-law-change/" aria-label="Read more about Critics urge coalition to slow down on MSD law change">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 23, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Mihiata Te Rore, 62, was killed by dogs at a Kaihu property. Supplied Police have confirmed the dogs that killed a woman in Northland have been euthanised. Mihiata Te Rore, 62, was attacked by three dogs while visiting a property in Kaihu, North of Dargaville, last week. She was pronounced dead ... <a title="Dogs euthanised after killing Mihiata Te Rore in Northland" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/23/dogs-euthanised-after-killing-mihiata-te-rore-in-northland/" aria-label="Read more about Dogs euthanised after killing Mihiata Te Rore in Northland">Read more</a>
