CoveragePost
February 1, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Back in 2015, with a bandaged hand, Joel Shadbolt made his TV debut on Good Morning, singing with the Auckland-based funk band Batucuda Sound Machine. Future bandmate Brad Kora happened to be tuning in. The drummer (a founding member of Kora) sent Shadbolt a Facebook message saying he was in the ... <a title="‘You feel like the All Blacks’: Joel Shadbolt on playing with L.A.B." class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/01/you-feel-like-the-all-blacks-joel-shadbolt-on-playing-with-l-a-b/" aria-label="Read more about ‘You feel like the All Blacks’: Joel Shadbolt on playing with L.A.B.">Read more</a>
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February 1, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand A close-up of the Fire and Emergency NZ logo. Marika Khabazi / RNZ A large building fire in Southland is expected to take a while to extinguish. Crews were called to a building on Te Anau Milford Highway around 11.15pm on Saturday, where a roof was alight. Fire and Emergency had ... <a title="Crews from across Southland and Otago fight fire in Fiordland" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/01/crews-from-across-southland-and-otago-fight-fire-in-fiordland/" aria-label="Read more about Crews from across Southland and Otago fight fire in Fiordland">Read more</a>
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February 1, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand 123RF Twelve-month prescriptions for long-term medications take effect from Sunday. Patients can now get a script for up to 12 months of medication – up from three – with their doctor’s permission. People with 12-month prescriptions will still need to collect their medication every three months, so the changes will not ... <a title="12-month prescriptions now available" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/01/12-month-prescriptions-now-available/" aria-label="Read more about 12-month prescriptions now available">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 1, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Auckland FC’s Nando Pijnaker. photosport Injuries have marred Auckland FC’s 2-1 loss to Perth Glory – result that sees the visitors drop from first to third in the A-League standings. Jesse Randall put Auckland in front just before halftime, rounding out a week in which it was announced the young forward ... <a title="Football: Auckland FC lose A-League top spot after Perth defeat" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/01/football-auckland-fc-lose-a-league-top-spot-after-perth-defeat/" aria-label="Read more about Football: Auckland FC lose A-League top spot after Perth defeat">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 1, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Akaroa supplied A dedicated investigation team from the Transport Accident Investigation Commission will be on the ground in Akaroa, following the grounding of a Black Cat ferry on Saturday afternoon. Louise Cook, chief investigator of accidents, said there were reportedly 38 passengers and three crew on-board the 17-metre catamaran, on a ... <a title="TAIC to send team of investigators to Akaroa following ferry grounding" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/01/taic-to-send-team-of-investigators-to-akaroa-following-ferry-grounding/" aria-label="Read more about TAIC to send team of investigators to Akaroa following ferry grounding">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 1, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Samuel Rillstone The Wellington City Mission is launching a free dental service. It will open on 10 February and run three days a week. The Mission’s Murray Edridge said the need for the service was substantial, with one in three adults suffering from untreated tooth decay. He said people ... <a title="Wellington City Mission launches free dental service" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/01/wellington-city-mission-launches-free-dental-service/" aria-label="Read more about Wellington City Mission launches free dental service">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 1, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Nearly $150,000 was reportedly spent on the project. Photo / 123RF Labour says a review of the government’s axed road cone hotline – designed to report excessive and unnecessary traffic cone use – was an “absurd” waste of public money. A WorkSafe review found excessive use of cones at just 6 ... <a title="$150,000 road cone hotline an ‘absurd’ waste of public money – Labour" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/01/150000-road-cone-hotline-an-absurd-waste-of-public-money-labour/" aria-label="Read more about $150,000 road cone hotline an ‘absurd’ waste of public money – Labour">Read more</a>
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February 1, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Vanished In this high-stakes mystery mini-series, Kaley Cuoco’s dream holiday becomes a nightmare when her boyfriend disappears mid-journey on a train to the South of France. As she rushes to find him she finds herself brushing up against dangerous people and the hard truth that her partner isn’t who she thought ... <a title="Shocks, jocks and a Beatle: February’s best TV" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/01/shocks-jocks-and-a-beatle-februarys-best-tv/" aria-label="Read more about Shocks, jocks and a Beatle: February’s best TV">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 1, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand If you have ever lifted a weight, you know the routine: challenge the muscle, give it rest, feed it and repeat. Over time, it grows stronger. Of course, muscles only grow when the challenge increases over time. Continually lifting the same weight the same way stops working. It might come as ... <a title="How your brain can be trained like a muscle" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/01/how-your-brain-can-be-trained-like-a-muscle/" aria-label="Read more about How your brain can be trained like a muscle">Read more</a>
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February 1, 2026
Asia Pacific Report New Zealand protesters in Tamaki Makaurau today heralded a global demand for the freedom of thousands of Palestinians who have been unlawfully imprisoned by Israel in its illegal occupation of Palestine. Today is the Red Ribbon Campaign’s global day of solidarity for Palestinian hostages or political prisoners. It is the culmination of ... <a title="Protesters demand freedom for 9000+ Palestinian ‘political prisoners’ held hostage by Israel" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/01/protesters-demand-freedom-for-9000-palestinian-political-prisoners-held-hostage-by-israel/" aria-label="Read more about Protesters demand freedom for 9000+ Palestinian ‘political prisoners’ held hostage by Israel">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand A marine locator marker was blown up at a beach on Auckland’s Whangaparāoa Peninsula. Auckland Council A controlled explosion has rocked residents on the Whangaparāoa Peninsula north of Auckland after a marine locator marker was found floating at Okoromai Bay. The markers are pyrotechnic devices designed to ignite on contact with ... <a title="Controlled explosion rocks residents north of Auckland" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/controlled-explosion-rocks-residents-north-of-auckland/" aria-label="Read more about Controlled explosion rocks residents north of Auckland">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand About 25,000 dance music fans flocked to Mount Maunganui to see Australian DJ Fisher. A minute silence was held to acknowledge the six lives lost in a landslide tragedy nine days ago at the nearby Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park. All of the six victims have now been formally identified after ... <a title="Dance music fans take a minute silence at DJ Fisher show in Mount Maunganui" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/dance-music-fans-take-a-minute-silence-at-dj-fisher-show-in-mount-maunganui/" aria-label="Read more about Dance music fans take a minute silence at DJ Fisher show in Mount Maunganui">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Brett Hampton hits out in his Super Smash man-of-the-match performance. Photosport Northern Districts have lived up to their top seeding with a five-wicket win over the Canterbury Magicians to claim the Super Smash men’s domestic T20 crown at Hagley Oval. Chasing 172 runs for victory, the regular-season leaders showed their class, ... <a title="Cricket: Northern Districts cruise to Super Smash men’s title" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/cricket-northern-districts-cruise-to-super-smash-mens-title/" aria-label="Read more about Cricket: Northern Districts cruise to Super Smash men’s title">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Motorists have been advised to expect delays after a serious crash involving a motorcycle on State Highway 3 at Ratana on Saturday afternoon. Screenshot Motorists have been advised to expect delays, after a serious crash involving a motorcycle on State Highway 3 at Ratana on Saturday afternoon. The crash happened about ... <a title="Serious motorcycle crash causes delays on State Highway 3" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/serious-motorcycle-crash-causes-delays-on-state-highway-3/" aria-label="Read more about Serious motorcycle crash causes delays on State Highway 3">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Georgie Plimmer and Jess Kerr celebrate Wellington’s Super Smash women’s title. © Photosport Ltd 2026 www.photosport.nz Wellington Blaze have beaten Auckland Hearts to claim the Super Smash women’s crown in a nailbiting final in Christchurch. The Blaze won their seventh title in the past nine years and closed off their second ... <a title="Wellington Blaze surge late to claim Super Smash crown again" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/wellington-blaze-surge-late-to-claim-super-smash-crown-again/" aria-label="Read more about Wellington Blaze surge late to claim Super Smash crown again">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Jacqualine Wheeler was a respected member of the equestrian community. Supplied Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71, from Rotorua has been formally identified as a victim of the Mount Maunganui landslide. She’s the last of six people marked as missing in the days following the slip. The others were, in the order of ... <a title="Sixth, final victim of Mount Maunganui landslide confirmed as Jacqualine Wheeler" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/sixth-final-victim-of-mount-maunganui-landslide-confirmed-as-jacqualine-wheeler/" aria-label="Read more about Sixth, final victim of Mount Maunganui landslide confirmed as Jacqualine Wheeler">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Harry Brook speaks after England’s loss to the Black Caps in Wellington, the day after he was hit by a nightclub bouncer. Photosport England whiteball captain Harry Brook has admitted he lied about being on his own, when he was hit by a nightclub bouncer in Wellington on their New Zealand ... <a title="English cricketer Harry Brooks admits lying about Wellington nightclub incident" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/english-cricketer-harry-brooks-admits-lying-about-wellington-nightclub-incident/" aria-label="Read more about English cricketer Harry Brooks admits lying about Wellington nightclub incident">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Surfers participated in a paddleout during the 2026 Grom Series. Supplied Surfers participated in a paddleout on Saturday during the first event of the 2026 Billabong Grom Series to pay their respects to the victims of the Mount Maunganui landslide. The paddleout was organised by Surfing New Zealand and Bay Boardriders, ... <a title="Surfers pay tribute to those killed in Mount Maunganui landslide" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/surfers-pay-tribute-to-those-killed-in-mount-maunganui-landslide/" aria-label="Read more about Surfers pay tribute to those killed in Mount Maunganui landslide">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Akaroa (file photo) supplied A boat full of tourists have been rescued, after their vessel started taking on water at Akaroa, near Christchurch. More than 40 passengers and crew were safely evacuated, when a tourist boat grounded in Akaroa Harbour on Banks Peninsula. Thirty-eight passengers and three crew were aboard the ... <a title="More than 40 rescued before tourist boat capsized at Akaroa" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/more-than-40-rescued-before-tourist-boat-capsized-at-akaroa/" aria-label="Read more about More than 40 rescued before tourist boat capsized at Akaroa">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Akaroa (file photo) supplied A boat full of tourists have been rescued, after their vessel started taking on water at Akaroa, near Christchurch. More than 40 passengers and crew were safely evacuated, when a tourist boat grounded in Akaroa Harbour on Banks Peninsula. Thirty-eight passengers and three crew were aboard the ... <a title="More than 40 rescued before tourist boat capsized in Akaroa" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/more-than-40-rescued-before-tourist-boat-capsized-in-akaroa/" aria-label="Read more about More than 40 rescued before tourist boat capsized in Akaroa">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Hundreds of people gathered at two separate protests on Saturday afternoon, prompting police cordons and some road closures. Destiny Church-affiliated Freedom and Rights Coalition protesters gathered at Victoria Park in the late morning, and marched towards Fanshawe Street, where a police cordon had been set up. A second protest took place ... <a title="Two protests in Auckland’s CBD monitored by police with cordons, road closures" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/two-protests-in-aucklands-cbd-monitored-by-police-with-cordons-road-closures/" aria-label="Read more about Two protests in Auckland’s CBD monitored by police with cordons, road closures">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Teams working at the Mauao search site on 25 January. RNZ / Nick Monro One of the teams who have worked at the tragic Mt Maunganui campground landslide are returning home. The Fire and Emergency specialist Urban Search and Rescue team are “in the process of demobilisation” and have left the ... <a title="Mt Maunganui landslide: FENZ Search and Rescue team return home" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/mt-maunganui-landslide-fenz-search-and-rescue-team-return-home/" aria-label="Read more about Mt Maunganui landslide: FENZ Search and Rescue team return home">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Teams working at the Mauao search site on 25 January. RNZ / Nick Monro One of the teams who have worked at the tragic Mt Maunganui campground landslide are returning home. The Fire and Emergency specialist Urban Search and Rescue team are “in the process of demobilisation” and have left the ... <a title="Mt Maunganui landslide: FENZ Search and Rescue team returns home" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/mt-maunganui-landslide-fenz-search-and-rescue-team-returns-home/" aria-label="Read more about Mt Maunganui landslide: FENZ Search and Rescue team returns home">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Karim Lopez of the Breakers. photosport Teenager Karim Lopez came alive in the closing minutes as the Breakers upset Melbourne United 97-95 in Auckland to keep their Australian NBL playoff hopes alive. The rising Mexican star scored 14 of his game-high 32 points in the last five minutes as the home ... <a title="Karim Lopez leads Breakers to upset ANBL win over Melbourne" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/karim-lopez-leads-breakers-to-upset-anbl-win-over-melbourne/" aria-label="Read more about Karim Lopez leads Breakers to upset ANBL win over Melbourne">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 31, 2026
By Giff Johnson, editor, Marshall Islands Journal / RNZ Pacific correspondent The death earlier this month of a 26-year veteran of the US Army from the Micronesian island of Kosrae, who was an ardent advocate for healthcare benefits for island veterans, highlights the ongoing lack of promised US healthcare support for those who served in ... <a title="Micronesia: Island US military veterans struggle to get healthcare" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/micronesia-island-us-military-veterans-struggle-to-get-healthcare/" aria-label="Read more about Micronesia: Island US military veterans struggle to get healthcare">Read more</a>
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January 31, 2026
COMMENTARY: By Jonathan Cook Here is another example of utterly irresponsible journalism from the BBC on News at Ten. Diplomatic correspondent Caroline Hawley starts the Thursday edition by credulously amplifying a fantastical death toll of “tens of thousands of dead” from recent protests in Iran — figures provided by regime opponents. Contrast that with the ... <a title="Jonathan Cook: BBC pushes the case for an illegal war on Iran with even bigger lies than Trump’s" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/jonathan-cook-bbc-pushes-the-case-for-an-illegal-war-on-iran-with-even-bigger-lies-than-trumps/" aria-label="Read more about Jonathan Cook: BBC pushes the case for an illegal war on Iran with even bigger lies than Trump’s">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Police say a large operation is now underway in central Auckland as two planned protests take place in central Auckland today. Protesters have begun gathering at Victoria Park as part of the Destiny Church-affiliated Freedom and Rights Coalition rally. The group had its bid to march across the Harbour Bridge denied. ... <a title="Live: Traffic delays expected in Auckland with two protests planned" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/live-traffic-delays-expected-in-auckland-with-two-protests-planned/" aria-label="Read more about Live: Traffic delays expected in Auckland with two protests planned">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Police say a large operation is now underway in central Auckland as two planned protests take place in central Auckland today. Protesters have begun gathering at Victoria Park as part of the Destiny Church-affiliated Freedom and Rights Coalition rally. A second Palestine solidarity rally is expected at Te Komititanga Square. Follow ... <a title="Live: Twin protests set to cause traffic woes for Auckland" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/live-twin-protests-set-to-cause-traffic-woes-for-auckland/" aria-label="Read more about Live: Twin protests set to cause traffic woes for Auckland">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand [embedded content] A large flash that lit up the night sky over Wellington was captured by a live feed camera and has prompted speculation it could have been a meteor. The bright light was seen by people facing south at 11.25pm on Friday night, and travelled from east to west on ... <a title="Bright ‘shooting star’ delights Wellingtonians" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/bright-shooting-star-delights-wellingtonians/" aria-label="Read more about Bright ‘shooting star’ delights Wellingtonians">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Karim Lopez of the Breakers. photosport Teenager Karim Lopez came alive in the closing minutes as the Breakers upset Melbourne United 97-95 in Auckland to keep their NBL playoff hopes alive. The rising Mexican star scored 14 of his game-high 32 points in the last five minutes as the home side ... <a title="Karim Lopez leads Breakers to upset NBL win over Melbourne" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/karim-lopez-leads-breakers-to-upset-nbl-win-over-melbourne/" aria-label="Read more about Karim Lopez leads Breakers to upset NBL win over Melbourne">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand ERO is unable to tell RNZ if it’s making more recommendations for support or intervention in schools than in the past. Unsplash/ Taylor Flowe One in five schools recently scrutinised by the Education Review Office needs external support or intervention. Twenty-one of the 100 most recently-published reviews of state or integrated ... <a title="One in five schools recently scrutinised by ERO needs external support or intervention" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/one-in-five-schools-recently-scrutinised-by-ero-needs-external-support-or-intervention/" aria-label="Read more about One in five schools recently scrutinised by ERO needs external support or intervention">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / REECE BAKER One person has died after a single vehicle crash on Wickliffe Road in Port Chalmers on Friday night. Emergency services were notified of the crash about 9.10pm. A second person was also seriously injured and one person sustained minor injuries. The Serious Crash Unit attended and enquiries ... <a title="One person dead and another seriously injured after single vehicle crash in Dunedin" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/one-person-dead-and-another-seriously-injured-after-single-vehicle-crash-in-dunedin/" aria-label="Read more about One person dead and another seriously injured after single vehicle crash in Dunedin">Read more</a>
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January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Wellington Phoenix striker Ifeanyi Eze. photosport Wellington Phoenix have squandered a two-goal advantage and missed a late penalty in a roller-coaster 2-2 home draw against Melbourne City. Wellington’s 500th A-League match result was exactly the same as their first, having drawn 2-2 with Melbourne Victory in their inaugural competition fixture in ... <a title="Wellington Phoenix settle for draw in 500th A-League match" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/wellington-phoenix-settle-for-draw-in-500th-a-league-match/" aria-label="Read more about Wellington Phoenix settle for draw in 500th A-League match">Read more</a>
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January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Susan Edmunds. RNZ Got questions? RNZ has a podcast, Got questions? RNZ has a podcast, [https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/no-stupid-questions No Stupid Questions, with Susan Edmunds’. We’d love to hear more of your questions about money and the economy. You can send through written questions, like these ones, but – even better – you can ... <a title="Why isn’t my rent a tax-deductible expense – Ask Susan" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/why-isnt-my-rent-a-tax-deductible-expense-ask-susan/" aria-label="Read more about Why isn’t my rent a tax-deductible expense – Ask Susan">Read more</a>
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January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Canterbury celebrates the wicket of Adi Ashok of the Auckland Aces during the Super Smash Elimination Final, Canterbury Kings Vs Auckland Aces, at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, on Friday. photosport Canterbury will contest a sixth consecutive Super Smash T20 men’s final after trouncing Auckland in their knockout clash in Christchurch. The ... <a title="Canterbury crush Auckland to set up Super Smash final against ND" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/canterbury-crush-auckland-to-set-up-super-smash-final-against-nd/" aria-label="Read more about Canterbury crush Auckland to set up Super Smash final against ND">Read more</a>
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January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand A pro-Palestine protest in Auckland’s CBD in 2025 (file image). Nick Monro Traffic delays should be expected in Auckland’s central city with two protests planned today, police say. The organisers of Toitū te Aroha are calling for unity in response to what they say is rising harassment and intimidation of migrants, ... <a title="Traffic delays expected in Auckland with two protests planned" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/traffic-delays-expected-in-auckland-with-two-protests-planned/" aria-label="Read more about Traffic delays expected in Auckland with two protests planned">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Recent IT outages at hospitals come on the heels of controversial IT staff cuts and the beginning of a project to improve Health NZ’s IT systems – but with uncertain future funding. RNZ / REECE BAKER An IT failure that forced some public hospitals to rely on pen and paper for ... <a title="Hospitals IT failure follows start of new group to fix old systems" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/hospitals-it-failure-follows-start-of-new-group-to-fix-old-systems/" aria-label="Read more about Hospitals IT failure follows start of new group to fix old systems">Read more</a>
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January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Haizyn Mellars hopes to make a piece of Warriors history during the next three years. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport Sometime in the next three years – perhaps this year – Haizyn Mellars hopes to create a slice of NZ Warriors club history, when he follows his dad into the NRL. Centre Vince Mellars ... <a title="NZ Warriors rookie Haizyn Mellars follows father’s footsteps back to Mt Smart" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/nz-warriors-rookie-haizyn-mellars-follows-fathers-footsteps-back-to-mt-smart/" aria-label="Read more about NZ Warriors rookie Haizyn Mellars follows father’s footsteps back to Mt Smart">Read more</a>
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January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Wisp Hill Station in southern Otago was Ingka Investment’s purchase in New Zealand, with the parent company of Swedish furniture giant IKEA, converting the farm to forestry. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life Converting farmland to forestry in the sensitive Catlins area of the South Island has been an opportunity to set ... <a title="Country Life: IKEA owner’s first New Zealand forest" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/country-life-ikea-owners-first-new-zealand-forest/" aria-label="Read more about Country Life: IKEA owner’s first New Zealand forest">Read more</a>
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January 31, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand The Pickens family gathered around Lew in the woolshed RNZ/Sally Round When Lew Pickens was 18, he had calluses on his hands like a 50-year-old and he was proud of them. Now 83, he looks back happily on his days clearing bush and planting paddocks by hand north of Whangārei, hunting ... <a title="Country Life: Camp ovens, bullockies and other tales from the bush" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/01/31/country-life-camp-ovens-bullockies-and-other-tales-from-the-bush/" aria-label="Read more about Country Life: Camp ovens, bullockies and other tales from the bush">Read more</a>
