CoveragePost
February 23, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Sales in hardware, building, and garden supplies rose in the final quarter of last year. Retail sales volumes up 0.9 percent in December quarter on previous quarter, up 4.4 percent on year ago Strongest sales seen in electronics, DIY and garden supplies Twelve of 15 store types report higher sales, 12 ... <a title="Retail spending stronger than expected at end of last year" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/23/retail-spending-stronger-than-expected-at-end-of-last-year/" aria-label="Read more about Retail spending stronger than expected at end of last year">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 23, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Sam Ruthe’s run at the Potts Classic in January broke the under-17, U18, U19, and U20 national 800m records. Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz Runner Sam Ruthe has officially rewritten the record book, as he now holds every under-20 accolade possible. Having already claimed record times from 800-5000m, there was one distance ... <a title="Runner Sam Ruthe rewrites the record books" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/23/runner-sam-ruthe-rewrites-the-record-books/" aria-label="Read more about Runner Sam Ruthe rewrites the record books">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 23, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / REECE BAKER A man in his 60s has been charged over what police say were indecent assaults of high school students and a staff member on Auckland’s North Shore. It was the alleged assault of the teacher, last Monday, that led to further charges relating to incidents against students ... <a title="Man charged over indecent assaults of Auckland students, teacher" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/23/man-charged-over-indecent-assaults-of-auckland-students-teacher/" aria-label="Read more about Man charged over indecent assaults of Auckland students, teacher">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 23, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Chris Hipkins’ State of the Nation speech read like a “lump of jelly” filled with sentiment, but no concrete plans, and that Chat GPT could have written it, says Nationals’ deputy leader. Nicola Willis is calling for a contest of “actual ideas” with the Labour leader, because if the party does ... <a title="Hipikins speech like ‘lump of jelly’ filled with sentiment, says Willis" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/23/hipikins-speech-like-lump-of-jelly-filled-with-sentiment-says-willis/" aria-label="Read more about Hipikins speech like ‘lump of jelly’ filled with sentiment, says Willis">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 23, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Emergency services at a house in Bryndwr, Christchurch. Sam Sherwood / RNZ A dog attack that left a Christchurch father and his teenage son in hospital resembled a bloodbath, a friend of the dogs’ owner says. The father and son were visiting a friend in Bevin Place in Bryndwr on Saturday ... <a title="Christchurch father and son in hospital after ‘bloodbath’ dog attack" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/23/christchurch-father-and-son-in-hospital-after-bloodbath-dog-attack/" aria-label="Read more about Christchurch father and son in hospital after ‘bloodbath’ dog attack">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 23, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz It was a top 10 finish for Auckland golfer Ryan Fox on the PGA Tour. Fox carded a final round four under par 67 to finish at 12 under and in a tie for seventh at the Genesis Invitational in California. He started the ... <a title="Million dollar pay day for golfer Ryan Fox" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/23/million-dollar-pay-day-for-golfer-ryan-fox/" aria-label="Read more about Million dollar pay day for golfer Ryan Fox">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 23, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand The agreement includes the expansion of the medical, life and trauma insurance cover to include Aupiki players. ©INPHO/Billy Stickland / PHOTOSPORT A greater investment in health and well-being, and rewards for long service are among the changes to the new collective agreement between players and New Zealand Rugby. The New Zealand ... <a title="NZ Rugby agrees to new deal with players" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/23/nz-rugby-agrees-to-new-deal-with-players/" aria-label="Read more about NZ Rugby agrees to new deal with players">Read more</a>
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>
CoveragePost
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>
CoveragePost
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>
