CoveragePost
February 20, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand The Reserve Bank indicated it expected to raise interest rates a little faster and earlier than previously forecast. fantasista/123RF Westpac says it is cutting its three-, four- and five-year home loan rates. It is the first bank to move after the latest official cash rate (OCR) announcement. The Reserve Bank indicated ... <a title="Major bank cuts home loan rates" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/20/major-bank-cuts-home-loan-rates/" aria-label="Read more about Major bank cuts home loan rates">Read more</a>
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February 20, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Parts of Auckland’s Northcote College have been destroyed in a fire which broke out during a firefighters strike. Fire and Emergency NZ said they were called to the school about 12.15pm on Friday. Smoke could be seen from the Harbour Bridge, billowing from the school’s sports pavillion, a large wooden hall ... <a title="Watch: Fire tears through pavilion at Auckland’s Northcote College during firefighters strike" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/20/watch-fire-tears-through-pavilion-at-aucklands-northcote-college-during-firefighters-strike/" aria-label="Read more about Watch: Fire tears through pavilion at Auckland’s Northcote College during firefighters strike">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 20, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand The photo, taken by Reuters photographer Phil Noble, went viral when it was published. Screenshot / BBC Slumped in the back seat of his Range Rover, a visibly shaken man once referred to as the “Playboy Prince” stares ahead of him as the car leaves Aylsham police station in Norfolk, England. ... <a title="How Reuters captured the photo of former prince Andrew leaving custody" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/20/how-reuters-captured-the-photo-of-former-prince-andrew-leaving-custody/" aria-label="Read more about How Reuters captured the photo of former prince Andrew leaving custody">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 20, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone A union has hit back at claims by New Zealand First it could have changed the law removing the right for contractors to challenge their employment status. “How dare Winston Peters claim unions were too slow when they contacted his party last ... <a title="Union hits back at NZ First over Employment Relations Amendment Bill" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/20/union-hits-back-at-nz-first-over-employment-relations-amendment-bill/" aria-label="Read more about Union hits back at NZ First over Employment Relations Amendment Bill">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 20, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand File photo. RNZ / Richard Tindiller Police say they have tested more than 300 people and issued seven infringements since roadside drug testing was introduced in the Wellington region two months ago. On 18 December last year, police began screening drivers in and around the capital for cannabis, methamphetamine, MDMA and ... <a title="Seven drugged drivers fined since roadside testing began" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/20/seven-drugged-drivers-fined-since-roadside-testing-began/" aria-label="Read more about Seven drugged drivers fined since roadside testing began">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 20, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand File photo. RNZ / Marika Khabazi A 24-year-old has been charged with murder after a body was found at a park in the Western Bay of Plenty nearly a week ago. Dax Holland, 54, was found dead at Warepai Domain last Saturday. Detective Senior Sergeant Natalie Flowerdew-Brown said police still wanted ... <a title="Man charged over death of Dax Holland" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/20/man-charged-over-death-of-dax-holland/" aria-label="Read more about Man charged over death of Dax Holland">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 20, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Eric Dane, the handsome and hunky actor who steamed up primetime TV on Grey’s Anatomy at the height of the show’s popularity, has died, according to his publicist. He was 53. “With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS. He spent ... <a title="Eric Dane, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Euphoria’ star, dead at 53" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/20/eric-dane-greys-anatomy-and-euphoria-star-dead-at-53/" aria-label="Read more about Eric Dane, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Euphoria’ star, dead at 53">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 20, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand A crash has closed Arthur’s Pass. Screenshot/Google Maps State Highway 73 is closed between Canterbury and the West Coast because of a serious crash in Arthur’s Pass. The crash between a car and a motorbike happened near the intersection with Cora Lynn Road at about 1pm. Motorists are advised to avoid ... <a title="Arthur’s Pass closed after crash between car and motorbike" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/20/arthurs-pass-closed-after-crash-between-car-and-motorbike/" aria-label="Read more about Arthur’s Pass closed after crash between car and motorbike">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 20, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand The desk was bought at a tip shop. Raymond Morgan A builder who bought Wellington’s most embarrassing historical desk says he would be happy to gift it back to the city if it goes into a museum. A furniture historian said it was “outrageous” the desk, that four mayors had used, ... <a title="Builder who bought former Wellington mayoral desk happy to give it back" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/20/builder-who-bought-former-wellington-mayoral-desk-happy-to-give-it-back/" aria-label="Read more about Builder who bought former Wellington mayoral desk happy to give it back">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 20, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Biosecurity New Zealand commissioner north Mike Inglis. RNZ / Maia Ingoe Controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in Auckland’s Mount Roskill have been lifted after Biosecurity New Zealand announced no further evidence of Queensland fruit fly in the area. The announcement comes after a six week intensive fruit fly ... <a title="Queensland fruit fly operation in Mount Roskill ends" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/20/queensland-fruit-fly-operation-in-mount-roskill-ends/" aria-label="Read more about Queensland fruit fly operation in Mount Roskill ends">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 20, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Damage from the storm to electricity networks was extensive. Wellington City Council Residents across the Wellington region are getting increasingly frustrated with power providers and the lines company, with one 92-year-old forced to cart buckets of water to flush the toilet. Schools closed and power was cut to thousands when wild ... <a title="Confusion over who is meant to deal with Wellington’s ongoing power cuts" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/20/confusion-over-who-is-meant-to-deal-with-wellingtons-ongoing-power-cuts/" aria-label="Read more about Confusion over who is meant to deal with Wellington’s ongoing power cuts">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 20, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Wellington Phoenix captain Alex Rufer and Auckland FC’s Lachlan Brook scored for their sides the last time they met in the A-League in December. Photosport Wellington Phoenix vs Auckland FC Kick-off: 5pm Saturday February 21 Sky Stadium, Wellington Live blog updates on RNZ A one-sided rivalry is still a rivalry. That ... <a title="What you need to know ahead of sixth NZ A-League derby" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/20/what-you-need-to-know-ahead-of-sixth-nz-a-league-derby/" aria-label="Read more about What you need to know ahead of sixth NZ A-League derby">Read more</a>
