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French Senate vote endorses New Caledonia’s future status

February 26, 2026

By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk French Senators have endorsed a Constitutional amendment text regarding New Caledonia’s future political status. Two-hundred and fifteen senators (mostly an alliance between right and centre-right parties) voted in favour, and 41 voted against. The four-hour sitting was marked by a lengthy address by French Prime Minister ... <a title="French Senate vote endorses New Caledonia’s future status" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/26/french-senate-vote-endorses-new-caledonias-future-status/" aria-label="Read more about French Senate vote endorses New Caledonia’s future status">Read more</a>

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National and New Zealand First go head to head over Hauraki Gulf

February 25, 2026

Source: Radio New Zealand NZ First’s Shane Jones and National’s Tama Potaka. RNZ New Zealand First has hit out at National after its coalition partner promised to campaign on stronger fishing protections in the Hauraki Gulf. National’s conservation spokesperson Tama Potaka laid out the position his party would take to the election campaign over the ... <a title="National and New Zealand First go head to head over Hauraki Gulf" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/25/national-and-new-zealand-first-go-head-to-head-over-hauraki-gulf/" aria-label="Read more about National and New Zealand First go head to head over Hauraki Gulf">Read more</a>

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Government scraps its quarterly action plans

February 25, 2026

Source: Radio New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon previously said the plans helped create momentum and drive focus. RNZ / Nathan McKinnon The government appears to have scrapped its quarterly action plans, after not releasing one so far this quarter. At the start of the term, the Prime Minister released the things the government planned ... <a title="Government scraps its quarterly action plans" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/25/government-scraps-its-quarterly-action-plans/" aria-label="Read more about Government scraps its quarterly action plans">Read more</a>

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Should e-scooters should be allowed in cycle lanes?

February 25, 2026

Source: Radio New Zealand RNZ / Nick Monro The government is proposing to make it legal to ride e-scooters in cycle lanes. It is part of its work to “fix the basics” in the New Zealand transport system, with consultation opening today on two packages for rule changes. Transport Minister Chris Bishop said transport rules ... <a title="Should e-scooters should be allowed in cycle lanes?" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/25/should-e-scooters-should-be-allowed-in-cycle-lanes/" aria-label="Read more about Should e-scooters should be allowed in cycle lanes?">Read more</a>

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Pay equity backlash is ‘hyperbole’, Finance Minister says

February 25, 2026

Source: Radio New Zealand Finance Minister Nicola Willis. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Finance Minister Nicola Willis has dismissed claims the coalition’s pay equity changes amount to an abuse of power as “hyperbole”. An unofficial select committee run by 10 former MPs from across the political spectrum has condemned the changes, arguing the government had violated ... <a title="Pay equity backlash is ‘hyperbole’, Finance Minister says" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/25/pay-equity-backlash-is-hyperbole-finance-minister-says/" aria-label="Read more about Pay equity backlash is ‘hyperbole’, Finance Minister says">Read more</a>

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Immigration officers to get increased powers to ask suspected overstayers for identification

February 25, 2026

Source: Radio New Zealand Immigration Minister Erica Stanford. Nick Monro Immigration officers will soon have the power to ask suspected overstayers for identification in homes and workplaces. The government said it was closing a compliance gap in the deportation system, while critics argued it was a step towards the immigration conditions that had allowed the ... <a title="Immigration officers to get increased powers to ask suspected overstayers for identification" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/25/immigration-officers-to-get-increased-powers-to-ask-suspected-overstayers-for-identification/" aria-label="Read more about Immigration officers to get increased powers to ask suspected overstayers for identification">Read more</a>

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The Palestine Chronicle: Roger Fowler’s legacy – a Palestinian tribute

February 25, 2026

The Palestine Chronicle New Zealand activist Roger Fowler, a longtime Gaza solidarity organiser and Palestine Chronicle contributor, who died last Saturday, leaves a legacy of principled resistance. Roger Fowler was a beloved figure in the global solidarity movement and a steadfast advocate for justice in Palestine. He leaves behind a legacy defined by courage, compassion, ... <a title="The Palestine Chronicle: Roger Fowler’s legacy – a Palestinian tribute" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/25/the-palestine-chronicle-roger-fowlers-legacy-a-palestinian-tribute/" aria-label="Read more about The Palestine Chronicle: Roger Fowler’s legacy – a Palestinian tribute">Read more</a>

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West Papuan filmmakers expose Merauke rainforest destruction in ‘siege’ doco

February 25, 2026

Pacific Media Watch A world premiere of a new documentary revealing the devastation of rainforest in the southeastern part of West Papua is one of two films being screened in Auckland next month. Billed as “Sinéma Merdeka: Stories from West Papua”, the programme is showing the heart of a hidden Pacific conflict and will be ... <a title="West Papuan filmmakers expose Merauke rainforest destruction in ‘siege’ doco" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/25/west-papuan-filmmakers-expose-merauke-rainforest-destruction-in-siege-doco/" aria-label="Read more about West Papuan filmmakers expose Merauke rainforest destruction in ‘siege’ doco">Read more</a>

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AI and privacy: Commissioner signs on to global statement on ‘potential harms’

February 24, 2026

Source: Radio New Zealand An image of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis was misleadingly animated using AI by a Facebook page recently. Screenshot / Facebook New Zealand’s privacy commissioner’s office has signed on to a global joint statement voicing concerns about AI-generated images and calling on organisations to follow the law. ... <a title="AI and privacy: Commissioner signs on to global statement on ‘potential harms’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/24/ai-and-privacy-commissioner-signs-on-to-global-statement-on-potential-harms/" aria-label="Read more about AI and privacy: Commissioner signs on to global statement on ‘potential harms’">Read more</a>

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Political support for NZ-India FTA getting closer – trade minister

February 24, 2026

Source: Radio New Zealand Trade Minster Todd McClay says the government is “working through a process” with opposition parties. RNZ / Mark Papalii The Free Trade Agreement with India is better than almost every other trade agreement with India, says the trade minister, who is optimistic it will get the political support needed to ratify ... <a title="Political support for NZ-India FTA getting closer – trade minister" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/24/political-support-for-nz-india-fta-getting-closer-trade-minister/" aria-label="Read more about Political support for NZ-India FTA getting closer – trade minister">Read more</a>

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Ukraine conflict: NZ PM to take part in Coalition of the Willing meeting

February 24, 2026

Source: Radio New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he will take part because he supported Ukraine’s efforts. RNZ / Marika Khabazi The prime minister will take part in a Coalition of the Willing meeting this evening, on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The government is providing a further $8 million in ... <a title="Ukraine conflict: NZ PM to take part in Coalition of the Willing meeting" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/24/ukraine-conflict-nz-pm-to-take-part-in-coalition-of-the-willing-meeting/" aria-label="Read more about Ukraine conflict: NZ PM to take part in Coalition of the Willing meeting">Read more</a>

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Fiji PM Rabuka stands by anti-corruption body after arrest of critic

February 24, 2026

RNZ Pacific Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says his government will not interfere with the work of the country’s anti-corruption body following the latest turn of events involving a British-Fijian national. On Monday, Charlie Charters, a former Fiji Rugby administrator and a journalist, was released on bail by the Suva Magistrates Court after being charged ... <a title="Fiji PM Rabuka stands by anti-corruption body after arrest of critic" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/24/fiji-pm-rabuka-stands-by-anti-corruption-body-after-arrest-of-critic/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji PM Rabuka stands by anti-corruption body after arrest of critic">Read more</a>