CoveragePost
February 18, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand NZ First leader singled out a Green MP for his Rarotongan heritage, which Labour leader Chris Hipkins says was “pure racism”. RNZ Winston Peters has been accused of “pure racism” in Parliament by Labour leader Chris Hipkins, who has called out National ministers for failing to combat or challenge it. The ... <a title="Hipkins accuses Peters of ‘pure racism’ in Parliament" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/18/hipkins-accuses-peters-of-pure-racism-in-parliament/" aria-label="Read more about Hipkins accuses Peters of ‘pure racism’ in Parliament">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 18, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Tom Kitchin The Infrastructure Commission has moved to clarify its suggestion around tolling the Auckland Harbour Bridge, with the government considering whether a toll will help pay for a new Waitematā Harbour crossing. The government has been at pains to stress no decisions have been made around tolling the existing bridge, ... <a title="Infrastructure Commission clarifies suggestion of Auckland Harbour Bridge toll" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/18/infrastructure-commission-clarifies-suggestion-of-auckland-harbour-bridge-toll/" aria-label="Read more about Infrastructure Commission clarifies suggestion of Auckland Harbour Bridge toll">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 18, 2026
By Kaya Selby, RNZ Pacific journalist Papua New Guinea is under a close watch for money laundering, running a risk of being abandoned by global investors. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has placed PNG on its “grey list” due to “strategic deficiencies” in government oversight. The grey-list means that watchdog officials are monitoring closely, ... <a title="PNG one step away from blacklist, warns global money laundering watchdog" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/18/png-one-step-away-from-blacklist-warns-global-money-laundering-watchdog/" aria-label="Read more about PNG one step away from blacklist, warns global money laundering watchdog">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 18, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Children are still no safer than when Malachi Subecz was murdered, according to a new report from the Independent Children’s Monitor. It is the second review of the implementation of the recommendations from a report into Malachi’s death, and has showed little progress has been made. Malachi died of a blunt ... <a title="Children still no safer than when Malachi Subecz was murdered – latest report" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/18/children-still-no-safer-than-when-malachi-subecz-was-murdered-latest-report/" aria-label="Read more about Children still no safer than when Malachi Subecz was murdered – latest report">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 18, 2026
Democracy Now! In Gaza, a senior Hamas leader involved in the ceasefire negotiations has told Drop Site News that Hamas will not agree to demands that it unilaterally disarm. Basem Naim also said that Hamas would not submit to Israel’s demand for a total demilitarisation of the Gaza Strip. This comes amid reports that President ... <a title="Hamas refuses to follow US-Israel calls to unilaterally disarm in Gaza, says senior official" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/18/hamas-refuses-to-follow-us-israel-calls-to-unilaterally-disarm-in-gaza-says-senior-official/" aria-label="Read more about Hamas refuses to follow US-Israel calls to unilaterally disarm in Gaza, says senior official">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 18, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Two new medicines for people with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia could be on the way, with Pharmac proposing to fund venetoclax with ibrutinib or with obinutuzumab. If accepted, the combination therapies could be available as first line treatments from 1 May 2026. Associate Health Minister David Seymour said CLL was not curable, ... <a title="Pharmac looks to fund two new medicines for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/18/pharmac-looks-to-fund-two-new-medicines-for-chronic-lymphocytic-leukaemia/" aria-label="Read more about Pharmac looks to fund two new medicines for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 18, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Auckland Harbour Bridge. 123rf Imposing tolls on the existing Harbour Bridge won’t raise enough revenue to cover long-term costs of a new crossing, the editor of an advocacy website says. The Infrastructure Commission has suggested a toll as high as $9 to help pay for a second crossing. Greater Auckland editor ... <a title="Charging $9 toll wouldn’t cover cost of new Auckland harbour crossing, advocate says" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/18/charging-9-toll-wouldnt-cover-cost-of-new-auckland-harbour-crossing-advocate-says/" aria-label="Read more about Charging $9 toll wouldn’t cover cost of new Auckland harbour crossing, advocate says">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 18, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Auckland Harbour Bridge. 123rf Imposing tolls on the existing Harbour Bridge won’t raise enough revenue to cover long-term costs of a new crossing, the editor of an advocacy website says. The Infrastructure Commission has suggested a toll as high as $9 to help pay for a second crossing. Greater Auckland editor ... <a title="Charging $9 toll wouldn’t cover cost of new harbour crossing, advocate says" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/18/charging-9-toll-wouldnt-cover-cost-of-new-harbour-crossing-advocate-says/" aria-label="Read more about Charging $9 toll wouldn’t cover cost of new harbour crossing, advocate says">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 18, 2026
Asia Pacific Report Several small Pacific countries regularly vote in support of Israel at the United Nations in spite of overwhelming opposition for the Zionist state in the Middle East over its genocide in Gaza. Why? In this AJ+ video short, senior presenter/producer Dena Takruri sets out to explain the Pacific backing for Tel Aviv, ... <a title="How Israel won the Pacific – and its backing at the UN" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/18/how-israel-won-the-pacific-and-its-backing-at-the-un/" aria-label="Read more about How Israel won the Pacific – and its backing at the UN">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 17, 2026
COMMENTARY: By Caitlin Johnstone US Empire managers have been making some surprisingly honest admissions in recent days, with Senator Lindsey Graham saying the wars of the future are being planned in Israel and Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling for a return to old-school Western colonialism. During a Monday press conference in Tel Aviv after ... <a title="Caitlin Johnstone: More shockingly honest confessions from the Empire managers" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/17/caitlin-johnstone-more-shockingly-honest-confessions-from-the-empire-managers/" aria-label="Read more about Caitlin Johnstone: More shockingly honest confessions from the Empire managers">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 17, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand The Minister moved a motion of urgency to introduce the bill. VNP / Phil Smith The government has introduced legislation so the welfare system can legally claw back payments when someone has been backpaid for an ACC claim. Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston moved a motion of urgency to ... <a title="Incoming law change so MSD can claw back welfare payments off ACC clients" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/17/incoming-law-change-so-msd-can-claw-back-welfare-payments-off-acc-clients/" aria-label="Read more about Incoming law change so MSD can claw back welfare payments off ACC clients">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
February 17, 2026
Source: Radio New Zealand Tom Kitchin The government is seeking advice on whether to bring in a toll on the existing Auckland Harbour Bridge, to help pay for a second Waitematā Harbour crossing. The Infrastructure Commission has suggested a toll as high as $9, a figure the Transport Minister says would be a “big decision” ... <a title="Government considers Auckland Harbour Bridge toll to help pay for second crossing" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/17/government-considers-auckland-harbour-bridge-toll-to-help-pay-for-second-crossing/" aria-label="Read more about Government considers Auckland Harbour Bridge toll to help pay for second crossing">Read more</a>
