One Nation’s smashing victory in Farrer fires up the insurgent party, and casts fresh doubts over the future of the Liberal Party.

The result could not be a more devastating rebuff for Liberal leader Angus Taylor, who has been found wanting after only months in the job. This puts him under even more pressure for next week’s budget reply.

The result will raise more doubts about whether, or for how long, Taylor will survive as leader, given Andrew Hastie, a political freelancer, waits in the wings.

Taylor said after the result, “For too long, we have been a party of convenience, not of conviction, and that must change”, and again defaulted to his immigration lines. He repeated his slogan, “If the vote sprays, Labor stays”. In Farrer, it was less a matter of spraying as deserting.

One might say deposed Liberal leader Sussan Ley extracted her ultimate revenge in triggering the byelection. Once she announced she was quitting the seat, it was always potentially bad news for her successor and her party.

Ley, overseas and invisible for the campaign, re-emerged on Saturday night with a statement rejecting the argument Taylor has been making about the impact of the Coalition bust ups. She also declared: “On the day the leadership spilled in February, the new leader said the Liberal Party needed to ‘change or die’. Three months later, the result in Farrer demonstrates that statement to be far truer today than it ever was then.”

The Liberal vote has collapsed to an extraordinary low. Last election Ley received a primary vote of about 43%. This time, on Saturday night’s numbers, the Liberals were polling about 12%.

The Liberals had a weak candidate in Raissa Butkowski. One reason was the local party was in no state to throw up a strong contender.

The Nationals, able to be in the field for the first time in a quarter of a century, were polling just behind the Liberals (about 10%) on Saturday night. Their leader Matt Canavan, in contrast to Taylor, was conspicuous by his presence in the campaign, figuratively and often literally camped in the electorate.

This is the first time One Nation has won a House of Representatives seat.

The result is a case study of the wider mood of disillusionment and anger in the Australian electorate. The “parties of government” are on the nose, and their situation will likely only get worse. Commentators were noting the comparison with the United Kingdom, where Labour was taking a towelling in local elections.

One Nation had a scratchy campaign towards the end, after revelations that its candidate, David Farley, had previously wanted to be a candidate for Labor and in the 2025 election embraced independent Michelle Milthorpe, his opponent at this election, as a “straight shooter”. He also had slip ups in his public comments.

The voters didn’t care. Their mood was sour; their eyes were on Pauline Hanson, who articulated their grievances.

The Farrer seat tells a tale of two electorates – Albury, the urban area and about a third of the voters where Milthorpe did extremely well in 2025, and the sprawling scattered areas of small towns and rural holdings.

Milthorpe, who has had a swing of about 8% to her, could not lift her vote to catch the One Nation surge, which had a swing to it of 34% (having polled under 7% last time). Labor’s decision not to contest the seat did not give Milthorpe the assistance that might have been expected.

Milthorpe’s primary vote is about 28% to Farley’s 40%. On a two candidate basis Farley leads Milthorpe about 59-41%.

A year ago the time suited Milthorpe, when Farrer voters wanted to give a slap to its Liberal MP. This year, the voters wanted to take an axe to the system.

One Nation’s victory in Farrer follows a successful result in South Australia, where the party snatched four lower house seats and three in the upper house.

On Saturday night Hanson was ecstatic, projecting the vote to a much wider success:

“This is a journey that we’re going to go on, that we are going to look forward to in the future and the people out there who may be watching this – we’re coming after those other seats. If they have not represented you, you are not going to be the forgotten people anymore”.

The Farrer triumph comes before the crucial Victorian poll in November. The state Liberals, despite retaining Nepean in last weekend’s byelection, will be unnerved by the Farrer result. Many regional areas appear to be for the taking, given Victorians’ desire to rid themselves of the Allan government but their apprehension about the Liberals’ state of unreadiness. One Nation will present a vehicle for a primal political scream.

Federal Labor knows that while One Nation is presently the Coalition’s problem, it could become Labor’s too. At the raucous One Nation function on Saturday night, Barnaby Joyce declared, “Western Sydney here we come”. It might be hubris of course, but if the community mood doesn’t change, some outer suburban Labor seats could become vulnerable.

Helen Haines, the community independent who holds the Victorian seat of Indi across the Murray from Farrer, declared the result was “the end of business as usual in Farrer”.

We might say it’s also the end of business as usual for the Liberal Party, whatever that will mean.

– ref. View from The Hill: A primal scream from Farrer throws Liberals into deeper crisis – https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-a-primal-scream-from-farrer-throws-liberals-into-deeper-crisis-282263

Indonesian authorities say investigations are underway into an incident in West Papua when a number of people were allegedly injured after police fired shots amid a student graduation event.

Reports from West Papua say seven people suffered injuries when tensions flared at a parade by senior high school graduates through the town of Kobakma in Mamberamo Tengah Regency of Papua’s central highlands on Tuesday, May 5.

The situation reportedly escalated after local people watching the parade, objected to attempts by police officers to stop graduates displaying the West Papuan nationalist Morning Star flag.

Brandishing the flag, or painting school uniforms and personal accessories with a Morning Star symbol, is relatively common across West Papua on graduation day — despite the flag being effectively outlawed by Indonesia.

Video footage obtained by human rights researchers shows a crowd of angry Papuans throwing stones towards police infrastructure. The sound of gunshots follows.

According to Human Rights Monitor, seven West Papuans — including some students — were injured from being shot. The seven were aged between 17 and 24 years old.

Local police said their officers tried to persuade the students not to display the Morning Star, but they were ignored and the situation developed into unrest. Police said that in response they dispersed the crowd using tear gas and fired warning shots into the air.

Security forces on patrol
According to police, a number of people were injured, including police personnel. Security forces, including military, are patrolling the area after the melee briefly descended into rioting and looting at the at Kobakma’s central market.

A spokesperson at the Indonesian Embassy in New Zealand told RNZ Pacific that information it had gathered about the incident indicated the students’ parade had been “infiltrated by another group that provoked to create discord related to an unfortunate incident that happened in the area on the previous day”.

“Local authorities in close relations with civic groups, including church authorities and traditional leaders, are currently trying to conduct a thorough investigation regarding the incident that happens.”

The spokesperson said national and local authorities would focus their efforts to avoid any further “unfortunate similar incidents” happening in the future.

This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

The importance of media freedom is recognised each year globally on May 3. This year the Pacific Island country of Tonga commemorated World Press Freedom Day just a week after one of the most frightening threats to that freedom which took place at a media outlet.

A hooded man brandishing a pistol threatened a female journalist at the newsroom of Kele’a Voice, an FM radio station in Nuku’alofa. The radio station had broadcast a news story about a Tongan deportee serving a life sentence in Tonga for the importation of two kilograms of methamphetamine.

The convicted man was a member of an Australian motorcycle gang known as the Comancheros. He was planning to set up a chapter in Tonga, according to an ABC Foreign Correspondent documentary that included an interview with the man in prison.

The threatened journalist was warned never to broadcast any more stories on the Comancheros and drug trafficking.

The police are still investigating and looking for the man. The incident is to my knowledge the first armed threat ever carried out against any media in Tonga.

The manager of Kele’a Voice, Teisa Cokanasiga, said the incident was a huge threat to their freedom to report the news, and that it is the media’s role to report on stories of public interest.

Veteran journalist Katalina Tohi, president of the Media Association of Tonga (MAT), spoke out strongly: “A climate of fear and intimidation targeting media personnel undermines democratic principles and silences the very voices that hold power to account.”

‘Attack on right to know’
She said that an “attack on the press is an attack on our nation’s right to know”.

“The Media Association of Tonga is appalled by this brazen act of intimidation. Journalists must be able to carry out their work without the threat of violence or death.”

Tohi is also a board member of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA); her condemnation of the Tonga incident is representative not only of MAT’s views, but also those of PINA as the premier news association of the Pacific.

Threats against press freedom are unfortunately ongoing in the Pacific. The incident in Tonga demonstrates that the enemies of press freedom can come from anywhere — not always the government or those in power, but anyone averse to truth and transparency.

Whether it is in Fiji, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, French Polynesia or anywhere else in the Pacific, media freedom must be protected, advocated for and exercised to the fullest. Only then can we in the Pacific be assured of the proper exercise of democratic governance, the rule of law, transparency and commitment to truth as foundational pillars of society.

In Tonga, freedom of speech is a fundamental value inscribed in its 150-year-old Constitution. Clause 7 of the Tonga Constitution states:

“It shall be lawful for all people to speak write and print their opinions and no law shall ever be enacted to restrict this liberty.

“There shall be freedom of speech and of the press for ever but nothing in this clause shall be held to outweigh the law of slander or the laws for the protection of the King and the Royal Family.”

Social media issue
In an age when the communication industry has exploded, bringing with it misinformation and disinformation, the dominance of social media platforms has raised an important issue for our profession.

We need to redefine our freedom on the basis of truth, and not just because we have a voice. With the availability of technology such as AI, media freedom may be threatened not so much by forces from outside as from within the industry itself.

Never before has there been a greater emphasis on fact-checking, reflecting a decline in trust and reliability of content. Traditional editing has always included fact-checking, but it has become far more important amid today’s flood of misinformation, AI-generated inaccuracies and manipulated images.

Truth must be the foundation upon which media freedom is built. We are free to speak the truth — we are not free to misinform, deceive or propagate falsehood. There is a huge difference between the freedom to speak truth and the freedom to speak lies.

Freedom of speech is the tool for holding power to account on the basis of truth. And truth matters not only to those who speak but to those who listen; audiences influenced by misinformation train their ears to follow narratives that may be false.

In a world of too many confusing voices, what matters is not simply having a voice but having one that speaks truth — and we cannot be silent about the truth. We must speak, write, print and show, for truth matters.

‘Built on truth’
American civil rights essayist Maya Angelou rightly said: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter”. Nothing important is built on silence. If it matters, it must be built on truth. And truth is dependent on a free and fearless media to be its voice.

Finally, I wish to point out a Biblical truth, spoken by Jesus himself: “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” (John 8.32)

Here we see a connection between knowledge, truth and freedom — the freedom that is such a vital part of our Pacific cultures and existence.

Kalafi Moala established Tonga’s first independent newspaper and currently manages the online platform Talanoa ‘o Tonga. He was elected president of the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) in September 2024. This article was first published by DevPolicy Blog and is republished under a Creative Commons licence.

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

The Mystics have held off a desperate Pulse in Porirua, beating the home side 55-47, to record their first back-to-back wins of the ANZ Premiership season.

The Pulse have been a consistent ANZ Premiership contender, having only missed the play-offs once in nine years of the competition.

But the Pulse came into the game with just one win after four rounds, knowing a loss to the Mystics could just about end their play-off hopes.

The highly fancied Mystics had a slow start to the season but were coming off a 52-43 win over the table-topping Tactix, and now sit second on the ladder.

The Mystics got off to a fast start. Pulse import shooter Ine-Marí Venter managed just two goals, before she was subbed off after seven minutes in favour of Khiarna Williams.

The Pulse managed to steady the ship, to trail by three after the first quarter.

Pulse wing defence Ainsleyana Puleiata played with conviction throughout, picking intercepts off Peta Toeava, who copped a warning for not pulling out of a contest in the second quarter.

The Pulse won the second quarter, to trail by just one goal at half-time.

Mystics coach Tia Winikerei continued to tinker with her line-up throughout.

The Mystics had the better of the third quarter to lead 42-38 heading into the final period.

In the final quarter the Mystics’ defenders, led by Catherine Hall, started turning over the ball more regularly.

Hall had to come off the court with a few minutes left with what looked like a sore ankle, having collided with the post.

Pulse co-captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio had her best game of the season, sinking 26 goals from goal attack, but the former Silver Ferns captain needed more support.

Young Mystics goal shoot Sophia Lafaiali’i did a good job anchoring the shooting end in her 45 minutes on court to put up 34 shots.

Mystics stalwart Tayla Earle brought up her 100th ANZ Premiership match.

Steel continue to build momentum

Earlier, the Southern Steel won their fourth ANZ Premiership game in a row, beating the winless Magic 61-48 in Tauranga.

The Steel have not won the domestic title since 2018 and have not featured in the play-offs since 2021, but are looking strong at the half-way mark of the season.

The southerners have not dropped a game since losing their season opener and now sit at the top of the ladder.

Steel shooter Aliyah Dunn showed no signs of a calf injury that saw her leave the court in the dying minutes of their previous game.

The shooting partnership between Georgia Heffernan and Dunn has gone up another level this year. At goal attack Heffernan contributed with a handy 15 goals.

In 53 minutes on court, Dunn top-scored with 40 goals, missing just one shot.

In contrast, the Magic were without their most experienced shooter Saviour Tui for a second week, due to injury.

Magic coach Mary-Jane Araroa started with Kate Taylor and Sarah Guiney in the shooting circle. The 2025 Youth World Cup team-mates more than held their own in the first quarter and the scores were tied 14-all at the first break.

But in what felt like an inevitable shift, the Steel started playing more clinical netball and the Magic found it hard to slow them down.

The Steel led 31-23 at half-time, and won the next two quarters.

Having only played a few minutes so far in her first year of the ANZ Premiership, Guiney showed a lot of promise in nearly a full game at goal attack.

Guiney nailed back-to-back super shots near the end of the third quarter, but the Steel held a healthy 49-38 lead going into the final spell.

Taylor, playing a full game at goal shoot was solid, scoring 34 goals at 92 percent accuracy.

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One Nation has won the Farrer federal byelection – the first time the party has won an election for a federal House of Representatives seat. At the same time, the Liberal vote has crashed, with independent Michelle Milthorpe running second on Saturday night.

The byelection in the regional New South Wales seat was triggered by former Liberal leader Sussan Ley’s resignation. At the 2025 general election, Ley had defeated independent Michelle Milthorpe in Farrer by 56.2–43.8.

With 41% of enrolled voters counted for the byelection, The Poll Bludger’s results system is projecting that One Nation’s David Farley will defeat Milthorpe by 58.0–42.0 when all votes are counted.

Current primary votes are 42.3% Farley (up 35.1% on One Nation’s 2025 vote), 25.6% Milthorpe (up 7.0%), 11.2% Liberals (down 32.2%) 9.7% Nationals (new), 2.7% Legalisse Cannabis (new), 2.4% Greens (down 2.8%) and 2.0% Shooters (down 1.7%). Labor didn’t contest after winning 15.1% in 2025.

Projections for final primary votes are 41.7% Farley, 27.0% Milthorpe, 11.3% Liberals and 9.9% Nationals. The majority of preferences come from the Liberals and Nationals to One Nation, and Milthorpe’s preference share of 48.0% is higher than I expected given the unfavourable sources. But One Nation’s large lead on primary votes will give them an easy win after preferences.

National polls have recently had One Nation in second place on primary votes behind Labor and ahead of the Coalition. If these polls are accurate, One Nation should be winning seats like Farrer, which is rural and strongly conservative.

YouGov poll: Labor rebounds from slump in prior poll

A national YouGov poll for Sky News, conducted April 28 to May 5 from a sample presumably of 1,500, gave Labor 30% of the primary vote (up three since the April 14–21 YouGov poll), One Nation 24% (down three), the Coalition 21% (up one), the Greens 14% (steady), independents 5% (steady) and others 6% (down one).

By respondent preferences, Labor led the Coalition by 54–46, a one-point gain for Labor. Labor led One Nation by a blowout 57–43, a five-point gain for Labor.

Anthony Albanese’s net approval was up five points to -14, with 54% dissatisfied and 40% satisfied. Angus Taylor’s net approval was up one point to -4 (42% dissatisfied, 38% satisfied). Albanese led Taylor as better PM by 45–36 (44–39 previously). He led Pauline Hanson by 54–35 (50–39).

Asked about their personal financial situation in the past three months, 47% of those polled said it was worse, 43% no change and just 7% better. On what Labor should prioritise in Tuesday’s budget, 36% selected budget savings, 33% energy subsidies or a fuel excise cut, 20% more social services and welfare and 11% income tax cuts.

Morgan poll

A national Morgan poll, conducted April 27 to May 3 from a sample of 1,681, gave Labor 29.5% of the primary vote (down 0.5 since the April 20–26 Morgan poll), the Coalition 24% (up 1.5), One Nation 21.5% (down one), the Greens 13% (down one) and all Others 12% (up one).

By respondent preferences, Labor led the Coalition by an unchanged 54.5–45.5. By 2025 election preference flows, Labor led by 53–47, a one-point gain for the Coalition.

UK Labour’s dismal performance at Welsh, Scottish and English local elections

On Thursday, Welsh and Scottish parliamentary elections and English local government elections occurred, which I covered for The Poll Bludger. Labour has dominated Wales since the first devolved election in 1999, but won just nine of 96 seats, with the left-wing nationalist Plaid Cymru taking 43 seats and the populist right Reform 34.

In Scotland, the left-wing nationalist SNP (58 of 129 seats) and the Greens (15 seats) combined retained a clear majority, with Labour tied for second with Reform on 17 seats.

In England, Labour has lost over 1,400 council seats, while Reform won over 1,400. The BBC’s Projected National Share that estimates a national vote share from council elections had Reform on 26%, the Greens 18%, Labour 17%, the Conservatives 17% and the Liberal Democrats 16%.

Updates on Tasmanian upper house elections

I covered the May 2 Tasmanian upper house elections for Huon and Rosevears last Monday. After postals were counted Thursday, a full distribution of preferences in Huon resulted in left-wing independent Clare Glade-Wright defeating conservative independent incumbent Dean Harriss by 52.5–47.5.

Primary votes were 30.8% Harriss, 27.5% Glade-Wright, 16.7% Labor, 15.0% Greens and 10.0% combined for two other independents.

In Rosevears, the electoral commission will wait until the final postal votes are received on Tuesday before commencing the distribution of preferences owing to a close margin between the bottom two candidates that could be affected by late postals. The Liberals are almost certain to retain.

Final SA upper house results

At the March 21 South Australian election, eleven of the 22 upper house seats were elected using statewide proportional representation with preferences. A quota for election was one-twelfth of the vote or 8.3%. Upper house members have eight-year terms with half elected every four years.

ABC election analyst Antony Green has analysis of the upper house result. Final primary votes gave Labor 4.41 quotas, One Nation 2.93, the Liberals 2.13, the Greens 1.22, Legalise Cannabis 0.28 and Family First 0.26.

The electronic distribution of preferences was finally conducted last Monday. As expected, Labor won five of the 11 seats (up one since 2018, the last time these seats were up), One Nation three (up three), the Liberals two (down two) and the Greens one (steady). SA-Best lost its two seats.

In the distribution of preferences, One Nation’s third candidate made a full quota, while Labor’s fifth was elected with 0.57 quotas. The Greens’ second surpassed both Legalise Cannabis and Family First, to be runner-up with 0.46 quotas.

Preferences beyond a “1” for an above the line group are entirely optional in the SA upper house. With the final seat decided between Labor and the Greens, right-wing voters were likely to exhaust their preferences.

In 2022, Labor won five seats, the Liberals four, the Greens one and One Nation one. One Nation’s winner at that election, Sarah Game, has defected. The upper house total is ten Labor out of 22, six Liberals, three One Nation, two Greens and Game. Labor and the Greens combined have 12 seats, a majority.

– ref. One Nation wins Farrer byelection as Liberal vote crashes – https://theconversation.com/one-nation-wins-farrer-byelection-as-liberal-vote-crashes-282051

A quartet of tries to winger Josh Moorby has helped the Hurricanes to a strong 50-17 win over Moana Pasifika at a sodden North Harbour Stadium.

While fellow wing Fehi Fineanganofo has been grabbing the headlines this Super Rugby Pacific season, Moorby has also been potent on the right wing, none more so than this match.

He scored tries in the 11th, 22nd, 52nd and 69th minutes, while Fineanganofo missed out this time. He still needs two tries to set a new Super Rugby record of 17 tries.

The scoreline was tough on Moana Pasifika, who were trying for their second win of the season before their likely departure from the competition.

They gave it their all, restricting the Hurricanes to a halftime score of 19-5, but couldn’t stop the Canes in the second half.

They never stopped trying, with winger Tuna Tuitama providing their highlight with a try double.

The victory sees the Hurricanes maintain their competition lead, with nine wins in 11 matches.

The Hurricanes play the third-placed Blues next weekend, while Moana have a bye.

See how the game unfolded here.

Moana Pasifika: 1. Malakai Hala-Ngatai, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Atu Moli, 4. Allan Craig, 5. Veikoso Poloniati, 6. Miracle Faiilagi (c), 7. Semisi Paea, 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 9. Augustine Pulu, 10. William Havili, 11. Tuna Tuitama, 12. Faletoi Peni, 13. Solomon Alaimalo, 14. Israel Leota, 15. Glen Vaihu.

Bench: Mamoru Harada, Abraham Pole, Lolani Faleva, Jimmy Tupou, Sam Tuitupou Ah-Hing, Siaosi Nginingini, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tevita Latu.

Hurricanes: 1. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2. Vernon Bason, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Brad Shields, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (c), 8. Brayden Iose, 9. Ereatara Enari, 10. Lucas Cashmore, 11. Fehi Fineanganofo, 12. Jone Rova, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Josh Moorby, 15. Callum Harkin.

Bench: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Siale Lauaki, Hugo Plummer, Devan Flanders, Jordi Viljoen, Bailyn Sullivan, Kini Naholo.

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A woman hit by a car on a Wellington highway after an initial minor crash has died, police say.

The crash at Horokiwi, reported to police just before 6:30pm Friday, caused major traffic disruptions as State Highway 2 between Wellington and Lower Hutt was closed while emergency services worked at the scene, with drivers last night advised to detour to Porirua and then on to State Highway 58.

“Indications are that the woman had exited her vehicle after a minor crash, and was then struck by another vehicle,” police said in a statement on Saturday morning.

“Immediate medical assistance was provided, however sadly, she was unable to be revived.”

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The Parliamentary Service says threats against MPs are increasing, but staff feel hampered by MPs’ ”underwhelming” engagement with security efforts.

Parliament’s Petitions Committee has considered a call for an inquiry into the scale and nature of abuse and intimidation targeting women MPs and local body representatives.

Petitioner and former political staffer Sam Fisher said aggressive behaviour and violent threats were discouraging women from entering politics and damaging democracy.

His petition asked Parliament to investigate the scale and nature of threats.

In a submission, the Parliamentary Service told the committee it had noticed an increase in threats and abuse directed towards MPs, both online and in the community, despite what it believed to be a

high threshold before MPs reported abuse.

”It believes it is already well established that threats and abuse towards elected representatives, particularly those who are women, is a serious issue requiring attention,” the Select Committee report said.

”The Service told us that its main limitations are resourcing and “underwhelming” engagement by MPs with its security offerings. It plans to continue expanding its offerings and hopes that members will be proactive in learning about and engaging in the services available to them.”

Researchers from the Fixated Threat Assessment Centre also provided a submission to the committee.

Its clinical lead Justin Barry Walsh said the prevalence of threats and abuse against MPs was a ”concerning” and ”wicked” problem.

”I would not underestimate the harm that this causes, both to the public figures and their staff, but also I would suggest to our communities and our society,”‘ he said.

Local Government New Zealand told the committee that there had been an increase in harassment of politicians.

”A mid-2025 survey of LGNZ members found that bullying and harassment was very common, reported by 91 percent of women and 83 percent of men surveyed. Women reported more harassment on social media and in

everyday interactions outside formal settings,” the report said.

”Survey results showed that most respondents take no formal action, which echoes the concerns of underreporting expressed by the Parliamentary Service.”

Anecdotally, LGNZ’s female members had reported gendered abuse, sexualised comments, and threats, with wāhine Māori particularly targeted.

”It notes that much abuse is online and that this abuse is unavoidable when politicians need to use social media to campaign. In-person abuse has taken place at public events, in the supermarket, and at

politicians’ homes. Children have been present during instances of in-person abuse and some women reported that their children had been followed home from school,” the report said.

The committee said that consideration of a report from the Ministry for Women would provide a chance for parliamentarians to consider many of the issues raised by the petitioner.

”We consider that opening a separate inquiry is not necessary at this stage.”

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Auckland FC could not completely capitalise on home advantage in the first leg of the A-League semifinals against Adelaide United with a 1-1 draw on Saturday night.

Back at home for the second week in a row, after surviving an elimination final last week, Auckland goalkeeper Michael Woud was once again one of the heroes early in the match.

Woud made three crucial saves in the first 13 minutes to keep Auckland in the game as both teams were not shy to shoot as the rain came down.

Lachie Brook opened the scoring for Auckland when he found the back of the net with a strike from the top of the box into the bottom corner in the 24th minute as he capitalised on a teammates miss-hit.

Both teams had several more attempts on goal but Auckland took the 1-0 lead into halftime.

Two injuries in the first 10 minutes of the second half rocked Auckland, with Guillermo May going off with a lower leg injury followed quickly after by Cam Howieson who was struck on the face.

Adelaide levelled the score just after the hour mark through Harry Crawford.

Auckland and Adelaide have now played out draws in four of their five matches across two seasons.

With a short turnaround the second semifinal is in Adelaide on Friday.

See how the match unfolded here:

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The Highlanders can take a deep breath after keeping their Super Rugby Pacific season with alive with victory over the NSW Waratahs in Dunedin.

With their season on the line, the southerners dug deep to win 31-26.

But it was a nerve-racking thing – despite appearing comfortably ahead at 28-7 at halftime – as they struggled with only 14 men for most of the final quarter.

They still have a mountain to climb, but they have lifted from ninth on the table to seventh. They have 24 points, one point behind sixth placed Brumbies.

The Highlanders now likely have to win their remaining regular season games, against the Crusaders and Hurricanes to make the playoffs – a huge task but they have given themselves a slim chance.

On the other side of the coin, the Waratahs, who squandered two tries to sloppy handling in the last 20 minutes, have little chance of being in the finals, as they drop to ninth place.

Playing with intent and verve, the Highlanders ran in four tries in the first half, with wingers Caleb Tangitau and Jonah Lowe both dotting down as the side attacked repeatedly.

The Waratahs scored their only try of the half, just seconds after Highlanders lynchpin Timoci Tavatavanawai got a yellow card for a cynical cleanout.

But while the Waratahs upped their game in the second half, the Highlanders dropped off their intensity and made too many mistakes.

The game featured plenty of fiery moments.

Of concern to the Highlanders coaching team will be their discipline, with two yellow cards issued against them and one of them against Jona Nareki upgraded to a 20-minute red.

Tavatavanawai was the hero at the end after the Waratahs had narrowed the lead to just two points.

He pulled out a turnover, and Cam Miller slotted the goal for his side’s only points of the half.

See how the match unfolded below.

Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot (co-c), 2. Jack Taylor, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Tomas Lavanini, 5. Mitch Dunshea, 6. Te Kamaka Howden, 7. Lucas Casey, 8. Nikora Broughton, 9. Adam Lennox, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jonah Lowe, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), 13. Jona Nareki, 14. Caleb Tangitau, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

Bench: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Folau Fakatava, Taine Robinson, Xavier Tito-Harris.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Follow all the Super Rugby Pacific action at North Harbour Stadium, as the Hurricanes try to maintain their momentum atop the table against Moana Pasifika.

The competition leaders will be without first-string halfback Cam Roigard and first-five Ruben Love through injury, while several other frontliners are rested against their bottom-placed rivals.

Kickoff is at 7.05pm.

Moana Pasifika: 1. Malakai Hala-Ngatai, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Atu Moli, 4. Allan Craig, 5. Veikoso Poloniati, 6. Miracle Faiilagi (c), 7. Semisi Paea, 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 9. Augustine Pulu, 10. William Havili, 11. Tuna Tuitama, 12. Faletoi Peni, 13. Solomon Alaimalo, 14. Israel Leota, 15. Glen Vaihu.

Bench: Mamoru Harada, Abraham Pole, Lolani Faleva, Jimmy Tupou, Sam Tuitupou Ah-Hing, Siaosi Nginingini, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tevita Latu.

Hurricanes: 1. Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2. Vernon Bason, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Brad Shields, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi (c), 8. Brayden Iose, 9. Ereatara Enari, 10. Lucas Cashmore, 11. Fehi Fineanganofo, 12. Jone Rova, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Josh Moorby, 15. Callum Harkin.

Bench: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Siale Lauaki, Hugo Plummer, Devan Flanders, Jordi Viljoen, Bailyn Sullivan, Kini Naholo.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Follow all the A-League action, as Auckland FC take on Adelaide United at Go Media Stadium for the first leg of their semi-final.

Auckland FC recorded their first victory in six weeks last Saturday, ending Melbourne City’s title defence with a win in penalties in the elimination final.

The Black Knights, who were eliminated at the same stage last season, will play a return match in Adelaide next Friday.

Kickoff is 6pm.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

A person has died after being struck by a tree at a farming property in Waikato.

A police spokesperson said emergency services were called to the farm in the rural area of Kopaki at 1.40pm.

Initial police enquiries indicated the person had been cutting down the tree, and was struck when it fell.

WorkSafe had been notified and the death would be referred to the Coroner, police said.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Follow all the Super Rugby Pacific action from Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium. as the Highlanders and NSW Waratahs battle for a spot in the playoffs.

The two rivals are level on 20 points in seventh and eighth, outside the cut for the post-season, so this encounter may hold the key for one team’s title hopes.

Flying winger Caleb Tangitau returns from injury for the southerners.

Kickoff is at 4.35pm.

Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot (co-c), 2. Jack Taylor, 3. Angus Ta’avao, 4. Tomas Lavanini, 5. Mitch Dunshea, 6. Te Kamaka Howden, 7. Lucas Casey, 8. Nikora Broughton, 9. Adam Lennox, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jonah Lowe, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), 13. Jona Nareki, 14. Caleb Tangitau, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

Bench: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Saula Ma’u, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, Folau Fakatava, Taine Robinson, Xavier Tito-Harris.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

French ambassador’s social media diplomacy lands poorly in Vanuatu
By Johnny Blades, RNZ Pacific senior journalist Vanuatu’s government has urged the French ambassador in Port Vila to use established diplomatic channels rather than social media to communicate his concerns about state-to-state relations. It is the latest development in a diplomatic spat that emerged this week when New Caledonia’s territorial government took umbrage at Vanuatu … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>

Oriini Kaipara: This reeks of foul play by a NZ govt failing to win public trust
COMMENTARY: By Oriini Kaipara The treatment of Maiki Sherman has been deeply upsetting to witness. To see the first wahine Māori ever rise to the role of political editor at 1News — only to now resign under such intense public and political pressure — is heartbreaking. Maiki is one of the sharpest political journalists in … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>

View from The Hill: Jim Chalmers on justifying broken promises
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Even before it is delivered on Tuesday, the budget’s looming broken promises are bringing a political backlash. Anthony Albanese pledged at the election not to touch negative gearing or capital gains tax – the budget is set to alter both. … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>

Keith Rankin Analysis – Clipping the ticket; solving Hormuz, in context
Keith Rankin – What would happen if the Strait of Hormuz was blocked by a giant earthquake? Then a pipe, tunnel, road or canal would have to be built. There would be no argument then about a portage fee being charged.

Keith Rankin Analysis – Citizenship and Denizenship in New Zealand
Keith Rankin – New Zealand is increasingly becoming a country with a high denizen-to-citizen ratio. New rules intended to make it more difficult for New Zealand permanent residents to become citizens of Aotearoa New Zealand can be expected to keep more immigrants here. That may be the intention.

Keith Rankin Analysis – Has Sweden become a de facto Apartheid Narco State?
Keith Rankin – Before mentioning crime, cocaine and apartheid, we should note that Sweden is a large-scale military systems exporter. For Sweden, the 'big gun' industry is equivalent to the dairy industry in New Zealand as a source of foreign exchange revenue.

New Caledonia provincial elections set for June but voter roll changes face criticism
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk New Caledonia’s crucial provincial elections will be held next month on Sunday, June 28, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has announced. Lecornu’s announcement was widely relayed by New Caledonian politicians who have just participated in a video conference meeting yesterday. The announcement also came with a … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>

Minister Anika Wells repays more than $10,000 after four travel claims found to have breached rules
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Communications Minister Anika Wells has repaid more than $10,100, which includes a penalty, after an audit found she wrongly claimed travel expenses on four occasions. Wells said said on Friday she was “sorry for making these honest mistakes”. None of … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>

TVNZ’s ‘first wahine Māori’ political editor Maiki Sherman resigns
RNZ News TVNZ political editor Maiki Sherman has resigned, posting on social media that today, Friday, was her last day at TVNZ. The broadcaster confirmed Maiki Sherman had resigned from her role. “As the first wahine Māori to lead 1News’ political team, Maiki has made a significant contribution to our journalism,” TVNZ said in a … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>

Richard Lewer wins Archibald Prize with radiant portrait of traditional healer Iluwanti Ken
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aiden Magro, Art History Tutor, University of Sydney Melbourne-based artist Richard Lewer has been awarded the prestigious Archibald Prize for his life-sized portrait of senior artist and ngangkari (traditional healer) Iluwanti Ken. Though Ken is small in stature, Lewer’s portrait of her carries what the artist himself … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>

Hackers just stole data from 9,000 schools and unis around the world. How can we protect student privacy?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Abu Barkat ullah (Barkat), Associate Professor of Cyber Security, University of Canberra This week, US-based education technology provider Instructure announced a significant cybersecurity incident affecting its Canvas system. This is used by schools and universities around the world, including in Australia. Cyber crime group ShinyHunters has claimed … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>

What’s next for the ISIS families? This is how ‘de-radicalisation’ programs work in Australia
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clarke Jones, Research Fellow, Research School of Psychology, Australian National University Amid great media attention, four women and nine children with links to Islamic State have returned from Syria to Australia. Three of the women were arrested by police after touching down in Melbourne and Sydney on … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>

Israel’s destructive actions in Lebanon are normalising war without rules
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amra Lee, PhD candidate in Protection of Civilians, Australian National University In late April, Amal Khalil, a 43-year-old Lebanese journalist, was killed in a double-tap Israeli strike in southern Lebanon. When rescue teams tried to reach her and another injured journalist, they reportedly also came under fire. … <a title="" class="read-more" href="" aria-label="Read more about ">Read more</a>

ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for May 8, 2026
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 8, 2026.