Author: MIL OSI Publisher

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Tech – Fujitsu automates entire software development lifecycle with new AI-Driven Software Development Platform

Source: Fujitzu

Platform will be used in modifications of all 67 software packages provided to medical and governmental industry customers by end of fiscal year 2026 
Fujitsu Limited. Sydney, Australia, 26 February 2026 – Fujitsu Limited today announced the development and launch of its AI-Driven Software Development Platform, a new initiative to bring software development into the AI age and contribute to the sustainable growth of its customers and society. 
This platform automates the entire software development process, from requirements definition and design to implementation and integration testing. 
By leveraging the Takane large language model (LLM) [1] and agentic AI technology for large-scale software development developed by Fujitsu Research, the AI-Driven Software Development Platform enables AI agents to understand complex, evolving large-scale systems owned by enterprises and public organisations. 
The platform has multiple AI agents collaboratively execute each stage of software development, achieving full automation of the entire process without human intervention. 
Fujitsu aims to use this AI-Driven Software Development Platform to carry out revisions to all 67 types of medical and government business software products provided by Fujitsu Japan Limited by the end of fiscal year 2026.
The revisions are necessary due to legal and regulatory changes. From January 2026, the platform has been used in Japan for software modifications made necessary by the 2026 medical fee revisions [2]. 
In a PoC that updated software as per the 2024 medical fee revisions, the platform demonstrated a significant reduction in development time for one of approximately 300 change requests. 
Using conventional software development methods [3], the modifications would have taken three person-months. With this technology that was dramatically shortened to four hours, achieving a 100-fold increase in productivity. 
By utilising this AI-driven development platform, Fujitsu will dramatically improve the speed of software modifications necessitated by legal amendments and system changes. 
This will significantly reduce the burden previously required for system verification during modifications, thereby freeing up time for the planning and development of measures and services that lead to improved patient, resident, and customer services, as well as enabling customers and partners to continuously adapt to ever-changing operations and societal needs. 
Furthermore, Fujitsu envisions that this technology will also help customers and partners to respond to expanding IT demand and alleviate the worsening shortage of IT professionals. In AI-driven development, Fujitsu positions AI-Ready Engineering—the process of preparing assets and knowledge to ensure AI correctly understands existing systems and achieves highly reliable automation – as crucial. 
With AI-Ready Engineering and the AI-Driven Software Development Platform working in tandem, Fujitsu will accelerate AI-driven software development. Fujitsu will promote a transformation in engineers’ work styles, strengthening its Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) complement, and shifting the paradigm of software development from a conventional person-month-based approach to a customer value-based approach.
Moving forward, Fujitsu plans to expand the application of the AI-Driven Software Development Platform to a wide range of sectors, including finance, manufacturing, retail, and public services, by the end of fiscal year 2026. 
Fujitsu will also begin offering this service to customers and partner companies to enable them to rapidly and flexibly develop systems that adapt to changes in their business environments. 
Through these efforts, Fujitsu aims to transform the software development process into an AI-driven model as an industry standard. 
Notes

[1] Takane large language model (LLM): Jointly developed by Fujitsu and Cohere Inc.
[2] Medical fee revision: A national system that reviews public medical fees and adjusts cost allocation for medical procedures.
[3] Conventional software development methods: Development methods where quality is verified at each stage, from software requirements definition, design, and implementation to integration testing.

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/25/tech-fujitsu-automates-entire-software-development-lifecycle-with-new-ai-driven-software-development-platform/

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University Research – School experience plays a critical role in teen mental health, new Growing Up in New Zealand findings show – UoA

Source: University of Auckland – UoA

How young people experience school plays a critical role in their mental health, according to new findings from Growing Up in New Zealand.

The Now We Are Fifteen Education and Mental Health and Wellbeing snapshot reports, released today, show that 15-year-olds who feel satisfied with school and confident coping with everyday school demands report better mental wellbeing, lower anxiety and depression, and more positive peer relationships. By contrast, young people who experience discrimination at school are more likely to struggle both academically and emotionally.

The reports draw on data from more than 4000 participants who are part of this country’s largest longitudinal study of child health and wellbeing, led by the University of Auckland. The study provides a new window into how young people are navigating mid-adolescence.

“School isn’t just a place where young people learn, it’s an environment that plays an important role in shaping their wellbeing,” said Growing Up in New Zealand Research Director Professor Sarah-Jane Paine.

“Teenagers spend a large part of their lives at school, so it’s not surprising that school experiences matter for mental health. What’s powerful about these findings is that feeling supported, able to cope, and treated fairly is closely linked to wellbeing. That tells us school environments are an important lever for adolescent mental health.”

Professor Paine said the findings are not about adding to schools’ already full workloads or placing responsibility solely on educators.

“This research shows that schools are integral to young people’s wellbeing, and recognising that means ensuring they are properly supported and resourced to create environments where young people can thrive.”

Key findings include:

  • School experience and mental health are closely linked
  • Young people with higher school satisfaction and higher academic buoyancy (confidence in handling school demands) reported better mental wellbeing, lower anxiety and depression, and stronger peer relationships.
  • Discrimination undermines both learning and wellbeing
  • Young people who experienced discrimination were less likely to feel satisfied with school (34% compared with 44%) and reported lower academic buoyancy (3.9 compared with 4.5). Experiencing discrimination was also associated with poorer mental wellbeing and higher anxiety and depression, with most discrimination reported as occurring at school.
  • Disabled young people face additional barriers
  • Only 26% of disabled young people reported high school satisfaction, compared with 43% of those without a disability. Disabled young people also reported lower academic buoyancy, higher levels of discrimination (34% compared with 17%), poorer mental wellbeing, and less positive peer relationships. 
  • Connection matters
  • Strong friendships, feeling connected to culture, and feeling supported at school were all linked to better wellbeing and more positive school experiences. Young people with higher cultural connectedness were more likely to feel satisfied with school and better able to cope with school demands. 

The reports also highlight that while most young people have high hopes for their future, with tertiary education the most common aspiration, many feel pressure about exams, NCEA, and what comes next.

Professor Paine said the findings show that young people’s mental health and learning environments cannot be viewed in isolation.

“How young people feel at school influences their wellbeing, and their wellbeing in turn affects how they cope with learning. Supporting young people means looking beyond academic achievement alone and recognising that wellbeing, inclusion, connection, and learning are deeply intertwined.”

“Creating positive school environments and addressing discrimination are not ‘nice to haves’, they are practical, evidence-based steps that are central to helping young people thrive. Doing this well requires sustained support for schools, alongside coordinated action across education, health, and community services.”

The reports point to opportunities for action across education, health, and community settings:

  • Create positive school environments that build school satisfaction and academic buoyancy, recognising these as foundations for mental wellbeing.
  • Strengthen anti-discrimination policies and school-level responses, including monitoring and practical support for students who experience unfair treatment.
  • Invest in inclusive education, with tailored learning supports and protections from discrimination, including co-design with disabled young people and their families.
  • Support cultural connection through culturally sustaining teaching and curricula, visibility of language and identity, and stronger partnerships with whānau and communities.
  • Expand wellbeing and career guidance in senior secondary school to help young people navigate academic pressure and future pathways.
  • Take a whole-system approach to adolescent mental health, combining universal supports with targeted responses that recognise different stressors and experiences.

About Growing Up in New Zealand
Growing Up in New Zealand is Aotearoa’s largest contemporary longitudinal study of child development. It has followed the lives of more than 6,000 children from before birth, including around 1,200 Tamariki Māori, since their pregnant mothers volunteered for the study in 2009.  The children in the study reflect the ethnic and sociodemographic make-up of children born in New Zealand in the early 21st century. Since starting in 2008, the study has collected more than 100 million data points.
 
The data in the study offers policymakers, researchers, community advocates and other stakeholders evidence and insights into child and youth health and well-being in New Zealand.  Children and families have generously given their time to the study. Growing Up in New Zealand is a University of Auckland study funded by the New Zealand government and administered by the Ministry of Social Development.  

About Now We Are Fifteen
Now We Are Fifteen: Navigating Life in Mid-Adolescence brings together new insights from Growing Up in New Zealand participants at age 15, focusing on education experiences and mental health and wellbeing. The snapshots provide evidence to inform schools, policymakers, health services, and communities about what supports young people during this important stage of development.

The findings reinforce the importance of whole-school approaches that foster belonging, strengthen positive peer relationships, support cultural identity, and actively prevent discrimination alongside targeted supports for young people facing greater challenges.

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/25/university-research-school-experience-plays-a-critical-role-in-teen-mental-health-new-growing-up-in-new-zealand-findings-show-uoa/

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Government must reverse disastrous pay equity changes

Source: NZCTU

NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges is calling on political parties to adopt the recommendations of the People’s Select Committee and ensure that women are valued and paid what their worth. 

“The release of this unprecedented report is a historic day in the decades-long fight of women to be paid what their worth,” said Ansell-Bridges.

“Never before has a group of former MPs felt compelled to come together and establish a select committee and do the job that current MPs have refused to do.

“This report is clear – the Government’s changes to the Equal Pay Act must be repealed and the cancelled claims should be reinstated without a requirement to restart a pay equity process.

“Community and iwi organisations should be fully funded implement any pay equity settlement to which they are party, and government agencies should improve funding and contracting processes and procurement rules to support future pay equity settlements.

“The Government’s disgraceful gutting of pay equity is a huge setback but this report gives me hope that we will soon get back on track and continue reversing historical undervaluation of women’s work.

“The CTU is calling on political parties to make the recommendations of this report bottom lines heading into the general election. Women are demanding cast-iron commitments.

“For too long women been disrespected, undervalued and underpaid – we are no longer going to put up with it,” said Ansell-Bridges.

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/26/government-must-reverse-disastrous-pay-equity-changes/

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Govt refusal to prioritise trans and non-binary protections disgraceful

Source: NZCTU

The Out@Work Council of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions is deeply disappointed by the Government’s decision to not prioritise the Law Commission’s recommendations to explicitly protect transgender, non-binary, and intersex New Zealanders under the Human Rights Act 1993.

“The Government’s refusal to prioritise explicit human rights protections for trans and non-binary whānau is disgraceful,” said Out@Work Convenor Lester Briggs.

“Tens of thousands of New Zealanders, including more than 26,000 transgender adults and over 20,000 non-binary and gender diverse people, are left vulnerable because the law remains unclear.

“Once again, this Government has chosen a pathway that disproportionately impacts already-marginalised communities, compromising their safety, wellbeing, and dignity.

“The Law Commission made clear that current protections are legally ambiguous, untested in courts, and insufficient for safeguarding people against discrimination in employment, housing, education, and access to services.

“We are calling on the Government to reinstate the Law Commission’s recommendations, enshrine explicit protections for gender identity and sex characteristics in the Human Rights Act, and sit down and talk with rainbow communities to understand the lived impacts of ongoing legislative neglect,” said Briggs.

“The NZCTU stands firmly with our trans and non-binary whānau. We urge the Government to reconsider its decision and commit to upholding the human rights of all workers in Aotearoa,” said NZCTU President Sandra Grey.

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/26/govt-refusal-to-prioritise-trans-and-non-binary-protections-disgraceful/

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Financial Results – Kiwibank delivers positive half-year result and continues faster than market growth

Source: Kiwibank

Kiwibank delivered a positive half-year result for the six months to 31 December 2025 (1H26), with net profit after tax of $103 million, up 12% on the prior comparative period. The increase reflected strong balance sheet growth and a more favourable credit environment for customers. It’s also clear some customers continued to face financial pressure. In 1H26:        

Lending of $1.8b increased total lending to $37.6b:

  • Retail home lending grew 1.6 times faster than the market, increasing $1.3b, reflecting strong demand for Kiwibank’s competitive rates. In the six months to December 2025, Kiwibank accounted for 13% of all net new bank mortgage lending growth, helping 6,213 Kiwi get on the ladder and more than 3,000 to refinance.
  • Kiwibank backed businesses and owners with lending of $0.4b, taking total business lending to $8.7b.

Deposits increased $1.4b, with total deposits rising to $31.8b.

Chief Executive Steve Jurkovich said the growth showed more customers were choosing a New Zealand-owned bank.

“In a tough period for many, more Kiwi chose to bank with us. We supported businesses to expand, helped more customers get on the ladder as our lending continued to grow faster than the market, and had strong deposit activity as Kiwi backed a purpose-led, New Zealand-owned alternative,” Jurkovich said.

Net interest margin decreased to 2.18 percent (from 2.29 percent) reflecting the competitive environment and increased cost of funding.

Market-leading value for customers  

Kiwibank remained focused on making banking simpler, fairer and more competitive:

Kiwibank continued to offer market-leading or joint-leading rates across key home loan and deposit terms, ensuring customers benefited from sharper pricing when borrowing or saving.[1]

Kiwibank home loan customers repaid their home loans faster than the market. This helped them build equity sooner and reduced their long‑term interest costs.[2]
Kiwibank’s Retail Online Call account has no conditions, no penalties and no hidden hurdles, so every customer receives the full rate on offer.[3]
Kiwibank removed 12 everyday banking fees, including the Visa Debit Card annual account fee, overseas ATM withdrawal fees, and card replacement fees.

“We focused on delivering the most value for the greatest number of customers and we did that by helping Kiwi to build equity in their homes faster while growing their savings and benefiting from lower fees,” Jurkovich said.

Building the bank of the future

Kiwibank made further progress on its multi-year transformation, including key upgrades to its digital banking and payments platforms[4], improvements to fraud and scam protections[5], and continued development of its new core banking platform.

“Our transformation is about building a modern, resilient bank that can deliver new and competitive products faster and give customers a better experience,” Jurkovich said.

Kiwibank also maintained New Zealand’s largest physical banking network, providing face-to-face access for customers and communities across the country.

Outlook

With lending and deposit growth continuing to outperform the market and business confidence expected to lift, Kiwibank is well positioned heading into the second half of the financial year. This momentum comes as economic activity is forecast to broaden through 2026, with more sectors strengthening despite global uncertainty and cautious household spending.

“We continue to back our customers through the good times and the tougher times as we build a stronger Kiwibank that drives more competition in New Zealand for the long term,” Jurkovich said.

[1] In 2025, Kiwibank offered the lowest or joint-lowest 12-month fixed home loan rate for 92 percent of the time, and the lowest or joint-lowest 24-month rate for 52 percent of the time; and held the highest or joint-highest 180-day rate for 84 percent of weeks and the highest or joint-highest 270-day rate for 80 percent of weeks.

2 Over the past two years, Kiwibank customers have been repaying equity in their home loans around a third faster than the market average. Based on RBNZ C35 data and internal benchmarking (June 24-December 25). Kiwibank customers’ net amortisation has been consistently around 0.6% above the market average, narrowing to ~0.3% when interest rates rose. Customers also make 0.3–0.5% more excess repayments on average, and scheduled repayments have typically been 0.1–0.2% higher than the market when interest rates are stable or falling.

3 Kiwibank’s Retail Online Call account offers customers the advertised rate of 1.50% without conditions that can limit access and returns.

4 Kiwibank rolled out Modern Digital Banking and Modern Payments technology to around 860,000 customers in November and December, making everyday banking faster, safer and more reliable, which supports switching and helps protect customers from fraud.

5 Kiwibank delivered changes required under the industry wide Scam Protection Commitments that took effect on 30 November 2025. This included the implementation of Confirmation of Payee, improved real time fraud blocking, high-risk transaction monitoring, and in the moment scam education that gives customers more control over potentially risky transactions.

About Kiwibank

Kiwibank is a Purpose-led organisation that has modern, Kiwi values at heart and keeps Kiwi money where it belongs – right here in New Zealand. As a Kiwi bank, with more than a million customers, our trusted experts are focused on supporting Kiwi with their home ownership aspirations and backing local business ambitions, so together we can thrive here in Aotearoa and on the world stage. Kiwibank is the #1 bank in Kantar’s 2024 Corporate Reputation Index and the only bank in the top 15. To find out more about Kiwibank visit www.kiwibank.co.nz.

[1] In 2025, Kiwibank offered the lowest or joint-lowest 12-month fixed home loan rate for 92 percent of the time, and the lowest or joint-lowest 24-month rate for 52 percent of the time; and held the highest or joint-highest 180-day rate for 84 percent of weeks and the highest or joint-highest 270-day rate for 80 percent of weeks.

[2] Over the past two years, Kiwibank customers have been repaying equity in their home loans around a third faster than the market average. Based on RBNZ C35 data and internal benchmarking (June 24-December 25). Kiwibank customers’ net amortisation has been consistently around 0.6% above the market average, narrowing to ~0.3% when interest rates rose. Customers also make 0.3–0.5% more excess repayments on average, and scheduled repayments have typically been 0.1–0.2% higher than the market when interest rates are stable or falling.

[3] Kiwibank’s Retail Online Call account offers customers the advertised rate of 1.50% without conditions that can limit access and returns.

[4] Kiwibank rolled out Modern Digital Banking and Modern Payments technology to around 860,000 customers in November and December, making everyday banking faster, safer and more reliable, which supports switching and helps protect customers from fraud.

[5] Kiwibank delivered changes required under the industry wide Scam Protection Commitments that took effect on 30 November 2025. This included the implementation of Confirmation of Payee, improved real time fraud blocking, high-risk transaction monitoring, and in the moment scam education that gives customers more control over potentially risky transactions.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/26/financial-results-kiwibank-delivers-positive-half-year-result-and-continues-faster-than-market-growth/

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Three arrested after shooting in Waikato

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police arrested two women and a man. RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Three people have been arrested after a shooting in Te Kauwhata, north of Huntly.

Police received a call shortly before 7am on Saturday that a man had arrived at Waikato Hospital with a gunshot wound.

Officers went to the address in Te Kauwhata where the man was injured and arrested two women and a man.

They also seized a firearm and ammunition.

Both women, aged 27 and 59, are due to appear in Huntly District Court on Friday. While a 56-year-old man is due to appear in Hamilton District Court on 20 March.

They are charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/26/three-arrested-after-shooting-in-waikato/

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Alternative Dental Policy – New report highlights overseas oral health models, showing alternatives for New Zealand

Source: Dental for All

A new report published today by Dental For All explores eight overseas approaches to oral healthcare and shows another way is possible for Aotearoa New Zealand.

Adult dental care currently sits outside of the public health system, leaving nearly half of the population unable to afford it.[1] The report, titled ‘There Are Alternatives: Analysis of Overseas Models of Expanding Access to Oral Healthcare within Public Health Systems’, is the third released by Dental for All, a group calling for free, universal, Te Tiriti o Waitangi-consistent oral healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“This research draws together examples of how other countries provide oral healthcare and shows how we can transform our approach to ensure everyone has access to the care they need,” says Dental for All campaigner and report coordinator, Kayli Taylor.

The countries included in the report (Niue, Japan, Colombia, Canada, Cuba, Finland, the United Kingdom, and Brazil) all take a more comprehensive approach to oral healthcare and provide publicly-funded care to a wider population. The report explores the benefits of each example and lessons for Aotearoa New Zealand. Research work was done by a researcher and a dentist with the support of the Dental for All team. It included desk research and conversations with oral health professionals working in these countries, or familiar with their contexts.

“In Aotearoa, children can access funded oral healthcare until their 18th birthday, however adult oral healthcare is fully privatised, making it inaccessible to many. This report shows that there are alternatives; a better approach to oral healthcare is possible,” says oral health researcher and co-author Anne Campbell.

“Rather than being the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff, the approaches researched for this report show that investing in good, regular oral healthcare provides long-term benefits for individuals, communities and the country as a whole,” continues Campbell.

In 2024, Dental for All released a report by FrankAdvice which found that the social, economic and fiscal costs of people not being able to afford dental care exceed the cost of funding free dental care for everyone.[2] Following this, a 2025 report focused on lived experience and shared ten stories from people who have struggled to access necessary dental care – highlighting the stress, shame and stigma that results from our current approach to oral healthcare.

“There is a strong public mandate to change how we approach oral health in Aotearoa, and we have the economic case and human stories to back this up,” says Dental for All campaigner Hana Pilkinton-Ching.

“People often ask the question, ‘What do other countries do?’. This research provides an answer. We can learn from these overseas examples, as well as local case studies and Māori leadership in the oral health space, to move towards a system which provides everyone the care that they need and upholds Te Tiriti o Waitangi,” says Pilkinton-Ching.

Dental for All will release a fourth report in the coming months which outlines a policy model for free, universal and Te Tiriti o Waitangi-consistent oral healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand, and aims to secure policy commitments from political parties ahead of the 2026 General Election.

The report is publicly viewable here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G29aZ-OFKbYiDDxSFFeX0e6jAt0rLYx2/view?usp=drive_link
and linked on the Dental for All website: https://www.dentalforall.nz/research

[1] In the latest NZ Health Survey, 43% of adults reported unmet need for dental care due to cost, with higher rates of unmet need for Māori, Pacific and disabled communities.

[2] This research finds more than $6 billion in social costs, $5 billion in economic costs, and further fiscal costs (including impacts on the health system) as a result of unmet dental need in NZ adults. The cost of funding free, universal dental care is estimated to be less than $2 billion per year (based on costings published by ASMS, Stuff and the Green Party).

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/25/alternative-dental-policy-new-report-highlights-overseas-oral-health-models-showing-alternatives-for-new-zealand/

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Patrol catches alleged fraudster

Source: New Zealand Police

An alleged fraud offender’s numbers were up after he was caught up with by a late-night patrol.

The Auckland City Beat Team were assisting with mobile patrolling in the Mount Albert area this morning, when they came across a vehicle of interest.

Detective Senior Sergeant Ash Matthews, of Auckland City CIB, says the vehicle was travelling on St Lukes Road just before 1am.

“The vehicle’s registered owner was sought in connection with a fraud case, and so the unit carried out a traffic stop.

“Beat staff confirmed the driver’s identity was the same as the man sought by Police.”

In March last year, an elderly victim in the Far North had allegedly fallen victim to a phone scam, with the caller pertaining to be from a bank’s fraud team.

Detective Senior Sergeant Matthews says all up $15,600 had been taken from her account.

Police were contacted after the bank’s real fraud team had alerted the victim.

Initial enquiries began by Mid/Far North CIB into the case, later identifying a person of interest.

Meanwhile, nearly a year later, the 23-year-old west Auckland man was arrested on the roadside early this morning.

Beat staff handed him over to Auckland City detectives and he was subsequently charged with money laundering and receiving property over $1000.

He will appear in the Auckland District Court on 4 March 2026.

“It’s a great catch by our Beat Team patrolling on night shift, and we acknowledge all the groundwork carried out by our colleagues in the Mid/Far North CIB,” Detective Senior Sergeant Matthews says.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/26/patrol-catches-alleged-fraudster/

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One in seven New Zealand children living in hardship, new data shows

Source: Radio New Zealand

One in seven children are living in hardship in the latest recorded year, according to new data from Stats New Zealand.

The national statistics agency released the data for the year between July 2024 and June 2025 on Wednesday morning.

Around 17,900 households were interviewed for the research.

The number of children that were recorded as living in material hardship was 14.3 percent – one in seven.

There was no significant change in that from the year recorded prior or since 2018.

In the latest statistics, a child recorded as facing material hardship was recorded as being in a household going without seven or more of 18 necessities.

Those included being unable to pay for utilities on time, having to put up with feeling cold and putting off doctors visits.

That was a change to the year prior where the threshold for material hardship was six or more.

14.9 percent of Māori children were recorded in material hardship which was not statistically different to the year prior.

For Pacific children, that figure was 18.7 percent five points higher than in 2024.

17.8 percent of children lived in households with less than half of the 2018 year’s median equivalised disposable household income after housing costs were deducted.

That was not different to the year prior.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/26/one-in-seven-new-zealand-children-living-in-hardship-new-data-shows/

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Significance of UK border change only just being realised – travel correspondent

Source: Radio New Zealand

Gill Bonnett

The significance of changes to United Kingdom entry requirements has only just been realised, a British travel correspondent says.

Late last year, the British government announced anyone classed as a British citizen would soon need a valid UK passport to enter the country, or have to get a $1300 certificate in their foreign passport.

The change has ensnared dual British citizens.

The British government said it warned people of the impending changes but The Independent’s travel correspondent, Simon Calder, told Morning Report the communication had been woeful.

He said the impact had only just hit home in the past six weeks causing a lot of consternation, upset, and expense.

“I think it is absolutely the case that the British government did not come out … and say, ‘By the way when we make this finally compulsory, you do know that everything is going to change’.

“Because if they said it two years ago, people would be in a much, much better position than they are now.

“Yes, you can argue that you’re a dual citizen, you’re living abroad, you’ve got to keep your eye on stuff, but frankly it passed me by and I spend very little time doing anything other than looking a various new bits of bureaucracy.”

This week the British Home Office confirmed airlines could accept expired (post-1989) UK passports – should they wish to.

Calder said the take-up had been mixed, with British Airways, Easy Jet, and Virgin Atlantic confirming they would accept expired passports, but others such as Singapore Airlines had been a bit “enigmatic”.

He stressed, however, that it wasn’t as simple as showing up with a post-1989 passport and people needed to be careful not to get caught out.

“Things happen, people change their names, maybe they get married and that expired passport if it’s in a different name to your current New Zealand passport that is not going to work.”

Calder said the airport support hub should be able to help travellers.

Earlier this week, Travel Agents’ Association chief executive Julie White told Morning Report leaving it to the airlines’ discretion was risky.

“You can’t rely on that and look, it’s expensive, it’s stressful and you’ve taken annual leave so our suggestion is, you really should be travelling with the right documentation.

“We’re inundated with people contacting our travel agents around clarity because it really is confusing.”

She said airlines could only deal with the information they’d been provided and would face fines if they got it wrong.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/26/significance-of-uk-border-change-only-just-being-realised-travel-correspondent/

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NRL kicks off in Vegas this weekend

Source: Radio New Zealand

National Rugby League players Spencer Leniu (3rd L), Billy Walters (5th L), Aaron Woods (C) and Campbell Graham (3rd R) pose with Las Vegas showgirls, an Elvis impersonator and Fijian warriors. Vegas Promo Tour at Allegiant Stadium on December 12, 2023. David Becker

The National Rugby League competition kicks off on Sunday in Las Vegas, with four teams making the trip to start the season – the Knights, Cowboys, Bulldogs and Dragons.

This is the third year the NRL has taken its first round to Las Vegas to put on a showpiece for the American market.

But it’s also round one of 27 to try and make it to the much-coveted grand final.

Bulldogs winger Marcelo Montoya said they still needed to focus on the result.

“For us it’s important that we get the two points,” he said.

“I know we’re going there to play and it’s exciting but at the top of our minds when we go there – the two points is what’s important for us.”

The Bulldogs play the Dragons in Vegas, after the Knights and Cowboys open season 2026 at the 65,000-capacity Allegiant Stadium.

It’s a long way from home for all of the teams, but some fans are expected to follow them over to Sin City.

Knights centre Dane Gagai said Newcastle fans tended to come out of the woodwork in most places.

“Knights fans turn up everywhere,” he said.

“No matter where you go, up north Queensland, they’re just everywhere, so I’m sure we’re going to have a fairly good turnout over in Vegas.

“I know people have already got their tickets and they’ve been mentioning that they can’t wait to get over there and watch us play, so hopefully we cannot disappoint.”

The Vegas season opener was introduced to the NRL in 2024.

On offer this week have been the Las Vegas Nines, a signing session, a school gala, and OzFest, and Scotland will play the USA in a triple header – the under-19 youth teams, the women’s sides and the men’s teams – at Cougar Stadium.

Super League teams Hull and Leeds will kick off the match day, which is Saturday local time, Sunday for most of the Pacific.

Game one of the new season kicks off at 1:15pm on Sunday (AEDT) – Knights versus Cowboys.

Now-retired Cowboy Chad Townsend told the NRL’s Game Plan show about the players to watch in his old team.

“For me the keys to attack for the North Queensland Cowboys… Scott Drinkwater… led the Cowboys in line-break assists and try assists last year.

“Tom Deardon – obviously the show-and-go we know is elite, defensively very sound, great leader; and Jaxon Purdue.”

After the Vegas games, the remainder of round one continues in Australia – and in Auckland, for the Warriors hosting the Roosters – from 5-8 March.

The Broncos are the defending champions. They also made it to the final of the World Club Challenge earlier this month, but lost 30-24 to Hull.

The Broncos will face the Panthers in the first round.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/26/nrl-kicks-off-in-vegas-this-weekend/

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Speech to Local Government Meeting

Source: New Zealand Government

Thank you to LGNZ for the opportunity, and thank you to the mayors, chairs, and councilors for putting your names forward to serve your communities. It’s not meant to be glamorous, it’s often thankless, but it really matters because you can’t have representative democracy without representatives.

Just like democracy doesn’t work without representatives, it also needs informed voters. That brings me to the Regulatory Standards Act.

At its heart, it is an information device. It is a codified declaration of how a regulation affects citizens. It is designed to help political markets function, by letting voters understand the impact of their representatives’ regulations. 

We take a wide view of regulation. Some people mean a specific category of secondary legislation. We mean any instrument constraining the use and exchange of private property, including bylaws.

It will be law in a few months, by July 1 at the latest, and from that time it will require Consistency Accountability Statements by Councils making bylaws.

A Consistency Accountability Statement asks and answers basic questions about how a new law affects citizens liberties and property rights. What problem is the council trying to solve? What is the cost of the solution? What are the benefits? And who do those costs and benefits accrue to?

To make the Statements credible and meaningful, they can be reviewed by the Regulatory Standards Board, so there is an incentive to maintain quality.

Over time, the publication of Consistency Accountability Statements is designed to drive out poor regulation by making it easier for voters to identify it, and the people responsible.

The Regulatory Standards Act is designed to address New Zealand’s major problem with productivity. At the moment, after a period of inflation, productivity is appearing as affordability. Nonetheless, affordability and productivity are two sides of the same coin low productivity means less to buy and less income to buy it with. 

The average rates bill has increased 43 per cent since 2022. You lump that in with the things that are out of your control, like energy, food and petrol, and you can understand why people are so jaded. 

Councils are both the victim and the perpetrator of poor regulation. So many of the costs you face from earthquake strengthening to temporary traffic management are the result of regulation. You also place a lot of cost on ratepayers in your jurisdiction. Councils and ratepayers both have a vested interest in improving the standard of regulation.

Bad regulation doesn’t just cost money. It stops good things from happening. Property developers abandon proposals that would ease the housing crisis because of ballooning regulatory costs. Community parades disappear under the weight of compliance costs, even when nothing’s gone wrong before. The climbing wall at Sir Edmund Hillary’s old school has signs put up saying don’t climb. 

Here’s what we can do – less. Central Government and Local Government both have a shared responsibility to inflict fewer costs on people. Preventing bad regulation which sucks up time and money is one of the best places we can start.

Central Government isn’t shirking responsibility. We’re finally getting rid of overzealous earthquake laws, methane reduction targets are being halved so farmers can keep on farming, health and safety laws are being overhauled to focus on critical risks. Thanks to resource management reform the number of consents required is expected to half. Meanwhile, peer reviewed analysis estimates that work by the Ministry for Regulation in its first 18 months will deliver a net public benefit of $280 million.

Even small regulations that might seem inconsequential add up. For example, council dictates that Wellington public transport can’t advertise alcohol or food high in sugar and salt. Meanwhile, passengers walk past advertisements for vodka cruisers delivered by uber inside the station. Instead of raising fares or putting more costs on ratepayers, it could be that a needless ban on advertising is preventing the service from being efficient. 

I’m sure there are countless examples like this. The Regulatory Standards Act is going to be the mechanism which levels the playing field between the overzealous regulator, and the regulated party.

How does it work? The Regulatory Standards Act requires certain laws to be tested against long-standing legal principles and to have the benefits and costs assessed. As an information device, it doesn’t prevent a Council passing a law, it does require you to do it more transparently than ever before.

Once part 2 of the Act comes into force, councils will generally need to prepare and publish a Consistency Assessment Statement, a CAS, whenever they make or amend secondary legislation, unless the instrument is specifically excluded.

The Act also creates a pathway for classes of existing secondary legislation to be brought into scope later, by notice – but only where that notice is affirmed by Parliament. 

Councils won’t be expected to go back and write CASs for every existing bylaw by default. Existing secondary legislation only becomes a CAS obligation if it is captured through those mechanisms, or if a CAS already exists for it, or if councils later amend it in a way that triggers the requirements.

If a CAS identifies that a bylaw is inconsistent with one or more principles of responsible regulation, the Act doesn’t say “stop”. It says “explain”. The council must publish a brief statement explaining why the inconsistency exists. For example, because of a legitimate public safety objective. The point is transparency and discipline: if you depart from the principles, you do it consciously and you tell ratepayers why.

Councils will also need to get ahead of the curve by developing plans for regularly reviewing the secondary legislation that falls within scope. This is not meant to be a one-off compliance exercise, but an ongoing habit of keeping rules up to date, proportionate, and justified.

These requirements will start on a date set by Order in Council. And if anything hasn’t commenced before then, the Act provides a backstop: any remaining parts come into force by 1 July 2026.

A number of councils argued local government should be excluded and warned this will impose time and cost and make it harder to pass bylaws. Yes, that is the point, it will be harder to put costs onto ratepayers.

However, I don’t buy that councils don’t have the time to be transparent. Councils somehow find time to make declarations about foreign wars and climate change, invest in relationships with sister cities with no benefit to 99.9 per cent of their ratepayers, ban sugary advertising, and find time to reinvent themselves as Tiriti-centric organisations. Councils just aren’t in a position to argue they can’t file a Consistency Accountability Statement.

Let me offer a ratepayer’s perspective.

If your council can’t explain why a bylaw is necessary, can’t show it’s proportionate, and can’t justify the costs it imposes, then maybe it should be harder to pass.

The Ministry for Regulation is preparing support material to help councils implement the Act, including statutory guidance issued by the Minister for Regulation and the Attorney-General, and non-statutory guidance, such as templates, to make CASs easier and more consistent.

And one more practical point: there has sometimes been confusion about what counts as “secondary legislation”. The definition sits in the Legislation Act 2019. Bylaws are in scope, and so is any other instrument made by a local authority or council-controlled organisation that has significant legislative effect. If ratepayers are paying for it, and it materially affects their lives, they deserve clarity about it.

Now if all of that sounds boring, good. Responsible governance isn’t fun and doesn’t involve thinking up new bylaws and regulations to scratch an electoral itch when it arises. 

Let me put this into perspective with something topical that I’m sure many of you are dealing with. Dog attacks, there’s been a brutal uptick in dog attack incidents and I know there is a lot of fear out there right now, rightly so. The pressure comes on to “do something”.

With every salient issue there’s a desire to find a solution that’s easy and wrong, which is what we’re trying to avoid. 

Bluntly the dogs causing issues are likely owned by gangs and degenerates – people who already ignore the rules. Councils would be wise not to perform any kneejerk regulating that actually just puts more cost or burden on the good dog owners. 

That’s the kind of moment where the Regulatory Standards Act helps. It forces you to ask: will this actually work? Who pays? Who gets punished? What’s the evidence? Is there a smarter option that targets the actual problem rather than the compliant majority?

When central or local government gets it wrong it’s the public that pays. We owe it to taxpayers and ratepayers to deliver better value, better service and fewer unnecessary regulations. 

That’s my challenge to you. But I’ll also offer this, we will help you implement this properly. We’ll provide guidance, templates, and practical support, because the goal isn’t to trip councils up but to lift the quality of decision-making across the board.

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/26/speech-to-local-government-meeting/

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Serious crash: Kamo Road, Whangārei

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency Services are responding to a serious crash on Kamo Road, Whangārei.

The crash, involving a truck and a pedestrian, was reported to Police at 9.35am.

Initial reports indicate there are serious injuries.

Diversions are currently in place on Kamo Road between Mains Ave and Simons Street.

The Serious Crash Unit is in attendance.

Police are asking motorists to be patient and expect delays as the road will closed for some time.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/26/serious-crash-kamo-road-whangarei/

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Police acknowledge IPCA findings on care in custody

Source: New Zealand Police

Police acknowledge the Independent Police Conduct Authority’s findings into an incident in 2023 where a man self-harmed while in Police custody.

The incident occurred on 6 October 2023 at the Auckland District Custody Unit, after a man in custody was found unconscious and unresponsive.

He was taken to Auckland Hospital and died three days later, as a result of suspected self-harm.

The IPCA’s investigation found there were Police failings in the care of the man.

The day before, Police had arrested the man in relation to a stabbing at an Auckland dairy.

He was taken to the Auckland District Custody Unit where he attempted to flee but was detained by staff.

The man was subsequently placed into a restraining chair due to his erratic behaviour, and a short time later an ambulance was called and the man was taken to hospital under sedation.

Later that day the man was discharged from hospital and returned to the custody unit.

The Authority’s report found the use of a restraint chair was justified, but that it was unreasonable to have him handcuffed.

After being returned to the custody unit, a Police doctor carried out a medical observation and advised the man could be placed on ‘frequent’ monitoring, which required him to be checked five times an hour.

Custody staff recorded that they completed 80 checks on the man overnight and a further 30 checks on him in the morning.

The IPCA noted that some of the checks were inconsistent with policy as the officer did not go to the cell.

At about 10.54am that day, an officer went to check on the man and found him unresponsive.

First aid was commenced, and he was transported to hospital where he died three days later.

Auckland City District Commander, Superintendent Sunny Patel, says Police acknowledge the Authority’s findings in this case.

“A critical incident investigation was commenced as well as a review into the prisoner checking system.

“As a result, Police have implemented several learnings including updating the national People in Police Custody Policy.”

“We would also like to again extend our condolences to the man’s family and friends.”

The matter remains with the Coroner.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/26/police-acknowledge-ipca-findings-on-care-in-custody/

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Gecko repatriation closes curious trans-national case

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  26 February 2026

Jewelled geckos are native to the southeast of the South Island and are generally a striking bright green with diamond-shaped patches or stripes although in some populations the males are grey or brown. Their bodies grow up to 8 cm in length, but their tail doubles their length. Their New Zealand threat classification is “At Risk, Declining”. If you’re out naturing in forests or shrublands in places like Canterbury, Otago or Southland, you might be fortunate to see one.

DOC’s Wildlife Crime Team Leader Dylan Swain says a group of 14 jewelled geckos were discovered by Dutch wildlife authorities as part of Operation Thunder in 2023. Operation Thunder is an international operation, involving several government organisations and Interpol, which focusses on the illegal trade in protected wildlife.

“Jewelled geckos have never legally been exported from New Zealand,” Dylan says.

“It’s likely the geckos found by our Dutch counterparts were in fact smuggled out of New Zealand or are the offspring of such animals.”

Dutch authorities are continuing investigations into the person who was found with the geckos.

The six geckos returned to New Zealand comprise two males and four females.  

They were returned to New Zealand in International Air Travel Association‑compliant individual containers with small ventilation holes and kept at a consistent temperature throughout their journey.

All geckos will receive close care and attention, and the entire group will spend a minimum of 60 days in quarantine as part of their return process.

Although some of the original group of animals have since died, DOC has worked closely with at The Netherlands NVWA (Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority), United for Wildlife (part of the Royal Foundation) and Korean Air to safely return the geckos all the way from Netherlands to New Zealand via Korea.

A Dutch inspector accompanied the geckos on their repatriation journey.

“We are delighted to be able to bring a small group of six of the geckos back to New Zealand,” Dylan says. “They’ll spend a quarantine period at Wellington Zoo before they’re shifted to a new permanent home.”

NVWA spokesperson Lex Benden says: “We are pleased our investigation has contributed to the geckos now being back where they belong.”

Dutch authorities are collaborating with DOC to share information on this matter and the wider trade in geckos across Europe.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/26/gecko-repatriation-closes-curious-trans-national-case/

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Woman murdered in random attack on an Auckland bus was stabbed roughly 20 times

Source: Radio New Zealand

Bernice Louise Marychurch was described as a loving, beautiful and devoted mother. (File photo) Facebook

Content warning: This story contains graphic violence, which some readers may find upsetting

How a random and deadly stabbing on a bus began with a search for methamphetamine has been revealed in court documents.

Bernice Louise Marychurch was killed in October 2024 after she was stabbed roughly 20 times on the Number 74 bus in Onehunga.

There were nine other people onboard the bus at the time.

The man charged with her murder, 38-year-old Kael Leona, handed himself in to police shortly after.

Kael Leona at an earlier court appearance. (File photo) RNZ / Lucy Xia

He previously plead not guilty on grounds of insanity but at a hearing at the High Court in Auckland on Wednesday, Leona entered guilty pleas to murder and strangulation.

He was expected to go to trial in a matter of weeks, but would now be sentenced in May.

Court documents released to RNZ detailed the brutal extent of the murder.

Leona and Marychurch met outside of a Woolworths in Onehunga on the morning of October 23, 2024. The pair did not know each other before then.

They boarded a bus to Panmure, in search of methamphetamine. When neither of them could find the drugs there, they and an associate went to Point England where they ultimately found someone to sell them a point bag of meth.

They consumed it soon after before travelling to Glen Innes.

Leona boarded a bus just after 2pm at the same time as Marychurch, who sat down in the left rear corner of the bus while Leona followed her, sitting at the right rear corner.

The bus in Onehunga following the murder. (File photo) RNZ / Lucy Xia

Court documents said Leona was agitated, “continually rocking backwards and forwards, from left to right,” and tried at times to speak to Marychurch.

Marychurch was on her phone, with headphones on, for the majority of the bus ride and did not respond.

As they travelled along Church St in Onehunga, court documents said Leona became increasingly more agitated.

Just before 2.30pm, he drew a knife from his bag.

Leona moved across the seat to Marychurch and began stabbing. He pulled her to the right and “plunged the knife into her upper back.”

She fell to the floor, where Leona stabbed her a number of times.

An image police released of Kael Leona before he handed himself in. (File photo) Supplied

Her face was slashed, cutting her ear in half and causing a deep wound down the left side of her face to her lower jaw.

Passengers yelled at the bus driver to stop and open the doors.

“Some passengers, fearing for their safety, exited the bus,” documents said.

Marychurch tried to defend herself by raising her knees to her body, before Leona pushed them aside and drove his knife into her stomach.

She also suffered wounds on her hands trying to block the knife strikes.

Marychurch was stabbed roughly 20 times.

She was taken to hospital where she died of her injuries.

Flowers left for Marychurch. (File photo) RNZ/Nick Monro

A summary of facts said Leona twisted the knife around while stabbing.

As he left the bus stepping over Marychurch’s “prone” body, Leona focused on another passenger, following him for roughly 100 metres before the passenger evaded him.

Leona then made his way to a family address, where a relative took him for a walk.

He went to the property of a family friend, knocking loudly on the door and demanding keys to their car.

When the family friend refused, Leona ripped the screen door off its frame and threw it. He grabbed the friend and said “I will kill you” before putting his right hand over their nose and mouth, impeding her breathing.

The family friend managed to break free, when other members of Leona’s family arrived and told him to stop.

He was caught on CCTV around Mount Wellington afterward.

The next day, Leona changed clothes at a store in the central city, leaving without paying, and caught a bus to North Shore where he handed himself in to police.

In a social media post following the murder, Marychurch was described as a loving, beautiful and devoted mother.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/26/woman-murdered-in-random-attack-on-an-auckland-bus-was-stabbed-roughly-20-times/

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Sky TV trumpets major turnaround with $52.4m half-year profit

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Dan Cook

Sky TV has made a strong first-half profit and is on track to pay shareholders a full year dividend of at least 30 cents a share.

While it expects trading conditions to remain challenging, Sky TV chief executive Sophie Moloney said earnings growth would continue into the next financial year.

“The first half of FY26 marks an important step forward for Sky,” she said.

  • Net profit $52.4m* vs $1.7m loss
  • Revenue $415.4m vs $385m
  • Underlying profit $78.2m* vs $60.7m
  • Operating expenses $346.8m vs 347.9m
  • Interim dividend 15 cents per share vs 8.5 cps

*includes purchase of Sky Free

Moloney said Sky’s half-year performance reflected the execution of Sky’s multi-year strategy] and the financial and strategic benefits of the Sky Free purchase of Three owner Discovery NZ for $1.

“The Discovery NZ acquisition was a well-structured deal for Sky,” she said.

“It’s not often you get to acquire an asset for $1 and significantly strengthen the balance sheet at the same time – as is also evidenced by the gain on bargain purchase of $34.4 million we report today, reflecting the fair value of the assets acquired.”

Moloney said the combined business was already demonstrating benefits for Sky.

The company expected to report a full year underlying profit in a range of $145m and $160m, with revenue in a range of $820m and $835m and a dividend of at least 30 cps.

“Although the economic environment remains uncertain, earnings growth is expected to continue from FY27, and we remain confident in our ability to deliver at least $10m of incremental EBITDA (underlying profit) by FY28 through delivery of synergies across the group.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/26/sky-tv-trumpets-major-turnaround-with-52-4m-half-year-profit/

Posted on

Shooting incident, three arrested, Te Kauwhata

Source: New Zealand Police

Three people are due in court today following a shooting incident in Te Kauwhata, north of Huntly.

Police received a call shortly before 7am on Saturday 21 February reporting that a man had presented at Waikato Hospital with a gunshot wound.

It was determined the man had been injured in Te Kauwhata, and Police attended the address to make further enquiries.

At the address, Police located and seized a firearm and ammunition, and two women and one man were arrested.

Both women, aged 27 and 59, are due to appear in Huntly District Court today, charged with two counts of unlawfully possessing a firearm, and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The man, aged 56, is due to appear in Hamilton District Court on 20 March, charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm, and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Detective Sergeant Rahul Badri, of Waikato West CIB, says this is a good outcome for the victim and the Te Kauwhata community.

“Not only am I pleased to be able to hold these offenders to account – I am also happy to have removed a firearm from circulation in the community.

“I commend the Police staff for their quick actions, which was essential to making these arrests,” says Detective Sergeant Badri.

Police continue to support those affected by the incident and reassure the community that there is no ongoing risk.

ENDS

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/26/shooting-incident-three-arrested-te-kauwhata/

Posted on

Why betting on top online prediction markets is now illegal in New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Prediction markets are where punters wager money on the possibility of future events – but New Zealand is declaring some of them illegal. Andrey Popov / 123rf

Explainer – New Zealand has cracked down on two hugely popular online prediction markets, declaring them illegal here.

The Polymarket and Kalshi platforms are valued at billions of dollars, but the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has now ordered them to stop providing services to Kiwis.

“To avoid breaching New Zealand law, they must cease offering services to New Zealanders,” Vicki Scott, director of gambling for the DIA, told RNZ.

Here’s what you need to know about the world of prediction markets and how it’s changing in New Zealand.

What exactly are prediction markets, anyway?

Basically, it’s where people place bets on the future – that could be sports, politics, weather – even whether or not Jesus Christ might return before 2027.

Polymarket is the big dog in the arena, but there are many other sites, and they’re particularly popular among younger people. Billions of dollars in trading volume was seen during the recent American Super Bowl – not just the game, but things like what musician Bad Bunny would do during his halftime show.

“Any number of things have now been gamified and monetised and turned into basically a casino,” Bobby Allyn, a technology correspondent for America’s National Public Radio, told RNZ’s Afternoons recently.

“Prediction markets are apps where you can wager money on sports, on the outcome of say, a press conference – what will someone say at a press conference … even things like how many people will die of famine in Gaza this year, what will President Trump do in Venezuela now that Maduro has been toppled.”

Some of the big bets doing the rounds this week include whether the former Prince Andrew will be sentenced to prison and when or if the United States might launch a military strike against Iran. But it can even get as granular as what exact words a politician might say in a speech, in “mention markets”.

Polymarket offers option on a wide variety of events. Screenshot

There are New Zealand predictions in the mix, such as one on Kalshi over who will win November’s election, or wagers on Polymarket on what the Reserve Bank will decide in future Official Cash Rate announcements.

Kalshi co-founder and chief executive Tarek Monsour has said: “The long-term vision is to financialise everything and create a tradable asset out of any difference in opinion.”

New Zealanders have used the platforms and there are many variations of them, not all of which wager money. An Auckland engineer recently told The Spinoff that the appeal of betting on outcomes “makes me feel more engaged and connected to events, because I want to see how things go”.

So is it just a forecasting tool or is it officially gambling?

What has the government decided?

The DIA has weighed in to say these platforms are indeed a kind of gambling under New Zealand laws.

“Prediction markets such as Polymarket and Kalshi are caught by both the Gambling Act 2003 and the Racing Industry Act 2020,” Scott said.

“They both offer products that meet the general definition of ‘gambling’ and the more specific definition of ‘bookmaking’ in the Gambling Act. They are accordingly prohibited under the Gambling Act.”

Scott said that “the surge in popularity and growth of prediction markets means time is right to take a clear regulatory stance”.

The government has sent letters to the companies asking them to prevent access in New Zealand.

Other countries like Australia and the UK have taken similar positions.

One of the big legal debates going on world-wide is whether these sites actually are gambling sites. Multiple lawsuits are playing out in America. The Trump administration has so far tended to back the prediction markets.

And then there are competitors such as Manifold, which uses its own “play” currency Mana instead of betting money.

Screenshot

“Those involved say they’re not gambling,” NPR’s Allyn said.

“They say these apps are placing a bet on a future outcome. But, I mean, look, if I were to explain to you in detail how this works and then you compare this to a casino I think you’d basically say there’s virtually no difference. I think it’s very fair to say that this is just a new tech-powered version of gambling.

“It’s a classic sort of tech company move to say ‘we’re not the thing that you think we are because we want to avoid the regulations.’”

Prediction websites aren’t entirely new, of course. In New Zealand, the iPredict site produced by Victoria University of Wellington ran from 2008 to 2015.

It closed not because it was decreed a gambling site, but instead after former Associate Justice Minister Simon Bridges refused to grant it an exemption from the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act, declaring that it was a “legitimate money laundering risk”.

New Zealand Initiative chief economist Eric Crampton said that back then, iPredict wasn’t being held to the standards prediction markets are now by the DIA.

“Deciding that prediction markets are necessarily gambling, however, is inconsistent with New Zealand’s prior authorisation of iPredict. It also shuts Kiwis out of an emerging financial market sector.

“iPredict, like other prediction markets, provided remarkably accurate predictions on future events like election outcomes, inflation outcomes, and interest rate decisions. It ended in 2015 not because it was considered gambling, but because it was too small to be able to afford to comply with new regulations that were mainly aimed at banks.”

Scott said the Financial Markets Authority and Problem Gaming Foundation were consulted and supportive of the DIA’s stance.

“I note that neither Kalshi nor Polymarket applied to the FMA for consideration or licensing of their products,” she said.

Crampton said electronic trading companies such as Tradeweb are increasingly working with prediction markets like Kalshi, and Allyn also noted that “they also are partnering with pretty huge institutions on Wall Street”.

“I expect that new hybrid financial instruments will soon be developed combining prediction market contracts and traditional financial market contracts,” Crampton said. “Regulating this space as gambling makes little sense.”

CNN has partnered with prediction market Kalshi in some coverage. CNN / Screenshot

So are they really predicting the future?

Betting odds for Polymarket and Kalshi have seeped into the real world. Allyn said such reporting can influence actual events.

“Right now we’re seeing a number of awards shows, a number of news organisations like CNN using the odds of prediction markets as part of their broadcast.

“These Polymarket odds are just mostly young men speculating on Discord and Reddit about what they think is going to happen – I mean, it’s pure speculation. When odds move up or down in some way it’s just a bunch of young people in basements slamming on their phones $10 here, $10 there, I don’t really see how this is providing something that’s more authoritative and more credible than polls.”

But as a counterpoint, Crampton called such descriptions clueless.

“Prediction markets prove remarkably accurate, providing regular updated data in areas where official forecasts are few and far between. The (US) Federal Reserve recently published a working paper based on Kalshi data, showing both the accuracy of Kalshi’s prices and their importance as leading financial market indicators.”

Researchers have found that speculators make markets more accurate, he said.

“Informed traders then have a stronger incentive to work hard at figuring out accurate prices, because they have people to trade with.”

Crampton cited an example in the 2024 US presidential election where a trader won big betting on Trump winning, by looking at polls that asked people who they thought their neighbours would vote for.

“From that he learned that Trump was (sadly) far more popular than the polls expected. He bought a lot of contracts that would pay out if Trump won, moving the prices to reflect that reality. And he was rewarded for his efforts.”

Polymarket buyers tried to predict what US President Donald Trump might say during the State of the Union. Screenshot

Does this only cover Polymarket and Kalshi?

The two companies have been specifically called out, but the decision sets a precedent for others in the prediction market space in New Zealand.

“The issues are not specific to Polymarket and Kalshi, although they are the biggest players in this space currently,” Scott said. “We will take a similar approach to other providers as they arise.”

“The approach we have taken aligns with our approach to overseas betting operators (including many well-known international brands) who have been advised they must withdraw immediately from the NZ market.

“Most have complied, geo-blocking their sites. In our view there’s no reason why prediction markets should be treated any differently.”

What did the platforms say?

The DIA sent letters to both Kalshi and Polymarket, informing them their services were illegal and they must prevent them from being accessed by people in New Zealand.

“Whilst neither have formally responded, Kalshi responded almost immediately by deactivating customer accounts and preventing new accounts,” Scott said this week.

“Polymarket do not appear to have taken any action, and we will be following up with them directly.”

Is online gambling legal at all in New Zealand?

At the moment, only TAB New Zealand can legally offer online race and sports betting.

Currently it’s legal to try your luck on offshore casino gambling sites, according to the DIA, but online casinos based in New Zealand are illegal and it’s illegal to advertise offshore casino gambling websites in New Zealand. Safer Gambling Aotearoa warns to use those sites “at your own risk”.

The Online Casino Gambling Bill, which would regulate and license up to 15 offshore casino operators, is currently progressing through Parliament.

The bill “will introduce a regulatory system for online gambling in New Zealand, which will prioritise harm minimisation, consumer protection, and tax collection,” Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke Van Velden said in introducing the legislation last year.

screenshot

What happens if I find a way to still use Polymarket or similar sites?

Scott warns that it’s risky.

“New Zealanders who engage with Polymarket should do so with caution. There will be no recourse through the gambling regulator if things go wrong and there appears to be no harm minimisation protections in place.”

However, Crampton said that he felt the sites were legitimate enterprises.

“Kalshi at least is (United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission)-authorised and CFTC-regulated. And I have never heard of payout issues at Polymarket.

“There are the occasional problems that every prediction market has in contract interpretation; iPredict had those too. Even if everyone is diligent and well-intentioned, sometimes the world moves in ways that make it hard to interpret whether a contract should pay out at $1 or at $0. It’s rare, but occasionally unavoidable.”

While Polymarket and Kalshi are now considered illegal in New Zealand, Scott said the DIA will not be going after individual users.

“Although it is technically an offence to participate in illegal gambling, we will not be looking to penalise those engaging with these platforms, our focus is on the platforms themselves.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/26/why-betting-on-top-online-prediction-markets-is-now-illegal-in-new-zealand/

Posted on

Kiwi drones to boost Defence capability

Source: New Zealand Government

Innovative Kiwi drones will be trialled by the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) to strengthen capability while growing local industry, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today.  

“We’re partnering with New Zealand businesses to ensure the Defence Force can protect our people into the future,” Ms Collins says.

“NZDF will buy and trial advanced uncrewed systems from New Zealand company Syos Aerospace, enabling access to mission-ready, combat proven technology.

“We’re further backing Kiwi businesses by bringing together Sysdoc for training support and Hirtenberger Defence Technology for advanced systems support.”

“This will inform future capability decisions on a technology that has rapidly become central to modern military operations.

Delivery of air, land, and sea drones will occur over the coming months, including the SG400 Uncrewed Ground Vehicle, the SM300 Uncrewed Surface Vessel, the SA2 ISR drone and the SA7 one way effector drone. 

The Army and Navy will conduct trials in a range of scenarios, such as transporting supplies, performing maritime patrols, and completing route reconnaissance.

“Last year we announced our Defence Industry Strategy, which details how Defence and industry will work together to deliver the Defence Capability Plan while building a strong, resilient industry that delivers economic growth and grows our export markets,” Ms Collins says.

“Having cutting-edge drone technology developed and supported by local businesses will reduce supply chain risk and strengthen our resilience – exactly what the strategy is designed for. 

“In an increasingly contested world, we’re building the future by equipping our Defence Force with innovative Kiwi products to keep our people safe.”

Notes to editor:

Syos Aerospace: Founded four years ago in Mount Maunganui and now a world-recognised innovator in uncrewed systems, Syos won the 2025 NZ Hi-Tech Company of the Year award. By partnering with Syos, the NZDF is plugging into a fast-moving technology company whose products are combat tested. For instance, Syos drones and USVs have already seen operational use in the conflict in Ukraine
Sysdoc: A New Zealand consulting firm specialising in learning development and digital training solutions. Sysdoc has a long track record with the NZDF (15+ years, 100+ projects) in modernising training and documentation. Sysdoc will design learning and training materials for the new systems.
Hirtenberger Defence Technology (HDT) Ltd: This company is known for things like advanced fire control systems, including mortar targeting software. The NZDF is exploring integration of the new drones with Hirtenberger’s Arcfire, a Fire Control System, designed and built in New Zealand, and the NZDF battle management system.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/26/kiwi-drones-to-boost-defence-capability/