Author: MIL OSI Publisher

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Baftas interrupted by racist slur from man with Tourette syndrome

Source: Radio New Zealand

It was the clip heard around the world after Monday’s BAFTA ceremony in London — a man yelling the n-word as two celebrated Black actors, Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, presented an award on stage.

The man was John Davidson, the subject of the British indie film I Swear, about a man with Tourette syndrome. Davidson, who has long campaigned for awareness of the condition, told CNN before the ceremony that he was worried about the involuntary tics that mark it.

The actor Robert Aramayo, who plays Davidson in the film, went on to win the night’s award for best actor. Davidson said the young English actor studied him closely, asking questions like, “When you have a tic do you know where it comes from? What about tic triggers?” Speaking on the crowded red carpet, Davidson went on: “Certain things — like today, lots of people around, I’m feeling very, you know, more tics in case I lash out. Different situations can trigger different emotions and tics and stuff.”

John Davidson and Robert Aramayo attend the 2026 EE BAFTA Film Awards Nominees’ Party at the National Portrait Gallery on February 21, 2026 in London, England.

Karwai Tang

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/24/baftas-interrupted-by-racist-slur-from-man-with-tourette-syndrome/

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Greens welcome launch of People’s Select Committee report on Pay Equity

Source: Green Party

The Green Party has welcomed the release of the report from the People’s Select Committee on Pay Equity. 

“This report makes clear what we have said all along: the Government’s decision to make it easier to underpay people and limiting pay equity access is yet another attack on women,” says the Green Party’s spokesperson for women, Kahurangi Carter. 

“The Government underestimated how badly this would go down with the public. Today, the workers this Government tried to silence have found their voice, and it is powerful.” 

“Make no mistake: this is a cost-cutting measure taken straight from the people who need it. Rather than paying women what they’re worth, this Government is simply shifting these costs onto women to bear. 

“Pay inequity disproportionately impacts Māori, Pacific and disabled women. The very communities already facing the greatest barriers to fair pay. This Government is deepening those disparities, not closing them. 

“Our healthcare, education, and social service workers are the backbone of our country. They deserve better than a government that undermines their pay and conditions at every turn. 

“The fact that former MPs from across the political spectrum came together on a pro bono basis to do the work this Government refused to do tells you everything you need to know about how egregious these changes are. 

“This wasn’t a technical tweak. This was wage theft on a national scale, rushed through without any opportunity for the women affected to have their say. 

“The Green Party is committed to all of the demands from unions, to repeal this legislation and fully fund pay equity claims. Workers deserve that commitment from every party in Parliament,” says Carter. 

Green Party MP and former Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter says the report confirms the damage done to a framework she helped build. 

“As Minister for Women, I worked alongside unions and workers to pass the Equal Pay Amendment Act in 2020, legislation that passed unanimously and was one of the biggest gains for gender equity since the Equal Pay Act 1972. This Government has torn that up. 

“Over 100,000 workers had already received significant pay increases, many in the double digits, through the framework this Government gutted. The evidence of what was working was right in front of them, and they chose to destroy it to fund their tax cuts for landlords and tobacco companies,” says Genter. 

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/24/greens-welcome-launch-of-peoples-select-committee-report-on-pay-equity/

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Serious crash: SH2, Mangatāwhiri

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are responding to reports of a serious crash on State Highway 2 near Mangatāwhiri.

Police were called to the crash involving two vehicles just after 11am.

Initial indications are there are serious injuries.

State Highway 2 is closed in both directions between Rawiri Road and Kopuku Road.

Further information will be released as it is available.

ENDS.

Frankie Le Roy/NZ Police

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/24/serious-crash-sh2-mangatawhiri/

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We studied primary care in 6 rich countries – it’s under unprecedented strain everywhere

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Goodyear-Smith, Professor of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

Primary care – the kind delivered by general practice (GP) clinics – is the backbone of every health system. When it works, we barely notice it.

It keeps people healthy, detects problems early, coordinates care and keeps people out of hospital.

But across many high-income countries, despite very different health systems, primary care is under unprecedented strain.

Our recently published paper presents case studies from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

All show governments are leaning on primary care to solve increasingly complex health needs. At the same time, bureaucracies are demanding more documentation, compliance, performance metrics and administrative work.

However, very little new investment is going into the four parts of primary care that matter most:

  • continuity: seeing the same health provider over time, rather than pinballing from one specialist to another

  • comprehensiveness: getting the whole family’s physical, mental and social health care from one place

  • coordination: ensuring all the different people and services involved in a patient’s care work together smoothly, information is shared and roles are clear, so patients don’t fall through the cracks

  • first-contact care: being able to get an appointment with a doctor or nurse you know, when you need it.

Ballooning administrative burdens

These are the core functions of effective primary care, and they are what reduce hospital visits. But across many countries, the GP workforce is shrinking or stagnating just as populations are ageing and multi-morbidity is increasing.

Medical graduates are turning away from general practice, citing high workloads, lower pay relative to other specialities, and the emotional weight of increasingly complex care.

Many GPs who stay in practice are reducing their hours, not because they lack commitment, but because the amount of unpaid work required outside of the consulting room makes full-time practice untenable.

Administrative burdens have ballooned. Electronic health-record systems generate endless inbox tasks. As hospitals push chronic care back into the community, GPs absorb more responsibility without receiving the resources to match.

The result is predictable: practices stop enrolling new patients, waiting times blow out, and people who cannot get timely care turn instead to emergency departments.

These alternatives are often far more expensive, lack continuity, and do not offer the long-term relationships that help detect disease early and manage chronic conditions effectively.

Quick wins, long-term losses

Many of the countries facing these problems spend less than 6% of their total health budget on primary care. For example, the US spends 4%, New Zealand 5.4% and Australia 6%. But how the money is allocated is as important as the amount itself.

Funding models in many countries fail to support team-based care – a collaborative, coordinated model of healthcare delivery in which multiple health professionals work together with patients and their families.

Governments often finance new roles – for example, physician assistants – in isolation, without ensuring practices have the infrastructure to integrate them safely and effectively. This creates inefficiencies and fragmentation.

Poorly designed “pay-for-performance” measures can make things worse. So, when funding is linked to disease-specific indicators rather than the core functions of high-quality primary care, clinicians end up spending more time on documentation and less on patients.

Continuity and comprehensiveness, the strongest predictors of better health outcomes, remain largely unmeasured and unrewarded.

The benefits of primary care investment accumulate slowly – fewer hospital admissions, better management of chronic disease, reduced premature mortality. But political cycles reward quick wins. Governments are tempted to fund initiatives that reduce waiting lists in months, not strengthen foundations for decades.

The result is a proliferation of short-term “solutions” that crowd out the long-term reforms primary care actually needs. The system that prevents downstream costs is neglected because its benefits are not immediately visible.

Toward a sustainable health system

Primary care is relationship-based. That continuity – knowing patients, their histories, their families and the context of their lives – is what allows efficient decision-making and prevents unnecessary interventions.

When investment flows into standalone or narrow services instead of strengthening general practice, care becomes episodic. This can result in poor followup and patients bouncing between providers who are working without shared information.

This fragmentation increases costs while reducing quality, even though each individual initiative may look beneficial in isolation. Once the foundation cracks, the entire system becomes more expensive to maintain but less effective.

The solutions are clear, and are strikingly consistent across countries. A whole-of-system approach is needed to:

  • set explicit investment targets for primary care

  • align funding, workforce planning and service delivery

  • invest in true multidisciplinary teams, not piecemeal roles

  • prioritise continuity, comprehensiveness, and first-contact access in funding models

  • and create long-term accountability structures that survive election cycles.

Countries that have strong primary care systems will spend less overall on health, have better population health outcomes, and enjoy greater equity. Those that neglect primary care pay for it many times over in hospital pressures, workforce burnout and widening inequities.

Strengthening primary care is not just another reform. It is the only path to a sustainable health system. Countries that fail to recognise this are already seeing the consequences.

– ref. We studied primary care in 6 rich countries – it’s under unprecedented strain everywhere – https://theconversation.com/we-studied-primary-care-in-6-rich-countries-its-under-unprecedented-strain-everywhere-276617

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/24/we-studied-primary-care-in-6-rich-countries-its-under-unprecedented-strain-everywhere-276617/

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NZME back in profit as Herald, OneRoof and ZB deliver growth

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ/ Brad White

Media company NZME is back in the black with increased earnings, as it put the asset writedowns and tougher economy of a year ago behind it.

The owner of the OneRoof property platform, New Zealand Herald, and Newstalk ZB radio network said it was cautiously optimistic heading into 2026.

Key numbers for the year ended 31 December 2025 compared with a year ago:

  • Profit $13.1m vs $16.0m loss
  • Revenue $345.1m vs $350.2m
  • Operating earnings $62.3m vs $54.2m
  • Expenses $289.3m vs $300.5m
  • Full year dividend unchanged 9 cents per share

Chief executive Michael Boggs said the performance reflected “a huge amount of hard work” across the company, supported by easing inflation and improving business and consumer confidence.

“We’ve remained focused on our digital-first strategy, continuing to innovate and adapt to changing audience and client needs, we’ve reduced our costs, and we’ve simplified our structure to allow us to operate at pace, placing specialist support services under each of our three main business divisions.”

Revenue dipped slightly after the company closed 14 community newspapers at the end of 2024.

OneRoof delivered a strong year, with listings revenue rising 18 percent, lifting its operating profits by a third.

Its audio division – which includes Newstalk ZB – saw operating profits rise by 23 percent, and NZME said it was seeing positive momentum heading into 2026.

The publishing division, led by the NZ Herald, reported total subscriptions rising from 236,000 to 243,000, with digital-only subscriptions up 10 percent.

The company did not offer any earnings guidance for 2026, but chairperson Steven Joyce struck an upbeat tone.

“We have entered 2026 with a strong balance sheet, diversified revenue streams and strong market positions across audio, publishing and OneRoof, providing a solid foundation for future growth,” he said.

“The renewed momentum and focus we have built through 2025 positions us strongly for 2026 and beyond.”

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/2026/02/24/nzme-back-in-profit-as-herald-oneroof-and-zb-deliver-growth/

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Warriors co-captain Mitchell Barnett to leave at end of 2026 season

Source: Radio New Zealand

Mitch Barnett www.photosport.nz

New Zealand Warriors co-captain Mitchell Barnett will return to Australia at the end of the 2026 NRL season for personal reasons.

Club chief executive Cameron George confirmed today the 31-year-old Kangaroos and New South Wales front rower will be released from the final year of his contract.

It is understood the release is due to Barnett’s child’s medical needs.

Mitchell Barnett during pre-season training in January. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

“We’re very sad to see this happen but Mitch and his family need to be back home,” George said.

“He has become such a big part of our club. We love having him here and we know how much he loves it, too, but it’s important he, Clare and their boys are back around their family support network.”

After recovering from knee surgery in 2025, Barnett has two career milestones in sight as he eyes the 2026 season.

Barnett’s first game of the season will be his 50th for the club, while he’s 23 games away from his 200th career NRL appearance.

The Warriors kick off their 2026 season with a clash with the Sydney Roosters at Go Media Mt Smart Stadium, 8pm on March 6.

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/2026/02/24/warriors-co-captain-mitchell-barnett-to-leave-at-end-of-2026-season/

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Queensland fruit fly could have ‘massive impact’ on fruit and vegetable crops

Source: Radio New Zealand

The single male fly was found in Mount Roskill. Supplied / Biosecurity New Zealand

The discovery of a Queensland fruit fly in Auckland presents a huge threat to growers and exporters, a horticulture sector advocate says.

A biosecurity operation is underway after the pest, which damages fruit and vegetables, was identified in a surveillance trap in the suburb of Mount Roskill on Wednesday morning.

Horticulture chief executive Kate Scott said while the fly did not pose a health risk to humans, an outbreak would have a significant economic cost.

“The horticulture sector is naturally concerned about the impacts of a new pest being established here and the impact that could have on our ability to produce a wide range of fruit and vegetables.

“The Queensland fly likes to call more than 200 fruit and vegetables home. That could have a massive impact on the quality of our fruit and vegetable crops.”

She warned the country would not be able to export to key markets if the pest took hold here.

But she was confident in New Zealand’s track record of eradicating harmful fruit flies.

“We certainly support the ramping up of trapping and inspections and the movement control areas that are to be implemented.

“We’ve certainly seen last year and in other previous instances where a quick and immediate response is rolled out, that we have been able to successfully contain any threat.”

Biosecurity staff were expected to be on the ground in Mount Roskill over the coming days.

“As part of our response protocol over the next 72 hours, we will be ramping up trapping and inspection, with daily checks in a 200-metre zone from the original find and checks every three days in a second zone out to 1500m,” Biosecurity New Zealand’s Mike Inglis said.

“You may notice increased activity in the neighbourhood as we go about inspections and trapping. Our field officers may ask to look at fruit trees on your property. They will always show you a form of official identification and will only enter your property with your permission.”

Instructions about restrictions in the affected area were expected to be made clear on Thursday.

In the meantime, Biosecurity asked Mount Roskill residents not to take whole fresh fruit and vegetables out of their property.

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/2026/02/24/queensland-fruit-fly-could-have-massive-impact-on-fruit-and-vegetable-crops-2/

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Hawke’s Bay water storage project a step closer

Source: Radio New Zealand

The proposed Heretaunga Water Storage Facility, would be a 27 million cubic metre dam on private land near Whanawhana, in Hastings District. Supplied

A massive Hawke’s Bay water storage project is one step closer, with geotechnical work having started as part of a feasibility study.

Investigations into the proposed Heretaunga Water Storage Facility, a 27 million cubic metre dam on private land near Whanawhana, near Hastings, have started to address its economic, technical, cultural and environmental viability.

The site would harvest peak water flows from within the catchment and the Ngaruroro River in winter and store the water for release into Heretaunga’s rivers and streams during periods of peak summer demand.

In 2023, an initial pre-feasibility study was completed by the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council with support from Kānoa – the Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit, which has also funded the next step.

A local group of irrigators, commercial water users, mana whenua and municipal water suppliers took over the project late last year in November, forming a new company – Heretaunga Water Storage Limited – to oversee the feasibility study.

Interim chairperson and Hawke’s Bay grower Xan Harding said it would have two implications for the region.

“The dam itself, the project if it goes ahead, part of that water will be offsetting the existing environmental effects of existing activity and part of it will be available for new water.

“It’s improving existing environmental outcomes and it’s providing room for growth.”

Harding said investigations would also enable comparison with other water security options for the region.

“Hawke’s Bay is a water short region so we know through a combination of measures we need to deliver long term water security for the Heretaunga Plains.

“We need to pull all kinds of levers on both the supply and the demand side of the water equation to get there and water storage is part of that.”

Geotechnical work has started as part of a feasibility study. Supplied

Harding said while the focus of the group was on the feasibility of water storage for the region, that wasn’t to say other efforts like water use efficiency were not important.

He said there were no guarantee the Heretaunga Water Storage Facility project – previously estimated to be a $225 million build – would go ahead but it had the potential to deliver longterm certainty for growers, commercial water users and the Hawke’s Bay community.

“The feasibility assessment is a critical next step and in depth geotechnical and ecological work to support the feasibility assessment is well underway at site,” Harding said.

“We will continue through the feasibility assessment with a view to having this completed around the third quarter of this year, at which point we will make decisions around resource consenting.”

A key part of the Heretaunga Water Storage Facility proposal is that its development would be funded by those who benefit most from the water storage in a user-pays model.

It differs from that of the controversial Ruataniwha Dam proposal – rebranded as the Tukituki Water Security Project – which would see a dam built on the Makaroro River, a tributary of the Tukituki River.

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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/2026/02/24/hawkes-bay-water-storage-project-a-step-closer/

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Recidivist shoplifter before courts, Thames

Source: New Zealand Police

Numerous hours of scouring video footage has led to the arrest of a woman in relation to retail crimes in Thames.

Yesterday, Police arrested and charged a 52-year-old woman following multiple shoplifting incidents dating back over the past month.

“This type of offending, especially at this large scale, has a big negative impact on our local businesses and I’m pleased with this outcome,” says Inspector Mike Henwood, Eastern Waikato Area Commander.

The woman was due to appear in Thames District Court today, charged with 20 counts of wilful trespass, and two counts of speaking threateningly.

“I commend the tenacious work of local Police staff to pull these, and other investigations, together to prosecute offenders.

“Recidivist retail thieves are not tolerated – by business owners, their honest customers, or Police – and this highlights Police’s commitment to target and hold these offenders to account,” Inspector Henwood says.

If you witness any retail crime, or any other crime, please call 111 if it is happening now or for historic offending, please make a report, with as much information as possible, either online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 or by calling 105.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/24/recidivist-shoplifter-before-courts-thames/

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New Zealand announces more support for Ukraine, sanctions on Russia

Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealand will provide $8 million in new assistance for Ukraine and implement additional sanctions targeting Russia’s war machine, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.

 “Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion, now entering its fifth year, has devastated Ukraine, destabilised Europe and impacted the security of our own region,” Mr Peters says. 

 “Russia’s relentless bombardment of civilian infrastructure this winter has hit Ukraine’s people hard, and this assistance demonstrates New Zealand’s continued solidarity. 

 “These contributions will help address urgent needs as a result of Russia’s brutal winter attacks on Ukrainian civilians and energy infrastructure.”

New Zealand will provide $5 million in humanitarian assistance to international aid partners supporting Ukrainian civilians badly affected by the war. 

 This brings New Zealand’s total humanitarian assistance to Ukraine to $45 million over the past four years. 

 A further $3 million will go to the World Bank-administered Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund, which supports energy resilience and reconstruction. 

New Zealand is also implementing its 34th round of sanctions against Russia.

New measures include lowering the price cap on Russian crude oil and sanctioning 100 shadow fleet vessels.

“These are calculated steps to curtail crucial oil revenues fuelling Putin’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine,” Mr Peters says.

New Zealand has also sanctioned actors from Belarus, Iran, and North Korea, alongside alternative payment providers, malicious cyber actors, and those supporting Russia’s military‑industrial complex. 

More information about sanctions, travel bans, and export controls against Russia, as well as diplomatic, military and economic support to Ukraine, can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website here.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/24/new-zealand-announces-more-support-for-ukraine-sanctions-on-russia/

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PGG Wrightson increases half-year profit on back of increased sales

Source: Radio New Zealand

PGG Wrightson is a rural services company (file photo). Supplied

Rural services company PGG Wrightson (PGW) increased its half-year profit on the back of increased sales to a buoyant agricultural sector and farm exports.

Key numbers for the six months ended December compared with a year ago:

  • Net profit $17.3m vs $16.0m
  • Revenue $619.4m vs $570.3m
  • Operating earnings $46m vs $41m
  • Full year operating earnings guidance $64m
  • Interim dividend 4.5 cents per share vs 2.5 cps

The big driver of the company’s higher profit was the performance of its retail and water division, which covered sales to farms, orchards, and irrigation, which delivered 85 percent of group revenue.

PGW chairperson John Nichol said the company had seen growth through most parts of the rural sector, particularly in red meat, kiwifruit and apples, while improved earnings for farms flowed through to demand for other rural goods and services.

“The first half was characterised by favourable commodity pricing across a number of key segments for PGW’s customers.

“Improved on-farm profitability translated into demand for PGW’s livestock services, pasture renewal, agronomy, and animal health.”

Nichol said the company had also benefited from its diversification through the acquisition of an animal health products company, the launch of a range of agricultural chemicals, and the leasing of a research station in Hawke’s Bay.

The company’s agency group, which handled livestock sales, wool, and real estate sales, also reported stronger earnings as higher livestock, wool, and rural land prices increased demand.

The two sectors under pressure were wine and cropping with subdued demand weighing on sentiment and investment decisions.

Nichol said the second half of the year was expected to remain strong as the first with the broad rural sector set to continue strongly helped by high commodity prices, a soft currency, lower interest rates, and steady profits .

“Overall conditions across agriculture remain favourable, with most parts of the sector performing well, supported by firm global demand and strong commodity pricing.”

The company has forecast full year operating earnings of around $64m.

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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/2026/02/24/pgg-wrightson-increases-half-year-profit-on-back-of-increased-sales/

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Mercury reports strong return to profit

Source: Radio New Zealand

Ngā Tamariki Geothermal Station. Supplied / Mercury Energy

Renewable energy generator and retailer Mercury has reported a strong return to profit, reflecting ongoing cost savings as well as investment in renewable energy projects.

Mercury chief executive Stew Hamilton said the company had invested 50 percent ($270 million) of the first half earnings in renewable energy and was on track to meet its full year underlying profit guidance of $1 billion, as well as operating costs of $370m – down 6.6 percent on the last year.

Key numbers for the six months ended December compared with a year ago:

  • Net profit $20m vs $67m loss
  • Revenue $1.66b vs $1.76m
  • Underlying profit $537m vs $418m up
  • Operating expenses $183m vs $207m
  • Interim dividend 10 cents per share vs 9.6 cps up 4%

[h Results overview

Hamilton said all three of Mercury’s large renewable developments, totalling $1b investment, were progressing on budget and on time.

He said the Ngā Tamariki Geothermal Station unit came online in January 2026, while stage two of Kaiwera Downs Wind Farm and Kaiwaikawe Wind Farm were both due to begin generating this year.

“Our disciplined strategic execution is delivering a strong performance today, while enabling us to invest significantly in new renewable generation for New Zealand, helping meet future demand growth and build resilience,” he said.

“We are on track to deliver on our plan of adding 3.5 terrawatt hours (TWh) of new generation by 2030.”

That was the equivalent of powering an additional 430,000 homes.

“Our contributions are supporting the fastest rate of renewable generation development in history, helping power economic growth over the next two decades,” Hamilton said.

“We are also investing significantly in our existing assets, with Karāpiro Hydro Station upgrade complete and plans to invest $590m in hydro refurbishment over the next decade.

“Enabling our customers to shift consumption and lower their costs is another key focus and we continue to provide additional support to our customers in need.

“We are facing into energy system challenges with confidence, including actively shaping and contributing to solutions for gas and firming, while helping deliver a bright future for New Zealand powered by an increasingly renewable energy supply.”

Outlook

“Our balance sheet remains strong, with capital headroom and prudent risk settings,” Hamilton said.

He said the full year underlying profit guidance of $1b was supported by above average hydro generation and lower operating costs, while the full year dividend guidance of 25 cps remained on track.

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/2026/02/24/mercury-reports-strong-return-to-profit/

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David Seymour says Andrew’s removal from line of succession not a priority

Source: Radio New Zealand

Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour. RNZ / Mark Papalii

Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour says his focus is on New Zealand and issues facing Kiwis – not on joining the chorus to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession.

It comes after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote to British counterpart Keir Starmer to confirm his country’s support of removal.

Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his titles by King Charles III last year and hasn’t worked as a member of the royal family since 2019 over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

However, he remained eighth in line to the throne.

The British government was considering passing a law to divest Mountbatten-Windsor of his succession rights after he was arrested by police last week, a UK official said.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, pictured at Windsor Castle in April 2025, was arrested on Thursday. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images via CNN Newsource

But Seymour wouldn’t be drawn into whether New Zealand would back the move, with more pressing priorities back home.

“I think we’ve got 99 problems most New Zealanders are facing right now,” he told First Up.

“This guy’s eighth in the line of succession, and these guys all seem to live to about 100.

“So, of all of the things that you could ask me about or we could be worried about right now, that’s probably a wee way down the list.”

Seymour said Australia had “obviously solved a few more problems” when quizzed if New Zealand had considered their position on the issue.

Good on them, he said.

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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/2026/02/24/david-seymour-says-andrews-removal-from-line-of-succession-not-a-priority/

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Boycotts and big questions: What you need to know about the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand celebrate qualification for the 2026 Football World Cup. Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.nz

Explainer – The 2026 FIFA Football World Cup is taking place in the United States for the first time since 1994, with the country co-hosting the tournament alongside Mexico and Canada.

The lead-up to the competition, however, has seen some controversy, with football officials, political figures and fans sharing concerns about America’s current immigration crackdown and policies.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the big questions being asked – and whether New Zealand is even considering a boycott.

So who’s actually talking about a boycott and why?

Former FIFA World Cup President Sepp Blatter recently made global headlines following his public support for fans considering boycotting the tournament.

“I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup,” Blatter – who has faced scandals related to fraud – said in a post on X.

His comments came after Swiss defence lawyer and anti-corruption expert Pieth made it clear he supports a boycott in an interview with Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger.

Pieth worked with FIFA on potential reforms just over 10 years ago while Blatter was president.

Former FIFA World Cup President Sepp Blatter. AFP

In the interview, Pieth said the US was in a “tremendous state of turmoil”.

“What we’re witnessing domestically – the marginalisation of political opponents, the abuses by immigration authorities, and so on – doesn’t exactly entice a fan to travel there.

“…there’s only one piece of advice for fans: Stay away from the USA! You’ll see it better on TV anyway.

“And: Upon arrival, fans should expect that if they don’t please the officials, they’ll be put straight on the next flight home. If they’re lucky,” Pieth told the Swiss paper.

Oke Göttlich, one of the vice-presidents of the German soccer federation, also told the Hamburger Morgenpost newspaper it was time to consider a boycott.

“We need to have this discussion,” Göttlich said according to the BBC.

In a post on X, French MP Eric Coquerel suggested the tournament be moved out of the US, while discussions of a boycott have also circled the UK’s House of Commons.

The calls come as the US face criticism and protest over its approach to immigration enforcement, travel bans, climate change and foreign policy positions relating to Venezuela, Greenland and Israel.

The killings last month of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota has also been central to many discussions of a boycott.

New Zealand players celebrate winning OFC Qualifiers Final at Eden Park Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

Is a boycott of the FIFA World Cup even possible?

According to Otago University sports scholar Dr Sebastian Potgieter, a boycott is possible – but not probable.

Potgieter, whose research focuses on history and social justice in and through sport, said countries who were dependent on the US for things like trade and services were unlikely to boycott.

“There were calls for the 2022 Qatar World Cup to be boycotted due to a litany of reasons – human rights violations of stadium construction labourers; state laws against homosexuality; concerns over bidding bribery; flagrant uses of sport to ‘wash’ the country’s image – yet for the most part, the only significant boycott to take place was that some networks refused to screen matches.

“Qatar carries vastly less global power than the US and in the era of things like Trump’s import tariffs, it’s hard to see any significant boycott taking place, such as teams relinquishing their participation.”

However, Potgieter said countries who do send their teams need to weigh up whether they can risk being interpreted as condoning US actions.

French medalists at the 1980 Olympic games face the cameras in front of Saint-Basil, Moscow Red Square, 1980. Many countries boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics. AFP

Has it happened before and what would it look like?

Many World Cups in just the past two decades have faced some form of controversy.

For example, Potgieter said, South Africa in 2010 undertook forced removals of residents to make way for stadium construction and Brazil in 2014 saw large-scale protests at public funds being spent on stadiums rather than healthcare, education and infrastructure.

But you’d have to go all the way back to the 1980 Moscow Olympics to find the most recent large-scale boycott of a major sporting event, he said. New Zealand officially supported the 1980 US-led boycott, which protested the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Potgieter said if there was a 2026 World Cup boycott, it would be shaped by the type of boycott pursued.

“The most effective boycotts are those which combine cultural boycott – such as withdrawing from the World Cup – with economic or trade sanctions,” he said.

“The most likely form of boycott to take place is by individual objectors – people who would have travelled to or watched the tournament but decide against it.

“Undoubtedly, recent stories of US border security and detentions will sway some people to rather attend matches played in Mexico or Canada.”

According to The Flying Kiwis supporters group founder Matt Fejos, that statement rings true.

Fans celebrate, New Zealand All Whites v New Caledonia, FIFA World Cup 2026 -OFC Qualifiers Final at Eden Park, Auckland. Alan Lee / www.photosport.nz

What do Kiwi football fans think?

Of The Flying Kiwis’ supporters heading overseas for the World Cup, 240 will be attending the All Whites’ Los Angeles (LA) game, compared to 390 attending their Vancouver games.

“There is a lot more demand and interest to go to Vancouver than LA,” Fejos told RNZ.

Fejos is also heading over to support the All Whites at the World Cup. He believed a boycott of the tournament would be ineffective.

“It’s a very difficult conundrum.

“A boycott is only effective if there aren’t other people willing to pay lots of money to fill those seats, so I don’t see it as, kind of, a possible or probable situation.

“There’s a lot of people that care a lot about football, and they have travelled a lot… to support the All Whites so they are far less likely to decide to make a stand and not go, for example, because it means so much to them and they have been planning it for years and years.”

Fejos said New Zealand supporters were more aware of their safety and that the World Cup would be harder to get to than in the past.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino hands the Jules Rimet trophy to Donald Trump in the Oval Office on 22 August. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images via CNN Newsource

Is the US sportswashing?

Potgieter also pointed to the concept of sportswashing.

Sportswashing is defined as the practice of an organisation, government or country supporting or organising a sports event to improve its reputation.

Potgieter said mega sporting events – like FIFA World Cups – were renowned as a tool for sportswashing.

“These big tournaments emphasise unity and bringing the world together, and there is a lot of that rhetoric particularly around FIFA as the global game.

Spain’s Teresa Abelleira and Sweden’s Magdalena Eriksson during the FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-final between Spain and Sweden at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, on August 15, 2023. AFP / Pontus Lundahl

“These tournaments are quite prevalent in creating particularly positive images for nations that might not have the best track record in terms of their political practices.”

He said it was “difficult” to say whether the US was purposely sportswashing.

“Whether it’s doing it purposely is perhaps less important, the effect could be that there is a public washing of the image.

“People get quite invested and emotional about these tournaments and that can have the potential to sort of obscure what’s the context or what’s the background against which these tournaments are taking place.”

New Zealand Football responds

In a statement, New Zealand Football suggested they were not considering a boycott and had “absolute faith” in FIFA.

“After working incredibly closely with FIFA as a co-host of their last international mega event, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, we have seen at close hand the extent they go to deliver a tournament of this scale, and we have absolute faith in their ability to put on a brilliant FIFA World Cup 2026 in Canada, Mexico and the USA which we look forward to being part of.

“We saw approximately 10,000 ticket requests from Kiwis for our games, so we are excited about the prospect of having a sizable New Zealand contingency supporting us in Los Angeles, Vancouver, and beyond.”

New Zealand Football did not answer further questions.

Minister for Sport and Recreation Minister Mitchell said the decision to participate in international events sat with national sporting organisations, in this case New Zealand Football.

“These organisations are responsible for assessing risks and considering the safety and wellbeing of athletes and other staff.”

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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/2026/02/24/boycotts-and-big-questions-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-2026-fifa-world-cup/

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Child seriously hurt after being hit by car in Christchurch driveway

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ

A child has been seriously injured after being hit by a car in Christchurch.

Emergency services were alerted to the crash on Ferry Road in the suburb of Woolston about 8.40am on Tuesday.

Police officers are standing guard at an address on the street.

A driveway and a Toyota Prius parked near the road have been taped off by officers.

St John sent an ambulance and a rapid response vehicle.

A spokesperson said one patient was assessed at the scene and taken to hospital in a serious condition.

Police could not confirm the child’s age.

“Police were notified of a crash involving a car and a pedestrian on Ferry Road, around 8.40am,” spokesperson said.

“The pedestrian has been transported to hospital by ambulance in serious condition. The road does not appear to be blocked.”

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/2026/02/24/child-seriously-hurt-after-being-hit-by-car-in-christchurch-driveway/

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Labour’s Chris Hipkins to wait until after Budget 2026 to make commitments

Source: Radio New Zealand

Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he wants to wait until nearly June to make any commitments following criticism of his State of the Nation speech from his political opponents.

On Monday, Hipkins promised a different Labour should they be elected in November, but he was offering up no new policy for now.

Criticism came in thick and fast, with ACT leader David Seymour labelling it “featherweight” and National’s deputy leader Nicola Willis desribing it as “a lot of words that amount to nothing“.

Hipkins told Morning Report, he’d set out his priorities which were around jobs, health, homes and the cost of living – but would not be announcing policy until Budget Day – May 28th.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins. (File photo) RNZ / Marika Khabazi

“When I make those commitments I want to know I can deliver on them. I want to wait until after the Budget so we know what we’re dealing with. I think that’s very responsible.”

Hipkins said more minor parties were able to promise whatever they wanted and regularly did so but they didn’t have to try and balance the overall budget.

He reiterated he was “absolutely committed” to setting a responsible set of promises Labour could deliver on.

“Fixing the long term challenges the country faces is absolutely my priority.”

Hipkins did not rule out the possibility of a minority government but said he wanted a bigger share of the vote than what had been seen recently.

“I’d love to get over 40 [percent]. If you look at the minority government’s we’ve had, John Key and Helen Clark have led minority governments… I would like to see Labour doing significantly better, the stronger our hand going into the discussions the better.”

He would not comment on which parties Labour would be willing to work with at this stage, but said that would be set out before the election.

“In the event you can’t reach a coalition agreement, minority government is an option we should leave on the table.”

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/2026/02/24/labours-chris-hipkins-to-wait-until-after-budget-2026-to-make-commitments/

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Thousands of NZ Businesses May Be Exposed Under New Contractor Law

Source: Press Release Service

Headline: Thousands of NZ Businesses May Be Exposed Under New Contractor Law

A major change to New Zealand employment law has come into force with the new Gateway Test, potentially exposing thousands of businesses using independent contractors to legal and financial risk.

The post Thousands of NZ Businesses May Be Exposed Under New Contractor Law first appeared on PR.co.nz.

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/24/thousands-of-nz-businesses-may-be-exposed-under-new-contractor-law/

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Warrant to arrest: Tevita Lasa

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are working to locate Tevita Lasa, who has a warrant for his arrest and is wanted by Police.

Lasa, 35, is wanted by Police in relation to burglary and is known to frequent the Auckland City area.

It’s believed he is actively avoiding Police.

If you have seen him or have any information that may assist in locating him, please update us online now or call 105.

Please use the reference number 260118/6795.

Alternatively information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/24/warrant-to-arrest-tevita-lasa/

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‘There had been discussions’: Phoenix coach was on borrowed time before quitting

Source: Radio New Zealand

Phoenix operations manager Shaun Gill (right) with general manager David Dome. Photosport

Former Wellington Phoenix coach Giancarlo Italiano was already on borrowed time before his resignation at the weekend.

Italiano quit after Saturday’s 5-0 loss to Auckland FC. The Australian had been with the Phoenix since 2019 and head coach since 2023.

On Monday, Phoenix academy boss Chris Greenacre was announced as his replacement for the foreseeable future.

Phoenix director of football Shaun Gill said Italiano was aware that the club wasn’t happy with the team’s slump in form which has them second from bottom on the A-League table with five wins from 18 games.

“We had been talking about the state of the team, the state of the performances and the results and there had been discussions internally at the club in the weeks leading into it and following that discussion with Chiefy (after the game) he made the correct decision to resign,” Gill told RNZ.

“Sport at the professional level is a results business and when the results are not going right then there needs to be change.”

Italiano took the club to their highest ever finish in the 2023-24 season when they ended the regular season in second place.

Giancarlo Italiano Photosport

Gill was asked if the call should have been made a year later when the Phoenix finished the 2024-25 in 11th place with just six wins from 26 games.

“There were some things in the 24-25 season that didn’t go to plan but at that time we were confident that Chief had taken some valuable learning’s and lessons and we thought he had the tools to be able to deliver this season.

Gill said the players continued to back Italiano.

“At no time was it evident that the dressing room had been lost, the players were fighting for Chiefy and Chiefy was fighting for the club and the players but ultimately the results have just not been there.”

The Phoenix men have sometimes been criticised by commentators and fans for promoting development players rather than spending money on imports. Gill admitted there had to be a balance.

“One of our key strategies for the past four years has been the development of the women’s programme and professional football in New Zealand for females and the pathway that has been created there,” he said.

Wellington Phoenix players celebrate a goal during their 7-0 win over Sydney FC in a A-League women’s match at Porirua Park, 2025. Photosport

“There has to be investment across all of those three areas (men’s and women’s teams and development teams) and development of young players and moving them into the first team and the sale of them is not a straight-line process. There will be some years where results struggle a little bit.

“But ultimately that has not been the case this season that the strategy of the football club is the reason for the results and we will continue to develop players.”

The Phoenix men host third placed Sydney FC on Sunday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/24/there-had-been-discussions-phoenix-coach-was-on-borrowed-time-before-quitting/

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Larger-than-life DJ Mu immortalised in new Wellington mural

Source: Radio New Zealand

On the exterior wall of Wellington’s Jam Hair Company, where once stood a mural of English music legend David Bowie, now lies the image of a local legend – Fat Freddy’s Drop co-founder Chris Faiumu, who died suddenly last year.

Mark Williams from Fat Freddy’s Drop says the mural seems an appropriate way to pay tribute to Faiumu, known as DJ Mu or Fitchie.

“And of course doing it in his hometown of Wellington in the streets where he basically started his musical journey seemed really appropriate.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/24/larger-than-life-dj-mu-immortalised-in-new-wellington-mural/