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Why Michelangelo’s ‘Last Judgment’ endures

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Virginia Raguin, Distinguished Professor of Humanities Emerita, College of the Holy Cross

Michelangelo’s fresco of “The Last Judgment,” covering the wall behind the altar of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, is being restored. The work, which started on Feb. 1, 2026, is expected to continue for three months.

The Sistine Chapel is one of the great masterpieces of Renaissance art. As the setting where the College of Cardinals of the Catholic Church meets to elect a new pope, it was decorated by the most prestigious painters of the day. In 1480, Pope Sixtus IV commissioned Domenico Ghirlandaio, Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino and Cosimo Rosselli to paint the walls. On the south are six scenes of the “Life of Moses,” and across on the north are six scenes of the “Life of Christ.”

In 1508, Pope Julius II commissioned Michelangelo to paint the ceiling. The theme is the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible. The images show God creating the world through the story of Noah, who was directed by God to shelter humans and animals on an ark during the great flood. The ceiling’s most famous scene may be “God Creating Adam,” where Adam reaches out his arm to the outstretched arm of God the Father, but their fingers fail to meet.

At the sides, the artist juxtaposed the male Hebrew prophets and the female Greek and Roman sybils who were inspired by the gods to foretell the future. It was completed in 1512; then in 1536, Michelangelo was asked to create a painting for the wall behind the altar. For this immense work of 590 square feet (about square meters), filled with 391 figures, he labored until 1541. He was then nearly 67 years old.

As an art historian, I have been aware how, from the beginning, Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgment” sparked controversy for its bold and heroic portrayal of the male nude.

Many layers of meaning

Michelangelo liked to consider himself primarily a sculptor, expressing himself in variations of the nude male body. Most famous may be the Old Testament figure of David about to slay Goliath, originally made for the Cathedral of Florence.

The artist’s ceiling for the Sistine Chapel had included 20 nude males as supporting figures above the prophets and sibyls. Originally, Michelangelo’s Christ of “The Last Judgment” was entirely nude. A later painter was hired to provide drapery over the loins of Christ and other figures.

“The Last Judgment” scene also contains multiple references to pagan gods and mythology. The image of Christ is inspired by early Christian images showing Christ beardless and youthful, similar to the pagan god of light, Apollo.

Group of the damned with Minos, judge of the underworld. Sistine Chapel Collection, Michelangelo via Wikimedia Commons

At the bottom of the composition is the figure of Charon, a personage from Greek mythology who rowed souls over the river Styx to enter the pagan underworld. Minos, the judge of the underworld, is on the extreme right.

Giorgio Vasari, a fellow artist and historian who knew Michelangelo personally, later recounted the criticism by a senior Vatican official, Biagio da Cesena. The official stated that it was disgraceful that nude figures were exposed so shamefully and that the painting seemed more fit for public baths and taverns.

Michelangelo’s response was to place the face of Biagio on Minos, the judge of the underworld, and give him donkey’s ears, symbolizing stupidity.

A detail of a scene connected to the Apostle Bartholomew in ‘The Last Judgment.’ Sistine Chapel Collection via Wikimedia

Michelangelo included a reference to his own life in a detail connected to the Apostle Bartholomew, who is located to the lower right of Christ. The apostle was believed to have met his martyrdom by being flayed alive. In his right hand, he holds a knife and, in his left, his flayed skin whose face is a distorted portrait of the artist.

Michelangelo thus placed himself among the blessed in heaven, but also made it into a joke.

Thought-provoking imagery

The Last Judgment is a common theme in Christian art. Michelangelo, however, pushes beyond simple illustration to include pagan myths as well as to challenge traditional depiction of a calm, bearded judge. He uses dramatic imagery to provoke deeper thought: After all, how does anyone on Earth know what the saints do in heaven?

In these decisions, Michelangelo displayed his sense of self-confidence to introduce new ideas and his goal to engage the viewer in new ways.

A digital reproduction of the painting will be displayed on a screen for visitors to the Sistine Chapel during this period of restoration. Behind the screen, technicians from the Vatican Museums’ Restoration Laboratory will work to restore the masterpiece.

– ref. Why Michelangelo’s ‘Last Judgment’ endures – https://theconversation.com/why-michelangelos-last-judgment-endures-275323

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/20/why-michelangelos-last-judgment-endures-275323/

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Why the ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ have echoed with public support – unlike the campus of Kent State in 1970

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory P. Magarian, Thomas and Karole Green Professor of Law, Washington University in St. Louis

The president announces an aggressive, controversial policy. Large groups of protesters take to the streets. Government agents open fire and kill protesters.

All of these events, familiar from Minneapolis in 2026, also played out at Ohio’s Kent State University in 1970. In my academic writing about the First Amendment, I have described Kent State as a key moment when the government silenced free speech.

In Minneapolis, free speech has weathered the crisis better, as seen in the protests themselves, the public’s responses – and even the protest songs the two events inspired.

Protests and shootings, then and now

In 1970, President Richard Nixon announced he had expanded the Vietnam War by bombing Cambodia. Student anti-war protests, already fervent, intensified.

In Ohio, Gov. James Rhodes deployed the National Guard to quell protests at Kent State University. Monday, May 4, saw a large midday protest on the main campus commons. Students exercised their First Amendment rights by chanting and shouting at the Guard troops, who dispersed protesters with tear gas before regrouping on a nearby hill.

[embedded content]
A video compilation of the deadly events at Kent State University on May 4, 1970.

With the nearest remaining protesters 20 yards from the Guard troops and most more than 60 yards away, 28 guardsmen inexplicably fired on students, killing four students and wounding nine others.

After the killings, the government sought to shift blame to the slain students. Nixon stated: “When dissent turns to violence, it invites tragedy.”

Minneapolis in 2026 presents vivid parallels.

As part of a sweeping campaign to deport undocumented immigrants, President Donald Trump in early January 2026 deployed armed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection agents to Minneapolis.

Many residents protested, exercising their First Amendment rights by using smartphones and whistles to record and call out what they saw as ICE and CBP abuses. On Jan. 7, 2026, an ICE agent shot and killed activist Renee Good in her car. On Jan. 24, two CBP agents shot and killed protester Alex Pretti on the street.

The government sought to blame Good and Pretti for their own killings.

Different public reactions

After Kent State, amid bitter conservative opposition to student protesters, most Americans blamed the fallen students for their deaths. When students in New York City protested the Kent State shootings, construction workers attacked and beat the students in what became known as the “hard hat riot.” Afterward, Nixon hosted construction union leaders at the White House, where they gave him an honorary hard hat.

Protesters march through the streets of downtown Minneapolis on Jan. 25, 2026, one day after federal agents shot dead U.S. citizen Alex Pretti. Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images

In contrast, most Americans believe the Trump administration has used excessive force in Minneapolis. Majorities both oppose the federal agents’ actions against protesters and approve of protesting and recording the agents.

The public response to Minneapolis has made a difference. The Trump administration has announced an end to its immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities. Trump has backed off attacks on Good and Pretti. Congressional opposition to ICE funding has grown. Overall public support for Trump and his policies has fallen.

Free speech in protests, recordings and songs

What has caused people to view the killings in Minneapolis so differently from Kent State? One big factor, I believe, is how free speech has shaped the public response.

The Minneapolis protests themselves have sent the public a more focused message than what emerged from the student protests against the Vietnam War.

Anti-war protests in 1970 targeted military action on the other side of the world. Organizers had to plan and coordinate through in-person meetings and word of mouth. Student protesters needed the institutional news media to convey their views to the public.

In contrast, the anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis target government action at the protesters’ doorsteps. Organizers can use local networks and social media to plan, coordinate and communicate directly with the public. The protests have succeeded in deepening public opposition to ICE.

In addition, the American people have witnessed the Minneapolis shootings.

Kent State produced a famous photograph of a surviving student’s anguish but only hazy, chaotic video of the shootings.

In contrast, widely circulated video evidence showed the Minneapolis killings in horrifying detail. Within days of each shooting, news organizations had compiled detailed visual timelines, often based on recordings by protesters and observers, that sharply contradicted government accounts of what happened to Good and Pretti.

Finally, consider two popular protest songs that emerged from Kent State and Minneapolis: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “Ohio” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Streets of Minneapolis.”

[embedded content]
Bruce Springsteen sings ‘Streets of Minneapolis.’

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young recorded, pressed and released “Ohio” with remarkable speed for 1970. The vinyl single reached record stores and radio stations on June 4, a month after the Kent State shootings. The song peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard chart two months later.

Neil Young’s lyrics described the Kent State events in mythic terms, warning of “tin soldiers” and telling young Americans: “We’re finally on our own.” Young did not describe the shootings in detail. The song does not name Kent State, the National Guard or the fallen students. Instead, it presents the events as symbolic of a broader generational conflict over the Vietnam War.

Springsteen released “Streets of Minneapolis” on Jan. 28, 2026 – just four days after CBP agents killed Pretti. Two days later, the song topped streaming charts worldwide.

The internet and social media let Springsteen document Minneapolis, almost in real time, for a mass audience. Springsteen’s lyrics balance symbolism with specificity, naming not just “King Trump” but also victims Pretti and Good, key Trump officials Stephen Miller and Kristi Noem, main Minneapolis artery Nicollet Avenue, and the protesters’ “whistles and phones,” before fading on a chant of “ICE out!”

Critics offer compelling arguments that 21st-century mass communication degrades social relationships, elections and culture. In Minneapolis, disinformation has muddied crucial facts about the protests and killings.

At the same time, Minneapolis has shown how networked communication can promote free speech. Through focused protests, recordings of government action, and viral popular culture, today’s public can get fuller, clearer information to help critically assess government actions.

– ref. Why the ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ have echoed with public support – unlike the campus of Kent State in 1970 – https://theconversation.com/why-the-streets-of-minneapolis-have-echoed-with-public-support-unlike-the-campus-of-kent-state-in-1970-274917

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/20/why-the-streets-of-minneapolis-have-echoed-with-public-support-unlike-the-campus-of-kent-state-in-1970-274917/

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Writing an adoption memoir helped Sue Watson find Cynthia

Source: Radio New Zealand

“I just want to smell you. You’re so beautiful,” were the first words Sue Watson heard when she met her birth mother ‘Lizzy’.

Watson had always known she was adopted. She grew up as part of a happy family in West Auckland.

It wasn’t until she was in her 20s, in the 1980s, that she got a letter from her birth mother asking to meet, she told RNZ’s Nine to Noon.

Sue Watson with her son Max, lake Taupo.

Sue Watson

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/20/writing-an-adoption-memoir-helped-sue-watson-find-cynthia/

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Three men arrested after several hurt in gang-related robbery in Christchurch

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Keiller MacDuff

Three men have been arrested after four people were injured during a gang-related robbery at a home in Christchurch.

Emergency services were called to an address on Hoani Street in Northcote at about 9.30pm on Wednesday.

Police cars, vans and mobile units crowded into the quiet Papanui street. Armed scene guards stood at the first of several cordoned areas, with a large tent visible beyond several strings of police tape.

One person was in a critical condition, and another suffered serious injuries. The two other people were in a moderate condition.

Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves said the robbery was a gang-related incident and was targeted towards parties at this address. Police also believed a gun was shot during the robbery.

RNZ understood the incident was believed to involve members of rival gangs Black Power and Mongrel Mob.

Superintendent Tony Hill said in an update on Friday morning that three men had been arrested.

The men, aged 19, 31 and 40, have been charged with aggravated wounding and aggravated robbery. Two of the men are due to appear in the Christchurch District Court today, and the 40-year-old is due to appear in Dunedin.

Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident, Hill said.

“This was a coordinated effort focused on one clear outcome: holding those responsible to account and protecting our community,” Hill said.

“We will not tolerate this type of offending. If you choose to commit serious violence, we will act swiftly.

“Incidents like this understandably concern people. Please be reassured this was a contained incident, and there is no ongoing risk.”

He said residents can expect to see police at the Hoani Street address again on Friday as a scene examination continues.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/20/three-men-arrested-after-several-hurt-in-gang-related-robbery-in-christchurch/

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Higher KiwiSaver contributions may mean lower pay rises

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ

You might be going to get a bigger contribution to your KiwiSaver this year – but will it be at the expense of your pay rise?

The first step in the increase in KiwiSaver contribution rates takes effect on April 1, for people who do not opt out.

The default rate rises to 3.5 percent from both employer and employee – so many employers will be contributing an amount equal to an additional 0.5 percent of their wage bill from that date.

This only applies for employers who have structured KiwiSaver contributions in the traditional way, where an employee contribution is matched by an employer contribution on top of their pay. People who are paid by total remuneration will have to cover the full increase themselves.

When the change was announced, Treasury said it expected 80 percent of the employer cost to be met by lower than expected pay rises.

Kelly Eckhold, chief economist at Westpac, said it was likely that all else being equal, pay rises this year would be lower.

“In the end, employers will pay a total level of remuneration in line with prevailing supply and demand trends in the market. Changing the allocation of what employees do with that remuneration is not likely to change that assessment. Having said this it will be impossible to know the counterfactual as we can only observe what employees are paid as opposed to what they might have been paid.”

Catherine Beard, director for advocacy at Business NZ, said businesses had to consider the total cost of employing someone.

“ACC charges, potentially fringe benefit tax, you’re going to have training costs, you might have uniforms… as someone who is hiring you think about what is the total cost to me and my business. So over time, any cost of employment does end up being factored into how much it costs to hire someone… superannuation KiwiSaver will be part of it.”

Apparel sector retailers example of hard times

Carolyn Young, chief executive of Retail NZ, said it was still a tough environment for retailers.

“Consider a retailer in maybe the apparel sector. They’ve been heavily hit over the last 12 months.

“Last year apparel monthly sales were down 5 percent in January, 9.1 percent in February, down 8.5 percent in March, down 7.8 percent in April, down 4.4 percent in May, down 1 percent in June… the whole year was really tough.

“They’re really running by the skin of their teeth – there’s no fat in the business… we do know that increasing KiwiSaver … is a place where as a country we need to head.

“The real difficulty is, it’s so challenging right now for retail to navigate increasing costs.”

She said until the economy clearly improved, the contribution increase was likely to mean smaller pay rises.

“It’s definitely a tricky time and definitely a space where employers will have to navigate their budgets really carefully around how they can recognise and reward staff alongside other increases that have been put in place.”

Craig Renney, who is Council of Trade Unions chief economist and policy director and also a Labour candidate in the upcoming election, said it was likely to mean that more low-income people opted out of KiwiSaver. “If you’re struggling with the cost of living, 1 percent on your salary is quite a lot.”

He said a better solution would be an Australia-style system where it was up to the employer to cover the cost of superannuation savings and employees who did not take it up missed out, rather than receiving it in their pay packets.

Meanwhile, a survey by ANZ showed a third of KiwiSaver members intended to stick with the new 3.5 percent default rate when it took effect. Another 21 percent would contirbute more if their employer matched it.

Only 10 percent intended to request a temporary reduction.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/20/higher-kiwisaver-contributions-may-mean-lower-pay-rises/

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Liam Lawson completes Formula 1 preparation with top 10 finish

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand F1 driver Liam Lawson. ERIC ALONSO / AFP

New Zealand driver Liam Lawson has completed his official testing ahead of the new Formula 1 season.

Lawson spent the first few hours of his final Bahrain pre-season test in the garage before his Racing Bulls team was able to get their new 2026 car out on the track.

He then managed to get through 106 laps, the fourth most of the day.

The 24-year-old was 10th fastest, 1.7 seconds behind the quickest, Kimi Antonelli in a Mercedes.

In last week’s first testing session, Lawson [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/586732/issues-for-liam-lawson-at-f1-testing-something-i-haven-t-mastered-yet admitted to some struggles in the new specification car, but this week did say that he was more comfortable and happy with the progress they were making.

The McLaren of Oscar Piastri was second quickest, followed by Max Verstappen, who got through the most laps today with 139.

New Zealand F1 driver Liam Lawson during testing in Bahrain, 2026. ALBERTO VIMERCATI / AFP

Lawson’s team-mate Arvid Lindblad will have use of the car on the third and final day of testing in Bahrain.

Aston Martin and new team Cadillac struggled with pace today.

There are significant changes in 2026 with the cars smaller and lighter and no longer running DRS, while half of their power is now electrically generated.

The first round of the 2026 championships is in Australia on 8 March.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/20/liam-lawson-completes-formula-1-preparation-with-top-10-finish/

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Police seek help as 5-year-old boy found dead in water

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police are continuing to appeal to the public for information as they investigate the “water-related” death of a five-year-old boy in Napier.

The boy went missing around the Westshore area on Thursday, 5 February, between 6pm and 8.30pm.

He was found dead in the water off the Esplanade at Westshore, at around 1.30am on Friday, 6 February.

Police said they want to hear from anyone who saw an unattended child.

“We are particularly seeking a group of four people, who were riding bikes and walking, near the corner of Fenwick Street and Fergusson Avenue at approximately 7.30pm,” Detective Sergeant Kate Hyde said.

“If this was you, or if you have any information that could assist us in our investigation, please contact us online at 105.police.govt.nz, or call 105, and use the reference number 260206/9567.”

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/20/police-seek-help-as-5-year-old-boy-found-dead-in-water/

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Arrests made, Northcote incident

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Superintendent Tony Hill, Canterbury District Commander:

Three men have been arrested in relation to the serious incident at a Hoani Street, Northcote property on Wednesday night that left four people injured.

The men, aged 19, 31 and 40, have been charged with aggravated wounding and aggravated robbery.

Two are due to appear in the Christchurch District Court today, and the 40-year-old is due to appear in Dunedin.

Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident.

This was a coordinated effort focused on one clear outcome: holding those responsible to account and protecting our community.

We will not tolerate this type of offending. If you choose to commit serious violence, we will act swiftly.

Incidents like this understandably concern people. Please be reassured this was a contained incident, and there is no ongoing risk.

Residents can expect to see Police at the Hoani Street address again today as our scene examination continues.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/20/arrests-made-northcote-incident/

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North Brave duo set to debut for White Ferns

Source: Radio New Zealand

Nensi Patel of the Northern Brave. www.photosport.nz

There are two new players in the White Ferns squad named to take on Zimbabwe later this month.

Northern Brave duo Nensi Patel and Kayley Knight have been included for the series, which will be the first between the two nations and includes three T20I’s and three ODI’s.

Off-spinning all-rounder Patel returns to the group after being centrally contracted for the 2022-23 season.

She was the Brave’s top run-scorer in the Super Smash this summer and second-equal wicket-taker alongside Knight.

Knight, a former New Zealand under-19 representative, is available for just the T20 series, with Molly Penfold to replace her in the ODI squad.

“We’ve prioritised players that could make the T20 World Cup squad in June, whilst also providing international exposure to high-potential talent whose skillsets align with long-term White Ferns planning,” said coach Ben Sawyer.

“Nensi and Kayley have both been solid performers over the last 12-18 months, so it’s really pleasing for them to get this opportunity.”

The squad will be captained by Melie Kerr in her first assignment as New Zealand’s permanent captain.

Suzie Bates (quadricep) and Eden Carson (elbow) were not considered for selection due to their respective injuries, and Lea Tahuhu was not considered for the T20I squad due to physical preparation planning for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in June.

Sophie Devine, who is on a casual contract with NZC, was not available for this series.

Northern Brave Women’s Kayley Knight bowls. DJ Mills / PHOTOSPORT

WHITE FERNS Squad v Zimbabwe

Flora Devonshire Central Hinds

Izzy Gaze Auckland Hearts

Maddy Green Auckland Hearts

Brooke Halliday Auckland Hearts

Bree Illing Auckland Hearts

Polly Inglis Sparks (T20I only)

Jess Kerr Wellington Blaze

Melie Kerr Wellington Blaze

Kayley Knight* Northern Brave (T20I only)

Emma McLeod Central Hinds (ODI only)

Rosemary Mair Central Hinds

Nensi Patel* Northern Brave

Molly Penfold Auckland Hearts (ODI only)

Georgia Plimmer Wellington Blaze

Izzy Sharp** Canterbury Magicians

Series against Zimbabwe

Wed 25 Feb: 1st T20, 7:15pm, Hamilton

Fri 27 Feb: 2nd T20, 7:15pm, Hamilton

Sun 1 March: 3rd T20, 1:15pm, Hamilton

Thurs 5 March: 1st ODI, 11am, Dunedin

Sun 8 March: 2nd ODI, 11am, Dunedin

Wed 11 March, 3rd ODI, 11am, Dunedin

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/20/north-brave-duo-set-to-debut-for-white-ferns/

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Injury woes for Phoenix women and men

Source: Radio New Zealand

Lara Wall of Wellington Phoenix. www.photosport.nz

There are major injury concerns for both the women’s and men’s Wellington Phoenix sides.

They have lost two New Zealand internationals to serious injuries ahead of their respective round 18 A-League matches.

Football Ferns fullback Lara Wall and All Whites attacking midfielder Sarpreet Singh will both be sidelined for up to eight weeks.

The Phoenix women have had more than their fair share of injuries this season.

Wall tore her left calf in the defeat to Central Coast Mariners at Porirua Park on Sunday, while Singh injured the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee in his much-anticipated Phoenix return against Western Sydney last Friday night.

Sarpreet Singh waves to fans. www.photosport.nz

As well as potentially sidelining her for the remainder of the Ninja A-League regular season, the calf injury unfortunately rules Wall out of the Ferns’ upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 qualifiers in the Solomon Islands.

Singh is likely to miss the All Whites matches against Finland and Chile at Eden Park at the end of next month, on top of the Phoenix men’s next five Isuzu UTE A-League matches.

All Whites fullback Tim Payne has also been ruled out of Saturday’s derby against Auckland FC with a hamstring injury.

The second-placed Phoenix women play at Melbourne Victory on Friday night.

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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/2026/02/20/injury-woes-for-phoenix-women-and-men/

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Northland farmer has hundreds of sheep killed by roaming dogs

Source: Radio New Zealand

Farmer Finn Cook is thinking of quitting sheep farming if the killing can’t be stopped. RNZ/Sally Round

Warning: The following story contains an image that may disturb some viewers.

A Northland farmer says more than 250 of his family’s sheep have been killed by roaming dogs, and he’s thinking of quitting sheep farming if the killing can’t be stopped.

His call for action comes in the same week a woman was mauled to death by a pack of dogs in Kaihu.

Finn Cook is the fourth generation of his family to farm near Kaeo in the Far North.

He said roaming dogs had always been a bit of a nuisance for their stock, but towards the end of last year, the problem got out of hand as hundreds of their sheep were attacked and killed.

“It’s pretty disgusting to walk out there and see sheep half chewed on, still alive, can’t move on the ground. Especially in the heat with the flies and stuff.”

Cook said his uncle had already had to give up on sheep farming because of wild dogs, and if Cook couldn’t find a solution, his family would have to do the same.

“We’re at a dead end. We don’t know what to do. We don’t know what support there is for us as farmers because the laws aren’t in anyone’s favour here.”

He has tried taking matters into his own hands and shooting the dogs but he said it didn’t make a difference.

“They just keep coming. The dog owners need to hold themselves accountable, they don’t post up that they’ve got missing dogs either. Because I’m sure they know their dog’s been up to no good.”

A photo of one of the sheep that has been killed by roaming dogs. Supplied/Finn Cook

He also tried contacting dog control at the council, but said it was hard to get any action from them.

“You’ve basically got to visually sight the dog all the way home, prove where it’s living and then also prove that it’s been killing your sheep… for them to actually do anything about it.”

But Far North District Council’s delivery and operations manager Hillary Sumpter said in a statement that the council only had records of one complaint from Cook.

“If we gave Mr Cook the impression that the council would only act when it had video evidence, then I apologise – that is not the case,” Sumpter said.

The council needed good eyewitness accounts or other evidence linking a dog to an attack which would stand up in court, she said.

“Setting dog traps and focusing our patrols on problem areas are methods we use to gather evidence. It is not possible to monitor a property 24 hours a day.”

Whangarei woman Tracy Clarke also knows about the problems roaming dogs can cause – she has been afraid to even walk down her street since she narrowly escaped a pitbull coming after her.

“It’s only just a few metres away, and I knew that I was in bloody big strife to be fair. Within a split second, I just heard a woman scream at me to get in and she parked up beside me – it was actually a local courier.”

After that ordeal, Clarke delivered a petition to parliament, calling for the rules around dog control to be changed.

“The current legislation governing dog ownership and control came into force in 1996. I know that sounds just like yesterday but in actual fact, it was all written 30 years ago. Clearly, it’s no longer befitting.”

Cook agreed there needed to be law changes, but said the owners needed to take some responsibility.

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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/2026/02/20/northland-farmer-has-hundreds-of-sheep-killed-by-roaming-dogs/

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Live: Former prince Andrew arrested by UK police over Epstein ties

Source: Radio New Zealand

Follow updates with RNZ’s live blog above.

Britain’s former prince Andrew has been arrested overnight over allegations he sent confidential government documents to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

King Charles’ younger brother – now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after he wasstripped by his older brother of his titles and honours last October – was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Thursday, his 66th birthday.

The second son of the late Queen Elizabeth is now in police custody. He has always denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, and said he regrets their friendship.

Follow updates with RNZ’s live blog at the top of this page.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/20/live-former-prince-andrew-arrested-by-uk-police-over-epstein-ties/

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Neurology patient sees specialist faster as a tourist in France than back home

Source: Radio New Zealand

It can take months to see a specialist in New Zealand. (File photo) PEAKSTOCK / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / AFP

Neurology patients are facing long wait times to see a specialist, with one woman getting a same day appointment as a tourist in France, then facing a four-month wait back home.

It comes as a new study from the University of Otago in Wellington shows neurologists would struggle to keep up with the increase in demand for the diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and stroke.

One Southland woman, who didn’t want to be identified, was told it would be four months before she could see a neurologist in New Zealand, after she began having seizures on holiday in France.

Over there, even as a tourist, she said she was able to see a neurologist that same day, after her husband noticed something was amiss.

“I had a funny incident that he noted, and he wondered if I’d had a stroke or something, so he ended up taking me to the hospital there,” she said.

“They did MRIs and CTs and things, and they thought it was a TIA – a Transient Ischemic Attack, so they put me on medication for that.”

A TIA was also known as a mini-stroke.

But back home, the episodes continued – she said she would zone out for a few minutes, and then be left very confused for the next half hour.

She made an appointment with her GP, who referred her to a neurologist privately through health inurance, but the earliest appointment was January 2026 – four months away.

“I was really surprised, because I’d seen a neurologist in France much quicker. We did have to pay, but I don’t think it was too much – I think it was like a thousand dollars or something. It wasn’t astronomical.”

Her seizures were getting worse – up from one a week, to one every two days – and her GP redirected her through the public system.

She finally saw a local neurologist in November, who diagnosed her with epilepsy.

“They got me on medication, and I haven’t had a seizure since,” she said.

The University of Otago study found New Zealand ranked well below other high-income countries when it came to numbers, with 83 neurologists, public and private, as of the report’s time of writing in 2024.

That was one per 74,000 people – just over half that of Australia – and far below the recommended best practice level found by one Australian workforce model of one per 28,000 people.

David Ross, who lives in Huntly, said he was surprised by those numbers, he was referred to a neurologist in late January, and the first thing he received was a letter apologising for the wait time, which was seven weeks.

“And the idea, of course, of going private is that you might go through a bit quicker, but it looks like it’s not going to be.”

Nearly $600 to see someone privately, and a seven week wait – David nearly picked up the phone and said, “forget it”.

But he didn’t want to lose his place on the waitlist – and luckily, he wasn’t waiting in pain.

“It’s okay, I just need to get an opinion on what they recommend for my condition. It looks like Parkinson’s because I shake a bit sometimes, but other times, I’m fine.”

But it wasn’t getting any better, and he and his family would like some answers.

“It doesn’t give you a lot of confidence in the overall system.”

Neurologist Dr David Gow, a regional chief medical officer at Te Whatu Ora, said the national health agency was committed to giving New Zealanders timely access to healthcare and strengthening the workforce.

“We know that, as part of this, we need to grow our healthcare workforce, and this is not exclusive to neurology.”

Health targets like shorter wait times applied to neurology, as for all specialities.

“We value research papers like this one as they can be considered alongside our own workforce planning,” he said.

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Back off the tools – man arrested in Hamilton

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute the following to Sergeant Mike Palmer, Waikato Police:

A man’s been arrested in Hamilton in relation to a series of burglaries of tools worth more than $40,000.

The 36-year-old is due in Hamilton District Court today on three charges of burglary. Additional charges are being considered.

The burglaries, targeting tools in the industrial Te Rapa area of Hamilton, were reported on 2, 4, and 13 February.

The arrest follows investigation by the Waikato Tactical Crime Unit. The tools were valued at more than $44,000. Some of the tools were on-sold, and Police are working to recover them so we can get them back to their rightful owner.

Police recommend businesses consider crime prevention methods to reduce the risk of burglary.

Quality CCTV, alarm systems, engraving tools and accurately recording serial numbers helps Police in investigating burglaries in the unfortunate event they occur.

Tools can be expensive and hard to replace. To reunite stolen tools with their rightful owner we need to identify unique features, so we encourage businesses and tradies to take the time engraving their tools and recording serial numbers.

If you are aware of, or come across, tools that may have been stolen please let Police know via our 105 service.  Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or https://crimestoppers-nz.org/

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/20/back-off-the-tools-man-arrested-in-hamilton/

Posted on

A state of emergency, again and again and again

Source: Radio New Zealand

A ute submerged at Robert Prescott’s home on Phillips Road in Ōtorohanga on February 14. RNZ/Marika Khabazi

Once-in-a-hundred-year storms are coming thick and fast, and the number of states of emergency declared across the country has skyrocketed.

New Zealand isn’t just bracing for emergencies – it’s declaring them at a pace never seen before.

In 2002, across the country, only four days of local states of emergency were declared. In the first two months of this year alone, there have been at least 70.

That stark comparison comes as councils around the country deal with the devastating impact of a powerful, lasting and deadly storm that first hit Ōtorohanga and Waipa districts hard and carried on down the country.

Today, The Detail looks at what it means to be under a local state of emergency, and what goes on behind the scenes at MetService when it issues a weather warning.

Lakes District councillor and Joint Centre for Disaster Research capability development manager Jon Mitchell, who has been involved with emergency management both here and overseas for 30 years, puts the spike in states of emergency down, in part, to climate change. But he also says it’s due to weather services getting better at forecasting, and a culture change which has encouraged authorities to declare early.

“If you wait until the events occur, you lose much of the benefit of being able to declare a state of emergency,” Mitchell tells The Detail.

A graphic provided by National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) showing the state of emergencies in New Zealand since 2017. Image: NEMA NEMA

“When [a declaration] is made at the local level, it automatically has a seven-day period, which can be extended – we have seen that happen with major events recently – and it does several things. It enables those appointed as regional or group controllers … to have special powers to intervene in the emergency.

“It also enables police officers to have those powers where there is a need to act even faster, perhaps, in particular if there isn’t communication and there may only be police with a degree of authority on the ground,” Mitchell says.

“So that’s the ability to require people to evacuate, to enter buildings, to remove vehicles that might be damaged and blocking streets, to clear roads, to close roads, to acquire resources through requisition, a whole range of things.

“But it also provides protection, too, to those involved in the response … sometimes to manage risks, you have to be prepared to take risks, so it enables people to have more confidence, who are responding, to do things they might need to do that they normally wouldn’t be able to do, outside of an emergency situation.”

He says legally, the bar for declaring a state of emergency is “quite low” – it can simply be “any incident that has occurred or may occur that threatens the safety of individuals or property”.

However, with the increasing number of emergencies being declared, does Mitchell worry that emergency fatigue will set in, causing the declarations to lose their urgency and public compliance to drop off?

“There has been quite a bit of research into this. And the impact of not declaring and leaving communities entirely to their own devices, or organisations to not act together in a coordinated way, communities tire of that much more quickly than they do of having an organised response supporting them.

“What we can’t do is hesitate, and hope that things are going to get better.”

He says people should have a plan to escape a dangerous situation as soon as possible. And have a pack ready, with water, food, a torch, and a radio, to listen to alerts and warnings.

“We need the public to be ready,” he says. “Being ready to move is essential, and having a plan about where you are going to go is critical too.”

Floo waters at Little River in Banks Peninsula this week. Cameron Gordon/Supplied

Eyes on the weather everywhere

While the wild weather has been bombarding many towns and cities outside, inside MetService’s Wellington headquarters forecasters have been inundated with all kinds of data that feeds into their predictions. Information sent in by the 200-odd weather stations from Cape Reinga to the Sub-Antarctic Islands can change by the minute, says meteorologist John Law.

“We’ve got computers, monitors everywhere with maps, webcam views of various bits and bobs around the country and these giant screens which are our situational awareness screens with the latest radar, the latest satellite images and some of the observations as well,” says Law.

“So [it’s] trying to keep us up to date with what’s happening now so we get a nice, firm idea of what’s going to happen in the future.”

When there’s severe weather the pressure steps up from journalists, airports, shipping companies and government agencies for latest information.

But unlike the external mayhem of the last week, Law says inside the national weather hub in Wellington it’s just the opposite. The office is “very quiet and very hardworking”.

Teams of weather specialists are working on aviation, marine and website information, and the lead forecaster is running the show like an orchestra conductor. Three times a day the group gathers for a ‘nod in’.

“This dates back to when the chief forecaster used to stand up and tell everyone what the forecast was going to be and the rest of the meteorologists would sit round and nod in agreement,” says Law.

The name has stuck, but he says the meetings are now more collaborative, with expert forecasters and other meteorologists having a say .

Some of the world’s biggest, most sophisticated computers enable meteorologists to see what’s going on as early as six weeks out but at that stage there are many uncertainties.

“That’s often one of the biggest challenges, is when we look at the forecast, particularly for three, four, five, six weeks away is there can be a lot of uncertainty. And as we’ve seen with just this big system of low pressure, where that exact path goes can have a real big impact on which areas see the most rainfall or which areas see the strongest winds.

“We want to make sure that when we issue severe weather warnings or alerts, we have high certainty they’ll come through. We want to make sure that we’re not crying wolf, as it were.”

Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here.

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Bill to make English an official language of NZ introduced to Parliament

Source: Radio New Zealand

NZ First’s Winston Peters fiercely defended a bill to make English an official language. RNZ / Mark Papalii

Parliament’s last order of the week was to debate something the minister in charge of the bill has admitted is not really a priority.

The government has introduced a bill to make English an official language, to ridicule from the opposition, and a fierce defence from Winston Peters.

The legislation would see English be recognised as an official language alongside Te Reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language.

It would not affect the status or use of Te Reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language as official languages.

Just two pages long, the legislation states that English has long been a de facto official language, but not set out in legislation.

The bill is in the name of the Justice Minister, Paul Goldsmith, who was reluctant to sing its praises.

“It’s something that was in the coalition. It wouldn’t be the top priority for us, absolutely not. But it’s something in the coalition and it’s getting done.”

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Goldsmith did not speak at the first reading.

Instead, Winston Peters led the speeches on Thursday.

Peters said other jurisdictions such as Canada, Ireland, and Wales had English language legislation of their own, which indicated the “importance” of putting it into legislation.

“This bill won’t solve the push of this virtue signalling narrative completely. But it is the first step towards ensuring logic and common sense prevails when the vast majority of New Zealanders communicate in English, and understand English, in a country that should use English as its primary and official language,” he said.

The New Zealand First leader, who was made to wait nearly an hour and a half to deliver his speech, argued the proliferation of te reo Māori in health and transport services meant people were getting confused.

In other cases, they were being put in danger, claiming first responders did not know where they were going, and boaties were unable to interpret charts.

“With the increase in recent years of te reo to be used in place of English, even when less than five percent of the New Zealand population can read, write, or speak it, it has created situations that encourage misunderstand and confusion for all. And all for the purpose to push a narrative.”

Peters’ speech drifted into a lengthy historical anecdote, with an example of “out of touch bureaucrats” in the Soviet Union building, costing, and installing chandeliers based on weight “for production bonuses, rather than shape and design”, which was leading to ceilings being ripped out.

“And the then-President Khrushchev, upon finding this out, asked this question: For whom is this illuminating? As for whom, are the circumstances we now finding ourselves in with the use of te reo as a means of important communication now, illuminating what?”

Opposition MPs ridicule bill

Labour MP Duncan Webb said only the “wandering mind” of Peters could explain what Russian chandeliers had to do with the English language. VNP / Phil Smith

Opposition MPs questioned the government’s priorities, expressing ridicule, exasperation and concern at the bill.

Beginning his contribution with, “Ngā mihi, great to be here in Aotearoa today,” Labour MP Duncan Webb said only the “wandering mind” of Peters could explain what Russian chandeliers had to do with the English language.

Webb said language was a “moving thing”, with New Zealand English containing words from across the Pacific.

“A silly piece of legislation, that Winston Peters, in his jurassic thinking, wants to put before his sub-sub-sub-section of voters, because they get a little bit anxious because the library in Christchurch is called Tūranga. A big building full of books, with big signs to it, but because it doesn’t say ‘library’ they don’t know it’s the library if they’re New Zealand First voters.”

Webb said when the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, all the laws of England applied, of which an English language law was not one.

“What’s the official language of the United Kingdom? Well, it doesn’t say, it is not set out there in legislation. There is no English Act or United Kingdom Act which sets out English as an official language, but I’m pretty sure they’re comfortable with the fact that it’s an official language of England and the United Kingdom.”

Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. RNZ

Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said the government “wants us distracted” while the country experienced severe weather events, and unemployment was as high as it had been in a decade.

“They want us divided, and they want regular people exhausted, fighting amongst themselves. Some out there say that this government is stupid. Unfortunately, Madam Speaker, I think that they know exactly what they are doing,” she said.

“The English language is not under threat. We are literally speaking it and debating in it right now. This is a bill which is an answer to a problem that does not exist, a problem which this government is trying to create in the minds of people across this country, in place of the very real problems of the climate crisis, record homelessness, inequality and infrastructural decay.”

Swarbrick said Te Reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language had been “fought for”, while English was “literally beaten” into people.

“In plain English, for all members of this government, this bill is bullshit, and you know it.”

Te Pāti Māori MP Oriini Kaipara delivered her contribution entirely in te reo Māori.

“This bill is a waste of time, and a waste of breath,” she said.

Labour MP Dr Ayesha Verrall. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Labour MP Dr Ayesha Verrall spoke of her mother’s upbringing in the Maldives, where she worked hard to learn English, arrived in New Zealand on a Colombo Plan scholarship, and went on to become an English teacher.

“That’s pretty special, kind of ironic, to think that someone who, for whom English wasn’t their first language, gave so much in terms of enjoyment of English and English literature to her students.”

She said she sat in her mother’s classes in the 1990s when politicians were “race baiting”, warning of an ‘Asian invasion’, and using English in a “very powerful and destructive” way.

“When we speak in the English language, we have impact beyond our words. As politicians, we create permission for people to do things outside this House. So that’s what happens when politicians indulge in racism. The English language can be used as a weapon, and that can lead to people having violent acts committed against them,” she said.

Verall then referred to the 1990s politician directly – Peters.

First reading on hold

Peters had promoted his contribution, set to begin at 4pm, on social media.

But an opposition filibuster on the previous bill on the order paper meant his speech did not begin until 5:25pm.

With Parliament needing to break for the week at 6pm, government MPs did their best to hurry the bill along, with ACT’s Simon Court, and National MPs Tom Rutherford and Carl Bates rising for very short contributions to commend the bill to the House.

“It’s simply practical, constructive common sense,” Court said.

National’s Rima Nakhle accused the opposition of theatrics. VNP / Phil Smith

National’s Rima Nakhle took issue with Swarbrick’s use of the word “bullshit”, and accused the opposition of theatrics.

“How about we just calm it down a little, and stop the theatrics, and talk about what this is. And it’s OK. We’re only making English official. It’s not the end of the world.”

The House adjourned with two speeches still to go.

With Parliament in recess next week, it meant MPs would have to wait until 3 March for the debate to pick up again.

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Many tenants of social housing agency Te Toi Mahana unable to access rent subsidy

Source: Radio New Zealand

A Wellington social housing agency has a cap of 380 Income Related Rent Subsidy places. (File photo) RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

More than three-quarters of tenants at Wellington’s biggest social housing agency will not be able to access the cheap rent it was set up to provide.

Te Toi Mahana, a Wellington City Council organisation, took over the council’s housing portfolio in 2023, managing more than 1600 properties.

It was formed so tenants could access the government’s Income Related Rent Subsidy (IRRS) which capped rent at a quarter of their income – because by law, council housing tenants were not eligible.

Over time, as existing council housing tenants leave, new tenants get the subsidy.

However, the government allocated community housing providers a certain number of IRRS “places”.

Te Toi Mahana only had 380, a cap that was agreed between the council and housing ministry in 2022.

It expected those would be filled by June, which means only 23 percent of its households would get the subsidy.

Te Toi Mahana would continue to take on new tenants, but they wouldn’t be eligible for the subsidy, partnerships and community manager Seb Bishop said.

“Once our current IRRS places are filled, there is an open question as to the exact type, tenure and funding for future developments and tenancies.”

Wellington mayor Andrew Little said he intended to advocate for Te Toi Mahana being allocated more IRRS places.

Wellington mayor Andrew Little. (File photo) RNZ / Mark Papalii

“My understanding is MHUD [the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development] sort of wanted Te Toi Mahana to prove itself, to attract new tenants and conduct itself as a CHP [community housing provider].

“We have to stand in the queue, or at least argue for the allocation of new spots, and that’s what Te Toi Mahana is required to do.”

When new places became available in Wellington, Te Toi Mahana would make a case for them, he said.

MHUD said it was in regular contact with Te Toi Mahana about their provision of places.

But since July 2024, the ministry had not been accepting any new social housing tenancies for existing housing stock, unless by exception.

“This is to encourage delivery of newly built social housing places, rather than existing houses, to increase housing supply,” it said.

“Any additional social housing places that are allocated to Wellington will be provided by community housing providers (CHPs) in accordance with the Government’s Housing Investment Plan.”

Under the plan, at the end of February community housing providers across the country will be able to apply for a ‘flexible fund’ which will pay for up to 770 new homes (via funding IRRS places).

Wellington has been allocated 40 to 50 homes, which can be either new builds, or leasing or buying existing stock from the market.

Meanwhile, Te Toi Mahana was planning two new developments in Tawa and Crofton Downs which would deliver 59 affordable homes – a mixture of two bedroom townhouses and one bedroom apartments.

It expected to begin building them in “early 2026”.

Councillor calls for wider access to rent subsidy

Wellington City councillor Diane Calvert, who’s also on Te Toi Mahana board of trustees, urged the government to change the regulation which makes council housing tenants ineligible for the IRRS.

Wellington City councillor Diane Calvert. (File photo) RNZ / Dom Thomas

“If they meet the income criteria, it should be no difference whether you’re in a council social housing or a Kāinga Ora social housing or any other community housing provider,” she said.

“If you meet the income criteria, you should have access. It’s as simple as that.”

Successive governments were at fault, she said.

Housing Minister Chris Bishop would not commit to any changes.

He previously told RNZ social housing funding was limited, and best targeted at adding to the overall stock of subsidised housing.

Previous governments said extending the subsidy to council housing tenants would be too expensive.

It’s effectively created a two-tier rent system for Te Toi Mahana tenants, with tenant A paying significantly more than tenant B in an identical flat next door.

The landlord agreed it was inequitable.

The IRRS was introduced in 2000.

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‘Very strange’: Auckland councillors’ mixed reaction to government’s housing backdown

Source: Radio New Zealand

Housing Minister Chris Bishop at the announcement about the government’s revised plans yesterday. RNZ/Marika Khabazi

Auckland councillors are split on what to make of the government’s sudden change of heart on intensification.

Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced on Thursday the number of homes Auckland Council must plan for would be reduced from 2 million to 1.6m, but only if it submitted a plan that was approved by the central government.

The need for approval from Wellington outraged Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown.

“We’re not doing this in order to go to the government and to the Cabinet and ask for their approval,” he said after the announcement.

“I mean, the Cabinet mostly don’t even live in Auckland, so that’s not going to happen.”

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown. RNZ/Marika Khabazi

North Shore ward councillor and chairperson of the Policy, Planning and Development Committee, Richard Hills, agreed with Brown that the need to seek approval from the government was “very strange”.

“That was a bit of a surprise, we knew the number was being dropped but we were surprised this week that there would be some sort of intermediate phase where we would have to take the potential changes to Cabinet to sign off before they give us the legislation,” he told RNZ.

“The mayor’s been very clear that Auckland should not be going back to Cabinet, we are responsible to the people of Auckland, not Cabinet, so I’m not sure exactly how we’ll negotiate that out.

“It is a strange precedent, it’s normally left up to the different parts of the country to work out their own plans … I’m not exactly sure what the expectation is, I mean, what happens if the Cabinet don’t exactly agree with the direction of change? Will we have to go back and forward?”

North Shore ward councillor Richard Hills. Alexia Russell

The council also had little time to come up with the new plan, as Hills explained it had not been given an extension to its mid-2027 deadline.

“The end date for the plan being complete is still the same, so there’s going to be no extension on the other end, so whatever we do has to be quick, and it has to be quite focused on reducing some of the density in the outer areas of Auckland,” he said.

Another councillor, Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa’s Christine Fletcher, felt the government’s request was fair.

“I’m comfortable with the guardrails that the government are putting in place,” she said.

“We should have to justify where we’re looking to downzone, we should have to justify where we’re wanting the intensification, and so I’m quite comfortable with the process going forward.”

Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa councillor Christine Fletcher. RNZ / Finn Blackwell

Anne Moore, an east Auckland resident neighbouring a controversial three-storey development in Farm Cove, was pleased to hear the target for intensification had been lowered.

She said recent intensification in the suburbs had damaged National’s reputation, and wondered if Thursday’s U-turn was a reaction to that sentiment.

“I talk to people every day out here, residents are saying they’re worried ACT and Winston [Peters] are going to get their votes. It’s really been a big issue out here in east Auckland particularly, and they’ve been voicing how they feel,” she said.

“They don’t want [intensification], or they want it done in a measured way and they want it done so we’re aware of what’s going on in our suburbs. [Ministers] don’t live where these things are happening and yet they won’t listen to the people that live there.”

Moore hoped the lower target would push the council to take a more considered approach.

“That was always the hope, that if they reduced the number that would mean the focus would be on central city and transport hub development, rather than turning every suburb into a three-storied townhouse situation,” she said.

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Posted on

Update: Further appeal for information following water related death, Napier

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Detective Sergeant Kate Hyde:

Napier Police investigating the water-related death of a five-year-old boy in Westshore, Napier, are asking for anyone who saw the boy on Thursday 5 February.

The boy went missing sometime between the hours of 6 and 8.30pm on the night of Thursday 5 February. He was sadly located deceased in the water, by emergency services, at 1.30am on Friday 6 February.

Police would like to thank those who have come forward with information and CCTV so far but are re-appealing for anyone who saw an unattended child on that Thursday night.

We are particularly seeking a group of four people, who were riding bikes and walking, near the corner of Fenwick Street and Fergusson Avenue at approximately 7.30pm.

If this was you, or if you have any information that could assist us in our investigation, please contact us online at 105.police.govt.nz, or call 105, and use the reference number 260206/9567.

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

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Posted on

Landlords, tenants grapple with new pet rules

Source: Radio New Zealand

A new law means tenants can have a pet unless the landlord does not consent on reasonable grounds. Unsplash / Sarah Adatte

A Christchurch woman whose landlord tried to end her tenancy because of the state of her property has been allowed to continue to live in it – and discovered the law is on her side for her cat, thanks to new rules.

The Tenancy Tribunal gave her notice that she would need to improve the state of the house if she was to remain, but she was allowed a pet.

“Regardless of whether and on what terms that consent [for a cat] was given, the new section 18AA RTA now provides that a tenant may have a pet unless the landlord does not consent on reasonable grounds,” the adjudicator said.

“The landlord has consented to the tenant keeping one adult cat at the premises provided the tenant pays a pet bond of two weeks’ rent or $1300.

“The tenant has agreed to remove the kittens from the property and to clean the carpet to remove the smell of cat urine.”

It is one of 2379 pet bonds lodged so far with Tenancy Bond Services, since the rule changed to allow them on 1 December.

Landlords are now required to allow pets, unless there are reasonable grounds to refuse.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) said landlords could charge a pet bond of up to two weeks’ rent in addition to the existing bond with clear rules for the tenants’ pet damage liability. Only one pet bond could be charged regardless of the number of pets.

“Tenants do not need to ask their landlord again for pet consent for existing pets that were lawfully kept as part of a tenancy before 1 December 2025,” MBIE said in a statement.

“A pet bond cannot be charged for these pets, but tenants will be fully liable for any pet related damage above fair wear and tear caused after 1 December 2025.”

But parts of the industry were proving slow to catch up with the rules.

David Pearse, managing director of Pukekohe Rental Managers, said he had a rush of inquiries but most tenants did not realise they still had to go through an application process.

Pukekohe Rental Managers managing director David Pearse. Supplied / Pukekohe Rental Managers

“Property managers are struggling with owners that do not want pets and working within the stated exemptions. I believe that there will be a host of Tenancy Tribunal hearing decisions that will need to be held to start to give a clear picture of what is acceptable or not.

“An interesting side issue is that while many like the idea of a pet the cost of ownership has not been carefully considered, and with the bond required, has made many have second thoughts about getting a pet.”

Property Brokers general manager David Faulkner said Trade Me had recently changed its advertisements to say “pets by consent” because many property management companies were still advertising saying “no pets” without realising it could breach the new rules.

Sarina Gibbon, director of Tenancy Advisory, said she had seen instances online where people within the industry were advising tenants not to disclose their animals until they had confirmed a tenancy.

“There are cynical players trying to game the system. My general view is that unless the economic model of renting to tenants with pets shift and unless we have more pet-friendly champions from the landlord side stepping forward to show leadership, we are always going to have to grapple with bad faith dealing.”

Joanna Pidgeon, a director of Pidgeon Judd and a member of The Law Association’s Property Law Committee, said any landlords who said they would not allow pets outright were likely to be breaking the rules.

Joanna Pidgeon, a director of Pidgeon Judd. Supplied / Pidgeon Judd

“We have heard anecdotally that people are finding that they are discriminated against in terms of obtaining a tenancy when they disclose that they have a pet.

“It is very hard to prove that it is discrimination because maybe that there is a better tenant out there that has a better credit record or better references. But people with pets are still finding it very hard to locate tenancies when they disclose that they have pets.

“We are hearing anecdotally that people are feeling discouraged from disclosing it up front, whereas you can, once you have a tenancy, request to have a pet and then the law obviously applies that you can’t unreasonably withhold that consent.

“If a landlord did withhold that consent unreasonably, then you’d be able to prove there was a problem and you could take action and say go to the tenancy tribunal about it.

“Whereas if you just don’t get picked to be a tenant, if there’s a shortage of rental properties, it’s very easy for landlords to pick someone else and very hard for a tenant to prove that it was because they wanted to have a pet that they weren’t chosen as a tenant.”

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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/2026/02/20/landlords-tenants-grapple-with-new-pet-rules/