Author: MIL OSI Publisher

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NZ Warrior seek improvement in second NRL pre-season trial against Dolphins

Source: Radio New Zealand

Harry Tauafiafi-Iutoi scores a pre-season try for the Warriors against Manly. Kerry Marshall/Photosport

NRL pre-season: Warriors v Dolphins

Kickoff: 8pm Friday, 20 February

Leichhardt Oval, Sydney

Live blog updates on RNZ

Still smarting from a subpar performance in their first pre-season hitout, NZ Warriors will seek a drastic improvement, when they take on the Dolphins at Sydney’s Leichhardt Oval on Friday.

Coach Andrew Webster was probably eight players short of his top starting line-up against Manly last weekend, but still expected more than the disorganised 33-18 defeat to a makeshift Sea Eagles outfit in Napier.

“Parts were disappointing, definitely,” he said. “We would have liked to represent our fans a bit better, particularly down the road.

“I thought our tackling and our contact was really good, but was disappointed in our tryline defence – I thought we leaked some simple points there. Our attack was probably a bit clunky, we had some missing pieces.

“We trained 28 guys that week to give them all a go.”

His players were just as frustrated.

“You obviously want to go into a game, whether it’s a trial or a round game, and you want to win,” lock Erin Clark reflected. “We had a tough pre-season and wanted to put into play what we’d been practising.

Erin Clark frustrated with the Warriors performance against Manly. Kerry Marshall/Photosport

“It felt like, in patches, defensively we did, but I felt we missed the mark on attack and that’s definitely something we have to work on this coming week.

“We’ve got a few new players and need to get combinations going. Pre-season is about getting fit and game fitness only comes from playing footy, but it’s mainly about combos.”

For his second team of the year, Webster will welcome back several players from Māori-Indigenous duty to a gameday squad much closer to his round one selection in two weeks.

No-one wins a championship before round one, so it’s way too early to sound alarm bells, but winning is also a habit that requires practice and no time is too early to establish that routine.

“We want to win everything we do,” Webster insisted. “We talk about winning every day.

“You’re always going to have that scenario at the back of your mind, but never at the cost of subs and how many minutes people play and how we do it – we’ll always stick to that.

“It’s about a little bit of practice, but more about getting ready for game one.”

Among the rubble were a handful of individual performances that gave hope for the coming season.

Young forward Tanner Stowers-Smith came off the interchange to lead most of his team’s statistical categories, notably tackle count (39) and run metres (134).

“Tanner’s probably been our best trainer this off-season,” Clark observed. “He’s grown in confidence, after getting that taste last year.

Tanner Stowers-Smith led the Warriors in most key statistical categories against Manly. Kerry Marshall/Photosport

“He was good last year, but far out, the way he has come back to pre-season has not surprised everyone, but he’s gone to a new level.

“I reckon he was our best player on the weekend. He just came on and did all the tough stuff well.

“We’ve got to take a leaf out of his book, a few of us this week, get over the [advantage] line and be tough.”

Stowers-Smith, 21, made his debut last May against the Dolphins and logged 13 games to earn a contract extension through the 2028 season.

Another to show out was centre Ali Leiataua, who promised so much in 2025, but could not shake off an injury bug that limited him to just eight games. Against Manly, he scored two first-half tries to open his account for the season and his presence will be important, as midfield partner Rocco Berry recovers from two off-season shoulder surgeries.

“I’ve got a lot of time for Ali,” Webster admitted. “He hasn’t had much luck, but he’s had a good pre-season and put a lot of sessions together now, so I’m really happy for him.”

Perhaps the biggest silver lining to come from defeat were the final moments, when a long bench filled with age-group and reserve-grade prospects had a chance to show their wares.

Winger Motu Pasikala was called into the starting line-up, after veteran Roger Tuivasa-Sheck tweaked a hamstring in training, while fellow winger Harry Tauafiafi-Iutoi scored a late try and hooker Makaia Tafua also bamboozled the defence with a weaving 30-metre run to cross.

“I thought our regular first-graders put a lot into it, but you could see the kids’ spirit and how much it meant to them,” Webster said. “They were playing like it was their grand final and they did a great job.

Centre Ali Leiataua had a first-half try double for the Warriors against Manly. Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz

“I said to them before the game, this is an opportunity for every single person in the room to elevate their career, either cementing a spot in round one, being closer to round one or, if you’re a young guy, showing ‘Oh, he’s got something’. I think they learnt a lot and I loved the way they went about it.”

Clark was even more impressed.

“We get to see a few of those boys, when they come in and help us out at training,” he said. “My mum texted me after the game and said the Warriors are in a good place.

“The future is so bright and I was so proud of them, just the simple things they did really well.”

Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Haizyn Mellars, 6. Luke Hanson, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Kurt Capewell (c), 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark

Interchange: 14. Sam Healey, 15. Morgan Gannon, 16. Leka Halasima, 17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava

Reserves: 18. Taine Tuaupiki, 21. Kayliss Fatialofa, 22. Jack Thompson, 23. Makaia Tafua, 24. Motu Pasikala, 25. Sio Kali, 26. Caelys-Paul Putoko, 27. Geronimo Doyle, 28. Rodney Tuipuiotu-Vea, 29. Paea Sikuvea

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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/2026/02/18/nz-warrior-seek-improvement-in-second-nrl-pre-season-trial-against-dolphins/

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Fiji’s president warns against sowing ‘seeds of fear’ ahead of elections

By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor

Fiji President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has urged legislators not to sow seeds of “fear and division” as the country moves towards a general election later this year.

Speaking at the opening of the fourth and final session of Parliament before the polls, Ratu Naiqama called on political leaders and their supporters to engage constructively and respect the rule of law before, during and after the elections.

Fijians are expected to head to the polls anytime between August 7 (earliest) this year and 6 February 2027 (latest).

In an almost hour-long speech, which mentioned the word “unity” 17 times and covered a wide range of topics, Ratu Naiqama also confirmed the coalition government had commenced a review of the 2013 Constitution.

“The Constitution Amendment Bill, like all other Bills, will be made public and undergo an extensive consultation process with robust public debate and input before it is tabled to Cabinet and Parliament,” he said.

AI will have ‘detrimental effect on governance’
 Other topics focused from unity in diversity to climate change and the threats posed by artificial intelligence.

Ratu Naiqama said he was at pains to underline factors which created division, noting the threat of false information.

On media and artificial intelligence, he said information was being disseminated at unprecedented speed but with little regard for accuracy.

“The misuse of artificial intelligence is an emerging threat that will have a detrimental effect on governance, national unity and peace,” he said.

“While freedom of expression remains a cornerstone of our democracy, it carries with it a grave responsibility.”

Fiji’s multicultural society is one of its greatest strengths, he said. However, unity did not arise automatically from diversity, he added.

“Unity must be consciously built through fair laws, inclusive policies, respectful leadership, and a shared commitment to the common good.”

Flagged Truth Commission
Ratu Naiqama flagged the Truth and Reconciliation Commission process as important to fostering unity, inclusivity and mutual understanding across all communities, saying its “findings and recommendations should be approached with maturity, guiding practical measures that strengthen reconciliation, institutional learning, and lasting social cohesion”.

The president described climate change as “the defining challenge of our time” and that Fiji would remain a global leader in climate advocacy, “while acting decisively at home”.

Looking at the region, Ratu Naiqama said Pacific nations were navigating complex geostrategic dynamics, while striving to preserve peace, cooperation and their sovereignty.

He reiterated the importance of the Ocean of Peace concept reinvigorated by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at last year’s Pacific Forum leaders’ summit.

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

Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/18/fijis-president-warns-against-sowing-seeds-of-fear-ahead-of-elections/

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Fatal dog mauling: Animal control staff visited property day before attack

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police at the scene of the fatal attack. RNZ

Animal control officers visited the property where Mihiata Te Rore was mauled to death four times, including the day before the attack.

Te Rore, 62, was visiting a person she knew at a property in the small Northland town of Kaihu when she was attacked and killed on Tuesday.

Police say the three dogs involved lived at the property.

Te Rore is the third person to be killed by dogs in Northland in the past four years, sparking calls for more to be done by local and central government to deal with the growing problem.

Police have been at the taped-off home where Te Rore died on Tuesday.

In a statement, Kaipara District Council said there had been four complaints about the dogs in November, December and this week, and had responded to each request on the same day.

“Staff visited the property on multiple occasions to attempt to speak to the owner, including reaching out to family and iwi liaison. When the dogs were seen they were on the property.

“In December staff managed to speak with the owner about compliance and keeping the dogs secure, including consequences if this did not occur. In February they visited the property twice, including the day before, but were unable to talk to the owner or uplift the dogs.”

The council said there had also been “multiple” proactive patrols in the area, looking for any loose dogs, including a door knock of every property along Kaihu Wood Road (no loose dogs were sighted during these patrols).

“Dog owners are responsible for their dogs – they have a legal responsibility to look after and control their animals but we also acknowledge that council’s animal control plays an important role in managing risks in the community. Our staff work with dog owners across the district every single day and are devastated that any such incident, in this case on private property, has occurred in Kaipara.

“We have a very small but extremely passionate team covering the whole of the district, and in their role they deal with a wide range of owners and dogs daily, often in complex and challenging situations.”

It said its animal management team was investigating the incident.

“The three dogs were secured after the event and have been impounded, and will be destroyed as soon as police have finished their investigation.”

‘All four have pack attacked my dog’

A local – who RNZ has agreed not to name – said authorities were warned in the past year about issues with the dogs.

He has had his own experience with the four dogs he says live at the property.

“They’ve actually come onto my property and attacked my dog,” he said.

“They pack attacked him, all four have pack attacked my dog, and that was just over six months ago.”

Like many in the community, he was frightened.

“It is quite stressful because you don’t even know if you’re going to get attacked and for me, I’ve got to go out my drive to get to my letterbox, and you don’t know whether the dogs are around the corner,” the man said.

“It’s really quite frightening.”

The man said Tuesday’s attack should never have happened.

“There were so many warnings before that happened and nothing had been done,” he said.

“I can’t believe that people are ringing dog control and yet nothing had been done.”

Statistics from the Kaipara District Council showed the number of dogs impounded by the council more than doubled over the four years from 2021 to 2025.

In the period from July 2022 to July 2025, there were 174 call-outs for dog attacks, but only one person was prosecuted in the same period.

RNZ asked the council to comment on these figures, but have not received a response.

The Kaipara District Council promoted cycle trails in the Kaihu area where Te Rore was killed.

Three years ago, Mike Wespel-Rose was biking on a track from Dargaville to Russell with his wife, when the pair were chased by dogs from a nearby property north of Whangārei.

“They were chasing us, and chasing us, it went on for quite a few minutes.”

“They jumped up on my wife’s bike […] we didn’t dare stop because God knows what we might’ve faced, so we just rode like crazy, very fearful about what might happen,” he said.

Wespel-Rose said the dog issue in the north is a symptom of wider problems with crime and poverty.

“It needs more resourcing doesn’t it, so that it can be dealt with more fully,” he said.

“It’s a tough one.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described Te Rore’s death as unacceptable, and said the council needed to act.

“I would expect that within seven days that the Kiapara District Council is taking action and going after the dogs, and packs of dogs that are out there,” he said.

“Just imagine being a mum with a young baby, or young toddlers, and the anxiety that that causes.”

Push to reform laws ignored

However, Auckland Council’s Animal Management said its push for the government to reform dog control laws over the past year had fallen on deaf ears.

Elly Waitoa from the council’s animal management department said she was shocked that as recently as Tuesday morning, the government had told them they were not considering changes to the dog control act.

Meanwhile, police have said they want to hear from anyone in the Kaihu community who has had issues with dogs roaming in the area.

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer said the dogs involved were now with Animal Management.

“This was a very upsetting and tragic event in which a woman has suffered unsurvivable injuries,” he said.

“I know the community will have a lot of questions; our investigation is still in the early stages and our focus is on establishing all the facts in this case.”

‘It’s almost become normalised’

Liz Woodward, a trustee of the Best Dog Trust – which provides free desexing for dogs in Kaipara, Whangarei and Wellsford – told Checkpoint the number of animals was overwhelming.

“We’ve had a dog applied for desexing just yesterday, she had 11 puppies. That’s really common, just the sheer number of dogs and lack of affordability of vet care, and also people being able to get to vets,” she said.

“For Kaihu residents it’s 90 kilometres to get a vet in Whangarei for desexing, so it’s no easy undertaking.”

She said the price was also prohibitive.

“It ranges from about $350 for a vet in Whangarei that’s low cost, the vets we deal with in Kaipara and Wellsford are more expensive,” she explained.

“We recently desexed a 56 kilo dangerous female, and she would have cost the owner over $1200.”

Woodward said aggressive behaviour from pet dogs had become normalised in Northland.

“Probably in most communities in Northland there’s an understanding within your community that there are certain dogs on certain streets or in certain areas that you just don’t get too close to,” she said.

“It’s really disheartening to hear of tourists on our cycle trails, trying to enjoy our beautiful countryside, being chased by dogs. It’s almost become normalised up here.”

“I can’t even begin to explain how big the dog issue is for Northland.”

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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/2026/02/18/fatal-dog-mauling-animal-control-staff-visited-property-day-before-attack/

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Police search farm effluent ponds and waterways of missing Southland man Kevin Belling

Source: Radio New Zealand

Invercargill man Kevin Belling, 62, was last seen at his Motu Rimu farm on Friday 9 January. Supplied / NZ Police

Effluent ponds and other waterways on the farm of a missing Southland man are now being searched by the police.

Kevin Belling, 62, was last seen at his Motu Rimu farm on Friday 9 January and was reported missing on 18 January.

Search and Rescue teams have been scouring the Caesar Road property in Kapuka.

People living nearby are asked to check their properties for any sign of him.

Anyone with information that may help the police locate Kevin Belling is asked to call 105 and use reference number 260118/6964, or information can be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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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/2026/02/18/police-search-farm-effluent-ponds-and-waterways-of-missing-southland-man-kevin-belling/

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Chris Hipkins accuses Winston Peters of ‘pure racism’ in Parliament

Source: Radio New Zealand

NZ First leader singled out a Green MP for his Rarotongan heritage, which Labour leader Chris Hipkins says was “pure racism”. RNZ

Winston Peters has been accused of “pure racism” in Parliament by Labour leader Chris Hipkins, who has called out National ministers for failing to combat or challenge it.

The Greens say Peters is scapegoating migrants, while ACT’s David Seymour – his own Cabinet colleague – says Peters is simply seeking attention.

The condemnation came following Parliament’s Question Time on Wednesday when the NZ First leader singled out a Green MP for his Rarotongan heritage.

Green MP Teanau Tuiono had used the word “Aotearoa” to refer to New Zealand while asking questions about climate aid in the Pacific.

It prompted Peters to interrupt: “Why is [the minister] answering a question from someone who comes from Rarotonga to a country called New Zealand -“

Speaker Gerry Brownlee cut him off to object to noise from other MPs in the debating chamber.

Hipkins then leapt to his feet: “Members in this House are equal. For a member of the House to stand up and question whether someone is entitled to ask a question because of their country of origin is pure racism, and you should’ve stopped him in the beginning.”

Brownlee said he did not hear Peters’ remark, but would review the transcription later.

Peters then completed his question, asking why somebody from Rarotonga had decided “without any consultation with the New Zealand people” to change the country’s name.

In response, Brownlee said that was “not an acceptable question at all”.

“I want that to be the last time that those sort of questions are directed so personally at members of this House,” Brownlee said.

Tuiono has both Māori and Cook Islands Māori heritage but was born in New Zealand.

Hipkins calls out ‘ugly side’ to politics

In a speech to Parliament shortly later, Hipkins decried an “ugly side to New Zealand politics”, calling out “outright race-baiting” and “direct racism” being expressed in the debating chamber.

“Attacks on our Chinese and Asian communities in New Zealand, attacks on our Indian communities in New Zealand, and just today, attacks on whether those who have Pasifika heritage are entitled to ask questions in this house.

“And what have we heard from the government side on those attacks? Absolutely nothing.”

Hipkins said National ministers needed to “combat and challenge that racism” during this year’s election campaign, saying it was “totally unacceptable” for them to “say nothing and do nothing”.

“They are quite happy to stand by while members of their own government attack our Chinese community, our Indian community, our Pasifika community, migrants to New Zealand who work damn hard and contribute to New Zealand, and it’s an absolute disgrace.”

Hipkins said government ministers should celebrate diversity and not cast aspersions on it.

Speaking to reporters later, Hipkins said Peters’ behaviour “had no place in government and Parliament” – but he still would not say whether Labour would be prepared to work with NZ First after the election.

“I’m going make judgements about those things closer to the election, but I’ll call out bad behaviour when I see it.”

Greens call Peters ‘Temu Trump’, Peters says he doesn’t care

Addressing reporters outside Parliament, Tuiono said Peters was using “culture wars” to distract from the real harm he was causing New Zealanders.

“Just like Trump, he’s not very good with geography,” he said. “He just needs to get an atlas. A bilingual one preferably.”

His Green colleague Ricardo Menéndez March said Prime Minister Christopher Luxon had failed to show leadership by allowing Peters – “a Temu Trump” – to spread anti-migrant sentiment.

“It’s migrant scapegoating… it’s emboldens people outside of these four walls who wish to cause harm on our migrant communities,” Menéndez March said.

Speaking afterwards, ACT leader and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour said he would never make such comments but would leave others to judge them for themselves.

“Do I like those comments? No. Would I make those comments? No. But I think if we all go on a 2019-style witch-hunt, we’re actually just fuelling it,” he said.

“If we all get ourselves in a lather, giving them the attention that they want, then that’s just as bad.”

In response, Peters told reporters Hipkins was talking “utter nonsense” and he did not care about Seymour’s views.

“How can somebody from another country who’s come to New Zealand decide to change my country’s name?” Peters said.

When told that Tuiono was actually born in New Zealand, Peters said, regardless, the Green MP claimed to be a “Cook Islander”.

“I would never go to the Cook Islands and start changing their name, would I?”

Peters said he was regularly being “literally mobbed” by New Zealanders on matters like the use of the word Aotearoa.

“I’m not indulging fools here. Let me tell you something: stand back and watch the polls go.”

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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/2026/02/18/chris-hipkins-accuses-winston-peters-of-pure-racism-in-parliament/

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Burglar bungles getaway, faces court

Source: New Zealand Police

An offender left himself seeing red, after a dangerous dash through red lights foiled his getaway from a burglary.

The man came to Police attention in Newmarket just after 10am on Tuesday.

“A camera operator based in Newmarket observed a ute running through several red lights and travelling on the wrong side of the road, into oncoming traffic on Broadway,” Sergeant Lindsey Dawson, from Newmarket Police says.

“This information was relayed to Police, with the ute eventually being located parked up, hidden at the rear of a motel on Owens Road in Epsom.”

A male matching the description of the driver was seen exiting one of the units and was quickly taken into custody.

“Our staff were quickly putting the dots together, as the ute matched the description of a vehicle seen casing out several Newmarket businesses earlier in the morning,” Sergeant Dawson says.

Police soon established that a burglary occurred at a Newmarket restaurant off Khyber Pass Road just prior to 10am, where a safe was taken from the premises.

After being spoken to, the man led Police to the location where the safe had been stashed, cash still inside, Sergeant Dawson says.

It’s left the 53-year-old man facing charges of burglary and dangerous driving in the Auckland District Court today.

Sergeant Dawson says Police will oppose the man’s bail.

“It’s a fantastic result, thanks to the watchful eye of the Newmarket camera operator in collaboration with Police, along with good old Police work in locating the ute, which means we’ve been able to hold the man accountable for poor driving behaviour and a burglary.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/burglar-bungles-getaway-faces-court/

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Shortfalls in driver licensing for trucks highlighted in review

Source: Radio New Zealand

Increasing demand for truck licenses is putting pressure on testers, according to the review. File photo siwakorn / 123RF

A review of driver licensing for trucks and other heavy vehicles has found persisting weaknesses in regulatory practice.

The internal review – conducted in 2024 – was released to media today through the Official Information Act.

The report highlights weaknesses in regulatory practices, processes, and systems including competing priorities, turnover, and IT issues.

The review was conducted and delivered to the NZTA before serious misconduct including bribery was discovered at the VTNZ Highbrook branch in Auckland last year.

Stacey Shortall, who conducted the review, pointed to increasing demand for truck licenses putting pressure on testers, and a perceived focus on quantity over quality for targets.

“I heard during the review about impacts on the [land transport system] caused by the growing number of heavy vehicles needed on our roads and the changing demographics of people driving those vehicles,” Shortall wrote.

“They increase the demand for course providers to enable drivers to obtain class 2 – 5 licenses and dangerous goods’ endorsements. In turn, interviewees explained that the easy entry of new course providers, many of whom I was told are increasingly training foreign born drivers, with driving experience only from their home countries, including those for whom English is a second language, adds considerable regulatory burden that is challenging for the agency to manage.”

Shortall also noted that staff were worried that a number of course providers viewed it as an easy way to make money.

“Some interviewees raised concerns about becoming a Course Provider being perceived as lucrative, particularly in comparison to the nominal costs associated with application,” she wrote.

“By way of example, I heard of current approved Course Providers charging individual drivers upwards of $950.00 for a class 2 truck licence course.”

But Shortall also commended staff for holding a “true public servant spirit.”

“Interviewees were consistent in describing to me a deep and sincere commitment to keeping people safe on our country’s roads,” she noted.

A spokesperson for NZTA told RNZ it was taking steps to strengthen regulatory capability, governance and culture.

“[The report] highlighted a number of opportunities to strengthen our approach, making 24 recommendations focused on improving processes, systems, and information sharing,” they said.

“NZTA Waka Kotahi has accepted all recommendations, with one third already completed and work programmes are in place to complete the remainder.”

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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/2026/02/18/shortfalls-in-driver-licensing-for-trucks-highlighted-in-review/

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Real wages have gone backwards. Even earning $100,000 isn’t what it used to be

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Hoy, McKenzie Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne

Figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that over the year to December, wages grew by 3.4%. For households, however, the number that really matters is what happened to wages after inflation.

Over the same period, the consumer price index (CPI) rose by 3.8%. This means real wages (wages after accounting for inflation) actually went backwards.

That’s just today’s story. The deeper story, which has now been playing out for several years, is the erosion of Australians’ sense of what a “good” wage is and how we think about wage inequality.

Many people are feeling the pinch of inflation when paying their rent, groceries, insurance, child care and other costs. That’s why even a decent pay rise can be underwhelming. Because inflation doesn’t just squeeze budgets. It quietly moves the goalposts.

Shifting benchmarks

Earning “six figures” – A$100,000 a year or more – is far from what it used to be.

For many people, cracking six figures once signalled you could live very comfortably.

Australians face a huge variety of circumstances, so it’s impossible to say a particular wage level is objectively “good”. But our estimates suggest that only around one in ten full-time workers in Australia earned $100,000 or more in 2010. By 2025, this had risen to almost one in two, at 45%.

Despite this, many households on that level of income don’t feel overly comfortable, especially in big cities where housing costs have risen sharply in recent years.

While wages have risen on average in recent years, they have not kept pace with inflation. To illustrate, if we adjust for CPI inflation, $100,000 today only has the purchasing power of about $67,000 in 2010.

So, when anyone today says “people earning six figures should be very comfortable”, they may be using an outdated benchmark given the new cost-of-living reality. That’s why many people may feel like they’re running to stand still, even on incomes that used to signal comfort.

What Australians think about wage inequality

A lot of the cost-of-living debate often mixes two different issues.

The first is whether typical living standards are rising (which is about real-wage growth).

The second is the issue of how wages are distributed across society (which is ultimately about inequality).

In my recent research with co-authors, we studied how people perceive wage inequality.

We asked a nationally representative sample of 1,500 Australians to estimate what share of full-time workers are actually on low, middle and high wages. Then, we asked what they think a fair distribution would be.

A clear pattern emerged: Australians systematically underestimate wage inequality.

The gap is bigger than we realise

Most respondents underestimated how “top-heavy” the distribution of wages is – that is, how a small group of workers at the top are earning so much more than everyone else.

Many Australians underestimate the true extent of wage inequality. David Peterson/Pexels

This matters, because public perceptions shape policies.

If people think the wage distribution is more equal than it really is, they may be less likely to support policies aimed at narrowing gaps.

That’s not because they don’t care, but because they don’t realise the true size of the problem.

Australians want fewer workers earning lower wages

Almost all respondents in our research expressed a strong preference for fewer full-time workers to earn low wages. This desire exists across political lines and income levels.

Our results show when people are provided with accurate information about wage inequality, even far-right respondents become much more supportive of redistribution.

That’s a useful reality check, because public debate is often framed as “envy versus aspiration” or “us versus them”. Our research suggests many everyday Australians are more focused on ensuring workers are paid enough to live comfortably.

What today’s wage release doesn’t capture

Today’s numbers tell us whether real wages are rising right now.

If you want a clearer read on living standards than a single wage headline, here are three questions worth asking:

  1. Are wages consistently beating inflation? Even three months of wage growth can’t undo years of lost ground when inflation rose sharply after the pandemic.

  2. Where are the gains concentrated? Industry and sector and gender differences shape inequality.

  3. Have we updated our mental benchmarks for how much money it takes to live comfortably?

The cost-of-living story isn’t just about today’s number; it’s about the benchmarks inflation has quietly rewritten.

– ref. Real wages have gone backwards. Even earning $100,000 isn’t what it used to be – https://theconversation.com/real-wages-have-gone-backwards-even-earning-100-000-isnt-what-it-used-to-be-276169

Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/18/real-wages-have-gone-backwards-even-earning-100-000-isnt-what-it-used-to-be-276169/

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Hipkins accuses Peters of ‘pure racism’ in Parliament

Source: Radio New Zealand

NZ First leader singled out a Green MP for his Rarotongan heritage, which Labour leader Chris Hipkins says was “pure racism”. RNZ

Winston Peters has been accused of “pure racism” in Parliament by Labour leader Chris Hipkins, who has called out National ministers for failing to combat or challenge it.

The Greens say Peters is scapegoating migrants, while ACT’s David Seymour – his own Cabinet colleague – says Peters is simply seeking attention.

The condemnation came following Parliament’s Question Time on Wednesday when the NZ First leader singled out a Green MP for his Rarotongan heritage.

Green MP Teanau Tuiono had used the word “Aotearoa” to refer to New Zealand while asking questions about climate aid in the Pacific.

It prompted Peters to interrupt: “Why is [the minister] answering a question from someone who comes from Rarotonga to a country called New Zealand -“

Speaker Gerry Brownlee cut him off to object to noise from other MPs in the debating chamber.

Hipkins then leapt to his feet: “Members in this House are equal. For a member of the House to stand up and question whether someone is entitled to ask a question because of their country of origin is pure racism, and you should’ve stopped him in the beginning.”

Brownlee said he did not hear Peters’ remark, but would review the transcription later.

Peters then completed his question, asking why somebody from Rarotonga had decided “without any consultation with the New Zealand people” to change the country’s name.

In response, Brownlee said that was “not an acceptable question at all”.

“I want that to be the last time that those sort of questions are directed so personally at members of this House,” Brownlee said.

Tuiono has both Māori and Cook Islands Māori heritage but was born in New Zealand.

Hipkins calls out ‘ugly side’ to politics

In a speech to Parliament shortly later, Hipkins decried an “ugly side to New Zealand politics”, calling out “outright race-baiting” and “direct racism” being expressed in the debating chamber.

“Attacks on our Chinese and Asian communities in New Zealand, attacks on our Indian communities in New Zealand, and just today, attacks on whether those who have Pasifika heritage are entitled to ask questions in this house.

“And what have we heard from the government side on those attacks? Absolutely nothing.”

Hipkins said National ministers needed to “combat and challenge that racism” during this year’s election campaign, saying it was “totally unacceptable” for them to “say nothing and do nothing”.

“They are quite happy to stand by while members of their own government attack our Chinese community, our Indian community, our Pasifika community, migrants to New Zealand who work damn hard and contribute to New Zealand, and it’s an absolute disgrace.”

Hipkins said government ministers should celebrate diversity and not cast aspersions on it.

Speaking to reporters later, Hipkins said Peters’ behaviour “had no place in government and Parliament” – but he still would not say whether Labour would be prepared to work with NZ First after the election.

“I’m going make judgements about those things closer to the election, but I’ll call out bad behaviour when I see it.”

Greens call Peters ‘Temu Trump’, Peters says he doesn’t care

Addressing reporters outside Parliament, Tuiono said Peters was using “culture wars” to distract from the real harm he was causing New Zealanders.

“Just like Trump, he’s not very good with geography,” he said. “He just needs to get an atlas. A bilingual one preferably.”

His Green colleague Ricardo Menéndez March said Prime Minister Christopher Luxon had failed to show leadership by allowing Peters – “a Temu Trump” – to spread anti-migrant sentiment.

“It’s migrant scapegoating… it’s emboldens people outside of these four walls who wish to cause harm on our migrant communities,” Menéndez March said.

Speaking afterwards, ACT leader and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour said he would never make such comments but would leave others to judge them for themselves.

“Do I like those comments? No. Would I make those comments? No. But I think if we all go on a 2019-style witch-hunt, we’re actually just fuelling it,” he said.

“If we all get ourselves in a lather, giving them the attention that they want, then that’s just as bad.”

In response, Peters told reporters Hipkins was talking “utter nonsense” and he did not care about Seymour’s views.

“How can somebody from another country who’s come to New Zealand decide to change my country’s name?” Peters said.

When told that Tuiono was actually born in New Zealand, Peters said, regardless, the Green MP claimed to be a “Cook Islander”.

“I would never go to the Cook Islands and start changing their name, would I?”

Peters said he was regularly being “literally mobbed” by New Zealanders on matters like the use of the word Aotearoa.

“I’m not indulging fools here. Let me tell you something: stand back and watch the polls go.”

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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/2026/02/18/hipkins-accuses-peters-of-pure-racism-in-parliament/

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Dogs in fatal Kaihu attack had gone after other animals

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police at the scene of the fatal attack. RNZ

The dogs that killed a woman in Northland yesterday came onto a neighbour’s property recently and pack attacked their dog.

The Kaihu local says it was “really quite frightening” living near the animals.

Mihiata Te Rore, 62, was visiting a person she knew at a property in the small Northland town of Kaihu when she was attacked and killed on Tuesday.

Police say the three dogs involved lived at the property.

Te Rore is the third person to be killed by dogs in Northland in the past four years, sparking calls for more to be done by local and central government to deal with the growing problem.

Police have been at the taped-off home where Te Rore died on Tuesday.

A local – who RNZ has agreed not to name – said authorities were warned in the past year about issues with the dogs.

He has had his own experience with the four dogs he says live at the property.

“They’ve actually come onto my property and attacked my dog,” he said.

“They pack attacked him, all four have pack attacked my dog, and that was just over six months ago.”

Like many in the community, he was frightened.

“It is quite stressful because you don’t even know if you’re going to get attacked and for me, I’ve got to go out my drive to get to my letterbox, and you don’t know whether the dogs are around the corner,” the man said.

“It’s really quite frightening.”

‘Nothing had been done’

The man said Tuesday’s attack should never have happened.

“There were so many warnings before that happened and nothing had been done,” he said.

“I can’t believe that people are ringing dog control and yet nothing had been done.”

Statistics from the Kaipara District Council showed the number of dogs impounded by the council more than doubled over the four years from 2021 to 2025.

In the period from July 2022 to July 2025, there were 174 call-outs for dog attacks, but only one person was prosecuted in the same period.

RNZ asked the council to comment on these figures, but have not received a response.

The Kaipara District Council promoted cycle trails in the Kaihu area where Te Rore was killed.

Three years ago, Mike Wespel-Rose was biking on a track from Dargaville to Russell with his wife, when the pair were chased by dogs from a nearby property north of Whangārei.

“They were chasing us, and chasing us, it went on for quite a few minutes.”

“They jumped up on my wife’s bike […] we didn’t dare stop because God knows what we might’ve faced, so we just rode like crazy, very fearful about what might happen,” he said.

Wespel-Rose said the dog issue in the north is a symptom of wider problems with crime and poverty.

“It needs more resourcing doesn’t it, so that it can be dealt with more fully,” he said.

“It’s a tough one.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described Te Rore’s death as unacceptable, and said the council needed to act.

“I would expect that within seven days that the Kiapara District Council is taking action and going after the dogs, and packs of dogs that are out there,” he said.

“Just imagine being a mum with a young baby, or young toddlers, and the anxiety that that causes.”

Push to reform laws ignored

However, Auckland Council’s Animal Management said its push for the government to reform dog control laws over the past year had fallen on deaf ears.

Elly Waitoa from the council’s animal management department said she was shocked that as recently as Tuesday morning, the government had told them they were not considering changes to the dog control act.

Meanwhile, police have said they want to hear from anyone in the Kaihu community who has had issues with dogs roaming in the area.

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer said the dogs involved were now with Animal Management.

“This was a very upsetting and tragic event in which a woman has suffered unsurvivable injuries,” he said.

“I know the community will have a lot of questions; our investigation is still in the early stages and our focus is on establishing all the facts in this case.”

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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/2026/02/18/dogs-in-fatal-kaihu-attack-had-gone-after-other-animals/

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Infrastructure Commission clarifies suggestion of Auckland Harbour Bridge toll

Source: Radio New Zealand

Tom Kitchin

The Infrastructure Commission has moved to clarify its suggestion around tolling the Auckland Harbour Bridge, with the government considering whether a toll will help pay for a new Waitematā Harbour crossing.

The government has been at pains to stress no decisions have been made around tolling the existing bridge, and the Infrastructure Commission said it was not specifically recommending a toll over options like targeted levies.

In the National Infrastructure Plan, published on Tuesday, the Infrastructure Commission said new revenue would be needed to help fund a new crossing, and a $9 toll on the existing bridge and the new crossing could raise between $7 billion to $9 billion.

On Tuesday, Transport Minister Chris Bishop said it was a “big decision” for the country to make, and a decision he would not get ahead of.

Infrastructure Commission chairperson Geoff Cooper told RNZ the plan highlighted that given New Zealand already invested a large proportion of its infrastructure spend in transport, there was a need to increase user revenues if additional major projects were to be added to the network.

“This could mean increasing existing charges, introducing new charges like tolls, or investing in ways that increase usage and growing the revenue base,” he said.

He said the Waitematā Harbour crossing was one such example where the consideration was needed, and for projects that could not proceed within existing funds, new revenue mechanisms, which could be tolls, target levies, or other charges, should be investigated.

“To illustrate a scenario for what this might look like, we present high-level analysis that a $9 toll on both new and existing crossings could raise up to $7-9 billion to help pay for the crossing,” he said.

“However, we have not undertaken a detailed comparison of alternative revenue options, and hence we do not specifically recommend a toll over options like targeted levies. Ultimately it will be up to decision-makers to decide on the best mechanism for paying for new infrastructure such as this.”

Finance minister Nicola Willis said a $9 toll was a “completely hypothetical scenario”.

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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/2026/02/18/infrastructure-commission-clarifies-suggestion-of-auckland-harbour-bridge-toll/

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Crucial SH35 connection restored

Source: New Zealand Government

State Highway 35 will once more connect Tairāwhiti to eastern Bay of Plenty, when it reopens at 7am tomorrow, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.

It’s been three weeks since heavy rainfall and flooding caused slips above and below the road, closing the road between Pōtaka and Te Araroa isolating the communities in between.

“NZ Transport Agency crews have been working alongside local contractors since the storm at the end of last month to restore access as quickly, and safely, as possible,” Mr Bishop says.

“While there have been multiple slips along this stretch of state highway, the focus has been on two particular areas – the Waikura slip between Pōtaka and Hicks Bay, and the largest slip of all, the Punaruku slip, closer to Te Araroa.

“A quarter of a million cubic metres of rocks and soil came down in the Punaruku slip, and workers have shifted 25,000 cubic metres of it to restore access.

“Now, NZTA has confirmed the section of SH35 from Pōtaka through to Hicks Bay and around to Te Araroa will be open daily between 7am and 7pm from tomorrow morning. That means people and freight will again be able to travel all the way through to Gisborne.

“Outside those opening times, the road will close again to allow crews to continue working.

“We know how important this is for medical appointments, to replenish supplies and reconnect with family and friends.

“It’s been a tough three weeks for communities stuck in between the cordons, and while there have been limited convoys in place, the work to restore public access is no mean feat. I’d like to thank the community for their patience and support over this period, and East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick for her strong local advocacy.

“I’d also like to thank all the crews who have been working so hard around the clock and in all kinds of weather conditions to make this re-opening possible.

“The road may be open, but it’s still very fragile. Crews will be working on it for some time to come. People travelling through will need to remember to take extreme care – the journey will take longer, the road will be down to single lane in multiple locations, and lower speeds and traffic management will be in place

“For communities up and down SH35, the sight of hi-vis vests, hard hats and rollers has become all too common since Cyclone Gabrielle. There’s going to be more of that to come and I’m thanking people in advance for their support – it makes all the difference for the crews on the ground.”

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/18/crucial-sh35-connection-restored/

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Southland Police continue search for missing man Kevin Belling

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Detective Sergeant John Kean:

The search for missing 62-year-old Kevin Belling continues as Southland Police conduct searches in waterways in the Motu Rimu area.

Kevin was last seen at his Motu Rimu farm on Friday 9 January and was reported missing on 18 January.

Police Search and Rescue and Land Search and Rescue teams have conducted extensive searches, including at Kevin’s Caeser Road property in Kapuka.

Southland Police are now proceeding to examine effluent ponds and other waterways on the Motu Rimu farm owned by Kevin.

Unfortunately, Kevin has not been found, and Police continue to appeal for any information that could help us find him.

Police urge the community to be vigilant and check their rural properties for any signs of Kevin.

If you have information that can assist in the search to locate Kevin, please contact Police online at 105 or call 105.

Please use the reference number 260118/6964.

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/2026/02/18/southland-police-continue-search-for-missing-man-kevin-belling/

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Super Rugby Preview: Seven Moana debutants, Barrett back, duel derbies await

Source: Radio New Zealand

Jordie Barrett is back in the capital and will start in the midfield against Moana. Photosport

The Hurricanes have entered the chat.

After sitting out round one with the bye, the Canes will open their campaign in the capital on Friday night against a buoyant Moana side bringing Pasifika bragging rights back from Lautoka. Jordie Barrett is back after a sabbatical in Ireland while Japan captain Warner Dearns makes his Super Rugby debut. Coach Clark Laidlaw will also have plenty of fire-power from the pine in the form of All Blacks Cam Roigard and Billy Proctor.

For Moana, it was a case of ‘Ardie who? as Tana Umaga’s men pulled off one of the toughest tasks in Super Rugby, victory in the sweltering fortress of Lautoka over the Drua in round one. They return to Wellington for the first time since the Canes crushed them 64-12 to close out their 2025 campaign.

Umaga has opted to give seven debutants a run at the caketin, while Sam Moli will lead the team with Miracle Faiʻilagi to bring impact from the bench.

After surviving gruelling New Zealand derbies in round one, the Highlanders and Chiefs will collide in another all-kiwi clash under the roof in Dunedin. A clutch Cameron Millar penalty and gutsy defence in the dying stages saw the Highlanders earn their first win since May of 2025 as they upset the defending champion Crusaders in round one.

The Chiefs’ win came in far more controversial fashion, with All Blacks lock Tupou Vaa’i’s early try against the Blues awarded at the time, later ruled to constitute an illegal action as he left the ground to launch over two defenders. The result struck however, unlike many passes in a clunky display by both sides. The same fixture closed out the regular 2025 season with the Chiefs taking a 41-24 victory.

Closing out the weekend is one of Super’s greatest rivalries. The Crusaders and Brumbies have engaged in several iconic battles over 30 seasons, including the 2000 and 2004 deciders. It was a typically thrilling encounter the last time these sides met, the Crusaders snatching a 33-31 win courtesy of a late George Bell try. Round one brought contrasting fortunes for both teams, the defending champion Crusaders edged by their southern rivals while the Brumbies battered the Force 56-24 in Perth.

Elsewhere, the Blues head across the Tasman to meet the Force with both teams searching for their first wins of the season and the Waratahs host the Drua in Sydney.

Other selection notes

A big weekend for Japanese rugby with both Dearns and Mamoru Harada making their debuts, Harada named on the bench for Moana Pasifika.

Also joining Super Rugby ranks will be newcomers Alefosio Aho, Faletoi Peni, Simon Peter Toleafoa, Lolani Faleiva Konrad Toleafoa former Brisbane Bronco Israel Leota, all earning callups for Moana.

Cortez Ratima will sit out the trip to Dunedin for the birth of his second child while Emoni Narawa will play his 50th match for the Chiefs. Jona Nareki will also notch his half century for the Highlanders.

Injury ward

The Chiefs will be without bruising flanker Samipeni Finau who is recovering from while Wallace Sititi is out for the week with a hamstring niggle. Du’Plessis Kirifi misses the next fortnight for the Hurricanes as he manages a calf complaint while Ruben Love’s ankle will keep him out of action for the next month at least.

Moana are still without former All Black Augustine Pulu, lock Jimmy Tupou and the promising young Niko Jones. For the Highlanders, Finn Hurley is still at least three weeks from a return while Xavier Tito-Harris and Andrew Knewstubb could be back for round three.

The Blues are down their two top locks with Sam Darry out with concussion and Patrick Tuipulotu still recovering from a shoulder injury, targeting a round six return.

Team lists

Hurricanes vs Moana

Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday February 20

Sky Stadium, Wellington

Live blog updates on RNZ

Hurricanes: 1 Xavier Numia, 2 Asafo Aumua, 3 Siale Lauaki, 4 Hugo Plummer, 5 Warner Dearns, 6 Devan Flanders, 7 Peter Lakai, 8 Brayden Iose, 9 Ereatara Enari, 10 Brett Cameron, 11 Fehi Fineanganofo, 12 Jordie Barrett (c), 13 Bailyn Sullivan, 14 Josh Moorby, 15 Callum Harkin

Bench: 16 Jacob Devery, 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 18 Tevita Mafileo, 19 Matolu Petaia, 20 Brad Shields, 21 Arese Poliko, 22 Cam Roigard, 23 Billy Proctor

“It was a huge crowd against Moana last year, so hopefully we can create that again and put in a performance that gets our fans excited and gets them coming back for the rest of the season.” – Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw

Moana Pasifika: 1 Abraham Pole, 2 Samiuela Moli (c), 3 Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, 4 Veikoso Poloniati, 5 Alefosio Aho, 6 Semisi Paea, 7 Konrad Toleafoa, 8 Dominic Ropeti, 9 Siaosi Nginingini, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 11 Tuna Tuitama, 12 Faletoi Peni, 13 Glen Vaihu, 14 Israel Leota, 15 Simon Peter Toleafoa

Bench: 16 Mamoru Harada, 17 Tito Tuipulotu, 18 Lolani Faleiva, 19 Allan Craig, 20 Miracle Faiilagi, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 William Havili, 23 Tevita Ofa

“It’s a great opportunity to showcase the depth within our group, if we want to get all the way to the end of this competition, we’re going to need everybody.” – Moana coach Tana Umaga

Highlanders vs Chiefs

Kick off: 7.05pm Saturday February 21

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Live blog updates on RNZ

Highlanders: 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Jack Taylor, 3 Rohan Wingham, 4 Oliver Haig, 5 Mitch Dunshea, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 7 Sean Withy (VC), 8 Lucas Casey, 9 Folau Fakatava, 10 Cameron Millar, 11 Jona Nareki (50th Highlanders Game), 12 Timoci Tavatavanawai (C), 13 Jonah Lowe, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 15 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Bench: 16 Henry Bell, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Sosefo Kautai, 19 Will Stodart, 20 Veveni Lasaqa, 21 Adam Lennox, 22 Reesjan Pasitoa, 23 Tanielu Tele’a

“The Chiefs are a bit like the Crusaders, stacked with All Blacks and have performed very well in recent seasons, so another huge challenge for us and one we are looking forward to.” – Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph

Chiefs: 1 Jared Proffit, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3 George Dyer, 4 Josh Lord, 5 Tupou Vaa’i (vc), 6 Kaylum Boshier, 7 Jahrome Brown, 8 Luke Jacobson (c), 9 Xavier Roe, 10 Josh Jacomb, 11 Leroy Carter, 12 Quinn Tupaea (vc), 13 Daniel Rona, 14 Kyren Taumoefolau, 15 Etene Nanai-Seturo

Bench: 16 Tyrone Thompson, 17 Benet Kumeroa, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Simon Parker, 21 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22 Tepaea Cook-Savage, 23 Emoni Narawa

“These local derbies are brutal. There is no inch given and it will go up another notch against the Highlanders who are coming off an equally tough win against the defending champions Crusaders.” – Chiefs coach Jonno Gibbs

Force vs Blues

Kick off 9.35pm Saturday February 21

HBF Park, Perth

Blues: 1 Joshua Fusitu’a, 2 Bradley Slater, 3 Marcel Renata, 4 Laghlan McWhannell, 5 Josh Beehre, 6 Anton Segner, 7 Dalton Papali’i (c), 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 9 Finlay Christie, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Pita Ahki, 13 AJ Lam, 14 Cole Forbes, 15 Zarn Sullivan

Bench: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19 Che Clark, 20 Torian Barnes, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Xavi Taele, 23 Codemeru Vai

“Going over there, we know we need to be at our best. We’ve taken a lot of lessons from last week and the focus is on being accurate, disciplined, and connected for the full 80 minutes.” – Blues coach Vern Cotter

Crusaders vs Brumbies

Kick off 3.35pm Sunday February 22

Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch

Live blog updates on RNZ

Crusaders: 1 Finlay Brewis, 2 George Bell, 3 Fletcher Newell, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 5 Jamie Hannah, 6 Dom Gardiner, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 9 Noah Hotham, 10 Rivez Reihana, 11 Sevu Reece, 12 David Havili (c), 13 Braydon Ennor, 14 Chay Fihaki, 15 Will Jordan

Bench: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Tahlor Cahill, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Louie Chapman, 22 Taha Kemara, 23 Leicester Fainga’anuku

“We always look in the mirror first. Collectively, we could have done some things a little differently, but it is what it is. We’ve got to look forward now and take what we learned into the game we’ve got at home on Sunday.” – Crusaders coach Rob Penney

Waratahs vs Fijian Drua

Kick off 9.35pm Friday February 20

Allianz Stadium, Sydney

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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/2026/02/18/super-rugby-preview-seven-moana-debutants-barrett-back-duel-derbies-await/

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CRL to lift tourism and major events in Auckland

Source: Auckland Council

Auckland competes in a highly dynamic global market for tourists and major events. The City Rail Link (CRL) is tipped to give the city a new edge in both arenas. 

Annie Dundas, Director Destination for Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, says greater ease of access enabled by the CRL will support the agency’s aims.

“CRL will help elevate all our goals. We work hard to secure a strong pipeline of major and business events. In the last financial year, the events we supported in Auckland delivered more than $89 million in GDP – they are crucial for our success as a region and a country,” she says.

We sat down with Annie Dundas and asked her more about how she thinks the City Rail Link will enhance Auckland’s tourism and events sectors when the new rail system opens in the second half of 2026.

This is part of an occasional Q&A series with urban and economic development leads within the Auckland Council group, looking ahead at the region-wide benefits of the City Rail Link for multiple sectors.

Our Q&A with Annie Dundas:

Q. What is the role of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited?

We are Auckland Council’s cultural, events and destination agency. We attract visitors to the region, invest in major and business events and deliver cultural events such as Pasifika Festival and BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival.

We champion Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s global reputation and strive to make it a vibrant place to live and visit. We own and operate venues and cultural institutions including Auckland Zoo, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Aotea Centre, New Zealand Maritime Museum Hui Te Ananui a Tangaroa, The Civic, Western Springs Stadium, North Harbour Stadium and Go Media Stadium.  

We also attract performing arts to the city through New Zealand’s largest performing arts organisation Auckland Live, and put on free Auckland Council Events in public spaces for all to enjoy.

Q. How will the CRL help visitors to our region experience it better?

Getting people around more swiftly will be a game-changer. The CRL is not just about new stops in the city, it enables better train services across Auckland by linking up the network and unlocking space for more trains to travel more often. It will provide visitors an easier way to experience more of our region – if they’re in downtown Auckland or arriving on a cruise ship, they’ll be able to hit Karangahape Road or an event at Go Media Stadium much more easily. If they’re staying further away, they can get to the waterfront, which we know is a major drawcard for visitors, much more easily.

This ease of travel will be especially valuable for visitors here for business events. Usually they’ll stay longer than three or four days, and are likely to attend a conference at say, the new NZICC or Aotea Centre. The new Te Waihorotiu Station will be right on those venues’ doorsteps – this will make us an even more business event friendly city. There will be frequent services, meaning no long waits for the next train. It will be a true international experience. It positions our reputation very well internationally.

CRL stations and surrounding areas also incorporate beautiful Māori design – it’s important to represent our unique culture in this way and we know visitors value this. 

Recently re-opened glasshouse entrance to Waitematā Station.

Q. How about locals – will it make coming into the city for events easier?

It will take away parking stress and cost for a much wider group of people and make it easier for them to get to events and shows. If you live in Maungawhau (Mt Eden) for example, you’ll be able to get to Waitematā Station in less than 10 minutes, then Spark Arena is right there. If you live in Henderson, you’ll be able to get to Te Waihorotiu Station in 35 minutes, 24 minutes quicker than the current public transport. That station is very close to The Civic, Basement Theatre, Q Theatre, Auckland Town Hall and Aotea Centre – so suddenly getting to that concert or a free festival in Aotea Square becomes a lot more attractive. From Glen Innes in the east, you’ll be able to get to Te Waihorotiu Station in 15 minutes, 10 minutes quicker. So we are really excited about the barriers it will reduce and cultural participation it will encourage for all Aucklanders.  

Q. What about major events in Auckland with crowds of more than 10,000 people?

For major events coming up including the British & Irish Lions Women’s Series in 2027, Cricket World Cup in 2028, and men’s Lions tour in 2029, the CRL will be amazing. Fans flowing in and out of Eden Park will be able to hop down to Waitematā Station at the waterfront in just 13 minutes. That will make it easier to enjoy bars and restaurants before and after matches and give huge crowds multiple hospitality options. There will also be a single train ride from the east to Eden Park on the new network, which will make it easier for families in the eastern suburbs to go along.

At Go Media Stadium in Penrose where Ed Sheeran just performed, access will be easier with a single train ride from the west to the stadium on the new network.

We’ve just brought in a wayfinding map at Go Media Stadium that links through to public transport and gives information about the nearby Penrose train station that will connect to the new CRL stations. We’ll be able to integrate it with our existing tools and strategies to reduce barriers to attendance.

Q. What if people want to go out or stay out after work for a cocktail or to see a live band – will the CRL help?

Yes. Part of our work at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited is to encourage a humming night-time economy. More frequent trains until about midnight from Sunday to Thursday, and between 1am and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, will make it easier to go out or stay out later for a larger group of people.

There will also be a single train ride from the south to the famous night-time precinct of Karangahape Road. No more switching between trains and buses on the way. Fewer people will need to bring a car into town just so they can stay out at night after work. So definitely – the CRL is an important piece of the puzzle to help us elevate Auckland nightlife.

Q. How important is transport connectivity for what Tātaki Auckland Unlimited is tasked with achieving?

Ease of access, which the CRL will improve, will help us achieve our goals. We work relentlessly to secure a strong pipeline of major and business events in a hugely competitive global market. 

We also push hard to attract screen production and boost visitor numbers from key markets including Australia, North American and Asia and run world-class attractions including Auckland Art Gallery and Auckland Zoo – in all these areas, ease of access and movement is vital. Visitors know about our scenery – but we need to offer more.

Having a truly international city where it’s easy to get around is a crucial part of the ecosystem of drawcards we offer to make Tāmaki Makaurau an amazing place to live, work and visit.

Viaduct Harbour. Photo credit: AucklandNZ.

Read more about the benefits of CRL in earlier Q&A on OurAuckland.

Learn how the new network is expected to lift Auckland’s international standing with Barry Potter; support the region’s productivity with Gary Blick; and provide everyday benefits for Aucklanders and visitors across the region with George Weeks.  

City Rail Link information brochures are available in eight languages on the Auckland Transport website.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/crl-to-lift-tourism-and-major-events-in-auckland/

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Next stop for the Northwest Busway

Source: New Zealand Government

NZTA has applied for statutory approvals for the Northwest Busway project under the Fast‑track Approvals Act (FTAA), marking a major milestone for a project that will deliver faster, more frequent and more reliable public transport for Auckland’s growing northwest, says Transport Minister Chris Bishop. 

“The project, similar to the successful Northern Busway, will provide a busway alongside State Highway 16 (SH16) between Brigham Creek and the city centre, and seven stations connected to the local bus and road network,” says Mr Bishop.

“People in the northwest are crying out for better transport options in one of the region’s largest planned growth areas, where an additional 100,000 people, along with 40,000 new homes and 40,000 new jobs, are expected by 2051.

“Lodging under the FTAA represents progress for the Northwest Busway, which is going to provide more transport choices for communities in the northwest. This is about building the future of public transport in New Zealand. Auckland is our largest city, and this will help support jobs and drive growth.  

“The Northwest Busway includes a park and ride station at Brigham Creek and stations at Westgate, Royal Road, Lincoln Road, Te Atatū, Point Chevalier and Western Springs. It will be able to move up to 9,000 passengers per hour in each direction, the equivalent of four motorway lanes.  It will also provide a reliable 25-minute journey time from Brigham Creek to the city centre – all day, every day.  

“Construction is already underway on the new Westgate Station, which will open later this year, and works on the Brigham Creek Station are expected to start next year.

“The busway will increase the capacity of State Highway 16 by nearly 20% during peak times by freeing up space on the motorway for freight and those that need it.  

“Aucklanders want better, faster and more reliable public transport and this project is a priority for this Government, so I welcome the progress being made by NZTA with the lodgement of statutory approvals for the project under the FTAA.

“The approvals will enable NZTA to construct the project in stages as further funding is made available. 

“The Northwest Busway project has received around $550 million, covering statutory approvals, design and site investigations, construction of the Westgate Station and Brigham Creek Station and Park & Ride, and targeted property acquisition. 

“The Northwest Busway project is part of an integrated plan to provide better connections to the wider transport network and maximise investment in other public transport projects like City Rail Link.” 

Notes to the editor: 

  • The northwest of Auckland is home to 90,000 people and is one of the city’s largest planned growth areas. 
  • 60 percent of residents commute out of the area for work and education, which means the Northwestern Motorway regularly suffers from congestion and delays.
  • This project covers an 18km corridor and navigates a heavily built-up urban environment. This means it requires underpasses and structures to navigate motorway interchanges, and it impacts some utility assets and property which also add to the cost. 
  • The whole project has a benefit cost ratio of 2:1, with the first stage at 6.3:1 so for every dollar that’s spent we’re getting high benefits in return.
  • Stage 1 will see new stations at Brigham Creek and Lincoln Road as part of a $330m – $380m package of work. 
  • Stage 2 will include the separated and bi-directional busway from Brigham Creek to Te Atatū, along with the stations at Royal Road and Te Atatū, the second stage of Westgate station, and the city centre connection at Newton at an estimated investment of $4,100m – $4,600m*. 
  • The Point Chevalier and Western Springs stations are to be delivered as a third stage. 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/next-stop-for-the-northwest-busway/

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Economy – There’s still time to assess the effects of prior OCR cuts – Cotality

Source: Cotality – Commentary by Chief Property Economist Kelvin Davidson

As widely expected, the Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee, under new Governor Anna Breman, held the official cash rate unchanged at 2.25% today. This was firmly in line with the forward guidance from the previous meeting in November and it reflects the expectation that spare capacity in the economy should ultimately pull inflation back down again.
Many of the key economic forecasts released today were essentially unchanged from three months ago. The RBNZ expects the economy to expand by just short of 3% this year, with employment rising consistently and the unemployment rate edging down from 5.4% to 5.0% by the end of 2026. CPI inflation may already be back within the 1-3% target band this quarter.
The decision also noted that “if the economy evolves as expected, monetary policy is likely to remain accommodative for some time”. 
This suggests no immediate rush to bump up the OCR. Even so, the forecast track was ‘pulled forward’ a little, pointing to the probability of a rate rise late this year rather than early next year, as previously indicated. This really just endorses what financial markets and many commentators had already been suggesting was likely to happen and reflects the Bank’s suggestion that “settings will gradually normalise”.
For the housing market, it also just remains a case of waiting to see how a range of conflicting forces play out. On one hand, although banks have already been pushing small moves in some mortgage rates lately, generally they remain fairly stable and much lower than before. This will be supporting property sales activity and house prices.
By contrast, however, a cautious attitude still prevails across the market, and it’s difficult to see a sharp turnaround for activity or prices until jobs growth picks up and the unemployment rate falls more emphatically. This looks set to be a story for later in 2026 rather than sooner.
Indeed, the RBNZ itself predicts that property values could even fall a bit further in the next 3-6 months before edging higher later this year. They could end up flat for 2026 as a whole and only rise by 3.0% in 2027. 
Based on the recent rise in physical housing stock versus population, and also the new restraint of debt to income ratio caps, it’s hard to disagree too much with those modest expectations.

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/18/economy-theres-still-time-to-assess-the-effects-of-prior-ocr-cuts-cotality/

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University Research – Lab discovery offers hope for lymphoedema – UoA

Source: University of Auckland – UoA

A newly discovered molecule shows promise for treating painful lymphoedema.

Scientists have made a breakthrough that could lead to effective treatments for lymphoedema, a painful swelling condition for which there is currently no cure.

Lymphoedema can be congenital or caused by an injury, but it mostly occurs as an unintended consequence following breast-cancer treatment.

It occurs when the lymphatic system, which moves fluid throughout the body via specialised vessels, is damaged, leading to fluid accumulation in tissues.

“Our group of researchers has discovered a new molecule and pathway that together promote lymphatic vessel growth,” says Dr Jonathan Astin, a senior lecturer in molecular medicine and pathology in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. See Cell Reports.

“We initially made this discovery in zebrafish but have also shown that the factor works in human lymphatic cells.”

The scientists discovered the growth-promoting molecule, known as ‘insulin-like growth factor’, or IGF, accelerates the growth of lymphatic vessels in zebrafish, so has potential to repair damaged vessels.

They then worked with a University colleague, senior research fellow Dr Justin Rustenhoven, to grow human cells in the lab and found the IGF, could also ‘instruct’ human lymphatic vessels to grow.

“This work is of interest to the medical community as it provides an additional way to induce lymphatic vessel growth,” says Astin.

“This is especially important for people with lymphoedema. In Aotearoa New Zealand, approximately 20 percent of women who have lymph nodes removed as part of breast-cancer treatment will develop lymphoedema, and currently there is no cure.”

There is another molecule, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), that also promotes the growth of lymphatic vessels; the IGF molecule may work together with VEGF to promote the growth of lymphatic vessels, says Astin.

The work was conducted in Astin’s lab by then doctoral student Dr Wenxuan Chen and involved collaborations with Dr Kate Lee, Dr Justin Rustenhoven and Professor Stefan Bohlander, all in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, as well as a lab in the US.

“We use fish primarily because they’re very simple, but they’re still remarkably similar to us,” Astin says.

“The advantage of using fish is we can fluorescently label lymphatic vessels so that they glow and then image vessel growth in a whole larva or embryo and not impact its growth at all.

“We can just watch it grow, and things happen much quicker in a fish, because they develop much faster.”

The next step will be to test an IGF‑based therapy on mice with lymphoedema to see whether it helps.

Astin is cautious about promising too much but says this holds the potential to become a therapy for this painful, incurable condition in the future.

Read about ‘openness in the use of animals for research’: http://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/research/about-our-research/openness-in-animal-research.html

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/university-research-lab-discovery-offers-hope-for-lymphoedema-uoa/

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Outgoing Netball NZ chairperson denies any pressure to step down

Source: Radio New Zealand

AAP / www.photosport.nz

The outgoing Netball New Zealand chairperson says changes at the top will help inject new energy into a sport that is facing significant challenges.

The national body last night confirmed that chairperson Matt Whineray and three appointed board members had decided to step down.

It followed the resignation of CEO Jennie Wyllie in December after a disastrous year for the sport, which included the suspension of Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua, who was later reinstated.

The story dominated headlines for weeks and calls for “heads to roll” at Netball NZ were loud.

Whineray denied anyone felt pressure to step down but said the board accepted the netball community expected some changes at the top after a difficult 2025 and new blood would be beneficial.

“It really came out of individual reflections on what was right for them personally and what we think is right for Netball New Zealand going forward. So the opportunity to get some new perspectives, new capabilities, some new energy and really reset the momentum and focus on the really important next couple of years is what we’re all thinking about,” Whineray said.

The national body was working in an environment that had changed rapidly in the past decade, including greater competition from other female codes. The future of the ANZ Premiership was still up in the air, with no broadcast rights agreement in place from beyond 2026.

While participation rates at grass roots are pleasing, Whineray believed the next CEO has a tougher job than what it entailed a few years ago.

“The media landscape, broadcast rights opportunities, and commercial environment has all changed. The person who is heading up a national sporting organisation has to be able to manage the commercials on one hand and balance that with the delivery of the community game and high performance programmes and that’s a challenging space to be.”

Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua after her reinstatement. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

There were eight members on the Netball NZ board, split between four elected members and four appointed members, including Whineray.

Aliesha Staples, Stephen Cottrell, and Pavan Vyas are the other appointed members leaving their roles. Appointed members help ensure a board has a range of skills and experience to call on across a number of fields including commercial, legal, IT and tech.

Cottrell for instance brought 25 years of experience, including strategy and project management roles for New Zealand Rugby. He currently works for a global events and entertainment company, and is a principal in his own sports advisory law firm.

The Netball NZ constitution sets a maximum of three terms of three years. With Whineray’s nine year limit on the board due to finish at the start of next year, he said stepping down now made sense as his replacement will be in charge of recruiting the next CEO.

Jane Patterson was brought in as interim CEO but the board will advertise for a permanent boss in a few months.

The board positions will be advertised soon and an appointment panel will be made up of a couple of board members and one external member, expected to be veteran administrator Kereyn Smith.

Netball NZ has called in Smith, who in recent years has helped cycling and yachting with their issues.

“Kereyn’s been giving us a hand on a number of fronts and helping both within Netball New Zealand but also with our connections with the wider netball community so it’s been very helpful to have her in there, given her really deep experience in sports administration but also really great connections across the netball system.”

Matt Whineray has served on the board for over eight years. Supplied/NZ Super Fund

Whineray said Smith had been involved in looking at some high performance changes but said that was now largely being run by Chelsea Lane, who was appointed as Head of Performance – Silver Ferns, in the new year.

The decision to suspend Dame Noeline and her coaching team in September was met with widespread shock in the netball community. The lack of information led to a lot of speculation and fans vented their frustrations on social media, mostly directed at Wyllie and the board.

Whineray emphasised that the decision to suspend the Silver Ferns coaching team, was a board decision, not driven by any individual.

“The board made that decision on advice from our legal advice.”

He said the board can not make decisions on how the public might react.

“That’s the board making a decision about what’s in the best interests of the Silver Ferns environment and of the players and all of those who are working in the environment. Ultimately we have to wear the public response but you shouldn’t be making decisions like that with an eye on how the public is going to react.

“The board were all involved in this, we were supporting Jennie and working with Jennie through this process and I think the personal insults and the abuse were awful for all involved.”

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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/2026/02/18/outgoing-netball-nz-chairperson-denies-any-pressure-to-step-down/

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Plans to deliver food and meds to more than 100 people trapped near Ngawi in Wairarapa

Source: Radio New Zealand

Residents are also concerned about a second bridge undermined by floodwaters at Hurupi Stream. Supplied / Sharon Durrant

Plans are underway to deliver food and increasingly urgent medical supplies to more than 100 people trapped near Ngawi on Wairarapa’s southern coastline.

Two bridges are out of action on the only roads into several rural and coastal communities – completely cutting them off – following torrential that hit overnight on Sunday.

Trucks are currently dumping boulders and metal into a 3-4m hole that opened on Tuesday at the Turanganui River bridge on Lake Ferry Road.

RNZ understands the goal is to reopen the road by Wednesday evening, restoring access to communities in Lake Ferry and Whangaimoana.

A bridge on Cape Palliser Road at the Hurupi Stream, known as the Banana Bridge, has been scoured out at the road edge and has been deemed structurally unsafe by the South Wairarapa District Council. Supplied

But a second bridge on Cape Palliser Road at the Hurupi Stream has since triggered an urgent warning from authorities.

The bridge, known as the Banana Bridge, has been scoured out at the road edge and has been deemed structurally unsafe by the South Wairarapa District Council.

“The bridge must not be used under any circumstances until it has been inspected and formally cleared by a qualified engineer,” it said.

A civil engineer was due to assess the bridge on Wednesday morning and as yet there was no timeframe for a fix.

A large hole has opened up at the Lake Ferry Road bridge cutting off communities in South Wairarapa. RNZ / Mary Argue

A council spokesperson said 119 people were trapped to the east of the bridge along the coastline to Ngawi.

Local Gavin Fenwick said the Hurupi bridge failure had caught people out, with holidaymakers and tourists among those who were stuck.

He said some people were getting quite desperate for food and medical supplies and he and his wife Donna had been helping organise a supply drop into the area, which was expected later on Wednesday.

The single-lane bridge to Lake Ferry, Wairarapa, has been gouged out by floodwaters. Supplied / South Wairarapa District Council

Fenwick said with medications that needed to be taken, the need for a delivery was getting “quite urgent”.

In an update on Wednesday morning, Powerco said 315 properties across Wairarapa were still without power following the storm.

Fenwick said fortunately contractors got over the bridge before it failed, restoring power by Monday night and while locals were quite “upbeat,” it was a different story for the tourists.

“It’s the campers that are here that have … just done a day trip and now they’re stuck here. Pretty hard for them.

“There’s not a lot of them, luckily, most of them got out in time, but there are a couple hanging around still. One of them put in an order for a food drop this afternoon, because they had basically nothing by the sound of it.”

More than 100 people are isolated on the south coast of Wairarapa after the “Banana Bridge” across the Hurupi Stream was deemed structurally unsafe. SWDC / Google Maps

The Fenwicks were also behind the well-known ‘Ngawi Big 3’ fishing competition due to be held this weekend, but Gavin Fenwick said the uncertainty around the bridge meant it had to be postponed.

In a post on social media the Ngawi Sports Fishing Club said given the state of the road, the postponement shouldn’t come as a surprise.

“The new proposed dates are 13th, 14th & 15th March – subject to the road being safe and accessible.

“We know everyone is itching to get back out there, but right now safety comes first. With our coast currently isolated, we’re focused on supporting our local community first and appreciate your understanding.”

A bridge on Cape Palliser Road at the Hurupi Stream. Supplied

Fenwick said the competition had been running since about 1992 and a few years ago had more than 500 entries – injecting quite a bit of cash into the local economy, but he said the call had to be made.

“People plan this months in advance and they can’t just be hanging around [wondering] ‘do we leave or do we not?’ We’ve got people come over from Australia even, they’re here in Wellington waiting to come out here.”

He said he spent Tuesday putting away all the prizes.

“It’ll have to happen another day.”

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/2026/02/18/plans-to-deliver-food-and-meds-to-more-than-100-people-trapped-near-ngawi-in-wairarapa/