Source: New Zealand Police
The intersection of Black Street and Archilles Street/ State Highway 2, Wairoa, is closed following a serious crash.
Emergency services received reports of the two-vehicle crash about 3pm.
Diversions are being organised, and motorists should expect delays.
The Serious Crash Unit have been advised.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre.
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/serious-crash-state-highway-2-wairoa/
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on February 10, 2026.
The 4 big changes to gun laws that would make NZ safer
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato Getty Images New Zealand is undertaking the most significant rewrite of firearms law in over 40 years. Overall, it’s a welcome step, as the law was messy and times have changed. But that’s not to say the proposed law
Amid an Olympic boom, it’s risky timing to lift a ban on developers’ political donations
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yee-Fui Ng, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Monash University Queensland is a step closer to lifting a ban on political donations from property developers – despite a corruption watchdog’s warning that doing so in a A$7 billion Olympics building boom could raise “risks of undue or improper
Why do nose and ear hairs become longer and thicker as we age?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christian Moro, Associate Professor of Science & Medicine, Bond University LarsZahnerPhotography/Getty Growing older often brings unexpected grooming challenges. This is particularly apparent when some areas that, when young, we could otherwise ignore start to develop hair. This includes our nose and ears, where hair grows thicker and
Can Australia build one of the world’s largest data centres?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bronwyn Cumbo, Lecturer, Transdisciplinary School, University of Technology Sydney The Conversation, CC BY-SA ➡️ Click here to read the full interactive Bronwyn Cumbo receives funding from the Australia Public Policy Challenge Grant for her research investigating possibilities and challenges to establishing New South Wales as a sustainable
Sea lion camera reveals mother taking pup on educational foraging expedition in the wild
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nathan Angelakis, PhD Candidate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Adelaide University Nathan Angelakis, CC BY-NC Most seals give birth to a pup around the same time each year, and wean them and send them on their way within 12 months in an annual cycle. Australian sea lions
ADHD prescriptions are up tenfold, with the wealthiest kids most likely to be medicated
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brenton Prosser, Partner, Government & Public Sector, Providence / Honorary Fellow, Australian National University Phil Boorman/Getty Images The number of young people in Australia prescribed medication for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increased more that tenfold in 20 years, our new research shows, while it is no longer
The lower Murray is officially on life support. Will we save it?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick Whiterod, Researcher, Adelaide University Michael Obeysekera/Unsplash, CC BY At 2,500 km long, the Murray is Australia’s longest river. It provides 3 million people with drinking water and irrigates around 1.5 million hectares of farmland. But this intensive use has come at a cost: the lower Murray
6 tips to survive and thrive in your first year of university
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sophia Waters, Senior Lecturer in Writing, University of New England Photo by RDNE Stock project/Pexels University study is a major commitment and is quite different to high school. This big new phase of life can feel both daunting and exciting. But many first years don’t have anyone
AI isn’t likely to wipe out all farming jobs – but it is changing who bears the risks
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sophia Duan, Associate Dean, Research and Industry Engagement, La Trobe University Herney/Pixabay The global economy is bracing for major job disruption as artificial intelligence (AI) advances and spreads across industries. Experts have been warning about this shift for years, and fiercely debating whether the benefits of an
From ‘this machine kills fascists’ to ‘King Trump’s private army’: the art of protest music
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Panizza Allmark, Professor of Visual & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune and Michael Ochs Archives, via Getty In January, over the course of three days, Bruce Springsteen wrote, recorded and released the political protest song Streets of Minneapolis. The song’s release was
Herzog backlash crushes Albo’s ‘social cohesion’ – thousands protest nationwide
Amid revelations of Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s association with Jeffrey Epstein, the Australian government and media have entirely lost control of the Israel narrative. As thousands massed around the country tonight to protest against the visit of President Herzog, the government’s claims of fostering “social cohesion” are a shambles. The mainstream media, too. Any remaining
Isaac Herzog visit: protesters lose challenge to sweeping special police powers. What now?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Maria O’Sullivan, Associate Professor of Law, Member of Deakin Cyber and the Centre for Law as Protection, Deakin University, Deakin University The NSW Supreme Court has dismissed a challenge to the extraordinary powers given to police to disrupt protests against Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Sydney
View from The Hill: Liberals desperate for a path out of purgatory
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government in question time on Monday was already targeting Angus Taylor as likely Liberal leader, while the aspirant’s supporters were grappling with the mechanics of organising the challenge. Sunday’s appalling Newspoll, showing the Liberals on a primary vote
Communal bathing was a public good. Then it got hijacked by wellness culture
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jennifer E. Cheng, Researcher and Lecturer in Sociology, Western Sydney University Sergey Mironov/Getty Bathhouses are making a wave in Australia and overseas. And it’s not an isolated trend; it reflects the broader advancement of the global wellness economy, which some reports suggest is outpacing even IT and
Australia can’t reach its ambitious climate targets with current policies. Here are 6 things we can try
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steve Hatfield-Dodds, Honorary Professor of Public Policy, Australian National University Ludvig Hedenborg/Pexels, CC BY-NC-ND In less than ten years, Australia has to cut its emissions 62–75% below 2005 levels. Given reductions in emissions over the past 20 years, that translates to cutting emissions 47–65% below current levels.
Yes, One Nation’s poll numbers are climbing. But major party status – let alone government – is still a long way off
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrea Carson, Professor of Political Communication, La Trobe University Recent polling has delivered a spike for the anti-immigration party One Nation, triggering media speculation that Australian politics is on the cusp of a populist realignment. The latest Newspoll had Labor on 33%, One Nation on 27% and
Japan’s rock star leader now has the political backing to push a bold agenda. Will she deliver?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Simpson, Senior Lecturer in International Studies in the School of Society and Culture, Adelaide University Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has delivered her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections she called shortly after taking office. Now that she has consolidated her
Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/10/er-report-a-roundup-of-significant-articles-on-eveningreport-nz-for-february-10-2026/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Neil Gaiman at an event in 2024. Jamie McCarthy / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA
All three US lawsuits accusing author Neil Gaiman of sexually assaulting his children’s nanny in Auckland four years ago have now been dismissed.
Scarlett Pavlovich filed lawsuits against Gaiman and his wife Amanda Palmer in the US states of Wisconsin, Massachusetts and New York last year.
She accused Gaiman of multiple sexual assaults while she was working as the family’s nanny in 2022.
The New York lawsuit was dropped last year, and the Wisconsin lawsuit was dismissed in October, with the judge saying Pavlovich needed to pursue the case in New Zealand.
AP has now reported that US District Judge Nathaniel Gorton in Boston threw out the Massachusetts filing late last week on the same grounds.
The British author has denied the claims, but argued that as the alleged abuses occurred in New Zealand – where Pavlovich is a citizen and Gaiman has permanent residency status – the US had no jurisdiction over the allegations.
Pavlovich sued Gaiman, author of The Sandman comic book series and the novel American Gods, while Palmer was accused of knowing that Pavlovich was vulnerable, and failing to warn that Gaiman had a history of predatory behaviour, according to court papers.
The lawsuits sought unspecified damages that were “reasonably believed” to exceed US$1 million (NZ$1.7m) on multiple claims, Reuters earlier reported.
In his motion to dismiss, Gaiman called the claims a “sham”, saying while he and Pavlovich did engage in “sexual activity”, they never had sexual intercourse and it was always consensual.
“None of Pavlovich’s claims are true,” Gaiman said.
Pavlovich painted a very different picture of the events in an interview last year with Vulture, a US entertainment news page for the New York Magazine.
Pavlovich said she agreed to baby-sit the couple’s child, but soon Gaiman began sexually abusing her, including by raping her, choking her, and assaulting her in the presence of his child, according to court papers.
The abuse allegedly lasted several weeks, until Gaiman and his child left for Europe.
At the time, she was 22 and Gaiman was 61.
Following the publication of the allegations, Gaiman wrote that he had “never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever.”
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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/2026/02/10/third-us-lawsuit-against-author-neil-gaiman-dismissed-by-judge/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Supplied / St John
Two Auckland students are in Starship Hospital after being struck by cars before school on Monday.
Police said one intermediate-aged student was hit by a car at about 8.15am while crossing Whangaparāoa Road in Stanmore Bay.
In a statement, Whangaparāoa College confirmed one of its students was hit.
It said the student was receiving medical treatment and would make a full recovery.
Police said another intermediate child was hit by a different car on Onewa Road in Northcote at 8.26am.
St John said both children who suffered moderate injuries were taken to Starship in ambulances.
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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/2026/02/10/two-students-hit-by-cars-before-school-on-monday-morning/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Five fire trucks and two water tankers are at a blaze in Eskdale. RNZ/Marika Khabazi
Multiple fire crews are battling a blaze that’s engulfed a workshop in Eskdale, north of Napier.
Emergency services were called to the rural Seafield Road property about 1.20pm.
Fire and Emergency says it has five fire trucks and two water tankers working in the building that is about the size of a three bay garage.
It could not say whether anyone was injured.
St John confirmed it was at the scene.
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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/2026/02/10/fire-crews-battle-blaze-at-workshop-in-hawkes-bay/
Source: Radio New Zealand
The body was recovered from the Waioweka River in Ōpōtiki on Tuesday morning.
Police say they recovered a body from the Waioweka River on Tuesday morning after a search for a man who was swept downstream after falling from a boat in the Bay of Plenty town of Ōpōtiki last month.
Inspector Nicky Cooney, Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander, said the body was recovered from the river at about 9am.
“This has been a long slow search, hindered at times by the weather as well as impacted by the slips on SH2,” Cooney said in a statement.
Police earlier said that they were called out at about 5.30pm on Friday 23 January after reports that a man had fallen from a boat and a search of the area was carried out with a vessel found nearby.
Cooney thanked all those who assisted in the search efforts including Land SAR volunteers, local jet boat and helicopter operators, the Police National Dive Squad and iwi whose knowledge of the river and surrounding terrain had been invaluable.
The formal identification process is underway, and the man’s death has been referred to the Coroner.
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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/2026/02/10/body-recovered-from-bay-of-plenty-river/
Source: New Zealand Government
New Zealand’s exploration and mining pipeline is strengthening, with record levels of mineral permit applications received and decided in 2025, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.
New data from New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals (NZP&M) shows the agency received 551 applications last year, up from 450 in 2024, and made 521 decisions, compared to an annual average of 363 since 2017. Of the 178 approvals for new activity, 163 related to gold.
“Nine out of 10 new permit applications granted last year targeted gold, with the South Island set to benefit most from this activity. The West Coast alone accounted for more than 40 per cent of new gold‑related approvals, reinforcing its position as one of New Zealand’s most active and enduring mining regions,” Mr Jones says.
“What is particularly encouraging is the good spread of applications across the development lifecycle. The mix of prospecting, exploration, and mining permits reflects healthy progression through the development pipeline. Tier 2 hobby permits are being converted into the newly created Tier 3 permit class, which applies a more proportionate and fit‑for‑purpose regulatory burden to small‑scale activity.
“This demonstrates a sector that is gathering momentum and investing in New Zealand’s future. A strong exploration pipeline, coupled with a notable uplift in mining stage activity, shows companies are not only seeking new opportunities but progressing them with confidence.
“The results also highlight strong activity among mid‑sized mining projects — operations that play an important role in regional economic growth and capability building. Multiple operators advancing projects rather than a small number of large ventures dominating the landscape is positive for the sector’s resilience.”
Across the sector, 237 change applications were decided in 2025, reflecting a high level of variation and optimisation activity as operators refine work programmes and permit conditions — a clear indication of active management of mineral assets.
“What we’re seeing is a sector that is humming — investing, exploring, and planning for long-term activity. This momentum is good for regional economies, good for jobs, and good for New Zealand’s broader resource development strategy,” Mr Jones says
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/10/new-data-shows-record-2025-permitting-activity/
Source: Media Outreach
HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 February 2026 – VinFast today officially announced its entry into Indonesia’s e-scooter market through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with strategic dealers in the country. The milestone marks a significant step in VinFast’s international expansion of its electric two-wheeler business and reaffirms the Company’s long-term commitment to one of Southeast Asia’s largest and most dynamic motorcycle markets.
VinFast signed strategic MoUs with its first e-scooter partners in Indonesia.
Accordingly, VinFast has signed strategic MoUs with its first partners in Indonesia, including K3, Citra Abadi Sedaya, PT Bevos Auto Mandiri, PT Sapta Jaya, MotorArt, PT Sinergies Dua Kawan, and PT HINU. These partners have long-standing experience in the distribution of automobiles and motorcycles, strong professional operational capabilities, deep market understanding, and the ability to rapidly deploy operations in line with VinFast’s standards.
VinFast will begin rolling out its distribution network in the Jabodetabek area — Indonesia’s largest economic and urban center — from the second quarter of 2026, with plans to expand to other regions nationwide.
In Indonesia, VinFast plans to introduce a portfolio of battery-swapping e-scooters, including VinFast Evo, VinFast Feliz II, VinFast Flazz and VinFast Viper, alongside additional new models to be launched in due course. The product lineup has been carefully engineered and calibrated to suit Indonesia’s tropical climate, dense urban traffic conditions, and everyday commuting patterns.
Throughout 2026, VinFast aims to further expand its footprint to hundreds of authorized dealerships and service workshops nationwide. The Company’s development strategy in Indonesia is designed as an integrated ecosystem, combining retail and after-sales networks, financing solutions, charging and battery-swapping infrastructure through cooperation with V-Green, and partnerships with leading financial institutions.
Prior to this announcement, VinFast had unveiled its strategy to internationalize its electric two-wheeler business and signed agreements with dealers in the Philippines. According to its roadmap, the Company will accelerate expansion across five priority markets in 2026, namely the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Thailand, and Malaysia. These countries represent high-growth economies with substantial urban mobility demand and a clear transition toward sustainable transportation solutions.
Ms. Vo Thi Cam Tu, Managing Director of VinFast E-Scooters Overseas Market, stated: “Indonesia is a strategic market in VinFast’s global e-scooter expansion journey. Partnering with leading local dealers underscores our partners’ confidence in VinFast’s product quality, service standards, flexible battery-swapping model, and long-term vision. We are committed to accompanying Indonesian consumers on their transition toward a greener, smarter, and more sustainable future of mobility.”
Indonesia stands among the world’s largest motorcycle markets, characterized by rapid urbanization, high population density in major cities, and increasing policy and consumer momentum toward environmentally friendly transportation. These structural factors create substantial headroom for the growth of the e-scooter segment. Indonesian dealers have expressed strong confidence in VinFast’s long-term potential in the country, citing its comprehensive green mobility ecosystem, large-scale manufacturing capabilities, and proven ability to execute swiftly across multiple international markets.
After two years of presence in Indonesia, VinFast has introduced a broad range of electric vehicles, from electric SUVs to models optimized for transportation services, and has commenced operations at its Subang facility. Concurrently, the Company has expanded its integrated ecosystem, including dealership and after-sales networks, charging infrastructure in collaboration with V-Green, and partnerships with leading banks and financial institutions. Through pioneering and customer-centric policies, VinFast continues to lower barriers to EV adoption and enable Indonesian consumers to participate in the global green mobility revolution.
Hashtag: #VinFast
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/10/vinfast-officially-enters-indonesias-e-scooter-market-partners-with-strategic-dealers/
Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Detective Inspector Jamie Woods, Wellington Field Crime Manager:
Police can now release the name of the woman found deceased at a Matatua Road, Raumati Beach address on Monday 9 February.
She was 56-year-old Lauraine Margaret Stewart of Raumati.
We acknowledge this is an incredibly difficult time for Ms Stewart’s family and we are providing them with support.
A 24-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent to grievous bodily harm with further charges being considered. He has been remanded in custody to appear in the Porirua District Court on 4 March 2026.
The investigation into the circumstances of Ms Stewart’s death continues with the primary scene examination expected to be completed in the coming days.
Several search warrants were executed yesterday in support of the investigation and there will be an increased Police presence in the Kāpiti area.
We want to reassure the members of the community that there is no ongoing risk to public safety following this incident.
Police are appealing to the public on information around the incident.
Anyone with information that might help our enquiries can call 105, quoting reference number 260209/8606.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/10/name-release-homicide-investigation-raumati-beach/
Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Detective Sergeant Ben Rolton, Christchurch Metro Crime:
Police investigating a serious assault on Fitzgerald Avenue around 12.20pm yesterday are appealing to the public for information around the incident.
The investigating team are looking for any photos, CCTV, or dashcam footage along Fitzgerald Avenue between Cambridge Terrace and Bealey Avenue between 12.15pm and 12.45pm on Monday 9 February 2026 to aid in their enquiries.
If you have witnessed the incident or have dashcam footage available covering travel between the section of road, please contact Police and quote file number 260209/0262.
The victim from the incident remains in hospital, in a stable condition.
A scene guard was put in place around the property where the incident occurred overnight, and Police are completing a scene examination which is expected to finish today.
Police will maintain an increased presence in the area as they carry out their enquiries and would like to reassure the public there is not believed to be any further threats to public safety.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/10/update-2-serious-assault-christchurch/
Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander Inspector Nicky Cooney
Police and teams searching for a man missing since January have located and recovered a body from the Waioeka River this morning at about 9am.
This has been a long slow search, hindered at times by the weather as well as impacted by the slips on SH2.
Police would like to thank all those who assisted in the search efforts.
In particular we would like to acknowledge Land SAR volunteers, local jet boat and helicopter operators, along with iwi whose knowledge of the river and surrounding terrain has been invaluable.
We are also grateful for the assistance of the Police National Dive Squad.
This has been a true team effort and everyone involved has provided incredible support to the search teams.
The formal identification process is underway, and the man’s death has been referred to the Coroner.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/10/body-recovered-waioeka-river-bay-of-plenty-district/
Source: Radio New Zealand
The change was introduced last year. File photo. Supplied / New Zealand Electrical Inspectors Association
A rule change that electrical inspectors say elevates the risk of people being electrocuted is being reviewed.
The change – made late last year – lifted a ban on inserting a switch, circuit or fuse into mains power earthing systems in houses and businesses.
The Electrical Inspectors Association wrote to the government a week ago, asking it to intervene with Worksafe.
Energy Minister Simon Watts said he took feedback from stakeholders seriously.
“The regulatory amendment lays the foundation for future measures to ensure electric vehicle charging meets safety expectations, and allow for improved disaster resilience,” Watts said in a statement.
WorkSafe’s Energy Safety team had commissioned an independent review by an international expert to provide assurance on their advice to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, which instituted the rule change.
Worksafe issued initial guidance to the industry and had said it was working on further technical guidance on protective earth neutral conductor (PEN) switching.
The inspectors’ letter on 29 January said they had failed to persuade Worksafe.
“The PEN conductor is the single most important wire in any electrical installation,” they wrote.
If it was broken or ‘switched-off’, the installation’s earth moved up toward a phase voltage.
“This is very dangerous and can result in multiple fatalities. Now, a compliant New Zealand electrical installation with no faults present can now be lethal.”
They offered to provide a tabletop demonstration of this and for Worksafe to demonstrate the converse if it could.
“Please use independent thought and guidance when replying to this issue as we believe WorkSafe is in ‘cover-up’ mode,” association president Warren Willets wrote to Workplace Safety Minister Brooke van Velden, who transferred it to Watts.
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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/2026/02/10/very-dangerous-electrical-rule-change-to-be-reviewed/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Judge Ema Aitken is accused of disrupting a NZ First function at Auckland’s Northern Club in 2024. RNZ Insight/Dan Cook
The defence for a District Court Judge accused of disrupting an NZ First event has told a judicial conduct panel the affair has been blown “out of all proportion”.
Judge Ema Aitken was appearing before the panel in Auckland on Tuesday, accused of disrupting a function at Auckland’s exclusive Northern Club in 2024.
She was accused of shouting that NZ First leader Winston Peters was lying.
Judge Aitken said she did not shout, did not recognise Peters’ voice when she responded to remarks she overheard and did not know it was a political event.
Her lawyer, David Jones, KC, opened his case by praising the judge’s career, describing her as diligent and a judge of principle.
He explained why the judge continued to fight the allegations.
“She is a judge of principle, and she is a judge of integrity, and she is not going to resign over something that she did not do,” he said.
Jones maintained Judge Aitken did not know it was Winston Peters speaking at the Northern Club, and that she was unaware of the political context when she made her comments.
Jones raised the concern of handing the acting attorney-general a ‘loaded gun’ if they found consideration of removal was justified.
District Court Judge Ema Aitken at the judicial conduct panel on Monday. Finn Blackwell / RNZ
Special Counsel Tim Stephens, KC, had said on Monday final say on removal of the judge fell with acting Attorney-General Paul Goldsmith.
Jones pointed to the fact that Goldsmith was a politician.
“Now, it’s been said, well, the attorney-general has to act lawfully,” he said.
“We have the very real political context of the complaint generated by, it seems, a political situation, and all of the issues that have been raised about the reports in the media, they are all political issues,” he said.
“So, this is a politicized situation, not of the judge’s making, but of others, and what you have is a situation where in the current climate, for example it’s an election year, we have coalition issues that obviously are going to be concerning some people, and the attorney-general, if he gets the loaded gun from the panel, what considerations will come into play there?”
Jones said the emphasis of the panel had to be on fairness, natural justice, and fitness for office.
Special Counsel Tim Stephens, KC. RNZ / Mark Papalii
Presenting the allegations of misconduct to the panel, Stephens said the panel was responsible for reporting on the judge’s conduct, finding the facts, and ultimately recommending if the judge should be removed.
He continued his opening from Monday, addressing the allegations Judge Aitken faced, and what happened on that night in 2024.
He started by providing political context on leading up to the alleged disturbance, leading with a complaint made by lawyer Gary Judd, KC, over compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students.
The complaint was supported by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters who said teaching tikanga was “cultural indoctrination”.
A select committee largely rejected a complaint in April last year.
The next piece of context Stephens gave was the haka that broke out in Parliament following the vote for the Treaty Principles Bill.
Stephens referenced NZ First MP Casey Costello, who at the time had said NZ First would only support the bill to first reading.
Minister Costello is expected to be called as a witness before the judicial conduct panel.
On the night in question, Stephens said Judge Aitken had been attending a function for district court judges, while at the same time, a NZ First event was taking place in another part of the Northern Club.
Stephens said part of Winston Peters’ speech at that event mentioned both the teaching of tikanga at law school, as well as the party’s position on the Treaty Principles Bill.
“The allegations that I make or that I present are that while the deputy prime minister was speaking, Judge Aitken interrupted him in the New Zealand First dinner by heckling the deputy prime minister, accusing the deputy prime minister of lying and being a liar, saying that the deputy prime minister’s comments were disgusting…”
In the wake of the incident, Stephens said Judge Aitken wrote to NZ First apologising for what happened.
He told the panel a key fact finding part of their job would be determining when the judge realised the speaker at the event was Peters and if she knew it was a NZ First event.
It was Stephens submission that Judge Aitken’s behaviour was rude, and brought the judiciary into conflict with the executive branch of government.
“I will submit that even if the judge didn’t know that the speaker was the deputy prime minister at the exact point in time or prior to when she made her comments, my submission will be that her conduct seen in the round still justifies consideration of removal,” he said.
Defence lawyer David Jones, KC. RNZ / Mark Papalii
The second day of the hearing begun with the panel addressing concerns from David Jones, KC, about what he described as undisclosed evidence claimed from Special Counsel.
Lead panellist Brendan Brown, KC, explained they had received an application from Judge Aitken just before Waitangi weekend, seeking disclosure of witness material.
The panel directed Special Counsel to disclose relevant documents to the judge, which Stephens stated he had already made all such disclosures.
The panellist also defined what the word ‘document’, and the reference to a ‘document authored’ meant, as raised by Jones on Monday.
Brown said the purpose of his clarification was to comply the rules of natural justice.
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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/judge-accused-of-disrupting-nz-first-event-wont-resign-over-something-she-did-not-do/
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato
New Zealand is undertaking the most significant rewrite of firearms law in over 40 years. Overall, it’s a welcome step, as the law was messy and times have changed.
But that’s not to say the proposed law can’t be improved further.
While controls on the kinds of weapons used in the Christchurch terror attack will remain, as will a firearms register, other ways of ensuring public safety must be addressed.
Submissions on the Arms Bill close on February 16. From my recent research in nine comparable countries, I can see four main areas where New Zealand’s new law can be enhanced.
There are considerably more firearms deaths in New Zealand from suicide than from homicide. The rate is lower than in the United States, but higher than in England, Wales and Australia.
The most practical way to protect unlicensed people wanting to self-harm is to implement the strictest possible standards for safe firearms storage.
To protect licensed gun owners, the law needs to encourage the building of effective communities of firearms owners, with leadership from the gun industry and related organisations.
As outlined below, this would be coupled with input from mental health professionals, new standards for licensing, with education and resources that dovetail with the Ministry of Health’s existing Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2025–2029.
The role of gangs and other criminal networks in the possession and supply of illegal or unlicensed firearms is already a serious problem.
According to the Ministerial Advisory Group on Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime, New Zealand is struggling to counter the threat, which has been growing for the past five years.
As well as being a party to the United Nations Convention Against Organized Crime, New Zealand will also have to improve domestic law.
The main challenge is ensuring full accountability for the estimated 1.5 million legal and licensed firearms, and the permanent removal from circulation of restricted firearms.
All firearms must be registered by the end of August 2028, with more than 400,000 now accounted for. So the crunch will come within the next two years. Three specific changes will be important.
Third party verification, such as by a gun dealer, between all private buyers and sellers of conventional firearms would help improve the oversight of these sales.
Greater restriction on the manufacture of firearms or their parts, especially with rapidly evolving technologies such as 3D printing, with specific licences authorising manufacture.
Another buyback at market rates of all guns that should be on the register but are currently unlicensed (though not necessarily in criminal hands).
Political and ideological extremism is always a threat, with the biggest risks posed by alienated individuals estranged from their immediate communities.
While Australia has represented a gold-standard for firearms regulation, the Bondi terror attack showed the risk can never be reduced to zero.
But there are tools that can be built into the new law:
mandatory searches of the social media accounts of all firearms applicants
closer scrutiny of applicants if and when they are known to be close with high-risk individuals
mandatory gun club membership for all gun owners as evidence of a “genuine reason” to possess a given class of firearms (already the case for handgun owners in New Zealand)
education for club members in how to spot concerning signs of extremism and an obligation to report it (as exists in Quebec in Canada).
Beyond these changes, the Bondi terror attack may see tighter restrictions on the number of guns and amount of ammunition a person can possess.
In New Zealand, one person can own up to 12 pistols, but there is no limit on how many other standard firearms or how much legal ammunition they can own.
Australian regulators may look closely at the current limits in Western Australia, which stipulate a maximum of five firearms if someone possesses a hunting or recreational licence.
Just as there is a minimum age for driving a motor vehicle, followed by a learner’s licence with restrictions, firearms ownership should have clear age and stage limits.
Beneath a certain age – say ten – firearms should not be touched at all. Above that minimum age, young applicants should be encouraged and mentored into accredited training and safety programmes.
Licences should allow for access to firearms in gradual stages. Again, as with a driver’s licence, older owners should have shorter renewal periods, with medical certificates to confirm their fitness.
If a medical professional considers a person unsafe to drive, they “must” report them. But a health practitioner is only notified after a firearms licence is issued, and the current law says only that they “may” contact the police if they have concerns.
There should be no discretion in such cases – reporting should be mandatory.
And finally, it should be mandatory for all health officials to report any firearms injuries and accidents they become aware of in their clinical practice.
Alexander Gillespie is a member of the Ministerial Arms Advisory Group. He is also the recipient of a Borrin Foundation Justice Fellowship, which he used to visit nine different countries to study firearms regulation. None of the views in this article should be attributed to either organisation.
– ref. The 4 big changes to gun laws that would make NZ safer – https://theconversation.com/the-4-big-changes-to-gun-laws-that-would-make-nz-safer-275085
Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/10/the-4-big-changes-to-gun-laws-that-would-make-nz-safer-275085/
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yee-Fui Ng, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Monash University
Queensland is a step closer to lifting a ban on political donations from property developers – despite a corruption watchdog’s warning that doing so in a A$7 billion Olympics building boom could raise “risks of undue or improper influence”.
Last Friday, a parliamentary committee with a majority of Liberal National members tabled a report supporting the state government’s proposed electoral law overhaul.
Among a raft of changes, the proposed law would undo a nearly decade-old ban on property developers donating to state political candidates. The current ban on developer donations to local government elections would remain.
Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory all currently ban donations from property developers. South Australia has gone further, last year banning all political donations.
With billions in taxpayers’ dollars being spent on the Games, what’s the argument for lifting the ban? And does it stand up?
Between now and the opening ceremony of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, at least A$7 billion will be spent on Olympic and Paralympic games infrastructure across Queensland, from new stadiums to athlete villages. Some $3.4 billion of that is federal funding – meaning all Australian taxpayers are chipping in.
Facing major challenges to meet that deadline, the Liberal National government passed laws to fast track approvals on Games infrastructure. That means they’re not subject to standard planning and environmental laws.
In a submission to the parliamentary committee, Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission warned of “increased risks of actual or perceived corruption” tied to political donations in the lead up to the Olympics.
There is concern that the reintroduction of property developer donations could exacerbate real and/or perceived risks of undue or improper influence, particularly as developer interests align closely with major projects.
Read more:
The fast-tracking of Brisbane’s Olympic infrastructure plans could backfire
But when does trying to guard against corruption cross the line into impeding people’s freedom of political communication?
A decade ago, property developer and former Newcastle mayor Jeff McCloy challenged the validity of NSW laws capping political donations and banning donations from property developers.
In 2015, a majority of High Court judges upheld the validity of NSW’s ban on property developer donations, noting in their judgement there was:
an apparently strong factual basis for the perception of a risk of corruption and undue influence as the result of political donations from property developers.
A series of seven reports and a position paper of the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has identified corruption and other misconduct in the handling of property development applications since 1990, and the existence of a large measure of public concern over the influence which property developers have hitherto exercised over state and local government members and officials.
That history is an example of why property developers’ donations have come under more scrutiny than others and face tighter restrictions in some parts of Australia.
Queensland’s ban on donations from property developers was introduced by the Labor government in 2018. It followed a Crime and Corruption Commission investigation that exposed widespread corruption, non-compliance with election funding rules, and undisclosed conflicts of interest by local government officials.
Following that investigation, mayors, councillors and council officers in Queensland faced dozens of criminal charges.
Then anti-corruption commissioner Alan MacSporran said local government was a “broken” system, and “a hotbed of perceived corruption”.
The Queensland anti-corruption body had previously conducted investigations on developer donations and conflicts of interest in 1991, 2006 and 2015, showing this had become a systemic problem at a local government level.
The Crime and Corruption Commission report only recommended banning political donations at a local government level. But the then Labor state government took it a step further, arguing if it was “good enough for one level of government, it’s good enough for all levels of government”.
The LNP has long argued the ban wasn’t recommended at a state level, unfairly stigmatises developers, and was really about Labor creating an uneven playing field for electoral donations.
However, there has been a long history of corruption in Australia directly relating to property developers. Any weakening of political finance regulation increases the risk of both actual and perceived corruption in government.
The LNP government has a clear majority to pass this bill. There’s every sign it will go ahead.
But the bill still has to be voted on in state parliament. This gives the Queensland government time to reconsider its approach, both to preserve the integrity of its electoral system and to protect public perceptions of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
Yee-Fui Ng has previously received funding from the New South Wales Electoral Commission, New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption and the New South Wales Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters.
– ref. Amid an Olympic boom, it’s risky timing to lift a ban on developers’ political donations – https://theconversation.com/amid-an-olympic-boom-its-risky-timing-to-lift-a-ban-on-developers-political-donations-274740
Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/10/amid-an-olympic-boom-its-risky-timing-to-lift-a-ban-on-developers-political-donations-274740/
Source: Radio New Zealand
March 2019 massacres happened at Christchurch’s Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre. RNZ / Nate McKinnon
The Australian white supremacist who massacred 51 worshippers at two Christchurch mosques was pleased to be charged with committing terrorism, the Court of Appeal has heard.
Convicted murderer and terrorist Brenton Tarrant made the admission to one of his lawyers after being advised of the charge in May 2019.
The 35-year-old wants to vacate his guilty pleas for the 15 March 2019 terror attacks at Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre and stand trial instead.
In March 2020, the gunman pleaded guilty at the High Court to 51 counts of murder, 40 of attempted murder and one of committing a terrorist act.
He was jailed for life without parole in August 2020.
The terrorist’s former lawyers Jonathan Hudson and Shane Tait, who represented him from late March 2019 until July 2020, gave evidence at a Court of Appeal hearing in Wellington on Tuesday morning.
Lawyers representing the terrorist at the Court of Appeal have name suppression.
During an exchange with a lawyer known only as counsel B, Hudson said the terrorist gave surprising responses to being advised of a 51st charge of murder and a charge of terrorism being laid against him.
Hudson’s affidavit described an “extremely unusual response” to the final murder charge.
“It wasn’t the response I had expected,” Hudson told the court, although he did not elaborate.
Hudson also detailed the gunman’s response to being advised of the terrorism charge in late May 2019.
“He was pleased,” he said.
“He wanted to be described as a terrorist.”
Hudson told the court the terrorist expressed a willingness to immediately plead guilty to the charge of terrorism, while at the same time maintaining a desire to plead not guilty to the murder and attempted murder charges.
The terrorist pleaded not guilty to all charges in June 2019 and contacted Hudson on 31 July 2019 when he expressed a desire to plead guilty.
Hudson said the terrorist’s change of heart came as a surprise.
Two days later Hudson met the terrorist in prison and read a letter outlining the pleas and the case against him.
There was no change in the terrorist’s demeanour, Hudson said.
Four days later the terrorist had another change of heart shortly before he was due to formally enter his pleas in court.
Hudson received the news via a phone call from the terrorist.
“We only had 20 minutes before the scheduled teleconference with the judge,” Hudson told the court.
“I went to visit him at the prison afterwards to confirm his instructions.”
Asked by counsel B if he found the terrorist’s changing mind to be “illogical or irrational”, Hudson said he attributed it to “the seriousness of the punishment he faced if he went through with the guilty plea”.
Hudson had made the terrorist aware he faced life imprisonment without parole regardless of whether he pleaded guilty or not.
Tait and Hudson told the court the terrorist always intended to plead guilty.
“He was consistent that he was going to plead guilty but he was inconsistent as to when he would plead guilty,” Hudson said.
Tait said he advised the terrorist he had no defence in law, the evidence against him was overwhelming and he accepted that advice and intended to plead guilty.
He said the terrorist had raised wanting to claim he was defending New Zealand from overpopulation from migrant communities.
“I made it clear that defence was not available to him,” Tait said.
Tait advised the terrorist that there was a possible defence to the terrorism charge because no-one had been convicted of the offence at the time.
“To be clear Mr Tarrant never wanted to defend the terrorism charge. It was something he wanted to be convicted of,” he said.
Tait and Hudson continued preparing for trial on the basis it might proceed.
As part of their preparation, Tait advised the terrorist to seek a change in venue for trial.
That application was quite advanced before the terrorist abandoned it, although Tait was not surprised.
“It was just another attempt for him to try to control the proceedings,” he told the court.
“I wasn’t surprised. I wasn’t happy but I envisaged he may attempt to do something like that.
“His explanation is he didn’t want to be seen to be running away from the trauma he had caused the community.”
Tarrant’s extreme ideology seemed to be “more important to him than any idea of fair trial rights”, Tait said.
The court heard the terrorist had regularly ignored the advice of his lawyers, including in his desire to give a statement to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the attack.
The terrorist gave evidence to the court on Monday, in his first public remarks since the 2019 mass shooting.
During his evidence he claimed he always intended on dismissing his lawyers, going to trial and representing himself.
He felt “forced” to plead guilty in March 2020 because of his deteriorating mental state and his fear he would make a fool of himself at trial.
His argument for vacating his guilty pleas amounted to the terrorist claiming he was incapable of making a rational decision at the time because of the solitary nature of confinement.
Hudson and Tait disputed the terrorist’s claim he had raised dismissing them.
Tait said the terrorist had only ever discussed representing himself at sentencing.
Tait recalled regularly pressing the terrorist for an arguable defence to take to trial and the terrorist made clear he was going to plead guilty, it was just a matter of when.
“Brenton what am I going to tell a jury?,” Tait recalled asking the terrorist.
“Don’t worry, it won’t get to that,” he said the terrorist would respond.
The terrorist, who is housed in the specialist prisoners of extreme risk unit at Auckland Prison, told the court on Monday any remorse he had expressed before his August 2020 sentencing was because of his isolation and poor mental state.
“I did express some remorse. I would now say that was induced by the prison conditions, I was irrational,” the terrorist told the court.
“It was actually real but it was induced by the prison conditions inducing the irrationality.”
The hearing is set down for five days.
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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/2026/02/10/christchurch-mosque-shooter-wanted-to-be-called-a-terrorist-ex-lawyer-says/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Rico Simpson of Auckland during the 2025 NPC at Eden Park. Photosport
Rico Simpson is no stranger to expectation.
The schoolboy prodigy has been long tipped as the next star off the New Zealand rugby conveyor belt.
Now in his first, full-time Super Rugby season, Simpson is looking to become a household name and fill the boots of one of the world’s best.
After a year spent in the wider squad, Simpson said he feels more comfortable now both in the team and with the hype surrounding him.
“I think I took a lot of it as I went along the way, guys in similar positions I got to be alongside, I think it’s always going to be part of the game. You’re always going to have those expectations and pressures from fans, coaches. It’s kind of been a part of me since probably year 13.”
With Beauden Barrett sitting the first few weeks of Super Rugby out, the door is open for Simpson.
Rico Simpson of New Zealand is tackled by Finn Treacy of Ireland during the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship 3rd/4th playoff between Ireland and Zealand at Cape Town Stadium in South Africa on 19 July 2024. Photosport
“Last year I got to just get a taste of it and now I think there is probably expectations of me to be playing good enough footy to get a crack. And with Beaudy out, it might be potential there, but I’m just here to just keep learning developing as a player.”
Simpson said the 145-test All Black has been an integral part of his assimilation at the Blues.
“He has been really helpful, keeping in contact with me and making sure I’m clear on everything and just helping me out with the nitty gritty parts of the game, which is really cool to see. I think he’s obviously had a lot of years playing high level rugby, so it’s good to just hear the little details that he likes to use and implement in his game.”
Simpson is not new to the high performance environment, spending two years with the New Zealand Under 20’s, playing in last year’s championship final against the Junior Springboks.
“It’s been a lot easier of a transition for me. I’m fully immersed in the squad now, on the development contracts, you’re in and out of the Blues and the Under 20s, so I think being in one place and really just nailing the parts of your game you want to get right has probably the best thing for me.”
Simpson converts a penalty during the at the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship game between Wales and New Zealand in 2024. Photosport
Pulling on the Blues jersey was always an ambition for the Aucklander.
“Growing up in Auckland, born here, raised, went to school here, it’s always been a dream. I’ve always looked at the Blues and wanted to be a part of that.”
He grew up idolising the likes of Stephen Perofeta and Barrett, men he now calls teammates.
“When I first came in, it was a pretty surreal moment, to see those guys on TV and then be training alongside them. So as a young fella, it’s good to get alongside those guys and chew heaps of fat around the game and I think you get to learn a lot.”
Simpson was a key cog in Sacred Heart’s first XV where he spent three years and helped guide them to an historic 1A victory in 2023, the school’s first title in 65 years.
“I got to do it alongside my brother, which is also another cool thing. Sacred will always be part of me and I think that really developed me as a player and it got me to where I am today.”
Simpson celebrates with team mates at the final whistle in the First XV Schools Rugby Union 1A Final. Photosport
Simpson’s siblings and fellow Sacred Heart stars Keanu and Cruiz are also on a trajectory for higher honours, with Rico hoping they can all run out together on Eden Park one day.
“Yeah, one day, the three Simpson boys in the Blues, that’s the plan.”
His success at Sacred caught the eye of national selectors who handed Simpson the coveted number 10 jersey for the U20’s side, the same one worn by fellow Blues Barrett and Perofeta.
“International level was always a step ahead of everything, and I think it really helped me learn different parts of the game that I probably didn’t quite get it at school level and regional stuff.”
For Simpson, it was the first of many black jerseys he hopes to wear.
“I think as a Kiwi kid playing footy, that’s (the All Blacks) always the end goal and it’s always been a dream of mine.”
Standing at 6ft 5in, Simpson is an imposing presence in the backline.
Sacred Heart first five-eighth Rico Simpson scores a try during the Saint Kentigern College vs Sacred Heart College First XV Schools Rugby Union 1A Final in 2023. Photosport
“I’ve always prided myself on my kicking game and I think along the years my running game has started to develop and that’s something I want to keep working on. Obviously as a taller fella, taking the line on and offloading has always been a strength of mine, so those two things are probably something that I always hang my hat on.”
Simpson said that despite a tough 2025, the Blues have full belief they can replicate their 2024 title run, and send coach vern Cotter off in winning style.
“We always believe we can do that. The boys are really switched on and ready to go, we are ready to rip into the year and there’s a lot of confidence, a younger squad, but we’ve still got that confidence that we can go all the way.”
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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/2026/02/10/rugby-prodigy-ready-to-prove-the-hype/
Source: Radio New Zealand
File image. Nick Monro
The forestry sector is calling for a cap on rates increases after one forestry blocks rates bill went up 570 percent in a year.
The 1100-hectare block near Wairoa managed by agri-advisory firm Lewis Tucker was originally farmland but was bought in 2019 and planted in pines in 2020.
Lewis Tucker said in July last year the Wairoa District Council lifted the annual rates bill from $30,000 a year to $200,000.
The company has submitted on the government’s proposal to simplify local government.
In its submission, it said while it broadly supported the intent to simplify local government it urged limits on differential rates were critical for business confidence.
Executive director Colin Jacobs said the 570 percent rates increase on that one forestry block amounts to $5 million over the lifetime of the forest.
“There’s been no reason given to us as to why a forestry company should pay such large differential rates, what costs are we causing that justifies that increased rate.”
He said the rates increase raised questions about the financial viability of the forest.
“While there has been no explanation for the increase, the assumption is that the extra $5m that this property will now pay in rates over the life of the forest will go to pay for the impact of forestry on roads come harvest time.
“However, Wairoa District Council has applied the differential rating only to forests planted after 31 December 1989, not those planted earlier.
“This suggests that the council’s concern is not the impact of forestry on roading, as a differential rate is being applied only to forests registered in the ETS,” Lewis Tucker’s submission said.
It said there will not be a harvest truck anywhere near this property for at least 25 years.
The company is calling for a cap on or doing away with entirely the amount councils can charge in relation to different land use.
“A cap on rates increases will not prevent exorbitant rates increases for industries targeted by differentials.”
Wairoa District Council’s forestry differentials were changed in 2022 following a review, which sought to better recognise the negative impacts caused by forestry, particularly the hollowing out of rural communities as farmland is converted.
The Forest Owner’s Association unsuccessfully challenged this by Judicial Review in the High Court with the Court of Appeal upholding the council’s rating review.
Association chief executive Dr Elizabeth Heeg said it would like a “soft cap” on differential rates.
“Foresters just want to be a fair member of the community, there are times when it’s appropriate to have differential rates but having a differential where the rates are going up over 500 percent is not fair.
“We’ll be proposing a soft cap that is accompanied by the introduction of good taxation principals and to local government legislation to ensure that when councils are rating us that its based on an actual need in the community and that it’s not just a differential that’s just a secondary form of regulation.”
Wairoa District Council’s chief executive Matt Lawson said the increase in rates related to the change in land use, with the property categorised as vacant forestry before the 2024 Quotable Value revaluation saw it reclassified as exotic forestry.
He said most benefits arising from forestry go out of Wairoa – wages, profits, and opportunities – while, Wairoa was left with the challenge of rural roads impacted by heavy logging trucks.
Meanwhile, Local Government New Zealand has said the proposal to cap rates could undermine efforts to strengthen emergency management.
LGNZ president Rehette Stoltz said while the government has included proposed variations to rates caps for unforeseen and urgent situations, as they are proposed to be primarily available only after a significant event, it limits councils’ ability to invest proactively in reducing risk.
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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/2026/02/10/forestry-sector-calls-for-rates-cap-after-bill-increases-570-percent/
Source: Radio New Zealand
BusinessNZ director of advocacy Catherine Beard. Supplied / Business NZ
Standards New Zealand has been invited by Standards Australia to take a seat at the table following many years of being unable to pay the price to join.
The change follows an agreement by the Australian and New Zealand governments to fund New Zealand’s participation in the development of joint standards, which were essential to trans-Tasman trade.
“Standards Australia has been well resourced over the years, while Standards New Zealand was the poor cousin, and NZ businesses were having to pay to participate in joint standards development,” BusinessNZ director of advocacy Catherine Beard said.
“As a result of the cost barrier, and the 100 percent user pays model operating in New Zealand, there were about 500 joint standards that were de-jointed since 2016.”
She said New Zealand businesses will, however, continue to fund the expenses associated with travel and other expenses incurred by New Zealand’s contributing experts attending the standards meetings.
“Joint standards are needed as Australia and NZ are each other’s biggest market for manufactured exports and given the closeness between the two economies and business sectors.
“This has been particularly challenging for construction and building industries, where safety could be compromised through inadequate standards.
“Industry standards are needed for product safety, regulatory compliance, successful exporting and importing, efficiency, consistency, and many other needs. All manufactured items must be manufactured to recognised standards. All recognised trade training in NZ is linked to Standards,” she said.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/new-zealand-gets-a-seat-at-standards-australia/
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christian Moro, Associate Professor of Science & Medicine, Bond University
Growing older often brings unexpected grooming challenges. This is particularly apparent when some areas that, when young, we could otherwise ignore start to develop hair.
This includes our nose and ears, where hair grows thicker and longer as we age. But why do hairs in these areas act like this?
The answer predominantly lies in our sex hormones.
There are two types of hair that grows across our bodies.
Vellus hair is fine and colourless. This hair (also called “peach fuzz”) grows across most of our body, including our arms and neck.
Terminal hair is stiff, thick and darker. It stands up from our skin and is usually very obvious. Adult males have terminal hair on about 90% of their body, with females growing it on about 30% of their bodies.
Terminal hair stands up when we’re cold (giving goosebumps) and helps trap heat to keep us warm. It also protects us from the sun (such as hair on our scalp), and keeps dust and dirt out of our eyes through eyebrows and eyelashes.
As vellus hair is smaller, thinner and colourless, it is not usually an aesthetic problem (although it can be altered in some diseases). Instead, it is the terminal hair that is often noticed, and the primary target of our razor.
The normal process of hair development involves a growth phase (anagen), follicle-shrinking phase (catagen), and then a short resting phase (telogen) before the hair falls out and is replaced as the cycle begins again. Some 90% of the hair on our body is in the growth phase at any given time.
Nose, ear, eyelash and eyebrow hairs don’t usually grow too long. This is because the growth phase of the follicles only lasts about 100–150 days, meaning there is a limit to how long they can get.
Alternatively, the hair on your head has a growth phase that lasts several years, so it can grow to more than one meter in length if you don’t get it cut.
We have about 120 hairs growing in each of our nasal cavities, with an average length of about 1 centimetre.
As you breathe through your nostrils, the hair in your nose works with the mucus to block and collect dust, pollen and other particles that could make their way to your lungs.
The hair in the ears also plays a protective role, trapping foreign objects and working with the earwax to facilitate self-cleaning processes.
Androgens are a group of sex hormones that play a key role in puberty, development, and sexual health. The most common androgen is testosterone.
These androgens influence hair growth, and are the key to understanding why we have longer and thicker hairs in our nose and ears.
Hairs in different parts of the body respond to androgens differently. Unlike some hairs that are stimulated at puberty (such as pubic hairs and facial hair in males), some hairs, such as the eyelashes, don’t respond at all to androgens. Others increase hair size much slower, like the ear canal hair that can take up to 30 years.
Females have lower levels of androgens in the body, so major hair growth changes are more localised to the underarms and pubic regions.
We don’t have much data to support various conclusions about hair growth in later life, as most studies have focused on why we lose hair (such as balding) rather than why we have too much.
Nonetheless, there are still some hypotheses about why we grow more ear and nose hair as we age.
As we age, the body is exposed to androgens for a long time. This prolonged exposure makes some parts of the body more sensitive to testosterone, potentially stimulating the growth of hairs.
Over time, and long-term exposure to testosterone, some of the fine vellus hairs may undergo a conversion and become the darker, longer terminal hairs. This terminal hair then sticks out of our noses and ears.
Alongside increased levels of androgens as we go through puberty, a protein called SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) is also released. This protein helps control the amount of testosterone and estrogen reaching your tissues. During ageing, the levels of SHBG levels may decrease faster than androgens, leaving testosterone to stimulate ear and nose hair growth.
Hair simply changes with age. This can result in changes in colour, thinning, and follicle alterations. There might be variations occurring in the follicles that respond to our body’s changing environment, stimulating longer hair growth.
Most of the impact of hairy ears and noses is observed in males, as they have larger amounts of testosterone.
It’s not usually a problem. Having a hairy ear (auricular hypertrichosis) does not appear to impact hearing at all. Note that if you are using hearing aids, excessive hair can impact their effectiveness, so in these rarer cases it is worth having a chat with your doctor.
The largest issue appears to be the appearance of these hairs, which can make some people self-conscious.
To address this, avoid plucking hairs out (such as with tweezers), as this can lead to infections, ingrown hairs and inflammation.
Instead, it is safest to reach for the trimmers (or employ laser hair removal processes) to clean up the area a little.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Why do nose and ear hairs become longer and thicker as we age? – https://theconversation.com/why-do-nose-and-ear-hairs-become-longer-and-thicker-as-we-age-270677
Evening Report: https://eveningreport.nz/2026/02/10/why-do-nose-and-ear-hairs-become-longer-and-thicker-as-we-age-270677/