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Police didn’t check properly on man who died in custody, watchdog finds

Source: Radio New Zealand

The man was found unresponsive in a cell on October 6, 2023. (File photo) RNZ / REECE BAKER

Police officers did not provide proper checks on a man in custody before he was found unresponsive in his cell and later died, the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA), has found.

The man died in hospital three days after being found unresponsive in a cell at the Auckland Custody Unit on October 6, 2023.

The IPCA found there were failings by police in the care of the man who died after self-harming in his cell.

The man had been taken into police custody after a stabbing at an Auckland dairy the day before and had told police he was “trying to reach heaven”.

It was reported the man was acting aggressively and erratically and tripped, falling to the ground while attempting to escape.

He was taken to the Auckland Custody Unit and while he was escorted inside, one of the officers tripped him, the IPCA said, unnecessarily, causing him to fall to his knees.

The officers involved said the man was very strong and believed to be on drugs. Three officers held him against a wall, with one officer holding him by the hair and pulling him off balance.

The IPCA said while the man was behaving erratically footage showed he was not significantly resisting and it was unnecessary for him to be held by the hair and taken to the ground.

The police sergeant in charge believed the man was experiencing psychosis or “excited delirium” and posed a risk to staff so he was put in a restraint chair.

He was taken to hospital due to the possibility of excited delirium, where he was sedated and discharged the same day.

The hospital noted was presenting as well and didn’t appear to be at an increased risk to himself or others.

A police doctor said the man could be place on frequent monitoring in his call, requiring him to be checked five times an hour, rather than constant monitoring.

The IPCA said given the advice from the hospital, this decision could not be criticised.

Overnight, police recorded completing 80 checks on the man but more than half did not appear to be done in line with police policy as officers watched him on a CCTV screen rather than physically entering the cell.

Thirty checks of the man were recorded the next morning, but these included looking at CCTV, talking to him over the intercom and checking on the man from the officer’s work stations.

“In our view, these checks were inconsistent with policy as the officer did not go to the cell,” the IPCA said.

Shortly before 11am, an officer checked on the man and found him unresponsive. He was given first aid and taken to Auckland City Hospital where he died three days later as a result of suspected self-harm.

“From the footage, it is apparent to us that the man was listening for, and observing, staff movements looking for an opportunity to self-harm. While we cannot say that this tragic incident could have been prevented, proper checks would have reduced the opportunity for it to occur,” the IPCA said.

Auckland City District Commander, Superintendent Sunny Patel, said after the death an investigation began along with a review into the prisoner checking system.

Patel said several “learnings” had now been put into place including updating their people in police custody policy.

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

The man’s death remained before the Coroner.

Where to get help:

  • Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason
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  • Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202
  • Samaritans: 0800 726 666
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If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/26/police-didnt-check-properly-on-man-who-died-in-custody-watchdog-finds/

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Child poverty statistics show that children are being let down by flawed economic model

Source: WEAll Aotearoa New Zealand

The latest child poverty statistics released today show our country is backsliding on any of the progress made since the Child Poverty Reduction Act was passed.
While Statistics NZ reports no statistically significant change in headline child poverty rates in the year ended June 2025 compared with June 2024, the longer-term trend shows that hardship has increased.
The percentage of children living in households experiencing material hardship was 13.3 percent in the year ended June 2018. That figure steadily declined to 10.6 percent by 2022, but has since risen again to 14.3 percent in the year ended June 2025, now higher than the 2018 baseline.
Rates are significantly higher for some groups. In the year ended June 2025:
  • 25.1 percent of tamariki Māori are living in material hardship
  • 31 percent of Pacific children, and 
  • 26.9 percent of disabled children.
WEAll Aotearoa Director Gareth Hughes says material hardship is an important measure: “At its heart, it measures whether a family can afford the basics for a life of dignity. Things like being able to keep the house warm, wearing shoes in good condition, having fresh fruit and vegetables, and kids being able to have a birthday or Christmas present.”
Previously, the Minister of Finance has said “The most fundamental thing that will help those targets is if we have a faster-growing economy with lower unemployment, better wage growth”.
Yet, Professor Paul Dalziel, Research Economist for WEAll says the data shows economic growth does not reduce child poverty.
“New Zealand’s GDP per person grew by around 75 per cent between 1984 and 2024. Yet children living in low income households increased from 14% to 21%,” Dalziel said.
“For 40 years, we’ve tested the theory that growth will lift children out of poverty. The evidence shows it does not.”
Hughes says we need to shift gears. “Instead of assuming trickle-down economics or more ambulances at the bottom of the cliff will solve the problem, we need a deliberate redesign of our economic system to tackle inequality”.
One practical alternative is the economic development approach of Community Wealth Building. This approach focuses on keeping wealth circulating locally: strengthening employment, supporting local enterprises, and building resilient regional economies.
“We need new jobs that pay living wages. We need to unlock community wealth building so prosperity stays in local communities instead of being siphoned out of them,” he said.
“That means using public investment, local procurement, and anchor institutions to build strong regional economies where families have the resources they need.”
“Scotland just passed a law making this mandatory for central and local government and we should follow their lead.”
Hughes says, “the persistence of child and whanau poverty in a wealthy country reflects a flawed economic system, and these numbers show New Zealand’s economic model is failing future generations”.
“An economy that works for future generations must put people at the centre,” Hughes says. “Right now, we’re measuring success in GDP while thousands of children grow up without what they need to thrive.”
“A wellbeing economy recognises that children’s wellbeing today shapes the country’s social and economic future. Their wellbeing should be treated as a core economic indicator”.
Hughes said the country faces a clear choice: “We can continue chasing growth and hope it trickles down (although we know it won’t). Or we can build an economy designed from the start to ensure every child has enough to thrive.”

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/25/child-poverty-statistics-show-that-children-are-being-let-down-by-flawed-economic-model/

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No annual change in child poverty rates for year ended June 2025 – Child poverty statistics: Year ended June 2025 – Stats NZ news story and information release

Source: Statistics New Zealand

No annual change in child poverty rates for year ended June 2025 – news story
26 February 2026

No statistically significant movements occurred in child poverty rates in the year ended June 2025, compared with the year ended June 2024, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

“While child poverty rates haven’t changed compared to the previous year, there have been decreases in two of the primary measures of child poverty since the year ended June 2018,” social and environment spokesperson Abby Johnston said.

There is no single official measure of child poverty in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Child Poverty Reduction Act 2018 (the Act) sets out a multi-level, multi-measure approach, consisting of four primary and six supplementary measures.

Follow the links for full information:

Information release and to download CSV files:

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/25/no-annual-change-in-child-poverty-rates-for-year-ended-june-2025-child-poverty-statistics-year-ended-june-2025-stats-nz-news-story-and-information-release/

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Universities – Vice-Chancellor Professor Nic Smith stands down from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Professor Nic Smith is standing down as Vice-Chancellor at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, to take up the role of Vice-Chancellor at the University of Auckland. Professor Smith’s final day at Te Herenga Waka will be Friday 12 June.

Professor Smith has expressed his gratitude to both the staff and student community at Te Herenga Waka for their support.

“Serving Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington has been one of the great privileges of my career. I have deeply valued the relationships, conversations and shared purpose within this community, and I will miss working with you.”

“A healthy university is one where diverse perspectives are welcomed, ideas are tested rigorously, and debate is conducted with respect. That capacity to disagree thoughtfully, while listening to each other and remaining connected to a shared purpose, is one of the most important contributions universities make to society,” says Professor Smith.

Professor Smith said that enrolments have stabilised in the domestic market and particularly the international market, which is very important for our long-term sustainability.

“Our academics also continue to excel in teaching and research. Our recent rankings for the Law Faculty and AI are but two examples which are testament to this. There are many more.”  

Professor Smith was also grateful to the University Council and Te Hiwa and the wider group of leaders at the University.  

University Council Chancellor Alan Judge expressed his gratitude to Professor Smith: “Since taking on the role of Vice-Chancellor in January 2023, Professor Smith has worked closely with us on achieving financial sustainability while also overseeing the University to see that it has maintained its heart and special character.  

“Professor Smith has done an outstanding job of driving our ambitious strategy, engaging with the city and taking the University community forward. We are grateful for his service and wish him all the best in his role at the University of Auckland.”

A recruitment process for a new Vice-Chancellor will begin immediately.  

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/25/universities-vice-chancellor-professor-nic-smith-stands-down-from-te-herenga-waka-victoria-university-of-wellington/

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Economy – RBNZ opens consultation on second tranche of DTA Standards exposure drafts

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

26 February 2026 – Jess Rowe, Director Prudential Policy, says the opening of this second tranche of consultation marks another milestone as we work towards implementing the DTA.

“Technical feedback on the standards will help us to implement the DTA as intended to modernise and integrate our prudential framework,” Ms Rowe says. “We will continue to engage with industry and the public to ensure a proportionate approach that supports a competitive financial system.”

Consultation on exposure drafts of the DTA Standards is taking place in three tranches. The first tranche was published on 30 October 2025.

The second tranche of consultation, published today and open until 15 May, includes exposure drafts and guidance of the following five standards:

  • Governance Standard
  • Risk Management Standard
  • Disclosure Statements Standard
  • Business Transfers, Holding Entity, and Restricted Activities Standard
  • Reporting Standard.

DTA Standards exposure drafts (tranche 2) – Citizen Space: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=6dbaea3dbf&e=f3c68946f8

Consultation on tranche three will open in June 2026 and all DTA Standards will come into effect on 1 December 2028.

Consultation also opens on Due Diligence Guidance

As part of tranche two, we are also consulting on the Due Diligence Guidance. This paper provides guidance on how directors can exercise due diligence to ensure that the deposit taker complies with its prudential obligations.

Due Diligence Guidance – Citizen Space: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=ddff356eb2&e=f3c68946f8

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/25/economy-rbnz-opens-consultation-on-second-tranche-of-dta-standards-exposure-drafts/

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Save the Children: Child poverty figures demand Government action to address stagnation

Source: Save the Children

Thursday 26 February 2026 – Save the Children: Child poverty figures demand Government action to address stagnation.

Save the Children is calling on the Government to strengthen its response to child poverty following the release of the latest Child Poverty Statistics today.
Statistics for the year ending June 2025 released by Stats NZ show no annual change in child poverty rates. The figures show that the number of children experiencing hardship in their everyday lives has largely remained the same, with specific groups of children – including mokopuna Māori, Pasifika and disabled children and those living in sole parent households – particularly impacted by poverty.
The data shows that despite the aims of the Child Poverty Reduction Act to achieve a significant and sustained reduction in child poverty, rates have largely remained the same for the past five years.
Save the Children New Zealand’s Advocacy and Research Director Jacqui Southey says while public reporting is important for transparency and accountability, the figures represent real children experiencing hardship every day.
“Behind every statistic is a child growing up in a household trying to survive on too little,” says Ms Southey. “Too little income, too little food security, and too little stability. Living on too little limits children’s wellbeing now and their opportunities in the future.”
New Zealand has legislated targets to reduce child poverty, yet recent years have shown progress stalling and, in some measures, reversing since 2021. Gains made between 2018 and 2021 have been eroded.
In 2025, one in seven children were living in material hardship, rising to one in four for tamariki Māori and disabled children, and jumping to one in three for Pacific children. Nearly 80 percent of households on the lowest incomes were sole parent households, living on an average disposable income of less than $46,000.
“An income at that level is simply not enough to provide a decent standard of living for children and families in Aotearoa,” Ms Southey says.
Save the Children is concerned that continued high living costs, low wage growth and rising unemployment are placing additional pressure on families, with more households relying on welfare and hardship assistance. Rising food insecurity, increasing preventable hospital admissions and higher rates of violence against children are all indicators closely linked to deprivation.
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child has repeatedly urged New Zealand to prioritise child poverty reduction because of its immediate and long-term impacts on children’s development and wellbeing.
Ms Southey says addressing child poverty requires sustained investment in lifting incomes for families on the lowest incomes and strengthening the welfare and income support system.
“Paid work alone will not solve child poverty. Some families are locked out of the labour market due to illness, disability or caring responsibilities. Others are working but earning too little to keep pace with the cost of living.”
“If we are serious about eliminating child poverty, we must invest in income support, housing security and food security so children can thrive, not just survive.”
About Save the Children NZ:
Save the Children works in 120 countries across the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and works with children and their communities to ensure they survive, learn and are protected.
Save the Children NZ currently supports international programmes in Fiji, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Areas of work include child protection, education and literacy, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and alleviating child poverty.

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/25/save-the-children-child-poverty-figures-demand-government-action-to-address-stagnation/

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Update: Water search and rescue Palmerston North

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Palmerston North Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Phil Ward:

The search for a man missing in the Manawatū River is continuing today.

Search conditions are better than yesterday – the river has calmed, and water visibility has improved.

The Police Dive Squad and the Land Search and Rescue Kayak Team are joining Police Search and Rescue, Palmerston North Swiftwater Rescue, and regional response teams.

A LandSAR boat and drones are continuing to be used today, with the addition of a jetboat, which will be used to search the river.

Searching is also taking place along the river embankments and at the Foxton Estuary.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/26/update-water-search-and-rescue-palmerston-north/

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New Zealanders in Iran urged to leave as tensions rise

Source: Radio New Zealand

Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced travel bans on members of the Iranian regime involved in the violent suppression of protests. RNZ / Mark Papalii

The Foreign Minister is warning New Zealanders to get out of Iran, adding that the advice to not travel there has been long-standing.

Tensions have been increasing between Iran and the US, and the New Zealand government applied further sanctions on the nation this week.

“It has been horrifying to witness the brutal killing of thousands of protesters in Iran,” Winston Peters said.

“Iranians have the right to peaceful protest, freedom of expression, and access to information. Those rights have been ruthlessly violated.”

New Zealand joined Australia, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Canada and the United States in implementing travel bans targeting 40 individuals, including Minister of the Interior Eskandar Momeni, Minister of Intelligence Esmail Khatib, and Prosecutor-General Mohammad Movahedi-Azad. It will also include members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Peters said if war broke out in Iran, which he said was possibly likely, there was a risk innocent New Zealand citizens could be retaliated against by the local regime.

He told RNZ he suspects there could be hundreds of Kiwis in Iran – currently 26 are registered as being there.

“The last time we had this exercise when we were getting people out rapidly when we thought there was an emergency it proved to be well over 130 and very dramatically in the last few days, so we just don’t know.

“Get out, I suppose, is the safest answer for us to give them, and it’s been the advice we’ve given them for some considerable time now,” he said.

In this circumstance Peters says there could be retaliation and that’s why he is encouraging New Zealanders to get out.

“If war was to break out the retaliation against innocent citizens who are there with no essence of guilt whatsoever could be nevertheless very huge, and that’s what we’re warning people against – not just getting caught up in the war but being caught up in retaliatory measures by the local regime.”

Peters told RNZ the motivation for New Zealanders staying in Iran is most likely being near family and making sure they’re safe.

“New Zealanders need to know we go to extraordinary efforts to try and keep our people safe but they have to do their bit to.”

On whether war is likely to break out in Iran, he said, “it’s possibly likely and you have to deal with the worst case circumstances if they arise and that’s what we’re trying to do”.

Peters said there were many countries who shared New Zealand’s view that “Iran is being supported by countless examples of terrorist proxies worldwide – and there are many Middle Eastern and Islamic countries who hold that view as well”.

On global tensions Peters told RNZ it’s the worst he’s seen it since World War II.

“It’s made things all that much more difficult for countries like New Zealand that’s got a tremendous record of supporting peaceful measures and engaging in freedom and democracy and the rule of law.

“It’s made it difficult for all of us but we’ve got to press on and make sure we don’t lose this battle,” he said.

In January, the New Zealand embassy in Iran was temporarily closed due to the “deteriorating” security situation.

At the time a ministry spokesperson said all diplomatic staff had left Iran on commercial flights, shifting operations to Ankara in Turkey.

The government’s long-standing advice over a number of years has been not to travel to Iran and in January, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) urged any New Zealanders still in the country to leave now.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/26/new-zealanders-in-iran-urged-to-leave-as-tensions-rise/

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Child material hardship climbs to 10-year high – CPAG

Source: Child Poverty Action Group

The number of children living in material hardship has reached a 10-year high, with 14.3% of children, nearly 170,000 children, living in material hardship.
Figures released by Stats NZ this morning show the number of children living in material hardship hasn’t been this high since 2015, and marks the third consecutive annual rise in child material hardship.
“Today’s figures are worrying but not surprising,” says Child Poverty Action Group Executive Officer Lyn Amos.
“Child poverty rises when incomes at the bottom fall behind the cost of living. We know what works: lift incomes, index supports to wages, and properly fund services. New Zealand has reduced child poverty before and can do so again.”
Analysis:
14.3% of children, around 169,300, are living in material hardship, which from this year is measured using the MH18 index rather than the DEP17 index.
This year’s material hardship rate is the highest number Stats NZ has on record since 2015, and has seen a significant increase since 2022, when the rate was 10.6%, or around 121,800.
It remains higher than the baseline year of June 2018, when the rate was 13.3%, or around 150,900.
The BHC50 figure, which measures the number of children growing up in households that earn less than half of a normal family income, is around 12.6%, or 148,700 chuldren.
This has remained roughly similar for the last three years, but is lower than the baseline year of 2017/18, when the rate was 16.5%, or around 183,400 children.
The AHC50 (fixed) figure, which measures the number of children growing up in households that don’t have enough money left to live on once rent is paid (compared to what counted as a basic living standard in 2017/18), is 17.8%, around 210,600 children. This is down from the baseline year of 22.8%, around 253,800 children.
The organisation’s research and programme officer, Dr Yu Shi, says inflation’s silent cuts to incomes are making families’ experience of material hardship tougher.
“Indexing income support to general inflation rather than wage growth means families are being punished by the costs of housing, utilities and food, which are all rising faster than average inflation,” says Dr Shi.
Even if the Government isn’t actively cutting income support, rising rents have meant the real value of accommodation supplements are falling, and with thresholds for Best Start and Family Tax Credits remaining largely frozen since 2018 [CR1] , inflation is effectively performing cuts to families’ incomes.
“The Government’s Budget Policy Statement leaves practically no fiscal headroom for the wealth transfers needed to reduce child poverty this year. As a result, its statutory child poverty targets are mathematically impossible to achieve under these settings.”
The Child Poverty Reduction Act 2018 introduced a target to reduce material hardship rates among children to 6% by 2028.
Despite reaching a recorded low of 10.6% in 2022, today’s announcement by Stats NZ, showing material hardship rates to the year ended June 2025 are at 14.3%, all but confirms the Government will not reach this target.
It also set targets to lower the percentage of children growing up in families that earn less than half of a normal family income, not counting housing costs (BHC50) to 5%, and reduce the rate of children in families that don’t have enough money left to live on once rent is paid, compared to what counted as a basic living standard in 2017/18 (AHC50) to 10%.
It is worth noting that the scale of poverty continues to rise for two years. The number of children living in a family with little money left after paying rent is over 353,000, comparable with the former peak in 2008, the Global Financial Crisis.
Today’s figures show the weight of poverty is being predominantly carried by tamariki Māori, Pasifika children and children in households with disabilities, whose experience of poverty is consistently higher than the average New Zealand population.
“A quarter of tamariki Māori are living in material hardship. Nearly a third of Pasifika children are, too. Where is the urgent action needed from the Government?”, asks Child Poverty Action Group’s Isaac Gunson.
“How many more generations of tāngata whenua, tagata moana, and tāngata whaikaha must bear the deeply unjust weight of poverty before the Government steps up and gives them a fair shot at life?”
“Young people with disabilities face higher, lifelong costs due to healthcare needs, and are being penalised in their formative years by poverty. There is no decision being made in by children experiencing poverty that prolongs their hardship more than the decisions made for them in Wellington,” Gunson says.
“The solutions are clear because they’ve worked: in the initial years after the Child Poverty Reduction Act came into law, we saw significant reductions in child poverty rates.”
“All we need now is for that action to be sustained, and the same political will to meet the moment and ensure our youngest generations can flourish free from poverty.”

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/25/child-material-hardship-climbs-to-10-year-high-cpag/

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

Source: Fujitzu

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

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

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

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

Source: University of Auckland – UoA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Key findings include:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Government must reverse disastrous pay equity changes

Source: NZCTU

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Govt refusal to prioritise trans and non-binary protections disgraceful

Source: NZCTU

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: Kiwibank

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Market-leading value for customers  

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

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

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

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

Building the bank of the future

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

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

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

Outlook

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Kiwibank

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

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

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

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

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

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

MIL OSI

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

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Three arrested after shooting in Waikato

Source: Radio New Zealand

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

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

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

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

They also seized a firearm and ammunition.

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

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

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

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

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

Source: Dental for All

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Patrol catches alleged fraudster

Source: New Zealand Police

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

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

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

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

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

Around 17,900 households were interviewed for the research.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That was not different to the year prior.

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

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

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Gill Bonnett

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

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

The change has ensnared dual British citizens.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

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

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NRL kicks off in Vegas this weekend

Source: Radio New Zealand

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Knights fans turn up everywhere,” he said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Broncos will face the Panthers in the first round.

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

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