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

Source: Radio New Zealand

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He said he spent Tuesday putting away all the prizes.

“It’ll have to happen another day.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/18/plans-to-deliver-food-and-meds-to-more-than-100-people-trapped-near-ngawi-in-wairarapa/

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New military health centre opens at Burnham

Source: New Zealand Government

A first-of-its-kind health and rehabilitation centre has opened at Burnham Military Camp to support the health, wellbeing and operational readiness of New Zealand Defence Force personnel. 

“Kiwis who put on the uniform put their lives on the line to defend and protect New Zealand and its people. They deserve the best support possible to proactively care for their minds and bodies, and to help them get back on their feet when they’re injured,” Associate Defence Minister Chris Penk says.  

“The new Military Health and Performance Centre, Tû Manawa Ora, at Burnham Military Camp is the first combined health and rehabilitation facility across the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) estate, bringing together a broad range of services under one roof.” 

The new facility includes: 

  • Comprehensive medical treatment centre
  • Dental services
  • Physiotherapy, rehabilitation and performance spaces
  • Psychological resilience, pastoral care, social work and counselling services
  • Education, research, simulation and training facilities
  • Staff and logistics areas
  • Emergency response, including ambulance facilities 

“Today’s opening represents a step forward in how the Defence Force looks after its people, setting a new standard for healthcare infrastructure across camps and bases,” Mr Penk says. 

“Providing multi-disciplinary care will benefit both the prevention and treatment of health issues, ensuring Defence personnel are well supported during service and continue to thrive long after they leave the Force.  

“Military healthcare professionals now also have a modern, fit-for-purpose environment that enables the delivery of high-quality health, rehabilitation and performance services, which in turn will improve retention and operational readiness across the Defence Force. 

“Building the centre at Burnham, the largest military base in the South Island, reflects its strategic importance. The camp plays a key role in New Zealand’s national security system, supporting training, operational deployments, humanitarian assistance and disaster response. 

“Completed in just 18 months, the $22 million project is a testament to the combined efforts of the Defence Estate and Infrastructure group, construction partner Hawkins New Zealand, and our Alliance partners Ernst & Young, GHD NZ and Beca. 

“This new centre demonstrates to our Defence people that while they dedicate themselves to serving New Zealand, we are committed to ensuring they have the health, wellbeing and working environments they need to perform at their best.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/new-military-health-centre-opens-at-burnham/

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Wellington Water stops pumping raw sewage directly into Tarakena Bay

Source: Radio New Zealand

Untreated water leaked onto the capital’s south coast beaches due to the Moa Point Treatment Plant flooding. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Wellington Water has stopped pumping raw sewage through a five metre pipe directly into the sea at Tarakena Bay.

The 1.8 kilometre long pipe into Cook Strait was overwhelmed during recent heavy rain, so the water company had to revert to the short pipe – but that has now not been used for 24 hours.

Wellington Water said it was trying to increase the volume of sewage that can be pumped to the long pipe, because after the plant’s massive failure two weeks ago, it can only cope in dry weather.

“We are working this week to construct a much larger air vent on the outfall pipe to help improve the flow of water through the pipe,” it said.

“We are continuing to look for other options to increase the flow through the long outfall pipe, remembering that screening remains the only treatment function in operation.”

The plant can pump between 1300 to 1500 litres per second through the long pipe, which Wellington Water said was “more than enough” for average dry weather flows (700-900 litres per second).

Anything above those limits had to be diverted to the short pipe, it said.

Wellington Water was also dealing with a bad smell at the plant.

“Odour monitors are being installed to measure the impact at sites surrounding the plant,” it said.

“We have one unit available and will confirm when this is in place.”

Water sampling did not take place on Monday due to the bad weather, so there were no results to report on Wednesday.

Tuesday’s results will be available on Thursday.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/18/wellington-water-stops-pumping-raw-sewage-directly-into-tarakena-bay/

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Cyclists thigh-deep in water days after rain

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Petone railway underpass on a nearly-new $70 million cycleway is thigh-deep in water more than two days after the storm and heavy rain in Wellington.

Surprised cyclists on Wednesday morning entered the 30m-long tunnel under the main Hutt Valley rail line with just their tyres underwater, but ended up with it most of the way up their bike frames – and very wet legs and shoes.

“Holy crap,” said one, “it’s quite deep.”

Alan rode through on his electric bike. RNZ / Phil Pennington

Another, commuter Alan, who went through on his electric bike, submerging the motor and part of the battery, told RNZ he hoped it would not be ruined.

Alan said he had no idea the tunnel was flooded – there were no warning signs either on Wednesday or Tuesday at the well-used underpass, though the water could be spotted from above.

“I was like OK, sweet, I’ll be fine then … I was like holy s***, holy s***, holy s***,” said Alan, laughing.

He then sobered a little. “I hope that didn’t damage my motor,” he said, “I hope it’s going to be fine.”

His jeans were still dry – he’d put his legs up on the bike’s top bar and the motor carried him through.

One cyclist laughed as he rode through the floodwaters. RNZ / Phil Pennington

The cycleway’s two rail underpasses were a particularly expensive part of the 3km path that blew out its budget by almost three times. It will be linked up later this year with the $300m-plus harbour cycleway-cum-seawall through to Ngauranga.

The northern underpass, near Normandale bridge, was dry on Wednesday.

At the Petone underpass, a cyclist heading north got off and turned around.

“It’s brand new,” he said. He had been through the water on Tuesday but expected by Wednesday it would be dry.

“Probably should do a better job than that but I’m sure there’s plenty of people got a lot worse than this.”

Also on Wednesday, political parties were arguing over the latest plan to fix the country’s failing or missing infrastructure, which contained a damning assessment of the shortfall – and recommended less-than-forecast spending on transport.

RNZ / Phil Pennington

The Transport Agency Waka Kotahi fronted the Petone-to-Normandale cycleway build with a little bit of local funding from about 2019-2023.

But it said maintenance was the responsibility of Hutt City Council.

“They are better placed to comment on frequency of flooding there.”

However, the city council told RNZ to ask Wellington Water about the drainage issues.

Wellington Water is in a crisis over Moa Point’s massive infrastructure failure.

“This was a significant weather event, affecting infrastructure across the city and in areas where we have not seen impacts before,” the council said in a brief statement on Wednesday afternoon.

“There is a big clean up happening given the storm damage.

“Council and contractors are focused on prioritising public safety and critical infrastructure.”

RNZ / Phil Pennington

At the underpass, a biker who had made it through the water from the south, heading north, told another heading the other way into the city: “I wouldn’t put your bike through it.”

“Thanks,” came the reply, “we’ve gone this far. We might as well finish it off.”

The second woman cyclist was, like most of the other riders, pretty chill about it.

“I wasn’t expecting this, that’s for sure,” she said, “but you know, it’s a hot day, so it’s quite refreshing.”

RNZ / Phil Pennington

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/18/cyclists-thigh-deep-in-water-days-after-rain/

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SH87 Clarks Junction near Middlemarch closed due to serious crash

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are in attendance at a serious crash near Clarks Junction between Rocklands Road and Johnson Road in Otago.

The crash involving two vehicles occurred at about 2.15pm today.

The driver of one vehicle has been transported to hospital with serious injuries.

Diversions are in place on SH87 while emergency services work at the scene.

Please expect delays in this area.

The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/18/sh87-clarks-junction-near-middlemarch-closed-due-to-serious-crash/

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Major outage on YouTube website

Source: Radio New Zealand

123RF

Thousands of users worldwide are experiencing an outage on YouTube’s website with a “something went wrong” sign coming up on its homepage.

It appears that embedded YouTube clips are still playing, however the YouTube website is inaccessible.

There had been more than 200,000 reports of problems on the website, according to the unofficial, crowd-sourced site, Downdetector, Yahoo Finance UK reported.

This sign appears for some people when going to YouTube’s home page. Supplied / Screenshot

More to come ….

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/major-outage-on-youtube-website/

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New diplomatic appointments

Source: New Zealand Government

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced two new diplomatic appointments:

•           Georgina Roberts, High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea.

•           Aramiro Tai Rākena, Ambassador to Brazil.

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/18/new-diplomatic-appointments-2/

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Actor arrested after Mardi Gras fight

Source: Radio New Zealand

Shia LaBeouf was arrested just after midnight on Tuesday (local time) in New Orleans where police said the 39-year-old Transformers film star assaulted two men in a fight during Mardi Gras.

The actor has previously faced a series of arrests and legal issues, including pleading guilty to a charge of obstruction. Police said he was charged with two counts of simple battery.

Officers were called about 12.45am (local time) to a business on Royal Street where two men reported being assaulted.

A police statement said LaBeouf had been causing a disturbance and growing increasingly aggressive. When a staffer tried to remove him, LaBeouf allegedly struck the man several times with closed fists.

The victims told police LaBeouf left but soon returned and acted even more aggressive. Several people tried to restrain him and briefly let him up in hopes he would leave, but he allegedly hit the same staffer again, punching his upper body. Police said he then punched another man in the nose.

Bystanders held LaBeouf until officers arrived. He was taken to a hospital with unspecified injuries and released.

Police gave no additional details on what triggered the disturbance or the victims’ conditions.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/actor-arrested-after-mardi-gras-fight/

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Advocacy – Up to 50 New Zealanders are fighting Israel’s genocide in Gaza – PSNA

Source: Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa – PSNA

 

PSNA is calling for government accountability to stop and punish New Zealanders going to fight in Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza.

 

A UK report by Classified, from official Israeli sources, shows 39 dual New Zealand/Israeli citizens, and 11 others with more than one additional passport, are serving in the Israeli Defence Force, which is carrying out genocide in Gaza. (The full dataset is in Hebrew at the foot of the article at this link) 

 

“The news that New Zealanders are participating in ongoing mass killing and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza is abhorrent,” says Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa Co-Chair Maher Nazzal. “Our government must do what it can to stop these New Zealanders perpetrating genocide.”

 

“Israel’s political and military leaders are charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court. Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu, for example, is wanted for trial on war crimes and crimes against humanity.”

 

“As well as killing perhaps hundreds of thousands and wholesale starvation of Palestinians in Gaza, Israel is still systematically destroying all civilian infrastructure: schools, hospitals, churches and mosques, farmland and crops.  Even New Zealanders’ graves in World War One cemeteries are not immune.”

 

“There’s no excuse for anyone fighting for a state committing genocide” says Nazzal. “Our government must step in and rigorously investigate the actions of each and every one of these 50 New Zealanders in the IDF.”

 

“New Zealand has obligations under the international Genocide Convention to do what it can stop a genocide.  New Zealand charged Mark Tayor for membership of ISIS in 2004.  There is ample precedent.  The government must be consistent.”

 

“All of these New Zealanders serving in the IDF have various degrees of culpability in the genocide, certainly the moment they set foot in Gaza.  But they would also be liable for actions at military facilities inside Israel, fuelling up bombers, for example, or calculating missile coordinates.”

 

“These soldiers must be identified, and their service in Israel’s army examined, alongside their social media accounts and those of the brigades and soldiers they joined.”

 

“The government must also collaborate with international agencies for evidence of how many of these people have already been identified for investigation of war crimes.”

 

“The Hind Rajab Foundation is working to identify specific Israeli war criminals for referral to the International Court of Justice,” says Nazzal.

 

New Zealand law does not specifically prohibit citizens from fighting overseas. But the government must act in this case, where New Zealand citizens are participating in a genocide, and also under our Fourth Geneva Convention obligations, where these New Zealand citizens are also enforcing an illegal occupation of Palestinian Territory.

 

“Despite the so-called October 2025 ceasefire, Israel has continued its daily killing of Palestinians, destruction of infrastructure and occupation creep.  Israel still refuses to allow the agreed amount of food, water and humanitarian supplies to enter Gaza.”

 

“Here is a case of direct responsibility by New Zealand citizens, about which the government can’t wash its hands and ignore.”

 

Maher Nazzal

Co-Chair PSNA

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/advocacy-up-to-50-new-zealanders-are-fighting-israels-genocide-in-gaza-psna/

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Reserve Bank leaves official cash rate at 2.25%

Source: Radio New Zealand

New RBNZ governor Anna Breman. RNZ / Supplied

The Reserve Bank has held the official cash rate steady at 2.25 percent, as expected.

The central bank says the economy is gradually recovering but it is uneven, and its priority is to get inflation back into the middle of its target band.

More to come…

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/18/reserve-bank-leaves-official-cash-rate-at-2-25/

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Woman killed by dogs in Kaihu named as Mihiata Te Rore

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ

Police have identified Mihiata Te Rore as the woman killed by dogs north of Dargaville yesterday.

The 62-year-old was killed while on a Kaihu property just before midday.

Police say the three dogs involved live on the property, and are now with Animal Management.

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer says they want to hear from anyone in the Kaihu community who has had issues with dogs roaming in the area.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/18/woman-killed-by-dogs-in-kaihu-named-as-mihiata-te-rore/

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Tamariki are still no safer now than when Malachi died – 24 more child deaths at hands of carers

Source: Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor

A second review by Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor, on the implementation of the recommendations made by Dame Karen Poutasi following the death of Malachi Subecz has found tamariki (children) are still no safer now than when Malachi died.

The review, Towards a stronger safety net to prevent abuse of children also looks at whether government agencies have done the things they said they would in their own internal reviews, how reports of concern are currently responded to, and if anything is changing after other children die.

Aroturuki Tamariki Chief Executive Arran Jones says 18 months on from its first review, three years on from Dame Karen’s report and four years on from Malachi’s death, work is just beginning. In October 2025 Government accepted all of Dame Karen’s recommendations and started a cross-agency work programme to implement them. In late January a new inter-agency hub for children whose sole parents are in prison was established, and the first phase of mandatory training for core children’s workers got underway.

“These are important first steps. Until change happens on the ground and across all communities, tamariki will continue to be no safer,” says Mr Jones.

Of the 14 recommendations made by Dame Karen, only two are complete. One (recommendation 14) was the Monitor’s first review of implementation, the other (recommendation 11) was considered complete as no action was determined to be required.

The review found tamariki continue to fall through gaps in the safety net. Between December 2021 and June 2025, another 24 tamariki were killed by someone meant to be caring for them. Many were babies, most tamariki were under the age of five. Half of the 24 tamariki were known to Oranga Tamariki – that is, someone had made one or more reports of concern about them. Most of the perpetrators were known to Police.

“Our review also found that even if everything Dame Karen said was needed to close the gaps is done, we are not confident that Oranga Tamariki will be able to respond appropriately.

“Beyond responding to Dame Karen’s recommendations, we need urgent improvements to the child protection system so it can respond effectively to reports of concern about the safety of tamariki. Put simply, Oranga Tamariki social workers need to be able to get in the car and go and see a child with their own eyes. The people reporting concerns include community social workers, police officers, teachers and health staff.

“On every monitoring visit we hear from people who are having to make repeated reports of concern to Oranga Tamariki before action is taken. We hear from frontline Oranga Tamariki staff who tell us how concerned they are about the tamariki they are unable to get to. Every day they are making tough decisions, not based on the safety of tamariki but on who they can get to with the level of resourcing they have,” says Mr Jones.

The data shows this too. Despite the number of reports of concern to Oranga Tamariki increasing, the number that local offices take action on has remained relatively constant over the last nine years – at around 40,000.

This is also reflected in the regional variation in response by Oranga Tamariki offices to reports of concern referred by the national contact centre for further action. Some offices take no further action on more than half of reports of concern referred to them for action by the national contact centre. Yet these are reports of concern that were triaged and considered serious enough to warrant a response. In 2024/25, the Oranga Tamariki national contact centre referred nearly 81,000 reports of concern to local offices for further action. More than 32,000 of these had no further action locally.

What Dame Karen called for was a child protection system that is always able to respond when needed. She also called for a well-resourced community sector that can help ensure all reports of concern are responded to – providing early intervention, organising support for whānau and preventing issues escalating further. While there are prototypes and pilots demonstrating how this can work, New Zealand is far from having a comprehensive response to child protection.

The review also found that most other government agencies are making reports of concern to Oranga Tamariki and have put some training in place for staff in lieu of Oranga Tamariki providing this. More is needed. Across agencies, greater understanding of how to identify abuse is needed. As noted by Dr Kelly, frontline health professionals receive little or no training in interpreting childhood injuries.

The Privacy Commissioner has also provided clear guidance to those working with children that it is okay to share information to keep children safe.

Mr Jones acknowledged the work of the late Dame Karen and her determination to see change after decades of reviews pointing to similar gaps that she found. He briefed her on an early draft of the second review in late 2025.

The review is available online at: aroturuki.govt.nz/reports/safety-net

Notes:

A report of concern can be made when someone is worried about a child’s safety or wellbeing

A report of concern is the term used for when someone tells Oranga Tamariki that they are worried about a child’s safety or wellbeing. The person making the report of concern may believe that the child is being abused, harmed or neglected. Abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional.

If someone believes a child is in immediate danger they should call the Police. To make a report of concern about a child or young person you are worried about contact Oranga Tamariki 0508 326 459.

About Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor

Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor checks that organisations supporting and working with tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau, are meeting their needs, delivering services effectively, and improving outcomes. We monitor compliance with the Oranga Tamariki Act and the associated regulations, including the National Care Standards Regulations. We also look at how the wider system (such as early intervention) is supporting tamariki and rangatahi under the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Act. Aroturuki Tamariki works closely with its partners in the oversight system, Mana Mokopuna – Children’s Commissioner, and the Office of the Ombudsman.

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/18/tamariki-are-still-no-safer-now-than-when-malachi-died-24-more-child-deaths-at-hands-of-carers/

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Economy – OCR on hold at 2.25% with inflation expected to fall – Reserve Bank of NZ

Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand

18 February 2026 – Annual consumers price inflation was slightly above the Monetary Policy Committee’s 1 to 3 percent target band at the end of 2025. Increases in food and electricity prices and local council rates were the biggest contributors to above-target inflation.

The economy is at an early stage in its recovery. With ongoing strength in commodity prices, economic activity in the agricultural sector and regional New Zealand remains strong. Although residential and business investment is increasing, households remain cautious in their spending. The labour market is stabilising, but unemployment remains elevated. House price growth remains weak, dampening household wealth and inclination to spend.

In response to previous cuts in the OCR, economic growth is broadening across sectors of the economy, such as manufacturing, construction and some retail. Economic growth is expected to increase over 2026.

Inflation is most likely returning to within the Committee’s 1 to 3 percent target band in the current quarter. The Committee is confident that inflation will fall to the 2 percent midpoint over the next 12 months due to spare capacity in the economy, modest wage growth, and core inflation within the target band.

Risks to the inflation outlook are balanced. The global environment remains highly uncertain. Domestically, greater caution by households in their spending decisions could slow the pace of New Zealand’s economic recovery, risking inflation falling below the target midpoint. But with demand increasing in the economy, businesses could try to increase prices faster than expected, leaving inflation above the target midpoint.

The Committee agreed to hold the OCR at 2.25 percent. If the economy evolves as expected, monetary policy is likely to remain accommodative for some time. The Committee will continue to assess incoming data carefully. As the recovery strengthens and inflation falls sustainably towards the target midpoint, monetary policy settings will gradually normalise.

Read the full statement and Record of meeting: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=cc3fd2de11&e=f3c68946f8

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/economy-ocr-on-hold-at-2-25-with-inflation-expected-to-fall-reserve-bank-of-nz/

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Oversight agencies call for faster change to keep children safe following second review by Independent Children’s Monitor

Source: Independent Children’s Monitor, and Children’s Commissioner and Ombudsman

Oversight agencies are calling on government agencies in the children’s system to act faster in the wake of a report published today which has found children are still no safer than when Malachi Subecz was killed by his carer in 2021.

Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor has released its second review of the implementation of the 2022 Poutasi Report recommendations,Towards a stronger safety net to prevent abuse of children, which examines the progress made by government and agencies on recommendations made by the late Dame Karen Poutasi aimed at improving the child protection system.

Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor Chief Executive Arran Jones says since Malachi’s death, another 24 children were killed by someone who was meant to be caring for them between December 2021 and June 2025.

“Many of these were babies, most were under the age of five. This is equivalent to a primary school classroom of 24 children, gone in just three and a half years.”

Our review has found the gaps identified by Dame Karen have not been closed, that Oranga Tamariki is still not always able to respond when it needs to keep a child safe, and children continue fall through the gaps and die.

Mr Jones released the review alongside the heads of the other two agencies responsible for oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, the Children’s Commissioner and the Ombudsman.

Mr Jones says successive reviews going back at least two decades have pointed to the gaps in the system. Dame Karen noted her 2022 report findings were not new, and just last week Coroner Anderson also pointed to the similar themes and recommendations being made year after year, often with little evidence of substantive change taking place.

“The Government’s decision in October last year to accept all of Dame Karen’s recommendations, was a good first step. While there are some promising pilots, we need to see continued priority given to making sustained change.”

“Crucially, this review found that even if the gaps in the safety net are closed, a fundamental problem remains. That is the ability of Oranga Tamariki to respond when it needs to. Social workers need to be able to get in the car and go and check children are safe. We continue to hear from frontline staff across government and community organisations that this is not always happening when it should,” Mr Jones said.

Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad says the findings of this new review highlight the need for urgent, sustained action to make real change for children’s safety, off the back of the Government’s acceptance last year of Dame Dr Poutasi’s recommendations.

“The stark truth that 24 children – most of them babies – have died through abuse by the person meant to be caring for them must shock us into action. The lives of other children depend on it. Children and young people who have talked to me following the launch of our Dear Children campaign have emphasised to me how urgent the focus on children’s safety must be.

“Changes in our systems and communities must be made now to keep all our children safe. Between Dame Karen’s recommendations and last week’s recommendations from Coroner Anderson, the pathway for change is clear. Our nation’s children require the children’s system, and all of us at the community level, to actively work together to prioritise them and their safety. Because the fact is, all forms of child abuse and neglect are 100% preventable, but it takes all of us working together to prioritise children at every level of our society.”

Chief Ombudsman John Allen says the findings raise the important need for cross-agency collaboration – for health, education, welfare and justice – to keep working together for a better care and protection system. This is the type of shift that Dame Poutasi was calling for.”

“There are some ‘green shoots’ out there such as the new in-person hub pilot at the Oranga Tamariki national contact centre. Hub staff are helping to identify and address needs of at risk children when their sole parent enters prison. I’m also encouraged by what is happening in Whakatane, where Oranga Tamariki is working closely with a community-based provider Te Pūkāea o te Waiora. Community led organisations know the whānau well and are better equipped to intervene early and provide immediate support while at the same time taking pressure off the wider system.”

The Monitor’s review, Towards a stronger safety net to prevent abuse of children, is available on its website: https://aroturuki.govt.nz/reports/safety-net

Notes

The oversight system

The oversight of oranga tamariki system’s role is threefold, with a focus on the rights and wellbeing of children and young people known to Oranga Tamariki either through care and protection or youth justice.

Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor checks that organisations supporting and working with children and young people known to Oranga Tamariki are meeting their needs, delivering services effectively, improving outcomes and complying with the Oranga Tamariki Act and the associated regulations.

Mana Mokopuna – Children’s Commissioner is the independent advocate for the rights, best interests, wellbeing and outcomes of children and young people under the age of 25 who are or have been in the system, as well as being the independent advocate for all of New Zealand’s children.

The Ombudsman is the independent watchdog of Government, and receives complaints from children and young people (and their whānau and representatives) about decisions and actions affecting them in the system. The Ombudsman investigates concerns where needed.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/oversight-agencies-call-for-faster-change-to-keep-children-safe-following-second-review-by-independent-childrens-monitor/

Posted on

Police investigation continues into Kaihu dog attack

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are continuing to investigate a woman’s death in Kaihu after she was attacked by dogs yesterday.

Emergency services responded to the rural address off State Highway 12 at about 11.25am on 17 February.

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer, Whangārei CIB, says: “This was a very upsetting and tragic event in which a woman has suffered unsurvivable injuries.

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

“What we can say is that the three dogs involved live on the property, and the woman was visiting a person known to her when the attack occurred.”

Police have since notified the woman’s next of kin.

We can name her as 62-year-old Mihiata Te Rore, who is local to the community.

Detective Senior Sergeant Pilmer says the three dogs are currently with animal management.

“As part of our investigation, we would like to hear from anyone in the Kaihu community who has had issues with dogs roaming in the area,” he says.

If you can assist enquiries, please contact Police on 105 using the reference number 260217/8328.

ENDS

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/police-investigation-continues-into-kaihu-dog-attack/

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Police seek help after Mount Maunganui landslide cordon breaches

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the people in the images provided, who police believe can help with enquiries into a breach of the Mount Maunganui landslide cordon. SUPPLIED/POLICE

Bay of Plenty Police are asking for the public’s help to identify three people they believe can help with enquiries into breaches at the Mount Maunganui landslide cordon.

Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the people in the images provided, who police believe can help with enquiries into a breach of the Mount Maunganui landslide cordon. SUPPLIED/POLICE

Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the people in the images provided, who police believe can help with enquiries into a breach of the Mount Maunganui landslide cordon. SUPPLIED/POLICE

Police said they believe these people may be able to help with enquiries into a breach of the cordon on Wednesday 11 February and Sunday 15 February.

“If you are one of these people, or you recognise them, please update us through 105 either online or over the phone.”

On Wednesday morning police said a man had also been arrested after allegedly breaching the cordon and charged with breaching the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act, as well as careless driving.

The cordon has been in place since the deadly landslide that killed six people at a campground in January.

Tauranga City Council said it aimed to lift part of the temporary road cordon around the Mt Maunganui landslide around lunchtime on Thursday.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/18/police-seek-help-after-mount-maunganui-landslide-cordon-breaches/

Posted on

Children still no safer than when Malachi Subecz was murdered – latest report

Source: Radio New Zealand

Children are still no safer than when Malachi Subecz was murdered, according to a new report from the Independent Children’s Monitor.

It is the second review of the implementation of the recommendations from a report into Malachi’s death, and has showed little progress has been made.

Malachi died of a blunt force head injury in Starship Hospital 2021, and weighed just 16 kilograms because he had been starved.

A report into his death by the late Dame Karen Poutasi in 2022 found five critical gaps in the system, and made 14 recommendations.

One of those recommendations was for the Independent Children’s Monitor to review the recommendations themselves.

Malachi Subecz died of a blunt force head injury at Starship Hospital in 2021. Supplied

In 2024, its first review found a “disappointing and disheartening” lack of priority given to them, and committed to review them again.

Just as it did with the prior review, the Independent Children’s Monitor looked at the responses to the report, and the implementation of actions agencies set for themselves.

The 2025 review, titled Towards a stronger safety net to prevent abuse of children, found that little had changed.

“There continues to be a high proportion of reports of concern from professionals that do not result in further action by Oranga Tamariki and where tamariki and rangatahi are not seen,” it said.

The review engaged with a wider range of agencies than in 2024, including Corrections, Early Childhood Education providers, and representatives from agencies and non-governmental organisations that were party of multi-agency response teams responding to police callouts for family violence, or to reports of concern made to Oranga Tamariki.

It also spoke to Oranga Tamariki staff.

“Kaimahi from agencies and services, including Oranga Tamariki, continue to tell us they are concerned about the risk to tamariki and rangatahi,” the report said.

“System settings have not changed, gaps remain and tamariki and rangatahi are still no more likely to be seen by Oranga Tamariki now than when Malachi was killed.”

A report into Malachi Subecz’s death was made by the late Dame Karen Poutasi in 2022. RNZ / Angus Dreaver

The gaps Dame Karen found in 2022 were:

  • When sole parents are charged and prosecuted, the needs of dependent children are not well enough identified
  • The process for assessing risks to a child is too narrow and one-dimensional
  • Agencies and services are not proactively sharing information, despite having the ability
  • A lack of professionals’ and services’ reporting of risk of child abuse
  • The system allows children to remain “invisible” even at key moments

Her report also made 14 recommendations, including combining medical records to make them available for health workers working with children, and increased education and public awareness.

Initially, the government did not accept all of Dame Karen’s recommendations outright, wanting further advice on five of them, including mandatory reporting of children at high risk of harm.

In 2025, the government decided it would accept the remaining recommendations.

The report acknowledged this was a “first step” but now “careful and thoughtful” implementation was needed.

“Until change happens on the ground and in communities, tamariki will continue to be no safer. As this review finds, the gaps identified by Dame Karen have not closed and tamariki continue to fall through the safety net.”

Progress since the previous report had been slow, and while better visibility and reporting of concerns were important, it could only go so far.

“Even once all the recommendations have been implemented, it would not solve the fundamental problem – Aotearoa does not yet have a child protection system that is always able to respond when needed.”

The report noted a further 24 tamariki had been killed by someone who was supposed to be caring for them, since Malachi’s death.

While it did not go into the specifics of those children’s lives and circumstances, it found 11 were known to Oranga Tamariki before their deaths, and 19 of the alleged perpetrators were known to police in varying ways.

At the time the Independent Children’s Monitor was conducting the report, police had completed 10 family violence death reviews, with a further 12 in progress. Oranga Tamariki had completed seven child death reviews, and two more were in progress.

“Police and Oranga Tamariki, for the most part, undertake reviews in isolation from other agencies. Their reviews focus on internal practices rather than broader systemic issues,” the report said.

A coroner’s report released last week found everything possible went wrong for Malachi in the last six months of his life, with opportunities to identify the abuse and torture he suffered not picked up by those who could have intervened.

Coroner Janet Anderson found similar gaps to Dame Karen Poutasi, which were also found by the oversight agencies.

Even back in 2022, Dame Karen said her findings were not new.

“Implementing the Poutasi recommendations may make tamariki and rangatahi at risk more visible, but to make them safer, Oranga Tamariki and the wider child protection system must be able to respond when needed,” the 2025 report said.

Oversight agencies call on government to go faster

The Independent Children’s Monitor, Arran Jones, said 18 months on from the first review, three years on since Dame Karen’s report, and four years since Malachi’s death, work was “just beginning,” and until change happened on the ground and across all communities, tamariki would continue to be no safer.

“Our review also found that even if everything Dame Karen said was needed to close the gaps is done, we are not confident that Oranga Tamariki will be able to respond appropriately,” he said.

The oversight agencies, including the Independent Children’s Monitor, the Ombudsman, and the Children’s Commissioner, called on government agencies to act faster.

“The stark truth that 24 children – most of them babies – have died through abuse by the person meant to be caring for them must shock us into action. The lives of other children depend on it,” said Children’s Commissioner Claire Achmad.

The Chief Ombudsman, John Allen, said the findings raised the important need for cross-agency collaboration, but acknowledged there were green shoots out there, pointing to an in-person hub pilot at the Oranga Tamariki national contact centre, and its work with community-based providers.

“Community led organisations know the whānau well and are better equipped to intervene early and provide immediate support while at the same time taking pressure off the wider system,” he said.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/18/children-still-no-safer-than-when-malachi-subecz-was-murdered-latest-report/

Posted on

Ahuwhenua Trophy finalists announced

Source: New Zealand Government

Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka today congratulated the finalists for this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy competition.

The three finalists for 2026, Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective and Otama Marere Trust which are both based in the Bay of Plenty, and Northland’s Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust, were announced at a function at Parliament today.

The trophy celebrates the vital role Māori farmers and growers play in New Zealand’s economy.

“This year’s finalists exemplify excellence in horticulture, driving growth in the food and fibre sector while creating jobs in rural communities,” Mr McClay says.

“The hard work of Māori growers and their staff will help achieve New Zealand’s aspirational goal of doubling the value of exports in 10 years, while meeting the global demand for high-quality, safe and sustainable food and fibre.”

The competition was expanded to include horticulture in 2020, recognising the growth of horticulture on whenua Māori, which has increased by 50 per cent since 2017.

“Māori orchards, such as apples and kiwifruit, and agribusinesses provide employment and vital reinvestment back into marae, papakāinga, kura, and education scholarships,” Mr Pokata says.

“The prosperity and wellbeing horticulture generates for Iwi and Māori across the motu has far reaching impacts. I tautoko the outstanding work these finalists are doing.”

Each Ahuwhenua Trophy finalist will host a field day to demonstrate their growing operations. These field days and a second round of judging will determine the overall winner. The winner will be announced on 5 June in Whangārei.

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/18/ahuwhenua-trophy-finalists-announced/

Posted on

Pedestrian seriously injured after Māngere crash involving a truck

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police said the pedestrian has been taken to Middlemore Hospital with serious injuries. RNZ / Richard Tindiller

A pedestrian is seriously injured after a crash involving a truck in South Auckland.

It happened at the intersection of Savill Drive and Massey Road in Māngere East just before midday on Wednesday.

Police said the pedestrian has been taken to Middlemore Hospital.

Diversions are in place and drivers are being told to expect delays.

The Serious Crash Unit and Commercial Vehicle Safety Team have been notified.

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

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/18/pedestrian-seriously-injured-after-mangere-crash-involving-a-truck/

Posted on

New Pharmac proposal for blood cancer patients

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown welcome Pharmac’s proposal to fund two new combination therapies for people with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), a type of blood cancer.

“Improving access to cancer medication in New Zealand is important to cancer patients, and their families. That’s why it has been a focus of this Government,” Mr Seymour says. 

Pharmac is proposing to fund venetoclax with ibrutinib, and venetoclax with obinutuzumab, as first line treatments from 1 May 2026.

“Pharmac heard from the Blood Cancer community and from clinical advisors that venetoclax with ibrutinib or obinutuzumab will make a big difference for people with CLL, especially when used at the beginning of treatment,” Mr Seymour says.

“While CLL isn’t curable, the right treatment means patients can live longer more fulfilling lives. Venetoclax with ibrutinib or obinutuzumab will help patients achieve longer lasting remission, and avoid the need for traditional chemotherapy. Two of these medicines will be available in pill form, which don’t require an IV drip and could mean fewer hospital visits

“Obinutuzumab will be the second cancer medicine available in private clinics. When Pharmac fund a new cancer treatment, people already paying for that treatment privately are forced to make a very difficult choice: spend their savings to continue private treatment undisrupted, or transfer to a public hospital. Patients told Pharmac the latter was hugely disruptive and caused significant stress during an immensely difficult period.

“People currently paying privately for these combinations could receive funded treatment in a private hospital, provided they met the funding criteria at the time they began treatment.” 

Mr Brown says the Government is committed to improving treatment and care for New Zealanders with cancer, including blood cancer.

“That’s why this Government has funded seven new cancer medicines that target blood cancer through Pharmac’s $604 million investment – expanding treatment options for patients and their families.

“This announcement means more Kiwis with blood cancer will have access to medicines that improve their quality of life and help them live longer, fuller lives.

“We are also significantly expanding stem cell transplant services for patients with blood cancers and related conditions, helping more people access critical, life-saving treatment sooner.

“Alongside investment in new medicines, our Faster Cancer Treatment target, and wider efforts to strengthen cancer services, we are focused on improving access, reducing delays, and ensuring people get the treatment they need, when they need it.”

Notes to editors: 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/new-pharmac-proposal-for-blood-cancer-patients/