Source: New Zealand Police
Police can name the man that died in a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 1 on Sunday 8 March.
He was Stephen Packard, aged 59, from Auckland.
Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Stephen at this difficult time.
Police continue to investigate the circumstances of the crash.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/18/name-release-fatal-crash-sh-1-taupo/
Source: NZ Department of Conservation
Date: 18 March 2026
Normally hidden amongst dense tussock, flax and mānuka scrub, the Volcanic Plateau speargrass has been exposed by the fire-cleared landscape, following extensive fires in late 2025.
DOC Technical Advisor and botanist Paul Cashmore says although the plant was known in the area, its abundance wouldn’t have been understood without the fires.
“It’s a welcome side-effect of these fires, discovering a new stronghold for this Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable species.
“It clearly can survive a fire, and we expect to see it increase even more over the next few years while there is less competition for light from taller growing vegetation.”
The speargrass is just one of the surprises ecologists came across in their post-fire assessments.
Wetlands were only partially impacted by the fire with many wetter areas remaining unburnt.
Paul says the fires burned very quickly with varying levels of impact on the different habitats present across the approximately 3,000-hectare burn zone.
“One of our memorable experiences in the field was walking into a completely intact stand of Hall’s tōtara, with a chorus of native birds including toutouwai/robin!
“Remnant patches of vegetation like this act as refuges where flora and fauna have survived, which can assist with natural recolonising of the burnt area.”
Paul says despite the optimistic outlook, there’s still plenty of work to be done.
“We’ll continue working closely with Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro to monitor and act, particularly where it comes to weeds and deer.”
Visitors can help by staying on the tracks, says Paul.
“Walking on the burnt area can introduce new threats like weeds and can directly affect the recovery of slow growing alpine plants.
“So, if you’re keen on naturing in this World Heritage listed landscape, we ask you to respect the 10-year rāhui by keeping off the firegrounds and sticking to the marked tracks.”
Nature isn’t scenery. Nature is a society that we rely on for everything, every day. It’s behind our identity and our way of life.
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/18/speargrass-surprise-revealed-after-tongariro-fires/
Source: New Zealand Government
More women and families affected by addiction will now have improved access to support, giving children the best possible start in life. Increased investment announced today focuses on preventing and reducing substance-related harm in the areas that matter most, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says.
“Too many New Zealanders are affected by addiction every year, whether through harm to themselves or others. It’s incredibly important the health system can step up and respond so we can help prevent these devastating consequences,” Mr Doocey says.
“One of the most important times of a child’s life is the first 1000 days. If we get support to families early, we can help build a stronger future for these children. That’s why we are expanding pregnancy and parenting support services for women and families experiencing alcohol or other drug issues.
“These services work with pregnant women and parents who are often poorly connected to health and social services. Through intensive outreach and case coordination, they help strengthen the family environment and ensure parents have access to the support they need.
“This builds on work underway on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder to prevent harm, improve diagnosis and support, and strengthen services for families. I want New Zealand to be a country that supports alcohol-free pregnancies, which means equipping our workforce and providing stronger support for affected families.
“Early identification is also critical to preventing addiction harm. We know we can’t wait until someone is in active addiction or asks for help. That’s why we are introducing Screening and Brief Intervention Practitioners in seven hospitals to identify people using meth, alcohol, or other drugs early and connect them with support.
“We are also establishing a community-based peer follow-up service for people leaving emergency departments after substance-related presentations to ensure they have wraparound support.
“The bottom line is drugs like meth destroy lives and tear families apart. Last year the government announced a comprehensive plan to combat meth harm, allocating $30 million to increase services and grow the frontline addiction workforce.
“All of these actions are part of the first-ever Action Plan in New Zealand focused on supporting the addiction sector, launched today bringing together initiatives representing almost $20 million of new investment per year into addiction services so people can receive support, no matter what stage of addiction they are in.
“Progress is already being seen. The addiction workforce has grown by more than 11 percent since the Government came into office, and vacancy rates among drug and alcohol counsellors have dropped from more than 14 percent in September 2023 to 5.5 percent in September 2025.
“I asked the sector to develop a roadmap at the NZ Drug Foundation Summit last year. The sector told us clearly what was needed, and we are delivering.”
Note to editors:
• The Action Plan to Prevent and Reduce Substance Harm 2026-2029 can be found here, this includes all the new actions.
• The Minister’s foreword is attached.
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/18/building-a-stronger-future-for-our-children/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Thieves stole 13 artworks by masters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Manet, and Degas from Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1990. Screeenshot / FBI
Thirty-six years on, mystery still lingers at Boston’s Gardner Museum.
In the early morning hours of 18 March 1990, two men dressed as police officers talked their way into the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Within minutes, they had overpowered the security guards, duct taping and handcuffing them, and set about stripping the walls of treasures that may never be seen again.
The thieves moved between galleries, unbuttered by security who were still duct taped at the entrance. They triggered motion sensors and proceeded to cut canvases from their frames. By the time they left, 81 minutes after they arrived, they carried with them 13 works now valued at more than US$1 billion, names such as Rembrandt, Vermeer, Manet, and Degas.
Other masterpieces went ignored. Works Titian and Michelangelo remained hung untouched, leaving investigators to wonder whether this was a targeted theft or simply a hurried snatch and grab. Whatever the motive, the result was the same: thirteen irreplaceable works gone, their empty frames hanging to this day in the museum’s Dutch Room.
Few know the case better than retired FBI agent Geoffrey Kelly, who spent 22 years interviewing hoaxers, chasing whispers and tracking rumours of Vermeer and Rembrandt masterpieces reportedly seen in darkened warehouses or in private vaults. His book, Thirteen Perfect Fugitives, is a true crime detective story.
An empty frame at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum on 27 December, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. AFP / Ryan McBride
The former Special Agent told First Up the reason the case fascinated the public was the audacious nature of the robbery.
“About 1.24 in the morning, on a Sunday morning right after St Patrick’s Day had ended, which is a big deal in Boston, these two subjects dressed as Boston police officers bluffed their way into the museum by claiming they were responding to a disturbance, and the guard – against protocol, let them in.”
For the FBI, the heist has become both legend and burden. Declared the largest property crime in United States history, the case has led agents through Boston’s criminal underground, across international smuggling channels, and down countless dead ends.
Kelly said that didn’t mean there weren’t suspects. Two men from Boston were identified.
“They were part of a bigger crew. It was an organised crime crew out of a section of Boston called Dorchester, and I’m confident they committed this robbery because they wanted to steal Rembrandts and hold on to them as a bargaining chip.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. AFP / Philippe Renault / hemis.fr
“In Massachusetts there had been a few instances in the previous two decades where subjects had stolen Rembrandts from museums in a effort to leverage their return in exchange for getting leniency on pending criminal sentences.”
Unfortunately for the suspects, and for investigators, both men died within a year of the robbery.
“One was violently murdered, and the other died under some very suspicious circumstances which, as you can imagine, can have a chilling effect on efforts to recover the artwork and might prevent somebody with information coming forward after seeing what happened to the subjects.”
Kelly said there were theories about where the art works went. “We were able to track some of the pieces up into Maine, down to Connecticut and down to Philadelphia but from there the trail went cold and that’s kind of where we were looking when it was time for my retirement two years ago.
“I think it’s quite possible the pieces have been split up and right now they’re waiting somewhere, waiting to be apprehended and our job is to find them.”
A US$10m reward remains on the table for information leading to full recovery.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/18/trail-went-cold-the-hunt-for-masterpieces-stolen-in-the-gardner-museum-heist/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he did consider his future in politics after his ex-wife levelled claims at him on social media, but he remains “absolutely committed” to staying on.
Hipkins appeared on a suite of morning media on Wednesday – including Morning Report – where he again flatly denied all the claims, but said he would not be litigating them in public for the sake of his children.
The claims are not criminal and relate to a lack of support for his ex-wife Jade Paul during and after their relationship.
Speaking on Morning Report, Hipkins acknowledged he had considered stepping down, noting the impact on his family.
“It would be untrue to say that those thoughts hadn’t crossed my mind in the last 48 hours, but everybody in their lives at some point goes through rough patches, and you just have to keep getting out of bed every day.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins. RNZ / Mark Papalii
“I love my job and and I’m absolutely committed to continuing to do it.”
Hipkins said the public debate was “very unfair” on his children, partner and parents – “you do pause and think about that” – but he had received a lot of support over the past day or two.
“Our marriage broke up. That was a traumatic thing. You know, clearly, there are always going to be lots of regrets in a situation like that.
“Many, many people have contacted me in the last 24 hours to indicate that they’ve been through a relationship break-up that has been difficult. I think people will understand that litigating those things through the public is in no one’s best interest.”
Hipkins confirmed he had sought legal advice about the further publication of his ex-wife’s allegations by others, as well as the addition of other “completely unsubstantiated things”.
“The online world is a bit of a sewer pit, and it seems that no one has any hesitation in adding to that,” he said.
“Social media certainly has emboldened a lot of people, and, you know, we have a virtual vigilante approach on social media that anybody in a public profile role now has to contend with. I don’t think that’s been healthy for democracy.”
Paul’s initial post was published on her private Facebook page on Sunday evening, but screenshots were quickly circulated online.
Paul later removed the post, but told RNZ she stood by the comments.
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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/2026/03/18/morning-report-chris-hipkins-hipkins-says-he-considered-his-future-in-politics-after-ex-wifes-claims/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Global popstar Robbie Williams will play Christchurch’s new stadium later this year.
Williams will be one of the first international acts at the One New Zealand Stadium when he brings his BRITPOP World Tour to the city on 28 November – the singer’s first concert in Christchurch in 25 years.
He will also play Auckland’s Eden Park on 24 November.
“Australia and New Zealand have always had a very special place in my heart. Ever since my first solo tours, you have welcomed me with open arms and made me feel at home,” Williams said in a statement.
Released in January, BRITPOP was a nod to the 90s Britpop era and featured collaborations with Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Gaz Coombes (Supergrass), Black Sabbath legend Tony Iommi, Mexican pop duo Jesse & Joy and Gary Barlow.
The government said Williams was bringing his BRITPOP World Tour to Aotearoa with the support of its $70 million Major Events and Tourism Package.
“It’s fantastic to welcome a showstopper act like Robbie, giving fans the chance to see him entertaining us,” said Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston.
“We know concerts like his bring a significant economic injection into our cities and create a real buzz. It’s been calculated that for every dollar spent on live performance, $3.20 is returned in benefits to the wider community and that’s why we’re investing in them.”
The brand new 30,000 multi-use arena One New Zealand Stadium is due to open in April, and the following month, a dance and light extravaganza will take over.
Six60 and Synthony will perform in Christchurch on 16 May, the first live music set at the city’s brand new stadium.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/18/popstar-robbie-williams-announces-new-zealand-tour/
Source: Radio New Zealand
If more Kiwis make the switch to an EV, could the electricity network handle the extra demand? ABC News / Brendan Esposito
With interest in electric vehicles increasing due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, questions have been raised over the reliability of New Zealand’s power grid, should there be an influx of EVs plugging in.
Petrol prices have risen past $3 per litre, and EV dealers told RNZ’s Morning Report they’ve seen a spike in sales since the Middle East conflict started to hit fuel prices.
But, if more Kiwis do make the switch, could the electricity network handle the extra demand from charging at peak times?
Drive Electric, an organisation established to advocate for cleaner transport options in New Zealand says even under the most extreme predictions of EV uptake, there’s no risk of the country running out of power.
Kirsten Corson, the chair of Drive Electric told Morning Report if all cars in New Zealand went electric, there would only be an increase of 20 percent in demand for electricity.
Corson says most people charge their cars overnight during off-peak hours, so are paying around $3 per 100 kilometres.
On top of the savings that can be made, Corson says smart charging set ups can often earn money with cars essentially becoming “batteries on wheels,” by allowing EVs to feed electricity back into the grid.
“Potentially, a car could put $2000 worth of value back into the electricity system. If you’re looking at something like a truck it was around $10,000 and a milk tanker was around $25,000 of value it could put back into the grid.”
Despite that, New Zealand has dropped behind other counties in the EV field.
“Embarassingly so, we’ve gone from a leader to a lagger. Over the last ten years we’ve seen around one in 10 new car sales are electric, compared to globally where one in four car sales are electric.
“The Australians are even ahead of us with one in five new car sales being electric, so we’re really behind the eight-ball. And, in China, one in two car sales are electric,” Corson said.
Corson says the government’s decision to drop incentives for EV purchases is concerning .
“We obviously want to see energy independence in this country, which we currently don’t have.” she said.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/18/batteries-on-wheels-ev-expert-says-power-grid-well-equipped-for-rise-in-use/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Jess Thirlby former head coach of England. © Photosport Ltd 2021 www.photosport.nz
England netball coach Jess Thirlby has stepped down just four months out from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
She steps down with immediate effect in a decision she said was “best for me and my family”.
Thirlby had been in the job for almost seven years after replacing Tracey Neville in 2019.
Thirlby said she was stepping down in order to focus on her family.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share my decision to step down from my role as head coach at England Netball, effective immediately,” Thirlby said in a statement.
“This is not a decision I had ever thought I would have to make but I need to turn my attention onto supporting my incredible family.
“On reflection, I was mistaken to not prioritise and process the loss of my father at the time of his death, instead, and without regret, travelling with the team for the World Cup and the subsequent series in New Zealand.
“Everything I have done since has been to prioritise the England Roses and with this in mind, I feel that stepping down as head coach now is best for me and my family.”
Thirlby’s assistant Anna Stembridge will lead the side into the Commonwealth Games with former captain Olivia Murphy becoming assistant coach.
England won the Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2018 but missed out on the medals in 2022.
The Silver Ferns beat England 2-1 in their series in Britain late last year.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/18/england-netball-coach-jess-thirlby-steps-down-to-focus-on-family/
Source: New Zealand Government
Most weeks, following Cabinet, the Prime Minister holds a press conference for members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery.
This page contains the transcripts from those press conferences, which are supplied by Hansard to the Office of the Prime Minister. It is important to note that the transcripts have not been edited nor verified for accuracy.
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/18/post-cabinet-press-conference-2/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Labour leader Chris Hipkins says he doesn’t think it is in anyone’s best interests to be arguing over details of his marriage break-up in public.
It comes after he rejected allegations made against him by his ex-wife.
On Wednesday, Hipkins told Morning Report says “all sorts” of additional unsubstantiated claims were now being added from parts of the internet.
He said he has sought legal advice, not about his ex-wife’s posts, but about further allegations being published online that were “absolutely untrue”.
“The online world is a bit of a sewer pit.”
He said he had worked hard to protect his family from the spotlight in politics, especially his children, and wanted them to grow up with a sense of normality.
“Our marriage broke up. That was a traumatic thing. Clearly there are always going to be lots of regrets in a situation like that.”
Hipkins denies the unsubstantiated claims.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins. RNZ / Mark Papalii
The allegations – which do not relate to any unlawful activity – were posted on Jade Paul’s private Facebook page on Sunday evening but have since been removed.
Each of the claims, which relate to accusations of a lack of support during the marriage and after, were put to Hipkins directly on Tuesday. He denied them all in turn.
Hipkins on Tuesday said marriage breakups were very difficult, and there would always be disagreements or “things that you regret” when relationships break up, but “a public forum like this is not the way to litigate those”.
Asked if his children were okay, Hipkins choked up and said: “My kids are.. my kids are with her, so I don’t know.”
Asked if the situation could be damaging for Labour, he said he hoped not, and said standing down wasn’t something he considered.
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/2026/03/18/morning-report-sewer-pit-chris-hipkins-looks-to-battle-absolutely-untrue-posts/
Source: New Zealand Police
Please attribute to Superintendent Shanan Gray, Counties Manukau District Commander:
Police have charged four males following an aggravated burglary and fleeing driver incident across Auckland on Tuesday afternoon.
At around 3.10pm, Police responded to an aggravated burglary reported on Bleakhouse Road in Howick.
Police soon located a Ford Ranger allegedly stolen from the address, and a fleeing driver event took place which later ended on Karangahape Road in central Auckland.
Those arrested are all males aged between 15 and 17.
All four have jointly been charged with committing burglary with a weapon, over the offending that took place in Howick.
The 16-year-old driver has also been charged with assaulting a person with a blunt instrument, failing to stop and reckless driving.
All are expected to have appearances in the Manukau Youth Court.
Two of those arrested required treatment in hospital as a result.
The victim of the aggravated burglary in Howick was shaken by the violent event that took place and has been provided support.
ENDS.
Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/18/charges-confirmed-following-fleeing-driver-incident/
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government is taking action to provide redress for more survivors of abuse in care, to include survivors of State-run mental health facilities from 1 July 1993 to 30 June 2022.
“The Government is continuing to address the wrongs of the past, and while this can never repair the harm suffered, we are focused on making the care system safe, and providing redress to New Zealanders who have suffered abuse in care,” Lead Coordination Minister Erica Stanford says.
“As part of the Government’s response to the Royal Commission, last year I commissioned work on gaps in the provision of redress for abuse in state mental health inpatient settings.
“Currently, the state redress system covers claims for abuse in mental health inpatient settings up to 30 June 1993. After that point, responsibility for these claims sat with many different organisations. These responsibilities were transferred to Health NZ after it was created as a Crown entity on 1 July 2022, but Health New Zealand does not have a formal, consistent redress process in place to manage or respond to historic claims.
“At an event late last year, I was approached by a woman named Charlotte who bravely shared with me her experience of abuse in a mental health setting in the 2000s and her fight for recognition and redress. Her attempts had hit bureaucratic dead ends with various agencies and authorities denying responsibility or declining to investigate.
“Charlotte’s bravery drew attention to this group of survivors who cannot access redress and confirmed this was a priority for us to fix. Survivors of abuse are not responsible for, nor should they carry the burden of, health system restructures or structural reforms or the way that government organises itself. A person who was abused in mental health inpatient care should have the same ability to access redress if it happened in 1988 or 2018.
“Charlotte and other survivors have described the significant difficulties and distress they faced when trying to obtain acknowledgement, an apology or accountability for the abuse they experienced in mental health facilities. They have then endured further harm and retraumatisation due to ongoing lack of recognition of their abuse and the absence of accessible pathways to redress and support.”
Cabinet has now agreed to amend the Redress System for Abuse in Care Bill (the Bill) that is currently before Parliament to extend the state redress scheme for abuse in mental health inpatient settings from 1 July 1993 to 30 June 2022, before Health New Zealand was established.
Health New Zealand will remain responsible for responding to claims from 1 July 2022. This mirrors other redress settings where the Ministry of Social Development is responsible for claims relating to abuse or the care, custody or guardianship of Child, Youth and Family and its predecessors while Oranga Tamariki is responsible for claims since it was established.
“While we can never undo the harm that survivors experienced, we are committed to meaningful change so that the wrongs of the past are not repeated. There is still significant work to do and we will continue with initiatives to support survivors and improve the system.”
The Bill was reported back from the Social Services and Community Select Committee on 13 March and will proceed through its remaining stages in the coming months.
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/18/charlottes-change-to-provide-redress-for-more-survivors-of-abuse-in-mental-health-care/
Source: Radio New Zealand
A police car seen behind a cordon as officers attend an incident. RNZ
A person has been critically injured after a scooter and vehicle crashed in central Auckland on Wednesday morning.
Police are at the intersection of Mayoral Drive and Cook Street.
The injured person has been taken to hospital.
Cordons are in place on Mayoral Drive near the intersection of Greys Avenue and Cook Street, as well as at the intersection with Hobson and Cook Streets.
Police say motorists should avoid the area if possible.
The Serious Crash Unit will attend, with a scene examination and crash investigation to begin.
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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/2026/03/18/person-critically-injured-after-scooter-vehicle-collide-in-auckland-cbd/
Source: New Zealand Government
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that Kura Toa will open as an iwi led charter school in Term 3 2026.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to learn and grow in ways which are more specific to their needs. Today’s announcement demonstrates the innovation enabled by the charter school model,” Mr Seymour says.
“Kura Toa has identified an opportunity to achieve better education outcomes for Māori students in years 7-13 in Porirua. It will create an environment which gives students the best chance to succeed.”
Puna Mātauranga, Ngāti Toa’s iwi education hub, and Te Pikau o te Rangi, an iwi-designed service providing tailored support for learners, will work alongside the school to ensure whānau are equipped to help their children succeed.
For the past 10 years, Puna Mātauranga has delivered education services for Ngāti Toa whānau. Te Pikau o te Rangi builds on that foundation, strengthening the learning and wellbeing support available to students and families.
In Porirua, 28.5 percent of Māori students left school without achieving NCEA Level 1, compared to 17.8 percent across all students in Wellington. As of 2023, 32.9 percent of Māori learners achieved NCEA Level 3 or higher, compared to 43.8 percent of all students in the region.
Māori youth were also referred to attendance services at a rate of 23 per 1000. This is nearly twice the Wellington rate of 12.8 per 1000. By age 17, only 66.2 percent of Māori students were still in school, compared with 79.1 percent across the region.
“Kura Toa will ensure that none of its students fall through the gaps,” Mr Seymour says.
“The school will be supported by Puna Mātauranga, a learning support service run by Ngāti Toa for the past 10 years. This means the school can offer pastoral care to students founded on an iwi framework for wellbeing called Mauriora. Kura Toa will track the physical, mental, cultural, and social wellbeing of students. The support given will cater to identified needs.
“Partnerships with education providers and industry will also allow students to participate in live learning experiences that connect the classroom with real-world careers.”
Kura Toa will provide a distinctive Ngāti Toa-led approach to education for students in Years 7–13 in Porirua. The school reflects the iwi’s long-held aspiration to do education differently and to build an education ecosystem that connects cultural identity, learning, and pathways beyond school. The iwi is working to provide greater choice in education, to enable every student to experience success.
“When it comes to education, one size does not fit all,” Mr Seymour says.
“Charter schools show education can be different if we let communities bring their ideas to the table.
“These schools have more flexibility in return for strictly measured results.
“The charter school equation is: the same funding as state schools, plus greater flexibility plus stricter accountability for results, equals student success.
“It will join the charter schools announced in the last year which will open in 2026. This takes the total number of charter schools to 21. We expect more new charter schools to be announced before the end of the year, along with the first state schools to convert.
“I want to thank the Charter School Agency and Authorisation Board for the work they have done getting charters open. They considered 52 applicants for new charter schools. They tell me this round the choices were very difficult.
“This is just the beginning. I hope to see many more new charter schools opening, and state and state-integrated schools converting to become charter schools.”
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/18/kura-toa-gives-students-more-options-in-term-3-2026/
Source: Radio New Zealand
RNZ
Shoppers will take another hit when the impact of the Iran war hits the supermarket shelves, a Foodstuffs boss says.
Households have already been feeling the pressure over the last year as shown by the release of new Stats NZ data.
Prices were up 4.5 percent on an annual basis in February, with mince up 23.2 percent, and sirloin steak 21.5 percent.
There have been warnings that the cost of food may rise further as producer and transportation costs increase, due to the Middle East conflict.
Foodstuffs North Island chief executive Chris Quin said before the Middle East war, two factors were driving prices up despite a drop in inflation.
New Zealand lived in a global economy and when export prices were strong, such as for red meat and fish, Kiwis had to pay more for them.
As well, bad weather hit fruit and vegetable growing.
Retail grocery prices went up around 3.7 percent, he said, which was lower than the overall 4.5 percent announced yesterday.
Supermarkets tried not to pass on all their costs and to manage their costs as efficiently as possible.
Asked if supermarkets were taking the same margin as a year ago, he said they were or were taking even less.
Regarding the Iran war, suppliers were talking about the pressure they were were under but it had not impacted on prices so far.
The cost of diesel was of particular concern both for transport and the impact it had on plastic products.
“It is unclear at this point how much of an impact it will have but it’s going to be very hard to suppress that impact depending on how long it lasts as well.”
The impact of the war was still to be felt on supermarket shelves.
“It’s a live conversation now but it’s not showing up on prices so far.”
There was no concern about getting supply as goods didn’t travel through the Strait of Hormuz, Quin said.
“It is unclear at this point how much of an impact it’s going to have.”
Quin expected that if there was fuel rationing the supermarket sector would be a priority.
He was happy with discussions underway with the government.
Fertiliser being applied on a farm. 123RF
The flow-on effects from the conflict in Iran are being felt by farmers.
Fuel prices are up, and the Middle East is also a major player in fertiliser trade, producing about 40 percent of the world’s nitrogen fertilisers.
That’s a double hit for arable farmers, who rely on fertiliser to grow crops and diesel to run their machinery.
Federated Farmers arable chairperson David Birkett said without a doubt food prices would increase due to the conflict’s impact.
Higher costs of processing and transport were the two key factors, he told Morning Report.
If there was to be any rationing of diesel, farmers should be among those on the priority list.
“Domestic food production should be given some level of prioritisation when it comes to fuel.”
The arable sector was the biggest user of diesel, Birkett said. Harvesting was almost finished and crops would then be resown.
“The diesel price has affected us straight away, which is quite interesting given that the government says we have six weeks’ supply on hand.
“Yet the price goes up instantaneous when the war starts so there’s obviously some cost recovery being done there from the fuel companies I’d imagine.”
If diesel was rationed, that would be “a real challenge” for farmers, especially arable farmers who needed to use machinery.
The two main fertiliser cooperatives have indicated they already have supply to last through autumn which meant settled prices for “a little bit”, Birkett said.
However, for the peak demand time of spring, farmers were already concerned about both supply and price.
He did not expect prices to rise as high as the pandemic when prices doubled after all production stopped.
“Time will tell I guess.”
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/18/iran-war-will-lead-to-more-supermarket-price-rises-foodstuffs-boss/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Labour leader Chris Hipkins. RNZ / Mark Papalii
Chris Hipkins is speaking to Morning Report shortly. You can listen on the player above, your app or your local RNZ frequency.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins is set to face question on Morning Report after rejecting allegations made against him by his ex-wife.
The allegations – which do not relate to any unlawful activity – were posted on Jade Paul’s private Facebook page on Sunday evening but have since been removed.
Each of the claims, which relate to accusations of a lack of support during the marriage and after, were put to Hipkins directly. He denied them all in turn.
Hipkins said marriage breakups were very difficult, and there would always be disagreements or “things that you regret” when relationships break up, but “a public forum like this is not the way to litigate those”.
Asked if his children were okay, Hipkins choked up and said: “My kids are.. my kids are with her, so I don’t know.”
Asked if the situation could be damaging for Labour, he said he hoped not, and said standing down wasn’t something he considered.
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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/2026/03/18/morning-report-live-chris-hipkins-faces-questions-after-rejecting-claims-by-ex-wife/
Source: New Zealand Police
Police are in attendance at a serious crash in central Auckland this morning.
At 7am, a crash involving a vehicle and scooter has occurred at the intersection of Mayoral Drive and Cook Street.
The scooter rider is currently in a critical condition, and is being transported to hospital.
Police have put cordons in place and motorists should avoid the area if possible.
Those cordons are in place on Mayoral Drive near the intersections with Greys Avenue and Cook Street, as well as at the intersection with Hobson and Cook Streets.
The Serious Crash Unit is enroute, with a scene examination and crash investigation to commence.
ENDS.
Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/18/serious-crash-mayoral-drive-central-auckland/
Source: Radio New Zealand
The highest number of sexual assault allegations made by prisoners against staff in the 2024/25 financial year was recorded at Auckland Prison. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The Department of Corrections says a sharp rise in allegations of sexual assault by prisoners against staff is largely due to the introduction of a digital complaints function on in-prison kiosks.
However, a prisoner advocacy group says the increase reflects longstanding issues that were only now becoming visible.
Figures released to RNZ under the Official Information Act show there were 615 allegations of sexual assault made by prisoners against staff in the 2024/25 financial year, with the highest numbers recorded at Auckland Prison (152) and Mt Eden Corrections Facility (127).
However, Corrections said the “overwhelming majority” of those complaints were not substantiated.
Of the total, 343 were recorded as entered in error, 82 were withdrawn by prisoners and 99 were referred to alternative complaints processes because they did not relate to staff misconduct. The figures show 91 were not upheld, while just three allegations were upheld and one resulted in Police charges.
So far in the 2025/26 financial year, 153 allegations had been recorded, with similar trends in outcomes.
Corrections attributed the increase in complaints since 2023 to a new feature added to prisoner kiosks, allowing inmates to directly submit allegations against staff.
The President of the Corrections Association, Floyd Du Plessis, described the kiosks as fixed, wall-mounted touchscreen terminals available to prisoners in day rooms.
“They’re similar to an iPad-type system,” he said. “They’re bolted to the wall, and prisoners can access them during the day.”
Through the kiosks, inmates could communicate with case managers, request to speak with staff, access information, order canteen items and lodge complaints.
The complaints function covered a wide range of issues, from prisoner rights and general concerns to allegations about staff conduct, Du Plessis said.
Corrections said the kiosks also included a free-text field, which the department said had shown many complaints categorised as sexual assault were not, in fact, allegations of that nature.
Du Plessis said in his view many of the complaints were “malicious” or stemmed from misunderstandings of routine prison procedures.
He pointed to examples where prisoners had made sexual assault allegations following standard rub-down searches, which were part of daily safety protocols.
“There’s nothing sexual in that … it’s just a duty staff have to perform,” he said.
“While we do have a small number of these complaints that do come through, it is very small, and most of the allegations that do come through end up having no result because there’s no substance or basis to it,” he said.
The union wanted a limit on the number of complaints a prisoner could file each day.
“At this point, removing the complaints wouldn’t be reasonable … but potentially limiting the number of complaints a prisoner can make on any day – absolutely,” he said.
Du Plessis said complaints were initially assessed by senior officers, with further action depending on their seriousness. In some cases, staff could be reassigned or suspended while investigations were carried out.
He said access to CCTV footage often allowed incidents to be reviewed quickly.
“If it’s blatantly malicious, then it can very quickly be resolved and the staff member is not affected,” he said.
However, People Against Prisons Aotearoa spokesperson, Dr Emmy Rākete, rejected the suggestion that kiosks were behind the rise in allegations.
People Against Prisons Aotearoa spokesperson Emilie Rākete. RNZ / Mabel Muller
“The introduction of digital kiosks has allowed the full extent of this problem to finally be visible for the first time,” she said.
“The kiosks didn’t cause an increase to occur. They’re just letting us get a clearer view at how many people in prison feel that they’ve been sexually violated by Corrections staff.”
Rākete said her organisation’s advocacy work with prisoners meant the figures were “not surprising”.
“It’s broadly in line with what incarcerated people have been telling us … that this is a problem, that this happens and that when it does happen, there are very few avenues to address it.”
Rākete also questioned Corrections’ interpretation of the data, particularly the high number of complaints that were withdrawn or not upheld.
“To point to every complaint that didn’t end in an investigation or charges being placed and say that it was frivolous, that doesn’t really hold a lot of weight with us,” she said.
She said prisoners’ dependence on staff could influence whether complaints proceeded.
“People in prisons are totally dependent on the institution … they are totally vulnerable to people running these institutions.”
Rākete said withdrawals should not be taken at face value.
“If I was raped in prison by a prison guard and I finally had an anonymous means to place that complaint and someone came knocking on my door … I can think of a lot of ways that I could be compelled to withdraw that complaint.”
She called for stronger independent oversight of complaints.
“There needs to be clearer external means of investigating and protecting the rights of incarcerated people.”
Corrections noted that the figures did not include Auckland South Corrections Facility, which was operated by Serco New Zealand under a public-private partnership and maintained a separate complaints system.
Rākete said that raised serious concerns about transparency and accountability.
“People have a right not to get raped … the Crown can’t subcontract out work that violates people’s rights to private contractors and wash its hands of the situation.”
She said the public had a right to know how many allegations were being made in privately run prisons.
Rākete said the spike in complaints following the introduction of kiosks should be treated as a warning sign, not dismissed.
“The fact that as soon as Corrections provided a more anonymous means of reporting sexual violence … there was an immediate uptick in reports … should be very concerning.
“That to me indicates that there is a problem here that this new system has made visible for the first time.”
The Department of Corrections was approached for comment.
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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/2026/03/18/surge-in-prison-sexual-assault-allegations-linked-to-new-complaints-system-corrections-says/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Finance Minister Nicola Willis. RNZ / Mark Papalii
Finance Minister Nicola Willis might be being optimistic if she thinks inflation at 3.7 percent is a “worst case scenario”, one economist says.
Willis told media on Monday that in the event of a prolonged conflict in Iran, lasting until the end of the year, inflation could hit that level, as modelled by Treasury.
Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan said that seemed light.
Data on Tuesday showed food prices up 4.5 percent over a year, alcohol and tobacco up 0.2 percent month-on-month and electricity up 1.6 percent month-on-month, a bigger jump than expected. Domestic airfares were up 12.8 percent compared to January and more than 10 percent over a year.
“It just makes me a bit nervous in terms of how realistic it is to expect inflation to moderate through the course of this year.
“There are so many little bits you can look at and go oh there’s issues there … which suggests it’s going to be perhaps more difficult to get it back down to 2 percent than the Reserve Bank might have been anticipating.”
He said he would be redoing forecasts over the next couple of weeks and would increase his expectations.
Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan. RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
“My instinctive reaction to the number from the Finance Minster yesterday of 3.7 percent being a worst-case scenario … it felt too light to be a worst-case scenario.”
At ANZ, senior economist Miles Workman said the bank’s had updated its forecast.
“The Middle East conflict is no longer shaping up to be a short, sharp shock.”
It now thinks inflation will peak at an annual rate of 3.6 percent in the third quarter of the year, with oil prices hovering around US$100 a barrel for some time yet before falling again towards the end of the year.
“Base effects, together with the assumption that oil prices eventually normalise, see annual inflation troughing at 1.4 percent in Q3 2027 before stabilising around 2 percent over the medium term. There are risks on both sides of this.”
Westpac said it now did not expect inflation to get below 3 percent until the end of the year.
Mike Jones, chief economist at BNZ, said it would be the second quarter data on for inflation that bore the full brunt of the direct effect of rising fuel prices, although there would be some impact on the March month of the first quarter.
“Things are clearly still moving around but we recently bumped up our Q1 inflation forecast to 2.9 percent , with Q2 rising to 3.6 percent.
“As always there are overs and unders to balance [from Tuesday’s data] … But we’re left with a bit of upside risk on that 2.9 percent forecast for Q1. We didn’t see quite the extent of seasonal declines in fresh fruit and vegetable prices we’d factored in.”
ANZ said it did not think the change to the outlook for inflation would affect its official cash rate predictions yet.
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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/2026/03/18/is-nicola-williss-worst-case-scenario-not-bad-enough/
Source: Radio New Zealand
When 18-year-old Wellington student Estella wants a different take on the latest war in the Middle East – or the conflict in Palestine or the Ukraine invasion – she has a quick scroll through her boyfriend’s social media feeds.
Even though they share similar political views, his feed tends to skew to the political right, whereas her feed leans to the left. This aligns with an emerging political pattern: young women, including those in New Zealand, are significantly more likely to identify as left-wing than their male peers.
His feed has more “action” footage like bombs exploding and fighter jets screeching through the sky. The videos on Estella’s feeds pull at the heartstrings with victims, including children, being pulled from bombed-out buildings.
An example of content from the current Middle East war on the social media feed of a New Zealand teenager.
supplied
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/18/anxious-desensitised-how-teens-learn-about-news-now/