Blues coach Vern Cotter said despite the Crusaders’ domination, the rivalry is still very much alive.Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
The Blues need no reminding that the Crusaders have had their number in recent times.
The side has lost 10 of their last 12 encounters with the Cantabs, with the rivalry becoming heavily one sided.
So, is there a mental barrier for the Blues?
Coach Vern Cotter admits there might be.
“It’s a question we ask ourselves. We know it’s one of the hardest teams in the world to play against. Since I’ve been here, I think we’ve only won once. So the record speaks for itself, and that’s the challenge that the players have in front of them, but they don’t want to have a negative mindset. They want to be able to play the game, be decisive, and have a bit of fun out there. I think that’s key to making sure that we move forward. I think we will surprise a few.”
Cotter said despite the Crusader’s domination, the rivalry is still very much alive.
“Everybody wants to beat the Blues, and of course the Crusades are the team that have been, over the last eight years, the best performing team. So yeah, of course the rivalry is there.”
If last week’s heated Chiefs and Crusaders encounter was any indication, there is no love lost between the Kiwi franchises.
“There’s ultimately massive respect. I think that’s probably the key thing you have in and around when you play them or other teams in New Zealand. And the first thing you know is it’s against your rival mates and people want to show up and walk away with the win at the end. So that adds a little bit of spice into it obviously.”
However, Cotter is under no illusions about the task that awaits his men.
“They’re just so tough, and last week we saw the championship team that’s in them. What they did to the Chiefs was impressive. So we know it’s going to be tough, they’re a team that just find parts of your game to exploit at any moment. So being focused and fully connected will be important if we want to get the result we want.”
Helping with those connections, Cotter welcomes back the experience of Beauden Barrett for the crucial clash.
“It’s nice to have him back because he has a curious brain and he’s a perfectionist. So having him in and around the team, he asks a lot from his team-mates. And although he is short of a run, I think when he gets out there, he’ll definitely want to put his mark in the game.”
In the wake of the announcement that Dave Rennie will take on the All Blacks coaching job and his comments about having no loyalty to incumbents, Cotter said the approach would help motivate players sitting on the fringe of selection.
“I think it’s probably one of the reasons he was given the job is that he can walk in and have a look objectively at every player and make his assessment on them. He watches a lot of rugby. So when he comes together, you’ll get an indication of how he wants the game to be played when you see his first selection, and that’ll be fascinating to see how that unfolds for each of the teams in New Zealand.”
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Adam Hall will be competing in his sixth Winter Olympics in Milan this month.PHOTOSPORT
Sixth Paralympics in, Wānaka’s Adam Hall knows exactly how rare this moment is.
The 38-year-old para alpine skier is preparing for what will likely be his final Winter Paralympics in Italy. But for the first time in his decorated career, he’ll have a full family cheering squad on the sidelines.
Hall and fellow Kiwi Corey Peters make up New Zealand’s two-strong Paralympic team, and both head to the Italian Alps as genuine medal contenders. But for Hall, this campaign carries an extra layer of meaning.
Born with spina bifida, Hall burst onto the global stage with gold in the men’s standing slalom at Vancouver in 2010. Eight years later he reclaimed the title at PyeongChang, adding to a haul that also includes three Paralympic bronze medals.
Now, with nearly two-thirds of his life spent on snow, he said perspective comes easily.
He said he is full of gratitude for those around him, including team-mates and coaches, who have supported him. As for many top athletes though it is family who sacrifice most.
Hall’s seven year old daughter Gracelynn will watch her father race in person for the first time, alongside his wife Elitsa – herself a two-time US Winter Paralympian.
With travel restrictions during the last games because of Covid, Hall’s family and friends are making the most of seeing him in action this time.
“To have our daughter there watching is something special and she is at an age now where hopefully she’ll be able to remember that experience,” Hall told RNZ.
Adam Hall has been competing on the international stage for more than two decades.Photosport Ltd 2018 www.photosport.nz
Hall also has the in-laws, cousins and an old childhood mate from his days growing up in Outram among his supporters.
He calls the Kiwi Paralympic squad “a small but mighty team” who spend a lot of their time away from family and is hoping to reward them with another podium finish in Italy.
“I’m just missing a silver so we’ll see if we get the full set or not.”
His specialist event is the slalom but he’ll also line up in the giant slalom.
“The competition is so tight now and the margins are getting smaller and I’ve said this before that no matter what colour, if it’s a bronze or silver it feels just as good as gold.
“Can’t be too fussy about the colour but we do strive to be on top.”
Hall is familiar with the Italian Alps and closely followed the Winter Olympics with interest as he’ll be skiing on the same slopes around Cortina.
“For us we call the Olympics the test event, jokingly, they kind of iron everything out before the big show.”
The big show for Hall starts with the GS on March 13 followed by the Slalom on the 15th.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
National’s committee lead on an inquiry into social media harm for young people, Carl Bates.VNP/Louis Collins
A human rights organisation is backing calls for the government to set up an independent regulator for online safety.
A parliamentary select committee on Thursday released its report following an inquiry into social media harm for young people.
Among its recommendations to the government and the private sector was a ban on social media for under-16s, the creation of a national regulator to ensure platforms were safe, and regulating deepfake technology.
Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand’s Lisa Woods said it was vital there was a watchdog in place.
“It’s really important that we’ve got a regulator that is continually monitoring what’s happening, continually monitoring ‘do we have the right laws in place? Are they effective, or do they need to be changed’.”
Woods said it was critical any regulator would need to be able to impose penalties against social media companies for it to be effective.
The New Zealand government had explored options of a social media ban after Australia implemented one, with National keen to progress with one before the end of this term.
Woods said Amnesty International New Zealand opposed a social media ban for under-16-year-olds, because it did not address the root causes of harm.
“Platforms are being designed to promote content that drives engagement, regardless of harmful effects, so just removing someone from social media, is not taking care of platform design.”
Woods said banning social media for young people placed the burden of safety on young people and parents while allowing platforms to continue their business models.
National’s committee lead on the inquiry Carl Bates said the committee’s report was a step towards “ïmportant, timely action”, and that lead Minister Erica Stanford would now consider the recommendations.
He said the report made clear the harm young New Zealanders were facing from online platforms was “significant”, “fast-moving” and occurring on a global scale.
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The law change means ACC claimants will incur debts for supplementary supports they sought while waiting on an outcome with the Accident Compensation Corporation.
The coalition has passed legislation to legalise long-standing MSD policy of clawing back welfare payments from ACC claimants.
The law change – passed after the High Court ruled the policy illegal – means ACC claimants, including sexual abuse survivors, state abuse survivors and those with birth injuries, will incur debts for supplementary supports they sought while waiting on an outcome with the Accident Compensation Corporation.
Advocates have already launched a petition to change the legislation to “ensure equity, fairness and also remove the retrospective elements inserted by the Amendment Bill.”
The legislation passed yesterday afternoon with support from National, ACT and New Zealand First.
Labour – which withdrew its support for the bill after Select Committee stage, voted against it with the Greens, Te Pāti Māori and independent MPs Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris.
Third reading
Minister for Social Development Louise Upston wasn’t there for the final reading of the legislation.
Standing in her place, National’s James Meager told the House the High Court ruling meant those who received backdated ACC payments were better off than those who received the same payments at the time they requested it.
“These decisions highlight inconsistencies between legislation and long-standing policy but they do not reflect the principles of a targeted welfare system that provides assistance based on need.
“They also create inequities across ACC recipients in the welfare system.”
Labour’s Willie Jackson – who had called for changes such as a carve out for state abuse survivors – said the Minister had made a “real attempt” to find bipartisan buy-in for the bill but parties could not find a way through.
“It’s with disappointment we were unable to find a way through…we had a couple of meetings with the Minister, we put up some options in terms of where we should go, particularly with some of the people who were being hurt by this bill.
“She was particularly sympathetic to some of the examples that we were given but it seems that her officials find it all just too impossible, I’m not sure why they find it so impossible sometimes to actually worth things through, given these were officials who have worked with both National and Labour governments through the years.
The Greens’ Ricardo Menéndez March said the bill was a joke.
“How can this be a bill about fairness and equity when it entrenches a practice that puts some of our most injured and traumatised people in large debts?
“This government may be making it legal but it does not make it right.”
ACT’s Parmjeet Parmar said it was good the bill was being rushed through.
“It’s a very important issue. We have to. Otherwise we will not be doing justice to those who are going to be affected.”
New Zealand First’s David Wilson said the bill was not easy but his party supported MSD having discretion “to look at these cases”.
“It would be fair to say that our party has wrestled with some of the issues here, quite a lot.”
“We want to ensure that any complainants to ACC are not unfairly disadvantaged.”
Te Pāti Māori’s Orrini Kaipara said the bill would deepen hardship for survivors of sexual abuse, state abuse and those who suffer most.
“It represents a profound breach of justice, fairness and the Crown’s obligations to protect the wellbeing of whānau under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.”
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SELANGOR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – In celebration of Chap Goh Mei, The Mines Shopping Mall Seri Kembangan invites families and friends to their Chap Goh Mei Festival. From 6 – 8 March, 4pm – 11pm daily, the festival brings together culture, entertainment, and tradition, all set against the lively buzz of the Foodie Tour pop-up experience. Brimming with cultural performances, celebrity appearances, and thrilling rewards for visitors of all ages, the three vibrant days of festivities promises a spectacular end to the Chinese New Year season.
The main festivities begin on Saturday, 7 March, with a beloved Mandarin Orange Tossing, the timeless tradition where singles toss mandarin oranges in hopes of finding live and meaningful connections in the New Year. Adding to the excitement is the Grand Lucky Draw featuring special prizes from renowned jewellery brand, ‘Poh Kong’. For fans of DISSY, the popular Malaysian Chinese Youtube personalities will be present for a meet and greet to kick off the event. Saturday’s celebration continues to be enriched by captivating cultural performances, inviting great prosperity and fortune for all who attend. Visitors are encouraged to bring along their families to enjoy the joyous Lion Dances, Choi San Appearances, and graceful Fan Dance Performances.
On Sunday, 8 March, the festival’s main highlights include family-friendly activities and a grand finale celebration. The Kids Talent Competition will showcase young performers taking centre stage to showcase their creativity and confidence. The celebration will culminate in a spectacular Firework Show accompanied by Yee Sang Sessions for a final welcome to the New Year. The evening will also feature an energetic Chinese New Year songs and dance mashup performances, bringing the festivities to an exhilirating close.
Throughout all three days, from 6 to 8 March, guests can enjoy a wide range of engaging activities. Families can participate in free kids’ workshops, while roaming entertainment such as the Mixue Snow Kings Walkabout, adding an element of surprise and delight. Couples and singles can explore the Love Matching Session on Saturday and Sunday, while the Blessing Wall offers visitors a chance to pen their wishes for the year ahead. The Giant Inflatable Choi San Photo Corner provides the perfect festive backdrop for memorable snapshots, and food lovers can indulge in a variety of delicious offerings at the lively Foodie Tour Market.
The Chap Goh Mei Festival at The Mines promises a meaningful and joyful gathering that honours tradition while creating new memories. By bringing together cultural heritage, community engagement and exciting rewards, the event offers a vibrant finale to the Lunar New Year celebrations.
For more information, visit The Mines Shopping Mall’s website at https://the-mines.com.my or find real-time updates at The Mines Shopping Mall’s Facebook Page facebook.com/theminescapitaland
Hashtag: #MonkiiGlobalHoldings
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Thanks to powerful partnerships with industry leaders, NOTE 60 Ultra represents Infinix’s boldest entry in the flagship tier, debuting in Barcelona during MWC 2026
BARCELONA, SPAIN – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2026 – Infinix is cementing its status within the premium smartphone segment in a bold new way with NOTE 60 Ultra, its landmark flagship debuting in Barcelona during Mobile World Congress 2026.
Infinix NOTE 60 Ultra Design by Pininfarina
Co-developed with Italian automotive and design legend Pininfarina, NOTE 60 Ultra’s design is driven by an emotion-led aesthetic inspired by super cars. Beneath its bold design lies a fully realized flagship experience, integrating breakthrough in-house innovations with best-in-class partner technologies. A professional-grade 200MP ultra-high-definition imaging system, built-in multi-country satellite communication connectivity, and immersive audio precision-tuned by SOUND BY JBL come together to challenge expectations in the premium segment.
Supercar Design DNA in a Flagship, Shaped by Pininfarina
In the premium segment, the design language is a device’s opening statement. A user’s perception at first glance is shaped by aesthetics, long before a single specification is considered.
Drawing inspiration from the aerodynamic philosophy and pioneering spirit of high-performance sports cars, Infinix, in partnership with Pininfarina, takes a radical departure in sculpting a flagship. What stands out immediately is what’s missing: the camera bump. As premium handsets adopt larger sensors, they often sacrifice form with increasingly protruding camera modules.
True to the sports car heritage, NOTE 60 Ultra introduces a fully integrated, single-body rear: the Aluminum Unibody Design. At the heart of this craftsmanship is the World’s 1st Uni-Chassis Cam Module, formed a single, continuous sheet of CORNING® GORILLA® GLASS VICTUS that virtually conceals the presence of the camera. Much like a supercar sculpted for low-drag, the rear design maintains a smooth, uninterrupted silhouette. This also ensures a natural in-hand feel and unobtrusively slips into any pocket, while reinforcing the phone’s durability and structural integrity.
Paying homage to Italian cultural and racing heritage, NOTE 60 Ultra arrives in four striking colorways: Torino Black, Monza Red, Amalfi Blue, and Roma Silver. Each hue draws inspiration from the most iconic scenes and legends of Italy’s motorsport and cultural history, capturing the spirit of speed, lifestyle, and emotional beauty.
Just as a supercar announces its ignition through sound and light, NOTE 60 Ultra mirrors the ritual. A Floating Taillight signature spans the rear, illuminating as the device powers on. And as a final nod to automotive heritage, NOTE 60 Ultra features an Active Matrix Display reminiscent of a supercar dashboard at startup. Concealed within the rear surface, the hidden display lights up to reveal notifications, expressive icons, or a pixel-style virtual companion.
Dual Flagship Cameras for Detail, Zoom, and True-to-Life Imaging
Although discreet at first glance, Infinix makes no concessions on camera performance and earmarks a new era for Infinix’s imaging capability. Delivering performance on par with industry-leading standards, Infinix’s Dual Flagship Imaging Architecture marks several brand-first breakthroughs and improvements across three dimensions, reinforcing its position as a signature offering.
Under the hood, it’s clear that NOTE 60 Ultra refuses to settle for less. Discreetly integrated within the Uni-Chassis Cam Module is a powerful triple-camera array. Anchored by a next-generation 200MP Samsung ISOCELL HPE sensor, NOTE 60 Ultra delivers ultra-high-definition clarity. And ensuring flagship-grade versatility across focal lengths, the phone is complemented by a 50MP Samsung ISOCELL JN5 periscope telephoto lens and a 112° ultra-wide lens.
However, hardware alone does not define the full experience. For the first time, Infinix supports the XDR display standard with Ultra HDR Capture. Powered by a proprietary XDR Image Engine, Infinix’s advanced system delivers a superior dynamic range, ideal for true-to-life photos of bright lights at night or breathtaking sunset scenes.
The result is exceptional resolution that sets a higher bar for precise framing in daylight or after dark, while faithfully preserving details often lost in standard photography. Whether exploring daytime cityscapes or distant horizons, NOTE 60 Ultra excels with its advanced optical‑to‑digital zoom performance. Crisp, detailed shots are captured across a versatile zoom range, from a 2× optical crop and native 3.5× optical zoom to a 7× lossless digital zoom, extending up to 100× for extreme distances.
Expansive Satellite Calling and Messaging Coverage
Beyond what meets the eye, NOTE 60 Ultra carries a more subtle capability designed to accompany the user’s ambition, as far as and wherever the road leads. NOTE 60 Ultra is the first¹ to introduce dual-way satellite calling with expansive global coverage across a far greater number of countries¹. Powered by two-way messaging and calling beyond traditional terrestrial networks, NOTE 60 Ultra offers an added peace of mind whether navigating remote terrain beyond cellular coverage or facing large-scale network disruptions. The device bridges regional connectivity gaps to maintain communication and enables emergency location sharing when it matters most.
Ultra-Fast, Enduring Functionalities for an All-Around Flagship Experience
NOTE 60 Ultra combines category-leading performance and enduring power to support multi-sensory entertainment without interruption. Complementing this, its latest user experience delivers forward-looking innovations and AI-driven optimizations, making it more accessible and seamless for everyday use.
Impressively, Infinix debuted the Proprietary Battery Self-Healing Technology. Despite featuring a massive 7000mAh silicon-carbon battery within a slim, lightweight frame, NOTE 60 Ultra is engineered to restore up to 1%² of battery health every 200 charge cycles. Complementing this breakthrough, NOTE 60 Ultra supports wired 100W All-Around Fast Charge and 50W wireless charging, achieving a full charge from 1% to 100%² in only 48 minutes through a wired connection.
Even with a massive battery, Infinix pulls out all the stops to optimize for both speed and energy management. Featuring a 4nm all-big-core MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultimate chipset together with Infinix’s self-developed performance engine, NOTE 60 Ultra achieves up to 25%² faster multitasking, accelerated app responsiveness, and sustained smoothness.
NOTE 60 Ultra excels in its class with a captivating, 1.5K Ultra HDR cinematic display. Delivering fluid 144Hz responsiveness and exceptional 4500-nit peak brightness, visuals remain vibrant across most lighting conditions. Even in motion, intelligent predictive stabilization minimizes motion sickness, whether watching a film or playing games from within a car. And just as a high-performance vehicle demands calibrated acoustics, NOTE 60 Ultra doesn’t settle for less. It delivers high-fidelity audio through a stereo system with SOUND BY JBL, completing a truly compelling entertainment experience.
The NOTE 60 Ultra’s optimized performance enables its intelligent AI features to run fluidly and efficiently with minimal battery drain. Its integrated AI ecosystem focuses on practical daily-enhancing functions, including real-time vitals tracking via Advanced Health Monitor, personalized file organization and an adaptive AI-powered knowledge base, all evolving with user preferences. These AI capabilities are seamlessly woven into GlowSpace, a new interface debuting on XOS 16.³ Powered by Android 16, GlowSpace introduces a fully reimagined UI centered on fluid motion and luminous details that animate with every interaction.
Through co-engineering with leading technology and innovation partners, Infinix has aligned NOTE 60 Ultra around a unified vision of excellence. The outcome is a benchmark-setting flagship defined not by spectacle, but by deeply integrated and purposeful engineering, inside-out.
Product availability
NOTE 60 Ultra comes with a promise of 3 years of major OS updates and 5 years of security patches.
NOTE 60 Ultra is available in four colors: Torino Black, Monza Red, Amalfi Blue, and Roma Silver.
It will be available in two variants: 12GB + 256GB, 12GB + 512GB, with built-in eSIM⁴.
NOTE 60 Ultra comes with a deluxe gift box with automotive-inspired display stand design. A Supercar-Inspired MagCharge Base in Zinc Alloy, a Kevlar-Pattern MagPad, a Custom Kevlar MagCase, and a Track-Edition SIM Ejector Pin are included in the gift box.
Disclaimer
¹As of launch, this device is the first commercially available smartphone to support two‑way satellite calling across multiple countries. Feature availability, supported regions and coverage are subject to local certification, network deployment and market conditions.
²All data comes from Infinix laboratories. The testing data may vary slightly between different test versions and testing environments.
³The specific XOS upgrade plan for each model will be announced separately. Please note that availability of this upgrade may be limited in certain countries.
⁴eSIM availability is carrier and region-dependent; it may not be supported in all countries.
Hashtag: #Infinix
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Environmental-economic accounts: Data to 2024 – information release
5 March 2026
Environmental-economic accounts show how our environment contributes to our economy, the impacts of economic activity on our environment, and how we respond to environmental issues.
Stats NZ’s environmental-economic accounts show the interactions between the environment and the economy to provide a clearer understanding of environmental-economic pressures, dependencies, trade-offs, and impacts. It is done within the United Nations’ System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) framework, which specifies how environmental data can be integrated coherently with economic data from the System of National Accounts.
All accounts are expressed in current prices for the year ended March.
Key facts
In the year ended March 2024:
total environmental taxes were $6.0 billion, most of which were transport (50.4 percent) and energy (44.9 percent) taxes. From 2023 to 2024, environmental taxes increased 14.3 percent ($748 million).
the marine economy contributed $5.2 billion to New Zealand’s gross domestic product (GDP). This was an increase of 7.4 percent compared with 2023. The contribution of the marine economy to GDP in 2024 was 1.2 percent.
the total asset value of renewable energy was $11.9 billion. Hydro generation made up 67.8 percent of total asset value, followed by geothermal (20.2 percent).
central and local government expenditure on environmental protection (on a final consumption basis) increased 9.8 percent ($277 million) to total $3.1 billion. Local government contributed 66.9 percent ($2.1 billion) to this total, and central government contributed 33.1 percent ($1.0 billion).
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Value of building work put in place: December 2025 quarter – information release
5 March 2026
Value of building work statistics estimate the value and volume of work put in place on construction jobs in New Zealand.
Key facts
In the December 2025 quarter:
the seasonally adjusted total building volume fell 3.1 percent compared with the September 2025 quarter – residential fell 1.1 percent, and non-residential fell 6.5 percent
total building value was $7.7 billion, down 3.6 percent from the December 2024 quarter.
Statistics remain provisional for the latest three quarters and are updated each quarter.
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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2026 – The Town Planning Board (TPB) will hold a hearing tomorrow for public representations on the new Ngau Tam Mei (NTM) Outline Zoning Plan. The traditional farming landscape in NTM has existed for over a hundred years. This rural township has also preserved the industry of ornamental fish aquaculture (particularly koi), an industry that has almost disappeared in Hong Kong. In terms of ecology, NTM is closely linked with the Deep Bay wetlands and the future Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park, and supports Eurasian Otter and many wetland birds. In view of these, the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects (HKILA) and World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong (WWF) are proposing four enhancement recommendations, which aims to conserve traditional cultural and historic heritage, build public spaces that can be used by both human and wildlife under the “single site, multiple use” model, and transform NTM into an iconic town of rural ecotourism in the Northern Metropolis.
When proposingthese enhancement recommendations, HKILA and WWF aim to:
Create a people-oriented livable city
Achieve a future in which people live in harmony with nature
Promote urban-rural integration
Enhance biodiversity
Adopt Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in the development
Details of the four enhancement recommendations are as follows:
Retain the existing koi fish farming ponds (approximately 7 hectares) east of the NTM UniTown, and transform them into a thematic Koi Park, creating public open space while conserving wetland habitats for various wildlife, preserving Hong Kong’s ornamental fish aquaculture industry, and also promoting innovative themed rural tourism.
Preserve the existing agricultural land and fishponds located within the proposed station plaza and riverside park areas as far as possible, and redevelop them into a Lotus Pond Park (approximately 12 hectares) featuring the characteristic Jiangnan waterscape style. This would provide an open wetland landscape for the city centre, enhance ecological functions, and create a distinctive attraction of local thematic immersive tourism.
Taking the opportunity to revitalise the main NTM river channel and construct a multifunctional blue-green corridor, the artificial channel should be ecologically restored. The existing fishponds and agricultural land within the proposed blue-green corridor (approximately 6 ha) should be preserved to enhance ecological value but also increase landscape diversity. These fishponds and agricultural land could further serve purposes such as flood storage and leisure farming.
At Yau Pok Road, the NTM river channel should be modified to divert part of the river flow into the wetland area between Fairview Park and Palm Springs, which falls under the future Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park. Additionally, the associated “Recreation” zone along Yau Pok Road and the river channel should be rezoned to “Open Space” to serve as an extension of the NTM blue-green corridor to improve ecological connectivity. Furthermore, the permitted building heights for the “Residential (Group A) 2” sites in Areas 4A and 4B should be reduced, adopting a stepped building profile on the side facing the river channel to minimise impacts on birds.
Mr. Paul Chan, President of HKILA, pointed out that: “Through close collaboration between HKILA and WWF, our joint recommendations for Ngau Tam Mei bring together landscape and ecological considerations, aligning with Greater Bay Area strategies such as ecological priority and green development. Transforming existing koi farms and other habitats into thematic parks and blue-green corridors will foster urban-rural integration, promote innovative ecotourism, and build a high-quality, healthy, and biodiverse community that balances growth with diversified landscape.”
Dr. Bosco Chan, Director, Conservation of WWF, shared that “The rural landscapes and traditional cultural heritage of Ngau Tam Mei represent a unique opportunity to integrate nature-based solutions into the Northern Metropolis. Our joint recommendations leverage the existing wildlife habitats and thematic local industries to preserve biodiversity, enhance climate resilience, and develop innovative rural tourism. Ultimately, our aim is to create shared spaces where people and wildlife can thrive together, not just in Ngau Tam Mei but also across the Northern Metropolis.”
HKILA and WWF will attend the public hearing held by the TPB on 6 March to brief the TPB members on our recommendations. HKILA and WWF hope that the TPB and the relevant government departments would consider and adopt our proposal, creating a quality, healthy and green Northern Metropolis. HKILA and WWF also hope that the Government will maintain the dialogue with relevant stakeholders on the development and planning of the Northern Metropolis to achieve a win-win situation.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2026 – Sea urchin spines are not only for defence—they also act as natural sensors. A research team led by Prof. WANG Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation), Dean of Graduate School, Kuok Group Professor in Nature-Inspired Engineering and Chair Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), together with scholars from City University of Hong Kong (CityU) and Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), has discovered the mechanoelectrical perception in sea urchin spines, originating in their gradient porous structure, that allows the spines to instantly detect water flow. Using 3D printing, the team has replicated this structure and developed a bionic metamaterial sensor, which holds promise for breakthroughs in sensing technology. This innovation will drive the advancement of deep-sea technology such as marine monitoring and underwater infrastructure management, and can be extended to other emerging fields like brain-computer interfacing and aerospace.
A research team led by Prof. Wang Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation), Dean of Graduate School, Kuok Group Professor in Nature-Inspired Engineering and Chair Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of PolyU, has discovered the mechanoelectrical perception in sea urchin spines. It originates in the spines’ gradient porous structure that generates electrical signals when water flows through it. The team used 3D printing technology to replicate the structure and develop a novel bionic metamaterial sensor.
The research team found that, in the long-spined sea urchin (Diadema setosum), when a seawater droplet strikes the tip of a spine, the spine rotates rapidly within a second. Electrical measurements revealed that the droplet simulation produced a voltage of about 100 millivolts inside the spine; when the spine is immersed in water, water flow stimulation triggers a voltage of several tens of millivolts. This mechanoelectrical perception was observed even in dead spines, indicating that the mechanism is unrelated to biological cells.
This response originates from the stereom structure of the spine—the porous internal skeleton composed of pores with varying sizes and distributions. These pores exhibit a gradual gradient along the spine from the base to the tip: larger pores and lower solid density at the base, and smaller pores and higher solid density at the tip, forming a bicontinuous gradient porous structure. As water flows through the porous structure, solid-liquid interfacial interaction occurs and the flow exerts shear force on the electric double layer, inducing the separation and redistribution of interfacial charge, which generates a voltage difference. The gradient structure intensifies the interaction between water flow and pore surfaces, resulting in a stronger voltage difference and enhancing the spine’s sensing capabilities.
Inspired by these findings, the researchers used vat photopolymerisation 3D printing to create artificial samples from polymer and ceramic materials that resemble the spine’s stereom. Experiments showed that the spine-mimicking design produce a voltage output about three times higher and an amplitude about eight times greater than non-gradient designs under water flow stimulation, demonstrating that the key to the mechanoelectrical perception lies in the structure rather than the material. They also constructed a bionic 3D metamaterial mechanoreceptor that is designed in a 3 × 3 array with each unit made of gradient porous material. This mechanoreceptor can record electrical signals in real time underwater and precisely locate the position of water flow impact, without the need for additional electricity.
The research team points out that the gradient porous structure in sea urchin spines enhances signal transmission, thereby improving the precision and sensitivity of the mechanoreceptor. By replicating this structure in different materials, it is possible to extend its application beyond water flow sensing to various types of signals, including those measuring pressure, vibration and electromagnetic waves. This will inspire sensing technologies in multiple fields, such as in relation to its use in brain-computer interfaces to enhance the sensing of brainwaves and neural signals, with tremendous application potential.
Prof. Wang Zuankai said, “Compared to traditional mechanoreceptors, our design excels in manufacturability, structural design flexibility, material versatility, geometric and performance control, and real-time underwater self-sensing. Leveraging gradients of porous materials and 3D printing technologies, we aspire to produce more nature-inspired metamaterial sensors with a range of materials, pore sizes and surface features that support potential applications in many fields.”
At the forefront of nature-inspired science and engineering research, Prof. Wang’s team has also invented various new materials, including lotus leaf-inspired self-cleaning surfaces capable of rapid water repellency, Araucaria leaves-inspired surfaces that enable self-propelled liquid transport, and anti-icing structures that achieve spontaneous ejection of freezing droplets by replicating the biological mechanism of spore shooting in fungi. He envisions that their research will open up new avenues for the development of nature-inspired materials.
“For natural porous materials, mechanical properties such as strength may not be the primary function, but rather a by-product of complex biomineralisation. Uncovering previously unknown mechanisms that lie beyond a material’s traditionally recognised function helps us to more comprehensively understand and fully utilise these natural resources. This is crucial for advancing biomimetic research,” he added.
This joint research was co-led by Prof. LU Jian from CityU, and Prof. YAN Chunze and Prof. SU Bin from HUST. The study findings have been published in the international journal Nature.
Property values across Aotearoa New Zealand increased by 0.2% in February. That remains a modest rise, but still the strongest since October last year, and more than reversing January’s small -0.1% drop.
Cotality NZ’s latest Home Value Index (HVI) also shows that the national median value in February of $806,697 was -1.2% lower than a year ago and still down by -17.3% from the peak in early 2022 – which was $975,540.
Trends across the main centres were more consistent in February. Kirikiriroa Hamilton and Ōtepoti Dunedin saw the strongest rises, both at 0.9%, while the rest of the main centres saw a lift in values in the 0.4%-0.6% range, except Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s was more modest (0.1%).
Cotality NZ Chief Property Economist, Kelvin Davidson said that February’s slightly stronger results were potentially a sign of things to come, but that it’s still early days.
“With sales activity trending upwards for some time now, mortgage rates down, and the economy showing signs of a pick-up, a re-emergence of modest gains in property values this year would not be a surprise.”
“The labour market probably holds the key, and most forecasts suggest that employment has already troughed, with the unemployment rate set to fall from now on.”
“That being said, a modest lift in national property values in a single month in February is nothing to get carried away about.”
“Given the cautious attitude that still prevails among both buyers and sellers, we’d need to see at least two to three more monthly increases before calling it a trend.”
“Moreover, even if that upswing does begin in earnest this year, values are still down more than 17% from their peak, with conditions remaining pretty favourable for first home buyers and those investors looking to start or expand a portfolio. On the flipside, many vendors will be getting prices below what they expected a few years ago.”
“The election campaign in 2026 and any discussion around property policies is yet to kick into full swing and that will certainly be a key focus in upcoming months. At this stage, the Middle East geopolitics may not influence the NZ housing outlook too much, but that’s obviously a watching brief.”
Index results for February 2026
Change in dwelling values
Month
Quarter
Annual
From peak
Median value
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
0.1%
-0.8%
-3.2%
-23.2%
$1,040,913
Kirikiriroa Hamilton
0.9%
0.5%
-1.2%
-12.2%
$711,669
Tauranga
0.5%
0.6%
1.1%
-14.9%
$930,470
Te-Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington*
0.4%
0.2%
-1.4%
-24.8%
$777,690
Ōtautahi Christchurch
0.6%
0.9%
2.8%
-2.7%
$701,152
Ōtepoti Dunedin
0.9%
1.3%
0.9%
-10.0%
$619,067
Aotearoa New Zealand
0.2%
-0.1%
-1.2%
-17.3%
$806,697
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland was still a bit softer than many other parts of the country in February, but even so, all sub-markets were flat or slightly higher.
Rodney, Waitakere, and Auckland City avoided falls, while there were minor 0.1% lifts in North Shore, Manukau, and Franklin – with Papakura up by 0.2%. That small rise in Papakura was enough to make it the only sub-market in Auckland where values are slightly higher (0.3%) than three months ago in November.
Mr Davidson said, “it’s still very early days and a softer month or two at some stage in the near term could never be ruled out. That being said, Auckland’s housing affordability has improved significantly in recent years as values have dropped, alongside the favourable combination of lower mortgage rates and higher household incomes.”
“In other words, with affordability conditions better, and as listing numbers continue to fall, a modest lift in Auckland property values over the medium term wouldn’t be a surprise. It’s too early to say if February marks the start of that shift, but no doubt there’ll be many people watching very closely in our largest centre.”
Change in dwelling values
Month
Quarter
Annual
From peak
Median value
Rodney
0.0%
-0.4%
-2.0%
-21.0%
$1,194,695
Te Raki Paewhenua North Shore
0.1%
-0.2%
-0.8%
-17.9%
$1,283,944
Waitakere
0.0%
-0.8%
-2.5%
-24.6%
$917,487
Auckland City
0.0%
-1.4%
-4.5%
-24.8%
$1,104,846
Manukau
0.1%
-0.8%
-3.9%
-25.0%
$967,728
Papakura
0.2%
0.3%
-3.3%
-23.9%
$812,347
Franklin
0.1%
-0.4%
-2.9%
-22.8%
$918,325
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
0.1%
-0.8%
-3.2%
-23.2%
$1,040,913
Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington
The wider Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington area remained patchy in February, with Porirua down by -0.3%, and both Kāpiti Coast and Te Awa Kairangi ki Uta Upper Hutt seeing a minor -0.1% fall.
By contrast, Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt was stable, and Wellington City itself (the largest market in this region) saw a solid 0.8% rise in values. That saw the quarterly change for Wellington City come in at 1.1%, and values are now only slightly down (-0.3%) from a year ago.
Mr Davidson noted, “economic and political uncertainty still seems to be lingering around Wellington, which is weighing on the property market. As the election becomes a stronger focus in the coming months, this situation may not change too much.”
“Still, Wellington City property values recorded a strong lift in February. It’s still early to call it a new trend, but better affordability conditions for buyers might set the stage for growth in the medium term.”
Change in dwelling values
Month
Quarter
Annual
From peak
Median value
Kāpiti Coast
-0.1%
-0.1%
-3.5%
-23.0%
$787,008
Porirua
-0.3%
-1.4%
-3.4%
-24.8%
$719,858
Te Awa Kairangi ki Uta Upper Hutt
-0.1%
-0.2%
-1.8%
-24.9%
$708,605
Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt
0.0%
-1.0%
-2.6%
-26.7%
$663,635
Wellington City
0.8%
1.1%
-0.3%
-24.1%
$875,710
Te-Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington
0.4%
0.2%
-1.4%
-24.8%
$777,690
Regional results
Outside the main centres, property values strengthened in February, apart from minor -0.1% dips in Rotorua and Ngāmotu New Plymouth, alongside a flat result in Te Papaioea Palmerston North.
Elsewhere among the next tier of markets, there were more notable lifts in values in Tairāwhiti Gisborne (0.9%), Waihōpai Invercargill (1.1%), and Whanganui (1.2%).
“Alongside Ashburton, Timaru, Gore, and Southland District, Invercargill is the other part of the country where property values are at a new peak.
Affordability will be a factor in these areas, but the shape of the economy – with the primary sector performing well at present – will also be playing a role in supporting property values,” Davidson noted.
Region
Change in dwelling values
Month
Quarter
Annual
From peak
Median value
Whangārei
0.1%
-0.9%
-1.7%
-19.6%
$717,833
Heretaunga Hastings
0.2%
-1.8%
-1.2%
-18.5%
$712,171
Ahuriri Napier
0.4%
0.4%
-0.3%
-18.2%
$703,516
Te Papaioea Palmerston North
0.0%
0.3%
0.6%
-18.1%
$607,217
Tairāwhiti Gisborne
0.9%
1.1%
4.3%
-13.9%
$623,830
Whakatū Nelson
0.2%
-0.4%
-2.2%
-13.9%
$718,436
Rotorua
-0.1%
0.0%
-0.2%
-12.6%
$629,451
Whanganui
1.2%
1.3%
2.5%
-9.9%
$521,106
Ngāmotu New Plymouth
-0.1%
-0.4%
-0.8%
-6.2%
$701,113
Tāhuna Queenstown
0.1%
0.3%
0.0%
-4.0%
$1,526,975
Waihōpai Invercargill
1.1%
1.9%
6.1%
At peak
$515,067
Property market outlook
Mr Davidson noted that the latest, cautious Monetary Policy Statement and recent cuts to longer-term mortgage rates by some banks could be buoying borrowers.
“Anyone with large debts will no doubt be pleased to see the Reserve Bank pushing back slightly on the suggestion that the OCR could rise sooner rather than later.”
“However, borrowing decisions are nevertheless still changing. As people anticipate a tightening cycle at some stage, there’s now 30% of existing loans fixed and not due to reprice for not at least a year, the highest share since February 2024.”
Looking ahead, property market activity levels should continue to increase this year, potentially bringing down the stock of listings on the market to some extent, and creating a bit more upwards pressure on house prices.
However, Mr Davidson also noted that “lending restrictions, particularly the debt-to-income ratios remain a guardrail in the background.”
“In addition, the physical stock of dwellings has recently risen relative to our population, which is an additional restraint on property value growth.”
“All in all, although the so-called animal spirits in the housing market have the potential to re-emerge at any stage and with little warning, a balanced view at present is for only modest growth in values this year,” Mr Davidson concluded.
The Cotality Hedonic Home Value Index (HVI) is calculated using a hedonic regression methodology that addresses the issue of compositional bias associated with median price and other measures. In simple terms, the index is calculated using recent sales data combined with information about the attributes of individual properties such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, land area and geographical context of the dwelling. By separating each property into its various formational and locational attributes, observed sales values for each property can be distinguished between those attributed to the property’s attributes and those resulting from changes in the underlying residential property market. Additionally, by understanding the value associated with each attribute of a given property, this methodology can be used to estimate the value of dwellings with known characteristics for which there is no recent sales price by observing the characteristics and sales prices of other dwellings which have recently transacted. It then follows that changes in the market value of the entire residential property stock can be accurately tracked through time.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2026 – Organized by the Hong Kong Women Professionals & Entrepreneurs Association (HKWPEA), the latest “Outstanding Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs Award” (OWA) opens for nomination.
HKWPEA members, 2026 Outstanding Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs Award Organising Committee members and past awardees
The first OWA dates back to 1999, 3 years after HKWPEA was inaugurated, and has been running at a few years’ interval since. The 2026 OWA is the 9th to be organized to recognize outstanding Hong Kong women professionals and entrepreneurs, to celebrate excellence, spotlight role models and to showcase the continuous contribution made by women in the current age and New Economy.
The press conference was hosted by HKWPEA represented by office bearers including Ms. Julianne Doe, President; Partner of Hui Doe & Sum Law Firm LLP; Ms. Jennifer Tan, Chairperson, Organizing Committee of 2026 OWA; Senior Advisor of Ant Digital Technologies – International Business and Partner of 01F Group; Ms. Marina Wong, JP, Chartered President; Ms. Helen Kan, Immediate Past President, HKWPEA; Ms. Sandra Mak, Director, Ms. Angel Hon, Director, and Ms. Agnes Koon, Director, HKWPEA.
Ms. Jennifer Tan, Chairperson, Organizing Committee of 2026 OWA, said: “Coming out of the challenging pandemic years, we found ourselves faced with global economic uncertainties and severe geopolitical issues calling for strong leadership and audacity to innovate and advance. Against this backdrop, we find it even more meaningful to celebrate outstanding women professionals and entrepreneurs in Hong Kong and thank them for their tireless contributions to society. Their accomplishments are leading lights for the younger generation. By highlighting their success, we encourage future leaders to chase their dreams and pursue sustainable initiatives to benefit communities and mankind.”
Nomination for the 2026 OWA recognising achievements in professions and business categories begins today until April 30, 2026. Six awardees will be selected by an eminent judging panel. The nomination form can be downloaded from HKWPEA website: https://www.hkwpea.org/
47 outstanding women have been selected in the past 8 OWA events. A few past OWA awardees were present at the press conference for a brief fire-side chat at the media conference. They are Dr. Eliza Yi Wah HO FOK, Winner, 2021 OWA, Chairman of the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation; Prof. Helen MENG, Winner, 2017 OWA, Patrick Huen Wing Ming Professor of Systems Engineering & Engineering Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong andDr. Rebecca LEE, Winner, 1999 OWA, Founder of Polar Museum Foundation. While sharing their key to success, they also encourage women from different fields to come forward and join the award scheme.
Ms. Marina Wong, Founding President of HKWPEA, announced the 2026 OWA Judging Panel composition:
Mr. Benjamin HUNG Pi Cheng, BBS, JP, President, International for Standard Chartered (Head Judge)
Ms. Agnes CHAN Sui Kuen, BBS, Chairman, Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce
Ms. Teresa KO Yuk Yin, BBS, JP, Former Senior Partner, Hong Kong and China Chairman, Freshfields
Hon. Jeffrey LAM Kin Fung, GBM, GBS, JP, Member of the Executive Council
Professor Charles NG Wang Wai, PhD, Vice-President for Institutional Advancement, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Dr. Rosanna WONG Yick Ming, DBE, JP, Senior Advisor, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups
Independent Advisor:
Professor Andrew CHAN Chi-fai, SBS, JP, Emeritus Professor, Department of Marketing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Business School
Since the inception in 1999, the award has achieved recognition in selecting women who provide outstanding examples to business leaders, peers and youth alike, in their high standard of integrity and ethical values. HKWPEA was established in 1996 as a non-profit organization by a group of local women professionals and entrepreneurs. They have come together to develop a strong support network, to create practical and innovative learning and business opportunities for themselves and for others, to promote high professional standards, and to respond to consultations of the HKSAR Government on various policy issues.
HKWPEA website: https://www.hkwpea.org/
Special thanks to Hong Kong Economic Times, our Media Partner
Hashtag: #HKWPEA
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
The Gloriavale compound on the West Coast.RNZ / Jean Edwards
Senior government minister Louise Upston says she did not see anything on a visit to Gloriavale that caused concern about children’s safety at the West Coast Christian community.
The Social Development Minister visited Gloriavale on 30 January where she met Overseeing Shepherd Stephen Standfast, senior leaders and other Gloriavale members.
Photos of the visit seen by RNZ show Upston speaking to parents, holding a baby, visiting a family home and touring the school art room.
Former Gloriavale member Virginia Courage has criticised the visit, saying the minister would not have seen the reality of life at the sect and should meet leavers rather than community leaders.
On Thursday Upston said the visit was important because she was responsible for an Abuse in Care Royal Commission recommendation the government take all practicable steps to ensure the ongoing safety of children, young people and adults at Gloriavale.
“I thought it was really important for me to be able to meet the key leaders, to be able to see for myself, and to ensure that I was well-informed,” she said.
Asked if she thought Gloriavale children were safe, Upston said “there was nothing that I saw that led me to think they weren’t”.
“What we’re working on is a community plan. I have to give them the benefit of the doubt and I am at this stage confident that they are engaged in the process, that they are working with the government agencies on the ground, that they’re working on an outcomes plan. That is very much anchored around the safety and care of children,” she said.
Social Development Minister Louise Upston visited Gloriavale on 30 January.RNZ / Mark Papalii
Government agencies were at Gloriavale working with the community on a regular basis, Upston said.
“Clearly there have been issues in the past. We are focussed now on the safety of children. There was nothing that I saw that led me to be concerned about it but regular contact with agencies on the ground will continue to happen and, because we are now looking at it as a group of agencies collectively, if there was anything that happened we would get to see it and know about it quickly,” she said.
Upston said she met a large group of Gloriavale leaders and attended a community gathering with a question-and-answer session.
“Then I did a walk-around like I usually do, I just wander off and go and talk to whoever I want to talk to and that’s exactly what I did,” she said.
Gloriavale’s leaders were concerned about education and schooling but Upston told them decisions about Gloriavale Christian School were a matter for the Secretary for Education.
The minister was unable to meet leavers in Wellington on a previous occasion but said she was happy to do so in future.
“I’ve said I’m happy to and the ball is in their court so when they’re back in Wellington, happy to catch up,” she said.
Upston was accompanied by National’s West Coast-Tasman MP Maureen Pugh, Ministry of Education deputy secretary Geoff Short and Regional Public Service Commissioner Craig Churchill.
Pugh said she had nothing further to add to the minister’s comments, except to say that she was there as the electorate MP to support Upston’s visit.
RNZ has approached Short and Churchill for comment.
Courage earlier told RNZ the minister should not have gone to Gloriavale.
“What she’s seeing is not reality, it’s crafted, it’s practised. Them going there and not being informed, not knowing what they’re dealing with, not having talked to leavers, not having gotten facts about the level of harm, really all you’re doing is giving Gloriavale air-time,” she said.
Upston would have met members hand-picked by Gloriavale’s leadership, Courage said.
“I’m highly, highly suspicious that this was just a PR event to make it look like they care. ‘We’ve been there and visited’ – and you didn’t see any abuse that day so it’s all okay? Of course you didn’t see any abuse, you were talking to the people who do the abusing,” she said.
“It actually upsets me to think that she went there and talked to the leadership. It’s the leadership who are responsible for the teachings that this community is suppressed and dominated by.”
Countless visits from police, politicians and government departments had failed to expose wrong-doing at Gloriavale, Courage said.
“None of them figured out what was going on, it had to be from ex-members going to court and proving it in court without a shadow of doubt the level of abuse, neglect, coercion, manipulation, deception even. You cannot go and visit Gloriavale and know what it’s about. You do not see the real thing,” she said.
Former Overseeing Shepherd Howard Temple was initially sentenced to two years and two months’ jail for indecently assaulting young women and girls, but that sentence was reduced to 11 months home detention.Tim Brown / RNZ
The High Court quashed Temple’s jail sentence on Tuesday following an appeal. The 85-year-old will instead serve 11 months’ home detention at a property in Greymouth.
A Gloriavale spokesperson said the minister came to see the community first-hand and meet a cross-section of members including the school board, mothers, managers and leaders.
It was a short visit including a brief inspection of the school, main building and accommodation, and a meeting with a homeschooling family, the spokesperson said.
The minister and senior leaders discussed “concerns about the registration of the school, success of our policies regarding abuse and continuing plans to support leavers”, they said.
Standfast took on the role of Overseeing Shepherd last December following the resignation of Howard Temple, who was sentenced to two years and two months’ jail for indecently assaulting young women and girls over 20 years.
The High Court quashed Temple’s jail sentence on Tuesday following an appeal. The 85-year-old will instead serve 11 months’ home detention at a property in Greymouth.
Last December the Ministry of Education announced it was cancelling Gloriavale Christian School’s registration because of safety concerns but the private school remains open pending a High Court judicial review.
Gloriavale founder Hopeful Christian – formerly known as Neville Cooper – was sentenced to five years in prison in December 1995 on three charges of indecent assault.
The Abuse in Care inquiry found the Overseeing Shepherd and senior leaders at fault for allowing physical and sexual abuse at the community, failing to prevent abuse and protect survivors and inappropriately handling perpetrators, allowing them to remain in the community and continue their abuse.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
This new addition reflects the company’s dedication to supporting the growing demands for logistics and warehousing services in the country
The warehouse is a part of strategic growth plans to significantly expand its warehousing footprint and service offering in the country
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2026 – Leading global logistics service provider Rhenus Group has officially opened a new warehouse in Philippines’ Paranaque, Metro Manila. This marks the company’s effort to expand its presence as a leading logistics player in the Philippines, with plans to add more warehousing space in the near future.
The warehouse is strategically located in NCR, close to major business districts and offers excellent access to major transport routes via direct access from SLEX Sucat. The brand new 7,320 sqm multi-user warehouse facility features a very high ceiling of around 20m with full insulation. It has the highest level of structural integrity and meets very high safety and security standards. Some of the features include Optical Beam Smoke Detectors, Sprinklers, mechanical cross ventilation system, fully enclosed gated compound, 24×7 security guards, full CCTV coverage with 60 days video retention, intruder alarm system, etc.
With a focus on sustainability, the warehouse utilizes LED lighting, solar panel provision, and a skylight to harness natural light, in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint. The warehouse is in the process of obtaining ISO certifications in Quality Management Systems (QMS), Environmental Management Systems (EMS), and Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Management Systems.
The new warehouse expands the footprint of seven existing facilities across Manila, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao, strengthening nationwide coverage and smooth integration with global supply chains.
“Rhenus offers 4 million m² of storage across 180 locations in 21 countries, providing tailored contract logistics solutions. The new warehouse will enhance our logistics network in the APAC region, enabling us to deliver more efficient and sustainable logistics operations for our customers. We are committed to optimizing supply chains and meeting diverse client needs,” said Marcus Fornell, Regional Head of Rhenus APAC Warehousing Solutions.
Rhenus in the Philippines
The freight and logistics market size in the Philippines is estimated at USD 16.20 billion in 2026 and is expected to reach USD 21.60 billion by 2031[1].
“Rhenus Philippines will continue to strengthen our position further in the market. With the opening of this new warehouse, we are moving forward with our plan to continue to invest in modern and state-of-the-art facilities. This allows us to expand our footprint and product portfolio to serve our customers’ requirements with the highest level of efficiency, safety, security, and compliance,” said Deepak Sharma, Managing Director of Rhenus Warehousing Solutions Philippines.
Rhenus Philippines has strong expertise in chemical warehousing, consumer goods, machinery and industrial logistics. Together with its freight forwarding entity, it offers a wide range of comprehensive services to customers, including warehousing and distribution solutions, domestic inter-island shipping, customs brokerage, project logistics, as well as air, ocean, and road freight.
More information on Rhenus Philippines is available at:
https://www.rhenus.group/ph/
Details of the new warehouse:
Address: Emilia St., San Isidro, Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Contact: +632 8424 8097
Hashtag: #Rhenus
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
American Samoa’s Aaliyah Tu’ua and New Zealand’s Hannah Blake.Joshua Devenie / Phototek.nz
The Football Ferns overcame their biggest test, so far, of the Oceania World Cup qualifiers when they defeated American Samoa 3-0 in the Solomon Islands on Thursday.
In a battle between the top two sides in Group A, Football Fern Kelli Brown scored from the penalty spot just before half-time to break the deadlock.
Claudia Bunge doubled New Zealand’s lead just after half-time when she got on the end of a bending Michaela Foster cross.
Indiah Paige-Riley scored from long range, nestling the ball in the top left corner, in the 71st minute.
American Samoa managed to restrict the Football Ferns’ scoring in a way that Samoa and the Solomon Islands had not been able to earlier in the tournament.
In both previous matches the New Zealanders had scored eight unanswered goals.
The Football Ferns had already secured a place in the next stage of the qualification process for next year’s World Cup, the semi-finals, to be held in New Zealand next month.
The final will be played in Auckland on 15 April with the winner booking their place at the World Cup in Brazil.
New Zealand agritech company HortPlus has today announced key appointments to its senior leadership team as it positions itself for growth and international expansion.
Director Mike Barley has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, Cody Ellingham has been named Chief Strategy Officer and Bailey Jewell has taken up the position of Chief Technology Officer.
The three bring decades of experience in the technology and horticulture industries and have a deep understanding of HortPlus, its customers and the global agri-tech landscape.
“I’m delighted with the expertise we’ve assembled, not just across our leadership team, but across the entire business,” Barley says.
“The coming year holds significant opportunities for international growth, expansion of our weather station network and groundbreaking new integrations between our flagship MetWatch weather and disease portal and other leading technologies and services.”
Last year HortPlus expanded its services to Fresh Berry Company by enhancing the well-known New Zealand berry producer’s industry-leading ‘Berry Harvest Planning Tool’, developed by HortPlus to make harvest planning and forecasting easier.
This follows recent collaborations with other major corporates, including Constellation Brands which harnesses HortPlus data to support crop protection decisions that improve sustainability, reduce crop losses and boost profitability.
“It’s a buzz to be providing services to household names that are growing the crops that so many people in New Zealand, and internationally, know well.
“As the twin waves of AI and data-driven technology continue to converge and more people embrace the value of data for sound horticultural and business decision making, I’m confident the tools we provide will only get more popular, and more powerful.”
Established in Hawke’s Bay more than 25 years ago, HortPlus now has offices in Hawke’s Bay and Wellington, with customers in horticulture regions globally as far away as Italy.
It manages a network of more than 1,000 weather stations across Australia and New Zealand and offers a wide array of consultancy and environmental data services. That includes its well-known online platform, MetWatch, used by thousands of growers in a wide variety of different horticultural sectors, as well as researchers and science bodies such as Bioeconomy Science Institute and Foundation for Arable Research, among others.
The Education and Workforce Select Committee has reported back on its inquiry into the harm young New Zealanders encounter online saying the current law is not adequate. It makes a range of recommendations including:
Strengthen liability for online harm, e.g. for platform design, such as use of algorithms and infinite scroll features
Establish an independent national regulator for online safety – the report states that effective regulatory change cannot be accomplished without an empowered regulator
Regulate algorithmic recommendation systems
Mandate algorithm transparency
“The Committee’s report strongly affirms that online harm is an urgent issue, that legal safeguards are needed targeting platform accountability and transparency, and the need for an independent regulator.
“The rise of the internet has opened up incredible possibilities. However, without proper regulations, we’ve witnessed the growth of digital platforms that can create harmful online environments impacting all of society, not just young people. From death threats, revenge porn, live-streamed terrorism, to complex financial scams, the harm is profound. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
“The Committee’s report is clear, we can better protect all New Zealanders through such measures as transparency and accountability, overseen by an independent regulator.
“Search engines and social media platforms have been designed to promote content that drives engagement, regardless of its harmful effects. Therefore we would also like to see a duty of care introduced where companies must actively assess and mitigate risks with the aim of making online platforms safer by design. An approach countries like Australia and the UK, and the European Union are already doing,” says Anjum Rahman from the Tāhono Trust.
“We know the Government is considering the issue of online harm, but it shouldn’t only focus on a social media ban for young people. While this was one of the Committee’s recommendations, the report was clear more is needed. Banning social media for young people doesn’t address the root causes of harm and places the burden of safety on young people and parents while allowing platforms to continue operating predatory business models. In addition, we’re very concerned that such a policy would mean people have to give away identity data, including biometrics. This in turn raises serious privacy questions about what happens with this data.
“Any plan that solely puts the burden on parents and young people while leaving the toxic architecture of these platforms untouched, will have failed so many New Zealanders,” says Lisa Woods from Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand.
Notably, the InternetNZ Insights Report explored people’s thoughts about AI – a feature of many online platforms. It was reported that 68% of people are concerned that AI is being used to produce harmful content with 65% concerned it’s being used for malicious purposes. 64% think there is insufficient regulation and law governing the development of AI.
“We need to create proper safeguards – pragmatic and effective law that upholds human rights, including free speech. Importantly in doing so the Government must keep at the forefront its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and work with Māori to develop appropriate regulation,” says Woods.
February will be remembered for the “Valentine’s Storm” – a low-pressure system originating in the subtropics which deepened dramatically as it stalled near and to the east of the country in the middle of the month. Another low-pressure system with more limited impacts opened the month, and these two depressions dominate the overall monthly pressure anomaly. However, in between these systems there were some prolonged periods of settled weather over New Zealand.
Further highlights:
The highest temperature was 33.6°C, observed at Hastings on 2 February.
The lowest temperature was -0.7°C, observed at Waipara River North Branch on 28 February.
The highest 1-day rainfall was 243 mm, recorded at Akaroa on 16 February.
The highest wind gust was 241 km/h, observed at Cape Turnagain on 16 February.
Of the six main centres, Tauranga was the sunniest, Auckland was the driest and warmest, Wellington was the wettest, and Dunedin was the coolest and least sunny.
The sunniest four regions in 2026 so far are wider Nelson (555 hours), Taranaki (536 hours), Bay of Plenty (535 hours), and Tasman (529 hours).
BARCELONA, SPAIN – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – OPPO and MediaTek showcased new on-device AI advancements at MediaTek’s “AI for Life” keynote during Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026. Jason Liao, President of the OPPO Research Institute, highlighted how deep collaboration between the two companies is accelerating AI deployment on smartphones.
Jason Liao Speaking at MediaTek Keynote
The event marked the rollout of new on-device AI capabilities, progress on the jointly developed Omni Model, and advances in cross-ecosystem connectivity — outlining a shared vision for the next generation of AI Phones.
From Chip to Experience: Advancing On-Device AI
As mobile experiences become increasingly AI-driven, OPPO is advancing its AI strategy centered on “New Computing, New Perception, and New Ecosystem.” At the core of this strategy is “On-device Compute”, enabling low-latency, privacy-preserving, and personalized AI experiences. As Jason Liao emphasized, “On-device Compute is a cornerstone of OPPO’s AI strategy, making AI a perceptible, real-time experience integrated into everyday usage.” This shared vision underpins the deep collaboration between OPPO and MediaTek on flagship chip platforms, accelerating the transition of on-device AI from technical concept to scalable deployment.
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 platform, OPPO’s self-developed on-device AI Translate and AI Portrait Glow now deliver performance comparable to cloud-based solutions. These features will soon roll out to OPPO Find X9 Series through the upcoming ColorOS 16 software update.
The on-device AI Translate can run directly on the device, achieving an average 15% improvement in accuracy over conventional approaches while supporting seamless multilingual translation. It maintains stable output even without internet connectivity or under weak signal conditions, enabling reliable translation across diverse scenarios.
Meanwhile, on-device AI Portrait Glow enhances portraits captured in challenging lighting environments. By intelligently analyzing and reconstructing scene illumination, it improves results in dim or backlit conditions while maintaining natural rendering — all without network reliance. Demonstrations have showcased exceptional performance in both visual realism and adaptability to various scenes.
OPPO On-device AI Features
OPPO and MediaTek also unveiled a technology preview of Omni, the industry’s first on-device full-modal AI model designed for multi-modal understanding and interaction. Supporting voice, video, and text inputs, Omni enables live scene understanding and interactive Q&A directly on a smartphone. This advancement strengthens on-device AI’s ability to perceive and interpret the physical world, laying the foundation for more proactive and natural human–computer interaction.
OPPO On-device Omni Model
Demonstrating Ecosystem Integration and Innovation
The collaboration was further showcased in the interactive experience zone at the MediaTek booth, where attendees explored Find X9 Pro’s on-device AI capabilities alongside its telephoto imaging with the OPPO Hasselblad Teleconverter. Reno15 Pro was also featured, presenting creative AI imaging tools including AI Motion Photo Eraser, AI Motion Photo Popout, and the AI Flash Photography.
OPPO at MediaTek Booth
Coming soon, OPPO’s Find X9 Series will bring Android Quick Share, enabled in close collaboration with MediaTek and Google. Without installing third-party applications, users can conveniently and securely transfer files between OPPO smartphones and iOS, iPadOS and macOS devices, improving cross-platform interoperability. The feature is expected to begin rolling out via software update starting in March.
At MWC 2026, OPPO Find X9 Pro was shortlisted for the “Best Smartphone” award at the GLOMO Awards, gaining recognition for its innovation across performance, imaging, and AI integration.
Looking ahead, OPPO and MediaTek will continue strengthening collaboration in frontier areas such as on-device AI to advance user experience. Together, the two companies remain committed to delivering more powerful and reliable AI experiences to users worldwide.
*Google, Android and Quick Share are trademarks of Google LLC.
Hashtag: #OPPO
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Legislation to support a more efficient census and provide timelier data for New Zealand has passed its first reading today, Statistics Minister Dr Shane Reti and Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith say.
“The Data and Statistics (Census) Amendment Bill will move New Zealand from the traditional five-yearly, survey-led census to a more efficient annual approach that draws on existing government data, supported by a smaller annual survey and targeted data collection, to better meet the country’s needs,” Dr Reti says.
“Rising costs, declining response rates, and disruptions from events such as natural disasters have shown the traditional approach is no longer sustainable.
“Accurate population data is essential for planning hospitals, schools, transport, and other core services. The census remains critical to understanding who we are as a nation and to providing the data needed to fix the basics and build the future.”
The Data and Statistics (Census) Amendment Bill confirms the first annual census will take place in 2030 and requires Stats NZ to publish census data every year thereafter, providing government, businesses, and communities with more timely and useful information.
It also sets requirements for public consultation on census content, including harder-to-reach groups, and establishes review processes to support the new approach.
“In light of these changes, we’re also progressing legislation which alters the timing of electoral boundary reviews,” Mr Goldsmith says.
“Reviews currently take place following every census, however, to do so every year is not necessary.
“Therefore, from 2030 they’ll now be required to take place after every second general election. This will ensure reviews remain regular and on a predictable basis, to ensure electorates reflect population changes.”