Category: Asia Pacific

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Sheep farmers come to parliament to celebrate record year

Source: New Zealand Government

Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has today hosted a celebratory barbecue for farmers, industry representatives and MPs to mark the upcoming National Lamb Day on 15 February.

“As we honour the legacy of the pioneers behind the first shipment of frozen sheep meat to the United Kingdom, we also celebrate lamb exports exceeding $4 billion for the first time last year,” Mr McClay says.

“Today we acknowledge the red meat sector and its significant economic contribution to New Zealand, as well as the hardworking men and women behind that success.

“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy. Meat and wool export revenue alone is forecast to increase seven per cent to $13.2 billion in the year to 30 June 2026.
 
“The efforts of New Zealand’s hard-working sheep and beef farmers support tens of thousands of jobs, and the sector is crucial to New Zealand’s ambitious goal of doubling the value of exports in 10 years.

“This Government is focused on building the future. We’re cutting red tape through significant reforms, building trade, boosting farmgate returns, and investing in the health of rural New Zealand,” Mr McClay says.

“Since coming to Government, we have concluded, signed and entered into force the NZ–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, finished negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council, and secured a high-quality, once-in-a-generation Free Trade Agreement with India.

“We’ll continue removing barriers to trade, opening doors to new partners and making the most of strong trading relationships.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/sheep-farmers-come-to-parliament-to-celebrate-record-year/

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Point Hope Releases Research on AI Adoption and the Durability of Incumbent Businesses

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE / KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 February 2026 – Point Hope, a local investment firm, has published a new research note examining the implications of accelerating artificial intelligence (AI) investment, infrastructure constraints, and evolving competitive dynamics within equities markets.

The research addresses two dominant concerns currently shaping investor sentiment. The first is whether AI will disrupt incumbent businesses, particularly in capital-light software sectors. The second relates to whether physical constraints — especially power generation, permitting, and grid capacity — may slow the rollout of AI infrastructure and temper expectations embedded in current market valuations.

According to the firm’s analysis, both concerns warrant careful consideration. Power generation remains capital-intensive and time-consuming, suggesting that AI deployment is likely to progress unevenly rather than in a linear fashion.

At the same time, the scale of capital investment underway is unprecedented. Large technology companies have outlined plans for an estimated US$600–700billion of AI-related capital expenditure in 2026, with a significant portion directed toward data centres, chips, servers, and supporting infrastructure. These commitments reflect their belief that AI will become a core input across the global economy.

The research argues that for equity investors, the more consequential question is not whether AI adoption will continue, but how it will reshape competitive advantage among incumbent businesses.

Recent market volatility has highlighted increasing scepticism toward established software companies, particularly those operating capital-light, subscription-based models. However, Point Hope cautions against assuming widespread displacement. Large software incumbents that possess entrenched enterprise relationships, network effects, and proprietary data, are likely to also have high switching costs for their customers, particularly in regulated or mission-critical environments.

Furthermore, the research notes that technological adoption does not necessarily imply wholesale reinvention. In many cases, AI is expected to reinforce incumbents’ competitive positions rather than undermine them.

This durability-focused perspective underpins Point Hope’s long-term equity investment approach, which emphasises resilience to disruption, cash-flow generation, and the ability to compound value across market cycles.

“We view earnings and cash-flow durability as the ultimate arbiters of value,” says Guan Zhen Tan, Chief Investment Officer of Point Hope. “That perspective encourages patience during periods when market narratives move faster than fundamentals.”

Point Hope’s research concludes that while markets will ultimately resolve these questions through earnings releases in the coming months, periods of heightened narrative-driven volatility may reward patient investors willing to prioritise fundamentals over short-term themes.

https://www.pointhopegroup.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/point-hope/posts/
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Hashtag: #PointHope

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/point-hope-releases-research-on-ai-adoption-and-the-durability-of-incumbent-businesses/

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‘Education hub’ opens for students cut off from schools by Helena Bay Hill slip

Source: Radio New Zealand

Students cut off from their high schools by a monster slip northeast of Whangārei are instead taking lessons at a temporary ‘education hub’ set up at a local primary school. Supplied / Ngātiwai Trust Board

Northland secondary students cut off from their schools by a massive slip are taking lessons at a temporary ‘education hub’ until the road can be reopened.

Last month’s deluge triggered a landslide on Russell Road which has cut off the main road access for coastal communities northeast of Whangārei.

While the road to the north has reopened following repairs to a washed-out bridge, the detour via the Ōpua ferry adds at least an extra two hours each way to the journey to Whangārei.

The Ministry of Education said students in Helena Bay, Ōakura and Whangaruru normally attended four different high schools in Whangārei.

Isabel Evans, hautū (leader) for Te Tai Raro-North, said an education hub had been established at a local primary school so the affected students could continue learning.

Lessons at He Puna Ruku Mātauranga o Whangaruru, or Whangaruru School, started on Monday.

Evans said students attending the hub would remain enrolled at their usual schools. Learning would be supported on-site using Whangaruru School’s facilities, with students working at their current year levels using learning packs provided by their enrolled schools.

“School leaders will remain in regular contact with hub staff, the students and whānau. The hub will remain in place until the slip is cleared or the road is deemed safe to travel.”

Earlier, Whangārei District Council infrastructure committee chairman Brad Flower said the slip at Helena Bay Hill involved around 100,000 cubic metres of mud, boulders and trees. Some of the boulders weighed as much as 100 tonnes apiece.

Flower said even if contractors were able to shift 1000 cubic metres of debris a day, and worked every day with no weather interruptions, it would take three months to clear the road.

Only once the slip was cleared would it be known if the road itself had been damaged.

In the meantime the council had opened up an alternative ‘lifeline route’ south to Whangārei via Pigs Head Road and Kaiikanui Road.

But that route was narrow, steep and unsealed, with traffic only allowed through in convoys at set times, one direction at a time.

A local state of emergency in the Hikurangi-Coastal Ward, which included the coastal communities worst affected by the storm, was lifted on 3 February.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/education-hub-opens-for-students-cut-off-from-schools-by-helena-bay-hill-slip/

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Big gaps in awareness, treatment, support for ovarian cancer

Source: Radio New Zealand

Nearly half of all New Zealand women with ovarian cancer are being diagnosed in emergency departments across the country. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

A new report says there are big gaps in New Zealand awareness, treatment and support for ovarian cancer which is the least survivable women’s cancer and takes one woman’s life every two days.

The Ovarian Cancer Foundation released new research at Parliament on Wednesday which found significant gaps in New Zealand’s awareness, diagnosis, treatment, support, research and clinical trials for ovarian cancer.

The report titled State of Ovarian Cancer Report – Aotearoa New Zealand 2025 said that there are an average of 306 new diagnoses each year and that one woman dies of the disease every 48 hours.

The foundation’s general manager, Liz Pennington, told Midday Report that there was a lack of awareness and understanding of the signs and symptoms of ovarian.

“We know that in New Zealand for example, nearly half of all women are actually being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in emergency departments across Aotearoa and we certainly know that when women are attending Accident and Emergency they’re attending because obviously they’re in pain or the presenting really acutely.”

That was a significantly higher rate of women being diagnosed in A and E than in Australia, where the rate was 21 to 28 percent, she said.

Crosses representing ovarian cancer deaths on the steps of Parliament after a petition with more than 7000 signatures, calling for national diagnostic guidelines to be developed for ovarian cancer was presented there on 16 March 2021. RNZ / Dom Thomas

New Zealand had a very low level of research funding into ovarian cancer when compared with comparable companies, she said.

“When it comes to access to things like clinical trials currently in New Zealand women can only access five, again if we look across the Tasman in Australia women can access 44.”

Another issue is problems with accessing ultrasound for New Zealand women which meant that diagnosis was often significantly delayed, with women being encouraged to pay to go privately when and if they could, she said.

“And we’ve got 30 percent of women dying in that first year from the diagnosis that I talked about and a five year survival rate of only 42.8 percent, so a really significant issue needing significant investment and a plan of action really.”

A woman who went to the GP in Australia with potential symptoms of ovarian cancer such as bloating, feeling full without having eaten a lot and changes to bowel or bladder habits would be treated differently from one in New Zealand, she said.

“In Australia the pathway would be pelvic exam, so you know a feel of her tummy and things, a discussion and then she can be sent for both a blood test and a scan, here in New Zealand that’s not the case.”

In New Zealand, the woman may be sent for the blood test which is called CA125 and then after that she would be likely to have to revisit the GP where there could be problems getting an appointment and then she might be sent for an ultrasound, she said.

“But the large majority of GPs were telling us in the survey that access to ultrasound was difficult and that it was one of the key factors delaying diagnosis – so that’s something that needs to change.”

Three new treatments for ovarian cancer had been released in New Zealand in the last five years which had reduced the gap with Australia, she said.

But if those treatments were not funded then patients and their families had to resort to things like crowd funding or mortgaging their houses to pay for it, she said.

The report urges health decision-makers to implement the following actions:

  • Add ovarian cancer symptoms education to the national cervical screening programme and clarify that screening does not detect other gynaecological cancers
  • Amend Health Pathways to allow GPs to refer symptomatic women for an ultrasound at their first GP visit
  • Identify people at higher genetic risk before they get ovarian cancer
  • Address gynae-oncology specialist shortages
  • Prioritise ovarian cancer clinical trials
  • Increase funding and focus on ovarian cancer by the Health Research Council
  • Address data gaps and make accurate, real-time data more accessible across the health system
  • Improve medicines access and investment
  • Include people with lived experience, their whānau and patient advocacy groups in service design, policy and research

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/big-gaps-in-awareness-treatment-support-for-ovarian-cancer/

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Safety restrictions eased on four Tauranga homes after landslide

Source: Radio New Zealand

Damaged property from the landslide at Welcome Bay on 23 January. RNZ / Calvin Samuel

All four homes red-stickered in Tauranga’s Welcome Bay after a deadly landslide last month have had their safety restrictions eased.

The large slip hit neighbouring homes on Welcome Bay Road killing two people during the storm that hit the upper and eastern North Island.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council said yellow stickers had replaced the red.

“Given the land had dried out since the weather event, and the ‘additional weight’ on the land reduced, council’s consultant geotechnical engineers deemed the risk of imminent slip had reduced to a point where the properties could be accessed, under certain conditions,” it said.

Three homes had a Y2 type of sticker which allowed short-term access, and one had a more onerous Y1 which allowed access only to certain parts of a building.

It was up to the homeowners what to do next.

“Additional geotechnical investigations for affected properties will need to be undertaken by the homeowners in conjunction with their insurance companies, to identify a way forward to remove the hazards,” council duty controller Peter Watson said in a statement.

The council was not considering an inquiry, he said.

An [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/585703/tauranga-city-council-votes-for-independent-review-into-fatal-mt-maunganui-landslide

independent inquiry] is going ahead nearby under Tauranga City Council into the Mt Maunganui campground landslide that killed six people, and the government may also do an inquiry.

Last month, local resident Dawn McNaughton said there were seven slips on her property on Welcome Bay Road. Supplied

No detailed survey of landslide risks

The history of landslides in the Welcome Bay area included a geotech study in 1980 that said: “Recent subdivisions in Welcome Bay should be examined by a geotechnical engineer as the area contains many inferred landslides, which may be reactivated by urban development.”

It was titled A preliminary assessment of geological factors influencing slope stability and landslipping in and around Tauranga city.

“The site of the fatal slip was not subdivided until the 1990s, with the building having been built in the year 2000, therefore it would not have been one of the subdivisions mentioned in the report,” Watson told RNZ on Tuesday.

The council had not carried out a detailed survey or assessment of landslide risks for the parts of Welcome Bay Road in the district, he said.

“We instead require that the stability of subdivisions on sloping ground … is assessed and demonstrated by an accredited geotechnical engineer or geologist as part of the resource consent process.”

Urban and lifestyle development areas that were known to be susceptible to land instability from studies done in 1981 and 2009 became a focus, but the Welcome Bay Road properties were zoned rural and not included in these studies.

The studies provided input for its district plan hazard maps, covering:

For the latter, “the scale at which this assessment was completed does not allow analysis on a site-by-site or individual subdivision scale”, Watson said.

The Geotechnical Society has a list of geotech studies in the area.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/safety-restrictions-eased-on-four-tauranga-homes-after-landslide/

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‘Education hub’ for students cut off from schools by Helena Bay Hill slip

Source: Radio New Zealand

Students cut off from their high schools by a monster slip northeast of Whangārei are instead taking lessons at a temporary ‘education hub’ set up at a local primary school. Supplied / Ngātiwai Trust Board

Northland secondary students cut off from their schools by a massive slip are taking lessons at a temporary ‘education hub’ until the road can be reopened.

Last month’s deluge triggered a landslide on Russell Road which has cut off the main road access for coastal communities northeast of Whangārei.

While the road to the north has reopened following repairs to a washed-out bridge, the detour via the Ōpua ferry adds at least an extra two hours each way to the journey to Whangārei.

The Ministry of Education said students in Helena Bay, Ōakura and Whangaruru normally attended four different high schools in Whangārei.

Isabel Evans, hautū (leader) for Te Tai Raro-North, said an education hub had been established at a local primary school so the affected students could continue learning.

Lessons at He Puna Ruku Mātauranga o Whangaruru, or Whangaruru School, started on Monday.

Evans said students attending the hub would remain enrolled at their usual schools. Learning would be supported on-site using Whangaruru School’s facilities, with students working at their current year levels using learning packs provided by their enrolled schools.

“School leaders will remain in regular contact with hub staff, the students and whānau. The hub will remain in place until the slip is cleared or the road is deemed safe to travel.”

Earlier, Whangārei District Council infrastructure committee chairman Brad Flower said the slip at Helena Bay Hill involved around 100,000 cubic metres of mud, boulders and trees. Some of the boulders weighed as much as 100 tonnes apiece.

Flower said even if contractors were able to shift 1000 cubic metres of debris a day, and worked every day with no weather interruptions, it would take three months to clear the road.

Only once the slip was cleared would it be known if the road itself had been damaged.

In the meantime the council had opened up an alternative ‘lifeline route’ south to Whangārei via Pigs Head Road and Kaiikanui Road.

But that route was narrow, steep and unsealed, with traffic only allowed through in convoys at set times, one direction at a time.

A local state of emergency in the Hikurangi-Coastal Ward, which included the coastal communities worst affected by the storm, was lifted on 3 February.

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

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/education-hub-for-students-cut-off-from-schools-by-helena-bay-hill-slip/

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A year of coping with the grief of losing a daughter

Source: Radio New Zealand

When Kirsten O’Connor’s daughter Kahlia died by suicide in April last year, she started to keep records about her creative and complex daughter.

It was a way of processing her grief, she told RNZ’s Afternoons.

“Sometimes when you’re going through grieving, the brain isn’t working quite right. You forget memories. And I was really scared that I would forget memories of Kahlia.”

Kahlia and Kirsten O’Connor dressed up for an Elton John concert.

Kirsten O’Connor

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/a-year-of-coping-with-the-grief-of-losing-a-daughter/

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Watch: Where Wellington’s sewage is drifting in the harbour

Source: Radio New Zealand

Experts say it is safe to swim at beaches in the capital’s harbour, but Wellingtonians are taking a cautious approach.

Nearly a week ago, the Moa Point Treatment Plant started pumping raw sewage into the ocean off the south coast after it completely failed early Wednesday morning.

The following Thursday evening, the raw sewage was diverted from being dumped near the coast to a 1.8km outfall pipe.

Wellington Water has warned it may need to use the short outfall pipe if it were to rain in the city.

There was no evidence to suggest sewage was reaching the city’s inner harbour, but at Oriental Bay most people RNZ spoke to thought locals were being careful around the water.

Calypso Science, a New Plymouth based oceanography research company with a focus on coastal currents, created a model of Wellington’s south coast after the sewage plant failure.

Physical oceanographer Remy Zyngfogel told RNZ based on that work, the sewage seemed not to be flowing into the inner harbour.

“I didn’t see anything near Lower Hutt, it is mainly concentrated near Lyall Bay and Ōwhiro Bay.”

See the migration of sewage in Wellington Harbour in the player above.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/watch-where-wellingtons-sewage-is-drifting-in-the-harbour/

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Hastings stabbing – Police appeal for footage

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Karli Whiu:

Hastings Police are seeking information as they investigate a serious stabbing that occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning 7 February.

At around 3.25am, Police were called to a report of a stabbing at an address in the Karamu Road North area.

Officers located a man with severe injuries. Police immediately provided first aid before paramedics transported him to hospital, where he underwent surgery. He remains in a critical condition.

The alleged offender fled the scene prior to Police arrival.

At approximately 6am, Police received information about a man hiding at a property on Mayfair Avenue, not far from where the incident occurred. The man was located and arrested without further incident.

He has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and has been remanded in custody.

Police are now seeking CCTV footage from residents in the surrounding area that may have captured information between the time of the incident and his arrest. Residents are asked to carefully check the time settings on their cameras, including any daylight‑savings adjustments, to ensure footage covers the relevant period.

Police are also asking local residents to check their properties for any items that may have been discarded by the alleged offender.

Anyone with information is asked to make a report at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking ‘Update Report’, or by calling 105. Please use reference number 260207/3403.

Alternatively, information can also be shared anonymously through Crime Stoppers, by calling 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/hastings-stabbing-police-appeal-for-footage/

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Reckless ride ends in court for teen

Source: New Zealand Police

A teenager’s reckless ride on an electric bike through the North Shore found him making a hard landing into court.

On Tuesday night, Police initially responded to an aggravated robbery on Coliseum Drive, Albany at 7.41pm.

Inspector Aron McKeown, Waitematā East Area Prevention Manager, says the teenage victim was outside a fast-food restaurant at the time.

“A teenage male offender has approached the victim, allegedly stealing his electric trail bike at knifepoint,” he says.

“The bike has been driven across the car park towards the mall and out of sight.”

The Police Eagle helicopter had been in the area for another matter, when the crew became aware of the job unfolding.

“Eagle responded and located the bike being driven at excessive speed on the Northern Busway southbound.

“The bike has continued to be tracked by Eagle, as it exited at Constellation Station, making its way onto the Northern Motorway.”

No units pursued the bike, but its movements were tracked from above.

Inspector McKeown says the bike was seen exiting at Tristram Avenue, heading for Beacroft Park.

“He has cut through a football game being played at the time, before heading towards Milford.

“This reckless run came to an end after he fell off the bike on Bevyn Street.

“The 15-year-old didn’t suffer any injuries, but he did find himself in handcuffs and under arrest,” he says.

Waitematā East CIB has charged the male with aggravated robbery, reckless driving and possession for supply of cannabis.

He will be appearing in the North Shore Youth Court today.

“We are ensuring the young victim is being provided by support after this unsettling event,” Inspector McKeown says.

“I’d like to acknowledge all the frontline staff, Eagle and our CIB investigators for their work in responding to this incident.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/reckless-ride-ends-in-court-for-teen/

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Independent review of Covid-19 monetary policy

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has instigated an independent review of New Zealand’s monetary policy response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the purpose of the review is to identify any lessons New Zealand could learn to improve the monetary policy response to future major events.

“An independent review means the conclusions found can be objective and constructive.

“The Reserve Bank of New Zealand took unprecedented action in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This included reducing the Official Cash Rate to 0.25 per cent, and the use of additional monetary policy tools, including a Large Scale Asset Purchase (LSAP) programme.

“These actions helped to preserve jobs and keep businesses afloat, but the indirect impacts included decades-high inflation, and losses of about $10.3 billion on the LSAP programme and a significant spike in asset values with house prices increasing 30 per cent in one year.

“The purpose of the review is to learn from experience. It will focus on decisions by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), and analysis provided by the Reserve Bank to support those decisions. This includes MPC decision making and communication, the use of additional monetary policy tools, and the coordination of monetary and fiscal policy.”

Monetary policy experts Athanasios Orphanides and David Archer have been appointed to conduct the independent review.

Dr Orphanides is a former governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus and member of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank, and a professor of the Practice of Global Economics and Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

Mr Archer is a former Reserve Bank assistant governor and former head of the Central Banking Studies Unit at the Bank for International Settlements. 

The review is expected to be completed in August 2026 and publicly released in September 2026.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/independent-review-of-covid-19-monetary-policy/

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Palmerston North Hospital ED expansion underway

Source: New Zealand Government

Construction is underway to expand and upgrade Palmerston North Hospital’s emergency department, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“This redevelopment is a practical, front-line investment that will make a real difference for patients and staff, helping to reduce wait times while improving safety, privacy, and the overall flow of care,” Mr Brown says.

The $14.455 million project is part of the Government’s $100 million hospital infrastructure programme funded through Budget 2025, accelerating improvements across health facilities nationwide.

“The upgrade will increase emergency department capacity by around 40 percent, delivering 15 additional points of care, a new mental health assessment room, and redesigned spaces that support better patient flow, privacy, and safety.

“Palmerston North Hospital’s emergency department was built 25 years ago, and demand now far exceeds what it was designed for. This redevelopment will deliver a modern, efficient, patient-centred environment that is better equipped to respond to growing demand and seasonal pressures, including winter.”

Palmerston North Hospital’s emergency department is the central hub for emergency care across the MidCentral district, supporting Whanganui Hospital, Dannevirke Community Hospital, and Horowhenua Health Centre.

“This investment strengthens the wider regional network and helps ensure people across region can access timely emergency care close to home.”

Mr Brown says the Government’s $100 million investment programme is delivering 21 local projects across the country to expand and upgrade clinical spaces, strengthen essential infrastructure, and reduce the risk of disruption to critical health services.

“Our Government is focused on practical improvements that strengthen hospital services and put patients at the centre, with targeted upgrades that lift capacity where it is needed most, including here at Palmerston North Hospital.”

The emergency department will remain open throughout the redevelopment, which is expected to be completed in June 2026.

“This work is being carried out while keeping services running, ensuring patients can continue to access care as we build the capacity Palmerston North needs for the future,” Mr Brown says.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/palmerston-north-hospital-ed-expansion-underway/

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Grey Lynn shooting: Kayden Stanaway to spend at least eight years in prison for murder

Source: Radio New Zealand

Flowers at the scene where Maxwel-Dee Repia was killed. (File photo) Lucy Xia / RNZ

A teenager who murdered another after months of feuding will spend at least eight years behind bars.

Maxwel-Dee Repia, 18, was killed on Turangi Rd in Grey Lynn in September, 2024.

Three others he was with were also injured in the shooting.

Kayden Stanaway, who was 19 at the time of shooting, pleaded guilty to murder and three counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Stanaway was sentenced to 16 years for murder at the High Court at Auckland, with a minimum period of eight years behind bars.

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://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/grey-lynn-shooting-kayden-stanaway-to-spend-at-least-eight-years-in-prison-for-murder/

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Senior navy officer found not guilty of encouraging junior to kiss her

Source: Radio New Zealand

Commanding Officer Bronwyn Heslop. RNZ / Lucy Xia

A senior navy officer facing court martial over allegations of encouraging a junior to kiss her on the cheeks at a bar during an overseas operation in 2023 has been found not guilty of doing an act to prejudice service discipline

She can now be named as the former Ship Commander of HMNZS Canterbury – Bronwyn Heslop.

Heslop, who spent 36 years in the Navy, is currently in the role of Military Maritime Operation Orders – Instructions and Procedures – after Commander Wayne Andrew took on the of Ship Commander fo HMNZS Canterbury in September 2025.

The charge under the Armed Forces Discipline Act, which includes any act likely to bring discredit on the service of the Armed Forces, carries a penalty of up to two years imprisonment.

A panel of three senior military officers, acting as a jury would in a civilian court, delivered their unanimous verdict of “not guilty” on Wednesday morning, after more than five hours of deliberation across Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning, at the Court Martial sitting at the Devonport Naval Base in Auckland.

Former Ship Commander of HMNZS Canterbury Bronwyn Heslop. RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Judge William Hastings declined to grant Heslop name suppression earlier this week, but suppressions had to remain in place, after her lawyer signalled an appeal.

However, Heslop’s lawyer told the Court Martial that today’s verdict meant they no longer had grounds for an appeal and that no appeal would be filed.

Judge Hastings lifted the interim order, which allows media to name Heslop.

On Monday, both the former junior officer who was allegedly encouraged to kiss the senior officer, as well as Heslop, took the witness stand.

The alleged interaction happened in Fiji in March 2023, when the junior officer first joined HMNZS Canterbury, and officers were given leave for a few days after docking and were drinking at a bar in town at night.

The former junior officer, who was the sole witness for the prosecution, said the senior officer first caught the attention of him and another junior officer when she tapped on a glass pane and gestured for a kiss through the other side of the glass, and later gestured for them to come inside the bar and tapped on her cheeks to gesture for a kiss.

Devonport Naval Base. RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson

Heslop denied seeking a kiss on the cheek from the junior officer, and said her level of intoxication was two, on a scale of zero to ten, with zero being sober, when they arrived at the bar.

Another navy officer called as a defence witness said they’d spent the majority of that night with Heslop and did not see them with the junior officer.

The former junior officer, during cross-examination by the accused’s lawyer, conceded that he didn’t tell the whole truth when first approached by the military police in August 2024, as he didn’t think he’d be taken seriously and that he was worried his career would be affected if he spoke up.

Under cross-examination by the defence lawyer, he admitted that alcohol affected his memory of some events of the night, but was adamant that he had a clear memory of the alleged core interaction with Heslop.

Heslop in 1998 became the first female officer to be in charge of a Royal New Zealand Navy vessel, when she took command of HMNZS Moa.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/senior-navy-officer-found-not-guilty-of-encouraging-junior-to-kiss-her/

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New Zealand’s corruption-free reputation takes hit for fourth-year in a row – survey

Source: Radio New Zealand

Voter fraud allegations and a lack of transparency around political lobbying and funding were some of the top concerns. (File photo) Pixabay/shafin_protic

New Zealand’s reputation for low levels of corruption has taken a hit for the fourth year in a row.

In global organisation Transparency International’s latest Corruption Perception Index – a survey of surveys measuring how corrupt a country is thought to be – New Zealand’s score has fallen two points.

New Zealand still ranked highly in fourth place alongside Norway, and behind Denmark, Finland and Singapore.

“We used to be first in the world and we’ve just seen a continual drop down the ladder – about 10 percent in four years,” Transparency International New Zealand chairperson Anne Tolley said.

“It sort of feels like the wheels are coming off a bit and that’s really dangerous for our democracy.”

Voter fraud allegations and a lack of transparency around political lobbying and funding are some of the top concerns, with prosecutions for bribery, deception and misuse of public funds adding to potential reputational damage.

“A strong democracy has people feeling very confident about those democratic systems and wanting to take part,” Tolley said.

Corruption perception versus reality

Transparency International’s concerns were mirrored in the pilot report released Tuesday from the Anti-Corruption Taskforce, lead by the Serious Fraud Office.

The report looked at how big the issue of fraud and corruption was within public agencies and how well-equipped they were to find and prevent it.

“Cases of internal fraud and corruption are almost certainly being under-reported, due to a number of factors, and the true scale of the issue remains unclear,” the report said.

It highlighted the need for a national anti-corruption strategy, according to Tolley, and it was crucial for New Zealand’s reputation as a small trading nation reliant on global relationships.

“The world’s become more conscious of dirty money – that money is that’s derived from the drug trade and prostitution and modern slavery,” she said.

“We’re all more aware of being sure that we are we are investing and trading with a country that has good systems in place to stop that.”

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/new-zealands-corruption-free-reputation-takes-hit-for-fourth-year-in-a-row-survey/

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Government – A message from HM King Charles III on the 100th anniversary of the constitutional relationship between Tokelau and New Zealand

Source: Government House

A message from HM King Charles III on the 100th anniversary of the constitutional relationship between Tokelau and New Zealand
To the people of Tokelau, Malo Ni! My wife and I have such fond and lasting memories of meeting members of the Tokelauan community during our visits to New Zealand, and so it gives me great pleasure to extend my warmest greetings to you on the very special occasion of the 100th anniversary of Tokelau’s unique relationship with New Zealand.
The flag of Tokelau depicts a canoe under full sail, voyaging towards the stars of the Southern Cross; stars which have helped Tokelauans navigate the Pacific waters for centuries. On this milestone anniversary, I hope that all Tokelauans can take pride in their nation’s voyage over the past 100 years and your many achievements in that time. The Tokelauan voice is vital on the global stage, reminding the world of the urgency with which we must all act to ensure that the rich natural beauty and vibrant cultural heritage not only of your nation, but also of so many small island states around the world, continue to thrive in the years to come.
Although, sadly, I am unable to join you in person as you embrace this opportunity to reflect on the past and look towards the future, I particularly wanted to send you my very best wishes for your celebrations.
CHARLES R.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/government-a-message-from-hm-king-charles-iii-on-the-100th-anniversary-of-the-constitutional-relationship-between-tokelau-and-new-zealand/

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University Research – Stark differences in COVID-19 vaccination rates between Māori and non-Māori, research finds – VUW

Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

A new study analysing COVID-19 vaccine uptake has found markedly lower vaccination rates among Māori, which researchers link to existing inequities in healthcare access.

The study looked at vaccination rates from December 2020 to May 2023, finding 28.4 percent of Māori were unvaccinated during this period, compared with 14.7 percent of non-Māori.

“Based on these numbers, we estimate 78,880 fewer Māori were fully vaccinated than would have been the case if vaccination rates were the same for both groups,” said Dr James Mbinta, lead author of the study and a research fellow at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

The study also found marked differences in rates of partial vaccination, with Māori more likely to receive only the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and not go on to get the second dose.

Enrolment in a primary health organisation (PHO) was flagged as a key factor influencing whether Māori received at least one dose of the vaccine. The study also found those living in lower-income households and in lower-quality and crowded housing were less likely to be vaccinated.

“For Māori, the likelihood of being partially or fully vaccinated was higher among those enrolled in a PHO. This highlights the need for vaccination strategies that include improving PHO enrolment, especially for populations that have a known higher risk of severe health outcomes from COVID-19,” said co-author Andrew Sporle (Ngāti Apa, Rangitāne, Te Rarawa), an honorary academic in the Department of Statistics at Auckland University and managing director of research firm iNZight Analytics.

Previous research has shown Māori have higher rates of both hospitalisation and death from COVID-19 compared with the general population.

“Our findings highlight the crucial need to ensure vulnerable populations can access healthcare. Targeted approaches, using evidence from data generated by rigorous studies such as this, are needed to address health disparities and ensure equitable access to healthcare resources,” said co-author Professor Colin Simpson, a senior adviser in the School of Health at Te Herenga Waka and professor in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at Auckland University.

 

Results of the study are published in the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. The research was funded by the Ministry of Health.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/university-research-stark-differences-in-covid-19-vaccination-rates-between-maori-and-non-maori-research-finds-vuw/

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ASB Bank posts $765 million half-year profit

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Marika Khabazi

ASB Bank has reported a flat half-year profit as higher expenses offset higher improved lending and margins.

Key numbers for the six months ended December 2025 compared with a year ago:

  • Net profit $765m vs $763m
  • Cash profit $719m vs $714m (excludes one-offs)
  • Total income $1.84b vs $1.78b
  • Operating expenses $839m vs $695m
  • Bad debt provisions $3m vs $17m
  • Net interest margin 2.35% vs 2.29%

The bank’s profit showed improvement in key areas of increased lending, larger margins, and improved income, but was balanced by a significant rise in expenses because of the settlement of the a class legal action over credit disclosures.

Chief executive Vittoria Shortt said the bank was seeing signs of economic improvement and that was flowing through into business.

“We are seeing more confidence in the economy, supported by lower interest rates and good export earnings in key sectors.”

“This is evident in the uptick we’ve seen in business lending, with more lending growth across small business, commercial and rural this half than in the previous financial year,” Shortt said.

Overall lending rose 6 percent to $118.7b, with housing loans up 8 percent, and rural and business lending 4 percent.

Total customer deposits rose 5 percent.

Banks have been competing for market share in the housing market, amid falling interest rates and large numbers of borrowers refixing their mortgages.

Net interest income – the difference between what the bank borrows at and charges for loans – increased 8 percent, while net interest margin, regarded as a measure of profitability, rose six basis points to 2.35 percent because of timing effects from interest rate hedges.

The amount set aside for bad and doubtful debts fell to $3m from $17m.

Expenses surge on case settlement

ASB’s operating expenses surged 21 percent to $839m, mostly because of the $135.6m out of court settlement of a class legal action brought by former consumer for alleged breaches of credit disclosure rules.

ASB never accepted liability, but said the settlement was a “pragmatic” way to settle the issue.

Shortt said ASB had spent more on improving its anti-scam defences and engaging with affected customers.

She said the bank, owned by Australia’s CBA, was also improving its technology to simplify its processes and offer better products to customers, as well as advance its own lending for social housing and business technology investment.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/asb-bank-posts-765-million-half-year-profit/

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Banking – ASB half year result: Supporting our customers for long-term prosperity

Source: ASB

ASB has reported a cash net profit after tax (NPAT) of $719 million for the six months to 31 December 2025, up 1% on the prior comparative period.  Statutory NPAT was $765 million.

Since December 2024, home lending has grown 8%, while business and rural lending grew by 4%.  Total customer deposits increased by 5%.

Net customer margins remain flat, reflecting higher home lending margins and lower deposit margins.  Net Interest Margin (NIM) was up 6 basis points driven by higher earnings due to timing effects from interest rate hedges.

ASB KiwiSaver Scheme funds under management grew by more than $1.7 billion to more than $20.6 billion, thanks to continued strong returns to customers and top quartile performing funds.[1]  Collectively, ASB Group Investments manages more than $31 billion for investors across its range of five products.

Operating expenses were $839 million, an increase of 21% largely driven by the settlement of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003 class action proceedings, and investments in people, technology modernisation, digital experience and regulatory compliance.

Chief Executive Vittoria Shortt says “While the geopolitical outlook remains uncertain, we are seeing more confidence in the economy, supported by lower interest rates and good export earnings in key sectors.  This is evident in the uptick we’ve seen in business lending, with more lending growth across small business, commercial and rural this half than in the previous financial year.

“We remain well positioned to support our personal and business customers as they continue to tackle higher costs, navigate volatility or transition to growth.”

Investing in our customer experience

“We continue to make significant investments so customers choosing to bank with ASB have a simple and modern experience, where they feel informed and confident about making important financial decisions and safer knowing we actively seek to protect them from fraud and scams.

“Through our technology modernisation we are simplifying the way we work and the services we provide, removing overlap and complexity and offering products that might better suit our customers’ changing needs.

“We have a focus on service excellence and meeting customers’ expectations of faster and simpler processes, with quicker decisions on their home loan applications.  Building on our capability for single home loan applications to be started digitally through the ASB Mobile App, in November we extended this functionality to include joint home loan applications.  Customers can track the progress of their application and view indicative pricing in the ASB Mobile App, so they remain informed at every step.”

Further customer protections

“Fraud and scams remain an issue for New Zealand, and we continue to seek to make banking with us safer with enhanced customer protections against economic crime.

“We are now able to share data between banks related to digital fraud and money mule activity through the Fraud Reporting Exchange and New Zealand Data Exchange.  We remain available to assist customers 24/7 on our 0800 ASB FRAUD line.”

 Investing in New Zealand

“While we’ve seen business lending growth pick up, with increases across agricultural and property lending, for long-term prosperity New Zealand needs to become more productive.

“We are backing business customers to boost their productivity using artificial intelligence and technology in partnership with the New Zealand Product Accelerator and universities.  Following a successful pilot, the programme is being scaled up this year to match up to 100 ASB business customers with AI, business analytics and data science masters’ students to work on their business.

“We are continuing to show up for rural New Zealand with offerings to help with transformation and succession through our Every Hectare Matters programme, and reduce costs with ASB’s Smart Solar 0% lending to assist the switch to renewable, resilient energy.  We are supporting the future of the dairy industry and empowering the next generation of farmers towards the goal of farm ownership with financial support and expertise in partnership with the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards and Fonterra.

“These initiatives are highly valued by the rural sector, as a result we have grown our rural lending more than any other bank in the 12-months to September 2025.[2]

“Long-term prosperity also requires that we have enough housing to support our growing population and easier access to more affordable housing solutions.  We have doubled our commitment to $1 billion to accelerate the development of social and affordable housing and the long-term delivery of thousands of new homes.  To date we have committed $517 million for social and affordable housing, and this half we committed nearly $50 million to a Māori social housing provider in Tāmaki Makaurau to deliver more than 150 homes.”

Saving for the future

“Regular savings provide a pathway to long-term financial wellbeing and broader economic resilience for Aotearoa.

“We have put a lot of effort into the ASB Investment Funds and the ASB KiwiSaver Scheme so we can offer competitive investment options for customers.  We have multiple top performing KiwiSaver funds with low fees, and this is a powerful combination that can make a big difference for our nearly half a million ASB KiwiSaver Scheme members who stand to benefit when purchasing a first home and/or in retirement.

“We remain focused on how we can help tamariki build financial literacy and early savings habits.  In November, we reintroduced our Kashin moneybox to celebrate ASB’s 150 years of supporting Kiwi kids to get one step ahead with money.  We’ve seen a notable increase in the opening of new Headstart accounts, helping children to start their savings journey.  We continue to support the delivery of financial education nationwide with nearly 45,000 students participating this half in our GetWise and Tikitiki o Pūtea programmes in schools.”

 

[1] ASB KiwiSaver Scheme Conservative, Moderate, Balanced and Growth funds are in the top quartile for 12-month performance to 31 December 2025, Morningstar KiwiSaver Survey (Dec 2025).

2 RBNZ quarterly release, 12-months to September 2025.

 

Income Statement ($ millions)

 

 

 

 

 

For the half year ended 31 December

2025

2024

Dec 25 vs Dec 24 %

 

Net interest income

1,602

1,471

9

 

Other operating income

233

233

–

 

Total operating income

1,835

1,704

8

 

Operating expenses

(839)

(695)

21

 

Operating performance

996

1,009

(1)

 

Loan impairment expense

(3)

(17)

(82)

 

Net profit before tax

993

992

–

 

Corporate tax expense

(274)

(278)

(1)

 

Cash net profit after tax (“Cash profit”1)

719

714

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Cash profit to Statutory profit

 

 

 

Cash profit

719

714

1

 

Reconciling items:

 

 

 

 

Hedging and IFRS volatility2

7

(7)

large

 

Notional inter-group charges3

53

71

(25)

 

Reporting structure differences4

6

6

–

 

Tax on reconciling items

(20)

(21)

(5)

 

Net profit after tax (“Statutory profit”)

765

763

–

 

 

 

 

 

 

Performance indicators (cash basis)

 

6

 

Net interest margin (%)

2.35

2.29

6 bpts

 

Return on assets (%)

1.0

1.1

(10) bpts

 

Operating expenses to total operating income (%)

45.7

40.8

490 bpts

 

Return on average total equity (%)

12.0

12.6

(60) bpts

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statutory Balance Sheet ($ billions)

 

 

 

 

As at 31 December

2025

2024

Dec 25 vs Dec 24 %

 

Advances to customers

118.7

111.6

6

 

Total assets

139.7

131.9

6

 

Deposits and other borrowings

94.5

94.8

–

 

Total liabilities

127.4

120.5

6

 

 

 

  1. Cash profit reflects the Banking Group’s underlying operating results and excludes items that introduce volatility and/or one-off distortions which are not considered representative of ongoing financial performance. These items are calculated consistently year on year and do not discriminate between positive and negative adjustments.
  2. Hedging and IFRS volatility includes unrealised fair value gains or losses on economic hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting and unrealised fair value gains or losses on the ineffective portion of hedges that do qualify for hedge accounting under NZ IFRS. These fair value gains or losses are excluded from Cash profit/(loss) since the asymmetric recognition of the gains or losses does not affect the performance of the Banking Group over the life of the hedge.
  3. This represents the recognition of a notional cost of capital from the ultimate parent and other allocated costs which are not included in Statutory profit. Comparative information (including the tax impact) has been restated to conform to presentation in the current period. As a result, the return on average total equity and operating expenses as a percentage of total operating income have been restated accordingly.
  4. The results of certain business units within the CBA Group are excluded from Cash profit for management reporting purposes but included in Statutory profit.

 

 

 

[1] ASB KiwiSaver Scheme Conservative, Moderate, Balanced and Growth funds are in the top quartile for 12-month performance to 31 December 2025, Morningstar KiwiSaver Survey (Dec 2025).

[2] RBNZ quarterly release, 12-months to September 2025.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/banking-asb-half-year-result-supporting-our-customers-for-long-term-prosperity/

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Nearly 40,000 more building products approved

Source: New Zealand Government

Thousands more plumbing and drainage products already used widely in Australia can now be accessed easily by Kiwi tradies and do-it-yourself homeowners.  
 
“The Government is focused on fixing the basics and building a better future for New Zealand, and that means making it easier and more affordable to deliver the homes and public buildings that will ease house prices and lift living standards,” Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.  
 
“It’s great to see the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) recognise a second tranche of overseas building products certified under the reputable Australian WaterMark scheme, issuing 54 recognition notices that cover around 38,274 products. 

“A first round in October made it easier to bring more than 90,000 WaterMark-approved products onto the market, including tapware, water service products, and sanitary and stormwater drainage products. 

“While these materials are already tried and tested in Australia and familiar to many tradies in New Zealand, Kiwi builders and designers previously had to individually demonstrate that each product met Building Code requirements when applying for consent to use it. 

“By amending the Building Act through the Overseas Building Products Amendment Bill, MBIE can now recognise building products already certified under overseas schemes in comparable countries in the tens of thousands, rather than one at a time.
 
“The granting of these recognition notices means Building Consent Authorities must accept the products as compliant, reducing unnecessary red tape, costs, and delays while allowing a more diverse range of materials to be used. 

“Supply chain shocks and shortages choke building productivity. Better access and greater choice provide industry with more resilience and increases market competition to put downwards pressure on prices for tradies and homeowners. 

“As MBIE continues to review overseas building products under the new law, tradies and homeowners can expect even better access to essential materials, including plasterboard, cladding, windows, and doors.”

Notes to editor:  

  • “Recognition notice” is the official term for approval of an overseas building product or standard by MBIE. 
  • Notices are not a blanket approval for all WaterMark certificates. Only products that have a valid, up‑to‑date certificate listed on a current notice can be used as meeting the required standards. 
  • Recognition notices are now publicly available at www.building.govt.nz, along with a diagram showing how these overseas standards fit within New Zealand’s building regulatory framework. 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/nearly-40000-more-building-products-approved/