Category: CTF

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Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects in collaboration with WWF-HK Proposed Four Recommendations to transform Ngam Tam Mei into an iconic rural ecotourism township in the Northern Metropolis

Source: Media Outreach

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 proposing these enhancement recommendations, HKILA and WWF aim to:

  1. Create a people-oriented livable city
  2. Achieve a future in which people live in harmony with nature
  3. Promote urban-rural integration
  4. Enhance biodiversity
  5. Adopt Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in the development

Details of the four enhancement recommendations are as follows:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

https://wwf.org.hk
https://www.facebook.com/wwfhongkong
https://www.instagram.com/wwfhk/?hl=en

Hashtag: #WWFHK #HKILA #Townplanningboard #NbS

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/2026/03/05/hong-kong-institute-of-landscape-architects-in-collaboration-with-wwf-hk-proposed-four-recommendations-to-transform-ngam-tam-mei-into-an-iconic-rural-ecotourism-township-in-the-northern-metropolis/

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PolyU research unveils mechanoelectrical perception in sea urchin spines, empowering next-generation biomimetic sensors

Source: Media Outreach

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.

Hashtag: #PolyU #MarineEnvironment #NatureInspiredEngineering #SensingTechnology #DeepSeaTechnology #Brain-ComputerInterface #Nature #HongKong

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/2026/03/05/polyu-research-unveils-mechanoelectrical-perception-in-sea-urchin-spines-empowering-next-generation-biomimetic-sensors/

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Rugby: Moana Pasifika relocate to Rotorua

Source: Radio New Zealand

Moana will host the Chiefs at Rotorua International Stadium on April 11. Photosport

Moana Pasifika will not play in the Pacific Islands this season, and have instead been forced to move one of their matches to Bay of Plenty.

The franchise announced on Thursday that the match scheduled to be played in Tonga, has been relocated to Rotorua.

Moana will host the Chiefs at Rotorua International Stadium on 11 April.

Nuku’alofa was originally intended as the venue for this fixture, but financial barriers once again blocked Moana going to the islands.

Under minimum broadcast standards, staging a Super Rugby game in Tonga requires transporting roughly three tonnes of equipment into the country at a cost of $600,000 – an expense the club must cover themselves.

It was a tough pill to swallow for Moana, who also had to cancel their Tonga visit in 2024 due to floodlight issues.

“It’s not a small undertaking to go over there and put on a game for our people. But that doesn’t mean that we’re not going to try and get there again. We just know we’ve got to do a bit more work and be able to hold a game there,” coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga told RNZ.

However, Moana remain optimistic.

Moana Pasifika CEO, Debbie Sorensen said Bay of Plenty was a “win-win for both teams.”

“While we are sad we can’t take this game to Tonga, we do know that our fans and our community are everywhere – including in the Bay of Plenty region. I know Rotorua will also welcome the visit by the Chiefs.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/05/rugby-moana-pasifika-relocate-to-rotorua/

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Officials warns that retail crime advisory group lacks relevant expertise after resignations

Source: Radio New Zealand

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

  • Officials caution that after resignations retail crime advisory group doesn’t have security or facial recognition expertise
  • Group chairman says it will deliver robust reports on these issues to minister
  • Ministry of Justice says its advice still stands.

Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has ignored advice from officials warning the remaining members of the ministerial advisory group charged with tackling retail crime don’t have relevant expertise in matters it will issue advice about.

Three of the five members of the Ministerial Advisory Group for Victims of Retail Crime resigned late last year and early this year, leaving just chairman Sunny Kaushal and Hamilton liquor retailer Ash Parmar.

Goldsmith confirmed last month that the group, which has faced criticism for its spending, will wind up in May, four months earlier than planned.

Before then the remaining members are expected to in April deliver advice to Goldsmith about the security industry, and facial recognition technology and information sharing.

Kaushal, who owns Auckland’s Shakespeare Hotel and is an advocate for retail shop owners, says he’s confident he and Parmar can deliver robust work.

The Ministerial Advisory Group for Victims of Retail Crime is headed by Sunny Kaushal. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

But, a 26 January briefing from Ministry of Justice officials to Goldsmith and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee, obtained by RNZ, has raised concerns.

‘Remaining members do not hold subject matter expertise’

Group member Michael Bell quit late last year. His resignation was followed by Lindsay Rowles and Carolyn Young earlier this year.

“The three members who resigned, brought experience and expertise in the retail sector and in security and crime prevention,” the briefing said.

Young is Retail NZ’s chief executive. Officials said she brought leadership and experience to the group.

Retail NZ’s chief executive Carolyn Young Supplied

Bell, who worked for Michael Hill, was a key member of the jeweller’s security taskforce, which is “responsible for monitoring retail crime trends nationally and globally, and implementing prevention measures”.

Rowles had expertise in security and crime prevention, having formed and led Foodstuffs’ retail crime working group, which included trialling facial recognition technology

Continuing with just two group members came with a warning: “We do not consider the current membership meets the requirements established in the terms of reference, as there are no members who bring experience and expertise in security.”

Suggestions for a way forward included terminating the group as soon as possible; letting it run until September as planned; appointing new members to the group to replace the three who resigned; or winding it up early after it delivered in April reports on the security industry and facial recognition technology and information sharing.

This is the option Goldsmith chose, announcing on 10 February the group would continue with its current work before winding up in May.

“We consider there are two primary risks with proceeding on this basis. The first is that the advice provided by the MAG will be on behalf of the two remaining members and will not reflect discussions and endorsements of a fully constituted membership with a breadth of expertise and experience required by the terms of reference,” the briefing said.

“This is particularly important given that the remaining members do not hold subject matter expertise relevant to the areas covered by the reports – security industry, FRT, and information sharing.”

Chairman says advice will be robust

Kaushal told RNZ he was confident the group would deliver robust advice about the security industry and facial recognition technology.

He said all the group’s proposals were developed after at least two rounds of feedback from the likes of the retail sector, government agencies, local councils and non-government organisations.

“In the case of our FRT advice, we’ve consulted with privacy experts, the Privacy Commission, UK regulators, and FRT service providers both in NZ and the UK, along with retailers and sector groups,” Kaushal said.

“In the case of our security industry advice, we’ve consulted widely across the sector in New Zealand, with regulators here, and with industry bodies in Australia and Canada, along with retailers and sector groups.

“Our policy process is robust. It involves the MAG developing both an issues paper and an options paper – both of which are consulted on before final advice is prepared. We contract with experienced policy professionals to support the MAG in developing its advice.”

Kaushal said he was working with ministers on making sure the group’s remaining advice was balanced and considered a full range of sector views.

He said the group’s record spoke for itself.

“In just 18 months, we have delivered substantial and measurable progress in strengthening law and order. Through the ministerial advisory group, I have led seven major legislative-ready reform proposals.

“Four have already been accepted by the government to progress into law, including the Crimes Amendment Bill currently before Parliament.”

That bill includes extended powers for citizens’ arrests.

Goldsmith was asked about officials’ concerns about the expertise of the group’s two remaining members. His office said he had nothing further to add.

Ministry deputy secretary, policy, Caroline Greaney said: “The advice given stands, and the ministry has nothing further to add regarding that.

“An approach to mitigating some of these concerns is being worked through now, but at this point there is nothing more to say.”

New Zealand Security Association chief executive Gary Morrison said it was “reasonably relaxed” about the change in group personnel, and it had given feedback about facial recognition technology 8-10 months ago, before the resignations.

The association dealt with advisers to the group and Morrison had found they’d taken a balanced approach to issues.

‘Not played out as I hoped’

Bell’s resignation letter said that due to the significant time commitments of his job as Michael Hill national retail manager, he couldn’t focus enough on the group’s work.

Rowles was stepping down after his appointment as Mitre 10 chief executive, a position beginning this month.

Young’s letter said she decided to resign after consulting with the Retail NZ board.

In a covering letter to justice secretary Andrew Kibblewhite she thanked ministry officials for their support, but added: “… it certainly has not played out as I had hoped and it is disappointing that we haven’t been able to do more meaningful work with this group.”

She later told RNZ the group was a “very unpleasant environment” in which to work.

The group was supposed to operate for two years to September. It has an annual budget of $1.8 million, paid for from the proceeds of crime fund.

It has delivered advice to the minister on issues such as tougher penalties for shoplifters, strengthening trespass laws, and introducing new citizens’ arrest powers.

But, it has faced criticism about its value for money, including the $230,000 Kaushal invoiced for work in its first 12 months, which was allowed under the group’s payment guidelines; the central Auckland office space it rents for $120,000 a year; and the $24,000 spent on 22 well-catered stakeholder engagement meetings around New Zealand.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/05/officials-warns-that-retail-crime-advisory-group-lacks-relevant-expertise-after-resignations/

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Questions raised over TVNZ’s editorial independence

Source: Radio New Zealand

TVNZ. RNZ/Marika Khabazi

Questions have been raised about TVNZ’s editorial independence after its chair discussed a news story with Broadcasting Minister Paul Goldsmith, media commentator Tim Murphy says.

TVNZ chair Andrew Barclay rang the minister after Goldsmith and cabinet colleague Mark Mitchell expressed dissatisfaction with a 1News story about gang numbers.

Goldsmith appointed Barclay to the public broadcaster’s board in September.

The story, about gang members now narrowly outnumbering police officers, aired on 1News last Thursday.

The report aired the same day the latest Crime and Victims survey showed 49,000 fewer victims of violent crime in the year to October 2025 compared to the previous survey in 2023.

Barclay spoke with Goldsmith over the phone before 1News ran a second story with a more positive angle.

Goldsmith, who is also the Justice Minister, confirmed he had spoken to the 1News journalist after the first story aired.

“Just like I often do when I’m not happy with a story, I ring the journalist and give them the benefit of my opinions,” he said.

Broadcasting Minister Paul Goldsmith confirmed he had spoken to the 1News journalist after the first story aired. RNZ / Nathan McKinnon

Goldsmith then said he had a “very short” call from the chair of TVNZ’s board “on a range of matters”, and the story came up in passing.

He “absolutely” did not bring the story up himself and he did not discuss editorial matters with Barclay, Goldsmith said.

“It’s not appropriate for me to be talking about political discussions and editorial matters with the board, and I haven’t,” he said.

Newsroom co-editor Tim Murphy told Midday Report running the second 1News story following those events gave the impression TVNZ was trying to make up for upsetting the government.

However, there were still many unanswered questions.

“The independence from ministers and the government of the day is really important for TVNZ and RNZ particularly, but how much went on and where and by whom I think we’re yet to find out,” Murphy said.

“Probably we’ll have to rely on the Official Information Act among other things to really know quite how involved or otherwise political interests were.”

It would be unusual for TVNZ’s chair to ringing the Broadcasting Minister about the broadcaster’s coverage, he said.

“The chair and the minister talk and that’s sort of the line of authority if you like, but not I think when the minister has been complaining so loud himself under his other portfolio,” Murphy said.

Barclay ought to have been aware of the “twilight zone of politics and media and journalism ethics”, he said.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell took to Facebook to express his frustration with the story after 1News’ gangs report.

Mitchell said it was “absolutely unbelievable” that, on a day the government had announced fewer victims of violent crime and a reduction in serious repeat youth offending, 1News “chose instead to engage in unbalanced journalism by running a story about gang membership with none of the context around the outstanding work our police are doing in cracking down on gangs in New Zealand”.

Five days later, 1News ran a second story reporting on the crime statistics the government had announced the previous week.

Mitchell again raised what he said was an “unbalanced” report during Question Time on Wednesday.

Labour’s police spokesperson Ginny Andersen then asked Mitchell whether he, any member of his office or any person acting on his behalf made contact with the TVNZ board regarding the report.

Mitchell said he had received a call from a “senior” TVNZ person to apologise after his Facebook post but he had not contacted anyone at TVNZ. He also confirmed the person he spoke to was not a member of the public broadcaster’s board.

A TVNZ spokesperson said the organisation’s political editor had contacted Mitchell’s office after the gang numbers story to advise the victims of crime data “should have been included”.

The spokesperson said the story was then reviewed internally and an editorial decision was made to run a follow-up story “incorporating those figures to ensure balanced coverage and to aid audience understanding around the use of differing crime statistics”.

The board chair and the minister talked regularly, TVNZ said.

“TVNZ’s Board Directors also take an interest in how editorial standards are maintained. But editorial independence is of paramount importance to us and operational decisions on how stories are covered are our own.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/05/questions-raised-over-tvnzs-editorial-independence/

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Wairarapa residents want flood-protection action

Source: Radio New Zealand

Adam Mazzola’s home was half a metre underwater in some parts during the peak of Monday’s flooding. Adam Mazzola

Flood-hit residents on Wairarapa’s south coast are demanding action after a creek burst its banks during torrential rain.

Low-lying homes in Whāngaimoana Beach were inundated when a severe storm swept across the lower North Island last month, closing roads, cutting power to thousands, and severing communities.

Locals say heartache could’ve been avoided if the stream bordering their properties had been dug out.

They’ve called on the council to open it to the sea so that it can drain during heavy rain, but the council says it’s not its responsibility.

Emergency operations says multiple warnings were issued about the flood risk and has signalled that flood mitigation will form part of its recovery work.

‘The water would’ve just buggered off’

Sections of the Whāngaimoana stream run through private property, including an identified and protected wetland, before hitting the beach, which is publicly owned.

When it breached its banks on Monday, 16 February, Adam Mazzola and his son were forced to evacuate as the water rose by up to half a metre inside their home.

They’ve been living elsewhere ever since, and Mazzola said they wouldn’t be returning to the 100-year-old bach – it’s too damaged.

A Givealittle page has been set up to help him “get back on his feet”.

Mazzola said it was important to know who was responsible for the stream and wanted to see a machine on standby to dig it out in the future.

“It [flood mitigation] could have saved our place and others if it [the stream] was cleared out and maintained,” he said.

Adam Mazzola looks at damage to his home. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Neighbours Jason Statham and Mellisa Tipene highlighted the same issue when RNZ visited.

Tipene said their property had flooded a “handful of times” in the past decade and believed opening up the stream at the beach would reduce the frequency.

“If they open up a mouth like Lake Ferry out the end there, so the water can release itself, you wouldn’t have it backing up and coming in here … and constantly flooding your yard that you work hard to… beautify.”

Whāngaimoana beach. RNZ

Statham said the rain warnings came well in advance of the downpour and thought there should have been some proactive flood mitigation.

“They should have been down there two days before it happened and opened up the mouth, and I don’t think that [the flooding] would have happened, the water would’ve just buggered off,” Statham said.

“But they didn’t do that. They warned us and all that, but they didn’t do f*** all.”

Property owners responsible for flood protection – council

While surveying the damage to her backyard, local Terry Shubkin told RNZ that more than one home in the lower section of the street flooded when the stream burst its banks.

Terry Shubkin. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Shubkin said flooding in the settlement was increasing in frequency, with the latest inundation on par with a “one-in-50-year flood” that hit in 2004.

She said she’d been pushing the Greater Wellington Regional Council [GWRC] for help on-and-off in the years since, but “the response I get is, ‘It’s not our problem.’”

Shubkin said the council put up a drone after “much nagging” last year and found willows and sediment were clogging the stream in places, but she said that was only part of the problem.

“The creek doesn’t actually flow out to the ocean; it closes off,” she said.

The regional council’s director of delivery, Jack Mace, said the council does carry out flood protection work in the area, but unfortunately, the creek falls outside its remit as set out in the Lower Wairarapa Valley Development Scheme.

The scheme from the 1960s is set for review in the next two to three years and covers building and maintaining stop banks, floodways, and drainage, as well as the opening of nearby Lake Ōnoke / Lake Ferry.

A council spokesperson said following the drone flight, recommendations were made to the landowner with the willows.

They said while Greater Wellington has powers to intervene in waterways – such as opening stream mouths – it won’t at Whāngaimoana because the creek doesn’t meet its criteria for management.

“Private landowners have a responsibility to protect their land from flooding unless there is a relevant river management plan/scheme in place.

“For this creek and community, the best opportunity to advocate for Whāngaimoana to be included in a river scheme is in the review of the Lower Wairarapa Valley Development Scheme.”

Mace said the regional council understood the impact of severe flooding on rural communities and believed it would take a long time for the region to fully recover.

“Our focus now is on stabilising river corridors within the scheme while we work to understand the extent of the damage and what may be required long term.”

Flood mitigation to be considered

Wairarapa Emergency Operations Centre said it was advised by the regional council that “Whāngaimoana was vulnerable to flooding if the stream breached its banks and sea swell backed up flood water” on Sunday, 15 February at 8.47pm.

A spokesperson for the office said staff followed up with residents as soon as it was safe to do so the next day, and noted that public advisories about the flood risk in low-lying areas – including an emergency mobile alert – were issued prior to and during the storm.

They said support agencies had boots on the ground in the immediate days after the flooding in Whāngaimoana and confirmed one family was still being “actively supported”.

“Regarding the clearing of streams and flood mitigation, we don’t have the necessary information to comment specifically about this situation at the moment, but this will form part of the recovery office’s work with impacted communities.”

In addition to immediate repairs, the recovery office – recently established by the South Wairarapa District Council – would focus on what communities needed to build resilience in the medium to long term.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/05/wairarapa-residents-want-flood-protection-action/

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Property Market – February delivers strongest value lift in four months – Cotality

Source: Cotality

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.

For more property news and insights, visit www.cotality.com/nz/insights.

Notes:

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.

The detailed ‘frequently asked questions’ and methodological information can be found at: https://www.cotality.com/nz/our-data/indices

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/05/property-market-february-delivers-strongest-value-lift-in-four-months-cotality/

Posted on

Health NZ says petrol vouchers helping lower MRI waiting list in Greater Wellington

Source: Radio New Zealand

Health NZ Capital and Coast group director of operations Jamie Duncan said the scheme was about improving overall access to MRI scans. 123RF

Health NZ says an initiative to give patients in the Greater Wellington region petrol vouchers to drive to Whanganui for an MRI scan is working to bring waiting lists down.

Hundreds of patients in the region had been offered $150 petrol payments to travel out of the district to get the diagnostic procedure faster.

There had been criticism of the scheme – with the senior doctors union claiming it offered people the chance to buy their way up the public wait lists for MRI scans.

But Health NZ Capital and Coast group director of operations Jamie Duncan told Checkpoint that was not the case.

“We’re providing support for people that have the ways and means to access the scans in Whanganui. I think the impact here is twofold. Clearly those people get access to a scan, but what it does do is it frees up capacity locally on our MRI scanners for those people who aren’t in a position to travel,” he said.

Duncan said 288 patients had taken the opportunity to travel to Whanganui with a petrol voucher.

“What that means locally is from September our waiting time for a scan was approximately six months in Wellington, now just over six months later the wait time is closer to three to four months,” he said.

“It’s having a significant impact in improving access locally.”

The target wait time was six weeks for an MRI scan.

“We still know we have a ways and means to go to hit that target but you can see on that trajectory we’re moving there quite quickly,” Duncan said.

Duncan said the scheme was about improving overall access to MRI scans.

“There are other things we’re doing locally to improve access, we’re outsourcing to private providers, we’re employing more radiology staff in the public system to increase access to public MRI, we’re working weekend shifts to improve access as well,” he said.

Duncan said there were seven public MRI machines in the central region, with Whanganui being one of those.

There were two in Wellington Hospital and one in Hutt Valley Hospital.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/05/health-nz-says-petrol-vouchers-helping-lower-mri-waiting-list-in-greater-wellington/

Posted on

2026 Outstanding Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs Award Nomination opens until April 30

Source: Media Outreach

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 and Dr. 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.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/05/2026-outstanding-women-professionals-and-entrepreneurs-award-nomination-opens-until-april-30/

Posted on

Fine for unreported Hector’s dolphin death reveals toothless system, conservation group says

Source: Radio New Zealand

The camera on-board FV Emma Jane recorded images of a net being cut and a dead Hector’s dolphin sinking to the sea floor. RNZ / Alison Ballance

A small fine meted out to an Otago fisher, who killed a Hector’s dolphin then lied to officials, underscores the failure to protect endangered species, a conservation group says.

Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders uncovered the death of the dolphin – one of only about 40 left in the area – and fought through the courts to obtain the details.

Founder Christine Rose said the case laid bare a toothless system that failed to act as a deterrent to the fishing industry and also highlighted the vulnerability of relying on the industry to self-report bycatch.

The Moeraki fisher, who RNZ has chosen not to identify, was already before the court for illegal fishing when the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) discovered he had killed a Hector’s dolphin while set-netting off Otago’s coast in February last year.

The camera on-board FV Emma Jane recorded images of the net being cut and the dead dolphin sinking to the sea floor.

Neither MPI nor the Department of Conservation (DOC) brought charges over the death of the dolphin. However, MPI charged the man with failing to report the capture under the Fisheries Act.

While it is illegal to harm a protected species, commercial fishers are exempted for “accidental capture”, or bycatch.

The Ministry for Primary Industries said, although killing protected wildlife as bycatch was not an offence, it took the prosecution for failing to report the incident “due to the seriousness of the non-reporting”.

DOC said its only involvement in the case was to confirm the mammal in the camera footage was an endangered Hector’s dolphin.

Industry group Seafood New Zealand said fisheries were the most regulated and surveilled primary industry in the country and the case showed the rules were working.

Otago University emeritus professor Liz Slooten said the case proved dolphins killed by fishing gear were not always reported.

It comes as the government sought to roll back parts of the camera programme.

The current law – which had no penalty for fishing industry-related dolphin deaths – was not fit for purpose, Slooten said.

‘A dirty old shag’

After the dolphin’s death was discovered the skipper lied in his catch report, responding ‘no’ when asked if any protected species had been caught.

When fisheries officers asked about the catch he told them it was “just a dirty old shag or a seven-giller (shark)”, according to MPI’s summary of facts.

When formally interviewed he admitted to catching the dolphin claiming it was a “common dolphin”.

Another of the man’s ships, FV Triton, was caught trawling illegally days earlier near the mouth of the Ōrāri River in South Canterbury while skippered by another man.

A no trawl prohibition applied in the area from January to April to protect sea-run Chinook salmon, MPI described the fish as being at “crisis point”.

The ship’s owner said he was unaware of the no trawl areas.

He was charged with trawling inside a prohibited area.

‘Manifest injustice’

The fisher pleaded guilty to all charges last September and was fined $5000 for failing to report the dolphin’s capture, $10,000 for trawling in a prohibited area.

Both ships were automatically forfeited.

However, the man kept both ships in exchange for a fee of $14,460.

Rose said the man would be able to treat the fine and buy-back costs as the price of doing business.

“Hector’s dolphins are priceless but the court’s judgement makes dolphin lives look worthless,” she said.

Hector’s dolphins are only found in New Zealand waters and are estimated to number about 15,000, a stark decline from the 50,000 estimated in 1975.

The case showed the organisations charged with protecting threatened marine mammals were failing, Rose said.

“If this was a kiwi or a kākāpō people would be rightly outraged. But, because it’s a dolphin, we only know about it because of the persistence of groups like ours.”

Rose learned of the death after spotting a reference to unreported bycatch in a presentation from MPI.

The dolphin’s death was not initially reported on DOC’s database, though it had since been added with a note that “due to an ongoing compliance investigation, this incident was not reported publicly until January 2026”.

The court did not impose any suppression orders and ordered the release of the information to Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders last month.

“When he was finally prosecuted, as we find out from the district court records, it turns out he’s got a history of breaking the law and despite the fact he’s been fishing for 40 years he pretends to not know what the rules are,” Rose said.

“The fine he gets for all of this is only $5000 and forfeiture of his boat but in the meantime he’s able to buy that boat back and can be right back out there fishing.”

MPI’s 2023-24 South Island Hector’s bycatch reduction plan annual report noted that on at least four occasions the same fishing boats killed more than one Hector’s dolphin in a 12 month period.

MPI director of science and information Simon Lawrence said when Fisheries New Zealand finds evidence of breaches of fisheries rules it took a range of actions from education to prosecution.

Prosecution decisions were made based on Crown Law guidance, he said.

DOC biodiversity system and aquatic director Kirstie Knowles said DOC became aware of the dolphin’s death in April when Fisheries New Zealand asked for confirmation the footage showed a Hector’s dolphin.

As a Fisheries investigation was already underway, DOC did not open a separate investigation under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Knowles said.

The High Court found in 2024 DOC’s approach to prosecution and investigation were unlawful and lacking.

Rose claimed DOC and MPI were failing in their duties.

“MPI are protecting the fishing industry, they’re not upholding the rules. DOC are nowhere to be seen. They should have been prosecuting this under the Marine Mammal Protection Act,” she said.

“Both these agencies that are supposed to be upholding the law and the flourishing and preservation of the marine environment and these protected species are missing in action.”

Less than a fifth of on-board footage monitored in last quarter

Before the introduction of on-board cameras, the industry reported one or zero Hector’s dolphins deaths in nets or trawls between 2014 and 2022.

But 15 deaths were reported or observed in the first year on-board cameras were rolled out.

Seafood NZ chief executive Lisa Futschek. RNZ / Kate Newton

A 2025 MPI report said about 30 percent of footage had been reviewed since 2023.

Figures for the quarter to September 2025 showed only 18 percent of footage was reviewed.

Seafood NZ chief executive Lisa Futschek said the Otago case showed the system was working.

There were clear rules on reporting, she said.

“We have a robust system. We need to work within it, and we do, and for those who don’t there are clear consequences which is what happened in this case,” Futschek said.

There were limits on the number of dolphins the fishing industry could kill in certain areas.

Those limits protected endangered species, Futschek said.

In the South Island the limit was 47.5 dolphins per year, but last year only seven were killed by the industry, Futschek said.

“So whilst even one capture is too many, we are still doing really well when it comes to making sure that particular species continues to thrive,” she said.

However, in the East Otago region the limit is two deaths per year.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/05/fine-for-unreported-hectors-dolphin-death-reveals-toothless-system-conservation-group-says/

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Social Development Minister says nothing suggests Gloriavale children unsafe following visit

Source: Radio New Zealand

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/05/social-development-minister-says-nothing-suggests-gloriavale-children-unsafe-following-visit/

Posted on

Over 3000 New Zealanders in the Middle East amidst conflict

Source: Radio New Zealand

A plume of smoke rises from the Zayed Port following a reported Iranian strike in Abu Dhabi. AFP / RYAN LIM

More than 3000 New Zealanders are in the Middle East as the Iran war continues.

The US and Israel have been bombing Iran for almost one week, with Iran launching retaliatory strikes on US and Israeli bases across the Middle East.

Travel warnings are in place, and most flights in and out of the region are not operating.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said 3171 New Zealanders were registered with its service SafeTravel in the region.

That included 1,893 in the UAE, 411 in Qatar, 401 in Saudi Arabia, 120 in Egypt, 42 in Jordan, 72 in Kuwait, 55 in Bahrain, 30 in Iran, 12 in Iraq, and 83 in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, 38 in Oman, and 14 in Lebanon.

However, it expected the actual number of New Zealanders in each country to be higher.

Defence Minister Judith Collins previously told Midday Report on Thursday, two NZDF planes would be leaving New Zealand in the coming days.

“We’re not saying exactly where they’re going to be, for obvious security reasons, but we will be saying to people, if you want to leave, we’ll get you out of the region into a safer region…. but we won’t be bringing back the thousands of New Zealanders who we know are in the region all the way back to New Zealand.

“We’ll get you to a place where you can be safe and you can get commercial flights.”

The government is urging New Zealanders in the Middle East to register on SafeTravel in preparation for evacuation.

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/05/over-3000-new-zealanders-in-the-middle-east-amidst-conflict/

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Moriori accuses Crown of not being neutral on issues with Ngāti Mutunga over Chatham Islands

Source: Radio New Zealand

Moriori Imi Settlement Trustees from left, Billy King, Tom Lanauze and Maui Solomon. Pokere Paewai/RNZ

The Moriori Imi Settlement Trust allege the Crown has reneged on a promise to remain neutral on issues of tino rangatiratanga between them and Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri over the Chatham Islands.

Descendants of both Moriori and Ngāti Mutunga were in the Court of Appeal in Wellington on Wednesday; the public gallery was so packed that a separate courtroom had to be set up with an Audio Visual link so everyone could watch the proceedings.

The Moriori Imi Settlement Trust is seeking a declaration of whether it would be unlawful for the Crown to enter into a settlement with Ngāti Mutunga that recognises or transfers interests in a way that conflicts with Moriori’s rights.

In November 2022, Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri and the Crown signed an Agreement in Principle (AIP) to settle the iwi’s historical Treaty Claims.

The AIP outlines a broad settlement framework, including recognition of Crown breaches of Te Tiriti and acknowledgement of Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri mana and tino rangatiratanga.

Chief Negotiator for Moriori Maui Solomon said they asked the Crown to remove the wording of tino rangatiratanga, but that request has so far been refused.

“During our negotiations with the Crown… we started in 2016, we signed our settlement in 2020, the Crown undertook to us that they would remain neutral, as between Moriori and Ngāti Mutunga on issues of mana whenua and tino rangatiratanga. They have not done that.”

Moriori would have preferred to settle out of court, he said.

Chair of Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri Iwi Trust Monique Croon said it’s disappointing to be in court over an issue they believe is straightforward.

“With tino rangatiratanga and our grievances, they are with the Crown, not against Moriori. And so we’ve always supported Moriori to have a settlement. And again we like to engage and we like to be part of sharing, working through that shared redress.”

Moriori settled their historic Treaty claims with the Crown in 2020, but the settlement did not include reference to mana whenua or tino rangatiratanga.

Croon said that choice was made by Moriori during negotiations with the Crown.

“Within their legislation in their deed [Moriori]… have agreed to have shared redress with Ngāti Mutanga. At this stage, we still haven’t been able to get together, engage with Moriori on that shared redress… we all share whakapapa. We live on a little island of Wharekauri where we’re a small population, and it’s important that we continue working together,” she said.

Solomon said although the Treaty was signed and applied mainly in New Zealand to Māori, the Crown claimed sovereignty over the Chatham Islands so Moriori have the same rights under the Treaty. “Wherever they’re claiming rights, they also assume the obligations,” he said.

“We don’t oppose Ngāti Mutunga having a settlement, per se. Even though we say, well, actually the Crown already rewarded Ngāti Mutunga by giving them all our land in 1870 by applying mainland custom of take raupatu.”

Chair of the Moriori Imi Settlement Trust Tom Lanauze disputes that Ngāti Mutunga took tino rangatiratanga from Moriori when they invaded the islands in 1835.

Even when Moriori people were slaughtered and enslaved there were still Moriori people on the Chatham Islands, he said.

“We didn’t lose our tino rangatiratanga by any means, in my view. And it’s still there today.”

In June 2025 the Moriori Imi Settlement Trust applied for interim orders in the High Court that the Crown not take any further action in progressing the Ngāti Mutunga Treaty claim to the extent that it would recognise that Ngāti Mutunga holds tino rangatiratanga over the Chatham Islands.

Justice La Hood dismissed the application, finding that “interim relief is not reasonably necessary to preserve Moriori’s rights.”

In December 2025, Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri and the Crown initialled a Draft Deed of Settlement.

Croon said the next step for the settlement is to have it ratified by iwi members.

“Once we have the vote or the support, then we’ll be looking at signing the deed about [the] middle of this year.”

A spokesperson for Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Paul Goldsmith said he was unable to comment as the case is before the courts.

The Court of Appeal judges have reserved their decision.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/05/moriori-accuses-crown-of-not-being-neutral-on-issues-with-ngati-mutunga-over-chatham-islands/

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Fine for unreported Hector’s dolphin death reveals toothless system, coservation group says

Source: Radio New Zealand

The camera on-board FV Emma Jane recorded images of a net being cut and a dead Hector’s dolphin sinking to the sea floor. RNZ / Alison Ballance

A small fine meted out to an Otago fisher, who killed a Hector’s dolphin then lied to officials, underscores the failure to protect endangered species, a conservation group says.

Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders uncovered the death of the dolphin – one of only about 40 left in the area – and fought through the courts to obtain the details.

Founder Christine Rose said the case laid bare a toothless system that failed to act as a deterrent to the fishing industry and also highlighted the vulnerability of relying on the industry to self-report bycatch.

The Moeraki fisher, who RNZ has chosen not to identify, was already before the court for illegal fishing when the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) discovered he had killed a Hector’s dolphin while set-netting off Otago’s coast in February last year.

The camera on-board FV Emma Jane recorded images of the net being cut and the dead dolphin sinking to the sea floor.

Neither MPI nor the Department of Conservation (DOC) brought charges over the death of the dolphin. However, MPI charged the man with failing to report the capture under the Fisheries Act.

While it is illegal to harm a protected species, commercial fishers are exempted for “accidental capture”, or bycatch.

The Ministry for Primary Industries said, although killing protected wildlife as bycatch was not an offence, it took the prosecution for failing to report the incident “due to the seriousness of the non-reporting”.

DOC said its only involvement in the case was to confirm the mammal in the camera footage was an endangered Hector’s dolphin.

Industry group Seafood New Zealand said fisheries were the most regulated and surveilled primary industry in the country and the case showed the rules were working.

Otago University emeritus professor Liz Slooten said the case proved dolphins killed by fishing gear were not always reported.

It comes as the government sought to roll back parts of the camera programme.

The current law – which had no penalty for fishing industry-related dolphin deaths – was not fit for purpose, Slooten said.

‘A dirty old shag’

After the dolphin’s death was discovered the skipper lied in his catch report, responding ‘no’ when asked if any protected species had been caught.

When fisheries officers asked about the catch he told them it was “just a dirty old shag or a seven-giller (shark)”, according to MPI’s summary of facts.

When formally interviewed he admitted to catching the dolphin claiming it was a “common dolphin”.

Another of the man’s ships, FV Triton, was caught trawling illegally days earlier near the mouth of the Ōrāri River in South Canterbury while skippered by another man.

A no trawl prohibition applied in the area from January to April to protect sea-run Chinook salmon, MPI described the fish as being at “crisis point”.

The ship’s owner said he was unaware of the no trawl areas.

He was charged with trawling inside a prohibited area.

‘Manifest injustice’

The fisher pleaded guilty to all charges last September and was fined $5000 for failing to report the dolphin’s capture, $10,000 for trawling in a prohibited area.

Both ships were automatically forfeited.

However, the man kept both ships in exchange for a fee of $14,460.

Rose said the man would be able to treat the fine and buy-back costs as the price of doing business.

“Hector’s dolphins are priceless but the court’s judgement makes dolphin lives look worthless,” she said.

Hector’s dolphins are only found in New Zealand waters and are estimated to number about 15,000, a stark decline from the 50,000 estimated in 1975.

The case showed the organisations charged with protecting threatened marine mammals were failing, Rose said.

“If this was a kiwi or a kākāpō people would be rightly outraged. But, because it’s a dolphin, we only know about it because of the persistence of groups like ours.”

Rose learned of the death after spotting a reference to unreported bycatch in a presentation from MPI.

The dolphin’s death was not initially reported on DOC’s database, though it had since been added with a note that “due to an ongoing compliance investigation, this incident was not reported publicly until January 2026”.

The court did not impose any suppression orders and ordered the release of the information to Māui and Hector’s Dolphin Defenders last month.

“When he was finally prosecuted, as we find out from the district court records, it turns out he’s got a history of breaking the law and despite the fact he’s been fishing for 40 years he pretends to not know what the rules are,” Rose said.

“The fine he gets for all of this is only $5000 and forfeiture of his boat but in the meantime he’s able to buy that boat back and can be right back out there fishing.”

MPI’s 2023-24 South Island Hector’s bycatch reduction plan annual report noted that on at least four occasions the same fishing boats killed more than one Hector’s dolphin in a 12 month period.

MPI director of science and information Simon Lawrence said when Fisheries New Zealand finds evidence of breaches of fisheries rules it took a range of actions from education to prosecution.

Prosecution decisions were made based on Crown Law guidance, he said.

DOC biodiversity system and aquatic director Kirstie Knowles said DOC became aware of the dolphin’s death in April when Fisheries New Zealand asked for confirmation the footage showed a Hector’s dolphin.

As a Fisheries investigation was already underway, DOC did not open a separate investigation under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Knowles said.

The High Court found in 2024 DOC’s approach to prosecution and investigation were unlawful and lacking.

Rose claimed DOC and MPI were failing in their duties.

“MPI are protecting the fishing industry, they’re not upholding the rules. DOC are nowhere to be seen. They should have been prosecuting this under the Marine Mammal Protection Act,” she said.

“Both these agencies that are supposed to be upholding the law and the flourishing and preservation of the marine environment and these protected species are missing in action.”

Less than a fifth of on-board footage monitored in last quarter

Before the introduction of on-board cameras, the industry reported one or zero Hector’s dolphins deaths in nets or trawls between 2014 and 2022.

But 15 deaths were reported or observed in the first year on-board cameras were rolled out.

Seafood NZ chief executive Lisa Futschek. RNZ / Kate Newton

A 2025 MPI report said about 30 percent of footage had been reviewed since 2023.

Figures for the quarter to September 2025 showed only 18 percent of footage was reviewed.

Seafood NZ chief executive Lisa Futschek said the Otago case showed the system was working.

There were clear rules on reporting, she said.

“We have a robust system. We need to work within it, and we do, and for those who don’t there are clear consequences which is what happened in this case,” Futschek said.

There were limits on the number of dolphins the fishing industry could kill in certain areas.

Those limits protected endangered species, Futschek said.

In the South Island the limit was 47.5 dolphins per year, but last year only seven were killed by the industry, Futschek said.

“So whilst even one capture is too many, we are still doing really well when it comes to making sure that particular species continues to thrive,” she said.

However, in the East Otago region the limit is two deaths per year.

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/05/fine-for-unreported-hectors-dolphin-death-reveals-toothless-system-coservation-group-says/

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Call for politicians to confirm KiwiSaver members can have their money at 65

Source: Radio New Zealand

[sh] Call to lock in KiwiSaver withdrawal age as 65

123RF

A prominent investor and director is calling for politicians to confirm that New Zealanders can count on getting their KiwiSaver when they turn 65.

Fraser Whineray, former Mercury chief executive, has outlined a plan for how he would like to reform the almost-20-year-old KiwiSaver.

He said a priority was to make the KiwiSaver withdrawal age its own setting.

At the moment, people can access their KiwiSaver funds when they reach the age of eligibility for NZ Super, which is currently 65.

But it shifted from 60 to 65 in 1993 and there have been proposals to move it higher.

Whineray said KiwiSaver access should remain at 65, regardless.

“If that [NZ Super age] shifts, then KiwiSaver shifts. I’m going ‘well hang on a second, KiwiSaver is my money’. People are doing their financial planning, their work planning, all those sorts of things… knowing it’s coming at 65.

“So one rule is that KiwiSaver’s access age needs to be defined, and not defined by something else.”

He said all political parties would receive a copy of the summary policy on Monday.

“I would love to see them answer the question ‘are you going to confirm that people can get their KiwiSaver no later than 65?’ And if they mumble over that question, and say ‘I’m going to wait for a report’ or get a study done or whatever – rightly, New Zealanders should say ‘that is not a hard question. It’s my money, I’m getting it at 65. You need to tick yes or find another job’.”

He said it should also be made clear that the government could not direct KiwiSaver funds.

“KiwiSaver funds need to know that it’s up to them and their risk appetite and their fund managers to work out what they should be invested in, how much in New Zealand, h ow much overseas, how much in bonds, how much in equities, etcetera.

“We can’t have a situation where KiwiSaver funds are being forced to invest in things which are to offload government fiscal problems.”

Whineray also wants to direct more KiwiSaver support to children. The number of under-18s with accounts has dropped since the $1000 “kickstart” payment was removed.

He said children could have an account opened automatically by Inland Revenue at birth with $5000 invested in a growth fund, paid by the government. A family could then put in $2 a week to give children a balance of $20,000 or $25,000 by 18.

He said this could be done with the $500 million a year currently spent on unevenly distributed incentives for people aged 18 to 64.

The member tax credit had cost nearly $1 billion before the government halved its contribution to $260. At the moment, many people were missing out and the system was creating “haves and have-nots” he said.

He also wanted compulsory employer contributions to continue for people on parental leave paid by the employer, and for contribution rates to reach 12 percent.

He said that should be done by dropping employer contributions to 2 percent from 2027 and increasing them by 0.5 percent a year to 2047, while employee contributions remained voluntary.

“We have to do this very gently … we’ve left people behind. They’re already not got on the buss or they are off the bus, so we need to reverse the bus a bit.

“This has to be very slow. Otherwise, it’s just too much of a shock for the system, and the economy, and wages… So, 20 years is kind of the transition, but it also overlaps with the political system letting it stabilise for 20 years, until at that point, it’ll be embedded.”

He said people who had been out of the country for a year should also not be able to pull out their money at that point.

“If you go anywhere [other than Australia] you can pull it out after a year. You go on the OE, you’re sitting in Ibiza, hit 366 days, you’ve permanently migrated and pulled the lot.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/05/call-for-politicians-to-confirm-kiwisaver-members-can-have-their-money-at-65/

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White Ferns continue dominance oer Zimbabwe in women’s international – first ODI

Source: Radio New Zealand

White Ferns batter Brooke Halliday set the foundation for victory over Zimbabwe in the first ODI. www.photosport.nz

The White Ferns have continued their dominance over Zimbabwe with a 180 run win in the first one-dayer in Dunedin.

The hosts were sent in to bat and posted a very competitive total of 354/3 with Brooke Halliday scoring an unbeaten 157.

It was Halliday’s highest ODI score and her first century for the White Ferns.

Top order batter Maddy Green scored 67 and wicketkeeper batter Izzy Gaze had an unbeaten 59 in the victory for the second half century of her ODI career.

In reply, Zimbabwe put together a soild 93-run partnership for the second wicket but could not score at the rate required before being dimissed in the 48th over.

Opener Kelis Ndhlovu top scored for the visitors with 52.

Captain Amelia Kerr was the pick of the White Ferns bowlers taking 4-35 off her 10 overs.

Jess Kerr also took 3-28 off 8.3 overs.

Game two of the three match series is on Sunday at the same venue of University Oval in Dunedin.

See how every ball played out on our blog:

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/05/white-ferns-continue-dominance-oer-zimbabwe-in-womens-international-first-odi/

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Rhenus continues its expansion plans by opening a brand new warehouse in Paranaque, Philippines

Source: Media Outreach

  • 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.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/05/rhenus-continues-its-expansion-plans-by-opening-a-brand-new-warehouse-in-paranaque-philippines/

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Finance Minister Nicola Willis says economic impact from Middle East war isn’t clear

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the economic impact of the war in the Middle East still isn’t clear.

Energy prices have spiked because of supply concerns, while financial markets have been spooked by the conflict.

The shipping lane in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital channel for energy trade, effectively closed due to the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel and Iran in the Middle East.

Modelling by Westpac suggests a disruption to Iranian production only could see the price of oil rise another US$25 per barrel to around US$100 (NZ$168).

It’s warning that could push our inflation rate up by around one percent.

Further shipping disruptions through the Strait could see Brent crude spike further, and as a result, inflation could climb.

Willis told Checkpoint she was receiving briefings every day from the Treasury, which was closely co-ordinating with the Reserve Bank (RBNZ).

“What they’re telling me is that, of course, as a small trading nation, New Zealand will be impacted by these global events, but how we are affected will depend on what happens with the data,” Willis said.

Willis said she hasn’t received formal Treasury scenarios on the impacts of the Middle East conflict yet.

However, she said markets aren’t predicting oil to rise as high as they did after Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine.

“Markets don’t know yet how long this conflict will be or how severe this conflict will be, in fact, none of us know that,” Willis said.

“The best-case scenario I think for all of us is that the conflict ends. This is not New Zealand’s, but this is a conflict that is affecting human beings in a profound way and also has the potential to affect the global economy, and, therefore, New Zealand’s economy in a profound way.”

Willis said the Treasury and Reserve Bank are geared up to monitor the effects of the war closely.

She said it was too soon to tell how the conflict will impact her 2026 Budget, but she expects to stick to the operating allowance she gave off $2.4 billion.

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Commissioner of Inland Revenue latest scam target

Source: Radio New Zealand

Inland Revenue say digital platforms use sophisticated algorithms to push content to people based on their search history. 123rf

Commissioner Peter Mersi was used as part of a scam inviting people to a webinar on crypto tax changes 123rf

Even the Commissioner of Inland Revenue cannot avoid being a target for scammers.

The tax department on Thursday warned that people needed to be wary of social media scams impersonating well-known New Zealanders, including commissioner Peter Mersi.

Mersi was used as part of a scam inviting people to a webinar on crypto tax changes.

An image of a man said to be the Commissioner of Inland Revenue (CIR), Peter Mersi, was used as part of a social media scam. IRD/SUPPLIED

The Financial Markets Authority last year warned that scammers were impersonating celebrities, journalists, politicians and financial commentators.

Some were using deepfake videos to promote free investment advice WhatsApp groups and encouraging people to invest in fake investment platforms, it said at the time.

In 2024, a number of fake posts claimed to be RNZ news stories.

IR spokesperson Stephen Lynch said digital platforms were using sophisticated algorithms to push content to people based on their search history.

He said the latest posts did not show Peter Mersi. Incorrect versions of the Inland Revenue logo were being used and the invitation was not from anyone at the department.

“We believe whoever is behind the campaign is using false, probably AI generated, images and messaging to trick people into giving out personal information which is then used to access online accounts or steal someone’s identity.

“Inland Revenue investigates and searches for scams so we can pass the details on to the social media platforms they appear on to have the ads taken down. Following notifications to Meta, this series of ads claiming to be from IR was taken down only to reappear, slightly altered, the next day.

“Unfortunately, the use of images and artificially generated likenesses is on the increase with investment scams on social media platforms and websites being a major contributor to New Zealanders losing $265 million dollars to fraud last year.”

Lynch said Inland Revenue had received more than 3000 reports of scams from the public in the three months to the end of February.

He said scammers were aware of important tax periods and increased their efforts at that time.

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/05/commissioner-of-inland-revenue-latest-scam-target/

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Government legalises debts for survivors of sexual violence and abuse in state care

Source: Green Party

The Government today passed legislation entrenching nearly 40,000 people, including many sexual abuse and abuse in state care survivors in debt.  

Pushing survivors of sexual abuse, survivors of abuse in care and injured people into debt is cruel and inhumane,” said Green Party spokesperson for social development Ricardo Menéndez March.  

“The Government had every opportunity to not entrench an unlawful policy that has harmed survivors of abuse. They were asked to exempt them, but today they refused.  

“Just over a year ago, the Government stood in Parliament and apologised to survivors of abuse in state care. Today they passed a law that will continue to harm many of those same survivors. That is a betrayal.  

“The High Court ruled that what MSD was doing was wrong. Instead of accepting that ruling, the Government rushed through retrospective legislation to override it, ignoring the warnings of lawyers, health professionals, and community organisations.  

“These are not people who were ‘double-dipping.’ They are members of our community who relied on welfare support in good faith while waiting months or years for ACC to accept their claims. The system failed them, and now the Government is punishing them for it.  

“Survivors of sexual abuse and survivors of abuse in care often have to go through long, retraumatising processes to access support from ACC while on welfare.   

“The delays they face only add to the debt that is slapped on them once they finally receive support for rehabilitation. This is opposite to the claims from the Government that this bill is about equity.  

“The Greens voted against this bill because we refuse to be part of a Parliament that punishes people for being injured, for being poor, or for surviving abuse,” said Menéndez March. 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/05/government-legalises-debts-for-survivors-of-sexual-violence-and-abuse-in-state-care/