Source: New Zealand Police
The intersection of Black Street and Archilles Street/ State Highway 2, Wairoa, is closed following a serious crash.
Emergency services received reports of the two-vehicle crash about 3pm.
Diversions are being organised, and motorists should expect delays.
The Serious Crash Unit have been advised.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre.
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/serious-crash-state-highway-2-wairoa/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Supplied / St John
Two Auckland students are in Starship Hospital after being struck by cars before school on Monday.
Police said one intermediate-aged student was hit by a car at about 8.15am while crossing Whangaparāoa Road in Stanmore Bay.
In a statement, Whangaparāoa College confirmed one of its students was hit.
It said the student was receiving medical treatment and would make a full recovery.
Police said another intermediate child was hit by a different car on Onewa Road in Northcote at 8.26am.
St John said both children who suffered moderate injuries were taken to Starship in ambulances.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/10/two-students-hit-by-cars-before-school-on-monday-morning/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Neil Gaiman at an event in 2024. Jamie McCarthy / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA
All three US lawsuits accusing author Neil Gaiman of sexually assaulting his children’s nanny in Auckland four years ago have now been dismissed.
Scarlett Pavlovich filed lawsuits against Gaiman and his wife Amanda Palmer in the US states of Wisconsin, Massachusetts and New York last year.
She accused Gaiman of multiple sexual assaults while she was working as the family’s nanny in 2022.
The New York lawsuit was dropped last year, and the Wisconsin lawsuit was dismissed in October, with the judge saying Pavlovich needed to pursue the case in New Zealand.
AP has now reported that US District Judge Nathaniel Gorton in Boston threw out the Massachusetts filing late last week on the same grounds.
The British author has denied the claims, but argued that as the alleged abuses occurred in New Zealand – where Pavlovich is a citizen and Gaiman has permanent residency status – the US had no jurisdiction over the allegations.
Pavlovich sued Gaiman, author of The Sandman comic book series and the novel American Gods, while Palmer was accused of knowing that Pavlovich was vulnerable, and failing to warn that Gaiman had a history of predatory behaviour, according to court papers.
The lawsuits sought unspecified damages that were “reasonably believed” to exceed US$1 million (NZ$1.7m) on multiple claims, Reuters earlier reported.
In his motion to dismiss, Gaiman called the claims a “sham”, saying while he and Pavlovich did engage in “sexual activity”, they never had sexual intercourse and it was always consensual.
“None of Pavlovich’s claims are true,” Gaiman said.
Pavlovich painted a very different picture of the events in an interview last year with Vulture, a US entertainment news page for the New York Magazine.
Pavlovich said she agreed to baby-sit the couple’s child, but soon Gaiman began sexually abusing her, including by raping her, choking her, and assaulting her in the presence of his child, according to court papers.
The abuse allegedly lasted several weeks, until Gaiman and his child left for Europe.
At the time, she was 22 and Gaiman was 61.
Following the publication of the allegations, Gaiman wrote that he had “never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/10/third-us-lawsuit-against-author-neil-gaiman-dismissed-by-judge/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Five fire trucks and two water tankers are at a blaze in Eskdale. RNZ/Marika Khabazi
Multiple fire crews are battling a blaze that’s engulfed a workshop in Eskdale, north of Napier.
Emergency services were called to the rural Seafield Road property about 1.20pm.
Fire and Emergency says it has five fire trucks and two water tankers working in the building that is about the size of a three bay garage.
It could not say whether anyone was injured.
St John confirmed it was at the scene.
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LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/10/fire-crews-battle-blaze-at-workshop-in-hawkes-bay/
Source: New Zealand Government
New Zealand’s exploration and mining pipeline is strengthening, with record levels of mineral permit applications received and decided in 2025, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.
New data from New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals (NZP&M) shows the agency received 551 applications last year, up from 450 in 2024, and made 521 decisions, compared to an annual average of 363 since 2017. Of the 178 approvals for new activity, 163 related to gold.
“Nine out of 10 new permit applications granted last year targeted gold, with the South Island set to benefit most from this activity. The West Coast alone accounted for more than 40 per cent of new gold‑related approvals, reinforcing its position as one of New Zealand’s most active and enduring mining regions,” Mr Jones says.
“What is particularly encouraging is the good spread of applications across the development lifecycle. The mix of prospecting, exploration, and mining permits reflects healthy progression through the development pipeline. Tier 2 hobby permits are being converted into the newly created Tier 3 permit class, which applies a more proportionate and fit‑for‑purpose regulatory burden to small‑scale activity.
“This demonstrates a sector that is gathering momentum and investing in New Zealand’s future. A strong exploration pipeline, coupled with a notable uplift in mining stage activity, shows companies are not only seeking new opportunities but progressing them with confidence.
“The results also highlight strong activity among mid‑sized mining projects — operations that play an important role in regional economic growth and capability building. Multiple operators advancing projects rather than a small number of large ventures dominating the landscape is positive for the sector’s resilience.”
Across the sector, 237 change applications were decided in 2025, reflecting a high level of variation and optimisation activity as operators refine work programmes and permit conditions — a clear indication of active management of mineral assets.
“What we’re seeing is a sector that is humming — investing, exploring, and planning for long-term activity. This momentum is good for regional economies, good for jobs, and good for New Zealand’s broader resource development strategy,” Mr Jones says
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/10/new-data-shows-record-2025-permitting-activity/
Source: Radio New Zealand
The body was recovered from the Waioweka River in Ōpōtiki on Tuesday morning.
Police say they recovered a body from the Waioweka River on Tuesday morning after a search for a man who was swept downstream after falling from a boat in the Bay of Plenty town of Ōpōtiki last month.
Inspector Nicky Cooney, Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander, said the body was recovered from the river at about 9am.
“This has been a long slow search, hindered at times by the weather as well as impacted by the slips on SH2,” Cooney said in a statement.
Police earlier said that they were called out at about 5.30pm on Friday 23 January after reports that a man had fallen from a boat and a search of the area was carried out with a vessel found nearby.
Cooney thanked all those who assisted in the search efforts including Land SAR volunteers, local jet boat and helicopter operators, the Police National Dive Squad and iwi whose knowledge of the river and surrounding terrain had been invaluable.
The formal identification process is underway, and the man’s death has been referred to the Coroner.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/10/body-recovered-from-bay-of-plenty-river/
Source: Media Outreach
HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 February 2026 – VinFast today officially announced its entry into Indonesia’s e-scooter market through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with strategic dealers in the country. The milestone marks a significant step in VinFast’s international expansion of its electric two-wheeler business and reaffirms the Company’s long-term commitment to one of Southeast Asia’s largest and most dynamic motorcycle markets.
VinFast signed strategic MoUs with its first e-scooter partners in Indonesia.
Accordingly, VinFast has signed strategic MoUs with its first partners in Indonesia, including K3, Citra Abadi Sedaya, PT Bevos Auto Mandiri, PT Sapta Jaya, MotorArt, PT Sinergies Dua Kawan, and PT HINU. These partners have long-standing experience in the distribution of automobiles and motorcycles, strong professional operational capabilities, deep market understanding, and the ability to rapidly deploy operations in line with VinFast’s standards.
VinFast will begin rolling out its distribution network in the Jabodetabek area — Indonesia’s largest economic and urban center — from the second quarter of 2026, with plans to expand to other regions nationwide.
In Indonesia, VinFast plans to introduce a portfolio of battery-swapping e-scooters, including VinFast Evo, VinFast Feliz II, VinFast Flazz and VinFast Viper, alongside additional new models to be launched in due course. The product lineup has been carefully engineered and calibrated to suit Indonesia’s tropical climate, dense urban traffic conditions, and everyday commuting patterns.
Throughout 2026, VinFast aims to further expand its footprint to hundreds of authorized dealerships and service workshops nationwide. The Company’s development strategy in Indonesia is designed as an integrated ecosystem, combining retail and after-sales networks, financing solutions, charging and battery-swapping infrastructure through cooperation with V-Green, and partnerships with leading financial institutions.
Prior to this announcement, VinFast had unveiled its strategy to internationalize its electric two-wheeler business and signed agreements with dealers in the Philippines. According to its roadmap, the Company will accelerate expansion across five priority markets in 2026, namely the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Thailand, and Malaysia. These countries represent high-growth economies with substantial urban mobility demand and a clear transition toward sustainable transportation solutions.
Ms. Vo Thi Cam Tu, Managing Director of VinFast E-Scooters Overseas Market, stated: “Indonesia is a strategic market in VinFast’s global e-scooter expansion journey. Partnering with leading local dealers underscores our partners’ confidence in VinFast’s product quality, service standards, flexible battery-swapping model, and long-term vision. We are committed to accompanying Indonesian consumers on their transition toward a greener, smarter, and more sustainable future of mobility.”
Indonesia stands among the world’s largest motorcycle markets, characterized by rapid urbanization, high population density in major cities, and increasing policy and consumer momentum toward environmentally friendly transportation. These structural factors create substantial headroom for the growth of the e-scooter segment. Indonesian dealers have expressed strong confidence in VinFast’s long-term potential in the country, citing its comprehensive green mobility ecosystem, large-scale manufacturing capabilities, and proven ability to execute swiftly across multiple international markets.
After two years of presence in Indonesia, VinFast has introduced a broad range of electric vehicles, from electric SUVs to models optimized for transportation services, and has commenced operations at its Subang facility. Concurrently, the Company has expanded its integrated ecosystem, including dealership and after-sales networks, charging infrastructure in collaboration with V-Green, and partnerships with leading banks and financial institutions. Through pioneering and customer-centric policies, VinFast continues to lower barriers to EV adoption and enable Indonesian consumers to participate in the global green mobility revolution.
Hashtag: #VinFast
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/10/vinfast-officially-enters-indonesias-e-scooter-market-partners-with-strategic-dealers/
Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Detective Inspector Jamie Woods, Wellington Field Crime Manager:
Police can now release the name of the woman found deceased at a Matatua Road, Raumati Beach address on Monday 9 February.
She was 56-year-old Lauraine Margaret Stewart of Raumati.
We acknowledge this is an incredibly difficult time for Ms Stewart’s family and we are providing them with support.
A 24-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent to grievous bodily harm with further charges being considered. He has been remanded in custody to appear in the Porirua District Court on 4 March 2026.
The investigation into the circumstances of Ms Stewart’s death continues with the primary scene examination expected to be completed in the coming days.
Several search warrants were executed yesterday in support of the investigation and there will be an increased Police presence in the Kāpiti area.
We want to reassure the members of the community that there is no ongoing risk to public safety following this incident.
Police are appealing to the public on information around the incident.
Anyone with information that might help our enquiries can call 105, quoting reference number 260209/8606.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/10/name-release-homicide-investigation-raumati-beach/
Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander Inspector Nicky Cooney
Police and teams searching for a man missing since January have located and recovered a body from the Waioeka River this morning at about 9am.
This has been a long slow search, hindered at times by the weather as well as impacted by the slips on SH2.
Police would like to thank all those who assisted in the search efforts.
In particular we would like to acknowledge Land SAR volunteers, local jet boat and helicopter operators, along with iwi whose knowledge of the river and surrounding terrain has been invaluable.
We are also grateful for the assistance of the Police National Dive Squad.
This has been a true team effort and everyone involved has provided incredible support to the search teams.
The formal identification process is underway, and the man’s death has been referred to the Coroner.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/10/body-recovered-waioeka-river-bay-of-plenty-district/
Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Detective Sergeant Ben Rolton, Christchurch Metro Crime:
Police investigating a serious assault on Fitzgerald Avenue around 12.20pm yesterday are appealing to the public for information around the incident.
The investigating team are looking for any photos, CCTV, or dashcam footage along Fitzgerald Avenue between Cambridge Terrace and Bealey Avenue between 12.15pm and 12.45pm on Monday 9 February 2026 to aid in their enquiries.
If you have witnessed the incident or have dashcam footage available covering travel between the section of road, please contact Police and quote file number 260209/0262.
The victim from the incident remains in hospital, in a stable condition.
A scene guard was put in place around the property where the incident occurred overnight, and Police are completing a scene examination which is expected to finish today.
Police will maintain an increased presence in the area as they carry out their enquiries and would like to reassure the public there is not believed to be any further threats to public safety.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/10/update-2-serious-assault-christchurch/
Source: Radio New Zealand
The change was introduced last year. File photo. Supplied / New Zealand Electrical Inspectors Association
A rule change that electrical inspectors say elevates the risk of people being electrocuted is being reviewed.
The change – made late last year – lifted a ban on inserting a switch, circuit or fuse into mains power earthing systems in houses and businesses.
The Electrical Inspectors Association wrote to the government a week ago, asking it to intervene with Worksafe.
Energy Minister Simon Watts said he took feedback from stakeholders seriously.
“The regulatory amendment lays the foundation for future measures to ensure electric vehicle charging meets safety expectations, and allow for improved disaster resilience,” Watts said in a statement.
WorkSafe’s Energy Safety team had commissioned an independent review by an international expert to provide assurance on their advice to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, which instituted the rule change.
Worksafe issued initial guidance to the industry and had said it was working on further technical guidance on protective earth neutral conductor (PEN) switching.
The inspectors’ letter on 29 January said they had failed to persuade Worksafe.
“The PEN conductor is the single most important wire in any electrical installation,” they wrote.
If it was broken or ‘switched-off’, the installation’s earth moved up toward a phase voltage.
“This is very dangerous and can result in multiple fatalities. Now, a compliant New Zealand electrical installation with no faults present can now be lethal.”
They offered to provide a tabletop demonstration of this and for Worksafe to demonstrate the converse if it could.
“Please use independent thought and guidance when replying to this issue as we believe WorkSafe is in ‘cover-up’ mode,” association president Warren Willets wrote to Workplace Safety Minister Brooke van Velden, who transferred it to Watts.
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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/very-dangerous-electrical-rule-change-to-be-reviewed/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Judge Ema Aitken is accused of disrupting a NZ First function at Auckland’s Northern Club in 2024. RNZ Insight/Dan Cook
The defence for a District Court Judge accused of disrupting an NZ First event has told a judicial conduct panel the affair has been blown “out of all proportion”.
Judge Ema Aitken was appearing before the panel in Auckland on Tuesday, accused of disrupting a function at Auckland’s exclusive Northern Club in 2024.
She was accused of shouting that NZ First leader Winston Peters was lying.
Judge Aitken said she did not shout, did not recognise Peters’ voice when she responded to remarks she overheard and did not know it was a political event.
Her lawyer, David Jones, KC, opened his case by praising the judge’s career, describing her as diligent and a judge of principle.
He explained why the judge continued to fight the allegations.
“She is a judge of principle, and she is a judge of integrity, and she is not going to resign over something that she did not do,” he said.
Jones maintained Judge Aitken did not know it was Winston Peters speaking at the Northern Club, and that she was unaware of the political context when she made her comments.
Jones raised the concern of handing the acting attorney-general a ‘loaded gun’ if they found consideration of removal was justified.
District Court Judge Ema Aitken at the judicial conduct panel on Monday. Finn Blackwell / RNZ
Special Counsel Tim Stephens, KC, had said on Monday final say on removal of the judge fell with acting Attorney-General Paul Goldsmith.
Jones pointed to the fact that Goldsmith was a politician.
“Now, it’s been said, well, the attorney-general has to act lawfully,” he said.
“We have the very real political context of the complaint generated by, it seems, a political situation, and all of the issues that have been raised about the reports in the media, they are all political issues,” he said.
“So, this is a politicized situation, not of the judge’s making, but of others, and what you have is a situation where in the current climate, for example it’s an election year, we have coalition issues that obviously are going to be concerning some people, and the attorney-general, if he gets the loaded gun from the panel, what considerations will come into play there?”
Jones said the emphasis of the panel had to be on fairness, natural justice, and fitness for office.
Special Counsel Tim Stephens, KC. RNZ / Mark Papalii
Presenting the allegations of misconduct to the panel, Stephens said the panel was responsible for reporting on the judge’s conduct, finding the facts, and ultimately recommending if the judge should be removed.
He continued his opening from Monday, addressing the allegations Judge Aitken faced, and what happened on that night in 2024.
He started by providing political context on leading up to the alleged disturbance, leading with a complaint made by lawyer Gary Judd, KC, over compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students.
The complaint was supported by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters who said teaching tikanga was “cultural indoctrination”.
A select committee largely rejected a complaint in April last year.
The next piece of context Stephens gave was the haka that broke out in Parliament following the vote for the Treaty Principles Bill.
Stephens referenced NZ First MP Casey Costello, who at the time had said NZ First would only support the bill to first reading.
Minister Costello is expected to be called as a witness before the judicial conduct panel.
On the night in question, Stephens said Judge Aitken had been attending a function for district court judges, while at the same time, a NZ First event was taking place in another part of the Northern Club.
Stephens said part of Winston Peters’ speech at that event mentioned both the teaching of tikanga at law school, as well as the party’s position on the Treaty Principles Bill.
“The allegations that I make or that I present are that while the deputy prime minister was speaking, Judge Aitken interrupted him in the New Zealand First dinner by heckling the deputy prime minister, accusing the deputy prime minister of lying and being a liar, saying that the deputy prime minister’s comments were disgusting…”
In the wake of the incident, Stephens said Judge Aitken wrote to NZ First apologising for what happened.
He told the panel a key fact finding part of their job would be determining when the judge realised the speaker at the event was Peters and if she knew it was a NZ First event.
It was Stephens submission that Judge Aitken’s behaviour was rude, and brought the judiciary into conflict with the executive branch of government.
“I will submit that even if the judge didn’t know that the speaker was the deputy prime minister at the exact point in time or prior to when she made her comments, my submission will be that her conduct seen in the round still justifies consideration of removal,” he said.
Defence lawyer David Jones, KC. RNZ / Mark Papalii
The second day of the hearing begun with the panel addressing concerns from David Jones, KC, about what he described as undisclosed evidence claimed from Special Counsel.
Lead panellist Brendan Brown, KC, explained they had received an application from Judge Aitken just before Waitangi weekend, seeking disclosure of witness material.
The panel directed Special Counsel to disclose relevant documents to the judge, which Stephens stated he had already made all such disclosures.
The panellist also defined what the word ‘document’, and the reference to a ‘document authored’ meant, as raised by Jones on Monday.
Brown said the purpose of his clarification was to comply the rules of natural justice.
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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/judge-accused-of-disrupting-nz-first-event-wont-resign-over-something-she-did-not-do/
Source: Radio New Zealand
March 2019 massacres happened at Christchurch’s Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre. RNZ / Nate McKinnon
The Australian white supremacist who massacred 51 worshippers at two Christchurch mosques was pleased to be charged with committing terrorism, the Court of Appeal has heard.
Convicted murderer and terrorist Brenton Tarrant made the admission to one of his lawyers after being advised of the charge in May 2019.
The 35-year-old wants to vacate his guilty pleas for the 15 March 2019 terror attacks at Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre and stand trial instead.
In March 2020, the gunman pleaded guilty at the High Court to 51 counts of murder, 40 of attempted murder and one of committing a terrorist act.
He was jailed for life without parole in August 2020.
The terrorist’s former lawyers Jonathan Hudson and Shane Tait, who represented him from late March 2019 until July 2020, gave evidence at a Court of Appeal hearing in Wellington on Tuesday morning.
Lawyers representing the terrorist at the Court of Appeal have name suppression.
During an exchange with a lawyer known only as counsel B, Hudson said the terrorist gave surprising responses to being advised of a 51st charge of murder and a charge of terrorism being laid against him.
Hudson’s affidavit described an “extremely unusual response” to the final murder charge.
“It wasn’t the response I had expected,” Hudson told the court, although he did not elaborate.
Hudson also detailed the gunman’s response to being advised of the terrorism charge in late May 2019.
“He was pleased,” he said.
“He wanted to be described as a terrorist.”
Hudson told the court the terrorist expressed a willingness to immediately plead guilty to the charge of terrorism, while at the same time maintaining a desire to plead not guilty to the murder and attempted murder charges.
The terrorist pleaded not guilty to all charges in June 2019 and contacted Hudson on 31 July 2019 when he expressed a desire to plead guilty.
Hudson said the terrorist’s change of heart came as a surprise.
Two days later Hudson met the terrorist in prison and read a letter outlining the pleas and the case against him.
There was no change in the terrorist’s demeanour, Hudson said.
Four days later the terrorist had another change of heart shortly before he was due to formally enter his pleas in court.
Hudson received the news via a phone call from the terrorist.
“We only had 20 minutes before the scheduled teleconference with the judge,” Hudson told the court.
“I went to visit him at the prison afterwards to confirm his instructions.”
Asked by counsel B if he found the terrorist’s changing mind to be “illogical or irrational”, Hudson said he attributed it to “the seriousness of the punishment he faced if he went through with the guilty plea”.
Hudson had made the terrorist aware he faced life imprisonment without parole regardless of whether he pleaded guilty or not.
Tait and Hudson told the court the terrorist always intended to plead guilty.
“He was consistent that he was going to plead guilty but he was inconsistent as to when he would plead guilty,” Hudson said.
Tait said he advised the terrorist he had no defence in law, the evidence against him was overwhelming and he accepted that advice and intended to plead guilty.
He said the terrorist had raised wanting to claim he was defending New Zealand from overpopulation from migrant communities.
“I made it clear that defence was not available to him,” Tait said.
Tait advised the terrorist that there was a possible defence to the terrorism charge because no-one had been convicted of the offence at the time.
“To be clear Mr Tarrant never wanted to defend the terrorism charge. It was something he wanted to be convicted of,” he said.
Tait and Hudson continued preparing for trial on the basis it might proceed.
As part of their preparation, Tait advised the terrorist to seek a change in venue for trial.
That application was quite advanced before the terrorist abandoned it, although Tait was not surprised.
“It was just another attempt for him to try to control the proceedings,” he told the court.
“I wasn’t surprised. I wasn’t happy but I envisaged he may attempt to do something like that.
“His explanation is he didn’t want to be seen to be running away from the trauma he had caused the community.”
Tarrant’s extreme ideology seemed to be “more important to him than any idea of fair trial rights”, Tait said.
The court heard the terrorist had regularly ignored the advice of his lawyers, including in his desire to give a statement to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the attack.
The terrorist gave evidence to the court on Monday, in his first public remarks since the 2019 mass shooting.
During his evidence he claimed he always intended on dismissing his lawyers, going to trial and representing himself.
He felt “forced” to plead guilty in March 2020 because of his deteriorating mental state and his fear he would make a fool of himself at trial.
His argument for vacating his guilty pleas amounted to the terrorist claiming he was incapable of making a rational decision at the time because of the solitary nature of confinement.
Hudson and Tait disputed the terrorist’s claim he had raised dismissing them.
Tait said the terrorist had only ever discussed representing himself at sentencing.
Tait recalled regularly pressing the terrorist for an arguable defence to take to trial and the terrorist made clear he was going to plead guilty, it was just a matter of when.
“Brenton what am I going to tell a jury?,” Tait recalled asking the terrorist.
“Don’t worry, it won’t get to that,” he said the terrorist would respond.
The terrorist, who is housed in the specialist prisoners of extreme risk unit at Auckland Prison, told the court on Monday any remorse he had expressed before his August 2020 sentencing was because of his isolation and poor mental state.
“I did express some remorse. I would now say that was induced by the prison conditions, I was irrational,” the terrorist told the court.
“It was actually real but it was induced by the prison conditions inducing the irrationality.”
The hearing is set down for five days.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/christchurch-mosque-shooter-wanted-to-be-called-a-terrorist-ex-lawyer-says/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Rico Simpson of Auckland during the 2025 NPC at Eden Park. Photosport
Rico Simpson is no stranger to expectation.
The schoolboy prodigy has been long tipped as the next star off the New Zealand rugby conveyor belt.
Now in his first, full-time Super Rugby season, Simpson is looking to become a household name and fill the boots of one of the world’s best.
After a year spent in the wider squad, Simpson said he feels more comfortable now both in the team and with the hype surrounding him.
“I think I took a lot of it as I went along the way, guys in similar positions I got to be alongside, I think it’s always going to be part of the game. You’re always going to have those expectations and pressures from fans, coaches. It’s kind of been a part of me since probably year 13.”
With Beauden Barrett sitting the first few weeks of Super Rugby out, the door is open for Simpson.
Rico Simpson of New Zealand is tackled by Finn Treacy of Ireland during the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship 3rd/4th playoff between Ireland and Zealand at Cape Town Stadium in South Africa on 19 July 2024. Photosport
“Last year I got to just get a taste of it and now I think there is probably expectations of me to be playing good enough footy to get a crack. And with Beaudy out, it might be potential there, but I’m just here to just keep learning developing as a player.”
Simpson said the 145-test All Black has been an integral part of his assimilation at the Blues.
“He has been really helpful, keeping in contact with me and making sure I’m clear on everything and just helping me out with the nitty gritty parts of the game, which is really cool to see. I think he’s obviously had a lot of years playing high level rugby, so it’s good to just hear the little details that he likes to use and implement in his game.”
Simpson is not new to the high performance environment, spending two years with the New Zealand Under 20’s, playing in last year’s championship final against the Junior Springboks.
“It’s been a lot easier of a transition for me. I’m fully immersed in the squad now, on the development contracts, you’re in and out of the Blues and the Under 20s, so I think being in one place and really just nailing the parts of your game you want to get right has probably the best thing for me.”
Simpson converts a penalty during the at the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship game between Wales and New Zealand in 2024. Photosport
Pulling on the Blues jersey was always an ambition for the Aucklander.
“Growing up in Auckland, born here, raised, went to school here, it’s always been a dream. I’ve always looked at the Blues and wanted to be a part of that.”
He grew up idolising the likes of Stephen Perofeta and Barrett, men he now calls teammates.
“When I first came in, it was a pretty surreal moment, to see those guys on TV and then be training alongside them. So as a young fella, it’s good to get alongside those guys and chew heaps of fat around the game and I think you get to learn a lot.”
Simpson was a key cog in Sacred Heart’s first XV where he spent three years and helped guide them to an historic 1A victory in 2023, the school’s first title in 65 years.
“I got to do it alongside my brother, which is also another cool thing. Sacred will always be part of me and I think that really developed me as a player and it got me to where I am today.”
Simpson celebrates with team mates at the final whistle in the First XV Schools Rugby Union 1A Final. Photosport
Simpson’s siblings and fellow Sacred Heart stars Keanu and Cruiz are also on a trajectory for higher honours, with Rico hoping they can all run out together on Eden Park one day.
“Yeah, one day, the three Simpson boys in the Blues, that’s the plan.”
His success at Sacred caught the eye of national selectors who handed Simpson the coveted number 10 jersey for the U20’s side, the same one worn by fellow Blues Barrett and Perofeta.
“International level was always a step ahead of everything, and I think it really helped me learn different parts of the game that I probably didn’t quite get it at school level and regional stuff.”
For Simpson, it was the first of many black jerseys he hopes to wear.
“I think as a Kiwi kid playing footy, that’s (the All Blacks) always the end goal and it’s always been a dream of mine.”
Standing at 6ft 5in, Simpson is an imposing presence in the backline.
Sacred Heart first five-eighth Rico Simpson scores a try during the Saint Kentigern College vs Sacred Heart College First XV Schools Rugby Union 1A Final in 2023. Photosport
“I’ve always prided myself on my kicking game and I think along the years my running game has started to develop and that’s something I want to keep working on. Obviously as a taller fella, taking the line on and offloading has always been a strength of mine, so those two things are probably something that I always hang my hat on.”
Simpson said that despite a tough 2025, the Blues have full belief they can replicate their 2024 title run, and send coach vern Cotter off in winning style.
“We always believe we can do that. The boys are really switched on and ready to go, we are ready to rip into the year and there’s a lot of confidence, a younger squad, but we’ve still got that confidence that we can go all the way.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/rugby-prodigy-ready-to-prove-the-hype/
Source: Radio New Zealand
BusinessNZ director of advocacy Catherine Beard. Supplied / Business NZ
Standards New Zealand has been invited by Standards Australia to take a seat at the table following many years of being unable to pay the price to join.
The change follows an agreement by the Australian and New Zealand governments to fund New Zealand’s participation in the development of joint standards, which were essential to trans-Tasman trade.
“Standards Australia has been well resourced over the years, while Standards New Zealand was the poor cousin, and NZ businesses were having to pay to participate in joint standards development,” BusinessNZ director of advocacy Catherine Beard said.
“As a result of the cost barrier, and the 100 percent user pays model operating in New Zealand, there were about 500 joint standards that were de-jointed since 2016.”
She said New Zealand businesses will, however, continue to fund the expenses associated with travel and other expenses incurred by New Zealand’s contributing experts attending the standards meetings.
“Joint standards are needed as Australia and NZ are each other’s biggest market for manufactured exports and given the closeness between the two economies and business sectors.
“This has been particularly challenging for construction and building industries, where safety could be compromised through inadequate standards.
“Industry standards are needed for product safety, regulatory compliance, successful exporting and importing, efficiency, consistency, and many other needs. All manufactured items must be manufactured to recognised standards. All recognised trade training in NZ is linked to Standards,” she said.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/new-zealand-gets-a-seat-at-standards-australia/
Source: Radio New Zealand
File image. Nick Monro
The forestry sector is calling for a cap on rates increases after one forestry blocks rates bill went up 570 percent in a year.
The 1100-hectare block near Wairoa managed by agri-advisory firm Lewis Tucker was originally farmland but was bought in 2019 and planted in pines in 2020.
Lewis Tucker said in July last year the Wairoa District Council lifted the annual rates bill from $30,000 a year to $200,000.
The company has submitted on the government’s proposal to simplify local government.
In its submission, it said while it broadly supported the intent to simplify local government it urged limits on differential rates were critical for business confidence.
Executive director Colin Jacobs said the 570 percent rates increase on that one forestry block amounts to $5 million over the lifetime of the forest.
“There’s been no reason given to us as to why a forestry company should pay such large differential rates, what costs are we causing that justifies that increased rate.”
He said the rates increase raised questions about the financial viability of the forest.
“While there has been no explanation for the increase, the assumption is that the extra $5m that this property will now pay in rates over the life of the forest will go to pay for the impact of forestry on roads come harvest time.
“However, Wairoa District Council has applied the differential rating only to forests planted after 31 December 1989, not those planted earlier.
“This suggests that the council’s concern is not the impact of forestry on roading, as a differential rate is being applied only to forests registered in the ETS,” Lewis Tucker’s submission said.
It said there will not be a harvest truck anywhere near this property for at least 25 years.
The company is calling for a cap on or doing away with entirely the amount councils can charge in relation to different land use.
“A cap on rates increases will not prevent exorbitant rates increases for industries targeted by differentials.”
Wairoa District Council’s forestry differentials were changed in 2022 following a review, which sought to better recognise the negative impacts caused by forestry, particularly the hollowing out of rural communities as farmland is converted.
The Forest Owner’s Association unsuccessfully challenged this by Judicial Review in the High Court with the Court of Appeal upholding the council’s rating review.
Association chief executive Dr Elizabeth Heeg said it would like a “soft cap” on differential rates.
“Foresters just want to be a fair member of the community, there are times when it’s appropriate to have differential rates but having a differential where the rates are going up over 500 percent is not fair.
“We’ll be proposing a soft cap that is accompanied by the introduction of good taxation principals and to local government legislation to ensure that when councils are rating us that its based on an actual need in the community and that it’s not just a differential that’s just a secondary form of regulation.”
Wairoa District Council’s chief executive Matt Lawson said the increase in rates related to the change in land use, with the property categorised as vacant forestry before the 2024 Quotable Value revaluation saw it reclassified as exotic forestry.
He said most benefits arising from forestry go out of Wairoa – wages, profits, and opportunities – while, Wairoa was left with the challenge of rural roads impacted by heavy logging trucks.
Meanwhile, Local Government New Zealand has said the proposal to cap rates could undermine efforts to strengthen emergency management.
LGNZ president Rehette Stoltz said while the government has included proposed variations to rates caps for unforeseen and urgent situations, as they are proposed to be primarily available only after a significant event, it limits councils’ ability to invest proactively in reducing risk.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/forestry-sector-calls-for-rates-cap-after-bill-increases-570-percent/
Source: New Zealand Police
Please attribute the following to Acting Sergeant Mike Skates, Foxton Police:
Police in Foxton and Foxton Beach are proactively dealing with reports made over bad driving on dirt and quad bikes in the area.
Three bikes have already been impounded, and several young people have been spoken to in relation to the reports. Charges have not been ruled out.
Police would like to urge all quad bike and dirt bike riders to ride safely. Wear your helmets, drive to a safe speed, and keep in your lane.
Police are asking the public to continue to make reports on dangerous driving so that officers can follow them up and hold offenders to account.
Photos and video footage is helpful for Police to follow up on offenders that quickly speed off when driving unlawfully. These can also be used to identify the bikes, hotspots and times dangerous driving occurs and helps to identify the riders.
If you see any dangerous driving, call 111 immediately.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/10/foxton-police-taking-dangerous-bike-riding-complaints-seriously/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Black Comet’s Laughton Kora isn’t afraid of a little disruption — even at Waitangi.
In 2024, he quite literally shook the foundations, he says, providing the sound design as Māori artist and activist Tāme Iti was welcomed onto Te Whare Rūnanga.
“That’s a big thing for me because I was able to bring in four subs to Waitangi,” Kora told Music 101, speaking while in rehearsals for upcoming shows with UK legends UB40. “And they’re like, ‘Boy, can you turn it down? We can’t hear the speeches,’ and I looked at them and I was just like, I think that’s what he’s after.”
Hundreds of protesters arrive at Waitangi for Tāme Iti‘s white flag protest.
Shannon Haunui-Thompson
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/shaking-the-marae-grounds-at-waitangi/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Tongariro Mayor Weston Kirton wants the government to consider a proposal to return Chateau Tongariro to its former status as a hotel. Jimmy Ellingham / RNZ
Tongariro’s mayor says the government should consider a proposal from an unnamed investor to return the Chateau Tongariro to its former status as a hotel.
The heritage building has been sitting empty since it was closed in February 2023 due to its earthquake risk, and the government has said it could be demolished or decommissioned.
Mayor Weston Kirton told Nine to Noon the response to a petition he put to the government to preserve the building was encouraging, but there were still many issues to resolve.
“We have an investor – a New Zealander – who has experience in high-end hotels, 5-star hotels, and heritage buildings and has a history around this type of activity.”
The investor was willing to put down about $100 million of private money to refurbish and repair the Chateau, Kirton said.
He was also asking for a 120-year lease, which is significantly more than the government usually allows, he added.
The government preferred to talk in terms of 30-year leases, which would discourage anyone from making such a significant investment into the Chateau, Kirton said.
The building has been in the hands of the Department of Conservation (DOC) since it was closed, as it sits on conservation land.
He pointed out that while the government was making a decision on what to do with the building, it was gradually falling further into disrepair.
“Every year that goes by adds to the expenditure on that particular building.”
Although it was important for DOC to maintain control over conservation land alongside local iwi, it was a pity the government would not consider carving out the land around the Chateau for a potential sale, Kirton said.
“That’s unfortunate,” he said – although he agreed that would set quite a precedent for future concessions.
For a deal to get done that would work for the investor, there would likely need to be changes to the Conservation Act in Parliament, Kirton said.
“That’s not hard for them to do … all they need to do now is put it up to Parliament to actually get it over the line and get on with the job.”
He said they had held talks with local iwi, who were “very interested” by the investor’s proposal.
“They are very passionate about the activities that could take place there, and it’s because they’ve been involved over the last few decades.
“This is not new to iwi – they see the potential for investments themselves.”
Kirton said it was his understanding that DOC and the government had not engaged iwi to the same level as the private investor.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/investor-proposal-to-return-chateau-tongariro-to-hotel-status-should-be-considered-mayor/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says Labour is talking “a load of rubbish” when it claims the government is implementing a new “gas tax” on New Zealanders.
But Labour has fired back with one of National’s own attack lines – “if it looks like a tax and it quacks like a tax, it’s a tax”.
The back-and-forth came on Tuesday morning, the day after the government announced plans to build a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility, funded by a charge levied on the electricity companies.
Labour was quick to label the levy a “gas tax” which would be passed on to consumers through higher power prices.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Labour leader Chris Hipkins. RNZ
But Luxon told reporters that was not the case.
“What a load of rubbish. It’s all designed to lower power bills for New Zealanders. That’s why we’re doing it, and that’s what it’s all about.
“It’s about increasing supply, so we lower the dry risk year, and therefore lower electricity prices.”
Luxon refused to divulge the size of the levy while the procurement process was underway, but he said the government had received advice that the move would save households $50 per year.
“Let me be clear: without doing this, New Zealanders will pay more.”
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said the government simply could not make that commitment.
“Christopher Luxon is struggling to comprehend basic household economics. Probably not surprising from someone who only spends $60 a week on groceries.
“Ultimately, if the government charges every household in the country a new tax every time they receive their power bill, it’s going to cost households more money.”
Hipkins said it was “farcical” for the government to claim the new levy was not a tax, especially given National had promised New Zealanders “no new taxes” before last election.
“I’ll quote from Nicola Willis directly. It’s a quote you might want to go back and find: ‘if it looks like a tax and it quacks like a tax, it’s a tax’.”
Willis made that statement while in opposition in 2022 after Labour proposed changes to how KiwiSaver fees would be taxed. Labour ultimately dropped the plan after a swift public backlash.
Speaking on Tuesday morning, National’s Willis said Labour was “absolutely wrong” to label the government’s plan a tax, pointing to the official advice that electricity prices would fall.
“This is not us conjuring up numbers … Labour have not engaged with that analysis at all. Don’t let them get away with it,” she said.
“I am not going to tolerate Chris Hipkins claiming that we are taxing people when we are actively reducing their energy bills after the mess left to us by the last government.”
Nicola Willis. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Willis said Labour had made a “clear mistake” in banning gas exploration and had not proposed any new solutions to the energy crisis.
“Their previous plan was to invest $17 billion in Lake Onslow, which wouldn’t have been available until after 2030 and would have resulted in a significant cost impost for New Zealand households.”
Hipkins said Labour would reveal its energy policy later this year and was currently keeping all options on the table.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/10/labour-talking-a-load-of-rubbish-by-labelling-new-liquefied-natural-gas-terminal-a-tax-pm/