Source: New Zealand Government
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced two new diplomatic appointments:
• Georgina Roberts, High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea.
• Aramiro Tai Rākena, Ambassador to Brazil.
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/18/new-diplomatic-appointments-2/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Shia LaBeouf was arrested just after midnight on Tuesday (local time) in New Orleans where police said the 39-year-old Transformers film star assaulted two men in a fight during Mardi Gras.
The actor has previously faced a series of arrests and legal issues, including pleading guilty to a charge of obstruction. Police said he was charged with two counts of simple battery.
Officers were called about 12.45am (local time) to a business on Royal Street where two men reported being assaulted.
A police statement said LaBeouf had been causing a disturbance and growing increasingly aggressive. When a staffer tried to remove him, LaBeouf allegedly struck the man several times with closed fists.
The victims told police LaBeouf left but soon returned and acted even more aggressive. Several people tried to restrain him and briefly let him up in hopes he would leave, but he allegedly hit the same staffer again, punching his upper body. Police said he then punched another man in the nose.
Bystanders held LaBeouf until officers arrived. He was taken to a hospital with unspecified injuries and released.
Police gave no additional details on what triggered the disturbance or the victims’ conditions.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/actor-arrested-after-mardi-gras-fight/
Source: Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa – PSNA
PSNA is calling for government accountability to stop and punish New Zealanders going to fight in Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza.
A UK report by Classified, from official Israeli sources, shows 39 dual New Zealand/Israeli citizens, and 11 others with more than one additional passport, are serving in the Israeli Defence Force, which is carrying out genocide in Gaza. (The full dataset is in Hebrew at the foot of the article at this link)
“The news that New Zealanders are participating in ongoing mass killing and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza is abhorrent,” says Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa Co-Chair Maher Nazzal. “Our government must do what it can to stop these New Zealanders perpetrating genocide.”
“Israel’s political and military leaders are charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court. Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu, for example, is wanted for trial on war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
“As well as killing perhaps hundreds of thousands and wholesale starvation of Palestinians in Gaza, Israel is still systematically destroying all civilian infrastructure: schools, hospitals, churches and mosques, farmland and crops. Even New Zealanders’ graves in World War One cemeteries are not immune.”
“There’s no excuse for anyone fighting for a state committing genocide” says Nazzal. “Our government must step in and rigorously investigate the actions of each and every one of these 50 New Zealanders in the IDF.”
“New Zealand has obligations under the international Genocide Convention to do what it can stop a genocide. New Zealand charged Mark Tayor for membership of ISIS in 2004. There is ample precedent. The government must be consistent.”
“All of these New Zealanders serving in the IDF have various degrees of culpability in the genocide, certainly the moment they set foot in Gaza. But they would also be liable for actions at military facilities inside Israel, fuelling up bombers, for example, or calculating missile coordinates.”
“These soldiers must be identified, and their service in Israel’s army examined, alongside their social media accounts and those of the brigades and soldiers they joined.”
“The government must also collaborate with international agencies for evidence of how many of these people have already been identified for investigation of war crimes.”
“The Hind Rajab Foundation is working to identify specific Israeli war criminals for referral to the International Court of Justice,” says Nazzal.
New Zealand law does not specifically prohibit citizens from fighting overseas. But the government must act in this case, where New Zealand citizens are participating in a genocide, and also under our Fourth Geneva Convention obligations, where these New Zealand citizens are also enforcing an illegal occupation of Palestinian Territory.
“Despite the so-called October 2025 ceasefire, Israel has continued its daily killing of Palestinians, destruction of infrastructure and occupation creep. Israel still refuses to allow the agreed amount of food, water and humanitarian supplies to enter Gaza.”
“Here is a case of direct responsibility by New Zealand citizens, about which the government can’t wash its hands and ignore.”
Maher Nazzal
Co-Chair PSNA
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/advocacy-up-to-50-new-zealanders-are-fighting-israels-genocide-in-gaza-psna/
Source: Radio New Zealand
New RBNZ governor Anna Breman. RNZ / Supplied
The Reserve Bank has held the official cash rate steady at 2.25 percent, as expected.
The central bank says the economy is gradually recovering but it is uneven, and its priority is to get inflation back into the middle of its target band.
More to come…
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/18/reserve-bank-leaves-official-cash-rate-at-2-25/
Source: Radio New Zealand
RNZ
Police have identified Mihiata Te Rore as the woman killed by dogs north of Dargaville yesterday.
The 62-year-old was killed while on a Kaihu property just before midday.
Police say the three dogs involved live on the property, and are now with Animal Management.
Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer says they want to hear from anyone in the Kaihu community who has had issues with dogs roaming in the area.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/18/woman-killed-by-dogs-in-kaihu-named-as-mihiata-te-rore/
A second review by Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor, on the implementation of the recommendations made by Dame Karen Poutasi following the death of Malachi Subecz has found tamariki (children) are still no safer now than when Malachi died.
The review, Towards a stronger safety net to prevent abuse of children also looks at whether government agencies have done the things they said they would in their own internal reviews, how reports of concern are currently responded to, and if anything is changing after other children die.
Aroturuki Tamariki Chief Executive Arran Jones says 18 months on from its first review, three years on from Dame Karen’s report and four years on from Malachi’s death, work is just beginning. In October 2025 Government accepted all of Dame Karen’s recommendations and started a cross-agency work programme to implement them. In late January a new inter-agency hub for children whose sole parents are in prison was established, and the first phase of mandatory training for core children’s workers got underway.
“These are important first steps. Until change happens on the ground and across all communities, tamariki will continue to be no safer,” says Mr Jones.
Of the 14 recommendations made by Dame Karen, only two are complete. One (recommendation 14) was the Monitor’s first review of implementation, the other (recommendation 11) was considered complete as no action was determined to be required.
The review found tamariki continue to fall through gaps in the safety net. Between December 2021 and June 2025, another 24 tamariki were killed by someone meant to be caring for them. Many were babies, most tamariki were under the age of five. Half of the 24 tamariki were known to Oranga Tamariki – that is, someone had made one or more reports of concern about them. Most of the perpetrators were known to Police.
“Our review also found that even if everything Dame Karen said was needed to close the gaps is done, we are not confident that Oranga Tamariki will be able to respond appropriately.
“Beyond responding to Dame Karen’s recommendations, we need urgent improvements to the child protection system so it can respond effectively to reports of concern about the safety of tamariki. Put simply, Oranga Tamariki social workers need to be able to get in the car and go and see a child with their own eyes. The people reporting concerns include community social workers, police officers, teachers and health staff.
“On every monitoring visit we hear from people who are having to make repeated reports of concern to Oranga Tamariki before action is taken. We hear from frontline Oranga Tamariki staff who tell us how concerned they are about the tamariki they are unable to get to. Every day they are making tough decisions, not based on the safety of tamariki but on who they can get to with the level of resourcing they have,” says Mr Jones.
The data shows this too. Despite the number of reports of concern to Oranga Tamariki increasing, the number that local offices take action on has remained relatively constant over the last nine years – at around 40,000.
This is also reflected in the regional variation in response by Oranga Tamariki offices to reports of concern referred by the national contact centre for further action. Some offices take no further action on more than half of reports of concern referred to them for action by the national contact centre. Yet these are reports of concern that were triaged and considered serious enough to warrant a response. In 2024/25, the Oranga Tamariki national contact centre referred nearly 81,000 reports of concern to local offices for further action. More than 32,000 of these had no further action locally.
What Dame Karen called for was a child protection system that is always able to respond when needed. She also called for a well-resourced community sector that can help ensure all reports of concern are responded to – providing early intervention, organising support for whānau and preventing issues escalating further. While there are prototypes and pilots demonstrating how this can work, New Zealand is far from having a comprehensive response to child protection.
The review also found that most other government agencies are making reports of concern to Oranga Tamariki and have put some training in place for staff in lieu of Oranga Tamariki providing this. More is needed. Across agencies, greater understanding of how to identify abuse is needed. As noted by Dr Kelly, frontline health professionals receive little or no training in interpreting childhood injuries.
The Privacy Commissioner has also provided clear guidance to those working with children that it is okay to share information to keep children safe.
Mr Jones acknowledged the work of the late Dame Karen and her determination to see change after decades of reviews pointing to similar gaps that she found. He briefed her on an early draft of the second review in late 2025.
The review is available online at: aroturuki.govt.nz/reports/safety-net
Notes:
A report of concern can be made when someone is worried about a child’s safety or wellbeing
A report of concern is the term used for when someone tells Oranga Tamariki that they are worried about a child’s safety or wellbeing. The person making the report of concern may believe that the child is being abused, harmed or neglected. Abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional.
If someone believes a child is in immediate danger they should call the Police. To make a report of concern about a child or young person you are worried about contact Oranga Tamariki 0508 326 459.
About Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor
Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor checks that organisations supporting and working with tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau, are meeting their needs, delivering services effectively, and improving outcomes. We monitor compliance with the Oranga Tamariki Act and the associated regulations, including the National Care Standards Regulations. We also look at how the wider system (such as early intervention) is supporting tamariki and rangatahi under the Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System Act. Aroturuki Tamariki works closely with its partners in the oversight system, Mana Mokopuna – Children’s Commissioner, and the Office of the Ombudsman.
LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/18/tamariki-are-still-no-safer-now-than-when-malachi-died-24-more-child-deaths-at-hands-of-carers/
18 February 2026 – Annual consumers price inflation was slightly above the Monetary Policy Committee’s 1 to 3 percent target band at the end of 2025. Increases in food and electricity prices and local council rates were the biggest contributors to above-target inflation.
The economy is at an early stage in its recovery. With ongoing strength in commodity prices, economic activity in the agricultural sector and regional New Zealand remains strong. Although residential and business investment is increasing, households remain cautious in their spending. The labour market is stabilising, but unemployment remains elevated. House price growth remains weak, dampening household wealth and inclination to spend.
In response to previous cuts in the OCR, economic growth is broadening across sectors of the economy, such as manufacturing, construction and some retail. Economic growth is expected to increase over 2026.
Inflation is most likely returning to within the Committee’s 1 to 3 percent target band in the current quarter. The Committee is confident that inflation will fall to the 2 percent midpoint over the next 12 months due to spare capacity in the economy, modest wage growth, and core inflation within the target band.
Risks to the inflation outlook are balanced. The global environment remains highly uncertain. Domestically, greater caution by households in their spending decisions could slow the pace of New Zealand’s economic recovery, risking inflation falling below the target midpoint. But with demand increasing in the economy, businesses could try to increase prices faster than expected, leaving inflation above the target midpoint.
The Committee agreed to hold the OCR at 2.25 percent. If the economy evolves as expected, monetary policy is likely to remain accommodative for some time. The Committee will continue to assess incoming data carefully. As the recovery strengthens and inflation falls sustainably towards the target midpoint, monetary policy settings will gradually normalise.
Read the full statement and Record of meeting: https://govt.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd316aa7ee4f5679c56377819&id=cc3fd2de11&e=f3c68946f8
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/economy-ocr-on-hold-at-2-25-with-inflation-expected-to-fall-reserve-bank-of-nz/
Oversight agencies are calling on government agencies in the children’s system to act faster in the wake of a report published today which has found children are still no safer than when Malachi Subecz was killed by his carer in 2021.
Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor has released its second review of the implementation of the 2022 Poutasi Report recommendations,Towards a stronger safety net to prevent abuse of children, which examines the progress made by government and agencies on recommendations made by the late Dame Karen Poutasi aimed at improving the child protection system.
Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor Chief Executive Arran Jones says since Malachi’s death, another 24 children were killed by someone who was meant to be caring for them between December 2021 and June 2025.
“Many of these were babies, most were under the age of five. This is equivalent to a primary school classroom of 24 children, gone in just three and a half years.”
Our review has found the gaps identified by Dame Karen have not been closed, that Oranga Tamariki is still not always able to respond when it needs to keep a child safe, and children continue fall through the gaps and die.
Mr Jones released the review alongside the heads of the other two agencies responsible for oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, the Children’s Commissioner and the Ombudsman.
Mr Jones says successive reviews going back at least two decades have pointed to the gaps in the system. Dame Karen noted her 2022 report findings were not new, and just last week Coroner Anderson also pointed to the similar themes and recommendations being made year after year, often with little evidence of substantive change taking place.
“The Government’s decision in October last year to accept all of Dame Karen’s recommendations, was a good first step. While there are some promising pilots, we need to see continued priority given to making sustained change.”
“Crucially, this review found that even if the gaps in the safety net are closed, a fundamental problem remains. That is the ability of Oranga Tamariki to respond when it needs to. Social workers need to be able to get in the car and go and check children are safe. We continue to hear from frontline staff across government and community organisations that this is not always happening when it should,” Mr Jones said.
Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad says the findings of this new review highlight the need for urgent, sustained action to make real change for children’s safety, off the back of the Government’s acceptance last year of Dame Dr Poutasi’s recommendations.
“The stark truth that 24 children – most of them babies – have died through abuse by the person meant to be caring for them must shock us into action. The lives of other children depend on it. Children and young people who have talked to me following the launch of our Dear Children campaign have emphasised to me how urgent the focus on children’s safety must be.
“Changes in our systems and communities must be made now to keep all our children safe. Between Dame Karen’s recommendations and last week’s recommendations from Coroner Anderson, the pathway for change is clear. Our nation’s children require the children’s system, and all of us at the community level, to actively work together to prioritise them and their safety. Because the fact is, all forms of child abuse and neglect are 100% preventable, but it takes all of us working together to prioritise children at every level of our society.”
Chief Ombudsman John Allen says the findings raise the important need for cross-agency collaboration – for health, education, welfare and justice – to keep working together for a better care and protection system. This is the type of shift that Dame Poutasi was calling for.”
“There are some ‘green shoots’ out there such as the new in-person hub pilot at the Oranga Tamariki national contact centre. Hub staff are helping to identify and address needs of at risk children when their sole parent enters prison. I’m also encouraged by what is happening in Whakatane, where Oranga Tamariki is working closely with a community-based provider Te Pūkāea o te Waiora. Community led organisations know the whānau well and are better equipped to intervene early and provide immediate support while at the same time taking pressure off the wider system.”
The Monitor’s review, Towards a stronger safety net to prevent abuse of children, is available on its website: https://aroturuki.govt.nz/reports/safety-net
Notes
The oversight system
The oversight of oranga tamariki system’s role is threefold, with a focus on the rights and wellbeing of children and young people known to Oranga Tamariki either through care and protection or youth justice.
Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor checks that organisations supporting and working with children and young people known to Oranga Tamariki are meeting their needs, delivering services effectively, improving outcomes and complying with the Oranga Tamariki Act and the associated regulations.
Mana Mokopuna – Children’s Commissioner is the independent advocate for the rights, best interests, wellbeing and outcomes of children and young people under the age of 25 who are or have been in the system, as well as being the independent advocate for all of New Zealand’s children.
The Ombudsman is the independent watchdog of Government, and receives complaints from children and young people (and their whānau and representatives) about decisions and actions affecting them in the system. The Ombudsman investigates concerns where needed.
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/oversight-agencies-call-for-faster-change-to-keep-children-safe-following-second-review-by-independent-childrens-monitor/
Source: New Zealand Police
Police are continuing to investigate a woman’s death in Kaihu after she was attacked by dogs yesterday.
Emergency services responded to the rural address off State Highway 12 at about 11.25am on 17 February.
Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer, Whangārei CIB, says: “This was a very upsetting and tragic event in which a woman has suffered unsurvivable injuries.
“I know the community will have a lot of questions; our investigation is still in the early stages and our focus is on establishing all the facts in this case.
“What we can say is that the three dogs involved live on the property, and the woman was visiting a person known to her when the attack occurred.”
Police have since notified the woman’s next of kin.
We can name her as 62-year-old Mihiata Te Rore, who is local to the community.
Detective Senior Sergeant Pilmer says the three dogs are currently with animal management.
“As part of our investigation, we would like to hear from anyone in the Kaihu community who has had issues with dogs roaming in the area,” he says.
If you can assist enquiries, please contact Police on 105 using the reference number 260217/8328.
ENDS
Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/police-investigation-continues-into-kaihu-dog-attack/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the people in the images provided, who police believe can help with enquiries into a breach of the Mount Maunganui landslide cordon. SUPPLIED/POLICE
Bay of Plenty Police are asking for the public’s help to identify three people they believe can help with enquiries into breaches at the Mount Maunganui landslide cordon.
Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the people in the images provided, who police believe can help with enquiries into a breach of the Mount Maunganui landslide cordon. SUPPLIED/POLICE
Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the people in the images provided, who police believe can help with enquiries into a breach of the Mount Maunganui landslide cordon. SUPPLIED/POLICE
Police said they believe these people may be able to help with enquiries into a breach of the cordon on Wednesday 11 February and Sunday 15 February.
“If you are one of these people, or you recognise them, please update us through 105 either online or over the phone.”
On Wednesday morning police said a man had also been arrested after allegedly breaching the cordon and charged with breaching the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act, as well as careless driving.
The cordon has been in place since the deadly landslide that killed six people at a campground in January.
Tauranga City Council said it aimed to lift part of the temporary road cordon around the Mt Maunganui landslide around lunchtime on Thursday.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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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/2026/02/18/police-seek-help-after-mount-maunganui-landslide-cordon-breaches/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Children are still no safer than when Malachi Subecz was murdered, according to a new report from the Independent Children’s Monitor.
It is the second review of the implementation of the recommendations from a report into Malachi’s death, and has showed little progress has been made.
Malachi died of a blunt force head injury in Starship Hospital 2021, and weighed just 16 kilograms because he had been starved.
A report into his death by the late Dame Karen Poutasi in 2022 found five critical gaps in the system, and made 14 recommendations.
One of those recommendations was for the Independent Children’s Monitor to review the recommendations themselves.
Malachi Subecz died of a blunt force head injury at Starship Hospital in 2021. Supplied
In 2024, its first review found a “disappointing and disheartening” lack of priority given to them, and committed to review them again.
Just as it did with the prior review, the Independent Children’s Monitor looked at the responses to the report, and the implementation of actions agencies set for themselves.
The 2025 review, titled Towards a stronger safety net to prevent abuse of children, found that little had changed.
“There continues to be a high proportion of reports of concern from professionals that do not result in further action by Oranga Tamariki and where tamariki and rangatahi are not seen,” it said.
The review engaged with a wider range of agencies than in 2024, including Corrections, Early Childhood Education providers, and representatives from agencies and non-governmental organisations that were party of multi-agency response teams responding to police callouts for family violence, or to reports of concern made to Oranga Tamariki.
It also spoke to Oranga Tamariki staff.
“Kaimahi from agencies and services, including Oranga Tamariki, continue to tell us they are concerned about the risk to tamariki and rangatahi,” the report said.
“System settings have not changed, gaps remain and tamariki and rangatahi are still no more likely to be seen by Oranga Tamariki now than when Malachi was killed.”
A report into Malachi Subecz’s death was made by the late Dame Karen Poutasi in 2022. RNZ / Angus Dreaver
The gaps Dame Karen found in 2022 were:
Her report also made 14 recommendations, including combining medical records to make them available for health workers working with children, and increased education and public awareness.
Initially, the government did not accept all of Dame Karen’s recommendations outright, wanting further advice on five of them, including mandatory reporting of children at high risk of harm.
In 2025, the government decided it would accept the remaining recommendations.
The report acknowledged this was a “first step” but now “careful and thoughtful” implementation was needed.
“Until change happens on the ground and in communities, tamariki will continue to be no safer. As this review finds, the gaps identified by Dame Karen have not closed and tamariki continue to fall through the safety net.”
Progress since the previous report had been slow, and while better visibility and reporting of concerns were important, it could only go so far.
“Even once all the recommendations have been implemented, it would not solve the fundamental problem – Aotearoa does not yet have a child protection system that is always able to respond when needed.”
The report noted a further 24 tamariki had been killed by someone who was supposed to be caring for them, since Malachi’s death.
While it did not go into the specifics of those children’s lives and circumstances, it found 11 were known to Oranga Tamariki before their deaths, and 19 of the alleged perpetrators were known to police in varying ways.
At the time the Independent Children’s Monitor was conducting the report, police had completed 10 family violence death reviews, with a further 12 in progress. Oranga Tamariki had completed seven child death reviews, and two more were in progress.
“Police and Oranga Tamariki, for the most part, undertake reviews in isolation from other agencies. Their reviews focus on internal practices rather than broader systemic issues,” the report said.
A coroner’s report released last week found everything possible went wrong for Malachi in the last six months of his life, with opportunities to identify the abuse and torture he suffered not picked up by those who could have intervened.
Coroner Janet Anderson found similar gaps to Dame Karen Poutasi, which were also found by the oversight agencies.
Even back in 2022, Dame Karen said her findings were not new.
“Implementing the Poutasi recommendations may make tamariki and rangatahi at risk more visible, but to make them safer, Oranga Tamariki and the wider child protection system must be able to respond when needed,” the 2025 report said.
The Independent Children’s Monitor, Arran Jones, said 18 months on from the first review, three years on since Dame Karen’s report, and four years since Malachi’s death, work was “just beginning,” and until change happened on the ground and across all communities, tamariki would continue to be no safer.
“Our review also found that even if everything Dame Karen said was needed to close the gaps is done, we are not confident that Oranga Tamariki will be able to respond appropriately,” he said.
The oversight agencies, including the Independent Children’s Monitor, the Ombudsman, and the Children’s Commissioner, called on government agencies to act faster.
“The stark truth that 24 children – most of them babies – have died through abuse by the person meant to be caring for them must shock us into action. The lives of other children depend on it,” said Children’s Commissioner Claire Achmad.
The Chief Ombudsman, John Allen, said the findings raised the important need for cross-agency collaboration, but acknowledged there were green shoots out there, pointing to an in-person hub pilot at the Oranga Tamariki national contact centre, and its work with community-based providers.
“Community led organisations know the whānau well and are better equipped to intervene early and provide immediate support while at the same time taking pressure off the wider system,” he said.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/18/children-still-no-safer-than-when-malachi-subecz-was-murdered-latest-report/
Source: New Zealand Government
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka today congratulated the finalists for this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy competition.
The three finalists for 2026, Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective and Otama Marere Trust which are both based in the Bay of Plenty, and Northland’s Ngāti Hine Forestry Trust, were announced at a function at Parliament today.
The trophy celebrates the vital role Māori farmers and growers play in New Zealand’s economy.
“This year’s finalists exemplify excellence in horticulture, driving growth in the food and fibre sector while creating jobs in rural communities,” Mr McClay says.
“The hard work of Māori growers and their staff will help achieve New Zealand’s aspirational goal of doubling the value of exports in 10 years, while meeting the global demand for high-quality, safe and sustainable food and fibre.”
The competition was expanded to include horticulture in 2020, recognising the growth of horticulture on whenua Māori, which has increased by 50 per cent since 2017.
“Māori orchards, such as apples and kiwifruit, and agribusinesses provide employment and vital reinvestment back into marae, papakāinga, kura, and education scholarships,” Mr Pokata says.
“The prosperity and wellbeing horticulture generates for Iwi and Māori across the motu has far reaching impacts. I tautoko the outstanding work these finalists are doing.”
Each Ahuwhenua Trophy finalist will host a field day to demonstrate their growing operations. These field days and a second round of judging will determine the overall winner. The winner will be announced on 5 June in Whangārei.
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/18/ahuwhenua-trophy-finalists-announced/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Police said the pedestrian has been taken to Middlemore Hospital with serious injuries. RNZ / Richard Tindiller
A pedestrian is seriously injured after a crash involving a truck in South Auckland.
It happened at the intersection of Savill Drive and Massey Road in Māngere East just before midday on Wednesday.
Police said the pedestrian has been taken to Middlemore Hospital.
Diversions are in place and drivers are being told to expect delays.
The Serious Crash Unit and Commercial Vehicle Safety Team have been notified.
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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/2026/02/18/pedestrian-seriously-injured-after-mangere-crash-involving-a-truck/
Source: New Zealand Government
Associate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown welcome Pharmac’s proposal to fund two new combination therapies for people with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), a type of blood cancer.
“Improving access to cancer medication in New Zealand is important to cancer patients, and their families. That’s why it has been a focus of this Government,” Mr Seymour says.
Pharmac is proposing to fund venetoclax with ibrutinib, and venetoclax with obinutuzumab, as first line treatments from 1 May 2026.
“Pharmac heard from the Blood Cancer community and from clinical advisors that venetoclax with ibrutinib or obinutuzumab will make a big difference for people with CLL, especially when used at the beginning of treatment,” Mr Seymour says.
“While CLL isn’t curable, the right treatment means patients can live longer more fulfilling lives. Venetoclax with ibrutinib or obinutuzumab will help patients achieve longer lasting remission, and avoid the need for traditional chemotherapy. Two of these medicines will be available in pill form, which don’t require an IV drip and could mean fewer hospital visits
“Obinutuzumab will be the second cancer medicine available in private clinics. When Pharmac fund a new cancer treatment, people already paying for that treatment privately are forced to make a very difficult choice: spend their savings to continue private treatment undisrupted, or transfer to a public hospital. Patients told Pharmac the latter was hugely disruptive and caused significant stress during an immensely difficult period.
“People currently paying privately for these combinations could receive funded treatment in a private hospital, provided they met the funding criteria at the time they began treatment.”
Mr Brown says the Government is committed to improving treatment and care for New Zealanders with cancer, including blood cancer.
“That’s why this Government has funded seven new cancer medicines that target blood cancer through Pharmac’s $604 million investment – expanding treatment options for patients and their families.
“This announcement means more Kiwis with blood cancer will have access to medicines that improve their quality of life and help them live longer, fuller lives.
“We are also significantly expanding stem cell transplant services for patients with blood cancers and related conditions, helping more people access critical, life-saving treatment sooner.
“Alongside investment in new medicines, our Faster Cancer Treatment target, and wider efforts to strengthen cancer services, we are focused on improving access, reducing delays, and ensuring people get the treatment they need, when they need it.”
Notes to editors:
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/new-pharmac-proposal-for-blood-cancer-patients/
Source: New Zealand Police
Police are in attendance at a serious crash in Māngere East involving a truck and pedestrian.
The crash occurred at the intersection of Savill Drive and Massey Road, just before midday.
The pedestrian has been transported to Middlemore Hospital with serious injuries.
Diversions are in place, and traffic cannot currently turn onto Savill Drive from Massey Road.
Please expect delays in the area.
The Serious Crash Unit and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Team have been advised.
ENDS.
Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/18/serious-crash-savill-drive-mangere-east/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Two new medicines for people with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia could be on the way, with Pharmac proposing to fund venetoclax with ibrutinib or with obinutuzumab.
If accepted, the combination therapies could be available as first line treatments from 1 May 2026.
Associate Health Minister David Seymour said CLL was not curable, but the right treatment meant patients could live longer.
They would help patients achieve longer lasting remission and avoid the need for traditional chemotherapy, Seymour said.
Associate Health Minister David Seymour said the right treatment for people with CCL could help patients live longer. RNZ / Mark Papalii
He said Pharmac heard from the blood cancer community these combination therapies would make a big difference for people with CLL, “especially when used at the beginning of treatment”.
It comes after public backlash following Budget 2024 failing to include promised funding for more cancer drugs, forcing the government to subsequently announce an extra $604 million for Pharmac over four years.
Since then, the government has funded seven blood cancer drugs, but in September 2025 some blood cancer patients were still saying the government was breaking its promise on life-saving drugs.
Blood Cancer New Zealand said at the time only 180 patients benefited from that uplift, less than 1 percent of all New Zealanders with a blood cancer.
On Wednesday, Seymour said people currently paying privately for these combinations could receive funded treatment in a private hospital, provided they meet the funding criteria at the time they began treatment.
“These combination medicines will be the second and third cancer medicines available in private clinics.
“When Pharmac fund a new cancer treatment, people already paying for that treatment privately are forced to make a very difficult choice: spend their savings to continue private treatment undisrupted, or transfer to a public hospital,” Seymour said.
He explained that patients had told Pharmac it was hugely disruptive and caused “significant stress during an immensely difficult period”.
Health Minister Simeon Brown said the government was committed to improving treatment and care for New Zealanders with cancer, including blood cancer.
“This announcement means more Kiwis with blood cancer will have access to medicines that improve their quality of life and help them live longer, fuller lives.
“We are also significantly expanding stem cell transplant services for patients with blood cancers and related conditions, helping more people access critical, life-saving treatment sooner.”
Consultation opens on Wednesday, and closes Wednesday 4 March. If approved, funding would begin from 1 May 2026.
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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/2026/02/18/pharmac-looks-to-fund-two-new-medicines-for-chronic-lymphocytic-leukaemia/
Source: PHARMAC
People in New Zealand living with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) could soon benefit from funded access to targeted treatments under a new proposal from Pharmac.
Pharmac is consulting on a change that would fund two new treatment combinations – venetoclax with ibrutinib, and venetoclax with obinutuzumab – for people with CLL. If approved, funding would begin on 1 May 2026.
“This proposal would give people access to powerful, targeted treatments immediately after their diagnosis,” says Pharmac’s Director Pharmaceuticals, Adrienne Martin. “We expect around 80-90 people each year to benefit from these combinations over the next five years.”
While these medicines are already used to treat blood cancers, they are not currently funded for use together as a first treatment option for CLL. Pharmac funded venetoclax in combination with rituximab, as well as venetoclax on its own, for CLL in 2019.
Ibrutinib was funded in 2022 for people whose CLL has returned or has not responded to other treatments. In 2016, obinutuzumab was funded in combination with chlorambucil for some people with CLL.
“We’ve heard clearly from the blood cancer community and from our clinical advisors that these combinations could make a real difference when used early,” says Martin.
CLL is a slow‑growing blood cancer where the bone marrow makes too many abnormal white blood cells. While it cannot be cured, people can live well for long periods with the right treatment.
“Using these medicines together can help people achieve longer‑lasting remission and may reduce the need for traditional chemotherapy,” says Martin. “They could also mean fewer hospital visits, and an improved quality of life.”
Pharmac is seeking feedback from people with CLL, their families, health professionals, advocacy groups, and anyone else who would like to comment.
Consultation is open until 5pm, Wednesday 4 March. Feedback can be emailed to consult@pharmac.govt.nz or submitted using the online form linked in the consultation.
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/pharmac-proposes-funding-new-treatments-that-could-transform-early-care-for-people-with-chronic-lymphocytic-leukaemia-a-type-of-blood-cancer/
In January 2026, Gumboot Friday provided 1,311 young people aged 5–25 with free counselling support, delivering a total of 1,928 sessions nationwide. Every session is no-cost, requires no referral, and is chosen by the young person from a network of registered counsellors on the Gumboot Friday platform.
Breaking it down by age group:
These figures reflect the steady, month-after-month work of getting rangatahi into a safe space to talk and finally get things off their chest when they need to.
“I look at these January numbers and see so many young people—some as little as 5 or 6—who got to sit down with a counsellor who really listened, no rush, no judgement, just letting them be heard for the first time in a while probably. That’s powerful stuff for kids who’ve been carrying heavy things.
“None of this happens without the incredible support from Kiwis who donate to I Am Hope. Government funding covers the counselling sessions themselves, while your donations to I Am Hope keep the Gumboot Friday platform running—onboarding counsellors, maintaining the system, running our Little People Big Feelings programme, and supporting the wider I Am Hope foundation. We’re deeply grateful, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for believing in our kids and making sure help is there when they need it,” says I Am Hope founder Mike King.
If you or someone you know under 25 needs someone to talk to, visit www.gumbootfriday.com to connect with a counsellor today.
To donate, fundraise, or get involved with I Am Hope and Gumboot Friday, head to www.gumbootfriday.com or text HOPE to 469 for a $3 donation.
LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/17/gumboot-friday-wraps-january-in-hope-giving-1311-young-kiwis-a-lifeline/
Source: New Zealand Police
Bay of Plenty Police are seeking to the public’s help to identify the three people pictured in these images.
We believe they may be able to assist us with our enquiries into a breach of the Mount Maunganui landslide cordon on Wednesday 11 February and Sunday 15 February.
If you are one of these people, or you recognise them, please update us through 105 either online or over the phone.
Please use reference number 260217/6366.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/do-you-recognise-these-people/
Source: Radio New Zealand
RNZ / Calvin Samuel
A crash on Auckland’s northwestern motorway has blocked lanes.
Accoding to the NZ Transport Agency, the crash has occurred just after the Waterview Tunnel.
Two lanes were inititally blocked but at 11.45am, NZTA said one lane had reopened.
The crash has occurred just after the Waterview Tunnel. Supplied / NZTA
A traffic camera shows traffic building up.
Traffic on the motorway as of midday. Supplied / Google Maps
“Pass with care and expect delays,” NZTA said.
Traffic is also gridlocked citybound, back to Te Atatū, the opposite side of the crash.
RNZ / Calvin Samuel
More to come…
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/18/lane-blocked-on-aucklands-northwestern-motorway-following-crash/