Category: DJF

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Hope Bypass design contract awarded

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Stantec and WSP have been selected to provide technical expertise for this next important phase of work. Their appointment secures the professional services needed to support the detailed design and statutory approvals for the project.

Richard Osborne, Regional Manager System Design, says the contract award is a significant milestone.

“We received high-quality tender submissions from multiple consultancies. Each firm invested significant time and effort in preparing their proposals, making the contract decision a challenging one.”

“We are excited to partner with Stantec and WSP to deliver this next phase of the project,” Mr Osborne says.

He says specialist assessments and investigations – such as geotechnical investigations and noise assessments – will form a key part of this stage. NZTA/Waka Kotahi and contractors will also progress other statutory requirements needed for construction during this design phase.

“We are aiming to start specialist assessments in March 2026, with detailed design completed by mid-2027.”

“It is a significant programme of work to complete and finalise designs for both Stages 1 and 2, covering the sections between SH6 and Link Road, through to SH60 Appleby Highway and SH6 Gladstone Road intersection,” Mr Osborne says.

He acknowledges the high level of public interest in the project and thanks all those in the community who attended project drop-in sessions in November last year.

“We received valuable information from landowners, businesses and the community during this engagement that will be incorporated into this phase of work. We will continue to update the community through our project e-newsletters and website, and we will be in contact with directly impacted landowners, residents, and businesses as we work through different investigations and assessments.”

“We will have another round of community drop-in sessions in late 2026 to share the detailed design with the public,” Mr Osborne says.

Construction timeframes for the project are still to be finalised and are dependent on the outcome of the Government‘s prioritisation process for the wider RoNS programme.

View larger SH6 Hope Bypass proposed two-stage implementation map

Learn more about the project and sign up for project e-newsletters at:

What the investment case proposed

The investment case proposes a 2 staged implementation approach.

Stage 1: 

  • a new grade separated interchange on SH6 at Salisbury Road Extension (local road over)  
  • upgrading the Richmond Deviation from a 2-lane road to 4 lanes  
  • widening Lower Queen Street and Gladstone Road to accommodate an additional right turn lane  
  • signalising the intersection of Lower Queen Street and Stratford Street  

Stage 2: 

  • new 4-lane grade separated interchange at Lower Queen Street  
  • 4-lane Richmond bypass  
  • new 2-lane roundabout at SH60 intersection. 

The project will retain cycleway routes and connections. 
The designation between SH60/Gladstone Road intersection out to Eden Road in Hope is to be retained for future development.  

Background on Hope Bypass

The route of the Hope Bypass was designated in 1964. Richmond is growing at a significant rate, with development in Richmond West and planned development in Richmond South areas occurring sooner than originally anticipated.  

Due to this growth, in 2021, NZTA undertook the Richmond Transport Programme Business Case (PBC). The PBC was developed jointly between Tasman District Council and NZTA. The PBC highlighted the Hope Bypass as a long-term transportation route should additional capacity in the network be required based on future demand between Hope and Whakatu Drive. In response to this, the Hope Bypass designation (the southern end of the route) lapse date was extended from November 2023 until 1 November 2038. 

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/hope-bypass-design-contract-awarded/

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Emergency crews rush to reports of small plane crash at Napier Airport

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Fire and Emergency have rushed to reports of a small plane crash at Napier Airport.

Hato Hone St John was notified of an incident on Main North Road, Napier Airport, about 10am on Tuesday.

Two ambulances and one helicopter responded, but have since been stood down, a spokesperson said.

Police told RNZ “the plane had landed safely”, but referred all other questions to FENZ.

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/2026/02/03/emergency-crews-rush-to-reports-of-small-plane-crash-at-napier-airport/

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Roads open, SH 1 and SH 26, Waikato

Source: New Zealand Police

Both State Highway 1 near Tamahere and State Highway 26 / Morrinsville Road in Newstead are open following two separate serious crashes this morning. 

Police thank motorists across the district for their patience as emergency services worked the scenes during high traffic this morning. 

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/roads-open-sh-1-and-sh-26-waikato/

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Driver Licence Support programme changing lives

Source: New Zealand Government

Helping New Zealand job seekers get their driver licence is one of the best ways to help them get a job and Government-funded driver training is well and truly exceeding its licence targets, Minister of Social Development and Employment Louise Upston says. 

“Around 70 per cent of jobs require a person to have a driver licence, reinforcing the importance of the Government’s investment in driver licence training,” Louise Upston says.

“In the last year, MSD’s Driver Licence Support programme has secured 21,063 enrolments, ahead of the 19,000 placement target. 

“We know getting a driver’s licence can change a life, as it has in the case of a young Auckland woman on Jobseeker Support. The case manager suggested she consider applying for a job in traffic management, but that relied on her having a driver licence. 

“The woman started driving lessons with the support of the programme and soon after was able to sit and pass her restricted licence, then starting a job as a traffic controller with Fulton Hogan.

“The driver licence was the key to her getting the job and starting an independent life. In other examples, people have been able to get jobs with shift work because of having a driver licence or take a rurally-based job on a farm because they can now drive there.

“We know that a challenging employment environment has made things difficult for job seekers.  

“We hear many successful stories of how a driver licence has been a turning point in contributing to a change in circumstances – getting a job, being able to care for and support family, and driving legally.

“Programmes like Driver Licence Support ultimately make for safer and stronger families and communities,” Louise Upston says. 

Notes for Editors 

  • The Driver Licence Support programme began in 2023 and over 34,000 licences have been issued in that time.
  • Youth aged between 18 and 24 make up nearly 40 per cent of the participants.
  • The overall pass rate of the programme is 82 percent.

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/driver-licence-support-programme-changing-lives/

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Labour leader Chris Hipkins sets signts on Māori seats

Source: Radio New Zealand

Labour leader Chris Hipkins. VNP / Phil Smith

Labour leader Chris Hipkins has reiterated his determination to win all the Māori seats in November’s election, as parties gather at Waitangi.

He told Morning Report that candidate elections were underway for Labour.

“I’ve been very clear that we want to do very well there.”

Asked about Te Pāti Māori which currently holds all seven seats, Hipkins said “they need to sort themselves out”.

“They’re in court and that’s really where their focus should be.

“In the meantime, we’re going to be busy organising in the Māori seats to win them back.”

The party was involved this week in a substantive hearing at the High Court in Wellington after a two of its MPs, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris, were expelled.

Kapa-Kingi’s lawyers are arguing Te Pāti Māori’s constitution was not upheld during the process.

Hipkins told RNZ his message at Waitangi would be the same as elsewhere – that the country is stronger when people identify areas of common interest, work together and move forward.

In contrast to his stance on Te Pāti Māori, Labour is aiming to project a united front with the Greens at Waitangi with a joint press conference at the Treaty Grounds aimed to demonstrate working together despite policy differences.

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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/2026/02/03/labour-leader-chris-hipkins-sets-signts-on-maori-seats/

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Celebrations commence for Operation Waitangi

Source: New Zealand Police

Operations for Waitangi Day are well under way in Northland after months of planning leading up to a day of national significance. 

Police is assisting a number of communities and partners as annual events take place ahead of 6 February.

Northland District Commander, Superintendent Matt Srhoj, says Police have been working alongside Iwi and the Waitangi National Trust to ensure a safe and memorable Waitangi celebration.

“It takes months of extensive planning from a large cohort of people and agencies to ensure this week of events goes off without a hitch.”

Superintendent Srhoj says locals and those travelling to Waitangi and the Bay of Islands ahead of Friday are reminded to plan ahead.

“We are expecting large numbers of people to attend the week’s commemorations so please be patient on the roads as it will be busy.

“Police is also asking motorists to wear seatbelts, drive to the conditions and follow the speed limits so everyone can enjoy the festivities.

“Once again we are looking forward to the week and celebrating Waitangi 2026 together.”

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/celebrations-commence-for-operation-waitangi/

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Radio tracker use ramps up – more hornet nests found

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Radio tracking technology has now enabled the detection of ten yellow-legged hornet nests as the eradication response effort on Auckland’s North Shore continues to accelerate.

Biosecurity New Zealand’s commissioner north, Mike Inglis, says the technique – attaching tiny radio transmitters to worker hornets and tracking them back to their nests – has quickly become a core tool in the response programme.

“Our capability with the equipment is growing rapidly, helped by practical advice from visiting experts in hornet management from the United Kingdom,” Mr Inglis says.

“Once we have a transmitter attached to a hornet, we are typically locating the nest within a few hours.”

See a video of a tracker being attached – YouTube shorts

“The trackers, which complement on-the-ground surveillance and public notifications, will become increasingly useful as summer progresses and hornets begin building larger secondary nests high up in trees where they’re less visible to ground searchers.

“We have located 3 secondary nests so far and after comprehensive planning, have successfully treated and removed them. 

“We always expected to find increasing numbers of hornets, and we have scaled up our surveillance and tracking programme accordingly. Finding hornets and their nests is a sign that our response is working as intended.”

Using tracking, trapping and ground surveillance, along with public notifications, the team has located and destroyed 49 queens, 51 nests and hundreds of workers to date.

The team was able to locate 3 small nests– one in Takapuna and 2 in Forrest Hill. These finds are well within zone B of our intense surveillance and trapping area – with zone C going out to 11km.

A network of more than 1,080 traps is operating. The zones reflect the density of traps and there have been no detections outside the 11km area.

“Public support continues to be vital to our response, with more than 11,060 notifications to date. 

“We encourage anyone who has a suspected hornet specimen, has located a possible nest, or has taken a clear photo to report it to us online at report.mpi.govt.nz or by calling 0800 809 966,” Mr Inglis says.

More information and updates on yellow-legged hornets

For more information email BiosecurityNZ_media@mpi.govt.nz

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/radio-tracker-use-ramps-up-more-hornet-nests-found/

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Italian restaurant in Petone closes doors after 20 years

Source: Radio New Zealand

Soprano on Jackson Street. Supplied/Google Maps Street View

A Petone Italian restaurant is being sold after nearly 20 years, following an “incredibly tough” few years for the hospitality industry.

The owners of Soprano on Jackson Street, Latisha and Jonathan Dowling, posted on Facebook that the decision had not come lightly.

“As heartbreaking as it is to share this news, we wanted to share with you that we have made the choice to close/sell Soprano so we can spend more time with our families and step into a new chapter,” they said.

“Hospitality has given us so much in the last two decades, but the last few years – especially COVID – were incredibly tough. Like MANY in our industry, we poured everything we had into keeping the doors open, the lights on and our people cared for.”

Now was the right time to embark on something new, the couple said, adding that the restaurant was woven into their life story.

“It’s where we first met, worked side by side with the previous owner, fell in love, got married, and went on to have our three beautiful children.

“Today, our journey has come full circle, with our eldest now 14 and working the floor – something that fills us with more pride than words can say.”

The Dowlings thanked their customers who they said were part of their family.

The owners are now taking expressions of interest from prospective buyers.

Their last day of business, if not sold prior, will be 31 March.

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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/2026/02/03/italian-restaurant-in-petone-closes-doors-after-20-years/

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Did you miss the best time to lock in a longer home loan rate?

Source: Radio New Zealand

BNZ has increased some of its longer-term home loan fixed rates. RNZ / Marika Khabazi

BNZ has increased some of its longer-term home loan fixed rates, prompting one economist to say that in hindsight, late last year was borrowers’ best option to lock in a longer rate.

It has cut its six-month rate by 20 basis points to 4.49 percent.

But the four-year rate lifts by 26 basis points to 5.55 percent and the five-year by 40 basis points to 5.69 percent.

“The increases bring their rates to roughly where everyone else has moved to over the last couple of weeks,” said Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen.

“I think pressure is starting to come on a little bit more when it comes to funding rates, given that if you look at two- to five-year swap rates, they have increased by about 20 basis points again between the end of December and the end of January. There’s probably anelement of trying to wait as long as possible but the realities for bank funding have now become more apparent.”

He said the cashback promotions seen in the past couple of months proved banks wanted to be competitive.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a little bit of a pause until you get a better read at the end of the month when the Reserve Bank makes the decision about the official cash rate. Because at that point, you’ll have a bit of a stronger view of what’s the likely path forward.”

He said it was likely that the talk at the end of last year about whether it was the right time to fix for five had probably proved to be correct. “That’s always the beauty of hindsight, right?”

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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/2026/02/03/did-you-miss-the-best-time-to-lock-in-a-longer-home-loan-rate/

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What should New Zealand do in the new world order?

Source: Radio New Zealand

US President Donald Trump at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 22, 2026. AFP MANDEL NGAN

There’s a rupture in the international rules-based order, but that doesn’t mean New Zealand will be crushed by bigger powers

New Zealand has been a beneficiary of the international rules-based order for decades – trade disputes, action on serious issues, being heard on the world stage; there was a world body to give us a hand sorting stuff out.

While there have been inconsistencies, hypocrisy from superpowers, and the system hasn’t been perfect, it has, generally, worked for us.

But Russia and America between them have shaken up the system, and in a remarkable speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney laid it all out.

“I thought this might be the most important political speech on geo-politics for many a long year,” says Tim Groser, a former diplomat; once New Zealand’s chief trade negotiator; ambassador, including to the United States and the World Trade Organisation; and a National government Minister of Trade.

He says the key message of the speech was to acknowledge the reality that we are seeing a rupture of the rules-based system.

“It’s not just the United States. It is also the invasion back in 2014 of Crimea by Russia, to break the most important norm of the post-war order in Europe, which is, do not try and change sovereign frontiers with force.

“This has been the most important issue facing Europe now for at least 500 years, and was the cause of three wars … the Franco-Prussian war, and the two world wars.

“So it’s not just the United States. The order that we lived in from 1945 to, I think around 2010, was quite remarkable in so many respects, and almost perfect for a small country like New Zealand.”

Mark Carney’s speech spelt out how the ‘middle powers’ such as Canada, Japan and Australia need to act together, “because if we’re not at the table, we’re on the menu”.

New Zealand is not a middle power, but not helpless either, says Groser.

“Some New Zealanders vastly exaggerate our influence. They seem to think that the whole eyes of the world are watching every move that we make and if we only do the right thing everyone else will think ‘oh my goodness me, we must do what the Kiwis are doing’. This is a fantasy.

“But the more common fantasy is to understate our significance.

“Of course we are a small country. But in terms of GDP measured in conventional terms, we’re the 52nd largest economy in the world in relative terms. Which means since there are over 200 sovereign countries in the world, there are 150 countries smaller than New Zealand.”

New Zealand has also had historic developments to help us cope with these world changes, when in the 1950s Britain joined the European union and our main trading partnership evaporated. It forced us to diversify our markets. Groser says Canada needs to do the same now.

Canadian journalist Jayme Poisson, who hosts the CBC’s Front Burner podcast, says Carney’s speech has landed well in Canada with those who like the idea of being a middle power with power.

But there’s a debate going on in the wake of Carney’s speech over how realistic that strategy actually is.

“Because at the end of the day, we share this massive land border with the United States. We send 70 percent of our exports to the United States. So we’re not just like some random middle power. We are the middle power right next door to the hegemon and we are inextricably tied to them for security and economics … so you can see why people are debating here how much our role is to not rupture our relationship with the United States, and how much our role is to lead this pack of middle powers to do something more ambitious.”

Carney, she says, is “good at bluntly describing reality in a pretty sophisticated way. He was one of the first leaders to come out and say the world has changed … and our relationship with the United States is not what it was before.”

The speech has been criticised for Carney poking the bear when he didn’t have to, and when up until now he’s kept his head down.

But it’s possible Carney has just displayed the kind of strength and leadership that the US President so admires.

“They just spoke,” she says, “and Carney has reported that it was a fine conversation. And while we did see this response from the Americans – you know, mockery, you can’t live without the United States, and threat of a 100 percent tariff floated if we get close to China, that has not come to fruition. It’s just kind of subsided. So certainly that’s a pretty good argument to make – that he likes strength, he likes winners. And that he’s so mercurial that you might as well just stand up to him anyway, because you don’t really know what he’s going to do, day to day.”

Poisson says there’s a lot of anti-American sentiment in Canada right now and Carney’s remarks resonated. His approval rating rose eight points in the wake of the Davos speech, and is currently up at 60 percent.

“I think everybody [in Canada] thought this was a good speech,” she says. “I think the critiques are … was it smart? And is it going to come with consequences, and are those consequences worth it?”

Listen to the podcast to find out why Tim Groser isn’t entirely pessimistic about international developments, and why a rupture doesn’t mean collapse.

Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here.

You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/what-should-new-zealand-do-in-the-new-world-order/

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Love for music leads EIT student back to study

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

21 seconds ago

Thirteen years after leaving an accounting diploma, Francis Chiaroni has completed a Bachelor of Creative Practice (Music) at EIT and is preparing to graduate.

Now 38, Francis first studied at EIT in 2012, enrolling in a Diploma of Accounting. While he completed six months, Francis soon realised the field was not the right fit.

After leaving study, Francis focused on full-time work, setting himself the goal of purchasing his first home. In 2015, at the age of 28, he achieved that milestone.

Francis Chiaroni has completed a Bachelor of Creative Practice (Music) at EIT and is preparing to graduate in April.

“That was always my dream. I feel very fortunate, especially knowing how difficult it is now for people trying to buy their first home.”

Several years later, a conversation with his mother prompted Francis to consider returning to study, this time to pursue a long-held interest in music.

“She encouraged me to give it a go and see whether it suited me,” he says. “That conversation really changed things.”

Francis enrolled in the Bachelor of Creative Practice (Music) three years ago, beginning his studies just before Cyclone Gabrielle.

“It was a strange way to start. We had online classes at first, then worked out of places like the Cabana, Paisley Stage and MTG Theatre. It didn’t feel normal, but everyone adapted.”

Despite the challenges, Francis says his time at EIT proved both rewarding and transformative.

“The tutors were very supportive, and I made a lot of connections. Being around creative people and being able to support and mentor some of the younger students, was really meaningful for me.”

During his studies, Francis developed his skills as a vocalist and pianist, while also learning guitar, bass and songwriting. In 2024, he began writing and releasing his own original music.

“I reached a point where I realised I had the skills and knowledge to back myself. I didn’t want to leave it too late and regret not putting anything out.”

Live performance became a central part of his experience, helping him build confidence and manage anxiety.

“I feel much more comfortable performing now.”

One of the most memorable moments of his degree came during the end-of-year performances, where Francis appeared across multiple first and second year sets and also performed alongside his parents.

“Both my parents are musicians, so performing together was very special. It was a moment we’ll always remember.”

While music remains his primary focus, Francis says the degree has also opened his thinking around future pathways, including teaching and further creative opportunities.

“Completing this degree has brought out a better version of me. When I started, I had a lot of anxiety and self-doubt. Now I’m proud of what I’ve achieved and excited about what comes next.”

Francis will graduate in April and says finishing his degree is a milestone he once never imagined reaching.

“It’s been a long journey but one I’m incredibly proud of.”

Music tutor Svetlana Eliason said it was a pleasure to witness the steady development of Frank’s creative voice.

“His exploration of his Italian and Irish ancestry informed sincere and authentic musical compositions; under his musical alias Frankly, he releases honest, reflective and deeply personal music. Central to this journey was his strong connection to his parents, whose encouragement played a key role in his decision to study the Bachelor of Creative Practice.

“This support was beautifully reflected in the end-of-year festival where Frank performed alongside them, creating a moving and memorable moment for his whānau and audience alike.”

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/love-for-music-leads-eit-student-back-to-study/

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Off the tools: Men charged following burglary

Source: New Zealand Police

Two burglars never saw Police coming, after being rounded up after a construction site burglary this morning.

At around 2.30am a report was received about two men entering a work site in Hobsonville.

Detective Senior Sergeant Megan Goldie, from Waitematā Crime Squad, says a vehicle had been driven through gates at the Hobsonville Road site.

Tools and petrol were allegedly stolen from the site.

“A Crime Squad unit deployed into the area carrying out enquiries, with information on two vehicles involved,” she says.

“The unit came across a Hilux at a Westgate petrol station that had stopped for petrol after its alleged exploits.

“The vehicle was stopped, with a large quantity of tools located inside the vehicle.”

The 31-year-old man was arrested and has been charged with burglary.

Meanwhile, enquiries continued into the second vehicle allegedly involved.

Detective Senior Sergeant Goldie says the Hiace van had been tracked to the Avondale area.

“Our colleagues from Auckland City located the vehicle abandoned, locating the driver a short time later and arresting him.”

The 39-year-old man has also been charged with burglary, with both men due to appear in the Waitākere District Court today.

Detective Senior Sergeant Goldie says the arrests are, “a fantastic outcome from quick reporting to Police along with detailed information about vehicles involved.

“It’s yet another great example of Police staff from different areas working together to achieve the same outcome and holding this offending accountable.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/off-the-tools-men-charged-following-burglary/

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Northbound lane blocked, SH 1, Tamahere

Source: New Zealand Police

The northbound lane on State Highway 1 near Tamahere on the Waikato Expressway is blocked following a two-vehicle crash.

The crash was reported to emergency services just before 8am.

No injuries are reported.

The lanes are expected to be blocked for a short time, but motorists should consider alternative routes or delay travel.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/northbound-lane-blocked-sh-1-tamahere/

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Spin remains the focus for Black Caps ahead of World Cup

Source: Radio New Zealand

Ish Sodhi during New Zealand Blackcaps training Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

It is no surprise that spin has been the feature of the Black Caps training sessions this week as they prepare for their opening game of the T20 World Cup.

Coming off a 4-1 loss to India in the recent T20 series, the New Zealand team moved to Navi Mumbai to continue their build-up for their World Cup clash with Afghanistan on Sunday.

Leg spinner Ish Sodhi was one of five slow bowling options in the New Zealand squad and he was likely to see action during the tournament.

The 33-year-old had played 137 T20 internationals since making his debut in 2014 and in this tournament he could become New Zealand’s most successful bowler in the format.

He sits on 162 scalps, just two behind Tim Southee.

Sodhi, who was the number one ranked T20 bowler in 2018, said they had taken a number of lessons from the recent India series.

“They (India) were amazing in their own home conditions,” Sodhi said.

“The wickets were really flat and the boundaries small and it might be a similar diet to what we have in this World Cup and so it was great for us to be exposed to those conditions.

“If we can maintain the intensity that we played that series in then hopefully it holds us in good stead for the tournament.”

New Zealand bowler Ish Sodhi. Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz / Photosport Ltd 2025

Ten years ago Sodhi and fellow spinner Mitchell Santner made their T20 World Cup debuts in India. They both featured as two of the tournaments leading wicket-takers by taking ten each with Santner named in the tournament team.

With so much cricket played in India now, all the New Zealand players are familiar with conditions in the sub-continent and what to expect.

“At training today the boys wanted to face spinners and see what their boundary and single options were so it was really cool that everyone is training specifically for that.”

However, Sodhi said it was important that they remain adaptable.

New Zealand play the USA in a World Cup warmup game on Friday morning.

“They’re a niggly team with plenty of experience,” Sodhi said of the USA.

“Because they play in the MLC (Major League Cricket T20 competition) they’re exposed to some really high quality cricket.”

That game will again provide some valuable information on the local conditions ahead of their tournament opener against Afghanistan in Chennai on Sunday.

New Zealand and Afghanistan have only met each other twice in T20’s.

The Black Caps beat Afghanistan at the 2021 T20 World Cup, but were beaten by them at the 2024 tournament in the West Indies.

Afghanistan beat Scotland by 61 runs in a World Cup warmup game on Monday.

Black Caps T20 World Cup schedule

  • 8 February: 6.30pm v Afghanistan, Chennai
  • 10 February: 10.30pm v UAE, Chennai
  • 15 February: 2.30am v South Africa, Ahmedabad
  • 17 February: 6.30pm v Canada, Chennai

The top two teams from the four groups advance to the Super 8 stage where they will be placed into two groups of four teams each, and will play three matches against one another. The top two teams in each group will advance to the knockout (semi-final) stage.

The final was scheduled for March 9.

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/2026/02/03/spin-remains-the-focus-for-black-caps-ahead-of-world-cup/

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Stan Walker: ‘There’s a lot of chaos that’s happening

Source: Radio New Zealand

Stan Walker and rapper Nauti have joined forces with legendary US producer 9th Wonder — who has worked with the likes of Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige — to create ‘One Life’, a new single rooted in healing and unity.

The collaboration came together during an APRA songwriting camp, where the trio linked up with producer Bharu, as they bonded over culture and heritage.

“We just started talking about our lives and our stories and where we come from and our backgrounds for hours and then, bam, the song just happened real quick,” Walker told Afternoons.

This video is hosted on Youtube.

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/stan-walker-theres-a-lot-of-chaos-thats-happening/

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Serious crash, SH 26, Newstead

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are responding to a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 26, Morrinsville Road in Newstead, reported just before 7am.

One person sustained serious injuries and is being treated by ambulance services.

The Serious Crash Unit has been notified.

Motorists are advised to take alternative routes as cordons are in place and emergency services work the scene. 

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/serious-crash-sh-26-newstead/

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Auckland Council looks at rule change to avoid flood buyout costs

Source: Radio New Zealand

A flooded house in Auckland in 2023. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

There are 13 Auckland homes at risk of future flooding or landslides that could cost the region’s council an extra $14 million to buyout – a cost it is seeking to avoid with a policy change.

Auckland Council wants to increase the amount it can spend on retaining walls and lifting homes to make them safe – a move it said would be more cost effective than writing them off.

The houses were eligible for a buyout because the cost of building works was over and above the scheme’s agreed funding but that would leave council with a hefty bill.

It was one example of homes still in limbo three years on from the devastating storms in 2023, while close to 1200 with intolerable risk to life had been bought out.

On Tuesday councillors would discuss a report by council’s head of strategy and integration Tanya Stocks and recovery specialist Megan Howell recommending an 11th hour policy change to the scheme.

The change related to homes in the risk category 2P, of which 75 were in the early stage of having building works costed out in order to reduce risk to a “tolerable level”.

“Thirteen of the remaining 2P properties may exceed the grant threshold of 25 percent of the capital value of the property,” the reporter writers said.

“If this occurs, the Category 2P Property Risk Mitigation Scheme terms provide for the properties to be recategorised to a Category 3 buyout – even where the exceedance is only minor.

“This would…increase total programme costs, by up to an estimated $14 million, which would be significantly above the agreed co-funded budget.”

Damage from the Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods, from top left: Derek Judge’s Swanson home was flooded by the rapidly rising Waimoko Stream; houses in Swanson sit abandoned and vandalised in November; Andrew Marshall’s red-stricken house in Swanson is still being hit by vandals a year on from the floods; Julie Armstrong’s Northcote home was badly damaged by the flood waters. RNZ and supplied

Instead, Stocks and Howell recommend almost doubling what could be spent on building works to reduce risk to those homes – a cost that could mostly be soaked up within the scheme, leaving council with an estimated $1.2m to pay.

“Staff recommend that the Governing Body approve a policy change for the Category 2P Property Risk Mitigation Scheme to allow for grants of up to 40 percent of property capital value, at the sole discretion of the council in cases where it is assessed as the best option to achieve the 2P scheme objective and outcomes,” they said.

“This will remove the need to operate on a case-by-case ‘by exception’ approach and will remove the option for homeowners to choose to move to Category 3, even where there is a feasible mitigation for their property.”

If it was agreed to, any of the 13 homeowners who preferred a buyout would need to ask for a special circumstances review.

“Owners may be reluctant participants, with a preference to move to Category 3 buy-out due to reasons outside the scheme’s objectives (such as risks of nuisance flooding, potential lower property valuation and reduced development potential under Plan Change 120),” the report writers said.

Damage from the Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods, from top left: Derek Judge’s Swanson home was flooded by the rapidly rising Waimoko Stream; houses in Swanson sit abandoned and vandalised in November; Andrew Marshall’s red-stricken house in Swanson is still being hit by vandals a year on from the floods; Julie Armstrong’s Northcote home was badly damaged by the flood waters. RNZ and supplied

Tasha Gray is part of the Disaster Affected Residents Network, formerly known as the Auckland Stickered Residents Group, and is concerned about the proposed change to the scheme.

“There’s a real awareness that 2P [homeowners] are becoming more reluctant to go over that 25 percent [grant limit for building works] because they’re more aware of the risks for their property after this whole process has gone through.”

She said it had already been a long wait for homeowners.

“The implications for those people could be quite serious, there’s a lot of mental stress for people who are in this process. This is nearly three years of absolute pain and trying to be logical and work through council processes,” Gray said.

“To put this late change in the mix is increadibly distressing for those homeowners.”

Nina Mardell is also a member of the network and said it appeared to be a financial exercise.

“It feels unfair that they’ve got to the end of the process three years down the track and not everybody is being treated equally. I do understand that they’re running out of money but the people at the end are disadvantaged because the pot of money has run out.”

Waitakere ward councillor Shane Henderson said he had asked for more information ahead of the council meeting.

“I’ve been told that probaby the majority of people in that situation would prefer to be bought out because you’ve got insurance issues, you’ve got the trauma layered on top of that whenever there’s a heavy rain.

“There’s people out there who just want to get out of their homes and I totally understand that.

“The proposal is brought about by the financial constraints of the scheme

“We’ll have to find some new money if we don’t make this change, it’s not apparent where that will come from yet. The flipside is people are desperate to move on so it’s a very hard decision.”

Council’s group recovery manager, Mace Ward (File photo). RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

Council’s group recovery manager, Mace Ward, said the cost of work on properties to reduce such risk had varied and until now, council had used discretion case-by-case, which was provided for in the scheme.

“But over time, we’ve seen more homeowners prefer a buyout instead of wanting to complete the mitigation work at their property,” he said.

“With many of the Category 2P properties still finalising mitigation design and costs, there is risk that properties shift unnecessarily into Category 3, which increases the overall cost.”

Ward said the proposed change to the scheme provided a clearer path to resolving the remaining Category 2P cases in a reasonable and safe timeframe – council would have full discretion to approve grants of up to 40 percent of a property’s capital value.

“This will keep us focused on the best overall solution to address intolerable risk to life as soon as we can, while using public funding carefully,” Ward said.

“We will continue to work closely with Category 2P homeowners through the process.”

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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/2026/02/03/auckland-council-looks-at-rule-change-to-avoid-flood-buyout-costs/

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National mission to launch sovereign satellite kept under wraps by officials

Source: Radio New Zealand

author:phil_pennington]

New Zealand, viewed from space. NASA/Goddard/NPP

Most of the work being done on a national mission to launch a sovereign satellite is being kept under wraps by officials.

An RNZ request under the Official Information Act (OIA) for the key documents came up mostly empty, with ministerial briefings either largely blanked out or withheld entirely.

The government’s 2024 aerospace strategy set a goal to “establish a national mission through the development, manufacture, launch and operation of one or more sovereign satellites”.

This was to collect data for the likes of protecting ocean zones and for “broader space domain awareness”. Tracking what is happening in space has become huge business, both commercially and militarily, worldwide.

Seven briefings were withheld and two briefings from last year were released though with large parts blanked out.

One in February put a sovereign satellite project under “higher-impact medium-term actions”, stating that a national space mission “is an opportunity to support the development of innovative products for future commercialisation and export”.

A later briefing in August left in just one line, “Develop our sovereign space capabilities with a national space mission” and redacted the rest.

New Zealand, including its defence force, relied on partners particularly in the Five Eyes intelligence network and notably the United States for access to space capabilities, including a network of US-run military satellites. Only a few ground-based assets like radars were operated within this country.

Australia in 2024 cancelled a multi-billion-dollar programme to create a military-grade satellite communications system, though it was reported last year to be trying again with a more slimmed-down project.

The NZ strategy sat behind a government push to double the advanced aerospace sector to $5 billion by 2030. It underlined how satellites were essential for daily life.

But the new OIA response from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) shed no light on how any such sovereign satellite might be acquired.

Even the titles of three of the seven withheld briefings were not released; all of it held back on the grounds of protecting confidential advice from ministers or officials.

The title of one that was given, from last July, was, ‘Programme approach to a national space mission’, but the document itself was not released.

In a section of one of the two released briefings on improving trade access, all but this line was blanked out: “Increasing protectionism and the sensitive nature of dual-use technologies means there are barriers to international space trade.”

Dual-use tech could be used for both commercial and military purposes, such as satellite imagery gathered by commercial satellites over Ukraine and used to fight Russia.

The briefings sketched out other options for retiring Defence and Space Minister Judith Collins to push for growth, including that the government could consider buying locally if it needed space-enabled data or services. MBIE was expected to do a stocktake to identify gaps where the government could buy space services to fill data gaps.

The Minister for Social Development and Employment, Louise Upston, agreed to cross-portfolio work to look at barriers to developing an aerospace workforce.

“Existing initiatives, such as the Space Prizes and the Space Scholarship, bring profile to space career options – but will likely not be sufficient to spur largescale workforce growth,” said a briefing.

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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/2026/02/03/national-mission-to-launch-sovereign-satellite-kept-under-wraps-by-officials/

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Waitārere Beach shooting: Man found dead was stabbed – police

Source: Radio New Zealand

Benjamin Harry Timmins. Supplied

A man found dead after a shooting in Waitārere Beach near Levin last month was stabbed, police say.

The man, identified by his sister as 60-year-old Benjamin Harry Timmins, was found dead on 14 January.

A 46-year-old woman and two males aged 17 and 21 remain in a critical condition.

Police initially said all four people had been shot, but they now believe the man suffered stab wounds.

Police earlier revealed they had responded to a family harm-related incident at the same property on 9 January.

They seized a dismantled gun, parts and ammo from the property, and Timmins was arrested and charged with assault on a family member.

He was due in court on the day of the shootings.

Timmins’ sister Rach O’Grady earlier told RNZ she was concerned by the picture his past would paint, and that he was more than just his criminal history, which included cannabis and firearms offences.

She said in recent years he had “lost is spark for life”, and she blamed failures of the mental health support system for his death.

O’Grady told RNZ she hoped the police investigation would bring answers.

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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/2026/02/03/waitarere-beach-shooting-man-found-dead-was-stabbed-police/

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Mt Maunganui review to focus on hours leading up to landslide

Source: Radio New Zealand

The six victims of the Mt Maunganui landslide – Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20, Lisa Maclennan, 50, Susan Knowles, 71, Sharon Maccanico, 15, Max Furse-Kee, 15, and Jacqualine Wheeler, 71. Supplied

A review into the fatal Mount Maunganui landslide will zero in on the hours leading up to it, according to Tauranga’s mayor.

Six people died in the slip at the Beachside Holiday Park, and their bodies have now been recovered and identified.

In an emergency meeting on Monday, councillors voted nine to one in favour of an external review – despite the fact the government was also likely to hold an inquiry.

Mayor Mahé Drysdale said the investigations would be different in scope, with any Crown inquiry expected to be broad.

“We’re very focused on … the 24-hours leading up to the landslips – you know, the decisions that were made.”

He said the scope would widen to include anything relevant, but the priority was to establish the facts and the timeline.

The council’s and its employees’ decision-making would come under scrutiny, he said.

Tauranga mayor Mahé Drysdale Calvin Samuel / RNZ

Drysdale said there was a desire to move quickly with the review, and expected to appoint an independent reviewer – and finalise the terms of reference – by the end of the week.

He said the cost of the review was yet to be determined, but anticipated it could be up to $250,000.

The reaction to move ahead with it had been mixed, he said.

“But ultimately, there’s a lot of questions that need to be answered, and we feel those questions need to be answered in a timely manner.

“We need to know in future: Is there anything we need to learn? Is there anything we need to do differently? And that will be very much answered in this review.”

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/02/03/mt-maunganui-review-to-focus-on-hours-leading-up-to-landslide/