Category: DJF

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Tough breeding season for tara iti – one of New Zealand’s smallest birds

Source: Radio New Zealand

Supplied / Darren Markin

One of New Zealand’s smallest birds remains in big trouble after a tough breeding season saw a third of the eggs or newly hatched chicks eaten by predators.

There were 29 tara iti, or fairy tern, eggs laid across the country, but only 11 chicks survived.

Despite the majority of eggs not fledging, Department of Conservation (DOC) tara iti recovery programme lead Alex Wilson told Checkpoint she remained upbeat about the numbers.

“We’re feeling pretty positive about the season. We did lose quite a few this year, but we ended up with 11 chicks fledging this season, which is a good result for us.

“A bad year in the past, we could have gotten one to three chicks that might have fledged.”

Wilson said predators remained the biggest issue for the tara iti, and DOC put a lot of effort in to ensure the chicks have every chance of survival.

Supplied / Darren Markin

The Mangawhai site had a “rat problem”, and the Kahu, or Australasian Harrier, took out some of the chicks as well, Wilson said.

Wilson described the monitoring of the nests as “very intense”, and said the breeding sites are monitored around the clock during the breeding season, which runs from September to February.

DOC staff and volunteers share the duties keeping an eye on the sites, and Wilson said they are looking for risk of predators, human disturbance, and any other threats like the tide and storms that might come in.

“If we perceive a threat, that’s when we do things like collecting the eggs and taking them to safety.”

WIlson said when the eggs need to be moved, they switch the real egg with a hand-painted 3D printed egg.

Fairy tern / tara iti egg (left) and 3D printed dummy egg (right) used in the nest protection programme. Supplied / DOC

The real eggs are transported to either another safe nest, or to Auckland Zoo.

This season, 10 eggs ended up at Auckland Zoo, and a number of companies chipped in with fish to help feed the hungry chicks.

“They support us by providing us live fish, so trout and salmon, and the birds eat a lot so they can eat, when they’re little, up to 70 fish a day. More than their own body weight,” Wilson said.

DOC have also started tracking the birds, and after receiving some “cool results” last year, Wilson is hopeful the tracking will provide new insights into the birds.

Wilson said five birds have been fitted with satellite transmitters or “little mini backpacks”, and DOC hopes to track them for a year.

“The information last year we’d never seen before, so it gives us insight into where they’re going and areas that we might need to protect and other things that might be threatening them.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/19/tough-breeding-season-for-tara-iti-one-of-new-zealands-smallest-birds/

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Pioneering Māori broadcaster and journalist Moari Stafford dies

Source: Radio New Zealand

Pioneering Māori journalist Moari Stafford. Moari Stafford

Pioneering Māori broadcaster and journalist Moari Stafford, who cultivated opportunity and empowered generations of Māori journalists for more than 20 years, has died.

He was 74.

Hailing from Waikato, Hauraki, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Apakura and Ngāti Te Wehi, Stafford spent much of his life in Kawhia situated on the east coast, under the shadow of Maunga Pirongia – the tallest peak in Waikato.

Stafford grew up speaking te reo in a community that recognised the language as a tāonga that must be preserved and protected.

He joined Te Karere as a reporter in 1987, the year te reo Māori was recognised as an official language in New Zealand.

At a pivotal time in history, he became part of a generation that championed Māori journalism through challenging times.

Veteran broadcaster Tini Molyneux worked closely with Stafford for many years in broadcasting and said it was a challenging time but his dedication to te reo was relentless.

“He didn’t pursue a career in broadcasting but had a calibre of reo that was becoming hard to find at the time, so he was encouraged to get involved,” Molyneux said.

“Throughout his career he prioritised te reo in his decision making which created opportunities for people who didn’t fit the status quo of mainstream journalism.”

Stafford was appointed editor of Te Karere in 1991 and over the next 20 years he played a vital role in launching the careers of award-winning journalists and broadcasters.

Māori broadcaster and journalist Mihingarangi Forbes remembers Stafford as an “incredible boss” and respected figure in the newsroom.

“I started at Te Karere in 1994, we were the last of the cadetships for Te Karere… we were so excited and we had a whakatau in the marae there at Māori and Pacific programmes. There would have been about 50 people who worked there at the time,” Forbes said.

“Moari was an incredible boss, so supportive: mātanga reo, mātanga tikanga, mātanga kawa. He had a huge heart, he believed in people.

“He would always see something in us. He would guide us through our hapa and our mistakes that we made which, when you work at Te Karere and Te Ao Māori, making a mistake can be fatal. He would always guide us through that and pull us out the other side.”

Forbes said Stafford would travel between Kawhia and the TVNZ office in Auckland weekly – a distance of around 200 kilometres.

“He was an amazing family man”, she said.

“He’d always bring us kai Māori, rewana bread or a boil up or any kind of Māori kai that he’d bring from home, kai moana, and he’d share it with everybody.”

“I’ll dearly miss him. I’ll miss his texts. He kept in touch with me for my last 32 years, encouraging me every time he saw me out there or doing something good, he’d let me know.”

Another veteran Māori broadcaster to work under Stafford was Julian Wilcox who, alongside Māori media mogul Bailey Mackey, joined Te Karere as a reporter in the late 1990s.

Wilcox told RNZ Stafford was a “quiet and humble” man whose time working manual jobs gave him a dogged work ethic.

“Moari just was worried about filling the half hour that we had on Te Karere… but he got into the gig because of, I found out later on, the encouragement of one of the great tohunga of Tainui, Henare Tuwhangai, who was a main orator for Te Arikinui Te Ataarangikaahu in his time, and one of the great tohunga of Māoridom,” he said.

“It was always about doing the gig, filling the half hour, making sure you had a kaupapa, and turning that kaupapa into a story, filling it out for two and a half minutes – which I know is a long time in news – but that was the average story length for Te Karere… he had that kind of discipline.”

Wilcox said Stafford was always interested in the voices of those the mainstream would leave out of the regular 6pm bulletin.

“How I figured out to please Moari was that if I could get kaumātua and kuia that people often didn’t see in news, particularly in mainstream, talking about news of the day, whatever it might have been at that time, the happier he’d be.

“I’d always turn up to work, and he would always say, ‘What’s your story?’ and I would tell him, ‘Well, I’ve got this kuia…’”

“He’d say ‘Kapai! Go get it’,” Wilcox said.

Stafford was part of a cohort of some of the first Māori broadcasters and journalists to appear regularly on New Zealand television screens like Hinerangi Goodman, Martin Rakuraku, Whai Ngata, Derek Fox, Tini Molyneux and Hirini Henare.

Wilcox remembers them all as “icons”.

“These were people who grew up watching… he was a cool, lovely, lovely man and [without] him I probably wouldn’t have a media career. We owe him a lot and we’re going to miss him.”

Former Te Karere journalist Dean Nathan joined Te Karere in the early 2000s. He told RNZ he met Stafford much earlier life as boy when Stafford worked in Forestry around the small, isolated town of Te Kao in the Far North.

“Who would have thought you would have met a forestry manager in television, right? Editing a national programme and obviously with turning over news it’s a demanding job and the team’s got to be out there and, you know, on the ball every day,” he said.

“I remember him as a really supportive editor and producer, a beautifully natured man.”

Nathan said Stafford gave him huge work opportunities.

“I’m grateful for Moari because he supported me and that was pretty much the starting of my career in television. He was the first editor to send me to repot internationally in America and North America, Canada and Hawaii and all over the South Pacific.

“Those are opportunities that really broadened my my skills and ability and I’m really grateful for that. I love Moari,” Nathan 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://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/19/pioneering-maori-broadcaster-and-journalist-moari-stafford-dies/

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Oyster farmers get final payment over October Mahurangi River sewage spill

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wastewater poured into the Mahurangi River in October. Supplied

Watercare has announced its final tranche of compensation payment for oyster farmers North of Auckland, after an estimated 1200 cubic metres of sewage flowed into the Mahurangi River last October.

Watercare said a power surge at its Lucy Moore Memorial Park pump station tripped the pumps, and was compounded by an alarm and monitoring system that wasn’t operating as it should be – leading to delays in the response.

Wastewater poured into the Mahurangi River between the afternoon of 29 October, and the next morning.

One Mahurangi oyster farmer told RNZ that much of their 80,000 dozen oysters had to be dumped.

Watercare’s final payment brings the total payout to $2.75 million for the nine oyster farms.

Previously, a payment of $1 million was made in the immediate weeks following the spill and another $1 million at the end of last year.

Watercare chief operations officer Mark Bourne said the payment decision followed independent assessments of the financial impact resulting from the October event.

“We sincerely apologise to the oyster farmers affected by this incident and recognise the impact it had on their livelihoods and on the wider Mahurangi Harbour aquaculture industry,

“We commissioned an independent loss assessment to understand the financial impact of the October event on oyster farmers, resulting in the farms being shut down by MPI during a critical part of their harvesting season. This process has informed Watercare’s approach to resolving the claims.”

Watercare said independent reviews into the cause of the overflow has now been completed.

It said the reviews found that the incident resulted from “a unique chain of events involving technical and operational factors” at the newly commissioned station at Lucy Moore Memorial Park.

“We have taken the findings of the reviews seriously and have already implemented improvements to strengthen our systems and processes,” said Bourne.

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

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/19/oyster-farmers-get-final-payment-over-october-mahurangi-river-sewage-spill/

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Queenstown Lakes District Council seeks 35-year consent to pump wastewater into Kawarau River

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Queenstown Lakes District Council has voted to seek long-term approval to pump treated wastewater into the Kawarau River.

Councillors agreed on Thursday to lodge a 35-year resource consent application for discharge from the Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant, while staff keep looking for alternative solutions to the region’s wastewater woes.

The decision comes one year after the council first diverted wastewater to the Shotover River under emergency powers, following persistent performance issues at a disposal field on the Shotover Delta.

The temporary plan prompted community backlash, with some locals saying the river was at risk and the council had not been transparent.

QLDC retrospectively applied for consent in May, then sought for the case to be handled by the Environment Court.

Separately, the Environment Court ruled the council needed to fix the issues long-term, and lodge a long-term resource consent application by 31 May.

Under the $77.5 million plan supported by most councillors on Thursday, the council would install advanced filters at the treatment plant, and build a 1.4km pipeline to carry the treated wastewater to a rock outfall structure on the Kawarau River.

It was the option recommended by council staff as the most technically feasible and cost-effective pathway, designed to handle the district’s projected growth through to 2060.

However, the plan was strongly opposed by Ngāi Tahu.

RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Iwi representatives stated that the direct discharge of human waste to natural water was “abhorrent” and contrary to tikanga, because water classified as waikino (polluted water) should not be mixed with other categories of water, council documents showed.

Assessments showed the Kawarau River’s high energy and flow would provide rapid dilution, meaning the environmental effects were “no more than minor”.

The volume of wastewater requiring disposal from the Shotover plant was projected to more than double by 2060 to to 26 million litres per day, council documents showed.

On Thursday, councillors debated asking the Environment Court for an extension to the consent deadline – a move council staff had warned could be risky and costly.

Ultimately, an alternative option put forward by councillor Gavin Bartlett – to apply for the consent, but also direct the chief executive to undertake further investigations into long-term disposal options – was approved.

Councillor Jon Mitchell described it as a pragmatic but inclusive option.

“This will expedite getting us out of the current situation we’re in, into something marginally more acceptable. With an open mind to pursuing what other options might be available,” he said.

Councillor Nicola King said it was a difficult decision, but it would be costly and without “real reason” to delay the decision.

“We just have to make sure it’s not our long-term solution,” she said.

Mayor John Glover abstained from voting, and councillor Niki Gladding voted against it.

Once the council selected the most cost-effective option, it would be difficult to justify looking at anything else, she said.

“If you’re a developer and you’ve paid development contributions towards it, you’re not going to be wanting to pay twice for a second solution,” she said.

“Once we’ve done this, we’ve done it… we’ll have lost the opportunity to set the direction that we don’t want our wastewater just pouring into the Kawarau.”

RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Community urges caution

Earlier in the meeting, during a public delegation, Queenstown Lakes Community Action founder Nikki Macfarlane urged the council to pause – in part because there had not been a “full environmental assessment clearly setting out the risks of each option” nor “meaningful engagement with the community”, she said.

“Once that pathway is set, it’s difficult to reverse,” she said.

“We’re asking you to request an extension from ORC and the Environment Court so you have the time and the necessary information to make a decision that you can stand behind with confidence.”

Andrew Davis, a Queenstown resident of 20 years, said the council should look at options to improve the quality of the wastewater.

“We are privileged to live in an environment with pristine water bodies, whereas many of the comparative plants are discharging into highly degraded environments,” he said.

Other options on the table

In the lead-up to Thursday’s vote, council staff also looked at adding a wetland to the Shotover Delta, hybrid schemes trialling partial disposal via deep boreholes, or shallow soakholes at Frankton Flats, or a high-cost land-only irrigation scheme on the Crown Terrace.

The council held a series of drop-in sessions in December and January for community members to learn about the options, but skipped full public consultation to meet the May deadline.

Councillors agreed to direct the chief executive to keep looking at “reasonably practicable wastewater options, including land-based and hybrid land-water options that may minimise the extent of the discharge of treated effluent to water”, and report back by March 2027.

The council also agreed to seek further hui with Kā Rūnaka leaders, and undertake further community engagement.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/19/queenstown-lakes-district-council-seeks-35-year-consent-to-pump-wastewater-into-kawarau-river/

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Oyster farmers to get another $2.75 million compensation over Mahurangi River sewage spill

Source: Radio New Zealand

Wastewater poured into the Mahurangi River in October. Supplied

Watercare has announced its final tranche of compensation payment for oyster farmers North of Auckland, after an estimated 1200 cubic metres of sewage flowed into the Mahurangi River last October.

Watercare said a power surge at its Lucy Moore Memorial Park pump station tripped the pumps, and was compounded by an alarm and monitoring system that wasn’t operating as it should be – leading to delays in the response.

Wastewater poured into the Mahurangi River between the afternoon of 29 October, and the next morning.

One Mahurangi oyster farmer told RNZ that much of their 80,000 dozen oysters had to be dumped.

Watercare’s final payment brings the total payout to $2.75 million for the nine oyster farms.

Previously, a payment of $1 million was made in the immediate weeks following the spill and another $1 million at the end of last year.

Watercare chief operations officer Mark Bourne said the payment decision followed independent assessments of the financial impact resulting from the October event.

“We sincerely apologise to the oyster farmers affected by this incident and recognise the impact it had on their livelihoods and on the wider Mahurangi Harbour aquaculture industry,

“We commissioned an independent loss assessment to understand the financial impact of the October event on oyster farmers, resulting in the farms being shut down by MPI during a critical part of their harvesting season. This process has informed Watercare’s approach to resolving the claims.”

Watercare said independent reviews into the cause of the overflow has now been completed.

It said the reviews found that the incident resulted from “a unique chain of events involving technical and operational factors” at the newly commissioned station at Lucy Moore Memorial Park.

“We have taken the findings of the reviews seriously and have already implemented improvements to strengthen our systems and processes,” said Bourne.

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

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/19/oyster-farmers-to-get-another-2-75-million-compensation-over-mahurangi-river-sewage-spill/

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As it happened: Fuel stations run out again, Luxon warns NZ preparing for ‘prolonged’ Iran conflict

Source: Radio New Zealand

Petrol stations across the country are seeing a surge of drivers filling up as fuel prices rise amid fears over the Iran war and potential shortages.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis have been addressing the latest on the fuel crisis, warning that NZ is now preparing for a possible ‘prolonged’ Iran conflict.

“Hope is not a plan,” Luxon said.

It comes in the wake of a global rise in oil prices following the US-Israel war on Iran. Iran’s response has included the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key transportation channel for Middle Eastern energy exports.

Strikes overnight hit Iran’s part of the world’s largest gas field. Iran has vowed revenge, listing energy targets in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar as potential targets.

The Automobile Association here has warned further price hikes are likely.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis face questions on the fuel crisis. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

There have been reports of service stations running out of fuel as motorists rush to fill up.

New Zealand has several weeks’ supply in storage or on the way, the government has said.

Follow our liveblog for how the day unfolded:

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/19/as-it-happened-fuel-stations-run-out-again-luxon-warns-nz-preparing-for-prolonged-iran-conflict/

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Proposals sought for restoration of historic Chateau Tongariro hotel

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Chateau Tongariro has been sitting empty since it was closed in February 2023. Wikimedia Commons

The government is seeking proposals from operators to restore and operate the historic Chateau Tongariro hotel in the Central North Island at the base of Mt Ruapehu.

The heritage building has been sitting empty since it was closed in February 2023 due to earthquake risk, after more than 90 years in business.

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has announced the new process will identify operators capable of restoring the building, while also respecting the area’s unique conservation values.

Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton says it’s a significant step forward for saving the heritage building and bringing more tourists to the district.

It’s situated near the Tongariro Crossing Alpine Walk which brings in around 100,000 visitors each year for the spectacular 19 kilometre volcanic hike.

“We’ve got two parts to it, one is that we’ve got the tender process for the Chateau,” Kirton said

“The other is to see what the government is saying about the concessions, meaning that anyone that is going to bid for the Chateau needs to have certainty that they’ve got it for a reasonable period – some were suggesting 100 years.”

The Chateau was built in 1929 within the boundaries of the Tongariro National Park to encourage tourism within the park.

The conservation minister said it has long been an iconic destination for visitors and was an important part of the region’s identity.

“The Request for Proposals (RFP), opening on 19 March 2026, invites interested parties to put forward plans that recognise both the heritage significance of the Chateau and the cultural importance of Tongariro National Park,” Potaka said.

“The Chateau is a landmark many New Zealanders have visited for holidays to school trips and international visitors experiencing Tongariro for the first time.”

Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton says there are companies out there who could restore the Chateau to its former glory. Jimmy Ellingham / RNZ

Restoring the building will help ensure the area continues to attract visitors while supporting local businesses and tourism in the wider region.

“We are looking for proposals that balance commercial viability with conservation values, respect for tangata whenua aspirations, and the unique character of Tongariro National Park.”

The RFP process will help identify operators capable of restoring the building while ensuring it remains consistent with the values of one of New Zealand’s most important national parks.

National Party MP for Whanganui Carl Bates has welcomed the announcement calling it “great news”.

“The Chateau is a landmark many New Zealanders have visited for holidays to school trips and international visitors experiencing Tongariro for the first time. Restoring the building will help ensure the area continues to attract visitors while supporting local businesses and tourism in the wider region.”

Kirton said it showed the government was serious about restoring the building and bringing certainty around the lease of the land.

“We know now that the government is serious about looking for potential bidders – those who have balance sheets to revitalise the Chateau.”

He was aware of companies that could bring the heritage-listed building back to its former glory.

“There are people around. We’ll be meeting one of them this weekend,” he said.

“I think it’s a long way towards saving it, but there’s a lot of work to be done on behalf of the Department of Conservation and the National Park Acts of Parliament need to be adjusted.

“The government could well work through the existing legislation to allow this to proceed. All I can do is relay to the government that it’s important for our district and the country to save the chateau because of its heritage status.”

Tenders are open from 19 March to 21 April 2026.

Potaka said a panel will assess all proposals it receives.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/19/proposals-sought-for-restoration-of-historic-chateau-tongariro-hotel/

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Sale of one of NZ’s oldest running independent craft brewery deal worth toasting

Source: Radio New Zealand

Three Sister’s Brewery founder Joe Emans wants to leave the Sunshine Brewing brands intact. Robin Martin/RNZ

The sale of one of New Zealand’s oldest running independent craft brewery is a deal worth toasting, according to those close to the transaction.

Sunshine Brewing – including its iconic Gisborne Gold brand – has been sold, saving the multi-award winning brewery from potential closure.

Taranaki’s Three Sister’s Brewery is taking over its East Coast cousin – for an undisclosed sum – “with the intention of keeping Sunshine alive, keeping the taproom trading, and protecting the legacy Sunshine has built in Gisborne”.

Legend has it surfers Geoff “Lumpy” Logan and Gerry Maude came up with idea for Sunshine Brewing while out catching waves in 1989, famously launching the lager Gisborne Gold – a 90s staple for uni students – in the process.

Current owner Martin Jakicevich and two mates, Mark Young and Peter Thorpe, bought Sunshine in 2013 and set about modernising it and creating a popular taproom.

Jakicevich had mixed feelings about letting it go.

“There’s been a lot of joy in getting the brand re-established and back on the map and talked about, so it’s sort of bittersweet to see it go, but at the same time I’m really pleased to see it go to a brewer and out there making some good beers and with a vision, so yeah, it is a bittersweet type thing.”

Martin Jakicevich would miss the great staff at the brewery and those eureka moments only brewing could provide.

“I’ll certainly miss the smell of the brew in the morning there’s no doubt about that. Walking into that place when there’s a brew going on is fantastic.

“It always comes down to this… when I try a new beer and the beer is fantastic that’s always been the best moments and we’ve had a few of them. That’s what I’ll miss those moments of saying ‘we nailed it’.”

Three Sister’s founder Joe Emans was a huge fan of Sunshine Brewing.

“We’ve got a lot of respect for Sunshine and what they’ve been doing. They’ve been going a long time I think they are the oldest independent craft brewery in the country particularly with Gisborne Gold which is a really well distributed beer and I think a lot of people have affection for that beer and we do and I do particularly, so we want to keep that legacy going independently.”

Emans said Sunshine would be a good fit for Three Sisters which recently crowdfunded about $400,000 to expand its brewing capacity.

“We can immediately make use of that additional capacity that they’ve got, so that relieves our production constraints here in New Plymouth.

“We’ve been exporting to China and that’s partly why we’ve reached our production constraint and I’ve reached out to our distributor there and they’ve said they’d be keen to distribute Sunshine in China as well so there should be an immediate up tick from that.”

Emans said it was likely higher volume production for both brands would take place in Gisborne while New Plymouth would focus small-batch seasonal beers.

“Our plan is simple: Sunshine stays Sunshine – a Gisborne brewery with its own identity – while Three Sisters provides the operational backbone and production capacity to support stability and growth.

Sunshine’s core brands and taproom would remain and Eman’s hopeful of retaining key staff.

‘Bold move’ expansions show a brewery on the up: Beer writer

Publisher of craft beer magazine Pursuit of Hoppiness Michael Donaldson said Sunshine Brewing’s owners had been looking for a sale and it was great another craft brewer had come in for it.

“Look Gisborne Gold is a hugely popular beer in the East Cape region and Sunshine Brewery are an incredible local brewery and they are New Zealand’s longest running independently owned craft brewery, so it’s a really vital part of the landscape.”

He said it was a significant step for Three Sisters.

“I can understand why someone would want to pick up Sunshine because their local strength is amazing plus they still have a presence in Wellington. You’ll find it on tap in a number of bars there, Gizzy Gold.

“Yeah, so it’s a bold move by Three Sisters and it sort of follows on from their expansion into Wellington recently where they opened a taproom. They’re a brewery on the up.”

Donaldson said Three Sister’s innovative crowdfunding approach and exports to China – which made up about 30 percent of sales by volume – underpinned its success.

“It’s massive. China is a huge country but it’s also got a strong appetite for beer and so they’re getting unique products. New Zealand beers, a lot of them made with New Zealand hops and that New Zealand Inc story.

“Each one of these small breweries that is delivering export orders to China, it’s a drop in their beer ocean, but at this end it’s hugely significant.”

Drinkers in New Plymouth were excited about the move.

Wellington visitor Vincent gave it the thumbs up.

“I hope it saves Gizzy Gold because my friends and I drink it quite a bit, so if it could keep going that would be really good.”

He was familiar with Three Sisters also.

“I’ve been travelling for a bit but one of my friends posted about Three Sisters opening up down there and we really like them at Beervarna so we’re quite excited about that.”

Andrew had dipped into the crowdfunding offer.

“I think it’s really amazing and Joe and the team have been very progressive in the way they’ve grown the business here and I think it’s going to be a great thing overall. They’re going to take care of the Sunshine legacy and do great things with it.”

Allan was not totally convinced.

“I’m not a great lager fan, but I’ve got a small shareholding from the last funding round, so yeah, it’s all good as far as that goes, but as far as the lager goes I’m more of a hazy guy.”

Beer fans on both sides of the North Island should have easy access to both Sunshine Brewing and Three Sisters brands in a couple of months.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/19/sale-of-one-of-nzs-oldest-running-independent-craft-brewery-deal-worth-toasting/

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Authors who missed out on Public Lending Right payment receive funds

Source: Radio New Zealand

Authors have to confirm their eligibility for payment every year, whether or not they have new books in libraries. Google Maps

Authors who missed out on a payment for having books in the library are receiving the money they are owed.

RNZ reported in February that 318 authors had received an email in error in July confirming they were registered for the Public Lending Right scheme, when they were not actually registered.

The Public Lending Right (PLR) scheme makes a payment to authors each year, when they have sufficient books in New Zealand libraries.

The payments are made in December from a government fund of $2.4 million. In 2025 there were 1541 registered and the per-book rate was $5.19.

Authors have to confirm their eligibility for payment every year, whether or not they have new books in libraries.

National librarian Te Pouhuaki Rachel Esson said in a statement on Thursday that 46 of those people had been identified as being eligible for a payment this year.

“We sincerely apologise for our failure to do that, and for the inconvenience it has caused.

“Authors are now being contacted directly regarding the outcome of our investigations and explaining next steps. We are reviewing the PLR administrative process, and the scheme’s usability to prevent this error from happening again.”

She said the 46 eligible authors who did not receive a payment had been offered the amount they would have received if their registration had been successfully processed.

“This payment comes from existing sources of National Library funding and is based on the 2025 book rate.”

Another 272 people had been contacted to confirm they were not eligible for a payment last year. Authors must have at least 50 copies of their book in a library to qualify.

“Our investigations have found that they were not eligible for the 2025 PLR round and/or did not attempt to register before 1 March 2025. Accordingly, they will not be receiving a payment in connection with the 2025 PLR round.

“We have had useful feedback from authors about how the registration process could be improved. A key recommendation from authors is an automated response in real-time to let them know that their registration has been received would resolve many concerns. In the absence of an automated email for the 2026 year, we have been manually sending acknowledgment of registration.

“The Public Lending Right Advisory Group, consisting of members from the New Zealand Society of Authors, the Library and Information Association, the Ministry of Culture and Heritage, and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, met in March to discuss the ongoing review of the PLR Scheme and will continue to do so over the coming months.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/19/authors-who-missed-out-on-public-lending-right-payment-receive-funds/

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Wellingtonians split over second tunnels and SH1 revamp

Source: Radio New Zealand

Artist’s impression of the Mt Victoria tunnel, part of the NZTA proposals for State Highway 1 in Wellington, which would see a second tunnel. Supplied / NZTA Waka Kotahi

Wellingtonians are divided over the government’s planned tunnels and highway extensions, according to a report by NZTA.

The plan to revamp the state highway corridor from the Terrace Tunnel through to Kilbirnie is expected to cost $2.9 billion to $3.8 billion, and is an attempt to ease congestion.

The project involves the construction of second tunnels at the Terrace and Mt Victoria, refurbishments of SH1 across the city, especially in Te Aro, Hataitai, Kilbirnie, and an upgrade of the roads at Basin Reserve.

NZTA has gathered public opinion in surveys, online and during community information sessions, and released the findings on Thursday.

Residents appeared split over the changes.

Proximity to the works influenced public perception.

Residents in southern and CBD suburbs – those nearest to the road works – were more likely to say the changes would be worse for them and the city.

But those further away from proposed changes, in northern suburbs and outside of Wellington city, were more likely say the changes would be better for them and the city.

People were most vocal about the second tunnel at Mt Victoria which attracted the most amount of online feedback of all the proposed changes.

Opinion was divided over whether cycle and pedestrian lanes were wide enough to be safe.

Those in favour of the second tunnel also cited easing congestion as a benefit.

Others complained of the tunnel’s impact on the loss of housing and the safety of children walking to school with more cars on the roads.

‘I am also disappointed that houses will be demolished along the route when housing is under such demand in Wellington,” read one comment.

The most popular change was the second tunnel at the Terrace, which locals hoped would boost investment in the city and fight bottlenecks.

One respondent wrote: “This will help grow our city as better infrastructure will encourage investment.”

The least popular changes in the project were the widening of Ruahine Street and Wellington Road to provide two lanes in each direction.

Residents expressed concerns that traffic from a wider road would overflow into smaller side roads.

The design’s lack of right-turns from Ruahine Street and Hamilton Road and limited entry and exit points attracted concern.

“You’ve only given us one on-ramp from Hataitai which is just going to back traffic all up the main street.”

Arguments in favour of proposed changes cited the need for better transport through the city, such as to the airport, to stimulate economic growth.

“This is a long overdue project …. a once-in-a-generation opportunity to futureproof the area.”

But others worried these benefits would be undermined by the costs.

“The cost of $3.8 billion is an extraordinary sum to spend for minimal time savings – the benefits are not worth it,” said one comment.

The project is estimated to save up to 10 minutes from travel times during peak journeys from the Wellington region to the CBD, hospital, and airport.

Some respondents focused on how the changes might ease congestion. One comment read: “The current situation is terrible for cyclists/walkers … I particularly like the cycle and walkway through the tunnel.”

The project’s environmental impact caused concern to residents, and some were happy NZTA was taking it into consideration. But others argued the changes were necessary. “We need growth, we need people. This will make all city suburbs better.”

Detractors complained that construction and the improvements themselves would result in more noise and pollution, worrying the changes would attract more cars on the road, worsening congestion in the area and possibly undermining public safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

“Induced demand will inevitably result in future congestion, bringing us back to the same bottlenecks,” said a respondent.

Another contentious issue was that of parking, as the project might remove up to 200 parking spaces.

“The removal of car parking by WCC has already impacted the central city, the removal of further carparks from Vivian Street will exacerbate the difficulties that locals, tradies, and shoppers encounter when accessing homes and businesses,” argued a local.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/19/wellingtonians-split-over-second-tunnels-and-sh1-revamp/

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Queenstown Lakes District Council to permanently ban lakeside stalls

Source: Radio New Zealand

Queenstown Lakes District Council monitoring showed there were often between six and 22 stalls on a 150m stretch of the lakefront despite a requirement for stalls to be 50m apart. 123RF

Food stalls will be banned from the Queenstown lakefront after the district council voted on measures to deal with public health concerns, litter and traders blocking footpaths.

The decision extends and expands a year-long trial ban that was only partly successful because of persistent breaches and resistance from some stallholders, according to council staff.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) monitoring showed there were often between six and 22 stalls on a 150m stretch of the lakefront despite a requirement for stalls to be 50m apart.

Traders were also a nuisance because of smells, litter and clutter, staff said.

All nine pop-up food stalls inspected by the council last year had issues with basic safety requirements, such as a lack of hand-washing facilities, poor temperature control and inadequate food storage.

During the last New Year’s Eve celebrations, council staff said police were called after several traders showed “severe and unnecessary aggression” in refusing to vacate event zones.

Business leaders gave the council evidence of fat residue and oil stains damaging the street, while the Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce and Hospitality New Zealand argued that unregulated stalls were unfair competition for fixed-premise businesses.

Under the trial ban that began in April 2025, the council stopped issuing new permits but let existing traders run stalls until their permits expired.

Council staff said unlawful trading continued, including new operators with no permission to trade on the waterfront and existing traders who took no notice of the ban.

Stallholders push back

At a council meeting on Thursday several stallholders urged the council to rethink the ban.

Oyster stallholder Poppy Prentice said it would have a significant impact on traders.

“Some of the current rules, like the 50m spacing and moving around every hour, are simply not workable in practice. This isn’t about refusing to follow rules. We’re asking for practical, fair ones that can realistically be met,” she said.

“We’re also prepared to pay fair market value and an appropriate permit fee. We want to operate within a system that is fair, transparent and sustainable for everyone.”

Long-serving restaurateur and food-stall operator Graeme McCarthy said food carts had been part of the town for decades and the ban was unjust.

His said his food cart was promoted on YouTube and TikTok to well over one million subscribers.

“They come to Queenstown because they see the beautiful scenery behind our cart,” he said.

“Food vendors do create jobs in Queenstown and spend money locally. Removal of waterfront vendors just adds to this increasing commercialisation and loss of local character in the town,” he said.

Councillors all in favour of ban

Councillors unanimously supported the ban.

Heath Copland said while he enjoyed the vibe that the stallholders brought to the lakefront, he backed the council staff.

“I like the entrepreneurial spirit they bring. That notwithstanding though, I do have to trust the staff here,” he said.

Councillor Samuel “Q” Belk said some businesses were paying rates, insurance and other charges to operate on the waterfront while pop-up vendors were not.

“I think we need to look at the equity between the two business models,” he said.

Councillor Niki Gladding said she supported the ban as a way to “solve a problem that has not been solved by any other means” but the council should take some ownership of the problem and work towards a better long-term solution.

“The issues down there are not going away. This does temporarily relieve us of them. We have the review of the [activities in public places] bylaw coming up, which I think we know needs to be looked at,” she said.

The new measures extend the temporary ban beyond the lakefront and into nearby streets, as well as prolonging it.

They take effect on 17 April and will remain in place until the next formal review of the activities in public places bylaw, which was scheduled for July.

The number of valid registrations for the lakefront was falling, with only nine traders set to be operating there by next month, council staff said.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/19/queenstown-lakes-district-council-to-permanently-ban-lakeside-stalls/

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Screening rates for HPV increase at clinics with self-tests

Source: Radio New Zealand

123rf

HPV self-tests increase screening rates, with a new study finding 10 percent more coverage at clinics which offer it.

Self-testing for human papillomavirus was rolled out nationally in September 2023.

The study period for this newly-published research took place before that change – between February 2022 and September 2023 – but it compared screening rates at clinics which offered self-testing, to those which didn’t.

It found screening coverage was 10.8 percent higher at practices offering self-testing, and higher for all groups, including Māori – a historically undeserved group.

Published on Thursday in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Women’s Health journal, it included 22,511 people enrolled in 14 GPs in Te Tai Tokerau Northland.

Half the practices offered HPV self-testing and half offered a vaginal speculum exam by a doctor or nurse, the standard screening method before self-testing was introduced.

Professor Bev Lawton, lead author of the study and director of the University’s Te Tātai Hauora o Hine-National Centre for Women’s Health Research Aotearoa, said the study proved self-testing was a game changer.

“We know from our previous research the HPV self-test is acceptable and accessible for under- and never-screened wāhine Māori,” she said.

HPV causes 95 percent of cervical cancers. According to Health NZ, since HPV self-testing was introduced in 2023, 81 percent of those being screened have opted to self-test – in the two years to July 2025, screening coverage rose by 7.4 percent.

It was important to understand how changes to the kinds of test on offer would affect the overall coverage, or number of people being reached by the programme, Lawton said.

“If you’re going to change it and offer a self-test, you don’t want to lose your coverage,” she said. “Because the more people that the programme screens, the more likely that you’re going to save lives.”

Speaking from Austria, where she and her colleagues were discussing the study findings at the international conference EUROGIN, an international congress on HPV infections and associated cancers, she said the study could have worldwide ramifications – millions of people around the world could be spared an invasive vaginal speculum exam.

“We believe all national cervical screening programmes should urgently consider a universal offer of HPV self-testing through primary care,” she said.

“If you have an organised screening programme, as you do in high income countries… it really means that millions of women do not need to have a speculum.”

The research was funded by the Health Research Council, the Ministry of Health, and Mahitahi Hauora.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/19/screening-rates-for-hpv-increase-at-clinics-with-self-tests/

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Men can get out of the manosphere – former incels on why they left

Source: Radio New Zealand

Louis Theroux’s recent documentary Inside the Manosphere, alongside Netflix’s 2025 hit drama Adolescence, has driven a spike in public discussion about the “manosphere”. The term refers to a loose ecosystem of anti-feminist online communities and influencers that promote male dominance and hostility toward women.

Much of the public conversation about the manosphere focuses on how boys and young men fall into these spaces. A new study by the Australian Institute of Criminology asks a different question: how do some men manage to leave?

Real-world dangers

Concern about this online culture has grown in recent years. Increasing attention has been paid to adolescent boys and young men going down toxic online rabbit holes, moving from the misogynistic worldview of manosphere influencers toward more extreme spaces.

Louis Theroux (R) talks to British influencer Ed Mathews in Inside the Manosphere.

Courtesy of Netflix

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/19/men-can-get-out-of-the-manosphere-former-incels-on-why-they-left/

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‘Durable’ defender Francis de Vries first to bring up 50 for Auckland FC

Source: Radio New Zealand

Francis de Vries of Auckland FC takes a selfie with fans, supporters and crowd. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Auckland FC defender Francis de Vries has played every A-League game – and nearly every minute – in the club’s history, making him the first player to bring up a milestone for the team.

Plucked out of amateur club football to join the new club in their first season in 2024, de Vries has come to epitomise what the reigning Premiers are about.

De Vries has been steadfast at the back and reliably accurate with his crosses into the box, for the side which will bring up 50 games in the A-League against Macarthur FC in front of their home fans on Saturday.

For two seasons de Vries has started every game.

Last season he played 2206 minutes during the regular season, getting subbed off for a total of 134 minutes.

In the finals, he was only on the bench for the last 10 minutes of the away semi-final when Auckland had the lead. The following week he played the full 90 minutes in the loss at home that ended the season earlier than expected.

This season he is on 1890 minutes from the 21 games played so far with coach Steve Corica not once subbing him.

He has played with a bandaged head after a tangle of bodies against Melbourne City in January and has captained the side from kick-off four times this season. Including taking the armband in November when he had only arrived back in the country in the early hours of Friday morning from All Whites duty in the United States and playing for Auckland at 3pm on the Sunday.

Corica has called the 31-year-old “very durable” and has enjoyed witnessing de Vries’ progression over his first 49 A-League games.

“You can see the qualities that he has, but he’s come a long way, I think, in two years,” Corica said.

“Obviously, 50 games is a small milestone for us as a club, which is great, and he’s the first player to hit it, full credit to him. He’s got a World Cup to look forward to as well, but for us we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.”

Auckland FC manager Steve Corica speaks to Francis de Vries (L) and Nando Pijnaker. photosport

De Vries credited “consistency and habits” for keeping him ready to go every time he is called on.

“Early bedtime, that’s non-negotiable, and then good social life outside of football, lots of support from family,” de Vries said.

“Just enjoy the routines of keeping yourself fit, it’s nice to go outside and stretch for 10 minutes, well, it’s not nice going on the ice bath, but it feels good afterwards.

“Just these things compound over time and if you can stick with a good, solid routine, you’re in a good spot.”

Before Auckland FC came calling de Vries was playing for local side Eastern Suburbs. Prior to that he was playing semi-professionally in Sweden until an ACL injury put a pause on his playing career.

Spending months out of football rehabbing the injury and wondering if he would ever get another professional contract meant de Vries does not take his latest playing streak for granted.

“Some games obviously cramp up a bit towards the end. But [being a hard worker] it’s part of how I want to be as a player, and I’m glad I’m able to do it for the team here.

“There’s lots of other boys that work just as hard, so I think it’s a whole team identity thing, and it’s nice to just be a part of.”

Francis de Vries playing for the All Whites. Adam Nurkiewicz / www.photosport.nz

De Vries’ parents are also key to this journey for him. He said they were all encouragement and no sideline coaching when it came to the regular game day messaging when the centre-back is playing for Auckland or New Zealand.

“Dad’s got his routine in the morning, he’ll send me a message and it’s always lovely to see, and then I call them straight after the game.

“So it’s just lovely to share those moments. I think that’s what football can bring, that connection.

“They’re stoked to watch me play because I spent seven, eight years overseas, so they watched maybe two games live in that time and it was bad hours for New Zealand with the time difference, so it feels great to be able to share that with them.”

Auckland FC are one point behind league-leaders Newcastle Jets with five games left in the regular season and the race for the Premiers Plate.

Francis de Vries of Auckland FC takes a corner kick. Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

Auckland are on a six-game unbeaten run and in a quirk of the draw play the same five opposition sides as the Jets in their remaining games.

“I like that we’re playing the same teams, whoever wins the Premiership will deserve it, I think, because they’re playing five top teams as well, just below us, all fighting for the top six,” Corica said.

“We’re one point behind, can’t really afford to drop too many points in these last five games.

“I do keep an eye on [the Jets], obviously, they’ve got a big game against Sydney as well, who came off a loss on the weekend. They’re trying to get as high as possible as well, so it’s going to be exciting.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/19/durable-defender-francis-de-vries-first-to-bring-up-50-for-auckland-fc/

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Dilworth abuse survivor says $90,000 redress offer ‘insultingly small’

Source: Radio New Zealand

Dilworth’s redress programme began in 2023, with 261 survivors having accepted and settled their applications for redress by the end of 2025. RNZ / Dan Cook

Warning: This story discusses sexual abuse.

A Dilworth survivor says a $90,000 redress offer is insultingly small.

Hector, whose real name RNZ cannot use, was a school boy when he was abused by Dilworth housemaster Alister Harlow in the 1990s.

Harlow was sentenced in 2022 on charges of attempted sexual violation, indecency with a boy, and indecent assault.

Since then Hector has gone through the redress process, which he described as degrading, and he wanted to know whether anyone would take responsibility for what had been done to him.

When Hector was offered the redress, more than 30 years after being abused, he felt marginalised.

“I’ve always known that the redress programme from Dilworth was a face-saving exercise,” he said.

“I’ve heard from other guys that have gone through the process that the wording in the redress offers is not a genuine apology, no one from Dilworth has or is going to take responsibility for what happened to me and others.”

He was unsure whether or not to take the money.

“No amount of money is going to make up for what happened, but it does seem insultingly small considering how much it affected my life, that Dilworth has known about what has happened to me since at least 1996.”

Hector said he was not told how the compensation panel arrived at the $90,000 figure, but the offer was essentially take it or leave it.

The whole process had been humiliating and degrading, he said.

“I have told my story to lawyers, judges, police officers, journalists. But the thing that really pissed me off and made me really angry was that I had to go to talk to three strangers and let them put a monetary value on it, on my trauma – and they thought it was worth very little.

“It’s possibly the angriest I’ve been over this whole process.”

Dilworth’s redress programme began in 2023, with 261 survivors having accepted and settled their applications for redress by the end of 2025.

The school said financial redress offers were not in themselves apologies, but survivors could receive a direct apology from the school or trust when they receive one.

Alister Harlow was sentenced in 2022 on charges of attempted sexual violation, indecency with a boy, and indecent assault. RNZ / Dan Cook

The school said many had done that, while others had declined the offer.

Board chair Jonathan Mason said in a statement the school understood the impact the abuse had and continues to have on survivors and that no amount of redress can make up for what happened and the harm it has caused.

“Dilworth’s response has been to front up and acknowledge what happened to survivors of abuse at the School, to sincerely apologise to those who were impacted including their families, and to assist survivors of abuse to access the redress programme and other support services,” he said.

“The redress programme’s independence from Dilworth is a critical feature of the programme, with the independent redress panel assessing claims brought forward by survivors and its expert determinations binding on Dilworth.”

The terms of reference for the programme stated any level of financial redress would have regard to the nature and extent of abuse suffered by the survivor, as well as the impact it had, the survivors vulnerability, the degree of failure from Dilworth, and any aggravating factors.

Neil Harding was another Dilworth survivor and advocated for others. He raised concerns about the consistency of the redress process.

“There’s 300 guys at least going through the process, what are they doing to determine consistency between the first guy and the 300th,” he asked.

There were others who had not accepted offers, Harding said.

“From my perspective, compensation is part of the process.”

“In terms of redress, you’re looking at recognition that it happened, remorse that it happened, putting in place policies to stop it happening again, recompense, and then restitution is the restoration of mana,” he said.

“It’s actually a journey, and the financial compensation is just one part of that.”

Harding believed the process was wrong.

“They have failed to budge and failed to listen at any step of the way.”

The redress panel operated independently of Dilworth.

The maximum amount of financial redress awarded to any survivor is $200,000 or $300,000 in exceptional circumstances.

Where to get help

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/19/dilworth-abuse-survivor-says-90000-redress-offer-insultingly-small/

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Federated Farmers – Wellbeing Fund a ‘game changer’ for rural mental health

Source: Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers say today’s announcement of a $4 million rural wellbeing fund will be an absolute game changer for rural mental health and wellbeing.
“This funding will do so much good for rural New Zealand and help a lot of people who need it,” Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says.
“There are some amazing organisations out there doing great work in our communities, but there have been real issues with central coordination and longer-term certainty of funding.
“Full credit goes to the Government. They’ve recognised there’s a need and have really stepped up to partner with those existing grassroots organisations, providing financial support.”
Langford says it’s no secret that mental health is a major issue for farmers and rural communities, with many factors contributing to that.
“Living in more remote communities, limited digital connectivity, reduced access to mental health services and healthcare, and the day-to-day stresses and pressures of farming all play a role.
“We’ve been aware of these challenges for a long time now, and a lot of different initiatives have popped up to meet a real need in our rural communities.
“It’s great to see the Government recognise that they don’t have to reinvent the wheel or develop their own programmes for rural New Zealand, run centrally out of Wellington.
“Instead, they’re partnering with well-established and highly credible grassroots organisations, like Surfing for Farmers and Farmstrong, which are already out there making a big difference.”  

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/19/federated-farmers-wellbeing-fund-a-game-changer-for-rural-mental-health/

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Fire Safety – North Waikato moves to restricted fire season

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has declared a restricted fire season for North Waikato from 4pm Thursday 19 March until further notice.
During a restricted fire season people wanting to light outdoor fires must apply to Fire and Emergency for a permit and have it approved.
The North Waikato zone includes the Waikato, Hauraki, Matamata Piako, Waipa, Ōtorohanga and Waitomo territorial authorities, and Hamilton City.  
Announcing the fire season change District Manager Daryl Trim says drier conditions during late summer and early autumn have triggered the change.
“Despite regular rainfall, the fire risk in North Waikato is increasing,” Daryl Trim says.
“We’ve had an increase in the number of vegetation fires including several large fires.
“While these have been controlled and extinguished, we anticipate fhese fires will likely become more frequent.
“Having a restricted fire season gives us greater control of who can burn and when, and we can provide direct fire safety advice to those completing burns,” he says.
“A restricted season will reduce the risk to persons and property.”
The Thames-Coromandel District remains in a restricted fire season.
Go to www.checkitsalright.nz for full details of the fire season status and what activities are restricted or banned.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/19/fire-safety-north-waikato-moves-to-restricted-fire-season/

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Fuel situation could get worse before better, says Christopher Luxon

Source: Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has acknowledged a “big shift” in the government’s messaging around the war in the Middle East, warning New Zealanders the fuel situation could get worse before it gets better.

Speaking at a media conference at Parliament on Thursday, Luxon said it had become clear the conflict would have ongoing effects on supply chains, even “in the unlikely event” it was resolved tomorrow.

“Hope is not a plan,” he said. “And so we are preparing for the worst-case scenario where the conflict is prolonged.”

Luxon said ministers, officials and industry were all keenly focused on the next eight to 12-weeks.

“New Zealand has sufficient fuel supplies. But I do want to be straight with New Zealanders: things could get worse before they actually get better. And [as] a responsible government, we need to take a prudent response and be very prepared.”

Standing alongside him, Finance Minister Nicola Willis said she wanted to reassure New Zealanders the government was taking the situation seriously in case future fuel supplies were disrupted.

“We live in challenging times,” she said. “We’re not just sitting back and saying, well, the fuel supplies are fine now. They are fine now… but we are actively preparing for scenarios where they are disrupted in future.”While the tone of the media conference was sharper than previous ones, the substance of the government’s plan remained largely as outlined earlier in the week.

That included engaging with other countries around accessing refined fuel and keeping in close contact with fuel companies to stay on top of any challenges.

Willis said she would provide an update next week on the steps which could be taken at each level of the National Fuel Plan, but stressed no escalation was required right now given the country had seven weeks’ worth of fuel either in the country or on its way.

Officials would soon begin giving public updates on the country’s fuel levels twice a week, up from just once a week now.

Petrol stations across the country are seeing a surge of drivers filling up as petrol prices rises amid fears of rapidly jumping prices and potential shortages.

On Thursday, New World’s Levin station had no 91 or diesel. The local Z also had no diesel but was expecting some after midnight.

Willis said that was being driven by the individual fuel companies’ logistics and distribution, not by a national fuel shortages.

“They have sufficient supplies in the country to replenish their stocks and petrol stations. So they will be able to do that.

“But when people are buying more petrol, then they go through more at the petrol station than is normally the case. They are working to ensure that their logistics, their distribution, is working as effectively as possible.”

Regarding potential cost-of-living support, Willis said she had instructed Inland Revenue and Treasury to work on some options relating to the “tax and transfer system”.

But she stressed the government would not be able to allievate all of the cost pressures.

“We have to be careful not to raise an expectation that we will be able to blunt all of the pain that is occurring for people across the world because of the conflict in the Middle East.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/19/fuel-situation-could-get-worse-before-better-says-christopher-luxon/

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Takitimu North Link Stage 2 Fast-tracked

Source: New Zealand Government

A major transport upgrade for the Western Bay of Plenty has received Fast-track approval, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop says. 

NZTA lodged its application in August 2025 to build about 7.7 kilometres of new highway in the Bay of Plenty.  

“Approval has taken just five months following the commencement of the expert panel,” says Mr Bishop.

“The Government is committed to building a long-term pipeline of transport infrastructure investments to redress New Zealand’s infrastructure deficit and build jobs and growth for Kiwis.

“The Takitimu North Link – Stage 2 Road of National Significance will be a four lane, median-divided highway between Te Puna and Ōmokoroa, improving safety and reliability on one of the region’s busiest routes. 

“Takitimu North Link Stage 1 is now four years into construction, with major structures largely complete. All bridge construction is scheduled to finish in 2026, and the project is expected to be fully completed in 2028.

“The new road will provide a safer and more reliable trip between Te Puna and Ōmokoroa, supporting regional growth and productivity. It will improve travel times for all transport modes and enhanced reliability and safety for commuters.

“NZTA estimates the project could deliver around $610 million in economic output for the Bay of Plenty region and provide more than 4,800 jobs over the development period.

“It’s part of the Government’s work to ensure New Zealand has a credible pipeline of high value infrastructure projects extending into the future, and that they’re ready to go as funding becomes available.

“This is the 14th project approved through the Fast-track process and the first roading project.” 

Notes to editors:

For more information about the project: Takitimu North Link – Stage 2

Fast-track by the numbers:

  • 14 projects approved by expert panels.
  • 20 projects with expert panels appointed.
  • 149 projects are listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act, meaning they can apply for Fast-track approval.
  • 46 projects currently progressing through the Fast-track process.
  • 34 projects have been referred to Fast-track by the Minister for Infrastructure.
  • On average, it has taken 128 working days for decisions on substantive applications from when officials determine an application is complete and in-scope.

Fast-track projects approved by expert panels:

  • Arataki [Housing/Land]
  • Homestead Bay [Housing/Land]
  • Sunfield [Housing/Land]
  • Bledisloe North Wharf and Fergusson North Berth Extension [Infrastructure]
  • Drury Metropolitan Centre – Consolidated Stages 1 and 2 [Housing/Land]
  • Drury Quarry Expansion – Sutton Block [Mining/Quarrying]
  • Green Steel [Infrastructure]
  • Kings Quarry Expansion – Stages 2 and 3 [Mining/Quarrying]
  • Maitahi Village [Housing/Land]
  • Milldale – Stages 4C and 10 to 13 [Housing/Land]
  • Rangitoopuni [Housing/Land]  
  • Tekapo Power Scheme – Applications for Replacement Resource Consents [Renewable energy]
  • Takitimu North Link – Stage 2 [Infrastructure]
  • Waihi North [Mining/Quarrying]

 

Expert panels have been appointed for:

  • Ashbourne
  • Ayrburn Screen Hub
  • Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project
  • Delmore
  • Haldon Solar Farm
  • Hananui Aquaculture Project
  • Kaimai Hydro-Electric Power Scheme
  • Lake Pūkaki Hydro Storage and Dam Resilience Works
  • Mahinerangi Wind Farm
  • Pound Road Industrial Development
  • Ryans Road Industrial Development
  • Southland Wind Farm Project
  • State Highway 1 North Canterbury – Woodend Bypass Project (Belfast to Pegasus)
  • Stella Passage Development (Port of Tauranga)
  • The Downtown Carpark Site Development
  • The Point Mission Bay
  • The Point Solar Farm
  • Waitaha Hydro
  • Waitākere District Court – New Courthouse Project
  • Wellington International Airport Southern Seawall Renewal

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/19/takitimu-north-link-stage-2-fast-tracked/

Posted on

Survey results show continued high levels of trust and confidence in Police

Source: New Zealand Police

New Zealand Police is pleased to see levels of trust and confidence remain stable at 69% after a significant increase in 2024. Improvements in several indicators show that New Zealanders have high confidence in effectiveness of Police in the latest component of the annual Ministry of Justice New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey (NZCVS).

The Police Module, which measures the public’s perceptions, experiences, and views about New Zealand Police, saw public trust and confidence in Police remain at 69% between October 2024 and October 2025.

Assistant Commissioner Jeanette Park says maintaining trust and confidence within our communities is a constant priority for New Zealand Police, and whilst it is encouraging to see several improvements, there is always more work to be done.

Key findings from the Police Module saw: 

  • Almost three quarters (74%) of New Zealanders agree that Police deal effectively with serious crime. This was a significant increase from 70% in 2024. The proportion of those who disagreed also decreased from 11% to 9%.
  • The proportion of New Zealanders who agree that Police concentrate efforts to deal with harmful crimes significantly increased from 70% in 2024 to 73% in 2025.
  • The proportion of New Zealanders who agree that Police provide effective support for emergency management significantly increased from 77% to 81% and the proportion of those who disagreed decreased from 7% to 4%.
  • Three quarters (75%) of New Zealanders agreed that Police deal effectively with road safety. This was a significant increase from 72% in 2024.
  • Disagreement that Police have a suitable presence in the community significantly decrease from 23% of New Zealanders in 2024 to 20% in 2025.
  • Disagreement that Police staff reflect the diversity of all people in New Zealand significantly decrease from 9% of New Zealanders in 2024 to 7% in 2025.
  • Disagreement that the work Police do with schools, business, families and communities prevents more crime significantly decrease from 16% of New Zealanders in 2024 to 13% in 2025.

“These numbers are the direct result of the hard work our staff put in everyday when dealing with victims of crime,” Assistant Commissioner Park says.

“They are dedicated in serving our communities through timely and responsive policing, improving public safety by being visible and accessible and committed to strengthening trust and confidence through connection with communities.

“While these results are encouraging, there is always more work to do.  We would like to see these numbers increase as we want to have the trust and confidence of all New Zealanders.

“This survey has also given us sufficient data to assess areas where we need to continue to improve.

“Our responsiveness to community needs is one area for consideration.  This measure has remained static since the introduction of the Police Module, and it is something we would want to see improving over time.

“Police continue to work hard in the areas that ensure safety and responsiveness and with the highest number of FTE constables in history at 10,497 we aim to make a difference in deterring crime, enforcing the law and increasing feelings of public safety.”

About the NZCVS 

The NZCVS was introduced in 2018 and aims to survey around 8000 New Zealanders. The total number of responses for this round was 8008. 

The report is based on data collected between October 2024 and October 2025. The Police Module was introduced in 2021 and provides a credible source of information that can shape and direct future decisions within New Zealand Police, with the intention of building greater trust and confidence in Police by communities.

Find out more here about the wider Ministry of Justice NZCVS findings MoJ overall findings and a helpful infographic of the Police Module here. 

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/19/survey-results-show-continued-high-levels-of-trust-and-confidence-in-police-2/