Category: DJF

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Energy Minister attending Energy Security Forum

Source: New Zealand Government

Energy Minister Simon Watts is travelling to Japan to join international leaders and businesses at the Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum.

“As the world grapples with the recent events in the Middle East and heightened geopolitical uncertainty, energy security has never been more important to the economic prosperity of New Zealand and our partners in the Indo-Pacific region,” Mr Watts says.

“New Zealand’s attendance at the Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum is essential to reaffirming our commitment to securing global energy supply chains, particularly for liquid fuels.

“While the conflict in the Middle East continues to be disruptive to international oil markets and the global economy, New Zealand is prepared for a disruption to fuel supply. Our fuel system is resilient, our stocks are healthy, and our plans are built precisely for moments like this. We are actively monitoring the fuel security situation for New Zealand and remain in close contact with fuel companies.

“In the light of the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) decision to proceed with collective action, attending the Forum is a valuable opportunity to engage directly with New Zealand’s closest trading partners in the Indo-Pacific region and emphasise the importance of international collaboration.”

Mr Watts will attend the forum from 14 to 15 March 2026 and return to New Zealand on Monday 16 March.

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/14/energy-minister-attending-energy-security-forum/

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Doors open at revamped Wellington Library after seven years

Source: Radio New Zealand

Artwork by Māori artist Darcy Nicholas in the new Wellington library. RNZ / Mark Papalii

A ceremony will officially reopen the newly strengthened and renovated Wellington Library on Saturday morning after being shut for seven years.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was planned at the site, followed by music and story-telling performances throughout the weekend.

It will be open for normal operations, from 10am.

The library has been closed since March 2019 after it was deemed an earthquake risk.

Civic Square next to the library is also reopening, with new landscaping, seating, play areas and water features.

Wellington mayor Andrew Little said it’s a positive turning point for the central city.

He said as well as books, the library contains a variety of creative spaces, including an area with 3D printers and a CNC machine.

  • First look inside the new Wellington library

    • “The area of town which the library is in has been kind of boarded up and shut down and difficult to move around for some time,” Little said.

    “So with all the hoardings coming down and the library opening up and a place for people to come in their hundreds, it’s really going to make a big difference to that part of town.”

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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/2026/03/14/doors-open-at-revamped-wellington-library-after-seven-years/

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Doping scandal rocks World Rugby

Source: Radio New Zealand

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Polish President Witold Banka, delivering a speech in Lausanne, Switzerland in March 2024. FABRICE COFFRINI

A major World Rugby and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) investigation has resulted in anti-doping rule violations being confirmed against six players and one member of the athlete support personnel from the Georgia national rugby union team.

Launched in 2023, the investigation, named Operation Obsidian, looked into claims that players engaged in sample substitution in blatant contravention, outlined in Code Article 2.2 of anti-doping rules.

A report released on Saturday by both bodies reveals five instances where sample substitution occurred, also finding that advance notice of testing was being given to players from the Georgia national rugby union team by employees of the Georgian Anti-Doping Agency (GADA).

It also determined that doping control officers were not observing athletes notified for doping control and not witnessing urine passing, which are clear non-conformities under the rules.

“What has been happening in Georgian rugby is outrageous and will send shockwaves through Georgian sport and government, as well as the global game of rugby,” said WADA President Witold Bańka.

“I also praise World Rugby’s commitment to uncovering the facts and its willingness to work collaboratively with WADA to deliver this strong result for rugby.

“This is not the end of the story as further investigation is now going on deeper into Georgian sport.

“WADA has brought Operation Obsidian’s findings to the attention of the Government of Georgia to address the issues in the Georgian Anti-Doping Agency.

“As the next steps are being considered, clearly, WADA has lost confidence in GADA’s anti-doping program and wholesale changes must now be made by the relevant authorities,” said Banka.

WADA has also extracted samples collected from athletes of other sports in Georgia, with an expert review of the Athlete Biological Passports related to these samples now underway.

The six players, and the support personnel member, are yet to be named, with World Rugby saying the full disciplinary (results management) process has to be completed firdst.

But in a statement, the organisation says the investigation was triggered when irregularities in urine samples were identified by World Rugby’s athlete passport management programme, covering an extended period of time prior to Men’s Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.

World Rugby alerted WADA immediately and the two bodies worked closely together.

World Rugby said it took all anti-doping matters extremely seriously and was an unwavering champion of clean sport.

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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/2026/03/14/doping-scandal-rocks-world-rugby/

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Cars the leading cause of reported kiwi deaths across Northland

Source: Radio New Zealand

In Rangitane, near Kerikeri, local residents place crosses by the roadside where kiwi have been killed by cars. RNZ / Peter de Graaf

Cars were the leading cause of reported kiwi deaths across Northland last year, according to new figures obtained by RNZ.

In 2025, the Department of Conservation received 39 reports of the birds being killed by vehicles in the region – up from 26 birds the year before.

Dogs were the next biggest cause of reported kiwi deaths, with 29 killed in confirmed (16) or suspected (13) dog attacks.

That was also an increase on the previous year’s tally of 16 (11 confirmed, 5 suspected).

However, a kiwi expert cautioned that reported deaths may not reflect the actual numbers killed by different causes.

Kiwi Coast Mid North coordinator Andrew Mentor said the bodies of kiwi killed by cars were more likely to be seen and hence reported.

“When kiwi are killed on the road that’s obviously more available and visual, so you’d expect them to be found more easily than those that are killed by dogs in the bush – which might not be found or reported,” he said.

Roadside crosses show where kiwi have been killed by cars in Rangitane, near Kerikeri. RNZ / Peter de Graaf

DOC’s figures showed the hotspots for kiwi deaths by vehicle last year were Whangārei Heads (11), Russell-Ōkiato (7) and Rangitane-Ōpito Bay near Kerikeri (4).

Within Whangārei Heads, most deaths occurred in a small area between the Nook Road turnoff and McLeod Bay.

Rangitane, with its high density of both humans and kiwi, used to be the worst place in Northland for kiwi road deaths.

However, in recent years Rangitane’s kiwi road toll had dropped significantly.

Dean Wright, founder of the Kerikeri Peninsula Conservation Charitable Trust, put that down to greater awareness among local motorists and a highly visible billboard campaign.

Wright said the trust had identified the three worst hotspots for kiwi deaths, then put up roadside signs alerting motorists.

Some signs were lit up at night, when the birds were out and about, while others were updated with the current toll each time another kiwi was killed.

The group also placed roadside crosses anywhere a kiwi had been run over.

“When we first started recording we were at seven [kiwi road deaths] a year, but it’s been on a downward trend. We’re hoping that’s because of our signage and that this year it’s going to drop more but who knows. I guess there’ll be the odd blip, but at least the trend is going the right way.”

Deb Bayens-Wright and Dean Wright with one of the billboards Kerikeri Peninsula Conservation Charitable Trust has put up around Rangitane. Supplied / Dean Wright

One of the problems was that the speed limit in much of Rangitane was 80km/h.

“We reckon that 50km/h gives them a chance, so you’ve got time to brake if they run out in front of you. But not everyone’s going to do that.”

Collecting kiwi corpses was his “least favourite job”, Wright said.

“Someone will call and we’ll go and pick up the body off the side of the road. It’s really sad, you know, because it’s a preventable death. If you take a few more minutes to get to your destination on the peninsula, it could save a kiwi’s life.”

Wright said the reported figures likely understated the impact of dogs and stoats.

“One, the bodies are never found, and, two, if your dog killed a kiwi, what are the chances of you getting on the phone straight away and ringing DOC and telling them? Bugger all, I’d say.”

A kiwi killed in a dog attack near Russell. Supplied

By far the worst area in Northland for dog attacks on kiwi was the Purerua Peninsula in the northern Bay of Islands, with 16 fatal maulings recorded last year – 12 of which occurred in Wharengaere Bay.

Other reports put that number as high as 20 in Wharengaere Bay alone.

Two dogs were seized for roaming in the isolated bay in January this year.

Last year, three Northland kiwi were reported as being killed by stoats, a drop from four by stoats and one by a ferret in 2024.

Adult kiwi could generally defend themselves against cats with only one kiwi known to have fallen victim to a feline last year.

Other reported causes of death in 2025 included drowning (4), traps (3), natural causes (4), ingesting karaka berries (2) and trauma (4).

Deaths by trauma included being run over by a mower, crushed by a digger, and falling off a retaining wall.

Ten died of unknown causes – usually because the body was too decomposed to establish the cause – compared to 19 the previous year.

The total number of reported kiwi deaths in 2025 was 99, up from 86 the year before.

A Kerikeri conservation group has put up signs around Rangitane with the current death toll, urging motorists to take care around kiwi hotspots. Supplied / Dean Wright

Mentor said the increasing number of kiwi deaths was in part a result of extensive pest control across Northland.

With growing numbers of kiwi in some areas, more were being killed by cars, dogs and other means.

His advice for Northlanders was to take extra care while driving at night.

“Don’t assume it’s a possum on the road, it could well be a kiwi. And please tie up your dogs and be responsible dog owners,” he said.

The kiwi death data was obtained under the Official Information Act.

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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/2026/03/14/cars-the-leading-cause-of-reported-kiwi-deaths-across-northland/

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Country Life: Pick and be merry – harvest time under a big sky

Source: Radio New Zealand

Harvest time at Big Sky Wines begins or ends with friends and neighbours in the vineyard helping to bring in the first grapes of the season.

Husband-and-wife team Kath Jacobs and Jeremy Corban started out 21 years ago, growing mainly Pinot Noir on six hectares in Te Muna Valley near Martinborough, and were both the viticulturalists and winemakers at their certified organic vineyard.

They did most things by hand, and in mid-March, under a shockingly blue sky in 26-degree heat, a clutch of neighbours and friends were lending theirs, snipping the first grape bunches from the vines.

Jeremy Corban and Katherine Jacobs harvesting grapes in their vineyard. RNZ/Sally Round

“I like this kind of ending one chapter and starting the next chapter,” Corban said.

“This is the end of the grape growing and the start of the wine making, so it’s a nice point. I like seeing the fruit come in. That’s six months work, maybe longer, and it’s just gorgeous on days like this. You know, it’s no hardship, is it?”

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The couple were among 90 percent of New Zealand’s 700-plus winegrowers classified as ‘small’ – producing under 200,000 litres a year. With their own winery on site, they produced about 20,000 litres, although that varied from year to year.

Jacobs described it as a classic family-run operation.

“We try and do all the work ourselves. We’re organic. We’re living on our property. Our children grew up here.

“We love the fact that it’s really simple and compact, and we pick as much fruit in a day as we can, Jeremy and I can, process, so we’ve got a lot of friends who’ve been involved with us since the beginning.”

The pickers were treated to a nice lunch at the end – “A celebration of the time of year,” Corban said.

“We like to either do the first pick of the season or the last pick of the season with that, with friends.”

The bins of grapes are loaded into a large field container before being transported to the winery for chilling, then a light press RNZ/Sally Round

Kate Smith was one of the stalwarts with about 20 years of picking under her belt.

“I’ve known Katherine and Jeremy for a long time. We came to New Zealand in 2005 and they’d just bought the vineyard. We’ve been helping them with the harvest almost every year since. We’re just friends, amateurs who come for a fun day and and it’s just a lovely day.

“There’s usually a good team of people here. And, you know, I always meet people that I haven’t seen before, and we have a nice chat as we go along with vines. You know, there’s a nice communal feeling. We will sit down and have a lunch together at some point.”

Kate Smith, one of the picking team at Big Sky Wines. She’s been helping with the harvest since the wine label’s beginnings 20 years ago. RNZ/Sally Round

The group were picking early harvest pinot noir, with the fruit at lower sugar and higher acid levels, for sparkling wine.

“We really like the human factor of people looking at each bunch, it’s really important,” Jacobs said.

“We’re making the best wine we can, not the most wine we can. So we really appreciate people’s actual eyeballs on the bunches.”

A small group of friends and neighbours have joined in the first pick of the season. RNZ/Sally Round

The buckets went into bins which a neighbour picked up and loaded on the back of the tractor. It rumbles slowly down the rows to the larger field bin at the end, where the morning’s harvest was collected, ready for the winery.

The fruit would be chilled down to 10 degrees overnight then lightly pressed in the morning.

“It’s quite a physical, manual process,” Corban said.

“You get good at lifting 15 kilos a lot of times, thousands of times. It also gives us another chance to make sure there’s nothing going into the mix that we don’t want.”

With a good amount in the bin, it was time for a break and the group headed off for scones, a cold drink and a chat.

“We don’t do all our harvesting like that, but it’s a nice way … at the end of the day, this whole business is about conviviality.”

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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/2026/03/14/country-life-pick-and-be-merry-harvest-time-under-a-big-sky/

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Country Life: The Shepherdess Muster heads to Southland

Source: Radio New Zealand

Shepherdess founder Kristy McGregor. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life

With a seven, five, and one-year-old at home, and another baby on the way, life can be quite chaotic for Shepherdess founder Kristy McGregor. Living rurally on a beef and dairy farm in Horowhenua adds another layer.

It was that and a desire to connect rural women and provide a sense of community that saw her launch the Shepherdess Muster – a rural women’s retreat – first in the remote settlement of Motu in Tai Rāwhiti two years ago and most recently in Tokanui at the bottom of the South Island.

“The Muster is about just taking time for yourself and doing something for yourself,” she told Country Life.

“What you get when you come here is just a chance to have a go, have good food, have food cooked for you. When did you last get a meal made for you?”

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The Tokanui Rugby Club was transformed into a rural women’s retreat for the second Shepherdess Muster, the first in the South Island. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life

The weekend included a wide range of workshops centred on everything from women’s health, empowerment, intimacy and relationships, and parenting. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life

As McGregor explained, the Muster was a chance for rural women to choose for themselves.

“The Shepherdess Muster is three days of women coming together in a rural or remote spot and a weekend of arts, health and well-being and entrepreneurship, business development. Really just spending time together and connecting and taking a moment for yourself.”

The first event to be held in the South Island, the Muster attracted more than 200 women from around the motu to the Tokanui Rugby Club for a weekend of camping, fun and celebrating International Women’s Day.

While there was a wide range of activities on offer – everything from women’s health check-ups, intimacy workshops, beauty appointments, tattooing, Zumba, yoga and craft sessions – none were compulsory.

Tokanui farmer, mum of 4 and Shepherdess organising committee member Emma-Kate Rabbidge. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life

Tokanui locals Emma-Kate Rabbidge and Julie Keast were both excited to showcase their slice of paradise after nearly two years of planning as part of the event’s organising committee.

For Keast, who lived a few kilometres away from the rugby club, it was about women coming together for themselves.

“It’s really important that we hold that place for each other, and support each other and have a good time together,” she told Country Life.

Rabbidge, who lived even closer to the grounds with her husband and four children, found it odd camping in a tent down the hill over her own bed.

“But like I’ve said to a few women, you know, as soon as you walk back in the door to your home, you’re the wife and you’re the mum and you’re all the things again.

“This weekend is really about stepping away from that and taking the time out. So, yeah, I’m staying away.”

She hoped that attendees might walk away with a reignited passion for being creative or picking up a new hobby, something they could incorporate into their life back home which could help them build connection and community.

Tokanui local Sheila Smith of the Small Prophet Design Shed. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life

The weekend was a great way to showcase local makers and businesses. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life

Sophie Green and Louise Patterson enjoy checking out the craft stall. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life

For “Welsh import” Sheila Smith, who also called Tokanui home and helped start the Small Prophet Design Shed, moving to the remote Catlins was an adjustment at first.

“It was a big move from central London. That was a challenge to adjust to the slower pace – one garage, one school, one shop, and one superb design store, Small Profit Design.”

She and two other women who ran the store travelled all through Wanaka, Queenstown, and Otago doing interiors and art and furniture. She said they were passionate about promoting New Zealand-made goods and doing things themselves.

It allowed her to be more than “a farmer’s wife” and provide an outlet for her creative background. Like many rural women she wore many hats – at the Muster over the weekend Smith could also be found leading the Zumba dance sessions and early morning workouts.

She said despite some of the challenges of moving to the “end of the world”, it was one that had taught her a lot and a “good move”.

She was reminded of this the week before, during a recent burst of aurora – she could see the southern lights from her farm, Aurora Downs.

Dr Helen Paterson with the Women’s Health Bus. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life

Dancers dress to the theme of sparkles and sequins, enjoying the live band. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life

Many of the rural women spoken to by Country Life over the weekend spoke of their gratitude to live, and for some, raise their families, in beautiful parts of the country where there was space to play and potter.

But many also spoke of the time pressures and constant juggle which made it challenging to always appreciate this.

Southland sharemilker Allesha Ballard-Conway came to the Muster alone, hopeful she would make new friends and enjoy “some crafts, good food, good vibes” while trying something new.

Nearing the end of the weekend she said she had met women from all types of places doing different things and this would be her biggest takeaway from the experience.

“We literally just sat down and yarned. It was so lovely just to feel connected to women – just being inspired by all the women.”

Southland sharemilker Allesha Ballard-Conway was proud to have set up her campsite all on her own. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life

Louise Patterson and Sophie Green had an easier time than some setting up their inflatable tent. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life

A paddock becomes a campground, with tents, trailers and all sorts of temporary accommodation. Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life

Learn more:

  • Find out more about the Shepherdess Muster, here
  • Find out more about RNZ’s new podcast Far From Town here

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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/2026/03/14/country-life-the-shepherdess-muster-heads-to-southland/

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Country Life: How line dancing found a home in the city

Source: Radio New Zealand

Dancers Caitlin Martin (left) and Tennille Arthur help the class stay on beat as Nigel Mooney (centre) announces the moves. RNZ/Anisha Satya

Line dancing was once a thumbs-in-belts, fringed boots affair, but it has found a second home in New Zealand’s cities in the last decade.

Linedance Christchurch co-founder Nigel Mooney had taught the style for 35 years after learning when he was a teenager.

Linedance Christchurch instructor Nigel Mooney steps dancers through a new routine. RNZ/Anisha Satya

American pilots would drop in to his parents’ country-styled bar in Christchurch in between their visits to Antarctica.

“Right when line dancing exploded in the US, these guys would be learning it at a bar, mid-week.

“They would fly out to New Zealand, come into [his parents’] bar, teach us.

“We saw it and thought, ‘that looks like a total joke, and would be good to do behind the bar for a laugh’.”

At 14-years-old, Mooney started teaching line dancing. In that first year, his class grew from 12 students to 300.

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The beginner classes today pack more than 100 attendees into the Westburn School hall.

Dancers learned 10 basic routines, getting a walk-through of the moves before the music went on and the party started.

Tennille Arthur’s favourite line dancing song was “Church” by T-Pain.

Dancer Tennille Arthur says line dancing is for all ages. RNZ/Anisha Satya

“It’s not one that we do, because not everyone can keep up.”

She had started dancing on stage to help guide newer dancers through the routines – as practice for running private classes, which were attracting growing interest in Christchurch.

“They want more [dancers] to be able to go to weddings and parties and hen’s dos and things.”

The rise of country and country-pop into mainstream music genres had played a role in the growth of line dancing. So had social media, where algorithms had exposed a wider audience to viral line dance routines.

Pitbull’s hit song “Fireball” slotted perfectly into Linedance Christchurch’s beginner track list, which also boasted Sabrina Carpenter and Elton John.

But most importantly for Mooney, there was an appetite in Christchurch for fun fitness.

“If people are sitting at home on the couch, getting chubby, trying to work out, ‘how do I get fit?’, I’m not going to go to a gym.

“It’s too hard to run round the block, our weather isn’t conducive to evening or morning walks, but line dancing … I can give people an hour of gentle, easy exercise that just sneaks up on you.

“You’re laughing, you’re breaking a sweat, having some fun.”

You can wear whatever footwear you like for line dancing these days – though some stick to the traditional boots. RNZ/Anisha Satya

Learn more:

  • Learn more about Linedance Christchurch here.

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LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/14/country-life-how-line-dancing-found-a-home-in-the-city/

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The caretaker: Chris Greenacre on his fourth go-round as Phoenix interim coach

Source: Radio New Zealand

Chris Greenacre during his current Wellington Phoenix head coach duties. AAP Image/Matt Turner / Photosport

Taking over a struggling team mid-season is one of football’s toughest gigs. Chris Greenacre has now done it four times for the Wellington Phoenix.

The club turned to the experienced coach again last month after Giancarlo Italiano’s abrupt departure adding another chapter to his extraordinary coaching journey.

Coaching was always Greenacre’s plan. Along with a handful of Tranmere Rovers team mates in England in the early 2000s he was part of the Professional Football Association’s pilot scheme of putting current players through their coaching badges. By the time he landed in New Zealand as a Phoenix player he had a UEFA B licence but no real outlet to use it.

Little did he know his first real head coaching job would be, what was at the time, New Zealand’s only professional team.

It is a position many coaches struggling in lower leagues could only dream of landing in their lap, but for Greenacre the unconventional rise was not always easy to navigate. He has yo-yoed between head coach and assistant roles, between the A-League team and the Reserves team in New Zealand domestic competitions.

The Englishman went from being a club legend on the field that hung up his boots somewhat prematurely in 2012 to just months later being head coach while Ricki Herbert was on international duty with the All Whites.

“If I’m really honest, I didn’t know anything, and that’s just the nature of the beast,” Greenacre said of the first time, 13 years ago, in a role he now has a level of familiarity with.

“I think in an ideal world, if you can come through the youth team ranks and develop like that, I think it’s really the best way forward.

“But unfortunately, or fortunately, my path was to go straight in at the top, which rarely happens.”

Chris Greenacre during a training session at Newtown Park in 2012. Photosport

However, being in the right place at the right time has been a theme during Greenacre’s 17 years with the Phoenix.

Whether it was scoring a crucial goal from centre-forward in one of his 84 A-League games or a timely transition to coaching.

Herbert had been the one to see Greenacre’s potential on and off the field.

Injured and frustrated with his lot at Tranmere Rovers, Greenacre arrived at the Phoenix in 2009 after a chance conversation with former Socceroo Gareth Edds.

Edds was on the radar of A-League clubs wanting to bring Aussies home and on the other side of the world Rovers players were paying attention to what the league was doing.

Despite not taking the field, due to injury, when Herbert and former Phoenix chief executive Tony Pinata visited England to check out their potential visa player, the bosses liked what they saw from the level that the Rovers were playing at and the wheels were in motion to get Greenacre from League One to the A-League.

Herbert then opened the door for the shift straight from player to assistant coach, a role that Greenacre could not turn down despite feeling like he could have played on.

Chris Greenacre celebrates scoring for the Phoenix in 2010. Dave Lintott/Photosport

“It was a bit of a risk, I think, because I’m a bit of an advocate for players to play as high as you can for as long as you can. I still say that to players now, if you can keep playing, keep playing, it’s the best place to be.

“Then coaching is probably the next best thing.

“I probably didn’t take my own advice, but felt that, hopefully, coaching was where I wanted the next part of my football journey to take me.”

Since then Greenacre has maximised his opportunities working as an assistant with four of the next five Phoenix coaches after Herbert.

Former Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay of Sydney FC greets interim coach Chris Greenacre of the Phoenix during the round 19 A-League Men match between Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FC this month. Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

He also filled in as an interim coach after Ernie Merrick, Darije Kalezic, Mark Rudan and Ufuk Talay.

He was not an assistant to Italiano – opting instead to go back to the Phoenix academy system for professional and personal reasons.

“It was me recognising that I need more hands-on on the grass, where I’m making the main decisions, and that’s what that allowed me to do over that period of time.

“Also my daughter was about six at the time, during the Covid time, so to not travel to Australia and to spend some time with my wife and daughter was crucial as well.

“On the back of that, I’d completed my pro licence and it was a way of me to be able to put into practice the knowledge and stuff that I needed on my coaching journey at that particular time.”

After two and a bit seasons in charge, Italiano left after a big loss to their northern rivals Auckland FC last month and Greenacre, who is head of the Phoenix academy’s pro development, once again got the call from management to fill the void.

The academy operates separately from the A-League team and Greenacre had no insight into what had gone on this season before his sudden arrival with the top team.

“You never really understand what’s going on internally when you’re on the outside, even though you’re a staff member at the club.

“You don’t know what the relationship is with players and the past coach, you just see a product like you see with the fans on the weekend, so you really have no detail around what’s going on. I think the key to it for me has been trying to get around as many people as I can who were directly involved in it, not involved in it, players, to try and get a real feel as quickly as possible of where you think you might be able to improve it, keep it, steady the ship.”

Taking over with only a small number games left in the season is more about continuance rather the stamping his own style.

“The players are conditioned in a certain way of training, and you may not always see eye-to-eye in that, but you’ve got to also understand that these players are conditioned in this moment, so changing behaviours is really, really difficult instantly, and that obviously takes time, but we don’t have time.”

As a coach, Greenacre wanted to be a balance between man manager and tactician.

“I think the way the game’s evolved, certainly man management’s a really big part of that. Generations have changed, and I think generations look at the world differently.

“I think as a coach, you have to evolve like that. If you remain stuck in, as they say, old-school ways, I think you’re getting left behind. It’s really important that you evolve with the generations that you’re coaching with.”

Nurturing relationships with star players as well as those who did not make it professionally was important to Greenacre in his work with the academy and Reserves team.

“I get really proud of being involved in some of the players that have gone on to do great things and get moves and play overseas.

“I’m as much proud of some of the guys that I’ve played who haven’t made it, who I know I’ve had a really good connection and relationship with, and you still get text messages and calls even now off players that didn’t quite make it, and they appreciate that what we were trying to do in terms of helping them develop as players.”

Being tactically up to speed was also important to the 48-year-old.

“I’m sure in the next few months, years, that my beliefs and how I see the game being played will evolve again.”

Chris Greenacre and Matthew Ridenton during training in 2021. Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

Over time Greenacre had taken the “best attributes” of some coaches he had worked with and integrated them into his own approach to coaching.

“There’s obviously coaches that I haven’t enjoyed playing under, coaches that I’ve worked alongside where I’m kind of not really a fan of what they’re doing, and even if it’s the learning from, I probably wouldn’t do that because look how this has made me feel.

“There’s a lot of people that I’ve been really fortunate enough to and proud to have worked with, whether the relationships have been great or not so much.”

The way Greenacre believed he could finally turn the recurring interim role in a permanent position was by winning. The Phoenix have six games left in the season.

Before the end of the month the club is expected to name their next head coach.

“Results give you the best chance, and instant success, I suppose, probably gives you the best opportunity.”

Being a familiar face around NZCIS where the Phoenix are based could also finally give Greenacre an edge this time.

“I think, having been in an environment for a long time, people get to see actually how you work on a daily basis, and not necessarily when you’re under the spotlight of a first-team coach, so I suppose people get to see your mannerisms and things that you do and things they may like, things they don’t like.”

Greenacre’s reputation and ability to develop sought after talent through the academy to the first team who were then sold on to Europe could be another tick on the appointment check list for a club that valued being a stepping stone in player’s careers.

“Ultimately, the powers that be make the decision, and if it’s yes, it’s great, if it’s not, it’s not, and we kind of move on, and that’s just how professional sport works.

“I do have aspirations to coach at the highest level. If that happens, great. If it doesn’t, it’s a similar role to playing. I didn’t quite make it to the Premier League, but I aspired to be there.

“Am I happy that I made a living out of the game as a player at the level I did? A hundred percent. I’ve been proud to say that I made a living out of the game.”

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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/2026/03/14/the-caretaker-chris-greenacre-on-his-fourth-go-round-as-phoenix-interim-coach/

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Oscars 2026: How to watch all the nominees

Source: Radio New Zealand

The 2026 Oscars are days away, meaning there’s limited time to cram the nominated films before you find out who has won.

For most nominees it’s not too late, with many available on streaming services, to rent or still showing on the big screen.

The only question is: where can you watch what?

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/14/oscars-2026-how-to-watch-all-the-nominees/

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Graduates in a battle over job wars

Source: Radio New Zealand

With youth unemployment three times higher than the overall unemployment rate, university graduates are struggling to find entry level work. 123RF

Three years minimum to set them up for a better career – and then new graduates discover there’s nothing out there for them, thanks to our soaring jobless numbers

Dubbed ‘the job wars’ by one TikTok user, graduates are struggling to secure entry-level work thanks to a tough labour market.

Figures released by Stats NZ in February showed that the unemployment rate for 15 to 24-year-olds was at 16.5 percent, three times higher than the overall unemployment rate.

On Saturday’sThe Detail, we look at the grim realities of the job market for graduates.

Justin Tuburan recently graduated from AUT with a bachelor of communications and is still struggling to find work in his field.

He’s been living off his casual job as a security guard and says the lack of direction is taking its toll.

“I don’t know really what I am doing with my life. I don’t have this full-time job that I can see career progression and the next 40 years of what I’ll be doing.”

Tuburan said that his current casual position wasn’t meant to form his main income.

“[During university] I was also getting student loan and living costs. That’s $300 a week that I was using to pay rent or pay for public transport… trying to get that money from a job that I used during uni that was only meant to supplement my living cost and now it’s my main source of income. It’s kinda rough trying to find the hours to pay for everything.

“I’m definitely asking my parents for money every once and a while.”

Happier times could be on the horizon though, said Seek’s senior economist, Dr Blair Chapman – but graduates may need to hold out a bit longer.

“It’s good news, the labour market is picking up, job ad growth is picking up. But it can take time for that to flow to graduates,” he said.

Chapman may be getting that vibe at his work, but figures out this week show the number of people receiving Jobseeker support has risen by 5700 to 223,500 since September.

Some reports suggest that AI is cutting graduate and entry-level positions, but Chapman said whether that’s true is still unclear.

“We have seen a dramatic increase in the demand for AI-related skills but it’s not obvious that is eating into the number of those jobs.”

Professor Catherine Moran, the deputy vice-chancellor and academic at the University of Canterbury, said one sector that wants students to be up-skilled in AI is law.

Their law school completed a survey with law practices across the country and asked if students needed to have skills in AI – 92 percent of them said ‘yes’.

But is going to university to learn these skills still worth it?

Moran said getting a degree is more than just learning information.

“There can be a sense that university is all about just book learning as compared to skills learning… It’s through a degree you get deeper and deeper understanding of content.

“You’re more challenged where you’re starting to bring a whole bunch of different ideas together.”

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/2026/03/14/graduates-in-a-battle-over-job-wars/

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Stories from the ‘invisible unemployed’

Source: Radio New Zealand

A number of people have shared their struggles of being among the “invisible unemployed”. RNZ

“We are stuck,” an out-of work stroke survivor says.

On Friday RNZ reported on the “invisible unemployed”: people who have too much to qualify for a benefit, but not enough to make ends meet. The story prompted a number of people to share their struggles.

Here are some of them.

A stroke survivor resorting to canned soup and bread

“I read your article today and cried,” said Andrew.

“Finally someone has seen us.”

Andrew was formerly the head of music at a private school. He had two strokes in November 2021 at the age of 47, leaving him unable to work.

He could not get WINZ (Work and Income) help due to his husband’s $77,000 income.

“My husband’s pay has to cover our mortgage, rates, insurance, utilities, and food. We often can’t make it through the fortnight and have to resort to canned soup and bread. There’s nothing left for rehabilitation or psychological support or emergencies. We are both exhausted.”

He recently started relief teaching one day a week, but the physical and cognitive energy it required wiped him out for days afterwards, he said.

“Working in a school is not good for my health, but I feel I have to, it’s all I can do. I have applied for hundreds of part-time jobs, but no one wants a 50-year-old ex-music teacher.”

He believed the current system only worked back in the 1970s and 80s, when one income could support a household. That was not the case in 2026, he said.

“We are stuck. Unseen, unheard, not cared about, and completely alone.”

A full-time carer fundraising for her daughter’s medical needs

Casey could not work as she was an at-home carer for her two children, who had disabilities.

She wanted to apply for the supported living payment, because she was carrying out the equivalent of full-time work.

But her husband made $90,000 – too much for her to qualify, despite it having to stretch to support their family of six.

They tried to feed the family on up to $60 a week, and did not qualify for food grants.

Casey had started a Givealittle page to fundraise for her daughter’s wheelchair and accessibility modifications to their home.

“It’s been extremely difficult.”

A solo parent

A person who did not want to be named said they left an abusive relationship with their teenage son, but they still owned a house with their former partner.

That put them over the Work and Income cash asset limit, so they could not get a benefit.

“If it wasn’t for the $172 a week from Working For Families, we would not be eating,” they said.

They earned $45,000 annually, paid $550 each week in rent, “and try as I might I haven’t got a flatmate yet”.

Their ex-partner gave them $50 a week, but that did not cover their son’s food and clothing, they said.

“My ex is eligible to get a benefit because he lives in the house we own that he refused to leave.

“It just seems ridiculous the abuser can get a benefit when the person who has to leave with children to support gets nothing and I have worked pretty much all my life.”

Social Development Minister Louise Upston said benefit thresholds were a long-standing feature of the welfare system.

She was not looking at raising them, focusing instead on getting people off the benefit and into work.

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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/2026/03/14/stories-from-the-invisible-unemployed/

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Green Party warns of ‘perfect storm’ as ferry breakdowns disrupt travel and freight

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Green Party is warning that New Zealand is facing a “perfect storm” of transport disruption after the latest ferry breakdowns and cancellations left travellers stranded and freight operators scrambling to move goods between the North and South Islands.

The Interislander’s Kaiārahi has been out of service since Tuesday night because of a technical fault. An Interislander staff member has gone overseas to collect crucial components to fix the stricken ferry.

Meanwhile, a technical fault meant that Bluebridge’s Connemara ferry was also cancelled on Thursday and Friday. Its Picton-Wellington service was scheduled to return to service early on Saturday morning.

“All customers affected by this cancellation have been automatically transferred to an alternative sailing and will receive an updated e-ticket with revised sailing and check-in time,” Bluebridge said on its website.

“If your re-scheduled sailing time doesn’t suit your needs, standby lists will be operating from each direction for affected passengers across subsequent sailings.”

Greens transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter said that the Interislander fleet had effectively dropped from six ships to four in recent days.

She said the situation highlighted the risks created by the government’s decision to cancel a previous contract for two new Interislander ferries that had already been ordered.

On Thursday, Genter raised the issue during Parliamentary question time, when she asked acting Prime Minister David Seymour if he accepted that his government’s decision to cancel the new ferries would likely continue to cause disruptions to passengers and freight.

“On behalf of the Prime Minister, no, I don’t accept that, because there have been long-documented problems with the existing ferries,” Seymour replied.

“That does not mean that the unaffordable and unviable solution that the previous government put in place was the best answer for New Zealand. Yes, the ferries break down from time to time. Now, I’ve heard about politicians that bark at every car, but I’ve never heard of one that barks at every ferry,” he said.

Genter said the decision to cancel the contract was “irresponsible” and accused the government of creating a transport crisis across the Cook Strait by leaving New Zealand relying on an ageing fleet that was increasingly breaking down.

“We’re seeing massive disruptions to supply chains and also passengers’ ability to get between the North and South Island because yet another Interislander ferry has had to be taken offline,” she said.

‘Perfect storm’ of pressures

Genter warned that ageing ferries, rising oil prices and more severe weather were combining to create mounting pressure on the Cook Strait crossing.

“It’s a perfect storm,” she said.

“We have potentially an extended period of high and fluctuating oil prices affecting airlines, more severe weather affecting both airlines and ferries, and ageing ferries being taken offline for unplanned maintenance when there should already have been replacement ships here this year.”

She said the government’s decision to cancel the ferries previously ordered by KiwiRail meant replacements would not arrive until at least 2029.

“That’s going to mean huge cost and disruption to freight and passenger movements between our two islands until we can get replacement ferries.”

Genter accused the coalition government of refusing to acknowledge the scale of the problem.

“The government is clearly unwilling to admit that it made a mistake,” she said.

“They cancelled the ferries that were on order and the wharf upgrades that were underway. Now they need to come up with some sort of interim solution.”

Travellers stranded

British tourist Stephen Edwards, who is travelling around New Zealand with his wife, described chaotic scenes at the Picton ferry terminal on Thursday after multiple cancellations.

Edwards said he first received an email saying his Interislander sailing had been cancelled. He then booked a replacement with Bluebridge, which was also delayed and later cancelled.

“We were on our feet for three hours trying to rebook,” he said.

“You’ve never seen chaos like it.”

He said queues formed across the terminal as hundreds of passengers attempted to rebook sailings while vehicles blocked lanes waiting to board.

Eventually the couple were forced to book a hotel and return on Friday before securing a new ferry.

“We were utterly exhausted,” Edwards said.

Confusion and crowding

The couple’s friend Dave Rees, who helped drive the tourists to the terminal, said the disruption created confusion and long waits for passengers seeking information.

“It was just very crowded, people coming in all the time,” he said.

“Information was scant and had to be sought rather than given.”

Rees said the issues left a poor impression for visitors.

“It gives the impression of a very disorganised place and a place that’s kind of operating on a shoestring,” he said.

He compared the ferry route to a critical transport link.

“The Cook Strait is like a bridge between the two parts of a motorway and the bridge is forever closing.”

Businesses feeling the impact

Contract electrician Michael Casey, who regularly travels between the North and South islands for work, said ferry reliability was becoming a serious issue for contractors and freight.

“If I can’t travel, I can’t work,” he said.

Casey, who is based in Nelson but often works in the North Island, said cancellations could make it impossible to get to jobs with the tools he needed.

“You need your vehicle. I take my tools up. If I tried to take them on a plane it would be bags and bags and it’s just not economic.”

He said sailings were often booked out days in advance, making disruptions even harder to manage.

“When one ferry goes down that’s 25 percent of the market gone.”

Cleaning up the ”Cook Strait iReX mess’

The Minister for Rail, Winston Peters said the government’s record was cleaning up the ‘Cook Strait iReX mess”, while the legacy of the Greens could be seen at Moa Point.

“The previous government turned a simple ferry and port project into a $4 billion blow out, which we turned around and saved the taxpayers $2.3 billion without compromising on what New Zealanders expect,” he said.

“Two state-of-the-art ferries will arrive in 2029 to serve road, rail and passengers, while marine infrastructure in Picton and Wellington will be rebuilt without the expensive frippery introduced by the last government.”

Peters said the previous project had “Taj Mahal level” passenger buildings and sought to completely rebuild perfectly good road and rail marshalling yards to the tune of billions in total, all at the taxpayer’s expense.

“This week, the Interislander demonstrated an abundance of caution by taking the Kaiarahi out of service, as New Zealanders expect, and a replacement part arrives on Friday ahead of services resuming on Sunday,” he said.

“We have a firm expectation for high Interislander reliability, which has been near 100 percent over the past year, thanks to a significant lift in asset maintenance and management.”

The Minister said Interislander lifted its spare parts inventory following government expectations to improve reliability, and they were now responding to its query as to whether any additional parts could be added to the inventory to speed up the repair programmes.

“In the end, our focus is on freighters and families and Interislander has assured us it is prioritising freight bookings, put on eight additional Kaitaki sailings, and has offered refunds to any passengers with vehicles booked to ‘make way for freight’ which may suit some customers.”

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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/2026/03/14/green-party-warns-of-perfect-storm-as-ferry-breakdowns-disrupt-travel-and-freight/

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International migration: January 2026 – Stats NZ information release

 

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LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/14/international-migration-january-2026-stats-nz-information-release/

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International travel: January 2026 – Stats NZ information release

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LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/14/international-travel-january-2026-stats-nz-information-release/

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Warriors overpower Raiders to continue winning start

Source: Radio New Zealand

Ali Leiataua of the Warriors heads for the line in the round two match against the Raiders at Go Media Stadium. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Second-rower Leka Halasima and winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scored a try double each, as NZ Warriors overpowered Canberra Raiders 40-6 at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium.

The contest was locked at 6-6 at halftime, but the home side piled on 34 unanswered points to draw away in the second half.

Halasima was a late replacement into the starting line-up, after veteran Kurt Capewell strained a calf in warm-ups, but delivered the 80-minute performance predicted by coach Andrew Webster a week earlier.

The Raiders scored first through fullback Kaeao Weekes, but Watene-Zelezniak responded and halfback Tanah Boyd slotted a penalty for the halftime scoreline.

Centre Ali Leiataua had provided the final pass for his winger’s try and had one of his own after the break, when he intercepted a pass in midfield and scampered away to spark the onslaught.

Canberra beat the Warriors twice last season, en route to the minor premiership, but had no answer in the rain at Mt Smart.

Veteran wing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck couldn’t score a try in his 150th outing for the Warriors, but had the distinction of slotting the final conversion of Watene-Zelezniak’s second try.

See how the game unfolded in our blog:

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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/2026/03/13/warriors-overpower-raiders-to-continue-winning-start/

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NRL: Warriors v Raiders

Source: Radio New Zealand

Ali Leiataua of the Warriors heads for the line in the round two match against the Raiders at Go Media Stadium. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Second-rower Leka Halasima and winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scored a try double each, as NZ Warriors overpowered Canberra Raiders 38-6 at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium.

The contest was locked at 6-6 at halftime, but the home side piled on 32 unanswered points to draw away in the second half.

Halasima was a late replacement into the starting line-up, after veteran Kurt Capewell strained a calf in warm-ups, but delivered the 80-minute performance predicted by coach Andrew Webster a week earlier.

The Raiders scored first through fullback Kaeao Weekes, but Watene-Zelezniak responded and halfback Tanah Boyd slotted a penalty for the halftime scoreline.

Centre Ali Leiataua had provided the final pass for his winger’s try and had one of his own after the break, when he intercepted a pass in midfield and scampered away to spark the onslaught.

Canberra beat the Warriors twice last season, en route to the minor premiership, but had no answer in the rain at Mt Smart.

Veteran wing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck couldn’t score a try in his 150th outing for the Warriors, but had the distinction of slotting the final conversion of Watene-Zelezniak’s second try.

See how the game unfolded in our blog:

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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/2026/03/13/nrl-warriors-v-raiders/

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Hurricanes close out third win after early scare against Western Force

Source: Radio New Zealand

Hurricanes half back Cam Roigard kicks ahead during the Super Rugby Pacific game against the Western Force. Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz

After an error-ridden first 40, a disjointed looking Hurricanes side went to the sheds trailing the Force 8-5 at McLean Park.

Cue the cavalry.

Bolstered by their bench, the Hurricanes went on a rampage, notching 26 unanswered points to secure a 31-23 win which shoots them to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific table.

It was the Force who struck first through the boot of Ben Donaldon and then electric winger Darby Lancaster, standing up his opposite Bailyn Sullivan for the first try.

Cam Roigard got the Canes on the board, sniping from the base of the ruck, but it was not enough as they would trail the Force 8-5 at the break.

A Donaldson penalty opened things up in the second with another penalty before the floodgates opened, reinforcements arriving from the bench to immediate affect.

Brad Shields kicked off the scoring spree from short range, the Hurricanes going back to back courtesy of a quick tap by Roigard which sent Devan Flanders away.

Callum Harkin stretched the lead, running a superb line to cross the chalk before Warner Dearns soared into the sky to charge down a Donaldson kick, regather, and streak away.

The Force pulled a couple back through Lancaster and Jetaya Faifua, but the deficit was too great, the Hurricanes closing out their third win of the season.

Follow the blog to see how the action 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/2026/03/13/hurricanes-close-out-third-win-after-early-scare-against-western-force/

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Child seriously hurt after being hit by car at McDonald’s

Source: Radio New Zealand

The child was taken to the hospital in a serious condition Supplied / St John

A child has been seriously injured after being hit by a car in Invercargill.

Police said emergency services were called to the McDonald’s on Dee Street at 7 pm.

The child was taken to the hospital in a serious condition, a spokesperson said.

“Police have spoken to the driver of the vehicle, and enquiries are ongoing into exactly what happened,” a police spokesperson said.

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Minister visits EIT Tairāwhiti to see workforce training and innovation

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

7 minutes ago

Minister for Vocational Education Penny Simmonds visited EIT’s Tairāwhiti campus today to see how the newly independent institute is helping build the region’s future workforce.

During the visit, the Minister, along with East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick, toured several facilities including the Drone Research Lab, Electrical Lab, Hospitality Kitchens and the Trades Training Centre.

Minister for Vocational Education Penny Simmonds with EIT Senior Lecturer Dr Anastasia Mozhaeva at the Tairāwhiti campus.

EIT Chief Executive Lucy Laitinen said the visit was an opportunity to highlight how the institute is supporting regional economic development.

“The Tairāwhiti Economic Plan is clear that building local capability and investing in our people is fundamental to the region’s future. Now that EIT has regained its independence, we are refocusing squarely on the needs of our region,” she said.

“That means responding to industry, whether that’s pioneering new drone technology with partners like the Port, or creating trades pathways for rangatahi through our Trades Academy. We’re committed to strengthening the regional economy by developing the workforce of both today and tomorrow.”

EIT returned to independence on January 1 following amendments in late 2025 to the Education and Training Act 2020, enabling the institute to sharpen its regional focus and strengthen collaboration with industry.

EIT Executive Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Technology John West said the institute was delighted to welcome Hon Penny Simmonds to the Tairāwhiti campus.

“During her visit, the Minister was interested in the organisation’s 2026 enrolment picture, which continues to show a return toward education across our communities with strong enrolments.”

As part of her visit, the Minister learned more about EIT’s emerging drone technology research, led by Dr Anastasia Mozhaeva and developed through a dedicated research lab supported by Trust Tairāwhiti.

John said the work explores how drone technology can be applied to business and industry while helping develop specialist skills in the region.

“Drone technology is a specialised and emerging field, and it’s an area where we see real potential for Tairāwhiti,” he said.

EIT Executive Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Technology John West with Minister for Vocational Education Penny Simmonds EIT’s Tairāwhiti campus.

“While visiting the EIT Drone Research Lab, the Minister shared her observations around the need to connect strongly with industry. She was impressed with what EIT had achieved in an emerging technology area and encouraged us to think broadly around the technology’s application.”

The Minister also met students participating in EIT’s Trades Academy programmes, where secondary school students gain hands-on experience across a range of vocational pathways including automotive, engineering, carpentry, hospitality and electrical trades.

John said demand from local schools for Trades Academy places was strong, with enrolment numbers exceeding funded levels.

“We’ve seen incredibly strong demand from local high schools for students to participate in these programmes, which is great,” he said.
Tairāwhiti Campus Executive Director Tracey Tangihaere said the visit was an opportunity to showcase the work being done in the region.

“It was great to have the Minister here to meet some of our students, staff and community partners and to see the programmes we’re delivering in Tairāwhiti. Students and staff enjoyed talking to Minister Simmonds and sharing their passion and aspirations,” she said.

Workforce development remains a key priority in the Tairāwhiti Economic Plan, with employers continuing to face skills shortages across a range of sectors.

Hon Penny Simmonds said she enjoyed visiting EIT, and it was fantastic to see students, tutors and industry partners in action at the Tairāwhiti campus.

“Touring the Drone Research Lab, Electrical Lab, Hospitality Kitchens and the Trades Training Centre gave me a real sense of the practical learning taking place. It was also great to meet secondary school students taking part in Trades Academy programmes and getting a taste of trades training, which shows the strong relationships EIT has with local schools.

“It’s exciting to see the institute preparing students for today’s jobs while fostering innovation, and it really shows the difference a regionally governed, community-focused polytechnic can make in preparing the workforce of tomorrow.”

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LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/13/minister-visits-eit-tairawhiti-to-see-workforce-training-and-innovation/

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Person hit by truck in Mauku, nea Pukekohe

Source: Radio New Zealand

A person has been hit by a truck on Titi Road. Google Maps

A pedestrian has died after being hit by a truck in Mauku, west of Pukekohe.

Police say he died at the scene.

The crash happened at 3.22pm on Titi Road.

The Serious Crash Unit and Commercial Vehicle Safety Team attended.

An investigation is now underway to establish what occurred, police say.

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