Category: Farming

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Banks Peninsula farmers and businesses counting the cost of floods

Source: Radio New Zealand

Banks Peninsula farmers and businesses are counting the cost of devastating flooding that swamped paddocks and swept through Little River.

The peninsula remained under a state of emergency although State Highway 75 from Christchurch to Akaroa reopened on Wednesday afternoon and telecommunications were restored after widespread outages.

About 120 properties remained without power and at least 15 local roads were closed because of slips and flooding.

Kinloch farmer Tom Power said the “mental” rain caused the worst flooding he had ever seen.

Kinloch Road farm in Little River was flooded. Nathan Mckinnon

“I’ve never seen anything like it. It was predicted to be 100 millimetres or so and we ended up tipping out 430 millimetres in this catchment. It was chaos,” he said.

“I’ve never seen anything through Little River like that before and even up Okuti Valley, properties up there. It’s so widespread, it’s unbelievable.”

Power was dealing with stock losses as paddocks remained under water, with troughs and fences swept away and debris strewn across the property.

“We moved a lot of stock away to traditionally high areas that we’ve never seen go under water. We spent hours doing that beforehand and we were prepared for a lot of it, it was just the severity,” he said.

Flood damage in Little River. Nathan Mckinnon

“We’re still trying to get our head around what the damage is, to be fair, until the water goes away you don’t really know.

“People’s livelihoods have been well and truly affected by this, which is a crying shame.”

In Little River, Déjà New Preloved Goods owner Lisa Ashfield had cleared mud and silt from her shop with the help of firefighters – the second time her business had flooded in 12 months.

Flood damage at Deja New in Little River. Nathan Mckinnon

“I imagine this is probably the end of the shop,” she said.

“All of my furniture, my bookshelves, my storage units, people’s home-made jewellery, toys, books, clothes, furniture. Everything is just a mudbath,” she said.

“I was flooded in May last year, about 300 millimetres, over the top of your gumboots kind of level. This flood, unfortunately, was thigh-deep. All the preparation we did on Monday, raising everything off the floor, just wasn’t high enough,” she said.

Déjà New Preloved Goods Little River owner Lisa Ashfield said she’d been flooded twice in 12 months. Nathan Mckinnon/RNZ

Ashfield was now sorting through stock to work out what to throw in a skip.

Little River Cafe & Store owner Cameron Gordon also spent the day shovelling mud and silt from the building after water gushed in on Tuesday.

He said food from the chiller had to be thrown away and fridges and freezers would need replacing but he hoped to open the store by the end of the day and the cafe by the weekend.

Little River Cafe and Store. Nathan Mckinnon

Gordon was heartened by the support of locals who were helping to clean up the mess.

“They’re pretty keen to get the shop back going and get us up and running again. We got a lot of calls, a lot of messages overnight with people offering help, a lot of tools brought down, water blasters, squeegees and brooms and random people I haven’t met before. It’s great,” he said.

Gordon said the cafe had flooded five times, most recently last May when a foot of water washed through some businesses, but he had never seen flooding so bad in his 20 years living in the settlement.

He said water in Little River drained away quickly once Lake Forsyth was opened to the sea on Tuesday afternoon.

Outside the shop on Wednesday. Nathan Mckinnon

“If it was opened before this I think we would have had a lot less damage and probably a lower level through the building,” he said.

“[The council] seem to have their rules and their guidelines about how they monitor all that but it doesn’t seem to work for us. It seems to be the same story every year, with the same excuses every year as well.”

Living Streams Community Nursery co-ordinator Nicky Steinmetz said raging floodwaters had left a layer of silt over the plants, leaving a months-long clean-up job.

“Most of our volunteers will be really upset about what they see. It’s the small seedlings that will be most impacted, rather than the bigger plants. We’ll be able to wash those down, but it’s going to take forever,” she said.

Flood damage at Little River nursery. Nathan Mckinnon

Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell and Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger visited Little River on Wednesday.

Mitchell told RNZ the flooding was worse than in May 2025.

“They’re in the middle of their summer season so we’ve got to do everything we can to support them and get them back on their feet as quickly as we can,” he said.

Boil water notices remained in place for Little River and Wainui.

Mauger said the water supply in Wainui was “absolute toast”.

The clean up inside the Little River Cafe and Store. Nathan Mckinnon

The council had sent Starlink WiFi devices to Akaroa and Wainui, although Chorus found and fixed a damaged fibre cable on a bridge that restored cell tower connections on Wednesday afternoon.

Students on two school trips who were stuck at Wainui and Ōnuku Marae had returned home.

Provisional figures from Earth Sciences New Zealand showed 243 millimetres of rain was recorded at its site in Akaroa in the 24 hours to 9am on Tuesday morning.

That was the highest 24-hour rainfall total for Akaroa in the month of February since records began in 1977, the organisation said.

Earth Sciences said Akaroa had received 316 millimetres of rain so far this month, making it the wettest February on record.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/18/banks-peninsula-farmers-and-businesses-counting-the-cost-of-floods/

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Farmer rescues sheep stranded in Banks Peninsula floodwaters

Source: Radio New Zealand

Farm assistant wades in to rescue stranded sheep after huge downpours at Teddington, Banks Peninsula. Supplied

A Banks Peninsula farm worker had to swim stranded sheep to safety after huge downpours at Teddington.

More than 280mm of rain has fallen on parts of the Banks Peninsula from Sunday night to Tuesday morning. MetService meteorologist Silvia Martino said persistent rain was expected for much of the rest of Tuesday. An orange heavy rain warning was in until 6pm

Farmer Sir David Carter said more than 250mm of rain fell overnight at his property.

“The rain gauge was overflowing this morning. I’ve never seen so much rain and I’ve been farming here for 40 years.”

Carter said paddocks were flooded and trees were are down, which left him stranded on the farm.

“We moved stock to higher ground last night because we knew this was coming, but a farm assistant had to swim nine sheep to safety at 6.30am.

Farm worker rescues stranded sheep after huge downpours at Teddington, Banks Peninsula. Supplied

“I’d say there will be slips on the hills but we won’t know the extent of the damage until the rain stops.”

He said he didn’t think they had had stock losses.

Opawa flooding

In Christchurch, Stuart Payne, an Opawa resident of 35 years, told RNZ it was the second-worst flooding he’d seen in the area.

He said the response from council for the city’s metropolitan areas was delayed, despite flooding in various parts of the city, while most of the focus was currently on the Banks Peninsula.

Flooding in Opawa, Christchurch. Supplied / Stuart Payne

He also questioned why the region hadn’t been placed in a state of emergency. No declaration had been made by 10am on Tuesday.

“Maybe they’ve been caught out.”

Payne sent RNZ photos from his drive on Fifield Terrace, where surface flooding has covered the road.

“It’s like a massive lake.”

Flooding in Opawa, Christchurch. Supplied / Stuart Payne

His property was raised and wasn’t at risk of flooding, he said.

At 8.40am, Christchurch City Council published a list of city road closures on its website.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/17/farmer-rescues-sheep-stranded-in-banks-peninsula-floodwaters/

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East Auckland residents say three-storey development shouldn’t be allowed, fear for privacy

Source: Radio New Zealand

Residents of an affluent east Auckland suburb fear their quiet lifestyle could be shattered. RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Residents of an affluent east Auckland suburb fear their quiet lifestyle could be shattered by a three-storey development in the middle of their neighbourhood.

With dozens of buildings looming high above her garden, Farm Cove resident Anne Moore said there was nowhere to hide.

“My sister’s room is curtains drawn because there are people building on the building site, and there’s no privacy,” she said.

Moore was leading the charge urging council to take action over the partly-completed construction.

With the support of her neighbours, she had sought legal advice, maintaining the development should no longer be allowed under Auckland’s recently changed planning rules.

The hammers and grinders echoing through her home office were hard at work on a pair of three-storey residential units, and they were right next door.

Moore worried the lack of privacy could be permanent once her new neighbours moved in.

“I think the fact that it looks right into our home and right into our property. We’ve got a spa pool, there’s two or three swimming pools in the surrounding area that they now look down on all of us,” she said.

Farm Cove resident Anne Moore says the development should no longer be allowed under Auckland’s recently changed planning rules. RNZ / Marika Khabazi

Another neighbour, Lisa Anne Roy, said the new building towered over her property and blocked the sun.

“The impact’s been absolutely huge,” Roy said.

“We have an immune-compromised child, and taking all the sunlight away from the bedroom side of the house, I mean going up 11 metres, it’s just horrific.”

Roy only heard about the development through word of mouth after construction had already started.

“I have three dogs. To have that third dog on my property, I had to get every single neighbour to sign before council would let me have three dogs on my property,” she recalled.

“They didn’t have to get any signatures to totally change the landscape.”

The development in Farm Cove was allowed by the central government’s Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS), introduced in 2022 and permitting three-storey buildings on most city properties.

Contractors at the site on Bramley Drive had just broken ground in October last year when Auckland Council pulled out of those standards, the result of an agreement with the government following the 2023 floods.

That change limited new builds in Farm Cove to two floors, but the development had already been consented for three.

Anne Moore said construction should stop, and was campaigning for the council to step in.

“I keep getting emails saying that, you know, he had a building consent, he got it under the MDRS, and so they’re not going to enforce it because he was given that at the time. Well, that’s all very well, but those rules don’t apply anymore.”

Auckland Council’s head of resource consents, James Hassall, said the development could go ahead despite the recent changes.

“The government is investigating changes to help remedy the situation. This has allowed Auckland Council to issue formal notices to affected consent holders confirming they can rely on their existing consents and continue with their developments while a permanent fix is investigated,” he said in a written statement.

The developers declined RNZ’s interview request, but reiterated that the council had given them permission to continue.

And continue it had. Within a few months, contractors had already erected the frame of the third floor, and the shape of the building was coming into view.

Moore said the noise was driving her crazy, work often dragging into the evenings and weekends.

“They are allowed to work until six in a residential area, but they often keep going and we all have to yell out, hey, time to go, because by then we’ve had enough. So we really want our privacy back for what little time we have it,” she said.

“They’re here Monday to Saturday, and then last Sunday some showed up to work last Sunday, which they’re not allowed to do.”

In an election year, she said National risked losing its previously loyal support in east Auckland.

“I think it’s going to make a difference at the polls this year, to be honest,” she said.

“And this area is a big stronghold for a certain party, and so people are outraged.”

Anne Moore said her community felt burned, and feared others may be put in a similar position.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/17/east-auckland-residents-say-three-storey-development-shouldnt-be-allowed-fear-for-privacy/

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Taihape’s Winiata Marae steps up for stranded travellers

Source: Radio New Zealand

Shadrack Simi was in charge of the menu. RNZ / Robin Martin

When the huge storm closed State Highway 1 between Taihape and Hunterville on Monday, leaving hundreds of drivers stranded, the community at Winiata Marae knew just what to do.

They quickly put word out that warm food and a place to rest could be found at the marae on the outskirts of Taihape.

Lulu Simi is a force of nature herself and it was she who was directing the marae’s response to the storm – busy organising gas canister refills and making sure visitors were fed.

“We just knew it would be part and parcel of what we need to do for our community.

“Not only for our local community but for the many hundreds and thousands of people that travel through Taihape to get to their destinations.

“This morning when we woke up it was all back-to-back trucks and cars and families, so we had already put our number out last night.”

Lulu Simi, left, reckons helping out stranded travellers such as Aucklanders Max Briggs and Leilani Kwan-Him is central to its role. RNZ / Robin Martin

The Ngāti Hinemanu and Ngāti Paki hapū marae played a similar role during Cyclone Gabrielle.

At day’s end on Monday night more than 200 people had been through.

“Everyone here just knows that it’s part of our role underneath our marae to look after people and it always makes us feel good to be able to put it on at the drop of a hat.

“And to be able to provide all this kai, all these sleeping places to people who were going to sleep in their cars … you always walk away feeling proud.”

Helen Ropiha-waiwai was heading back to Feilding from the rugby league international in Rotorua with her husband.

She was in awe of the hospitality.

“For me not being from here it was beautiful just to see such a small community just come together and make such a big kai.

“They had enough kai for three bus-loads that they knew were stuck and all the truck drivers and stuff.”

Feilding traveller Helen Ropiha-waiwai was overwhelmed by the hospitality. RNZ / Robin Martin

Helen Ropiha-waiwai even bumped into Moana Steedman – aka Nan – who she knew from the sidelines of schoolboy rugby.

A Taihape local, Nan, reckoned helping others fed the soul.

“It was amazing, you know, not only do we help them but they help us and, you know, to be able to give back to people that’s the amazing part of it. That’s what it’s all about.

Moana Steedman – aka Nan – and her kitchen mate Kui reckon helping others feeds the soul. RNZ / Robin Martin

Aucklander Leilani Kwan-Him was travelling to Wellington with Max Briggs.

They got a tip off about Winiata Marae while killing time at the Taihape library.

“And then they gave us dinner and they were going to give us a place to stay. It was just so nice and we had a really nice meal .”

The food hit the spot too.

“We had chop suey, we had chicken curry – that’s one of the chefs over there – and we had some rice and there was tea and it feels like there was some nibbles. There was everything.”

Shadrack Simi put together the menu.

“For lunchtime today we had like a sausages and gravy, veggies and mashed potatoes. That was all stuff that we just had here on site.

“And then from donated stores and stuff we had here we put on a chicken curry and rice, a beef chop suey and a yellow split-bean curry, a vegan curry.”

Lulu Simi, second right, reckoned many hands made light work. RNZ / Robin Martin

Being nimble was the key to putting on such a spread at short notice.

“I guess it’s just resourcefulness looking at the ingredients you’ve got and then also looking at the day obviously I wanted something hot and nutritious.

“So, the meals had a lot of ginger, garlic, onion, but also things that I know the Kiwi palate will eat like a chicken curry and sausages and gravy.”

Meanwhile, Lulu Simi said the marae stood ready to help again next time wild weather strikes.

State Highway 1 reopened to two-lane traffic at about 6pm.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/17/taihapes-winiata-marae-steps-up-for-stranded-travellers/

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Sewage spill stinks of double standards – Federated Farmers dairy chair

Source: Federated Farmers
By Karl Dean, Federated Farmers dairy chair
This month Wellington’s Moa Point wastewater treatment plant failed catastrophically, sending an estimated 70 million litres of untreated sewage straight into the ocean each day.
Mayor Andrew Little called it an environmental disaster and Wellingtonians have been told it could be months before the south coast waters are swimmable again.
This is a major stuff-up, but one question keeps coming back to me: will those responsible be held to the same standards we demand of Kiwi farmers?
As farmers, we’re no strangers to regulation. Our businesses must comply with strict environmental rules, and we know there are consequences for non-compliance.
Breaches can carry hefty fines, legal action, reputational damage – and in some cases, a criminal conviction against a farmer’s name for life.
We take this seriously, as we should, because farmers have a responsibility to protect waterways and communities.
But is what we’re seeing in Wellington a glaring example of a double standard in environmental accountability?
If a dairy farmer had pumped raw effluent into a local waterway, even by accident, there’d be no debate.
Resource consent conditions would have been breached, immediate investigations would follow, and criminal charges would likely be laid.
So, will we see the same scrutiny of large, publicly managed infrastructure?
Will the manager of the wastewater treatment plant be held personally responsible?
Will Wellington’s mayor, councillors or chief executive be held accountable for long-term underinvestment in critical water infrastructure?
Will there be enforcement action against the council or contractors involved?
It’s fair to assume the answer will probably be a resounding no – or at least, not in a timely or visible way.
I commend Nick Leggett for resigning as chair of Wellington Water following the sewage crisis. He’s done the right thing, but real accountability shouldn’t stop with one resignation when the failure runs far deeper.
Andrew Little has called for an independent inquiry, which is promising, but I highly doubt we’ll see any individuals held to account.
Much was made of The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai being the three waters regulator, which includes wastewater.
The Three Waters Review raised system-wide concerns about whether the regulatory regime was fit for purpose.
Taumata Arowai was presented as a key part of the fix, yet they’ve been strangely silent throughout this debacle, effectively saying: ‘It’s not our job’.
They say it’s Greater Wellington Regional Council’s (GWRC) role to be the primary regulator when it comes to wastewater overflows or breaches of wastewater consents.
That means it’s GWRC’s job to take enforcement action, but the council is a one-sixth shareholder in Wellington Water, the company responsible for the discharge.
That seems like self-regulation to me and doesn’t inspire a great deal of confidence.
Let me be clear: this isn’t about farmers versus councils. It’s about fairness and consistency.
If we’re going to demand one sector follows strict rules under threat of penalties, those standards must apply to everyone.
Anything less erodes trust in our environmental system.
There are plenty of cases where individual farm employers or managers have been prosecuted for breaches of resource consent or environmental regulations, when the consent is in the name of a company. That same logic should apply here.
If a publicly managed facility can discharge untreated sewage – millions of litres a day, for an extended period – without consequence, what message does that send? That the rules are good for some, but not for all?
It also raises serious questions about advocacy and media coverage.
Activist groups usually quick to criticise farmers for environmental missteps because it suits their political narrative have been notably quiet.
Greenpeace, for example, haven’t said a thing about the millions of litres of untreated human waste flowing into the ocean each day in Wellington.
Yet they somehow found time to vandalise a salmon statue in Rakaia this week while ranting and raving about the evils of the dairy sector.
Why the silence? Because this disaster doesn’t align with their preferred villains.
New Zealanders care about clean water, and so do farmers.
We work hard every day to meet our obligations, often under challenging conditions, knowing the consequences of failure are real and enforceable.
But accountability must be universal; environmental laws and consent conditions can’t be selectively enforced.
If we want the public to trust that environmental protections are fair and effective, we must apply the same standards to all operators – farm or council, private or public.
The Wellington sewage spill is a clear reminder that environmental stewardship is everyone’s responsibility.
Farmers are already doing our part – but we also expect the same of every other sector.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/16/sewage-spill-stinks-of-double-standards-federated-farmers-dairy-chair/

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Weather: Local farmers clear mudslide which trapped 20 vehicles

Source: Radio New Zealand

Trucks stopped in Taihape. Supplied

Cars stranded by a slip in rural Taihape are now free after a local farmer cleared a path through the slip with his tractor.

About 20 cars were stuck for several hours between a flood and a slip in the remote area of Turakina Valley Road with no cell coverage.

The Rangitikei Mayor Andy Watson says the cars were able to drive out and he believed they were now heading to Taihape.

Watson previously said he understood it was a local farmer who raised the alarm, calling emergency services to report what he could see.

It had been very hard to get information, he said.

It appears the cars took a back route after State Highway 1 was closed.

“They’ve found flood water that was too deep to drive through then slip has come down behind them and effectively blocked their path,” he said.

Residents in the wider district have told RNZ there are trees blocking may roads, with people not able to get to work.

State Highway 1 has been closed around Taihape.

Watson said it some of the roads the cars took would normally only see “half a dozen” cars a day, he said.

Rangitikei District Council said contractors were working to clear debris, and it was working with Civil Defence on a response to the situation.

Police said they were notified at 12.30pm.

St John Ambulance said it had so far not been required.

Establishing communication the priority

Manawatū-Whanganui Civil Defence said its first priority was to establish communication with those who were trapped.

State Highway 1 was closed between Hunterville and Waiouru and people should not use Turakina Valley Road as a detour, it said.

Many other local roads were also closed.

People should avoid non-essential travel because the roads were treacherous from fallen trees and the possibility for landslides.

Winiata Marae opens to stranded travellers

About 80 people are sheltering at Winiata Marae, in Taihape, which has opened to stranded travellers.

The marae’s chairman Jordan Winiata said they were travellers who had become stranded, unable to reach their destinations.

“They’re stranded because of what’s happening on the highways, we’ve got some InterCity buses, just multiple travellers that would have been going from A to B that unfortunately have been caught in between the roads being open and closed.”

He said the marae was preparing to host those stranded overnight and had capacity for 300.

Winiata said the power was out at the marae, but they had a generator and running water and gas for cooking.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/16/weather-local-farmers-clear-mudslide-which-trapped-20-vehicles/

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South Wairarapa residents coming together during floods

Source: Radio New Zealand

A creek burst in banks on Lake Ferry Road south of Martinborough, Wairarapa. RNZ/Mary Argue

Residents in South Wairarapa are turning to one another in the face of “unprecedented” flooding that triggered several evacuations overnight.

The stormy weather lashing the region has caused rivers to burst their banks, inundating roads and cutting off communities.

Thousands of homes were without power across Wairarapa on Monday morning, roads have been closed and schools and trains cancelled.

Flooding has isolated settlements from Pirinoa to Lake Ferry and the south coast at Cape Palliser – which is being battered by southerly gales and huge waves.

South Wairarapa communities have been cut off during the storms. RNZ/Mary Argue

The wild weather meant South Wairarapa farmer Scotty Macdonald didn’t get much sleep, after helping to evacuate three homes in the early hours of Monday morning.

Macdonald said the call-outs weren’t official.

“We couldn’t get to Lake Ferry to get the fire trucks so we were just in our personal wagons.

He said a couple of the homes were already on their way out the door, but the first call at 4am on Monday necessitated a wake-up.

Evacuated house and flooded road in Pirinoa – South Wairarapa. Supplied

A farmer shifting animals had got in touch with him directly after becoming concerned about flooding at his neighbour’s place.

“It’s previously flooded so we knew there was a risk there.

“Within another hour the house was probably close to a metre underwater, but at the time it was only lapping around the edges.”

The resident was woken up “very politely, of course” and told it was time to go.

“It’s time to boogie buddy.”

One of the flooded homes in Pirinoa – South Wairarapa. Supplied

Macdonald said the extent of the flooding has split already cut off settlements into little islands on high ground.

“All along the road – where the rivers meet the road – the roads have been flooded, so we’ve kind of got little sections of population all the way along that are semi-isolated.

“I’ve been here all my life and we’ve had events like this before, but as far as the water levels go, this would be the highest. There are unprecedented areas that haven’t seen this kind of flooding before,” he said.

A falling tree in Carterton took out a car and powerlines. RNZ/Mary Argue

Macdonald said reception was patchy, but support agencies had been making phone calls and neighbours were checking in on one another where they could.

He said the only thing to do now was to hunker down and wait for the water to drop.

“It’s just too dangerous to go anywhere at the moment.”

Another resident in the areas told RNZ it had been a “long and loud night” and they were flooded in.

“[We’re] in the process of getting fallen trees of the driveways and the road in case the rivers decide to overflow.

“High tide’s not until 5, so we’ll be watching how the day goes!”

They said friends in Whangaimoana beach have had “their whole house go under”.

A creek has burst in banks on Lake Ferry Road south of Martinborough, Wairarapa. RNZ/Mary Argue

Fire and Emergency’s Ian Wright said earlier on Monday that residents in Ngawi had been evacuated to Pirinoa Hall due to rising floodwaters, as well as some tourists at The Pinnacles Campgrounds.

On Monday morning former South Wairarapa District Councillor Brian Jephson told Local Democracy Reporting (LDR)’s Sue Teodoro that Cape Palliser Road on the Wellington side of Ngawi was damaged where a stream had blown out a culvert.

“It’s impassable,” he said.

“There’s not much point going down there until the water stops going through it.”

Jephson said while he had about 62mm of rain, his daughter further north had more than 200mm.

“This is nothing new for us down this way,” he said.

Powerco reported at 8.45am on Monday that storms across the lower North Island left 23,455 customers without power.

The hardest-hit areas were the Wairarapa with 8166 outages, Whanganui with 7846, and Manawatū with 6961.

“Wild weather is expected to continue in parts of the network today which may hamper reconnection work and cause more outages,” a spokesperson told LDR.

-Additional reporting by LDR

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/16/south-wairarapa-residents-coming-together-during-floods/

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Turning a Lunar New Year staple into a daily delight

Source: Radio New Zealand

A Taiwanese family in Auckland is turning a Lunar New Year staple into an everyday purchase, producing about 300,000 dumplings a week as demand grows on mainstream supermarket shelves.

While eaten year-round, many families in China eat dumplings around midnight on Lunar New Year’s Eve, which falls on 16 February this year.

The dumplings’ shape is traditionally believed to resemble ingots, signalling greater wealth in the year ahead.

Such symbolism helped fuel a seasonal rush each year, said Amy Sevao, chief executive of Old Country Food, an Auckland-based dumpling manufacturer.

While consumed year-round, many families in China eat dumplings around midnight on Lunar New Year’s Eve. RNZ / Yiting Lin

The Lunar New Year was the company’s busiest time, she said.

The factory produces about 300,000 dumplings a week, or roughly 1.2 million a month, and orders from mainstream supermarkets typically rise by as much as 20 percent during the festival period.

Sevao, who moved from Taiwan to New Zealand with her parents in 1995, is married to a Samoan man. The couple has two young sons.

She said dumplings had become a thread that tied together different generations in her family.

“It’s such a traditional food,” she said.

“You get together for Lunar New Year, have dumplings and the parents or older relatives will say, ‘Oh, look, this looks like an old gold ingot. It means good fortune, money.’ Those stories get passed on, and that’s always really fun.”

Amy Sevao and her parents will eat dumplings to celebrate Lunar New Year on Monday night. RNZ / Yiting Lin

Drawing on memories from her childhood, Sevao said dumplings were everyday fare in Taiwan and had steadily gained popularity in New Zealand.

In her view, that rise has tracked the broader story of Asian immigration in the country.

Old Country Food had been in business for about 35 years, she said.

It was founded by immigrants from Hong Kong and has since changed hands several times among Asian immigrant families, before Sevao’s parents bought the business in 2015.

“In a way, the history of OCF (Old Country Food) reflects the history of Asian immigration in New Zealand,” she said.

A Taiwanese family in Auckland needs to produce about 300,000 dumplings a week as demand for the dish grows. RNZ / Yiting Lin

Sevao said breaking into the mainstream market could be challenging for businesses owned by migrants.

“When I first started in the business, we were 100 percent in Asian supermarkets,” she said.

“After a while, we thought the mainstream market was much bigger, we should give it a go,” she said.

“We started selling to independent grocery stores like Fresh World or Fruit World,” she said.

“Now we’re in PAK’nSAVE and New World [stores] across the North Island and also in the South Island.

A Taiwanese family in Auckland needs to produce about 300,000 dumplings a week as demand for the dish grows. RNZ / Yiting Lin

She said immigrants had less support because they often didn’t have extensive networks in the community.

“We often have to overcome language barriers,” she said.

“There are lots of laws and regulations, and the way business is done in New Zealand can be very different from the way it is done in Asia.

“To overcome all of that, to have a great team working toward the same goal and to have that effort recognised not only by supermarkets, but by everyday people who go and buy our food, our products every single week, that’s a really great feeling.”

Sevao’s parents agreed that breaking into the mainstream market could be difficult for migrant-owned businesses, but said it was not impossible.

Bingnan Cai, 72, and Lingxin Huang, 66, bought the dumpling manufacturer a decade ago, hoping to help make dumplings a more mainstream part of New Zealand’s food landscape.

“After we moved here, we really missed the taste of our hometown,” Huang said. “Dumplings are one of them.

“We wanted to integrate into society,” she said. “We wanted to help popularise traditional cuisine, so we started this dumpling factory.”

While consumed year-round, many families in China eat dumplings around midnight on Lunar New Year’s Eve. RNZ / Yiting Lin

Cai said sushi, long a symbol of Asian cuisine abroad, had gained popularity among New Zealanders.

Seeing that sushi was now sold in most shopping malls, he was confident his dumplings could also become part of everyday eating in New Zealand.

Cai said he wanted dumplings to become one of New Zealand’s signature foods.

“If you want to enter the mainstream market, you must accept this challenge,” Cai said. “The number of people eating dumplings here would not exceed 15 percent [of the whole population].

“It’s really challenging to grow such a small market into a big one,” he said. “But everything is possible.”

Sevao was confident dumplings had become a staple for many households in New Zealand.

“I think good food is cross-cultural,” she said.

“If it tastes good, it doesn’t matter what culture you come from. … I think dumplings are a very universal food.”

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/16/turning-a-lunar-new-year-staple-into-a-daily-delight/

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Storm News – ASB activates support for customers affected by severe weather

Source: ASB


With severe weather affecting regions across North Island, ASB is offering support options for customers who are impacted by the weather and worried about finances.

 

Targeted support for personal, farming and business customers affected by the extreme weather will be offered on a case-by-case basis, with options including:

  • Deferring loan repayments for up to three months or interest only for three months.
  • Immediate consideration of requests for emergency credit card limit increases.
  • Tailored solutions for eligible ASB business and rural customers including access to working capital of up to $100,000.

 

ASB Executive General Manager for Personal Banking Adam Boyd says ASB wants to hear from any affected customers needing financial assistance or extra support.

 

“We recognise this will be a challenging time for some communities. Any personal, business or farming customers who are worried about their finances following the severe weather are encouraged to get in touch. Our teams have practical options available and are here to help.”

 

ASB’s branches in Masterton and North City are closed today. Lambton Quay is open with reduced staff. All other ASB branches remain open, and customers are advised to check ASB’s branch locator tool for their nearest branch and opening hours.

 

To discuss support options, personal customers should call ASB’s contact centre on 0800 803 804. Alternatively, customers can email hardship@asb.co.nz.  Affected ASB business and rural customers should speak to their relationship manager or call 0800 272 287.

 

Further detail on ASB’s extreme weather support is available here: https://www.asb.co.nz/page/extreme-weather-support.html

More information and full terms, fees and charges can be found on ASB’s website.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/16/storm-news-asb-activates-support-for-customers-affected-by-severe-weather/

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Universities – Yili-Lincoln University research collaboration informs global health policy

Source: Yili

Riddet Institute Fellow Laureate Paul Moughan has led a research collaboration with Yili’s Innovation Centre in New Zealand which will help shape World Health Organisation policy on infant nutrition.

Distinguished Professor Moughan, who chaired the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations’ expert consultation which published guidelines on protein quality for humans in 2013, has been working closely with global experts in a joint research effort co-ordinated by the Yili Innovation Centre Oceania (YICO) at Lincoln University.

In a series of papers published in the Journal of Nutrition (2023), Frontiers in Nutrition (2024) and the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (2025), the work of Professor Moughan and his team has led to breakthrough research that provides a better understanding and far more accurate way of assessing how well babies can absorb and utilise the essential building blocks of protein from breastmilk.

Professor Moughan’s original work in 2013 provided the gold standard for evaluating protein quality in infant formula: the Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS).

His latest research with YICO, the Yili Global Maternal and Infant Nutrition Institute and Professor Yin Yulong, a Fellow of the Chinese Academy of Engineering at the Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has produced new data which deepens this understanding further and has already led to new approaches to infant nutrition production within Yili.

“This has been a hugely productive international research alliance and will no doubt lead to further advances in FAO policy,’’ Professor Moughan said.

“Professor Yin is a digestive physiologist of significant international standing and his thoroughness, attention to detail and scientific leadership was crucial to the success of the collaboration.

“The alliance’s work will also lead to global impacts on the production of infant formula leading to improvements in the long-term health of babies and children.

“It has also been very enjoyable working with the scientific team within Yili. I have been very impressed by the technical capabilities of the team and working with them has actually been quite delightful.’’

Head of YICO, Dr Philip Wescombe, said the Yili Innovation Centre Oceania principal aim was to act as a hub for research collaboration across Oceania.

“After 10 years, we are now well-established in driving innovation by strengthening ties with startups, expanding business opportunities, and fostering greater interaction between researchers, industry, and consumers,’’ Dr Wescombe said.

Resident Director of Yili Group Oceania Region, Zhiqiang Li, said Yili was proud of the work of YICO and of Yili’s teams across Oceania and in Inner Mongolia.

“We are honoured to learn of the warm and respectful relationships the company’s internal technical staff have developed with leading global researchers in China and New Zealand, the support we can provide as Asia’s largest dairy producer, and the fifth largest dairy company in the world,’’ Mr Li said.

References

Hodgkinson, S. M., Xiong, X., Yan, Y., Wu, Y., Szeto, I. M.-Y., Li, R., Wescombe, P., Duan, S., Liu, H., Yin, Y., Lim, W. X. J., & Moughan, P. J. (2023). An accurate estimate of the amino acid content of human milk collected from Chinese women adjusted for differences in amino acid digestibility. The Journal of Nutrition, 153, 3439–3447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.10.009

Moughan, P. J., Deglaire, A., Yan, Y., Wescombe, P., Lim, W. X. J., Stroebinger, N., Duan, S., Szeto, I. M.-Y., & Hodgkinson, S. (2024). Amino acid requirements of the infant: The amino acid composition of human breast milk. Frontiers in Nutrition, 11, 1446565. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1446565

Wu, Y., Yan, Y., Xiong, X., Li, R., Duan, S., Tang, M., Szeto, I. M.-Y., Liu, H., Hodgkinson, S. M., Moughan, P. J., Wescombe, P., Wang, J., & Yin, Y. (2025). Effect of different ratios of αlactalbumin to βcasein in infant formula on true ileal digestibility and intestinal morphology of suckling piglets. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 73, 6144–6150. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.4c10520

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/16/universities-yili-lincoln-university-research-collaboration-informs-global-health-policy/

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Science and Ethics – New animal-free alternative flies to NZ today replacing blood from unborn calves

Source: Beyond Animal Research

For the first time in New Zealand, a new animal-free alternative to Foetal Bovine Serum (FBS) is being imported today by a charity, and will be trialled in a research laboratory, marking a major milestone for both science and animal welfare in Aotearoa.
Today (16/02/26) the first shipment of FRS Pioneer, an animal-free, serum-free alternative to FBS, is en route to Aotearoa as part of a New Zealand pilot study being organised by local charity Beyond Animal Research (BAR).
Foetal Bovine Serum is a widely used laboratory product made from the blood of unborn calves and has been a default ingredient in cell culture research globally for decades. Despite growing ethical and scientific concerns, New Zealand laboratories have not previously had access to such a cost-effective, innovative, trial-ready alternative.
That changes from today.
“This is the incredible moment where change for animals used for science happens” says Tara Jackson, co-founder of Beyond Animal Research.
“For the first time, New Zealand researchers can test this new, genuine alternative to foetal bovine serum in their own labs. This shipment represents years of scientific innovation – and the beginning of a new chapter for how research can be done in Aotearoa.”
The shipment marks the official start of BAR’s New Zealand pilot study, which will support researchers to trial FRS Pioneer in research and teaching settings, document outcomes, and build local evidence to support wider uptake of animal-free methods, not just here in NZ but globally.
FRS Pioneer was developed by Dr Katie Bashant Day, Chief Scientist at Media City Scientific, in response to long-standing limitations of animal-derived serums, including ethical concerns, batch-to-batch variability, contamination risk, and supply instability.
“Foetal bovine serum is inconsistent by nature – every batch is different because every animal is different,” says Dr. Day.
“Animal-free alternatives like FRS Pioneer are designed to be more consistent, more reproducible, and better aligned with where modern science is heading. Seeing this product arrive in New Zealand for real-world trials is incredibly exciting.”
New Zealand is also a producer and exporter of foetal bovine serum, with pregnant cows sent to slaughter and blood collected from their unborn calves for use in laboratories domestically and overseas. BAR says the pilot study represents an opportunity for New Zealand to lead a transition away from this practice.
“New Zealand has the chance to be part of a global solution, not just the supply chain,” says Jackson.
“This pilot is about removing the practical barriers that stop researcher and their labs from changing – access, cost, logistics, and confidence – and replacing them with real, local evidence.”
The first researchers participating in the pilot are based at Victoria University of Wellington, with further institutions expected to join as the study progresses.
A spokesperson from Victoria University of Wellington says the pilot reflects growing interest within the research community in more ethical and scientifically robust tools.
“Researchers are increasingly aware of the limitations of animal-derived products,” the spokesperson says.
“Being able to trial an animal-free alternative in a New Zealand context is a valuable opportunity to assess both scientific performance and practical feasibility.”
BAR says the pilot is the first step in a longer-term goal to make the routine use and production of foetal bovine serum in New Zealand unnecessary and therefore obsolete.
“This single shipment matters,” says Jackson.
“But what matters more is what it enables – better science, greater transparency, and real progress for animals.”
Notes
  • Foetal Bovine Serum (FBS) is produced from the blood of unborn calves after pregnant cows are slaughtered.
  • Globally, around 800,000 litres of FBS are produced each year. Because only a small amount comes from each calf, that volume likely represents the deaths of around one to two million unborn calves worldwide annually.
  • FBS from NZ is manufactured (including slaughtered) in NZ and exported internationally.
  • Through an Official Information Act request to MPI, we confirmed that between January and November 2025, NZ exported approximately 29,000 kilograms of foetal bovine serum (FBS). Based on industry yield estimates, this volume is likely to have come from the blood of tens of thousands of unborn calves – conservatively between 28,000 and 83,000 foetuses in 2025 alone.
  • FBS is widely used for cell culture e.g. studying human diseases, discovering new medicines, producing vaccines and cell therapies, freezing and storing cells for future experiments
  • Animal-free, serum-free alternatives can reduce ethical harm and improve scientific consistency and reproducibility.
  • This is the first import of FRS Pioneer into New Zealand.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/16/science-and-ethics-new-animal-free-alternative-flies-to-nz-today-replacing-blood-from-unborn-calves/

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Super Rugby Pacific: Blues v Chiefs

Source: Radio New Zealand

Josh Jacomb during the Blues v Chiefs, Super Rugby Pacific match, Eden Park. John Cowpland/Actionpress

The Chiefs have emerged victors in a messy Super Rugby Pacific opener against the Blues at Eden Park. A try by All Black halfback Cortez Ratima was the key play in the 75th minute, after he linked with Tupou Vaa’i and Samipeni Finau up the middle of the field. That gave the Chiefs the last lead in a game that at times neither side looked interested in winning, with errors and 20 penalties blown throughout.

The first half saw both sides struggle with cohesion, bombing chances in each others’ 22s with handling errors. The Chiefs bombed a golden opportunity with three men unmarked when Josh Jacomb sent over a cross kick that went way too far, both kickers missed relatively simple shots at goal.

It wasn’t until half an hour into the game that the deadlock, when Tupou Vaa’i scored a slightly controversial try when he appeared to dive over a Blues defender to score in the corner.

Zarn Sullivan hit back almost immediately for the Blues, after some good work by the impressive Caleb Clarke off a bomb saw the ball moved into the flying fullback’s hands.

Anyone hoping for an improvement in quality after the break was sorely disappointed, although the home side looked to have the better of the moments. Dalton Papali’i crashed over after a long period on attack after 53 minutes, which at the time looked about good enough to win the game.

Kyren Taumoefolau tackles Stephen Perofeta during the Blues v Chiefs, Super Rugby Pacific match, Eden Park. Blake Armstrong / action press

However, Samisoni Taukei’aho gave the Chiefs hope not long after, then a litany of errors once again saw the Chiefs set up for Ratima’s ultimately decisive score.

Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes can now celebrate a win on debut, although it’s unlikely his side will be able to play as flat as this and get away with it again. Meanwhile the Blues will be disappointed after specifically stating they were trying to avoid another poor start to the season.

The Chiefs head south to Dunedin to face the Highlanders next weekend, while the Blues make the long journey to Perth to take on the Force.

Read how the game unfolded below:

Team lists

Blues: 1 Joshua Fusitu’a, 2 Bradley Slater, 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 4 Sam Darry, 5 Josh Beehre, 6 Torian Barnes, 7 Dalton Papali’i (c), 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 9 Finlay Christie, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Pita Ahki, 13 AJ Lam, 14 Cole Forbes, 15 Zarn Sullivan

Bench: 16 James Mullan, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Laghlan McWhannell, 20 Anton Segner, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Xavi Taele, 23 Codemeru Vai

Chiefs: 1 Jared Proffit, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3 George Dyer, 4 Josh Lord, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 6 Kaylum Bosher, 7 Jahrome Brown, 8 Luke Jacobson, 9 Xavier Roe, 10 Josh Jacomb, 11 Liam Coombes-Fabling, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 13 Daniel Rona, 14 Kyren Taumoefolau, 15 Etene Nanai-Seturo

Bench: 16 Tyrone Thompson, 17 Benet Kumeroa, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Tepaea Cook-Savage, 23 Kyle Brown

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/14/super-rugby-pacific-blues-v-chiefs/

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New deal paying above market price for regenerative sheep farmers’ wool

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Regenerative sheep farmers could muster an above-market pay cheque for their sustainable wool clip, thanks to a new industry deal.

Wools of New Zealand signed a new contract to supply American-owned company Keraplast, based in Ōtautahi, with hundreds of tonnes of strong wool over the next five years.

Keraplast extracted keratin, the main protein in wool, that was then used as an ingredient in haircare, skincare, nutraceuticals and medical products.

Wools of New Zealand chief executive John McWhirter said the contract linked growers to high-value end uses, rather than the traditional textile markets based on commodity prices, to improve returns.

“This agreement demonstrates how strong wool can move beyond traditional textile markets into advanced, high-value applications.

“It shows strong wool has a future when we combine quality farming and innovative global manufacturing.”

Regenerative farmers focussed on enhancing the health of their soil, waterways and their animals, practices which were auditted for certified farmers.

The new super-premium wool contract was paying 40 percent or $2 a kilogram above market pricing for 2025, at $6.88 per kilo clean – and prices will increase $0.50 a kilo each year.

Keraplast chief executive, Howard Moore said the deal was about shoring up the supply of low-carbon New Zealand strong wool.

John McWhirter of Wools of New Zealand and Howard Moore of Keraplast. SUPPLIED

“We really do want to encourage the supply of regeneratively-farmed wool, but we also do feel it as an obligation from the company for us to to share in the value that we are adding to wool, sharing that with our farmer suppliers.”

Moore said the wool-only company was committed to net positive, a business strategy about creating more positive impacts than negative on the environment, society and the economy.

He said its industrial American customers were very focussed on sustainability.

Read more

“We sell to industrial customers and these industrial customers are concerned about their carbon footprint,” he said.

“And so we are able to demonstrate to these industrial customers of ours that we are doing our bit to source wool that’s got a reduced carbon footprint.

“That commitment to sustainability through using regeneratively farmed wool does help us with with our customers.”

Overseas competitors making products from keratin instead sourced the protein from chicken feathers, he said.

Moore said its 40 employees were working towards processing up to 100 tonnes of wool each year at its new factory near Hornby.

Since around August, wool prices in the North and South Islands had increased, exceeding levels in 2023 and 2024.

However, the national sheep flock was continuing to decline and major broker PGG Wrightson announced last month it was going to end its historic North Island from May.

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/2026/02/12/new-deal-paying-above-market-price-for-regenerative-sheep-farmers-wool/

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Federated Farmers – Government must urgently rule out controversial water tax

Source: Federated Farmers

Federated Farmers is calling on the Government to immediately and categorically rule out any form of ‘water tax’ in its proposed RMA replacement bill.
“There’s absolutely no way we’re going to support any laws that open the door to taxing water,” Federated Farmers RMA reform spokesperson Mark Hooper says.
“A water tax would be a nightmare for farmers and growers, undermining confidence in our productive sectors and pulling a handbrake on economic growth.
“The Government needs to move quickly and strike out any wording that would allow water rights to be auctioned, tendered, levied or taxed.”
In December, the Government released two major pieces of legislation, the Planning and the Natural Environment Bills, to replace the Resource Management Act (RMA).
Federated Farmers policy staff spent the summer break trawling through 744 pages of complex legislation and have serious concerns about what they’ve uncovered.
“It’s incredibly alarming to find clauses that give Ministers sweeping powers to tax water as a tool for managing demand,” Hooper says.
“Based on every conversation we’ve had with the coalition Government, we don’t believe it was ever their intent to impose a water tax on farmers.
“Unfortunately, it seems bureaucrats have snuck this one past Ministers, because that’s exactly what these provisions enable – it’s all there in black and white.”
Previous National Party Prime Ministers, including John Key and Bill English, explicitly ruled out water taxes in their day.
Federated Farmers is now calling on Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to urgently do the same – because rural New Zealand needs to clearly understand his position.
“Federated Farmers strongly supports the objectives of the Government’s RMA reforms: growing productivity and making it easier to get things done,” Hooper says.
“We are in total alignment that there needs to be a stronger focus on property rights, a tighter scope, fewer resource consents, and far less expensive litigation.
“The Government’s messaging has been bang-on but, unfortunately, we don’t think the legislation as currently drafted matches the political rhetoric.”
Hooper says this may be a case of ‘officials gone rogue’, but serious questions remain about how such dangerous provisions have progressed this far.
“The Prime Minister needs to step in now, make a captain’s call, and categorically rule out any possibility of water taxes to give farmers and growers certainty.” 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/12/federated-farmers-government-must-urgently-rule-out-controversial-water-tax/

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Skellerup posts record profit for first half

Source: Radio New Zealand

Skellerup makes products for water supplies and wastewater, foam for boats and roofing products.

Rubber goods manufacturer Skellerup has posted a record first half profit on the back of higher sales across the business.

Key numbers for the six months ended December compared with a year ago:

  • Net profit $28.9m vs $24.2m
  • Revenue $183.5m vs $165.3m
  • Pre-tax earnings $40.6m vs $35m
  • Forecast profit range $57-62m
  • Interim dividend 10 cents per share vs 9 cps

Skellerup chief executive Graham Leaming called its record half year result an “excellent” start to the year, with growth in all its key divisions.

“The growth in revenue and earnings was broad-based with the most notable contributions coming from the key dairy, potable and wastewater applications.”

He said the company had met increased demand, brought new products to market and coped with the imposition of tariffs.

The industrial division, which makes products for water supplies and wastewater, foam for boats and roofing products, had a strong lift in sales to Australia and the US, as well as improved margins.

The agriculture division, which provides rubber components for dairying as well as the well known gumboots, also sold well overseas.

The company gets about 80 percent of revenue from overseas, and close to 40 percent from US sales, but revamped sources of supply and manufacture to reduce the impact of the US tariffs.

Leaming said despite continuing global uncertainty the company had a strong pipeline of work, and was expecting a full year profit between $57-$62m, compared to last year’s $54.5m.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/12/skellerup-posts-record-profit-for-first-half/

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The Inaugural “AI in Education Forum Series & Showcase” Successfully Held

Source: Media Outreach

Accelerating AI Integration into Educational Settings to Enhance Learning and Teaching Effectiveness

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 February 2026 – In alignment with the national “15th Five-Year Plan” recommendations to fully implement the “AI+” initiative, empowering high-quality development of education through comprehensive digitalisation, and in response to the Education Bureau’s “AI for Empowering Learning and Teaching Funding Programme”, the Education Bureau, HKPC Academy of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and Hong Kong Education City (EdCity) jointly organised the inaugural “AI in Education Forum Series & Showcase” on 5 to 6 February 2026. This education showcase was one of the key themes under the “AI with HKPC” Smart Solutions Showcase Series organized by HKPC. The three-day event attracted over 5,000 representatives from the Government, industry, academia, and research. Among them, nearly 3,000 attendees participated in education-themed events, including principals and teachers from more than 250 primary and secondary schools, coming together to explore innovative applications of AI in education. The series of events was a resounding success.

The opening ceremony took place on the afternoon of 5 February and was officiated by Dr SZE Chun Fai, Jeff, JP, Under Secretary for Education, Dr Lawrence CHEUNG Chi-chong, Chief Technology Officer of HKPC; and Mr Armstrong LEE Hon Cheung, Chairman of EdCity, who delivered welcoming speech. The exhibition was rich in content, featuring over 60 booths showcasing a wide range of EdTech Solutions. It also included more than 20 seminars, workshops and demonstration lessons, where experts and industry leaders analysed education trends and teaching strategies. On-site services encompassed EdTech pitching sessions and one-on-one consultations, with professionals from HKPC Academy assisting schools according to their school-based development needs in selecting the most suitable e-learning and AI education solutions, while addressing challenges encountered in implementing digital education.

Dr Lawrence CHEUNG Chi-chong, Chief Technology Officer of HKPC, said: “HKPC fully supports the HKSAR Government in promoting digital education and helping schools seize the opportunities of the AI era. To align with the Education Bureau’s latest ‘AI for Empowering Learning and Teaching Funding Programme’ and support teachers’ professional training, HKPC Academy has established the EdTech Hub to drive the development of digital education. The Hub provides schools with AI tools and student training. We will continue to support the education sector in advancing the application of technology in teaching and learning, injecting more innovative elements into Hong Kong education and strengthening the innovation and technology talent hub.”

Principal Panel: AI Teaching Practices and Strategies

In response to the HKSAR Government’s policy direction to promote digital education, the event is committed to advancing the application of AI in schools and enhancing teaching and learning experiences. The Principal Panel invited multiple highly experienced principals to share the challenges, opportunities, and practical experiences encountered in applying AI to support teaching. In the sharing session titled “Achieve More with Less: AI Integration Strategies for Hong Kong Schools”, six principals with extensive experience in AI education detailed how to effectively leverage AI technologies to optimise teaching processes, enhance learning efficiency, and deliver genuine effectiveness-enhancing opportunities for schools.

Showcasing Innovative EdTech Achievements

The exhibition highlighted 22 projects supported under the Quality Education Fund (QEF) e-Learning Ancillary Facilities Programme (eLAFP), 9 of which have been successfully launched. Developed by universities, school sponsoring bodies and EdTech organisations, these projects leverage advanced technologies including AI, big data, virtual reality and augmented reality to support students across different subjects and grades, driving innovation in teaching models.

Among the featured projects is the “Metaverse English Learning World” developed by the Chinese Young Men’s Christian Association of Hong Kong (YMCA). Designed for upper primary to junior secondary students, it enables learners to interact with AI chatbots via the English speaking and listening platform “My AI Buddy” in an immersive virtual environment, enabling students to enhance their oral proficiency in a natural and engaging way. Another project is the “Lambda Math” Secondary Mathematics Learning Platform, developed by The Chinese University of Hong Kong. It delivers personalised content-based on individual student progress and includes an extensive library of over 4,500 questions, 250 interactive programs and 430 instructional videos. This assists teachers in optimising instruction through data analysis and achieves deeper learning outcomes for students.

Dr CHAN Kai Leung, Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics at The Chinese University of Hong Kong remarked, “We are grateful to the HKPC Academy for organising this exhibition, which provided us with the opportunity to engage with numerous principals and mathematics teachers and gain deeper insights into the actual needs of schools. Following the event, inquiries, trial applications and subscription numbers for the ‘Lambda Math’ Secondary Mathematics Learning Platform increased significantly.”

Another representative from a QEF eLAFP-supported project, Mr WONG Wai-kit, the Officer-in-charge (Education) of Yan Chai Hospital stated, “As one of the projects supported by QEF eLAFP, the ‘LATTE’ platform integrates English reading paper analysis with AI and big data technology to provide diverse reading materials. It effectively caters to different learning needs and helps teachers conduct assessment and follow-up using AI. We are pleased that the platform has received positive feedback from many principals and teachers. We thank the organisers for their support and for working together to advance smart teaching.”

Accelerating AI Integration into Teaching

The event also introduced the “AI for Empowering Learning and Teaching Funding Programme” launched earlier by the Education Bureau. HKPC Academy explained the programme on-site and assisted schools in planning the use of funding to integrate AI into daily teaching, thereby enhancing the comprehensiveness and effectiveness of learning and teaching. In addition, HKPC Academy has specially designed a series of AI education-focused training courses for local primary and secondary schools as well as special educational needs (SEN) schools. The courses cover AI literacy development, language learning enhancement, handwritten mathematics assessment, no-code game creation, and professional SEN teaching support. These initiatives help schools effectively plan and implement AI integration, promoting the development of inclusive education.

Hashtag: #HKPC

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/the-inaugural-ai-in-education-forum-series-showcase-successfully-held/

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Sheep farmers come to parliament to celebrate record year

Source: New Zealand Government

Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has today hosted a celebratory barbecue for farmers, industry representatives and MPs to mark the upcoming National Lamb Day on 15 February.

“As we honour the legacy of the pioneers behind the first shipment of frozen sheep meat to the United Kingdom, we also celebrate lamb exports exceeding $4 billion for the first time last year,” Mr McClay says.

“Today we acknowledge the red meat sector and its significant economic contribution to New Zealand, as well as the hardworking men and women behind that success.

“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy. Meat and wool export revenue alone is forecast to increase seven per cent to $13.2 billion in the year to 30 June 2026.
 
“The efforts of New Zealand’s hard-working sheep and beef farmers support tens of thousands of jobs, and the sector is crucial to New Zealand’s ambitious goal of doubling the value of exports in 10 years.

“This Government is focused on building the future. We’re cutting red tape through significant reforms, building trade, boosting farmgate returns, and investing in the health of rural New Zealand,” Mr McClay says.

“Since coming to Government, we have concluded, signed and entered into force the NZ–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, finished negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council, and secured a high-quality, once-in-a-generation Free Trade Agreement with India.

“We’ll continue removing barriers to trade, opening doors to new partners and making the most of strong trading relationships.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/sheep-farmers-come-to-parliament-to-celebrate-record-year/

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Grey Lynn shooting: Kayden Stanaway to spend at least eight years in prison for murder

Source: Radio New Zealand

Flowers at the scene where Maxwel-Dee Repia was killed. (File photo) Lucy Xia / RNZ

A teenager who murdered another after months of feuding will spend at least eight years behind bars.

Maxwel-Dee Repia, 18, was killed on Turangi Rd in Grey Lynn in September, 2024.

Three others he was with were also injured in the shooting.

Kayden Stanaway, who was 19 at the time of shooting, pleaded guilty to murder and three counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Stanaway was sentenced to 16 years for murder at the High Court at Auckland, with a minimum period of eight years behind bars.

MORE TO COME…

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/grey-lynn-shooting-kayden-stanaway-to-spend-at-least-eight-years-in-prison-for-murder/

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Banking – ASB half year result: Supporting our customers for long-term prosperity

Source: ASB

ASB has reported a cash net profit after tax (NPAT) of $719 million for the six months to 31 December 2025, up 1% on the prior comparative period.  Statutory NPAT was $765 million.

Since December 2024, home lending has grown 8%, while business and rural lending grew by 4%.  Total customer deposits increased by 5%.

Net customer margins remain flat, reflecting higher home lending margins and lower deposit margins.  Net Interest Margin (NIM) was up 6 basis points driven by higher earnings due to timing effects from interest rate hedges.

ASB KiwiSaver Scheme funds under management grew by more than $1.7 billion to more than $20.6 billion, thanks to continued strong returns to customers and top quartile performing funds.[1]  Collectively, ASB Group Investments manages more than $31 billion for investors across its range of five products.

Operating expenses were $839 million, an increase of 21% largely driven by the settlement of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003 class action proceedings, and investments in people, technology modernisation, digital experience and regulatory compliance.

Chief Executive Vittoria Shortt says “While the geopolitical outlook remains uncertain, we are seeing more confidence in the economy, supported by lower interest rates and good export earnings in key sectors.  This is evident in the uptick we’ve seen in business lending, with more lending growth across small business, commercial and rural this half than in the previous financial year.

“We remain well positioned to support our personal and business customers as they continue to tackle higher costs, navigate volatility or transition to growth.”

Investing in our customer experience

“We continue to make significant investments so customers choosing to bank with ASB have a simple and modern experience, where they feel informed and confident about making important financial decisions and safer knowing we actively seek to protect them from fraud and scams.

“Through our technology modernisation we are simplifying the way we work and the services we provide, removing overlap and complexity and offering products that might better suit our customers’ changing needs.

“We have a focus on service excellence and meeting customers’ expectations of faster and simpler processes, with quicker decisions on their home loan applications.  Building on our capability for single home loan applications to be started digitally through the ASB Mobile App, in November we extended this functionality to include joint home loan applications.  Customers can track the progress of their application and view indicative pricing in the ASB Mobile App, so they remain informed at every step.”

Further customer protections

“Fraud and scams remain an issue for New Zealand, and we continue to seek to make banking with us safer with enhanced customer protections against economic crime.

“We are now able to share data between banks related to digital fraud and money mule activity through the Fraud Reporting Exchange and New Zealand Data Exchange.  We remain available to assist customers 24/7 on our 0800 ASB FRAUD line.”

 Investing in New Zealand

“While we’ve seen business lending growth pick up, with increases across agricultural and property lending, for long-term prosperity New Zealand needs to become more productive.

“We are backing business customers to boost their productivity using artificial intelligence and technology in partnership with the New Zealand Product Accelerator and universities.  Following a successful pilot, the programme is being scaled up this year to match up to 100 ASB business customers with AI, business analytics and data science masters’ students to work on their business.

“We are continuing to show up for rural New Zealand with offerings to help with transformation and succession through our Every Hectare Matters programme, and reduce costs with ASB’s Smart Solar 0% lending to assist the switch to renewable, resilient energy.  We are supporting the future of the dairy industry and empowering the next generation of farmers towards the goal of farm ownership with financial support and expertise in partnership with the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards and Fonterra.

“These initiatives are highly valued by the rural sector, as a result we have grown our rural lending more than any other bank in the 12-months to September 2025.[2]

“Long-term prosperity also requires that we have enough housing to support our growing population and easier access to more affordable housing solutions.  We have doubled our commitment to $1 billion to accelerate the development of social and affordable housing and the long-term delivery of thousands of new homes.  To date we have committed $517 million for social and affordable housing, and this half we committed nearly $50 million to a Māori social housing provider in Tāmaki Makaurau to deliver more than 150 homes.”

Saving for the future

“Regular savings provide a pathway to long-term financial wellbeing and broader economic resilience for Aotearoa.

“We have put a lot of effort into the ASB Investment Funds and the ASB KiwiSaver Scheme so we can offer competitive investment options for customers.  We have multiple top performing KiwiSaver funds with low fees, and this is a powerful combination that can make a big difference for our nearly half a million ASB KiwiSaver Scheme members who stand to benefit when purchasing a first home and/or in retirement.

“We remain focused on how we can help tamariki build financial literacy and early savings habits.  In November, we reintroduced our Kashin moneybox to celebrate ASB’s 150 years of supporting Kiwi kids to get one step ahead with money.  We’ve seen a notable increase in the opening of new Headstart accounts, helping children to start their savings journey.  We continue to support the delivery of financial education nationwide with nearly 45,000 students participating this half in our GetWise and Tikitiki o Pūtea programmes in schools.”

 

[1] ASB KiwiSaver Scheme Conservative, Moderate, Balanced and Growth funds are in the top quartile for 12-month performance to 31 December 2025, Morningstar KiwiSaver Survey (Dec 2025).

2 RBNZ quarterly release, 12-months to September 2025.

 

Income Statement ($ millions)

 

 

 

 

 

For the half year ended 31 December

2025

2024

Dec 25 vs Dec 24 %

 

Net interest income

1,602

1,471

9

 

Other operating income

233

233

–

 

Total operating income

1,835

1,704

8

 

Operating expenses

(839)

(695)

21

 

Operating performance

996

1,009

(1)

 

Loan impairment expense

(3)

(17)

(82)

 

Net profit before tax

993

992

–

 

Corporate tax expense

(274)

(278)

(1)

 

Cash net profit after tax (“Cash profit”1)

719

714

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Cash profit to Statutory profit

 

 

 

Cash profit

719

714

1

 

Reconciling items:

 

 

 

 

Hedging and IFRS volatility2

7

(7)

large

 

Notional inter-group charges3

53

71

(25)

 

Reporting structure differences4

6

6

–

 

Tax on reconciling items

(20)

(21)

(5)

 

Net profit after tax (“Statutory profit”)

765

763

–

 

 

 

 

 

 

Performance indicators (cash basis)

 

6

 

Net interest margin (%)

2.35

2.29

6 bpts

 

Return on assets (%)

1.0

1.1

(10) bpts

 

Operating expenses to total operating income (%)

45.7

40.8

490 bpts

 

Return on average total equity (%)

12.0

12.6

(60) bpts

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statutory Balance Sheet ($ billions)

 

 

 

 

As at 31 December

2025

2024

Dec 25 vs Dec 24 %

 

Advances to customers

118.7

111.6

6

 

Total assets

139.7

131.9

6

 

Deposits and other borrowings

94.5

94.8

–

 

Total liabilities

127.4

120.5

6

 

 

 

  1. Cash profit reflects the Banking Group’s underlying operating results and excludes items that introduce volatility and/or one-off distortions which are not considered representative of ongoing financial performance. These items are calculated consistently year on year and do not discriminate between positive and negative adjustments.
  2. Hedging and IFRS volatility includes unrealised fair value gains or losses on economic hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting and unrealised fair value gains or losses on the ineffective portion of hedges that do qualify for hedge accounting under NZ IFRS. These fair value gains or losses are excluded from Cash profit/(loss) since the asymmetric recognition of the gains or losses does not affect the performance of the Banking Group over the life of the hedge.
  3. This represents the recognition of a notional cost of capital from the ultimate parent and other allocated costs which are not included in Statutory profit. Comparative information (including the tax impact) has been restated to conform to presentation in the current period. As a result, the return on average total equity and operating expenses as a percentage of total operating income have been restated accordingly.
  4. The results of certain business units within the CBA Group are excluded from Cash profit for management reporting purposes but included in Statutory profit.

 

 

 

[1] ASB KiwiSaver Scheme Conservative, Moderate, Balanced and Growth funds are in the top quartile for 12-month performance to 31 December 2025, Morningstar KiwiSaver Survey (Dec 2025).

[2] RBNZ quarterly release, 12-months to September 2025.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/banking-asb-half-year-result-supporting-our-customers-for-long-term-prosperity/

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How to limit processed meats for lunch

Source: Radio New Zealand

I have a confession to make.​

I buy myself a really expensive prosciutto that is cured only with salt. My kids, on the other hand, are fed ham and salami with ingredients that have a long list of weird chemical-sounding additives like pyrophosphates and polyphosphates hidden behind the numbers like E451 and E452. My prosciutto is merely considered processed, whereas what I feed my kids reaches the level of ultra-processed. 

Look here, people, my prosciutto is more than $100 a kilo, and I buy the tiniest amount each week. Grocery store ham or salami costs a little over $30 a kilo.

A sandwich with layers of ham and mayonnaise.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/11/how-to-limit-processed-meats-for-lunch/