Category: France

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Country Life: International blade shearers on edge for the Golden Shears

Source: Radio New Zealand

Blade shearers at work preparing for the Golden Shears in Masterton. RNZ/Sally Round

At Rewa Rewa Station’s woolshed in Tīnui shearers are at work, but it’s not as noisy as usual.

Over the clatter of sheep hooves on the floorboards, you can make out the snip-snip-snip of blade shears instead of the much louder whirr of machine shearing tools.

Holding the shears – which look like giant scissors – are 15 blade shearers from several countries – here to learn a few tips from world champion blade shearer Allan Oldfield, in preparation for the Golden Shears competition in Masterton next week.

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Blade shearing is slower than machine shearing but leaves a thicker layer of wool on the sheep, beneficial if they’re caught in spring storms, Oldfield said.

“Blade shears leave about half an inch, so 10 or 12 millimetres of wool on the sheep, and that just gives them some protection against the elements, whereas even the cover combs on machines, which are meant to leave more wool on, they only leave five or six millimetres of wool.”

It’s done over a short season but is a skill in demand, with only about 20 commercial blade shearers in New Zealand, he said.

“It takes a lot of time to learn to blade shear well. For three months of work a year, a lot of people aren’t willing to put that effort in.”

A shearer works his way with his blades over a sheep, leaving a thicker layer of wool on the animal, beneficial before spring storms. RNZ/Sally Round

Blade shearing tutors Allan Oldfield and his father Phil at smoko in the woolshed. RNZ/Sally Round

Blade shearing is valued for cultural as well as practical reasons, according to the multi-national group in the woolshed.

Maureen Cadet from France has used her blades on flocks on remote islands where there is no electricity, and on milking sheep in the Pyrenees.

“It’s actually a pretty nice day, because everybody is gathering. We are, like, 20 or more shearers, blade shearing on that small flock for the day, and having a party at night.”

Wearing moccasins, tough jeans and a black singlet, she looks like shearers the world over, honing her blades on a sharpening tool in the corner of the woolshed.

Maureen Cadet holding a pair of blades. She has ten pairs at home in France. RNZ/Sally Round

In another part of the shed, shearers from The Netherlands and the Basque Country sort through a fleece, exchanging knowledge in a mixture of Spanish, Dutch and English.

Erik Bijlsma, from The Netherlands, likes the idea of practising an old craft.

“We’ve got those flocks that are grazing fields of heather, that are brought into the village, and then they make a sort of a festivity out of it to shear the sheep, and that’s all done in the traditional way.

“It’s much easier on the ears than machine shearing.”

Blade shearers from The Netherlands, France and the United States training at Rewa Rewa Station in Tīnui. RNZ/Sally Round

Being a social bunch, blade shearers enjoy the relative quiet of their craft, Oldfield’s father Phil said.

With half a century of shearing and wool handling under his belt, he was also in the woolshed imparting his knowledge.

Not having to shout above the machines, talk on the woolshed floor veers from politics to religion to relationships he said.

Also, according to Oldfield senior, blade shearing is way easier on the body.

“When you machine-shear a sheep, you pretty much turn it 360 degrees every time you shear them. And you’re shearing 200 or 300 or 400 a day.

“With the blade shearing, you walk around the sheep, and you might shear one or 200 sheep a day, so a lot less weight being carted around.”

Loren Opstedahl from South Dakota is in the United States’ two-person blade shearing team. He has competed at the Golden Shears twice before in machine-shearing.

His blades and his body were getting a good workout at the blade shearing school – good practice given he rarely took up the blades back home.

“If I practice, I’m shearing alongside my team. So they’re shearing with machines, and I’m over there shearing with the blades, slower, making less money, killing time.

“I just have to force myself to do the practice there, because it’s more nostalgic in the US.”

Allan Oldfield took his blade shearing school to Rewa Rewa Station in Wairarapa to give blade shearers some tips before competition at the Golden Shears. RNZ/Sally Round

New Zealand traditionally does well in the blade shearing, Allan Oldfield said, with South Africa the toughest ones to beat.

He was expecting good competition at the Golden Shears.

“The big thing for competition shearing, and that we’re working on here, is getting a really clean finish on the sheep.

“Blade shearing is probably 65 percent quality of the job, 35 percent speed.”

Learn more:

  • Find out more about the Golden Shears 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/2026/02/28/country-life-international-blade-shearers-on-edge-for-the-golden-shears/

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Dalton Papali’i thrilled do join “exclusive” Blues century club

Source: Radio New Zealand

Blues captain Dalton Papali’i in action against the Chiefs at Eden Park. Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Dalton Papali’i says becoming the 11th player to bring up 100 games for the Blues is one of the biggest honours of his career.

The Blues skipper will bring up the milestone in tonight’s Super Rugby Pacific match against the table-topping Brumbies in Canberra and admitted it has been on his mind this week.

The 37-Test flanker recently announced this season will be his ninth and last at the Blues before taking up a contract with French club Castres Olympique.

He said it would be hard to wrench himself away from Auckland and was pleased he’d become a centurion before he goes.

He joins a list topped by All Blacks great Keven Mealamu (164 games), while the most recent inductees were Test veterans Patrick Tuipulotu and Rieko Ioane, who brought up 100 games during the Blues’ title-run in 2024.

All Blacks players Dalton Papali’i and Rieko Ioane Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland Inpho / www.photosport.nz

“They’re the legends of our game, they’re the ones who have paved the way for us young guys to come through,” Papali’i said.

“When you walk through a corridor at the Blues and you see the legends there that have got 100 games, you never think you’re going to rub shoulders with them and be up there with those boys.

“I don’t have the words to express how special it is. It’s a unique and exclusive group to be part of.”

Papali’i will have his mother and sister watching from the grandstand on Saturday night.

“It’s a pretty special feeling, not just for myself but for my family, especially the ones that have been there for the whole journey. And especially for my partner and little baby as well.

“It’s a pretty proud moment. Playing your debut is pretty special. You don’t think you’ll get to 50 games and once that pops up on you, 100 games still doesn’t feel real.”

Dalton Papali’i. Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

Papali’i wants to exit on a high, having suffered a setback to his test career last year when largely ignored by now-departed coach Scott Robertson.

The 28-year-old responded in style by leading the New Zealand XV on their unbeaten three-match tour of Europe under the coaching eye of Jamie Joseph.

Meanwhile, Blues Vern Cotter said Papali’i’s milestone is on the minds of his players.

“I think everyone’s proud to be a part of the team that has Dalton for his 100th game,” Cotter said.

“I know he’s focused on his job but we’re on tour, we’re a tight group and being able to share that with Dalts is amazing.

“It’s that pride in the jersey and we’ll all be behind Dalts and hopefully we can give him what we’d like to have after 80 minutes.”

Blues coach Vern Cotter during a Blues training session. Super Rugby Pacific, Alexandra Park, Auckland, New Zealand. Tuesday 18 June 2024. © Photo credit: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

The Blues are coming off victory over the Force in Perth last week, having opened the season with a narrow loss to the Chiefs at Eden Park.

Prop Joshua Fusitu’a ruled out with injury, with Ofa Tu’ungafasi moving to loosehead prop while Kurt Eklund comes in to start at hooker.

Lock Sam Darry has recovered from a head knock and returns to the starting XV while the backline remains unchanged for the third straight game.

Cotter said the Brumbies have impressed in big wins on the road over the Force and Crusaders.

“The Brumbies were very good in the second half against the Force and then obviously the last minutes against the Crusaders really hurt them,” he said.

“They’ll be full of concidence. Bear in mind, they came over and beat us last year at home so we’d like to sort a few things out with regard to that. So I think the boys will be up for it.”

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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/2026/02/27/dalton-papalii-thrilled-do-join-exclusive-blues-century-club/

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Parliamentary and business delegation to visit Latin America

Source: New Zealand Government

Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a Parliamentary and business delegation to Latin America next week, highlighting the strategic importance of New Zealand’s ties with the region. 

 “This trip is a timely opportunity to strengthen our relationships in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay – and to identify areas we can work together to navigate an increasingly uncertain global environment,” Mr Peters says. 

 “Our Latin American partners are important to us and this visit will raise our commercial profile in the region and create opportunities for New Zealand businesses. The delegation will promote New Zealand’s reputation as a provider of innovative, high-quality products and services and help create new commercial linkages. Latin American markets offer exciting potential for New Zealand exporters.” 

 Mr Peters will be accompanied by a business delegation as well as a group of MPs from across Parliament: 

Nicole McKee, Minister for Courts and Associate Minister of Justice;
Tim van de Molen, Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee;
Carmel Sepuloni, Deputy Leader of the Opposition; and
Damien O’Connor, Opposition Trade Spokesperson. 

The delegation will meet with senior government leaders and a range of parliamentary, business and education contacts.  

 On its way back to New Zealand, the delegation will undertake short programmes in Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and French Polynesia. 

“The Pacific is central to New Zealand’s foreign policy approach. We are pleased to have visited all Pacific Islands Forum countries at least once during this Parliamentary term and are looking forward to returning to French Polynesia and to making connections in Rapa Nui.” 

 The delegation departs on Sunday 1 March and returns on Monday 9 March.  

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/26/parliamentary-and-business-delegation-to-visit-latin-america/

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New Zealand Golf Open: All you need to know

Source: Radio New Zealand

Australian Ryan Peake is back to defend his New Zealand Open golf title, he won at Millbrook Resort in 2025. © Mogie Adamchik 2025

The format, the contenders, the history, the ambassadors, plenty of highlights ahead of golf’s New Zealand Open.

The tournament

New Zealand Golf Open, 26 February – 1 March 2026.

Millbrook Resort, Queenstown.

It’s that time of the year, where 156 professionals, and the same number of amateurs, flood into Queenstown for what will be the 105th New Zealand Golf Open. The tournament will feature the same format as previous years, with play on both courses at Millbrook Resort. All players will split their first two rounds on Coronet 18 (designed by Scott Macpherson and Greg Turner) and Remarkables 18 (designed by Sir Bob Charles). The top 60 plus ties will play the final two rounds over the weekend.

The total purse of the tournament is once again NZ$2 million, with the winner taking home approximately $360,000 and earning a spot at The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in mid-July. The forecast is for rain/showers for day one and cloudy skies for the remaining three days, with temperatures hovering between 16 to 20 degrees.

History

Our national open has a rich history. It was first played in 1907, when amateur Arthur Duncan won in Napier. Some famous names have triumphed down the years, including two of Australia’s finest players. Peter Thomson won it nine times, including three times in a row between 1959-1961, and Kel Nagel, who won six titles, also winning three in a row, 1967-1969. In the 1980s, American Corey Pavin, was a well-known name, to twice win the title. He would go on to win the US Open in 1995.

And, plenty of great New Zealand players have won the title, including major winners Sir Bob Charles (four times) and Michael Campbell (who won in 2000). Michael Hendry was the last New Zealand winner in 2017.

Tiger Woods (R) with caddie Steve Williams, at the New Zealand Open in 2002. PHOTOSPORT

Arguably the most famous New Zealand Open though was in 2002 at Paraparaumu Beach, when Tiger Woods came to New Zealand. That edition of the tournament was won by Australian Craig Parry. In recent years, Australians have dominated the winners’ list, with West Australian Ryan Peake the defending champion. Seven other former New Zealand Open winners are also competing.

Local hopes

Twenty-eight New Zealanders will feature this year. While our highest ranked player Ryan Fox, isn’t here due to his PGA Tour commitments, our two players on the DP World Tour, Daniel Hillier and Kazuma Kobori, are competing. Hillier, in particular, has made big strides in recent times, and is arguably the best hope for local success. His world ranking is exactly 100, after making a cracking start to the year. He’s had three top 10 finishes in his last five tournaments (Australian Open, Dubai Invitational, Bahrain Championship), and is fifth on the order of merit.

Daniel Hillier, while competing in Dubai in November 2025. GIUSEPPE CACACE

The Japanese born Cantabrian Kobori, also comes to Queenstown in solid form, after finishing in a tie for ninth at his last tournament, the Qatar Masters earlier this month. Ben Campbell, who plays on the LIV tour, is also back, along with the in form Steven Alker, who has won 10 times on the PGA Tour Champions. Five New Zealand amateurs are featuring, with 17-year-old Cantabrian Cooper Moore, one to watch. Moore finished runner up at the NZ PGA championship last week, at Paraparaumu Beach.

Overseas contenders

Australians dominate the field with Lucas Herbert, who finished last year’s LIV tour ranked 15th and Anthony Quayle, who plays on the DP World Tour, having solid credentials. 2025 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, Kazuki Higa, the world number 123, is back again. He finished tied for second at last year’s New Zealand Open, alongside South African Ian Snyman, who has also returned. Wang Wei-Hsuan, from Chinese Taipei, is another to keep your eye on after three top-five finishes on the 2025 Asian Tour.

Eleven Americans are also teeing it up, including former PGA Tour winners Kevin Na, Nick Watney and Kyle Stanley. Chase Koepka, younger brother of multiple major winner Brooks, is also in the field.

The ambassadors

One of the big features of the tournament in recent years has some superstars from other sports playing as amateurs. This year, two names stand out from the pack. Kelly Slater, widely regarded as the greatest surfer of all time, is here. He is an 11-time world champion, and is teaming up with German Dominic Foos in the pro-am. Three-time grand slam tennis champion, Ash Barty, is also here. She won the French Open in 2019, Wimbledon in 2021 and the Australian Open in 2022, before retiring at the age of just 25.

Ash Barty celebrates her win at Wimbledon in 2021. PHOTOSPORT

Both Slater and Barty are handy golfers. Barty plays off a four handicap, while Slater’s been given a two handicap for the event. New Zealand sporting stars Israel Dagg, Jeff Wilson, Stephen Fleming and Tom Abercrombie are also playing, alongside former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting and American actor Michael Pena.

Kelly Slater, American surfing legend. Supplied: Piha Pro

What they said

Ben Campbell: “There’s a couple of holes where I’m going to hit 3-wood this year. It will definitely help with the scores. Hopefully the greens get nice and fast and with some good solid rough like that, I think probably the scores won’t quite be where they have been in the last couple of years.”

Defending champion Ryan Peake on laying the 18th in practice: “I got a bit emotional walking down there. Maybe I took too many emotions in, or something like that, or I just got that realisation of how much it actually changed my life.”

Daniel Hillier, who got married on Sunday is looking forward to another big week: “It would mean the world obviously if I could cap it off with my name on the Brodie Breeze Trophy. I speak for all Kiwis. It is our childhood dream.”

Kazuma Kobori said he leans on the likes of Hillier for support: “When we are on tour, we are isolated a little bit and we move within the golfers. I’ve learned a lot from the likes of Dan over the past year. It has been good to learn from him and see what he does and what he doesn’t do as well. We have a good thing going out there. If I don’t win then it would be nice for a Kiwi to win but it is obviously not controllable. I am just going to go out there and do my job and see what happens.”

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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/2026/02/25/new-zealand-golf-open-all-you-need-to-know/

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Joint statement on AI Generated Imagery

Source: Privacy Commissioner

AI systems generating realistic images and videos depicting identifiable individuals without their knowledge and consent has led to the New Zealand Office of the Privacy Commissioner co-signing a joint statement on the issue. The concerns about these technologies include the creation of non-consensual intimate imagery and potential harms to children and other vulnerable groups.

The co-signatories remind all organisations developing and using AI content generation systems that these systems must be developed and used in accordance with applicable legal frameworks, including data protection and privacy rules. The statement also notes that fundamental principles should apply when using AI content generation systems, including implementing robust safeguards, transparency, and addressing specific risks to children.

Joint Statement on AI-Generated Imagery and the Protection of Privacy

The co-signatories below are issuing this Joint Statement in response to serious concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) systems that generate realistic images and videos depicting identifiable individuals without their knowledge and consent.

While AI can bring meaningful benefits for individuals and society, recent developments – particularly AI image and video generation integrated into widely accessible social media platforms – have enabled the creation of non-consensual intimate imagery, defamatory depictions, and other harmful content featuring real individuals. We are especially concerned about potential harms to children and other vulnerable groups, such as cyber-bullying and/or exploitation.

Expectations for Organisations

The co-signatories remind all organisations developing and using AI content generation systems that such systems must be developed and used in accordance with applicable legal frameworks, including data protection and privacy rules.

We also highlight that the creation of non-consensual intimate imagery can constitute a criminal offence in many jurisdictions.

Whilst specific legal requirements vary by jurisdiction, fundamental principles should guide all organisations developing and using AI content generation systems, including:

  • Implement robust safeguards to prevent the misuse of personal information and generation of non-consensual intimate imagery and other harmful materials, particularly where children are depicted.
  • Ensure meaningful transparency about AI system capabilities, safeguards, acceptable uses and the consequences of misuse.
  • Provide effective and accessible mechanisms for individuals to request the removal of harmful content involving personal information and respond rapidly to such requests.
  • Address specific risks to children through implementing enhanced safeguards and providing clear, age-appropriate information to children, parents, guardians and educators.

Coordinated Response

The harms arising from non-consensual generation of intimate, defamatory, or otherwise harmful content depicting real individuals are significant and call for urgent regulatory attention.

To encourage the development of innovative and privacy-protective AI, the co-signatories of this statement are united in expressing their concern about the potential harms from the misuse of AI content generation systems. The co-signatories aim to share information on their approaches to addressing these concerns that can include enforcement, policy and education, as appropriate and to the extent that such sharing is consistent with applicable laws. This reflects our shared commitment and joint effort in addressing a global risk.

Conclusion

We call on organisations to engage proactively with regulators, implement robust safeguards from the outset, and ensure that technological advancement does not come at the expense of privacy, dignity, safety, and other fundamental rights – particularly for the most vulnerable of our global society.

List of signatories 

  • Information and Data Protection Office of the Republic of Albania
  • Andorran Data Protection Agency, Andorra
  • Agency of Access to Public Information – DPA Argentina
  • Ombudsman’s Office of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina 
  • Office of the Information Commissioner, Queensland, Australia
  • Basque Data Protection Authority, Spain
  • Data Protection Authority, Belgium
  • Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Bermuda
  • National Data Protection Agency, Brazil
  • Commission for Personal Data Protection of the Republic of Bulgaria
  • Commission for Information Technology and Freedoms, Burkina Faso
  • Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
  • Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta, Canada
  • Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia, Canada
  • Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
  • Commission on Access to Information of Quebec, Canada
  • National Commission of Data Protection, Republic of Cabo Verde
  • Catalan Data Protection Authority, Catalonia (Spain)
  • Superintendence of Industry and Commerce of Colombia
  • Croatian Personal Data Protection Agency
  • Commissioner for Personal Data Protection, Cyprus
  • Superintendence of Personal Data Protection of Ecuador
  • European Data Protection Board
  • European Data Protection Supervisor
  • National Commission for Information Technology and Civil Liberties, France
  • Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, Germany
  • Data Protection Commission Ghana
  • Gibraltar Regulatory Authority
  • Office of the Data Protection Authority, Bailiwick of Guernsey
  • Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Hong Kong (SAR), China
  • The Icelandic Data Protection Authority
  • Data Protection Commission, Ireland
  • Isle of Man Information Commissioner
  • Israeli Privacy Protection Authority
  • Italian Data Protection Authority
  • Jersey Office of the Information Commissioner, Bailiwick of Jersey
  • Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, Kenya
  • Information and Privacy Agency, Kosovo
  • Office of the Information and Data Protection Commissioner of Malta
  • Mauritius Data Protection Office
  • Institute for Transparency, Access to Public Information and Personal Data Protection of the State of Mexico and Municipalities, Mexico
  • Institute for Transparency, Access to Public Information and Personal Data Protection of Nuevo León, Mexico
  • Personal Data Protection Unit of the Anti-Corruption and Good Government Secretariat, Mexico
  • Personal Data Protection Authority, Monaco
  • Dutch Data Protection Authority, Netherlands
  • Office of the Privacy Commissioner, New Zealand
  • Nigeria Data Protection Commission
  • Norwegian Data Protection Authority
  • The National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information, Panama
  • National Authority for the Protection of Personal Data, Peru
  • National Privacy Commission, Philippines
  • Personal Data Protection Office, Poland
  • Portuguese Data Protection Supervisory Authority, Portugal
  • Personal Data Protection Commission of the Republic of Singapore
  • Information Commissioner of the Republic of Slovenia
  • Personal Information Protection Commission, Republic of Korea
  • Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner, Switzerland
  • ADGM Office of Data Protection, Emirate of Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
  • Dubai International Financial Centre Authority, Emirate of Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
  • UK Information Commissioner’s Office, United Kingdom
  • Regulatory and Control Unit for Personal Data, Uruguay

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/23/joint-statement-on-ai-generated-imagery/

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SUDAN: Children killed on first day of Ramadan must spur urgent action to protect every child – Save the Children

Source: Save the Children

As families across Sudan marked the first day of Ramadan, children were reportedly among those killed in renewed violence, underscoring the urgent need for international action to protect children after nearly three years of war, Save the Children said.
At least 18 people, including children, were killed on Wednesday when a drone strike hit a water collection point in Umm Rusum village, located in Al-Sunut locality of West Kordofan State, according to local media .The latest deaths came as a United Nations fact-finding mission said that atrocities committed in El-Fasher in Darfur bore the hallmarks of genocide, with the report documenting widespread and systematic attacks against civilians, including women and children.
Save the Children said urgent action is needed to protect civilians especially children, with Sudan’s children remain trapped in a relentless war that has shattered communities, caused the world’s largest displacement crisis impacting 15 million people, and pushed families to the brink of famine.
Francesco Lanino, Deputy Country Director of Programmes and Operations for Save the Children in Sudan, said: “Ramadan should be a time of peace, reflection and family. Instead, children in Sudan are being killed in their homes and in places where they should be safe. No child should ever pay the price for a conflict they did not create.
“Reports from the UN about the scale of atrocities in El Fasher should shock the conscience of the world. Children are not only caught in the crossfire but in many cases, they are directly targeted or suffer the long-term consequences of displacement, hunger and trauma. At the very least parties to the conflict must commit to an immediate ceasefire during the holy month of Ramdan, allowing families to observe this sacred period in safety and dignity. This should serve as first step toward a sustained and meaningful cessation of hostilities.
“Sudan’s children cannot wait. The international community must move beyond statements of concern and take concrete action to protect children’s lives, uphold international law and ensure those responsible for atrocities are held to account.”
Save the Children has worked in Sudan since 1983 and is currently supporting children and their families across Sudan providing health, nutrition, education, child protection and food security and livelihoods support. 
About Save the Children NZ:
Save the Children works in 120 countries across the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and works with children and their communities to ensure they survive, learn and are protected.
Save the Children NZ currently supports international programmes in Fiji, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Areas of work include child protection, education and literacy, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and alleviating child poverty.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/23/sudan-children-killed-on-first-day-of-ramadan-must-spur-urgent-action-to-protect-every-child-save-the-children/

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Black Foils begin physical, emotional repairs after horror SailGP crash with France

Source: Radio New Zealand

Salvage crew survey the wreckage of Black Foils’ Amokura boat at New Zealand SailGP. James Gourley for SailGP

The Black Foils are drawing heavily on the strength of injured grinder Louis Sinclair as they come to grips with the horror crash that all but destroyed their F50 boat during New Zealand SailGP last weekend.

As the 13-boat fleet sprinted off the startline of Saturday’s third race, NZ driver Peter Burling seemed to lose control of Amokura’s rudder and swerved sharply into the path of France, whose boat ploughed over the top of bow, slicing it in two and leaving Sinclair with compound fractures in both legs.

He underwent surgery on the weekend and was pictured on social media overnight, leaving hospital on his own two feet.

“I just want to really commend Louis for how he’s handled himself throughout this whole incident,” Black Foils wing trimmer Blair Tuke said. “He’s been amazing really in true Louis fashion, and holding true to the values and characteristics we hope all our team members instil.

“Amazingly calm right from the first incident out on the water to the surgery in Auckland Hospital and as he comes out now for what will now be quite a long recovery back to full health.

“With his calm demeanour and unique sense of humour, he’s really brought strength to all of us through this time.”

The New Zealand team have spoken publicly for the first time since the high-speed crash that shocked thousands of spectators watching from the massive grandstand on Wynyard Point.

In happier times, the Black Foils, with Louis Sinclair second left, celebrate their SailGP victory at Portsmouth 2025. Jason Ludlow for SailGP

Team bosses Tuke and driver Burling are still processing exactly what happened in those fateful seconds before, during and after impact.

“We started off with a great two races, and were really enjoying the conditions and feeling comfortable in the boat,” Burling recalled.

“We started off race three and were going down reach one to windward of the Italian boat. We ended up high on the foil and ended up sliding sideways.

“We hit a system limit, which drastically escalated that situation, and had to take quite drastic action to avoid the Italian boat to leeward, which resulted in us touching down. Obviously, the incident followed that.”

Burling said once the spray had cleared, he could see his four crewmates safe, knowing strategist Liv Mackay was on the other side of the boat out of harm’s way.

Louis Sinclair leaves hospital, after surgery to compound fractures of both legs. Facebook/NZ SailGP Team

“At that stage, you’re thankful everyone’s safe, but very quickly we realised Louis had his legs stuck in the bottom of the cockpit and we can only commend Louis on his demeanour through that time.

“It was incredible to see someone in a situation like that remain so calm, and be such an instrumental part of telling us what he was feeling and where the pressure was, and getting the two boats apart.

“I think we can all learn a lot from Louis through this time and it’s pretty incredible to see the way he responded in the situation, but we’re also incredibly proud of the rest of our team and the way everyone came together in a tough situation, and the French team as well.

“They were dealing with situations on board, but definitely came straight to our aid.”

French strategist Manon Audinet sustained several abdominal bruising, when she was catapulted forward on impact, breaking the steering wheel. She is also under medical observation and is recovering well,

Burling has replayed the incident over and over in his mind, but has also had the benefit of a myriad other perspectives on the incident.

“The thing with SailGP is there are so many camera angles, all the audio and all the different aspects,” he explained. “It’s really nice in some ways to know that your memory of the whole situation was pretty accurate.

“It’s also interesting some things you didn’t see or weren’t concentrating on at the time, how everything unfolded.

New Zealand and France collide during New Zealand SailGP off Auckland’s Wynyard Point. Felix Diemer for SailGP

“It’s all part of the wider review process from here.”

New Zealand SailGP represented the first occasion all 13 teams raced on the water together, and other drivers suggested jamming that many boats onto the compact Waitematā Harbour course in tricky wind conditions probably didn’t help the situation.

Organisers responded by splitting the fleet into smaller heats on Sunday, increasing safety, but possibly detracting from the spectacle.

SailGP is still investigating the incident, but has already ruled New Zealand and France out of the Sydney regatta next week.

Inspections have confirmed Amokura’s central pod and port hull emerged relatively unscathed, and can be used to repair the damage to the French boat. Because they did not cause the impact, returning France to the startline will take priority.

Given the extent of damage to their boat, the Kiwis are probably waiting for completion of the next new boat, which SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts indicated could be June.

“From here, we’re still working out that exact path forward,” Burling said. “We definitely won’t be in Sydney and SailGP is still undertaking that wider planning process around when the Black Foils will be back on the startline.

“We’re having to play a little bit of a waiting game now.”

In the meantime, the mending continues.

“For the wider team, mental and physical health is paramount through this time,” Tuke said. “We’re just taking it day by day to make sure everyone is supported in the way that they need as individuals.

“It was a really horrific incident and how we manage our path back from here is really important.”

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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/2026/02/19/black-foils-begin-physical-emotional-repairs-after-horror-sailgp-crash-with-france/

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All wartime service now honoured on Anzac Day

Source: New Zealand Government

Legislation to formally recognise all those who have served New Zealand in times of war as part of Anzac Day commemorations has passed in Parliament today.

“Honouring our service personnel on Anzac Day is one of our most enduring national traditions,” Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

“It binds us to our history and to the story of who we are as a country, while providing an opportunity to reflect on the courage and extraordinary sacrifice of those who have served to defend and protect New Zealand and our allies.

“However, the Anzac Day Act was in desperate need of updating. It failed to acknowledge conflicts after 1966, meaning many service personnel were excluded from official commemorations under the law. The modernised law more accurately reflects public sentiment about who we honour on Anzac Day.”

Veterans Minister Chris Penk says, increasingly, New Zealanders are using the occasion of Anzac Day to reflect on the loss of loved ones in war and in warlike situations, including United Nations missions, other multi-force groupings, and service alongside allied forces.

“Kiwis also commemorate the loss of family members who served as civilians in medical units, and the Merchant Navy during the two World Wars. Others remember those who tragically died while training for conflict.

“The updated Act will now also cover the service of members of allied forces who participated in the first landing on Gallipoli, including personnel from countries such as France and India.

“These changes are well overdue, and come into effect before Anzac Day 2026, meaning that this year will be the first time our national commemoration formally recognises all those who have served New Zealand in times of war.

“We will remember them.”

Mr Goldsmith says the passage of the legislation strengthens the integrity and relevance of one of New Zealand’s most important days of remembrance.

“Preserving the memory of those who fought to defend our country, and of those who served in other vital roles during times of war, is a critical part of safeguarding New Zealand’s history and national identity.”

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/17/all-wartime-service-now-honoured-on-anzac-day/

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Documentary series ‘My China Story’ shines spotlight on US martial artist Jake Pinnick

Source: Media Outreach

BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 February 2026 – The People’s Daily has launched two seasons of the documentary My China Story, featuring 10 foreigners who have pursued their careers in China. Season one features tech entrepreneur Nikk Mitchell, US zoologist Kevin Messenger, US ceramist Matt Watterson and Argentinian motorcycle designer Rodrigo Álvarez. The newly released season two of the series puts the spotlight on Neil Schmid, a US expert on Buddhist studies and Dunhuang; US martial arts lover and Taoist Jake Pinnick; French spelunker Jean Bottazzi and Russian vlogger Anton Butov, all of whom have shared their distinctive life paths in China.

My China Story gives the world a window into foreign residents who have lived across different regions with a wide range of career choices. This documentary series has gained a significant number of overseas viewers on a variety of social media platforms, including Youtube, Tiktok and X. Among all the episodes, the viewers have shown the most interest in Pinnick, who was born in the 1990s in the US, and came to China following an obsession with Chinese martial arts and Taoism studies. This contrasting background has made viewers more eager to learn why and how he lived in China ‘s Wudang Mountains for over a decade.

2025 marked a remarkable year for Pinnick. In April, he received China’s Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card — the “Five-Star Card” — and in May, he was named an Honorary Citizen of Shiyan City at an inaugural ceremony. These honors stand as powerful testaments to his decade-and-a-half journey of cultural immersion.

Pinnick’s story began in 2010 when, inspired by kung fu movies, the then-20-year-old arrived at the foot of the Wudang Mountains with zero martial arts experience and no knowledge of the Chinese language. He carried only a dictionary and a handwritten note that read, “I want to go to the Wudang Mountains.” Emerging from the morning mist, he found his purpose the moment he saw a master leading disciples in practice.

The path from novice to master has been paved with rigorous discipline. Pinnick mastered Tai Chi and various weapon techniques. Beyond the physical movements, he delved into the spiritual heart of China, studying the Tao Te Ching and learned to play Taoist music. During his toughest moments of exhaustion and homesickness, it was his “kung fu family” that gave him the strength to persevere.

Over the past 16 years, Pinnick has not only transformed personally but also witnessed China’s rapid development. He vividly remembers that reaching Wudang once required a slow train to Yibin; today, the journey is defined by high-speed rail and an expanding airport now welcoming international travelers.

Today, Pinnick serves as a vital cultural bridge. Through social media and live performances, he shares the wisdom of Wudang with a global audience. “I originally came for martial arts,” Pinnick reflects, “but I stayed for the culture and history.” Guided by his master’s philosophy that “Kung fu knows no borders,” Pinnick continues to demonstrate that martial arts is not about conflict, but about inclusivity and connecting a diverse world.

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/2026/02/15/documentary-series-my-china-story-shines-spotlight-on-us-martial-artist-jake-pinnick/?doing_wp_cron=1771139142.4675970077514648437500

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Aussie Tom Slingsby capitalises on Black Foils crash for New Zealand SailGP honours

Source: Radio New Zealand

Australia celebrate their New Zealand SailGP victory off auckland’s Wynyard Point. Getty Images

Despite defending his New Zealand SailGP crown off Auckland’s Wynyard Point, Aussie supremo Tom Slingsby harbours mixed feelings about how his team achieved their feat.

The three-time series champion had a front-row view of the horrible high-speed crash that sent New Zealand and France out of the regatta on Saturday, and admitted the Kiwis’ absence played a big part in the Flying Roos’ repeat success.

“Us winning in Auckland again, I’m not sure why, but it’s become a very happy hunting ground for us and it was very unfortunate the Kiwis weren’t there today,” Slingsby reflected. “We always want to compete against the best teams and the Kiwis, in those conditions, would have been our biggest rivals, I feel.

“Sad for them not being there, but we just focused on ourselves and we’re really happy to convert it into a win.”

Slingsby and Black Foils counterpart Peter Burling have developed a strong rivalry over their years on the professional sailing circuit, and the incident took its toll on the Aussies, as it did on the rest of the fleet.

“I happened to be looking right at it when it happened,” he said. “It was very scary.

“The Kiwis, as a team, we love to hate them, but individually, I love all of those guys. They’re just amazing people and, when a crash like that happens, I instantly think, ‘They’re all my friends and friends I’ve had for a long, long time’.

“When they called off the race, I was happy, because my mind definitely wasn’t on the game. We want the Kiwis out there and we don’t want to see anything like that ever.”

NZ grinder Louis Sinclair suffered compound fractures to both legs in the mayhem and underwent surgery on his right leg overnight. Slingsby messaged Burling to offer his support and hoped to see the Kiwis back on the water soon, although Sydney in two weeks seemed a stretch.

“They’re a champion team,” he said. “No-one knows timelines or when they’ll be back, but we know the day they come back, even if it’s not for championship wins this season, they’ll be out to win as much prize money and events as they can.”

NZ boat ‘Amokura’ was virtually destroyed, when it swerved into the path of the French, who flew over the bow and sliced it in two.

Some drivers questioned the sense of having 13 boats jockeying for position on such a small course in tricky wind conditions and organisers responded by introducing a split-fleet format for the first time on Sunday.

The fleet had experimented with smaller fields in practice, with the anticipated addition of a 14th team next year likely to force the change fulltime.

Slingsby had mixed feelings about the reduced format.

“The racer in me wants the full fleet there,” he said. “I just feel like the full fleet is why we do this – it’s lots of boats and lots happening.

Black Foils boat ‘Amokura’ is salvaged, after crashing with France on the Waitematā Harbour. Felix Diemer for SailGP

“At the same time, you’ve got to make changes, when something like that happens, whether it’s a permanent change or not. At least for today, I totally agree with the split fleet.

“We need to show we’re making changes here and not taking this accident lightly. With windy conditions today and a bigger forecast, I think it was the right call.”

While common sense prevailed, the diluted version felt like the SailGP equivalent of golden oldies scrums in rugby. Let’s just get out of Auckland with no further damage.

Racing was already brought forward to avoid the worst of the weather forecast and conditions changed dramatically again for the three-boat final, where speeds reached 100kmh and crews battled just to keep their boats upright.

Slingsby and his team now head home to Sydney, and he doubts two weeks will allow enough time for New Zealand or France to repair their boats.

“From my technical and structural knowledge of these boats, I think there’s no chance either of those boats are there,” he said.

“For sure you’re facing mental battles. We had a bit incident in Christchurch a couple of years ago and I remember, heading back out onto the racetrack, there were a few little scars there.

“As soon as they fire the gun, I was able to black it out and we got straight back into it.

“I know Peter Burling better than most people, and he will just get back in there and be ripping around the whole way.”

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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/2026/02/15/aussie-tom-slingsby-capitalises-on-black-foils-crash-for-new-zealand-sailgp-honours/

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As it happened: Fleet split for day two after big NZ-France crash

Source: Radio New Zealand

SailGP organisers have decided to split the fleet for day two of racing off Wynyard Point, after the huge high-speed crash between New Zealand and France on Saturday.

One sailor from each team was taken to hospital, with Kiwi grinder Louis Sinclair reported in stable condition with compound fractures to both legs.

Neither team will front for competition on Sunday, when stronger conditions are expected on the water.

Racing starts at 11.30am.

Follow all the live action here:

Black Foils’ boat Amokura lifted out of the water, after crashing with France. Felix Diemer for SailGP

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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/2026/02/15/as-it-happened-fleet-split-for-day-two-after-big-nz-france-crash/

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SailGP live updates: Fleet split for day two after big NZ-France crash

Source: Radio New Zealand

SailGP organisers have decided to split the fleet for day two of racing off Wynyard Point, after the huge high-speed crash between New Zealand and France on Saturday.

One sailor from each team was taken to hospital, with Kiwi grinder Louis Sinclair reported in stable condition with compound fractures to both legs.

Neither team will front for competition on Sunday, when stronger conditions are expected on the water.

Racing starts at 11.30am.

Follow all the live action here:

Black Foils’ boat Amokura lifted out of the water, after crashing with France. Felix Diemer for SailGP

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LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/15/sailgp-live-updates-fleet-split-for-day-two-after-big-nz-france-crash/?doing_wp_cron=1771107070.6770188808441162109375

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SailGP: Kiwi driver Phil Robertson wants changes after Black Foils, France crash

Source: Radio New Zealand

New Zealand and French boats crash during SailGP racing on Waitematā Harbour. Phil Walter

New Zealand SailGP

11.30am Sunday, 15 February*

Wynyard Point, Auckland

Live updates on RNZ

*Start time has been changed due to the weather

Kiwi SailGP driver Phil Robertson hopes the high-speed crash between New Zealand and France on Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour will force a rethink of racing format for the rest of the 2026 championship.

Competition was suspended during race three of New Zealand SailGP, after the two rivals collided during the sprint to the first mark. Replays showed the Black Foils apparently lose control of their rudder and spin into the path of the French, whose boat flew over the bow of Amokura.

All crew were quickly accounted for, but two sailors – one from each team – were injured and rushed ashore to hospital.

The rest of the fleet continued around the mark, but the contest was called off, as they headed back towards the scene of the crash, where the two boats were still entangled midcourse.

Soon after, organisers suspended racing for the day. The French boat was towed back to Wynyard Basin, but Amokura lay in pieces on the harbour and likely be out of action for quite a while.

The incident shook up the entire fleet, with Italian team driver Robertson recounting his own close call in the build-up.

“It’s obviously pretty hectic,” he said. “You never really want to see anything like that.

Italy driver Phil Robertson holds court at the SailGP media conference. Alan Lee/Photosport

“It’s a bit shocking, but it’s racing and it was a racing incident that went on out there.”

Auckland-born Robertson described how the New Zealand boat initially veered towards his boat, but seemed to regain control to avoid that contact.

“I saw them in my peripheral, as they started sliding towards us, then took a glance over my shoulder and saw them spin out. I didn’t really see the rest, until we stopped and looked back, and saw two boats on top of each other – it’s not very nice to see that.

“These boats are pretty hard to control at those high speeds and everyone’s pushing like mad on those reaches. They got a bit slidey, which is very natural to happen, and slid towards us, but you trust they’re going to get grip again and they did.”

New Zealand SailGP is the first time the fleet has raced with 13 boats, with Artemis Sweden joining the championship this year.

At last month’s season-opener in Perth, the Spanish boat suffered damage in practice and was unable to compete.

Organisers hope to add another team next year and have experimented with splitting the fleet into two heats of seven.

[embedded content]

“I think it’s the shortest racecourse in SailGP and 13 boats… yeah, I don’t know,” Robertson offered. “I think questions will be asked.

“I think when it’s conditions like this, I think that [two fleets] will be the expectation. We know it’s going to be tricky and there will be crashes, but it just minimises the risk, when there’s a bit more space on the course.

“Bigger courses sure, 13 boats no problem, but I think small courses and big breeze, when everyone’s on the limit of control already, it’s probably a smart idea to start having that conversation seriously.

“I assume a few sailors will be asking a few questions.”

Despite the Auckland incident, British driver Dylan Fletcher still favours the bigger fleet.

“I’d rather it stay as one fleet,” the defending SailGP champion said. “It doesn’t honestly feel that different, whether you’ve got 11 or 13.

“It’s relatively similar. Even at the start, you’ve got that separation.

“From my point of view, I love the racing with 13 boats. It’s unfortunate we won’t have that for a little bit of while now, but that’s the way it is.”

New Zealand and France come together midfleet, as they sprinted to the first mark of race three. Phil Walter

Robertson has been a SailGP fixture since the professional sailing began in 2019, steering teams from China, Spain and Canada, before joining the Italian outfit last year.

With a weather bomb forecast for the North Island this weekend, the local lad was quizzed about the prospect of racing in big winds on the Waitematā at Friday’s official media conference.

His reaction: “You wet your pants a little and move on.”

Italy narrowly avoided their own disaster, when they were caught in a gust of win that almost tipped them over during the build-up to race one. They barely managed to regain equilibrium and bring their boat back down on both hulls.

Sunday racing has already been moved forward a few hours to avoid the worst of the weather, but most drivers anticipate even more testing conditions on day two.

“Look, the accident was obviously extremely unfortunate, but I don’t think anyone’s really going to change,” Robertson said. “It’s a little bit out of the ordinary and you trust everyone’s being careful out there.

“That’s probably a situation I don’t think anyone envisioned, a boat spinning out and getting run over. It’s always in our mind that someone may crash in front of you, but coming from that position the Kiwis were in and into the French like that, no-one’s really thought about that situation before.”

“I think all the sailors are pretty shaken up, seeing that sight. It’s not something you want to see and I’m sure it affects everyone a bit.”

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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/2026/02/15/sailgp-kiwi-driver-phil-robertson-wants-changes-after-black-foils-france-crash/

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AsiaBC Introduces Award-Winning Incorporation & Asia Market Entry Expertise to UAE’s Global Founders

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR/DUBAI, UAE – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 February 2026 – Asia Business Centre (AsiaBC), a Hong Kong-based leader in corporate services and cross-border startup consultancy, has been named “Outstanding Company Formation Services of the Year“ at the HKCT Business Awards 2025.

Presented by the Hong Kong Commercial Times (HKCT), the award recognises AsiaBC’s excellence in helping global founders establish, scale, and succeed in business hubs across Asia and the Middle East. With deep expertise in regulatory frameworks and banking ecosystems, AsiaBC helps entrepreneurs overcome market-entry challenges faced by SMEs and new ventures.

AsiaBC plays a key role in simplifying and accelerating incorporation, bank account setup, and international compliance in Hong Kong, Singapore, and offshore centres.

AsiaBC’s Expertise Solves Hong Kong Setup Challenges

Since 2009, AsiaBC has turned entrepreneurial vision into operational businesses through end-to-end support. Beyond company registration, the team guides clients through structuring, documentation, bank onboarding, tax planning, and accounting, ensuring that each step fits the business model.

AsiaBC demystifies cross-border operations by leveraging market insight and ties with over 100 banks and FinTech providers. The firm delivers reduced setup time, guaranteed bank account results under its “No Win, No Fee” programme, and proven legal readiness. One recent case saw a client complete company formation and bank account opening in Hong Kong on the same day, just before flying home. Another client, a tech startup, secured banking approval within 48 hours, enabling rapid launch into the APAC market.

AI-Powered Compliance & UAE Hub to Serve Global Founders

To better serve international entrepreneurs, AsiaBC is broadening its presence and technology.

In 2026, AsiaBC will open its first advisory hub in Dubai to support UAE entrepreneurs entering Asia. Services will include offshore company planning, tax coordination, risk assessment, and compliance across jurisdictions.

AsiaBC is also launching AI-enabled tools to make bank onboarding more predictable. A smart matching engine will analyse each client’s profile – including business model and risk category – and map it to onboarding preferences across AsiaBC’s banking network. Drawing on 6,000+ cases, this tool aims to shorten approval time and improve success rates, especially for founders under scrutiny.

“For 16 years, we’ve followed one principle: ‘Professionalism is the foundation, but solving problems is the core,’” said Raymond Wong, Managing Director. “This award affirms our commitment to outcome-driven solutions that help clients expand smoothly and sustainably.”

Championing the Entrepreneurial Spirit
 AsiaBC’s client-first strategy includes:

  • Tailored support from incorporation to compliance
  • Guaranteed banking results
  • Strong ecosystem relationships
  • Multilingual support in English, French, Spanish, Russian, and Mandarin

Hashtag: #AsiaBC

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/2026/02/14/asiabc-introduces-award-winning-incorporation-asia-market-entry-expertise-to-uaes-global-founders/

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Christchurch terrorist made almost 700 complaints about life in prison

Source: Radio New Zealand

Fifty-one people were killed in two attacks on mosques in Christchurch in 2019. RNZ / Nathan Mckinnon

The Christchurch terrorist made almost 700 complaints about life behind bars but his claims of torturous prison conditions are exaggerated, a court has heard.

Australian white supremacist Brenton Tarrant made the 686 complaints from 16 March 2019 until September 2024, amounting to more than one complaint every three days.

The 35-year-old is serving a life sentence without parole for the 2019 shootings at Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre but now wants the Court of Appeal to overturn his convictions and sentence.

The terrorist claims he was “forced” to plead guilty to 92 charges because he was irrational as a result of torturous and inhumane prison conditions.

The white supremacist left 51 people dead or dying in little over 15 minutes after taking an arsenal of semi-automatic rifles, shotguns and incendiary devices to the mosques as worshippers marked Jumu’ah – the most significant prayer of the Muslim week – and opening fire.

The terrorist initially pleaded not guilty in June 2019 to 51 counts of murder, 40 of attempted murder and one of committing terrorism.

The court has heard he wavered in late July 2019 and prepared to plead guilty before again changing his mind only days later.

In March 2020 he formally pleaded guilty to all charges and was jailed for life without the possibility of parole in August 2020.

The terrorist had 20 working days to file an appeal against his conviction or sentence but the “out of time” application came years later.

Crown solicitor Andrea Ewing told the court only four of the terrorist’s 686 complaints related to accessing a lawyer.

She said the terrorist had claimed a complaint was upheld in relation to some kind of physical incident.

“So what we have is a hearsay assertion from Mr Tarrant to his expert that a complaint was upheld,” she said.

The Crown called on the court to dismiss the terrorist’s application for leave to appeal.

Crown solicitor Madeleine Laracy said there was no possible risk of a miscarriage because the terrorist had no legal defence to offer a trial and conviction was certain.

She also called on the court to provide finality for his victims, New Zealand’s Muslim community and the wider public.

“There are literally hundreds of directly harmed victims in this case and keeping this case alive is source of immense distress for those individuals,” Laracy said.

The terrorist’s lawyers reiterated the conditions their client was confined in were unlike anything else present in the prison system.

Justices Christine French, Susan Thomas and David Collins reserved their decision.

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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/2026/02/13/christchurch-terrorist-made-almost-700-complaints-about-life-in-prison/

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An Encounter with China: Chinese New Year in Paris: Nanjing Intangible Cultural Heritage Shines

Source: Media Outreach

PARIS, FRANCE – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 February 2026 – On February 10, the day of China’s Little New Year, An Encounter with China: Chinese New Year was held at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The millennia‑old ancient capital Nanjing presented a “condensed version” of Chinese New Year through folk customs, art dialogues, and other forms. Representatives from permanent delegations of over 100 countries and international friends gathered to celebrate the Spring Festival, building a bridge for mutual learning among civilizations.

An Encounter with China: Celebrating Chinese New Year

In December 2024, the Spring Festival was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Khaled El-Enany, Director‑General of UNESCO, stated that the Spring Festival has become a globally shared cultural event, and its inscription highlights the global influence of Chinese culture. Yang Xinyu, Ambassador of China’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, praised Nanjing, calling this “City of Literature” a city that brings the charm and warmth of the Spring Festival to Paris, showcasing the profound heritage and contemporary value of Chinese culture.

Nanjing is home to the Nanjing City Wall, the largest existing ancient city wall in the world, and its Yunjin brocade weaving technique has been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. At the event, the 2026 Spring Festival Temple Fair, hosted by China’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, kicked off with great excitement. Inside the headquarters hall, the Nanjing Cultural Symbols Exhibition drew large crowds: Fuma lanterns and Yulong lanterns glittered with brilliance, while Yunjin brocade and velvet flower crafts dazzled with their exquisite artistry. At the interactive area titled “Rubbing to Transmit Cultural Heritage,” guests personally took rubbings of inscriptions from Nanjing City Wall bricks.

In Nanjing itself, the Qinhuai Lantern Fair, with a history of over 1,700 years, illuminates the Confucius Temple; around the Ming City Wall, people “climb the city wall to walk off ailments,” visit temple fairs, and attend exhibitions, making the stories of the city wall a bond connecting the world.

During the event, Nanjing intangible cultural heritage inheritors, design scholars, and world‑leading designers gathered at the Manufacture Nationale de France for a dialogue titled “Reshaping and Interweaving Heritage.” Nanjing upholds the principles of “living heritage and two‑way empowerment,” through authentic restoration, international exchanges, and artistic co‑creation, allowing millennia‑old craftsmanship wisdom to serve the present, and enabling the world to appreciate the charm of Chinese New Year and the enduring power of Chinese civilization.

Hashtag: #Nanjing

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/2026/02/13/an-encounter-with-china-chinese-new-year-in-paris-nanjing-intangible-cultural-heritage-shines/

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Raw sewage still pouring into Wellington waters raises questions, and anger

Source: Radio New Zealand

A Breaker Bay local with a long history of fighting for clean water in Wellington explains why the sewage dump is so catastrophic, for health, history, and the environment.

Ray Ahipene-Mercer with his jar of 24-year-old water from Moa Point sewage treatment plant. Sharon Brettkelly

Ray Ahipene-Mercer keeps a jar of 24-year-old water in his refrigerator, labelled ‘Moa Point Final Effluent’.

“It looks like a glass of water, hasn’t got a single bug in it, no discolouration, nothing,” he says.

It is a memento of the new sewage plant which he battled over for years as the co-leader of the Wellington Clean Water Campaign.

But nearly 30 years after that successful campaign to stop the dumping of raw sewage in the sea, it is happening again.

Since last Wednesday, more than 600 million litres of untreated sewage have poured into the water off the south coast after a catastrophic failure of Moa Point, the city’s main treatment plant.

On a sparkling summer day Ahipene-Mercer looks out from his Breaker Bay home just around the corner from the plant and the bays are empty.

“I’m looking at the water about 50 metres away, it’s beautiful and yet underneath it there is this darkness. There is not a person walking the dog, having a walk, swimming, surfing, nothing,” he tells The Detail.

The former city councillor is angry, not just about the health risks to humans, but the damage to the environment and risks to the kororā, and to historic Māori sites.

“Toilet water is now brushing up against historic sites at Tarakina Bay. One of the reasons this campaign in the 80s was so successful, we married Māori concerns and Pākehā concerns together and that’s why we won that campaign,” Ahipene-Mercer says.

“I’m very angry, because of all this work we did. It’s not in vain however because Wellingtonians have responded magnificently.”

After a catastrophic failure last Wednesday at Moa Point, Wellington’s main treatment plant, more than 600 million litres of untreated sewage has poured into the water off the south coast. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The plant failed early last Wednesday morning during a bout of heavy rain. With the threat of more bad weather this weekend, there are fears the situation could get worse.

‘It’s going to get smellier’

The Post journalist Tom Hunt has been writing about Wellington’s wastewater woes for years and is experiencing first-hand the effects of days of raw sewage flowing into the sea.

“It gets worse the longer it’s there and it’s apparently going to get smellier as well,” he tells The Detail.

“I live not far from the tip and it was a still night last night and I could pick up a faint smell,” he says. “They’ve got these tanker trucks that Wellington’s quite familiar with because in covid time there was another pipe failure and they’d take the wastewater to the tip and they were called ‘turd taxis’. They’re just back and forth ferrying all the stuff out of the olympic-sized swimming pool room and just clearing that out and taking it to the tip.”

Wellington Water chief executive Pat Dougherty broke the news last Wednesday that a room in the plant was three metres deep in sewage, blowing the electrics and badly damaging or destroying equipment.

In the immediate aftermath raw sewage was flowing through a short outfall to five metres off the coast but it is now going through a longer 1.8 kilometre pipe.

“But it is still untreated sewage … and for the foreseeable future we will have effectively raw sewage being pumped off the south coast very near a marine sanctuary not far from a nesting area,” Hunt says.

It could be months before the sea on the south coast is safe for walking, swimming and collecting kaimoana.

It brings back memories for Hunt, who grew up around the south coast of the polluted waters in the 1980s.

“That was a different time when the south coast was not a desirable place to be.”

He says now they’re “back in that for a mystery reason, we still don’t know what caused it.”

Hunt explains the numerous reports of warnings and abatement notices issued to the operator, French-owned Veolia which is paid roughly $17 million a year by Wellington Water to run the plant.

He says it is too soon to say who is at fault and a full inquiry will impel people to give evidence.

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://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/12/raw-sewage-still-pouring-into-wellington-waters-raises-questions-and-anger/

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CGTN: Little Chinese New Year opens big window to China’s soul

Source: Media Outreach

BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 February 2026 – As China marks Xiaonian, or Little Chinese New Year, there is growing evidence of its ancient traditions evolving into global lifestyle trends. CGTN published an article analyzing how this prelude to the Year of the Horse – from the folk ritual of “sweeping the dust” to the cross-cultural fusion of the Spring Festival Gala – illustrates China’s growing global cultural resonance.

As the lunar calendar turns its final pages, China enters a period of joyful anticipation known as Xiaonian, or Little Chinese New Year. Often celebrated as the Festival of the Kitchen God, it marks the official start of the “busy year” – a traditional term for the intense, joyful period of preparing food, cleaning homes, and shopping for the upcoming Spring Festival.

The Spring Festival is a deeply significant time for family reunion. In 2024, UNESCO inscribed the “Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of the traditional Chinese New Year” onto the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

While daily routines continue to evolve, they remain anchored in rituals that provide a sense of normalcy and meaning. It is perhaps no wonder that in a climate of uncertainty, traditional Chinese lifestyles are finding a new audience beyond the country’s borders, with the Spring Festival chief among those unique traditions that are fast becoming a shared human experience.

Diverse traditions, shared aspirations

In a prelude to the broader celebrations, Xiaonian, observed on February 10 and 11 this year, kickstarts a focused period of preparation. According to ancient lore, families offer Zaotang, or sticky “Kitchen Candy,” to the Kitchen God to ensure he delivers a favorable report on the household’s conduct before he ascends to the heavens. This lighthearted tradition marks the beginning of several symbolic rituals aimed at welcoming a fresh start.

A key element of this transition is donning new clothes. In Chinese culture, the New Year represents a moment when “all things are renewed,” and wearing new garments symbolizes shedding the “dust” or misfortunes of the past to embrace auspicious energy for the year ahead. Alongside this personal renewal, families nationwide engage in “sweeping the dust,” a deep-cleaning ritual to purify the home and prepare it for new blessings.

Whereas these practices are universal, celebratory flavors vary by geography. In the north, families traditionally gather over steaming plates of dumplings, whereas in the south, the menu often features sweet rice cakes (Niangao) and glutinous rice balls (Tangyuan).

As Mao Qiaohui, a researcher at the Institute of Ethnic Literature at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, explains, these variations highlight the inclusive nature of Chinese civilization.

“Although folk customs differ between different regions across China, this diversity reflects the cultural pluralism within the Spring Festival tradition,” she notes. “Different regional identities contribute to a shared pursuit of harmony and reunion.”

The vitality of these traditions is also evident in local craftsmanship. In northern regions like Shandong and Henan, artisans are currently making Huamo, decorated steamed buns, featuring horse designs for the upcoming zodiac year. Meanwhile, in Shuozhou, Shanxi Province, intangible heritage inheritors are carving spirited stallions onto traditional gourds. These creations reflect the regional diversity of the festival and a collective desire for progress in the year ahead.

Cultural dialogue: From global stage to daily life

The festive atmosphere is reflected further in preparations for the Spring Festival Gala (Chunwan), produced by China Media Group.

Recent rehearsals show performances meshing traditional Chinese culture with international artistry. One performance piece combines the wooden clog dance of the Hani and Lisu ethnic groups with the rhythmic tap of Spanish Flamenco and Hungarian folk dance. And with global stars like Jackie Chan and Lionel Richie on the bill, the Gala’s stage is set to become a stage for the world to come together.

The reach of the gala has expanded far beyond a domestic audience. Through the “Spring Festival Gala Prelude” events held in the United States, Russia, France, Italy, and several African nations, the program has become a gateway to Chinese New Year customs and cultural exchange.

This interest extends beyond art and into the lives of people worldwide, as seen in the #BecomingChinese trend. This phenomenon features international social media users adopting elements of Chinese daily life – such as keeping a thermos of hot water handy, wearing quilted indoor slippers or practicing mindful movement with Baduanjin exercises.

The festival is no longer a distant event but a gateway to Chinese lifestyle, rooted in ancient wellness wisdom and constantly updated by modern convenience, and the first step to a journey of exploration into a culture that values ritual, safety and hospitality.

Whether through global broadcasts or shared daily habits, the Spring Festival increasingly strengthens a sense of cultural empathy between China and the rest of the world.

For more information, please click here:

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-02-10/Little-New-Year-opens-big-window-to-China-s-soul-1KEhJjMX2fe/p.html

Hashtag: #CGTN

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/cgtn-little-chinese-new-year-opens-big-window-to-chinas-soul/

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De Beers Group and Assouline Celebrate the Launch of “A Diamond Is Forever: The Making of A Cultural Icon 1926-2026”

Source: Media Outreach

LONDON, UK – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 February 2026 – In the 1930s, De Beers redefined the role of diamonds in society, celebrating them as masterpieces of nature and craftmanship. Before this, diamond jewelry pieces were treasures exchanged discreetly amongst society’s elite, as luxury houses, fearful of diminishing their mystique, fostered only private relationships with their clients. De Beers revealed the wonder of diamonds to a wider audience, shifting the perception of them from luxury item to a gift integral to romantic milestones and aspirational, glamorous lives, as well as a way of marking personal achievement.

De Beers Group And Assouline Celebate The Launch Of “A Diamond Is Forever: The Making Of A Cultural Icon 1926-2026”

When copywriter Frances Gerety captured the diamond’s essence with the phrase “A Diamond Is Forever” in 1947, the declaration enshrined the diamond as a promise of love and endurance, a sentiment resonating far beyond the notion of a simple gift. Gerety’s words, seen on archival advertisements, magazine placements, and celebrity endorsements, reflected the deep cultural connection between diamonds and enduring relationships. Commissioned artwork from artists such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Raoul Dufy draw a direct line between a diamond’s rarity—each one formed deep within the earth over billions of years—and the creative genius of fine art. By sharing these artistic visions with the world, De Beers revealed the wonder of diamonds—nature’s oldest treasure—to a wider audience, elevating their aura and allure while preserving the sense of rarity and significance that sets them apart.
For a century, the story of diamonds has been one of transformation and continuity. In the 1960s, stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe adorned themselves with diamonds, embodying the elegance and glamour associated with the gemstone. The 1990s “Shadows” campaign, with its evocative pairing of diamonds and the neoclassical composition Palladio by Karl Jenkins, captured the essence of the diamond: authentic, unique, and everlasting.
In recent years, the conversation around diamonds has expanded to include provenance, sustainability, and ethical stewardship, affirming the diamond’s place as a symbol not just of love but of responsibility and conscience. Much like walking through a gallery that traces the evolution of artistic expression, A Diamond Is Forever offers a view into how diamonds have come to embody the shifting ideals and aspirations of society itself.

https://www.debeersgroup.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/debeersgroup/posts/?feedView=all
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Hashtag: #DeBeersGroup #NaturalDiamonds #diamonds #ADiamondIsForever #Assouline

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/de-beers-group-and-assouline-celebrate-the-launch-of-a-diamond-is-forever-the-making-of-a-cultural-icon-1926-2026/

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How rugby and NZ are giving hope in war-torn Ukraine

Source: Radio New Zealand

Anton Shashero with Sir Graham Henry. Sarah Gloyer Waiheke Gulf News 

While the country has been dragged into a devastating war, two Ukranians are ensuring that rugby stays alive in their home, and that young players have a potential path to safety.

Anton Shashero is coach of Ukraine’s national under-16 side, and thanks to a collaboration between some prominent rugby minds in Aotearoa, he and best friend Maksym Dulia have spent the past week in the country learning from some of the best in the business.

Shashero said the invasion has had an horrific impact on players and the sport in Ukraine.

“A lot of players from the senior national team and from the under-18 team have already died. A lot of them are in the war. In almost in every family now in Ukraine, someone have lost someone. It’s huge. It’s huge.”

He said rugby acts as a beacon for young men during dark times, and for Shashero and Dulia, it had a significant impact.

“When we were kids, rugby was everything for us. You can travel, you can have friends, you can share your moments with boys on the field and it’s the values rugby which rugby gave us.”

That path was able to be extended across the other side of the world,

“We knew that we wanted to come to New Zealand and try to learn from the best. So it was our dream.

“When our boys see that we’re here with the All Blacks, it has a huge impact for them, for their families and for everyone in Ukraine, when they see that we here, it’s big moment now for Ukraine.”

Upon arrival, the pair spent time with Sir Graham Henry, the Hurricanes and at the IRANZ institute.

Anton Shashero and Maksym Dulia at IRANZ in Upper Hutt. supplied

The initiative is part of a broader plan to bring Ukrainian youth boys and girls teams to play in Aotearoa a joint effort between IRANZ, Henry and Brent Impey of Kiwi KARE, a foundation which provides New Zealand aid to Ukraine.

IRANZ general manager Wayne Taylor said it felt like the right thing to do.

“The country has been through a lot of hardship and sport can be something really positive, obviously the timing wasn’t great though with the war but it’s still something we are really keen to do, we are hoping to still get some funding and that it will still happen in the future.”

Impey said that despite everything going on in Ukraine, their passion for sport persists as the five team senior mens rugby competition continues to run.

“Their goal is to reach the 2032 Olympics in sevens, so i thought how can New Zealand help make that happen? We can be a part of reconstruction through sports diplomacy. It represents an opportunity, for New Zealand to be a visionary. “

Infrastructure in Ukraine has been significantly compromised as a result of Russian strikes, forcing Shashero to host junior camps to be held outside of the country.

“We usually do camps outside of Ukraine, in Poland and Georgia and now we go to Portugal for international tournament,” Shashero said.

Shashero and Dulia will take what they have learned home as his young side prepare to take on the best in the Northern Hemisphere.

“We have been given some fundamental things which we implement, now we have to fight to try to become the best team in the Europe. We want to show we can win against the best teams like France, Ireland, England.”

The game has come a long way in Ukraine, as Shashero vividly recalls his first trip to the European champs as a youngster where his team was soundly beaten.

“All we did was trained one week and went there and we couldn’t play well against them.”

Shashero said he has been blown away by the passion for rugby in New Zealand.

“I was at a rugby club and saw a boy maybe one years old, he cannot speak now but he already passing the ball and it’s amazing.”

Having seen some secrets behind competing on the global stage, Shashero also hopes to one day bring a Ukrainian side to Aotearoa.

“I hope that one day one will come in the future. I hope and I believe that if we prepare them for such long period, they can be on the same level with them, especially with New Zealand specialists helping us with this. I hope that it’s going to rise.”

Shashero and Dulia mixing with Hurricanes players. supplied

– 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-rugby-and-nz-are-giving-hope-in-war-torn-ukraine/