Great Britain – Page 2 – MIL-OSI Export

March 3, 2026

Utilities – Improving billing a win for electricity consumers

Source: Utilities Disputes

Utilities Disputes, the independent disputes resolution service, is welcoming today’s decision by the Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko on improvements to electricity billing, especially the limiting of back bills.

The change to back bills, which Utilities Disputes has been advocating for, will ensure there is greater consistency amongst electricity retailers, and will bring New Zealand into line with international best practice.

“This is a significant reform and fixes a big gap in consumer protection,” said Utilities Disputes Commissioner Neil Mallon.

“Back bills, sometimes covering years of accumulated charges, can cause enormous financial shock and distress for households and businesses alike. It shouldn’t be up to retailers to decide how far back to go.”

The Electricity Authority will limit retailers going back more than six months. A retailer charges back bills or catch-up bills when there have been faults in meter readings and other issues, which are generally not the fault of the customer. Often bills are large dating back to a year, even longer, before the fault has been detected.

“Today’s decision is welcome as it sets a clear, fair limit and gives consumers and retailers much greater certainty.

“We also submitted for retailers to have standardised billing information so consumers can easily find the info they need and welcome that as part of these changes which will be in place by 30 October 2026”.

Utilities Disputes is the free and independent resolution service for electricity, gas, telecommunications, and water complaints.

In the past year, Utilities Disputes considered 183 deadlocked complaints about back bills, making up 12 percent of all deadlocked energy complaints, those where the retailer and consumer have not been able to agree on a solution. The average value of all back bills complained about was $5,130, with residential back bills averaging $2,290 and commercial back bills averaging $18,280. Twenty percent of complaints involved back bills covering more than 14 months of usage, with the average value in that category reaching $9,760.

Utilities Disputes data shows a significant inconsistency in how retailers have approached back-billing, with some going back 14 months, others much longer, and in one case as far as 72 months. Consumers are often unaware that their bills have been based on estimates, leaving them blindsided when a large catch-up bill arrives. In some cases, retailers have then attempted to direct debit the entire amount in a single transaction.

“We have seen cases where businesses have been hit with back bills of $75,000 or more with the retailer attempting to debit the full amount from a customer’s account in one go without any warning or discussion. That is simply not acceptable. The consumer has little to no control over the errors that cause these bills, so it is right that the law now sets a clear limit on how far back retailers can go,” Neil Mallon said.

The reform will also create a more level playing field across the industry. Some retailers had already voluntarily limited their back-billing timeframes in response to the concerns of Utilities. Putting this into the Electricity Industry Participation Code means all retailers are held to the same standard.

New Zealand has lagged comparable markets on this issue. Victoria limits back-billing to four months, New South Wales to nine months, and the United Kingdom to 12 months.

“Six months is a significant reduction, but it can still mean a substantial bill for some customers. We encourage retailers to work proactively with them well before a back bill is issued, and to offer flexible payment plans where large amounts are involved. The goal here is ensuring customers are treated fairly throughout the process,” Neil Mallon said.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/03/utilities-improving-billing-a-win-for-electricity-consumers/

February 16, 2026

Rugby league: Door open for Kiwis to play State of Origin

Source: Radio New Zealand

Born in Sydney, Kiwis player Casey McLean would be eligible for State of Origin. Photosport / David Neilson

With State of Origin set to debut in Auckland in 2027, Kiwis can now also feature in the iconic series after changes to the eligibility criteria.

The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) today announced it was amending the Origin selection rules, which paves the way for Australian-born Kiwis to play in the series.

Players were previously required to be eligible to represent Australia or a tier two nation as defined by International Rugby League.

The updated rules remove this restriction, allowing players who who meet the traditional State of Origin criteria and represent tier one nations to be eligible.

The criteria is a player must have been born in New South Wales or Queensland, resided in New South Wales or Queensland prior to their 13th birthday, or their father played State of Origin.

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys AM said the changes were a necessary and logical evolution for the game in 2026.

“Rugby league has changed, the international game has grown, and our rules need to reflect that. If a player is eligible to play State of Origin, it makes no sense to exclude them simply because they’ve represented New Zealand or England at test level.”

He said State of Origin is about where you were from and what state you were eligible for – not which country you represent internationally.

“If you’re eligible, you should be able to play for your state. Over 45 years, State of Origin has developed into something special, and we want the best players playing if they’re eligible. The commission has a responsibility to grow both the international game and State of Origin, and this change strengthens both.”

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/16/rugby-league-door-open-for-kiwis-to-play-state-of-origin/

February 16, 2026

Auckland’s Eden Park to host State of Origin match in 2027

Source: Radio New Zealand

Watch above: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and Tourism Minister Louise Upston announce the deal.

A State of Origin match will be played in Eden Park in Auckland in 2027 following three years of high-level talks with the NRL and the Australian Rugby League Commission.

It is expected that 50,000 fans will pack the stadium for the Queensland versus New South Wales match.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said securing State of Origin reflected the city’s strength as a major sporting centre.

“From the outset, Auckland made it clear we wanted to bring State of Origin to our city, and we’ve worked hard to secure it,” he said in a statement.

“We know how to host major events, and we know the value they bring. This match will mean full hotels, busy restaurants and bars, and thousands of visitors experiencing everything our region has to offer.”

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow of the Maroons celebrates after scoring a try during the State of Origin game two match between the Queensland Maroons and the NSW Blues. AAP / Photosport

Hosting State of Origin is expected to attract more than 10,000 international visitors from Australia, generate nore than 50,000 international visitor nights, and inject an estimated $17.4 million into the Auckland economy.

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys AM said the historic clash would give New Zealanders the opportunity to experience the intensity of the game’s greatest rivalry.

“Rugby league is the number one sport in Australia and the Pacific, and the growth we have seen in New Zealand over recent years has been nothing short of extraordinary,” V’landys said.

Sir Graham Lowe, the only New Zealander to coach a State of Origin team as a former Queensland coach, said the occasion would be one to remember.

“Kiwis are excited about State of Origin, but there are only a few of them that have had the opportunity to actually watch it live. This will be a fantastic occasion for Auckland,” he said in a statement.

The 2027 fixture is being co-funded in partnership by Auckland Council Events and the New Zealand Government via the Major Events Fund.

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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/aucklands-eden-park-to-host-state-of-origin-match-in-2027/

February 16, 2026

State of Origin heads to New Zealand

Source: New Zealand Government

In an historic moment, New Zealand will host its first-ever State of Origin match next year at Eden Park, a major event expected to draw thousands of international visitors and deliver a significant economic boost for Auckland.

The New Zealand Government and Auckland Council have worked in tandem, alongside the Australian Rugby League Commission, to bring the sporting spectacular to Auckland.

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says securing one of Australasia’s biggest sporting events represents a major win for fans, tourism and New Zealand sport.

“I couldn’t be more excited to welcome the Blues and Maroons across the ditch for the very first time,” Louise Upston says.

“This is a milestone moment for rugby league in New Zealand, but it is so much more than a game.

“Hosting State of Origin is expected to attract over 10,000 of our Aussie neighbours, generate more than 50,000 international visitor nights, and inject an estimated $17.4 million into the economy.

“With a significant Australian audience, our biggest tourism market, this match will showcase Auckland on an international stage, and put New Zealand on the map as a world-class destination for major events.”

The State of Origin series is one of the fiercest rivalries in global sport, pitting Queensland and New South Wales against each other in a high‑intensity three‑match contest. Next year, for the first time ever, one of the series matches will be played on New Zealand soil.

Hosting events has been made even easier because of changes to planning restrictions at Eden Park announced by the Government today, which will unlock the opportunity for more major events to be hosted at the stadium.

The 2027 fixture is proudly supported by the Government’s Major Events Fund and Auckland Council Events.

Dates and ticket details for the State of Origin fixture will be confirmed by the NRL later in the year.

Attached:

NRL State of Origin fact sheet

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/16/state-of-origin-heads-to-new-zealand/

February 15, 2026

Adolescence writer Jack Thorne on his new TV adaptation of castaway novel Lord of the Flies

Source: Radio New Zealand

Adolescence writer Jack Thorne hopes the UK will follow Australia in introducing a social media ban for children under 16.

“I think it’s amazing that Australia is ahead of the world in terms of the social media ban,” Thorne says.

“It’s hopefully going to spread like wildfire through the world, because I think it’s an incredibly important thing.”

Lord of the Flies and Adolescence were written and filmed at the same time.

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Adolescence, the story of 13-year-old Jamie being arrested for the murder of his classmate Katie, won a slew of Golden Globes and Emmys and landed on many lists of the best TV shows of 2025.

It sparked conversations around the world about toxic masculinity, boyhood and how social media can be used to disseminate harmful ideas.

Thorne — who won an Emmy for writing Adolescence — has long supported a ban like the one in Australia, where social media companies face fines of up to $49.5 million, to address some of the issues raised in the show.

In an opinion piece last year, he called for the introduction of a “digital age of consent” in the UK, which would restrict access to social media for children under 16.

“Spend any time on most social media platforms and you end up, quite quickly, in some dark spaces,” he wrote.

“Parents can try to regulate this, schools can stop mobile phone access but more needs to be done.”

The latest project from the writer of Adolescence, Jack Thorne, is the first-ever TV adaptation of Lord of the Flies.

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But while Australia’s eSafety commissioner says 4.7 million under-16s social media accounts have been deactivated or removed since the ban was implemented in December, many, including young people, have concerns about its efficacy.

The conversation about social media, childhood and ideas of masculinity spurred by Adolescence continues this month, as Thorne releases his next project, a new TV adaptation of British author William Golding’s 1954 novel Lord of the Flies.

Today’s crisis in masculinity

Thorne’s new TV show is another harrowing story that sits at the intersection of vulnerability, violence and masculinity.

“In Adolescence, we were looking at the context in which teenage boys currently live,” Thorne tells ABC Arts.

“At the moment, teenagers are navigating a world where hate has been given an outlet in all sorts of different places: in government, in social media spaces and everywhere else.”

Thorne sees resonances between today and the “climate of populism and hate” in which Lord of the Flies author William Golding was writing during the 50s, in the wake of World War II, where he served in the navy, and in the early days of the Cold War.

“He was terrified by it,” Thorne says. “Obviously, we are not living in as extreme a moment as that.

“But it does feel like we are living at a time when opposition to others is more attractive than agreement.”

When Thorne set out to write Adolescence with actor Stephen Graham, the pair were thinking about that climate and the influx of knife crimes perpetrated by teenage boys against girls in the UK.

Thorne and Graham started the process of writing by talking about masculinity and their younger selves.

“We talked about our rage, our cruelty, and moments when we weren’t the people we wanted to be,” he says.

It was an interesting exercise — partly because the two are so different, even just in terms of their physicality.

If someone was asked to draw a man, I think they would draw some version of Stephen,” Thorne says. “They wouldn’t draw me.”

Still, they found similarities between their experiences — particularly their relationships with shame.

“It wasn’t healthy for us and certainly wasn’t healthy for the people around us.”

Those feelings of cruelty and shame fed into Adolescence — and now Lord of the Flies.

British playwright Jack Thorne (L) and British actor Stephen Graham at the Emmy Awards, September 2025.

FREDERIC J. BROWN

Why adapt Lord of the Flies in 2026?

Lord of the Flies is the story of a group of boys left stranded on a remote island after they survive a plane crash.

First, they work together to survive, after they elect the kind and fair Ralph as their leader. But their camp soon descends into warring factions, violence and brutality.

Though Golding’s book has been adapted for cinema and stage before, Thorne’s new version is the first for TV.

It’s something the 47-year-old writer has wanted to do for almost 20 years, first pitching it to a British TV channel when he was in his early 30s.

He was nine years old when he first read the book and over-identified with Simon, the dreamer of the group of castaways, who is drawn to nature, rather than either faction.

“I was quite an emotional kid, but quite a privately emotional kid,” Thorne says.

“I found huge understanding in the book for the kid I was then, which is sort of an outsider.”

Like many young readers, Thorne was reminded of school bullies when he encountered the character of Jack, who uses his strength and arrogance to encourage the other boys to hunt and follow their base instincts.

Returning to Lord of the Flies as an adult Thorne felt a lot more empathy for Jack, something he attributes to Golding’s writing.

“[The book is] full of a lot of care for all of the boys,” he says.

“People see this book as being about opposition and hate and, actually, it’s a lot more complicated than that and a lot more beautiful than that.”

The audience for the Lord of the Flies TV show is invited to care for each of the boys by hewing closely to one per episode, starting with Piggy (David McKenna). He’s a chubby, bespectacled, somewhat anxious boy who tries to establish order and structure in the camp but soon finds himself bullied.

In the following episodes, the focus moves to Jack (Lox Pratt) in his efforts to hunt a wild pig and overthrow Ralph, to dreamer Simon (Ike Talbut), and finally, Ralph (Winston Sawyers) as the camp falls further into chaos.

It was especially important, Thorne says, to get inside the mind of Jack.

“Faces are the way we tell stories in our medium,” he explains.

“Just spending that much time on Lox’s face, on Jack’s face, you do get brought into his view of the world, and you do, I hope, care for him in the way that Golding cares for him.”

Thorne wanted to create a conversation around the book and its themes: “People talk about books without reading them.”

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A distinct voice

Thorne is best known for his shows tackling social issues in the UK.

The Hack, released last year, stars David Tennant (Doctor Who) as a journalist determined to get to the truth of the News of the World phone hacking scandal.

In Toxic Town, released on Netflix last year, Jodie Whittaker (also Doctor Who) plays Susan, a mother of a child with a congenital birth defect, who becomes one of the main organisers behind the Corby toxic waste case in England in the 00s.

Thorne recalls reading the brief for Toxic Town and thinking, “My dad is Sam Hagen”, the Corby council worker who leaked documents to Susan’s legal team.

He says he’s drawn to shows where “there’s something of me that can play a role”.

“I knew people like Susan,” he says. “I felt like there was enough there for me to grapple with.”

In 2021, Thorne and Graham, as executive producer, collaborated on the TV movie Help, about Sarah (Jodie Comer) who works in a care home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The telemovie won an International Emmy in 2022, but Thorne says it was difficult to find international distribution.

“I was told, ‘The accent’s too strong, it’s about British issues that don’t travel, and it’s about British governmental institutions that aren’t interesting to the rest of the world’,” he recalls.

He says an international streamer like Netflix, meanwhile, has celebrated the distinctness of the stories he tells.

What Netflix have done — not just with Adolescence, but with Baby Reindeer, Squid Game, Narcos — is realise that when you tell a story with detail and with precision, then people can get it wherever they are in the world.”

Lord of the Flies is streaming on TVNZ+

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/15/adolescence-writer-jack-thorne-on-his-new-tv-adaptation-of-castaway-novel-lord-of-the-flies/

February 13, 2026

Football: Injured All Whites star Chris Wood gets ‘positive news’

Source: Radio New Zealand

All Whites captain Chris Wood is on the comeback from injury. PHOTOSPORT

All Whites captain Chris Wood’s road to recovery from a knee injury has taken many routes, but the striker has had positive news as he looks ahead to the path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Wood suffered the injury in mid-October while playing in the English Premier League for Nottingham Forest and had surgery in December.

While he has been sidelined, Wood has watched Forest slip towards the relegation zone and fire a third manager this season.

“The easiest thing to say would be it’s part and parcel of football, but it’s been frustrating,” Wood said of his recovery in an interview recorded by Nottingham Forest.

“The manner of the injury has not been perfect because we’ve tried different things, had setbacks, having to go down different routes with surgery and things like that. It’s not been smooth sailing.”

Wood said by “suffering through the lows” of this season it would help him “come back stronger and better”.

“It’s getting better day by day, which is great. Had some positive news yesterday from the surgeon to say I can get on to the next stages and things like that, so it’s better for my rehab now.

“I’ve got to do the right things to get back fit and ready.”

The 34-year-old said he was looking forward to returning to play before the end of the Premier League in May and the World Cup, which kicks off in June.

“There is a lot on the horizon which will be fantastic to be a part of, and the World Cup is definitely one of them.”

He will miss the All Whites’ FIFA Series in Auckland next month.

The All Whites’ last warm-up game before the World Cup is against England.

“Coming up against England will be a great occasion, a tough opponent for us… we’ve always wanted to pit ourselves against the best and England is definitely one of the best and one of the favourites for the World Cup, so it will be a good experience, for sure.”

Wood was recognised with The New Zealand Society’s inaugural Pride of New Zealand award in London last week.

Aware of the influence he had on the next generation of football players in Aotearoa, Wood said he wanted to be an inspiration.

“We’ve had a lot of Kiwis playing across the world at great levels but we’ve only ever had six ever play in the Premier League, and that’s something you’ve got to be extremely proud [of].

“We want more Kiwis playing in the Premier League or playing at high levels around the world, and we’ve got quite a lot who do it, but hopefully there can be a lot more coming after seeing what can be achieved with Kiwis around the world.”

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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/football-injured-all-whites-star-chris-wood-gets-positive-news/

February 12, 2026

Police clamp down following scooter robbery

Source: New Zealand Police

A man will scoot to court today following an alleged robbery in east Auckland yesterday afternoon.

Just after 4pm, Police were notified of an incident in Point England Road where a person had allegedly been assaulted and their scooter taken.

Auckland City East Area Response Manager, Senior Sergeant Tony Ngau Chun, says the victim was able to provide a detailed description of the alleged offender.

“Staff arrived quickly and were able to obtain a statement from the victim where he advised that the scooter was fitted with an AirTag.

“Based off that information Police attended an address in the nearby area and took one person into custody without issue.”

He says the scooter was also recovered from the property and returned to its rightful owner.

“We’re pleased we were able to locate this person and bring them before the Court to be held to account for their actions.”

A 49-year-old man will appear in Auckland District Court today charged with robbery.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/02/12/police-clamp-down-following-scooter-robbery/

February 12, 2026

All Whites to take on England

Source: Radio New Zealand

England captain Harry Kane Pressinphoto / PHOTOSPORT

The All Whites will play England as a part of their final preparations for this year’s FIFA World Cup.

The two sides will meet in Florida on 6 June, five days out from the start of the tournament.

England, who went through World Cup qualifying with a perfect sevens wins in their European group, are currently ranked four in the world and New Zealand 85.

The game will see the All Whites face their highest-ranked opponent in 17 years and they will clash with England for just the third time in history.

New Zealand last faced England in 1991, losing two friendlies in Auckland and Wellington.

“Our strategy over the last year has been to take on top-ranked sides to ensure we are in the best place to perform at the tournament, and this match gives us a final opportunity to really test ourselves against one of the favourites,” All Whites coach Darren Bazeley said.

“England are a great side with big names all over the pitch, but we want our players to face that type of challenge so we can work collectively to find solutions against top teams.

“This match should be a great occasion but also a critical part of our final preparation before we face Iran in Los Angeles at the FIFA World Cup 2026.”

Captains shake hands, Stuart Pierce (England) and Malcolm Dunford (All Whites), All Whites v England, Athletic Park, Wellington. 1991. Troy Restieaux / www.photosport.nz

Prior to departing for the World Cup the All Whites will play two home games in March against Finland and Chile as part of the FIFA Series 2026.

At the World Cup, New Zealand play Iran, Egypt and Belgium in group G, while England will face Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L.

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/all-whites-to-take-on-england/

February 11, 2026

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/

January 22, 2026

What is going on with the Beckham family feud?

Source: Radio New Zealand

Many people find the Christmas holidays strain their family relationships, but few go to the extent of issuing lengthy statements on social media about them. If you’re the first-born son of a mega-famous and wealthy power couple, however, it’s the easiest way to stoke a gossip fire that’s been smoking for months.

Brooklyn Peltz-Beckham, the eldest child of Victoria and David Beckham has released an explosive six-page statement addressing the strained relationship with his parents.

The 26-year-old said he had been subject to “endless attacks from my parents, both privately and publicly, that were sent to the press on their orders”.

Former England footballer David Beckham (5L) and his wife Victoria Beckham (3R) pose on the red carpet with their children, and partners, (from L) Mia Regan, Romeo Beckham, Cruz Beckham, Harper Beckham, Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham upon arrival to attend the Premiere of “Beckham” in London on October 3, 2023.

HENRY NICHOLLS

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“I’m standing up for myself for the first time in my life.”

Who are these people?

David and Victoria Beckham are extremely wealthy and globally famous. David Beckham is a former English professional footballer who rose to fame as a teenager playing for Manchester United. He retired from playing in 2013 but retains an interest as a co-owner of teams in the US and UK.

Victoria Beckham – best known to 90s music fans as Posh Spice from the groundbreaking Spice Girls pop group – met David in 1997 and the couple married in 1999. Victoria pivoted to fashion after her pop career ended, creating her eponymous brand in 2008 and expanding into beauty in 2019.

David and Victoria Beckham.

AFP

The couple have four children – sons Brooklyn, 26, Romeo, 23, Cruz, 20, and 14-year-old daughter Harper.

They have an estimated net worth of £500 million (NZ $1.1 billion).

Regular folk were granted an insight into their family life in the 2023 four-part Netflix documentary, Beckham. It was followed by the Victoria Beckham story in a three-part series which dropped in 2025.

Their eldest son at the centre of the family furore, Brooklyn, has dabbled in modelling, photography and cooking. He began dating Nicola Peltz in 2020, marrying her two years later.

Peltz, 31, is the daughter of US billionaire, Nelson Peltz and model Claudia Heffner. She has worked as a model and actress.

What’s the story?

The rift reportedly began in 2022, ahead of Brooklyn and Nicola’s wedding.

In his statement on Monday, Brooklyn accused his parents of trying to “endlessly ruin” his relationship.

He said his fashion designer mother had tried to derail his wedding, pulling out of making Nicola’s dress “in the eleventh hour despite how excited she was to wear her design, forcing her to urgently find a new dress”.

At the time it was reported by entertainment website People.com that Nicola chose not to wear a custom VB design for the ceremony, after initially agreeing to do so, instead opting for a Valentino gown.

However, shortly after the wedding Nicola told entertainment publication Variety: “I was going to and I really wanted to and then a few months down the line, she realised that her atelier couldn’t do it, so then I had to pick another dress. She didn’t say you can’t wear it; I didn’t say I didn’t want to wear it. That’s where it started, and then they ran with that.”

Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz-Beckham had been notably absent from family celebrations over the last year, including David’s 50th birthday party in Miami in March, 2025, further birthday celebrations in May and his knighthood in November. The Beckhams also reportedly sat out Nicola and Brooklyn’s vow renewal ceremony in August 2025.

Victoria Beckham’s 50th birthday. From left: Romeo, Cruz, Victoria, Harper, David and Brooklyn in April, 2024. Nicola Peltz-Beckham did not attend.

Instagram / Victoria Beckham

Brooklyn wrote on Monday: “My wife has been consistently disrespected by my family, no matter how hard we’ve tried to come together as one”.

The statement claimed Brooklyn was in the UK for David’s birthday celebrations, but requests to see his dad were ignored and “when he finally agreed to see me, it was under the condition that Nicola wasn’t invited”.

“I have been silent for years and made every effort to keep these matters private,” Brooklyn wrote.

“Unfortunately my parents and their team have continued to go to the press, leaving me with no choice but to speak for myself and tell the truth about only some of the lies that have been printed.”

Brooklyn’s statement went on to say: “…. Since the moment I started standing up for myself with my family, I’ve received endless attacks from my parents, both privately and publicly, that were sent to the press on their orders.

“Even my brothers were sent to attack me on social media, before they ultimately blocked me out of nowhere this last summer.”

In December, 2025, it was reported that Brooklyn no longer followed his parents or brothers on social media, nor did they follow him back. Cruz Beckham hit back at tabloid reports that his parents had unfollowed Brooklyn: “My mum and dad would never unfollow their son… Let’s get the facts right. They woke up blocked… as did I,” Cruz wrote on his Instagram stories.

Followers observed that David Beckham did not include any photos of Brooklyn in his roundup of 2025 on Instagram. Harper, Cruz, and Romeo appear in his 20-picture carousel dedicated to his “incredible wife” and “amazing children”.

On Monday the first official statement on the family drama was released by Brooklyn. The BBC have attempted to contact David and Victoria Beckham for comment. They have not said anything about the rift.

What is with children breaking up with their families?

Prince Harry’s departure from royal duties in 2020 was perhaps the biggest story in family estrangement in recent times. Harry and his wife, Meghan, stepped down as senior royals, angry about media intrusion and frustrated at Buckingham Palace. The couple moved to California saying they wanted space to raise their children. (Tabloids report Brooklyn and Nicola have recently joined the Sussexes for dinner at their Montecito home.)

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in 2023.

Rolf Vennenbernd / DPA / dpa Picture-Alliance via AFP

In 2023, Harry’s memoir Spare was published, dropping bombs about his relationship with his brother and father. It was followed by an interview with Oprah, in which the couple spoke about racism, the media, mental health and the Royal Family.

Harry last saw his father, King Charles, in 2025 when he had tea at Clarence House during a UK visit. It was their first meeting in 18 months.

His wife Meghan has been estranged from her father, Thomas Markle, and half-siblings, since her engagement to Prince Harry.

Other celebrities famously impacted by family estrangement include Macaulay Culkin, Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Aniston.

Macaulay Culkin and Brenda Song attend the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 11, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California.

Amy Sussman / Getty Images / AFP

Outside of high profile feuds, thousands of New Zealanders have likely severed their relationship with a parent, what the internet refers to as “going no contact”.

No figures exist in New Zealand for how common it is, or whether it is growing. However, a 2022 survey of 11,000 Americans found that about one in four were estranged from one or more immediate family members, with the most common source being a child ending a relationship with a parent.

If you explore the hashtag #nocontact on social media, you will find millions of posts containing advice on how to go no contact and those attesting to the freedom and mental wellbeing of cutting ties. There is also the side of parents who feel unjustly removed from their child’s life. Some have criticised this as a social contagion where a cornerstone relationship is too easily discarded. Others see it as progress that empowers people to rid themselves of a toxic relationship they never chose to be in.

Why do we care about celebrities’ private lives?

According to Dr Anita Brady, a senior lecturer in media and communications at Victoria University in Wellington who researches popular culture, there are different levels for how we interact with celebrities.

“When we think about celebrity breakups, we can divide it into three ways we might care,” she told RNZ previously.

“The first is on an individual fan basis, where people might have particular celebrities they admire or follow for whatever reason. The second is on a societal level, which relates more to the cultural function of celebrities.

“In the same way we talk or gossip about people we know in real life, we also do the same thing in relation to celebrities. It’s the space where social norms get negotiated or disrupted, where we can use the social function of gossiping about someone to establish social bonds with someone else.

“In a celebrity relationship, there might be an aspect of ‘who wronged who’ or ‘who shouldn’t have done what they did’, and that’s a way of testing our shared ideas about how we should conduct ourselves or participate in life.”

The third framework might be one we are most guilty of as consumers.

“This one is actually just thinking about celebrities, not really as people, but as cultural narratives or sources of entertainment. We might follow a celebrity story the same way we follow a television show or a film, we’re interested in the plot development and twists and turns.”

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/01/21/what-is-going-on-with-the-beckham-family-feud-2/

January 22, 2026

‘They’re hungry’: Shark warning to Kiwis after spate of Australian attacks

Source: Radio New Zealand

Riley ‘Sharkman’ Elliott swimming with a mako shark. Amber Jones

Beachgoers, swimmers and surfers are not immune to the risk of shark encounters when taking a dip in New Zealand waters, an expert says.

The advice comes amid high alert across the Tasman, following four shark attacks across New South Wales in less than 48 hours.

A 12-year-old boy was in intensive care, after sustaining critical injuries to both his legs in an attack near Shark Beach in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on Sunday.

Two attacks, both on Sydney’s northern beaches, then occurred in the space of a few hours on Monday.

A 27-year-old man was in a critical condition after suffering severe injuries to his legs at Manly’s North Steyne Beach. Earlier that day, an 11-year-old boy escaped injury, after a large bite was taken out of his surfboard at Dee Why.

A 39-year-old man also escaped serious injury in the latest shark attack at Point Plomer on the Mid North Coast on Tuesday.

The state government was working with Northern Beaches Council and Surf Life Saving NSW in response to the cluster of attacks.

Following a bout of bad weather, Australian experts said ocean conditions were ripe for shark activity, particularly bull sharks.

Marine biologist Professor Culum Brown of Macquarie University said sharks were drawn to freshwater flushes to feed on fish and dead animals, as they drifted down from rivers.

New Zealand shark scientist and conservationist Dr Riley ‘Shark Man’ Elliott has run a long-standing, tag-and-trace programme across the country.

Speaking to RNZ from a boat in Foveaux Strait, Elliott said the attacks were tragic, but also a reflection of growing population bases.

Sydney beach closed after shark attack. ABC News / Gavin Coote

“[Great white sharks] have been protected for several decades now and that should increase their numbers, but they do breed very slowly, so their numbers haven’t exploded,” he said.

“Human populations have grown dramatically and there’s more water recreation, more activities, more sports, more surf appliances. Innately, there’s more people in the water.”

Although shark attacks were not as common in New Zealand, compared to the warmer climes of Australia, other environmental factors heightened risk.

“Sharks don’t [hunt] people,” Elliott said. “Where they make mistakes is when they’ve been drawn into a food source, they’re hungry, the visibility’s poor and then people go in the mix.

“Urbanisation, sedimentation, agriculture, all these things… our harbours used to be crystal clear, now they’re muddy and gross.

“These animals are trying to hunt in that poor visual environment.”

New Zealand shark scientist and conservationist Dr Riley ‘Shark Man’ Elliott. Supplied

Elliott recommended avoiding swimming in periods following heavy rainfall, in river mouths, during dusk and dawn hours, and around ocean carcasses.

The conservationist had spotted three Australian-tagged great white sharks during his Fiordland expedition.

“Equally, some of the sharks I’ve tagged down here have gone to Australia, so they move very big distances,” he said.

A diver was flown to hospital, after being bitten by a shark – presumed to be a great white – at Dusky Sound in Fiordland National Park last April.

Shark sightings have also been reported in Auckland, Christchurch and Whangārei in recent weeks.

Elliott said shark attacks were tragic reminders that the ocean wasn’t a playground.

“If we want to co-exist in nature, we need to understand it, we need to respect it, we need to take care of 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/2026/01/21/theyre-hungry-shark-warning-to-kiwis-after-spate-of-australian-attacks-2/

January 22, 2026

David Beckham breaks silence after son Brooklyn cuts ties

Source: Radio New Zealand

The spat burst out into the open after Brooklyn Beckham, 26, accused his parents of being “controlling” and placing “countless lies” in the media to preserve the facade of a perfect family

Speaking to CNBC at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Sir David said he had tried to educate his children about the online world.

“Children are allowed to make mistakes, that’s how they learn. So that’s what I try to teach my kids,” he said. “But you know, you have to sometimes let them make those mistakes as well.”

Sir David made the comments during a general discussion about the risks of social media, having earlier avoided journalists’ questions about the saga.

Reports of tension between Brooklyn and his parents started soon after he wedded actor Nicola Peltz, the daughter of US billionaire Nelson Peltz, in 2022.

Brooklyn said for years he had made “every effort” to keep the matter private, but he now had no choice but to “tell the truth about only some of the lies that have been published”.

He said his parents had been “trying endlessly to ruin my relationship since before my wedding” and had pressurised him to sign away the rights to his name, a step he had refused.

In one of the most damaging accusations, he said his mother, former Spice Girl and fashion designer Victoria, had hijacked his first dance with his wife at his wedding.

“She danced very inappropriately on me in front of everyone,” he said, in a post on Instagram.

“I’ve never felt more uncomfortable or humiliated in my entire life,” he added.

Brooklyn’s post tossed a grenade into “Brand Beckham”, the multi-million-pound family business that traces its origin back to his soccer star father making his debut for Manchester United at the age of 17 in 1992.

Sir David cemented his position in the British establishment last year when he was awarded a knighthood at the age of 50 for his contribution to sport and charitable causes.

He won six league titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League with the club, before playing for Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. He also captained England, winning 115 caps.

His 1999 marriage to Victoria Adams, ‘Posh Spice’ in the Spice Girls, united football with pop music to create ‘Posh and Becks’, a celebrity couple rivalled only by Britain’s royals in tabloid appeal.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/01/21/david-beckham-breaks-silence-after-son-brooklyn-cuts-ties/