Category: KB

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Annual Plan: what’s happening with rates next year?

Source: Auckland Council

The council’s proposed Annual Plan 2026/2027 is out now for all Aucklanders’ to have their say. The plan includes a proposed rates increase of 7.9 per cent for the average value residential property.

What does the annual plan mean for next year’s rates?

Each annual plan sets out rates for the year and the average increases or changes ratepayers can expect. A 7.9 per cent rates increase for the average value residential property is proposed for 2026/2027 (for the average value residential property).

Rates make up less than 40 per cent of council income and contribute significantly to the quality of life Aucklanders’ have. They help maintain and enhance the infrastructure, parks, facilities, activities and services that make Auckland a great place to live. 

Rates help us invest in services and activities for our communities – improving public transport, maintaining parks, museums and art galleries, environmental services, rubbish collection and community facilities.

What’s the extra rates delivering?

A major highlight this year is the expected start of the City Rail Link (CRL), which will transform Auckland’s public transport. The CRL is a key investment for Auckland and is bringing a range of benefits to Auckland. 

As CRL opens in 2026, the council will have additional annual costs come into play. These costs are the primary driver of the 7.9 per cent rates increase. The CRL will enhance Aucklanders’ ability to move around the region by delivering more trains and quicker, easier journeys. It will also bring economic and environmental benefits.

2026/2027 will see the council invest $3.9 billion into new capital infrastructure projects across Auckland – helping deliver a region with the physical assets it needs to thrive and grow. We will also invest $5.3 billion into continuing essential services Aucklanders rely on (operating costs). For more highlight projects for 2026-2027, read on.

Will all ratepayers have an extra 7.9 per cent to pay?

Not every household will pay exactly 7.9 per cent more – that is the increase for the average residential property (valued $1.28 million). Rates vary based on the capital value of each property. Individual properties might also be subject to specific targeted rates which might impact the rates change. Our online rates guide provides estimated rates for each property. See our online rates guide. 

What is the average cost of rates?

For the average household, annual rates are proposed to increase by around $320 next year – from $4055 in 2025-2026 to $4375 in 2026/2027. This is a total weekly rates cost of around $84, or $6.16 more a week. 
These figures are based on an average $1.28m capital value (CV) residential property. Capital values help us share rates fairly across all property owners, and are only for setting rates.

How can I see what rates I will pay next year? 

To find out estimated rates for your property during 2026/2027, see our online rates guide. 

Are there changes to any targeted rates?

Targeted rates contribute to specific services or projects and are generally set across all ratepayers, or to specific ratepayers in certain areas.

Individual properties may see some changes to targeted rates. Proposed changes include:
–    the future of the Waitakere Rural Sewerage Scheme (affecting the associated targeted rate from 2027/2028 onward)
–    a proposed new local services targeted rate for Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board 
–    a proposed new local services targeted rate for Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board

There are also several proposed changes to other targeted rates:
–    a proposed reduction to the area of the Onehunga Business Improvement District (BID) and changes to the BID targeted rate
–    a proposed expansion of the Kingsland BID and changes to the BID targeted rate
–    a proposed reduction in the Rodney Drainage District targeted rate for properties in the Te Arai Drainage District.

What about business rates?

Under our rates policy, businesses contribute 31 per cent of the rates revenue. In 2026/2027, the rates for an average value business property ($3.89 million) will rise by 9.84 per cent. 

What about farm and lifestyle rates?

The rates for an average value farm/ lifestyle property will increase by 8.37 per cent in 2026/2027. 

Individual business and farm/lifestyle properties might also be subject to specific targeted rates which might impact the rates change. Our online rates guide provides estimated rates for each property. 

Rates increase numbers indicated in this article are subject to adoption of the council’s final budget in June 2026 and updated property information.

What is Auckland Council doing to cut costs?

Auckland Council is focused on delivering value for money and continues to forecast some of the lowest rates increases in New Zealand.  

While the overall rates rise is higher than the council would like – we have delivered savings and increased efficiency across the council that have helped reduce what could have been an even higher rates rise. 

For 2026–2027, we have set a savings target of $106 million, which includes an additional $20 million in annual savings as part of our ongoing commitment to financial sustainability. The $106 million equates to around 3.5 per cent of rates revenue.

In addition to savings, the council utilises value for money reviews, a Better Value Projects approach, a focus on non-rates revenue, sales of under-utilised assets and an ongoing focus on driving value for every dollar to manage new priorities and changing demands for the future.    

How are rates calculated?

Rates increases for individual residential properties may differ from the average 7.9 per cent. 

Rates vary based on the capital value of each property, its classification (residential, business farm or short-term accommodation) and location (urban or rural). Individual properties might also be subject to specific targeted rates. 

If a property’s value has increased (such as due to renovation work) or decreased, its rates increase might be lower or higher than the average change. 

Read more about rates on the council website.

Our online rates guide provides estimated rates for each property in 2026/2027.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/04/annual-plan-whats-happening-with-rates-next-year/

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Pest eradication on Kawau Island resumes

Source: Auckland Council

After taking a break over summer, to avoid disruption to the busiest season for residents and visitors to Kawau Island, Auckland Council and our project partners are resuming the pest eradication programme on the island with operations commencing in March.

With our field camera network and drone survey data revealing that numbers of wallabies and possums are higher in the southern part of the island than previously anticipated, hunting efforts will be supported by the permitted use of toxins (1080 cereal bait and cut foliage treated with 1080 gel) from Monday 9 March. 

This is dependent on the weather and ground conditions and will be undertaken in accordance with strict permit conditions.

Working towards a pest-free Kawau Island

Auckland Council has been working with Kawau Island landowners and residents to restore the extensive native forest on Kawau Island. 

The presence of wallabies and possums means that the native forest cannot thrive as these introduced pests browse on seedlings and plants, destroying potential habitats and food sources for indigenous species. 

After years of planning and preparation, the project began in early May 2025.

Working towards a pest-free Kawau Island, is a ground-based operation to remove wallabies and possums and is primarily being carried out by hunters using trained indicator dogs and thermal drones, supported using toxins (1080 and Feratox) in areas where the monitoring network has revealed higher numbers of wallabies and possums are present.  

The next treatment area for the toxins is located on private land in the southern sector of the island (excludes residential areas and Public Conservation Land) and will be fenced and monitored.

You can read more on OurAuckland.

Important information

  • Safety is of utmost importance to us. Working towards a pest-free Kawau Island is underpinned by strict public health conditions from the National Public Health Service – Northern Region Auckland and robust health and safety precautions will be undertaken.
  • However, 1080 is a toxin that can be deadly to people and dogs. Small quantities of 1080 gel are lethal if eaten or swallowed. 
  • Visitors and residents of Kawau Island must stay out of areas with toxic bait and avoid all contact with baits. 
  • Anyone who consumes any of the toxic baits should call 111 immediately and contact the Poisons Centre for advice while waiting for emergency services. 
  • Dogs are highly susceptible to 1080 poisoning if they consume baits or scavenge carcasses.
  • To keep dogs safe, visitors should avoid taking dogs to the island during the operational period. 
  • Residents should keep dogs on a leash and closely supervised at all times, especially in the southern sector of the island. If you suspect your dog has been poisoned, induce vomiting and immediately go to a vet. 
  • We have been working with Warkworth Vets, and the team are ready to treat any dogs brought in, if needed. Muzzles and emetic medication are available from Warkworth Vets for landowners and residents of Kawau Island, free of charge. 
  • As per our permit conditions, there will be a six-month caution period. Uneaten foliage bait will be removed within 14 days of deployment, and soluble cereal bait will readily breakdown. However, secondary poisoning remains a risk for dogs during the six-month caution period.
  • Signage will remain during this time, and all residents and visitors to the island must follow all instructions from the council and its teams during this time. 

For more information on the Kawau Island restoration project, including FAQs and further factsheets, please visit our website or phone us on 09 301 0101. To support this project and ongoing conservation efforts, visit New Zealand Nature Fund.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/04/pest-eradication-on-kawau-island-resumes/

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Joint New Zealand – Uruguay statement

Source: New Zealand Government

Joint Declaration Uruguay – New Zealand on the occasion of the visit to Uruguay of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand

(Montevideo, March 3, 2026)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand expressed their satisfaction with the excellent state of the bilateral relationship, highlighting that both countries maintain a strong and enduring friendship. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1962, ties have broadened and deepened, benefiting their peoples through their long-standing cooperation, which has been mutually beneficial and supported the prosperity of both nations. 

Both Ministers underscored that the partnership between Uruguay and New Zealand is grounded in a deep alignment of values and a shared vision regarding the defense of multilateralism, democracy, and human rights, as well as in their openness to the world and shared character as small, open democracies, which makes Uruguay and New Zealand natural partners.  

They emphasised that respect for international law and international humanitarian law constitutes an essential element for international peace and security. They reaffirmed the importance of strengthening global environmental governance, including upholding the Antarctic Treaty System that protects Antarctica as a natural reserve for peace and science. 

The Ministers reaffirmed their support for upholding democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Venezuela, and stressed the importance of the people of Venezuela determining their country’s political future. Only an inclusive political process, led by Venezuelans, can lead to the sustainable restoration of democratic order in Venezuela. They reiterated the importance of releasing all persons unjustly and arbitrarily detained for political reasons and for exercising freedom of opinion and expression, a central element for laying the foundations for a genuine and constructive political dialogue. 

Ministers reflected that the conflict with Iran is a complex and dangerous situation that is evolving rapidly. Both countries expressed their serious concern about further military escalation in the region and agreed that adherence to international law and respect for International Humanitarian Law, military deescalation and diplomacy is of the utmost importance.

They also emphasised their shared commitment to a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with international law, including the UN Charter in accordance with the principles of territorial integrity, sovereign equality and the peaceful settlement of disputes. 

The Ministers underscored their commitment to the empowerment of women and girls, including the promotion of their full and effective participation in all spheres, and combating all forms of gender-based violence. They further reaffirmed that social cohesion, integration, and equal opportunities are fundamental pillars of democratic stability. In this context, they highlighted their determination to address all forms of discrimination and to ensure the effective promotion and protection of the rights of persons in vulnerable situations, as well as to continue coordinating positions and promoting joint initiatives in multilateral fora to consolidate more inclusive societies that respect human dignity.

In the field of international trade, and in light of a challenging global context, Uruguay and New Zealand reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to an open, inclusive, and rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization at its core. They underscored the fundamental role of the WTO in promoting a fair, predictable, transparent, and non-discriminatory trading environment, and highlighted the need to advance its reform process to strengthen its negotiating, dispute settlement, and monitoring functions. They also expressed their expectation of substantive progress at the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference, to be held from March 26 to 29, 2026, in Cameroon.

Both countries highlighted their joint work as founding members of the Cairns Group to promote deep and meaningful reform aimed at advancing toward a more open, equitable, and market-oriented agricultural trading system, in accordance with the mandate of Article 20 of the Agreement on Agriculture. On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Cairns Group, they recognized its role in driving agricultural negotiations since the Uruguay Round.

In order to build prosperity through trade and economic linkages, the Ministers emphasized the importance of initiatives such as the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership (FIT-P), which promotes open, inclusive, and rules-based trade, as well as the encouragement of responsible and sustainable foreign direct investment flows. They also noted Uruguay’s request to accede to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), and to join the Global Trade and Gender Arrangement (GTAGA), as well as its efforts to deepen engagement with the Asia-Pacific region through various negotiating frameworks.

The Government of Uruguay expressed its appreciation for the renewed confidence of New Zealand business in the conditions of the domestic market, reflected in increased business connections and investments in high value-added sectors, such as forestry and technology applied to agribusiness, including the recent opening of MonteSera’s animal sera processing and export plant in the Parque de las Ciencias Free Trade Zone.

Both Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the development of more resilient and environmentally sustainable production systems. They recalled that Uruguay and New Zealand are founding members of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA), where they actively cooperate to reduce emissions from the agricultural sector through science, technology, and sustainable practices. They also highlighted the continued validity of the Memorandum of Cooperation on Agriculture and Livestock signed in 2019.

New Zealand and Uruguay reiterate their firm commitment to substantive and constructive progress in the negotiations of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution (INC). Both countries agreed on the need to adopt a Treaty that addresses the full life cycle of plastics. In this context, both parties reaffirmed the importance of redoubling efforts and continuing to collaborate actively for the protection of human health and the environment.

Both Ministers agreed that strengthening people-to-people ties constitutes an essential component of the bilateral relationship. In this regard, they highlighted the importance of deepening exchanges in tourism, education, science, culture, and youth, including the reciprocal nature of the Working Holiday programs.

Finally, they reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together to promote their shared interests and values, and expressed their willingness to maintain a fluid political dialogue and regular meetings, both bilaterally and in the framework of international gatherings.

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/04/joint-new-zealand-uruguay-statement/

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The fractured, drug-fuelled life behind the scenes of a 10-month-old’s death

Source: Radio New Zealand

Public Domain

The mother of a baby found unresponsive in a South Auckland home has described her broken relationship, drug use, and the day her son died, before a Coroner’s inquest on Wednesday.

Ten-month-old Poseidyn Hemopo-Pickering was rushed to Middlemore Hospital and later moved to Starship Children’s Hospital on the evening of 5 September, 2020.

He died a few hours later.

His father, Anthony Simon Pickering, was acquitted of murdering his son in 2022 after a jury trial, and no one has been held responsible for his death.

The purpose of the coronial inquiry is to determine how Poseidyn died and the circumstances surrounding his death, not criminal or civil liability.

Today, the Coroner heard from Poseidyn’s mother, Filoi Huakau, who told the court she had a fractured relationship with Poseidyn’s father, who was also present.

She said the couple domestically abused one another.

“I would say we were like showponies, we would smile for the camera but we had a lot of brokenness between us behind closed doors,” Huakau said.

“We lacked the ability to communicate properly with one another, and there was barely any affections between us.”

Huakau said the pair were heavy methamphetamine users. Her meth use continued while she was pregnant with Poseidyn.

She had said Poseidyn’s parentage was a point of debate and argument for the pair, and that it was only confirmed after his death that Pickering was in fact his biological father.

It was a miracle he had been born healthy, she said, given how much she was using and how little she was eating.

She told the court she had previously given mixed accounts to police of what happened, saying the account given on Wednesday would clear the air.

“Every time that I provided a statement, my head was in a scramble.

“What happened back then, and some of the things I said, no longer sit right with me.”

Huakau said she did not know why she lied to police.

“It is really hard to explain why I lied about certain things, but I was honestly fried, in almost every single statement that I gave,” she said.

“I know it looks like I was probably trying to cover up the truth, but to be completely honest I didn’t even know the truth, I suppose I was really just trying to find a way to justify what happened to myself.”

Huakau paused several times while giving evidence to collect herself, wiping her face with tissues.

She recalled being in the hospital with Poseidyn, and Pickering suddenly mentioning for the first time that the baby had hit his head on the window sill while his mother was out.

Poseidyn had suffered a blood clot and a fracture.

“I screamed at Simon and said, ‘why the F didn’t you say something’, he said he had only just remembered it now,” Huakau said.

“All I remember is just crying.”

She spoke about a family hui following Poseidyn’s death, in which she and Pickering were told one of them would need to take the blame for their child’s death, and that it needed to be Pickering.

‘Your lowest low’

Later in the day, Huakau was questioned by her lawyer Kima Tuialii, who acknowledged the loss she had suffered.

“We all know that you’re sitting where ideally no mother or parent should ever have to sit, before a Coroner in a court, trying to understand what’s happened to their baby.”

She commented on Huakau’s journey to recovery.

“We’ve spoken about really your lowest low, and some of your deepest hurts,” Tuialii said.

“The way you’ve turned things around have been nothing short of remarkable, and I think that everybody in this room would agree with that.”

She asked Huakau if she believed she could have done better.

“Absolutely,” Huakau said.

“I do acknowledge that my kids were neglected, I do believe that they deserved a lot more than what they did get.”

Tuialii asked if she ever hurt Poseidyn.

“Never,” Huakau said.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/04/the-fractured-drug-fuelled-life-behind-the-scenes-of-a-10-month-olds-death/

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Salvation Army launches $1.5 million meth harm reduction programme in Motueka

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ

The Salvation Army is launching a $1.5 million methamphetamine harm reduction programme in Motueka.

The three-year pilot will include clinical addiction programmes to help people to get clean and stay clean, along with an education campaign to raise awareness about the class-A drug.

Salvation Army service development lead Emma Hunter said families directly affected by methamphetamine would be offered tailored support.

The programme brought together clinical expertise, support and community partnership to help people break free from the drug and rebuild their lives, she said.

“People deserve support that fits their real lives. We offer a harm reduction approach to suit each individual or whānau and we work closely with local services, iwi and the community so the help people receive is connected and effective,” Hunter said.

The education campaign would raise awareness about methamphetamine, where it comes from, its effects and where to get help.

Ministry for Social Development regional commissioner Craig Churchill said methamphetamine affected many communities and Motueka was chosen because of its size and location.

It was small enough for the funding to make a difference and large enough to demonstrate the difference it could make, he said.

“Ultimately we hope to see a reduction in methamphetamine use and related harm in Motueka, a safer community, increased access to support services, greater awareness and prevention and improved inter-agency co-ordination in the town,” Churchill said.

The money is coming from the Proceeds of Crime Fund.

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://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/04/salvation-army-launches-1-5-million-meth-harm-reduction-programme-in-motueka/

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New Zealand tourism continuing to boom

Source: New Zealand Government

Fresh data out this week shows international visitors are returning to New Zealand in droves and visitor spend is on the up, supporting local business and jobs across the country.

The latest International Visitor Survey showed international tourism contributed $12.5 billion to New Zealand’s economy for the year ending December 2025, up 3 per cent compared to the previous year. 

“We have seen a really positive recovery of tourist numbers post-Covid, with visitor numbers at 90 per cent of 2019 levels (3.89 million). These latest results show annual spend has been steadily increasing since the borders reopened to international visitors,” Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.

“International visitor spend from some countries has now surpassed or nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, with our Aussie cousins contributing $3.0 billion — 111 per cent of their 2019 spend — and visitors from the United States contributing $1.5 billion, reaching 97 per cent of 2019 levels.

“Overall median spend per visitor ($2,248, up 3 per cent) and median daily spend ($309, up 8 per cent) are all up which means visitors are spending more in our accommodation, restaurants and local businesses, giving a significant boost to the economy.”

“These results highlight why the work we’re doing to boost our tourism and hospitality sector is so important.

“International tourism is New Zealand’s second-largest export earner and we are laser focussed on growing this vital sector, by doubling the value of tourism exports by 2034.”

“Overall, the resilience of the tourism industry is evident. Whether visitors are drawn by New Zealand’s landscapes, our welcoming culture, or the quality of the experiences on offer, the continued rise in visitor numbers and spending underscores tourism’s role in fixing the basics and building the future. 

“More international visitors mean more customers for our businesses and ultimately more jobs.”

Editor’s note

The International Visitor Survey from MBIE is released every quarter and contains data for that quarter and for the year ending that quarter. Further details on data quality (sample sizes, response rates, margins of error) are available here.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/04/new-zealand-tourism-continuing-to-boom/

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Government moves to strip Māori Land Court powers over PGSEs

Source: Radio New Zealand

Minister for Māori Crown Relations Tama Potaka. RNZ / Mark Papalii

A group of Tūhoe kaumatua say plans to remove the supervisory jurisdiction of the Māori Land Court (MLC) over many post-settlement governance entities (PSGE) will deny Māori access to justice and accountability.

The government is proposing legislation gives PSGEs the choice to be exempt from sections 237 and 245 of Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993 – which give the MLC jurisdiction over trusts, to the High Court.

Cabinet signed off on the proposal in 2025 following a ruling from the Supreme Court in 2024 that meant Te Uru Taumatua (TUT), the settlement entity for Tūhoe, was subject to jurisdiction of the MLC.

In 2019, Tūhoe kaumatua Paki Nikora, a staunch critic of TUT, started legal proceeding against the PGSE over its election processes on behalf of Te Kaunihera Kaumātua o Tūhoe.

Nikora died in 2023, aged 73, but the legal battle continued, culminating in the Supreme Court’s ruling.

In a statement, counsel for the Kaunihera, Paul Harman, said the proposed Bill overruled that decision.

Harman implied the proposed bill showed how “far” the Crown and TUT were prepared to go to “override access to justice”.

“It weakens the rule of law when governments make legislation in such haste.” he said.

“We went to the Māori Land Court because Te Uru Taumatua had no meaningful dispute resolution process. This is one of several failures of its Trust Deed, with its election processes being another… all that remains is a High Court application, and I suggest that is too expensive for most Māori.”

Harman claimed the proposed Bill would effectively remove independent judicial oversight and deny Te Kaunihera Kaumātua o Tūhoe and other Māori due process and legal recourse.

In a statement to RNZ, Te Uru Taumatua chief executive Kirsti Luke said the Supreme Court’s ruling made “no real sense” for reality of iwi or PSGEs.

“It was never the Crown or iwi’s intent in reaching settlements, and enacting them in legislation, that the Māori Land Court would have any subsequent jurisdiction over iwi’s self-determination.

“The court acknowledged the situation, that its interpretation created, should be fixed by Parliament, and that is also the course of action we and other iwi support.”

A cabinet paper shows 42 of the country’s 73 PSGEs have formally requested exemption from the court’s oversight

In a statement, Minister for Māori Crown Relations Tama Potaka said the government recognised that PSGEs undertook important responsibilities on behalf of their Iwi.

“Many continue to do so in a diligent and professional way, with strong support from their members and uri.” he said.

“It is important to be clear, however, that a PSGE is not synonymous with the Iwi itself. An is an Iwi. A PSGE carries out defined roles and responsibilities on behalf of Iwi under its trust deed and settlement arrangements, but it does not define the identity or mana of the Iwi.”

Potaka said the proposed legislation reflected the engagement had with PSGEs across the country and the considerations of the Supreme Court had been carefully taken into account.

“This work has not arisen suddenly. Discussions have been underway for some time, including through the former Te Arawhiti structure, and have involved detailed consideration of how best to provide certainty within the PSGE framework.”

“It is also important to emphasise that matters relating to the structure, accountability and leadership of PSGEs ultimately sit with Iwi members. Where Iwi members believe change is needed, whether amendment or replacement of governance arrangements, there are established pathways within trust deeds and Iwi processes to do so. Those are decisions for Iwi to determine.”

Potaka said draft legislation was still being worked through and would be introduced “in due course”.

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://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/04/government-moves-to-strip-maori-land-court-powers-over-pgses/

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All Blacks reveal new head coach: Who is Dave Rennie?

Source: Radio New Zealand

Dave Rennie has been named the new All Blacks coach, seeing off Jamie Joseph in the two-man race to replace Scott Robertson. © Photosport Ltd 2016 www.photosport.nz

The All Blacks have a new head at the helm.

Dave Rennie has been appointed to one of the most scrutinised jobs in the country.

He succeeds Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson as the 28th All Blacks coach.

Here is everything you need to know about David Noel Rennie:

Born in Upper Hutt, Rennie was educated at Heretaunga College. His mother is from the Cook Islands (Titikaveka, Rarotonga), and Rennie played a non-test match for the country in 1990.

Rennie played his club rugby for Upper Hutt RFC before a shoulder injury forced him to hang up the boots at just 27.

He trained as a teacher, and was appointed to an intermediate school in Upper Hutt.

Rennie played 58 times for his province, Wellington, winning the NPC crown in 1986, the last time the Lions would lift the trophy until Rennie returned as coach.

He quickly moved into a coaching role at Upper Hutt RFC following his playing days.

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie PHOTOSPORT

His coaching career continued in the capital as he took an assistant coaching role for the Wellington Lions in 1999.

Just one year later, he was promoted to the top role and would take the Lions on arguably the most memorable NPC run in history, culminating in one of the greatest games played in New Zealand.

Leading a team of legends such as Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen and Tana Umaga, Rennie’s men overcame an All Black-laden Canterbury team to claim an historic 34-29 win.

After three seasons with the NPC side, Rennie was given his first Super Rugby assignment, named as assistant at the Hurricanes.

The 2002 season ended with the Hurricanes ninth with a 5-6 record. Graham Mourie would resign for the 2003 season with Colin Cooper taking over.

Rennie headed north in 2006 to take over at Manawatū, who he coached for 69 games until 2011.

Another big break came when Rennie was assigned the top job for the New Zealand Under 20s in 2008, leading them to three titles on the trot.

Among his players were Aaron Smith, Sam Whitelock and Julian Savea.

He was then given the reins at the Chiefs in 2012, and in his debut season, led them to an inaugural Super Rugby title.

In what ranks as a career highlight for Rennie, the Chiefs went back to back in 2013, with Aaron Cruden, Brodie Retallick, Liam Messam and Sam Cane in the side.

‘Father and Son’ – Dave Rennie (right) and Aaron Cruden Photosport

Rennie spent a further three seasons with the Chiefs before making the move to Scotland to coach the Glasgow Warriors.

He again made a strong start, with the Warriors winning 10 straight before falling short in the Pro14 semifinal.

The next year the side went one better, but again fell at the final hurdle.

Rennie would step down after a Covid-interupted final season in Scotland.

Bar his new All Blacks assignment, Rennie’s toughest task as a coach came in 2019 when he was announced as the replacement for Michael Cheika as Wallabies head coach.

Covid would again wreak havoc during his time with Australia, and it included difficult tours to Europe which saw the Wallabies suffer a first ever loss to Italy.

Much like his predecessor Robertson, Rennie was unceremoniously sacked from the Wallabies gig, replaced in 2023 by Eddie Jones.

Of his 34 tests in charge of the Wallabies, they won just 13.

‘Understand the expectations’

After three seasons in Japan with the Kobe Steelers, Rennie won the two-horse race for the All Blacks gig, beating out Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph.

“Coaching the All Blacks is an incredible honour. I’m extremely proud to have been entrusted with this role and understand the expectations that come with it,” Rennie said.

“I’m really clear on the way I want the All Blacks to play and I look forward to working with the players, management team, and the rugby community. We have a lot of talent here and we will be working extremely hard to make the country proud.”

Rennie’s first assignment is in July when the All Blacks host France, Italy and Ireland for three tests in New Zealand.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/04/all-blacks-reveal-new-head-coach-who-is-dave-rennie/

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New Zealand family living in Qatar: ‘Like a Covid lockdown with the occasional loud boom’

Source: Radio New Zealand

Missiles are seen in the skies over Doha on March 3. MAHMUD HAMS/AFP

The family car is filled with petrol and packed with supplies and go bags for a hasty escape.

But for now, a New Zealand family living in Qatar’s capital, said they would stay where they were while loud booms could be heard in the distance.

Since Israel and the United States launched an attack on Iran on Saturday, a number of countries in the Middle East have been hit by missile strikes including Qatar.

“If you’re calm and prepared, that’s probably the best thing that we can do,” Kathryn Rush said her Doha home.

Motorists drive past a plume of smoke rising from a reported Iranian strike in the industrial district of Doha on March 1. MAHMUD HAMS / AFP

She and her husband were oil and gas lawyers, meaning Doha was somewhere with work in their field.

Rush and their two children, Nick who’s 11 and 9-year-old Emily, moved over from Wellington at the end of December.

But now things had changed.

“It’s very reminiscent of Covid,” Rush said.

“We’ve spent the first few months getting ourselves into dance classes and bits and pieces, football clubs and things like that.

“So all of that’s now on hold as everyone has to stay at home as much as they can, my husband is working from home, the kids are home-schooling,” she said.

“Things are happening, you don’t know if it’s going to happen to you or not, and you’re just waiting and try to stay positive in the meantime.”

Rush was trying to stay positive for her young children too.

“The booms, you hear the booms and some of those sound closer than others… so they can be relatively loud,” she said.

“I popped outside and my daughter was on a trampoline tonight just to say ‘oh, do you want to come inside, those were quite loud’ and she said ‘yeah and there were some flashes in the sky too but I want to do some more trampolining’.”

Rush felt it was important to acknowledge with her children what was happening, “but not to be freaked out by it”.

“My 11-year-old is quite smart and quite onto it and is relatively are of what’s going on, but he’s settled in really nicely to school here, he’s got friends from all sorts of different countries and I think they probably talk about it a little bit as well,” she said.

For now, Rush felt comparatively safe – their house was among about 100 in a compound and all were low-rise.

They’re also to the north of Doha’s centre and airport, in the opposite direction to the American base further south.

For now, it felt like an added layer of safety, she said.

“We’re in an older compound… and the villas are really sturdy… so I don’t feel that we’re in as much of a target zone as perhaps some of the other areas.”

New Zealand’s advice to citizens remained to shelter in place but Rush said they would strongly consider leaving if the advice was upgraded.

“It would probably have to get a lot worse, I think, before we’d feel like we desperately wanted to get out,” she said.

The only real option was to drive to Saudi Arabia.

“I feel safer on the ground at the moment than I would in the air.”

Rush was sleeping fully clothed in case she had to quickly move in the night.

She and her neighbours regularly check on each other, but she said it felt like there was not much to check during the ongoing waiting for whatever happened next.

“It feels a bit probably like a Covid lockdown, except for the sound of the occasional loud boom.

“The car is full of petrol and packed with effectively camping gear and the usual kind of go back scenarios like water and that kind of thing, sunscreen, so you know we are prepared – if we have to go we have to go – but where that would be going is a little uncertain.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/04/new-zealand-family-living-in-qatar-like-a-covid-lockdown-with-the-occasional-loud-boom/

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Vinhomes Green Paradise Gains Traction as a Multigenerational Global Investment

Source: Media Outreach

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – Can Gio is Ho Chi Minh City’s coastal district, a threshold where a metropolis of more than 10 million people meets the vast ecological reserve of mangrove forests and the open sea. Such geography cannot be replicated. Now, at this rare intersection of city and biosphere, Vinhomes Green Paradise is steadily transforming vision into reality, shaping a new coastal urban paradigm for the next generation.

Among hundreds of candidates from across the globe, Vinhomes Green Paradise has emerged as the first official participant in the global campaign New7Wonders’ “7 Wonders of Future Cities”. It signals that on the southern edge of Ho Chi Minh City, in Can Gio’s coastal expanse, a new urban thesis is being tested – one in which development is calibrated not by vertical ambition alone, but by the durability of its quality of life.

“Vinhomes Green Paradise is a truly compelling model for the concept of a ‘future city,’” said Jean-Paul de la Fuente, Director of New7Wonders and President of the “7 Wonders of Future Cities” campaign. “Here, the benchmark of progress is measured in the quality of living across generations.”

That future is now materializing at pace. Construction advances with uncommon velocity. Infrastructure grids are being laid with the discipline of long-term urban choreography. At the center of this unfolding ecosystem lies a 50-meter-wide artery known as the “Future Boulevard” – planned as the district’s commercial spine and among the earliest components to be completed and activated.

To acquire a Boulevard Prime townhouse along this axis is, by many measures, to participate in the district’s economic overture before the crescendo. Can Gio is envisioned as a tourism capital welcoming up to 40 million visitors annually. As infrastructure scales and connectivity deepens, the pricing paradigm is expected to reset accordingly. Early ownership, therefore, is a position in an emerging consumption corridor.

The Irreplicable Value of a “Rare Axis”

In urban economics, frontage along a primary commercial axis carries a structural premium. In Can Gio, this logic is rendered tangible along the 50-meter Future Boulevard, the first commercial lifeline of Vinhomes Green Paradise.

Each segment of the street is anchored to a destination of international scale: a six-star luxury resort; the 5,000-seat Blue Waves Theater; the global entertainment complex VinWonders; a Safari park; the 24/7 retail and leisure hub Cosmo Bay; Landmark Harbour international marina; twin 18-hole golf courses; and a five-star Vinmec International Hospital.

According to development plans, these flagship amenities are slated for substantial completion by the third quarter of 2027. Once synchronized in operation, the boulevard will transcend its infrastructural role. It will function as a sustained “consumption corridor” – channeling a stable, continuous stream of visitors past the doors of Boulevard Prime properties.

The anticipated clientele arrives for resort stays, theatrical performances, golf tournaments, wellness programs, global events – activities that imply longer dwell times and elevated discretionary spending. The rhythm of commerce here is not circumscribed by office hours. It extends day and night, across all seasons.

Such an environment is naturally suited to structured, premium service models: fine-dining establishments; curated boutiques; concept stores; flagship showrooms; spa and wellness centers; branded hospitality hybrids. The boulevard’s design, retail interlaced with major attractions, ensures that each property benefits not from a single demand stream, but from layered and overlapping consumer flows.

This “amenity-adjacent” architecture confers resilience. When consumption is underwritten by an entire ecosystem rather than a solitary anchor, volatility is diffused. As the district matures and visitor patterns stabilize, assets positioned along the core axis are likely to see their competitive advantages sharpen.

It is this structural clarity, of connectivity, scarcity and projected demand, that positions Boulevard Prime as a focal point for international capital seeking long-horizon growth in Southeast Asia’s evolving urban markets.

Securing Capital Costs, Anticipating the Cycle

Urban planners often note that the intrinsic value of commercial property along a central axis derives from infrastructural singularity. A city may expand outward, layering additional amenities and residential clusters, but it rarely replicates its primary connective spine. Once established, such axes become enduring frameworks around which value consolidates.

In Can Gio, the 50-meter Future Boulevard is the sole route designed to link, directly and comprehensively, the district’s full spectrum of large-scale amenities. The supply of Boulevard Prime townhouses along this stretch is, by definition, finite. As the urban organism reaches operational maturity, that scarcity is expected to become increasingly pronounced.

If rarity underwrites long-term value, timing determines margin. At the present juncture, while the boulevard is advancing toward completion, pricing does not yet fully encode the district’s projected consumption capacity. Early investors retain latitude in site selection and stand to capture the repricing that typically accompanies infrastructural activation.

Complementing locational advantage is a financing structure engineered to minimize capital risk. The program “Buy a Vinhomes Home – No Worries About Interest Rates” offers 0% interest support for 36 months, followed by a capped maximum rate of 9% per annum for the subsequent 24 months. In effect, investors can model capital costs across a five-year horizon with unusual clarity.

This structure is calibrated to an entire economic cycle. Rather than remaining exposed to market rate volatility, investors can establish predictable cash-flow projections from the outset. In a climate where interest rates exhibit upward pressure and liquidity discipline tempers expansion plans, such insulation functions as a financial shield.

Long-term fixed-rate commitments of this duration are not commonplace in the current market. They presuppose balance-sheet strength and a willingness on the part of the developer to absorb rate risk alongside buyers. For investors, particularly those navigating cross-border allocations, this arrangement reduces friction at the point of entry and fortifies holding strategy during the formative years of the district’s growth.

A City Measured in Generations

What distinguishes Vinhomes Green Paradise is not a singular building or amenity, but its integrative thesis. It proposes that tourism, culture, healthcare, recreation and commerce need not exist as disjointed clusters. When orchestrated deliberately, they can reinforce one another, creating both a lifestyle destination and a durable economic engine.

In that sense, the project’s participation in the New7Wonders campaign reads less as accolade and more as validation of intent. The aspiration is to cultivate a city where daily life, for residents, entrepreneurs and visitors alike, unfolds within a coherent, future-oriented framework.

If cities of the past were defined by fortifications or factories, and the cities of the 20th century by skylines, the cities of the future may well be judged by their capacity to harmonize infrastructure with human experience. In Can Gio, that experiment is already underway – not as speculation, but as construction steel rising against the coastal horizon.

Hashtag: #Vinhomes

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/2026/03/04/vinhomes-green-paradise-gains-traction-as-a-multigenerational-global-investment/

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VinEnergo Announces Global Strategy, Deploys First 10 GW International Renewable Energy Portfolio

Source: Media Outreach

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – VinEnergo announces its large-scale global expansion plan, initially focusing on Asia and Europe with a renewable energy project portfolio totaling 10 GW that has officially secured development agreements. In addition to the capacity already approved in Vietnam, over the next three years VinEnergo will continue expanding its operations and increase its total deployed capacity to 100 GW, positioning itself as a leading global renewable energy enterprise and deepening its participation in the international energy transition.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Khoa, CEO of VinEnergo (left), and Mr. Karsten Nielsen, Founder and CEO of GreenGo Energy Group (right), at the partnership signing ceremony between the two parties.

Under its overall plan, VinEnergo targets the development of 100 GW of renewable energy over the next three years, including 50 GW in core international markets such as North America, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia. These regions demonstrate rapidly-growing power demand, strong renewable energy promotion policies, and significant development headroom for international investors.

In parallel, VinEnergo will also explore expansion into other potential markets such as Central Asia and Africa, where electricity demand and emissions reduction requirements are rising rapidly. Through collaboration with governments and relevant stakeholders, VinEnergo will develop sustainable energy sources, support businesses in accessing clean electricity, contribute to Net Zero goals, and directly participate in shaping green energy policy.

To establish a solid foundation for the structured and long-term deployment of renewable energy projects, VinEnergo has signed partnerships with international financial institutions to access green credit. In addition, VinEnergo has reached agreements with multiple reputable foreign partners to develop a 10 GW project portfolio, with the overall objective of mastering all stages, from design, schedule management, and commercial structuring to long-term operations.

Specifically, in Northern Europe, VinEnergo partners with GreenGo Energy to develop a renewable energy project portfolio of 2 GW in Denmark and Sweden. In the long term, the company plans to expand its capacity in Northern Europe and across Europe to 6.2 GW.

In the Philippines, VinEnergo will develop projects totaling 1.3 GW with NKS Renewables Inc, 1.2 GW with URG Asia Corporation, and 1.3 GW with 11.11 Growth Properties, focusing on large-scale solar power projects in favorable areas such as Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

In these co-development projects, VinEnergo holds over 80 percent ownership and acts as the primary developer, responsible for capital mobilization, construction, and long-term operations. Several projects commenced in early 2026 and are expected to begin operations during 2027 to 2028.

Mr. Andre Pablo G. Fausto, President of NKS Renewables (left), and Mr. Nguyen Anh Khoa, CEO of VinEnergo (right), at the partnership signing ceremony between the two parties.

With in-house capability in the manufacturing and integration of battery energy storage systems (BESS), VinEnergo can standardize design, secure equipment supply proactively, and synchronize technical solutions across its entire portfolio. This ensures high operational stability, reduces schedule risk, and optimizes project economics, particularly in markets with high renewable penetration and increasingly stringent dispatch requirements.

According to the plan, in the first quarter of 2026, VinEnergo will increase its total international renewable energy portfolio to 20 GW, with at least 8 GW of additional projects in Southeast Asia and Africa to be signed during the period.

Mr. Nguyen Anh Khoa, Chief Executive Officer of VinEnergo, stated: “Entering 2026, VinEnergo moves into a new development phase with the aspiration to become a renewable energy enterprise with global scale and competitiveness. The simultaneous deployment of a large portfolio across multiple markets affirms our capacity for governance and execution of complex projects. VinEnergo believes we will make an important contribution to the global energy transition process, while elevating the stature of Vietnamese enterprises on the global green energy map.”

In 2025, VinEnergo broke ground on the Hai Phong LNG thermal power plant, with a total investment of approximately VND 178 trillion and a designed capacity of 4,800 MW, placing it among the largest LNG-to-power projects in Vietnam and globally. VinEnergo has also been assigned as the investor for two offshore wind power projects in Ha Tinh, totaling approximately 900 MW with a combined investment exceeding VND 39 trillion.

Most recently, VinEnergo also invested in Phase 1 of the Hon Trau Wind Power Plant project in Gia Lai, with a capacity of 750 MW, one of the largest renewable energy projects in the province. In addition, VinEnergo has been approved as the qualified investor for the Vinh Thuan Wind Power Project, with a capacity of 143 MW.

Co-operation agreements both domestically and internationally reflect partners’ confidence in VinEnergo’s financial strength, governance, and execution capability, while affirming the company’s increasingly established position in the international renewable energy value chain.

With a long-term development orientation and as part of the Vingroup ecosystem, VinEnergo pursues the mission of providing clean, stable, and efficient energy, aligned with disciplined investment, international governance standards, and sustainable value creation for the community, while proactively adopting the latest trends such as AI and big data applications in operations and smart power solution development.

Hashtag: #VinEnergo

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/2026/03/04/vinenergo-announces-global-strategy-deploys-first-10-gw-international-renewable-energy-portfolio/

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Cardumen Capital Strengthens Global Reach Through Its Taipei-Based APAC Partner Following NVIDIA’s Acquisition of Its Portfolio Company Illumex

Source: Media Outreach

Building on the acquisition of Illumex by NVIDIA, the firm validates its Seed-to-Exit thesis and reinforces its mission to bridge Asian capital with world-class DeepTech.

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – Cardumen Capital, a leading European DeepTech venture capital firm, today marks a pivotal milestone in its international momentum following the acquisition of its portfolio company, Illumex, by NVIDIA. This landmark exit further solidifies the firm’s strategic presence in the Asia-Pacific region and cements its 2019 vintage fund’s position as a leading performer within its vintage cohort.

A Seed-to-Exit Success Story

Cardumen Capital was Illumex’s first investor and led its 2021 seed round, supporting the company from inception through to exit. General Partners Gonzalo Martínez de Azagra and Igor de la Sota identified the startup’s potential at the seed stage, guiding it toward this landmark milestone.

“This acquisition validates our DeepTech thesis,” said Gonzalo Martínez de Azagra. “By backing visionary founders early, we demonstrate our ability to identify the core building blocks of the AI era.”

Igor de la Sota added: “The success of the Illumex exit underscores the global demand for robust data infrastructure in the age of Generative AI. We are proud to have supported the team from day one in building a platform that now sits at the heart of the world’s AI computing network.”

Strengthening the Bridge to Asia-Pacific

Illumex joining NVIDIA serves as a powerful catalyst for Cardumen Capital’s mission in Asia. Led by Taipei-based APAC Venture Partner Stan Yu, a serial entrepreneur turned venture capitalist, the firm is intensifying its efforts to bridge Asian strategic capital with world-class innovation hubs in Europe, Israel, and global DeepTech ecosystems.

“Building on this milestone exit to NVIDIA, we are seeing unprecedented momentum for our strategy in the APAC region,” said Stan Yu. “The journey of Illumex proves the caliber of opportunities we bring to our partners. From our base in Asia, we are uniquely positioned to facilitate these high-stakes connections, ensuring that Asian institutional capital has exclusive access to the next wave of transformative DeepTech and frontier innovations.”

As a pioneering venture capital firm with a dedicated partner presence in Taipei bridging the EMEA tech ecosystem, Cardumen Capital is uniquely positioned to drive cross-border synergies and deliver the performance expected by the institutional investment landscape in Asia.

https://www.cardumencapital.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/cardumencapital/posts/?feedView=all

Hashtag: #CardumenCapital #Illumex #NVIDIA #DeepTech #AI #VentureCapital #M&A #Taiwan

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/2026/03/04/cardumen-capital-strengthens-global-reach-through-its-taipei-based-apac-partner-following-nvidias-acquisition-of-its-portfolio-company-illumex/

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Insurer backtracks on move to exclude ADHD and autism treatment cover

Source: Radio New Zealand

Autistic nonspeakers may use various strategies to manage the overload and lessen sensory distress. Unsplash / Naila Conita

Southern Cross Health Insurance says ADHD and autism are once again covered under its policies, after an earlier decision to exclude them.

RNZ reported last month families were blind-sided by the decision, which left them without funding for treatment.

At the time, the insurer said it was not a change in policy, but a “clarification” – as ADHD and autism were considered mental health conditions, they came under the mental health exclusion and were therefore not covered.

But now, after a review of its diagnostic classification system, it told RNZ they were, in fact, classified as neurodevelopmental conditions, not mental health conditions, and accordingly the mental health exclusion did not apply.

Regan Savage, chief sales and marketing officer for Southern Cross Health Insurance, said they undertook a review after feedback from clinicians, members and sector stakeholders highlighted uncertainty about how that November guidance to providers was being interpreted in practice.

“That feedback informed a more detailed review to ensure our guidance is clear, consistent and aligned with both clinical understanding and our policies,” he said.

“We appreciate the constructive engagement with our members and specialists that helped inform this review, and we are currently reviewing any claims that may have been affected.”

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/04/insurer-backtracks-on-move-to-exclude-adhd-and-autism-treatment-cover/

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Live: Dave Rennie named as new All Blacks coach

Source: Radio New Zealand

Dave Rennie has been selected as the side’s new head coach. PHOTOSPORT

Dave Rennie has been named the new All Blacks head coach through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, seeing off Jamie Joseph in the two-man race to replace Scott Robertson.

The 62-year-old former Chiefs coach and coach of the Wallabies was unveiled as the national coach in a New Zealand Rugby social media post just before midday.

He will take up the role in June, when the Japanese Rugby League One season ends, where he coaches Kobelco Kobe Steelers.

He will take charge ahead of the July home series against France, Italy and Ireland.

PHOTOSPORT

Rennie, who is of Cook Islands descent through his mother, becomes the first All Blacks head coach with Pasifika heritage.

NZR chair David Kirk said Rennie has a proven track record as a successful head coach.

PHOTOSPORT

“On behalf of the Board, I’d like to congratulate Dave on his appointment as All Blacks head coach. He is a world-class coach who has consistently shown he can build strong performance environments and win.

“Dave understands what it means to coach the All Blacks and play a style of rugby that reflects who we are as New Zealanders.

“He has a deep understanding of rugby in New Zealand and the role the All Blacks play in shaping our national identity and bringing communities together.”

Rennie said his appointment was a privilege.

“Coaching the All Blacks is an incredible honour. I’m extremely proud to have been entrusted with this role and understand the expectations that come with it.

“I’m really clear on the way I want the All Blacks to play and I look forward to working with the players, management team, and the rugby community. We have a lot of talent here and we will be working extremely hard to make the country proud.”

David Kirk, the chair of NZ Rugby, speaks to media following the departure of All Blacks coach Scott Robertson Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Kirk said he believed the appointment process had been the most thorough the organisation has undertaken for an All Blacks coach.

“The All Blacks are set for a challenging and exciting two seasons ahead and it’s critical we followed a thorough process to find the right head coach. Dave has a clear direction for the team that gives us confidence the team will be well positioned to perform as we head into the 2027 Rugby World Cup.”

NZR will now work with Rennie to confirm the wider All Blacks coaching and management team, with updates to be provided in the coming weeks.

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie PHOTOSPORT

Rennie emerged as top level coach when he steered the New Zealand under-20 team to three consecutive junior world championships between 2008 and 2010, guided the Chiefs to back-to-back Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013 and took the Glasgow Warriors to a Pro14 Final in 2019.

He has also delivered domestically in New Zealand with the Wellington Lions and Manawatu Turbos in the National Provincial Championship.

©PHOTOSPORT 2020

He was head coach of the Wallabies between 2020 and 2023, although largely struggled for success before being replaced by Eddie Jones.

Rennie was to speak to journalists in Auckland this afternoon.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/04/live-dave-rennie-named-as-new-all-blacks-coach/

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New Zealand redraws open work visa conditions

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Yiting Lin

Open work visa holders are set to see changes to their visa conditions next month.

An open work visa generally allows people to work for almost any employer, across most sectors and locations, without needing a job offer.

From 20 April, Immigration New Zealand said open work visas would include two new types of employment conditions.

Under the first set of conditions, some open work visa holders, including those on Post Study Work Visas and a range of partner visas, will be able to work for an employer or be self-employed, including as a sole trader or by owning and operating a business.

Under the second set of conditions, open work visa holders on Victims of Domestic Violence Work Visas, Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visas, Asylum Seeker Work Visas and all working holiday visas will still be required to work for an employer, either under an employment agreement or a contract for services.

The change makes clear that open work visa holders will not be allowed to employ other people, either directly or indirectly through a business they own or operate, including where the business is the named employer.

Peter Elms, director of visas at Immigration New Zealand, said the changes were prompted by sector feedback and were intended to remove uncertainty created by existing work visa settings for both visa holders and immigration advisers.

He said updating and standardising the conditions would provide clearer guidance and reduce the risk of unintentional breaches of the Immigration Act.

“Overall, the changes are intended to help migrants better understand their visa conditions and work rights while they are in New Zealand,” Elms said.

The upcoming changes have been welcomed by immigration lawyers and advisers.

David Cooper, chief executive of New Zealand Immigration Partners Supplied

David Cooper, chief executive of New Zealand Immigration Partners, said the update to immigration instructions and policy would remove confusion and close a grey area that had existed previously.

“Particularly for people who held open work visas, whether or not they were allowed to work for themselves was never clear in the immigration instructions,” Cooper said.

“This will now allow them to do it and make it very clear that it’s legal for them to be able to do that.”

Cooper said that while self-employment would not apply to every type of open work visa, it would give eligible visa holders another option beyond finding a job.

“If they do struggle to find a job, they can at least consider setting up their own small business and trying that,” he added.

Sonny Lam, an immigration lawyer at Queen City Law, said clearer guidance could spur a modest lift in the recruitment of non-resident workers.

“The rules become muddled due to frequent changes and create a perception in busy employers’ minds that they can only hire someone on the Accredited Employer Work Visa,” he said.

Sonny Lam is an immigration lawyer at Queen City Law in Auckland. Supplied

“With this latest change, it will likely remind employers that they can hire such workers on open work visas again, leading to a slight increase,” he said.

Lam said the restriction preventing open work visa holders from employing others appeared to envisage gig-economy work, such as ride-share driving or delivery services.

This sort of work was a popular way for migrants to generate income and could provide a small boost to the wider economy, he said.

Arunima Dhingra, a senior licensed immigration adviser and chief executive of Aims Global, said clearer rules could reduce risk and improve compliance.

“In recent years there has been increasing confusion around what ‘open’ actually means,” she said.

“Many migrants and employers assume ‘open’ means unrestricted in all respects. At the same time, we have seen growth in contracting, project work and small-scale sole-trading arrangements.

“Those grey areas can create compliance risks if visa holders inadvertently step outside what is permitted.”

Arunima Dhingra, chief executive of Aims Global Supplied

Dhingra said that once the rules were explicit, employers could have greater confidence in engaging open work visa holders under appropriate arrangements.

For visa holders, she said, it reduced the risk of unintentionally breaching visa conditions.

Dafydd Parry, a licensed immigration adviser at Greenstone Immigration, said the restriction preventing open work visa holders from employing others could affect some current open work visa holders who are already running businesses that employ staff.

He said transitional arrangements and support would be available for those people until their current visa expires, after which the new rules would apply.

He said the clarification could also help ensure that employment created by temporary visa holders was sustainable and compliant, and that vulnerable workers were protected.

“Allowing temporary visa holders to employ staff could be deemed to create risks,” he said.

“If the visa holder must leave New Zealand, their employees may suddenly lose their jobs,” he said.

“Some cases may raise concerns about exploitation or non-genuine job arrangements.”

Elms said not all migrants were familiar with New Zealand’s employment laws or business obligations, and that allowing self-employment and business ownership while restricting the ability to hire staff helped support safe and compliant work practices.

He said it also reduced the risk of employers unintentionally breaching employment or immigration requirements.

Elms added that the rules also reflected a distinction between activities that signal temporary intent and those that suggest a more permanent footing.

“Running a business that employs others generally indicates a more ongoing and established presence in New Zealand, which is not the intent of a temporary open work visa,” he said.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/04/new-zealand-redraws-open-work-visa-conditions/

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Seascape developer Shundi Customs placed in receivership

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Seascape apartment project in Auckland is at a standstill. RNZ / Ziming Li

The owner and developer of the 187-metre 52-storey Seascape development near Auckland’s waterfront has been put into receivership.

Receivers Brendon Gibson and Neale Jackson of Calibre Partners said the immediate priority was to ensure Shundi Customs’s development continues to remain safe and secure.

Shundi has been unable to restart major construction works since it was ceased on-site in August 2024.

“We will work with the current contractor onsite (Icon Construction) to ensure the development remains safe and secure. Our focus will then move to assessing options that will see funds generated to repay creditors,” Gibson said.

“Seascape is a partially completed development. While we will move as quickly as possible to assess options, it may take some time considering the nature of the asset.”

The receivers will make further statements as the receivership progresses.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/04/seascape-developer-shundi-customs-placed-in-receivership/

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Polls show NZers want long term solutions, a new economy, and further tax on the ultra rich

Source: WEAll Aotearoa New Zealand

Two Talbot Mills polls have revealed New Zealanders overwhelmingly want politicians to think long-term with future generations in mind; our economic system to change; and for the ultra rich to be taxed more to fund public goods like healthcare, housing and climate action.
The two polls were commissioned by the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa. 
The first poll, conducted from the 9th to the 20th of October 2025, asked:
How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following:
  • Major political parties, from across the spectrum, should work together to find long-term solutions to major challenges that affect our future wellbeing, such as climate change, healthcare, and poverty reduction. 84% total agree. 3% total disagree.
  • We should have a national conversation about our values and long-term goals, in order for our major political parties to build consensus on the big issues facing our country. 78% total agree. 3% total disagree.
  • The interests of future generations should be a priority when making decisions on important policies in the present day. 78% total agree. 4% total disagree.
  • Political decisions in New Zealand are often characterised by short-term measures instead of creating sustainable solutions for the future in the next 10-20 years. 76% total agree.
  • It is frustrating how the major political parties constantly change positions on important national issues. 75% total agree. 5% total disagree.
  • Children born today will be financially worse off than their parents. 61% total agree. 9% total disagree.
The second poll, commissioned from the 11th to the 26th of February 2026, asked:
How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following:
  • The economic system in New Zealand is not set up to effectively address the big issues like housing, healthcare, and climate change. 66% total agree. 10% total disagree.
  • No one should be a billionaire while so many people struggle to afford basic necessities like housing, food, and healthcare. 50% total agree, 24% total disagree.
How strongly do you support or oppose the following in NZ:
  • Billionaires paying more tax to fund public goods like healthcare, housing, and climate action. 68% total agree. 13% total disagree.
  • Introducing a billion dollar wealth cap – a maximum amount of wealth any person can legally hold. 37% total agree. 34% total disagree.
Gareth Hughes, Director of Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa, says, “Every day here in New Zealand we can feel the impacts of an economy that isn’t serving us and that is evidenced in these polls.
“There is an overwhelming view that politicians need to stop making decisions around election cycles and instead take a longer term view, so that our kids and their grandkids can prosper on a healthy planet.
“New Zealanders can see and feel inequality rising above them, whilst more wealth is siphoned to the very wealthy. As an election draws near, politicians of all stripes must take a good look at how we can reorient our economy so that wealth doesn’t accumulate at the top whilst everyone else falls further behind.
“We are at a crossroads, and New Zealanders have shown in this poll the path they want to take. We must zoom out, rethink our economy so we can start addressing the huge crises facing us: that of housing inequality, crumbling infrastructure, and climate change”.

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/03/polls-show-nzers-want-long-term-solutions-a-new-economy-and-further-tax-on-the-ultra-rich/

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New CT scanner for Wairarapa

Source: New Zealand Government

A new CT scanner is now operational at Wairarapa Hospital, marking a significant upgrade to diagnostic services in the region, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“This $2.46 million investment will strengthen diagnostic services for Wairarapa, bringing faster, more reliable imaging closer to home and improving access for local patients,” Mr Brown says.

“The previous end-of-life CT scanner has experienced regular outages, disrupting care and delaying appointments. The new, modern scanner will significantly improve reliability and capability, providing faster imaging, better technology, and a more consistent experience for patients and staff.”

“The upgrade is expected to deliver around a five percent increase in output and productivity, supporting faster diagnosis, stronger cancer pathways, and better access to imaging for both inpatients and outpatients.

“It will also strengthen the wider regional diagnostics network, ensuring hospitals are better able to manage demand and maintain timely care across the region.

“By investing in frontline infrastructure like this, we are ensuring regional communities like Wairarapa get the quality care they deserve.

“This is about putting patients at the centre of our health system – investing in the infrastructure and technology that supports frontline clinicians, strengthens regional services, and ensures communities like Wairarapa can rely on modern, quality care now and into the future,” Mr Brown says.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/04/new-ct-scanner-for-wairarapa/

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Primary teachers’ union seeks ERA intervention in stalled pay talks

Source: Radio New Zealand

RNZ / Alexander Robertson

The primary teachers’ union wants to take stalled pay talks to urgent facilitated bargaining.

The Educational Institute Te Riu Roa says mediated bargaining last week failed to reach a settlement of the primary teachers’ collective agreement.

Negotiator Liam Rutherford told RNZ the Education Ministry made an offer which was only slightly different from the offer the union’s members rejected in December last year.

He said it fell well short of what members had told the union they wanted prior to mediation.

“I think it’s fair to say that teachers didn’t get the outcomes from that they went into it with and as a result, we’ve called for urgent facilitation from the Employment Relations Authority. We’re really hoping that might be the circuit breaker to get the government to come to the table and for us to get this settled,” he said.

The December offer would have provided a pay rise of 2.5 percent at the end of January and a further 2.1 percent a year later.

Secondary teachers accepted a similar deal last year.

The Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche warned earlier this week that primary teachers were missing out on increased pay and benefits because they had refused to settle.

Roche said since the end of January, primary teachers at the top of their pay scale were missing out on about $50 a week before tax they would have received had they settled last year.

He said the sums were even larger for the 60 percent of primary teachers who had management units for extra duties.

Under the December offer, a teacher at the top of the scale with one unit was missing out on around $63 (before tax) per week, and those with two units were missing out on around $76 (before tax) per week, Sir Brian said.

“Teachers know there are no lump sums or backpay available in this bargaining round.

“Every week without settlement is money teachers aren’t receiving.”

Rutherford said NZEI members understood what they had rejected.

“Teachers are well aware that if they had accepted the offer, they would be getting the pay increases on offer. But I think that more points to the strength of the issues that we’re facing in the sector,” he said.

Rutherford told RNZ the government’s curriculum changes were a big factor in teachers’ expectations of a better pay offer.

“What came through more strongly than we ever have is this absolute avalanche of curriculum change that people have found themselves in at the start of 2026,” he said.

“I think it’s been one of those areas where people have known that it’s coming, but to be in 2026 and to look at not just the size, but the speed of the ambition of the Minister of Education to implement this, lots of people are feeling like they’re drowning.”

Rutherford said the union advised the Education Ministry on Tuesday that it wanted facilitated bargaining.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/04/primary-teachers-union-seeks-era-intervention-in-stalled-pay-talks/

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Christopher Luxon forced into another correction over Iran war visas

Source: Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Parliament. (File pic) VNP / Phil Smith

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon had to make a personal explanation in the House on Tuesday night, after he stated incorrectly the government was automatically extending visas for people in New Zealand affected by the war in Iran.

The Greens co-leader says he “snuck” into the House “late last night” to correct the record and it shows he’s “not across his brief”.

“He simply does not seem to understand the weight of the things that he is talking about, or the substance or logic that sits behind them,” Chlöe Swarbrick said.

Follow updates with RNZ’s blog

Earlier this week the Prime Minister admitted he “misspoke” when he said New Zealand supported “any actions” to prevent Iran having nuclear weapons.

She says it’s disconcerting to have a leader of New Zealand talking about things that are “currently so much of a powder keg” and every time he opens his mouth “we have no idea how that is going to place our country in the context of the very tense international relations at play”.

Greens co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick RNZ / Mark Papalii

In Question Time on Tuesday, Swarbrick asked Luxon if the government would commit to automatically extending visas for people who are in New Zealand now whose home countries have been affected by the war, as happened in the context of the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Luxon responded saying, “I understand that we are doing that, and the Minister of Immigration will continue to take advice on that too.”

That was in contradiction to what his Immigration Minister Erica Stanford had said earlier that day, where she advised anyone who might be affected by the conflict to contact Immigration New Zealand.

“If they contact Immigration, we will be really pragmatic about making sure that they remain legally in New Zealand.”

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford RNZ / Mark Papalii

She said it would be considered on a case-by-case basis, and the current visa that may be expiring could be extended.

Swarbrick said on Wednesday the Prime Minister had effectively said a blanket extension was happening when “we know it wasn’t happening”.

“So [the Prime Minister] then snuck into the house at 9:02pm I believe, late last night, to correct the record and to say that there was a case-by-case process, which we all already knew, available to those people.”

At 9.03pm on Tuesday night, Luxon sought leave to make a personal explanation.

“To be perfectly clear, Immigration New Zealand has a well established process for international conflicts, and will facilitate and take a pragmatic approach to visa renewal when people are unable to return home,” he explained.

“This was not an automatic process in the context of the invasion of Ukraine, and decisions will continue to be taken on individual visas.”

Swarbrick told RNZ he also “misspoke” or “got his correction incorrect” when he said there wasn’t a blanket extension applied during the war in Ukraine.

“We have it in black and white from a Cabinet paper,” she said.

The paper stated Cabinet agreed to “extend by 12 months the visas of all Ukrainians onshore whose temporary visas were due to expire by the end of 2022”.

She said the extension meant people didn’t have to go through an arduous “case-by-case” basic to have them extended.

Swarbrick said she was now expecting the Prime Minister to have to “correct his correction”.

She said politicians were human beings, “all of us will screw up, we will stumble over our words, we will also make mistakes.”

“But I think there is quite a substantive difference between that and what the Prime Minister has modelled time and again, but very evidently over the last few days, which is that he is not across his brief.”

Comment has been request from Luxon’s office.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/04/christopher-luxon-forced-into-another-correction-over-iran-war-visas/