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Government set to unveil details of fuel support package

Source: Radio New Zealand

Cabinet has signed off on what support the government will offer in the face of rising fuel costs. RNZ / Dan Cook

The Citizens Advice Bureau says people are going to need significant support as fuel prices continue to rise, and is hopeful whatever relief the government is set to offer will include support for those not in paid work.

Cabinet has signed off on what support the government will offer, with details to be released later on Tuesday.

The Finance Minister has hinted it would be targeted towards low and middle income families.

“It must be targeted, it must be timely, and it must be temporary and not drive inflation or debt higher, because as we steer New Zealand through this immediate challenge, we must also continue to look to the future and bend the debt curve down,” Nicola Willis said on Monday.

The fact the Inland Revenue Department and Treasury had been tasked with going over the options, and a previous admission from the government it would use existing mechanisms, indicated it could be looking at changes to Working for Families.

The In-Work Tax Credit (IWTC) was paid out depending on someone’s income, the weeks they worked, and how many children they had.

In April, the government would raise the abatement threshold (the income level at which the credit would reduce) from $42,700 to $44,900.

There was also the Independent Earner Tax Credit (IETC) for people earning between $24,000 and $70,000.

The IETC was designed to help people on lower to middle incomes that were not eligible for Working for Families.

People earning between $24,000 and $66,000 received a tax credit of $10 per week. It decreased by 13 cents for every dollar someone earned over $66,000.

Asked on Monday whether the abatement thresholds would be temporarily changed, Willis said she would wait to comment until the details of the package were announced.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The Citizens Advice Bureau’s national policy advisor Louise May said there were already “high levels of stress” amongst the client base, and the latest hike in the cost of living could plunge people further into hardship.

“We’ve got a lot of clients coming in for help who are just unable to make ends meet. That includes clients with work and those without, and we are really concerned that those clients are going to be in even more dire financial and material hardship situations,” she said.

May hoped both people in work and people receiving income support who did not have paid work were offered relief, and also called for relief for support services such as food banks and emergency accommodation.

“Any measure to increase money coming into the pockets of people who are struggling should definitely be looked at. One thing we’re really concerned about is the fact that there hasn’t been mention of families who don’t have paid work,” she said.

“We think it’s really important that any relief package that’s introduced as a result of this latest crisis also includes families and people who don’t currently have paid employment. They are the ones who are going to be most affected.”

May said it was not just about what people were paying at the pump, but rent and food prices were also high, and people were struggling.

The Citizens Advice Bureau says people are going to need significant support as fuel prices continue to rise. RNZ / Mark Papalii

Infometrics chief executive and principal economist Brad Olsen said changes to the IWTC or IETC would be quick and effective.

He said the difficulty of using the tax system was it would not be as easy for households to see the money come into their back pockets compared to a helicopter payment such as the 2022 Cost of Living Payment, but it would mean the government could run it out quickly and then run it back quickly.

“It does seem like probably the best way to move things through is to use the tax system. Whether or not it’s enough, any little bit will help at the moment, given the sorts of pressures that some households are under. I guess the most workable thing using the tax system around the Independent Earner Tax Credit and the In Work Tax Credit is that they can be targeted to those on lower incomes already, and so you are getting the support there through to people who probably need it most.”

Olsen said the government would be trying to balance providing support and limiting the costs.

“There’s no extra money in the system, and to fund whatever package the government is coming out with either requires an increase in debt or something else in the government system to be cut back on,” he said.

“They want to provide as much support as possible, but keep the limitations tight so they’re not sort of spending a huge amount. And for some people, that does mean that they will feel that they’re not getting the support they might expect from government. But equally, the wider you go, the more money it costs, and therefore at some point, the more the country has to repay.”

Olsen said one of the risks of using tax system changes was they were sometimes “so fiendishly complex” that households may not know what they were entitled to, and sometimes neither did the government.

“They get too much or too little, and then you only find out after the fact that they actually either deserve more, or sometimes in the worst case, they have to start paying this money back, which would almost be the complete opposite of what the government wants to try and support at the moment.

“So you want to, from a government point of view, try and balance these changes, to make them as absolutely blunt and simple as possible, to get that money out the door, to support those who need it, but also have it go through enough of a workable system, which is a more complex tax system that we have to try and provide that sort of targeted focus.”

Infometrics chief executive and principal economist Brad Olsen. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

Labour leader Chris Hipkins was reserving judgement on what the government would offer until he had seen the details, but said the “principle” was that it should be offered to all people on low and fixed incomes.

“Anyone on a fixed income or a low income is going to be suffering at the moment because of the high price of fuel. That includes superannuitants, it includes people living on benefits, it includes people caring for others and not currently earning an income, not just those who are on low incomes in the workforce.”

Hipkins would not, however, offer up what Labour would do differently if it was in power, saying it was up to the government to present a plan.

“At the moment, the onus has to be on the current government to lead the country through that,” Hipkins said.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins. RNZ / Mark Papalii

The Green Party has proposed an urgent support package including free public transport, relief payments for low income and rural people to help meet additional transport costs, temporarily expanding eligibility for school buses and reversing cuts to school bus routes, reversing planned cuts to the Total Mobility Scheme, increasing mileage rates to care and support workers who receive well below standard IRD mileage, and a windfall profits tax.

Asked why the Greens could propose policies but Labour could not, Hipkins said minor parties could “promise a lot of things” during election campaigns.

“They get a lot more luxury to promise whatever they want, compared to the bigger parties,” Hipkins said.

In a post on social media on Monday night, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he had spoken with Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong about what more they could do to deal with difficulties in fuel and other supply chains.

Luxon said about a third of New Zealand’s fuel was refined in Singapore and the two leaders agreed it was important to keep the trade of essential goods flowing between the two countries.

“We’re working hard to ensure New Zealand’s fuel needs are met amidst the conflict in the Middle East, which is causing disruption to supply and higher prices at the pump,” he said.

“When I visit Singapore in May, we will sign the Agreement on Trade in Essential Supplies, a deal that will help keep supply chains flowing for fuel, food and other products.

“Building on the great platform we’ve built with one another, we also talked about what further work our Governments can do together as we navigate through these supply chain challenges.”

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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/2026/03/24/government-set-to-unveil-details-of-fuel-support-package/

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Coroner blames Maritime NZ, Police for delay of findings on Vivienne Pincott’s river rafting death

Source: Radio New Zealand

A white water raft goes over Tutea Falls on the Kaituna River. Supplied

Maritime New Zealand has apologised for an error that contributed to delays in releasing a coroner’s report into the river rafting death of a woman near Rotorua in August, 2020.

In his report into the death of 61-year-old Wellington woman Vivienne Pincott released on Tuesday, Coroner Michael Robb blamed Maritime New Zealand and Police for taking too long to provide some files, reports and evidence that led to the delay in releasing his findings.

Pincott died from severe injuries while white water rafting a class-five rapid that contained a seven metre drop.

She was being guided down the Tutea Falls on the Kaituna River.

In his report, Coroner Robb said even though the drop had been undertaken without fatal consequences by many others prior to Pincott’s death, the circumstances highlighted the risks of rafting on such fast moving white water.

“Safety considerations including the wearing of an appropriately sized and fitted lifejacket and helmet must be maintained, but as the circumstances of Vivienne’s death highlight, this may not provide complete protection against a fatal outcome in what is an inherently dangerous activity,” he said.

‘We unreservedly apologise’

In his report, Coroner Robb acknowledged the delay between Pincott’s death and the release of his findings.

“That delay was in large part the result of the report directed by the Coroners Court to be provided from Maritime New Zealand not being provided until 6 May 2024, nearly four years after Vivienne’s death,” he said.

“That delay was then contributed to by the New Zealand Police not providing their investigation file to the Coroners Court until April 2025, four years and eight months after Vivienne’s death.”

Coroner Robb said Maritime New Zealand had acknowledged and apologised for the delay in providing their report explaining that the delay occurred due to “internal circumstances relating to the file and the historical ways in which such matters were managed” at the time.

In a statement, Maritime New Zealand confirmed that the Coroner’s Office request for information into Pincott’s death was missed due to an administrative error.

“We extend our condolences to the family of Ms Pincott for her loss and acknowledge that the delay in finalising the Coroner’s report will have added to their distress. We unreservedly apologise to the Coroner and Ms Pincott’s family for the extended period it took for us to provide the material,” it said.

“Since 2021 we have put in place a new team, systems and processes to manage notifications and requests from the Coroner’s Office and other enquiries, which includes more stringent tracking of reports and cases.

“We are sure a delay of this nature will not happen again.”

In his report, Coroner Robb said that the greatest delay in releasing his findings was due to delays caused by the gap in Maritime New Zealand providing its report to Rotorua Police.

”However, a further year of delay was caused by the Rotorua Police not forwarding that report to the Coroners Court until April, 2025,” he said.

The coroner said that the police took years to sign off written statements from officers who had been working the day Pincott was injured. Some of the officers had left in that time.

In a statement, Rotorua Area Commander Inspector Herby Ngawhika said the police carried out an investigation, as directed by the coroner.

“We accept there was an unnecessary delay in the coronial process caused, in part, by Police,” he said.

“As noted in the report, shortly after Ms Pincott’s death, New Zealand was placed in a COVID19 level 4 lockdown. This unprecedented event consumed much of our available resource and led to a backlog of coronial files,” Ngawhika said.

“We acknowledge the impact of this delay on Ms Pincott’s family and friends and offer our sincere condolences.”

In his report, Coroner Robb said he did not take over the file until December 2025 after the inquiry had been tranferred from the orginal coroner.

“The coroner to whom the inquiry had been reassigned discovering a conflict of interest upon review of the disclosure when it was received in April, 2025. This resulted in the inquiry needing to be transferred to me, as the third assigned coroner,” he said.

“That transfer occurred in December, 2025.”

Coroner Robb said his review of the evidence in December 2025 revealed that there were gaps in the evidence that had been gathered by the police resulting in further reports being sought

from both the rafting company and Maritime New Zealand.

“A fortnight later I received a thorough and comprehensive report from the rafting company (Rotorua Adventures New Zealand – under which River Rats was operating at the time), which addressed all issues that I had raised with both the company and Maritime New Zealand,” he said.

“On 29 January 2026 I received the additional report requested from Maritime New Zealand.”

‘Extremely rare injury’

At the time of her death, Pincott was holidaying with her 25-year-old son, Bryden Frizell.

Although the coroner’s report noted previous heart problems she was described as a “fit and healthy” woman who had taken part in other physical activities without issue.

The River Rats raft she and Bryden were on had successfully navigated several other drops, before guides took it over the final seven metre – class five – waterfall.

Coroner Robb said that the raft initially became momentarily submerged and full of water at the bottom of the waterfall before resurfacing.

Video evidence showed that when the raft resurfaced, there were only three occupants on board.

“The two guides were in their original positions and Bryden remained in the front of the raft, but having been washed or jolted from his original right hand seat position towards his left occupying, or partially occupying where his mother had been seated,” he said.

Pincott resurfaced some 10-15 seconds later, before being rescued by guides.

Although initially concious and able to talk, she deteriorated and collapsed before emergency services arrived.

The coroner’s report said that, despite resuscitation efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem found that Pincott suffered severe traumatic injuries.

“What I wanted to understand was whether this extremely rare injury sustained by Vivienne was a consequence of something environmentally unusual, such as overly high or low river flow, technique or navigation issue that occurred at the time, or any other identifiable difference to the multiple other uneventful navigations of the Tutea Falls,” Coroner Robb said.

The coroner concluded it was most likely that Pincott was driven into rocks or the riverbed after being ejected from the raft.

While such incidents were extremely rare given the large number of people who had rafted Tutea Falls, the coroner found that her death was the result of the inherent risks of white-water rafting, even when safety procedures were followed.

The rafting company, River Rats, had changed ownership since Pincott’s death.

The new owners, and Pincott’s family were approached for comment.

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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/2026/03/24/coroner-blames-maritime-nz-police-for-delay-of-findings-on-vivienne-pincotts-river-rafting-death/

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Melco garners six diamonds in the 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide

Source: Media Outreach

MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 March 2026 – Melco Resorts & Entertainment has garnered six diamonds in the 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide, further reaffirming the Company’s status as a global leader in fine dining and underlining its commitment to culinary excellence.

Jade Dragon at City of Dreams – Black Pearl Restaurant Guide Three-diamonds Restaurant

City of Dreams’ signature Cantonese fine dining restaurant Jade Dragon secured the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide‘s coveted Three Diamonds accolade for the seventh consecutive year, upholding its status as Macau’s one and only three diamond Chinese restaurant, and was honored the special “Annual Dish Award” for its signature “Steamed Garoupa Fillet on Egg White Custard with Aged Chinese Hua Diao Wine Sauce” course. Innovative Chinese restaurant Yí at City of Dreams received One Diamond, marking its seventh year of such achievement. Revering the great traditions and savoir-faire of French cuisine, Alain Ducasse at Morpheus maintains its One Diamond status for the third consecutive year, whilst City of Dreams’ tranquil Japanese restaurant Sushi Kinetsu upholds its One Diamond honor in the esteemed guide for the third consecutive year.

Mr. Lawrence Ho, Chairman & CEO of Melco, said, “It is a profound honor for Melco to be recognized once again by the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide in 2026. In addition to the recent achievements in the MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2026, these prestigious accolades are a testament to our unwavering dedication to culinary innovation and our commitment to strengthening Macau’s position as a UNESCO-designated Creative City of Gastronomy.

“This achievement would not be possible without the incredible passion and hard work of our Colleagues. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to our world-class culinary and front-of-house teams; it is their relentless pursuit of service excellence that allows us to consistently deliver the most memorable and exquisite dining experiences to our guests from around the globe. We remain steadfast in our mission to push the boundaries of luxury hospitality and contribute to the vibrant diversification of Macau’s tourism landscape.”

At the award ceremony which took place today in Singapore, Melco properties’ restaurants received the following honors:

JADE DRAGON – Three Diamonds and Annual Dish Award for “Steamed Garoupa Fillet on Egg White Custard withAged Chinese Hua Diao Wine Sauce”
Being the only Cantonese restaurant in Greater China awarded with both Three Black Pearl Diamonds and Three MICHELIN Stars, Jade Dragon showcases exquisite culinary masterpieces created with the freshest seasonal ingredients and delectable delicacies. Jade Dragon sets the benchmark for fine dining in Macau with its spectacular designer décor and superlative personalized service. Recent honors and awards include:

  • Black Pearl Restaurant Guide Three Diamonds (2020-2026)
  • MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau Three Stars (2019-2026)
  • Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating (2014-2026)
  • Trip.com Gourmet’s Black Diamond award (2021-2023, 2026), Diamond award (2024-2025)
  • Harper’s BAZAAR HK’s Restaurant of the Year (2026), BAZAAR Taste Elite Macao (2024-2026)
  • Tatler Best Awards Asia Pacific’s Best 100 Restaurants (2024-2025)
  • Tatler Best Awards Hong Kong & Macau’s Restaurant of the Year Macau (2025), Best 20 Restaurants Macau (2025)
  • Tatler Dining Guide’s Top 20 Macau Restaurants List (2024)
  • South China Morning Post’s 100 Top Tables (2014-2025)
  • TARGET ELITE SELECT Awards’ Chinese Restaurant of the Year (2025), Cantonese Restaurant of the Year (2024)
  • TimeOut Beijing Food & Bar Awards’ Cantonese Restaurant of the Year (2025)
  • China Feast Restaurants Awards’ Annual Influential Restaurants (2025)
  • La Liste’s Top 1,000 World’s Best Restaurants (2025)
  • Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence (2014-2025)
  • World Culinary Awards’ Asia’s Best Hotel Restaurant (2025), Macao’s Best Hotel Restaurant (2022-2025)
  • Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia’s Macau Tastemakers List (2024-2025)
  • Three Stars in Golden Phoenix Tree China Restaurant Guide (2024-2025)

YÍ – One Diamond
One-diamond award winner Yí, located on the 21st floor Sky Bridge of Morpheus, offers the very heights of innovative fine dining and Chinese cuisine served in a modern seasonal tasting menu format. Its degustation menu is inspired by the 24 Solar Terms of the Traditional Chinese Calendar (Jie Qi), changes 12 times a year and highlights many of the restaurant’s signature dishes. Recent honors and awards include:

  • Black Pearl Restaurant Guide One Diamond (2020-2026)
  • Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Awards (2020-2026)
  • Trip.com Gourmet’s Platinum award (2021-2026)
  • Harper’s BAZAAR HK’s BAZAAR Taste Elite Macao (2024-2025)
  • Tatler Best Hong Kong & Macau’s Best 20 Restaurants Macau (2025)
  • Tatler Dining Guide’s Top 20 Macau Restaurants List (2024)
  • South China Morning Post’s 100 Top Tables (2019-2025)
  • China Feast Restaurants Awards’ Best Innovative Restaurants (2025)
  • Food&Wine The Best Awards’ Hotel Restaurant of the Year (2025)
  • La Liste’s Top 1,000 World’s Best Restaurants (2025)
  • Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence (2022-2025)
  • Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia’s Macau Tastemakers List (2024-2025)

ALAIN DUCASSE AT MORPHEUS – One Diamond
Awarded One Diamond, Alain Ducasse at Morpheus redefines legendary French classics with a contemporary vision and sentimental approach to cooking. The restaurant located at City of Dreams sources produce from the best regions which is harvested at its optimal time, highlighting a deep appreciation for nature and an intimate understanding of the seasons. Sourcing from small-scale farms and line-caught fish, the restaurant ensures unparalleled quality and a distinctive tasting experience. Recent honors and awards include:

  • Black Pearl Restaurant Guide One Diamond (2024-2026)
  • MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau Two Stars (2019-2026)
  • Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating (2020-2026)
  • Trip.com Gourmet’s Diamond award (2022-2026)
  • Harper’s BAZAAR HK’s BAZAAR Taste Elite Macao (2026)
  • Tatler Best Awards Asia Pacific’s Best 100 Restaurants (2025)
  • Tatler Best Awards Hong Kong & Macau’s Best Service (2025), Best 20 Restaurants Macau (2025)
  • Tatler Dining Guide’s Top 20 Macau Restaurants List (2024)
  • South China Morning Post’s 100 Top Tables (2020-2025)
  • TimeOut Beijing Food & Bar Awards’ French Restaurant of the Year (2025)
  • La Liste’s Top 1,000 World’s Best Restaurants (2025)
  • Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence (2019-2025)
  • TARGET ELITE SELECT Awards’ French Restaurant of the Year (2024)
  • Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia’s Macau Tastemakers List (2024)

SUSHI KINETSU – One Diamond
Bestowed One Diamond, Sushi Kinetsu at City of Dreams offers authentic Edomae sushi across a beautiful, centuries old Hinoki wood sushi bar. The tranquil restaurant serves seasonal delicacies using only the finest ingredients, crafted by Japanese master chefs. Recent honors and awards include:

  • Black Pearl Restaurant Guide One Diamond (2024-2026)
  • MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau One Star (2024-2026)
  • Trip.com Gourmet’s Diamond award (2024-26), Platinum award (2023)
  • Harper’s BAZAAR HK’s BAZAAR Taste Spotlight Macao (2026)
  • Tatler Best Hong Kong & Macau’s restaurant list (2025)

https://www.melco-resorts.com
https://hk.linkedin.com/company/melco-resorts-entertainment
https://x.com/MelcoResorts
https://www.facebook.com/MelcoCSR/
Wechat: 新濠博亚娱乐

Hashtag: #melco #blackpearl #cityofdreamsmacau #jadedragon #alainducasseatmorpheus #sushikinetsu #yi

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/2026/03/24/melco-garners-six-diamonds-in-the-2026-black-pearl-restaurant-guide/

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Trip.com Highlights Growing Demand for China Travel as Guangzhou and Zhuhai Gain Popularity Among International Visitors

Source: Media Outreach

GUANGZHOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 March 2026 – Trip.com, a leading global travel service provider, reports growing demand for travel to China, with Guangzhou and Zhuhai emerging as popular destinations among international visitors, particularly from Southeast Asia, including Malaysia.

According to Trip.com, improved accessibility, a vibrant food scene, and the availability of first-timer-friendly destinations are contributing to this trend.

Among the key drivers is Chimelong Resort, a leading entertainment and hospitality brand in China, known for its integrated resort model combining theme parks, marine attractions and safari experiences. These offerings position the resort as a one-stop destination for travelers seeking diverse experiences ranging from thrill rides to wildlife encounters.

At Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai Hengqin, visitors can explore marine attractions through a panoramic aquarium viewing panel measuring 8.3 meters in height and 39.6 meters in width. Signature experiences include the “Polar Explorer” roller coaster, which simulates travel through icy terrain, and the interactive “Battle of the Pirates” water-based attraction, offering seasonal family entertainment.

The Chimelong Spaceship, a space-themed indoor marine science park, is marketed as one of the world’s largest indoor amusement parks, combining marine life exhibits such as orcas with immersive attractions including the “Bermuda Storm” motion simulator and “Deep Sea Submarine.”

In Guangzhou, Chimelong Safari Park features over 300 species of animals, including the world’s only surviving giant panda triplets — Mengmeng, Shuaishuai and Kuku, representing a milestone in panda conservation. In late 2024, Mengmeng gave birth to a cub, Mei Zhu, further enhancing the park’s appeal to visitors.

Trip.com data indicates increasing interest in family-friendly attractions, edutainment experiences and wildlife tourism, with integrated resorts playing a central role in itinerary planning.

Through its platform, Trip.com enables seamless booking of transportation, accommodation, attraction tickets and travel packages, offering a one-stop travel solution. Indicative pricing available on the platform includes:

  • Chimelong Safari Park one-day ticket: RM240.19
  • Chimelong Ocean Kingdom one-day ticket: RM315.69

Booking information available via Trip.com

Accommodation options across Chimelong resorts further support diversified travel needs. In Guangzhou, visitors can choose from Chimelong Hotel, Chimelong Xiangjiang Hotel and Chimelong Panda Hotel, featuring themes such as wildlife, Lingnan culture and family-oriented panda experiences.

In Zhuhai Hengqin, accommodation options include Chimelong Spaceship Hotel, Chimelong Penguin Hotel, Chimelong Hengqin Bay Hotel and Chimelong Circus Hotel, catering to a wide range of traveler preferences.

As demand for experiential and integrated travel continues to grow, Trip.com expects destinations such as Chimelong Resort to remain key drivers of China’s tourism development.

Hashtag: #Tripcom

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/2026/03/24/trip-com-highlights-growing-demand-for-china-travel-as-guangzhou-and-zhuhai-gain-popularity-among-international-visitors/

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Galaxy Macau Welcomes Yamazato’s First One Diamond Accolade in the 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide, Joining 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA and Feng Wei Ju as Distinguished Awardees

Source: Media Outreach

MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 March 2026 -Galaxy Macau proudly celebrates a new milestone in its culinary journey, as Yamazato makes its inaugural appearance in the 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide with a prestigious One Diamond rating. This recognition marks Yamazato‘s first inclusion in the influential dining guide and positions it alongside two of the Group’s acclaimed restaurants — 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA and Feng Wei Ju at StarWorld Hotel — both of which have once again been awarded One Diamond. Together, the accolades reaffirm Galaxy Macau’s unwavering commitment to elevating Macau’s gastronomic landscape through excellence, innovation and culinary artistry.

Galaxy Macau celebrates its gastronomic achievements as Yamazato debuts in 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide with One Diamond, in addition to 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA and StarWorld Hotel’s Feng Wei Ju retaining their One Diamond distinctions.

The results were announced today at the 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide Awards Ceremony for Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and overseas regions, held in Singapore.

Yamazato: A Refined Expression of Japanese Culinary Craftsmanship

Yamazato at Galaxy Macau debuts in the 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide with a One Diamond rating, recognising its seasonal Japanese seafood, premium ingredients and refined kaiseki artistry framed by serene resort views.

Located on the 28th floor of Hotel Okura Macau, Yamazato showcases the pinnacle of Japanese fine dining, anchored by its artisanal kaiseki and complemented by impeccably sourced seafood, pristine sashimi and sushi, and thoughtfully curated premium beef selections. Under the guidance of Executive Chef Hideaki Hayashi, each dish is crafted with precision to express the purity and beauty of the season.

With its understated Japanese design and sweeping views of Galaxy Macau’s landscaped gardens, the restaurant offers a serene and elegant setting. A main dining room, intimate sushi counter and a private room for up to 12 guests create a versatile yet immersive dining experience.

Yamazato‘s One Diamond debut is a strong testament to its culinary vision, craftsmanship and commitment to exceptional service.

Culinary Icons Continue Their Legacy of Excellence

Feng Wei Ju at StarWorld Hotel is honoured with One Diamond distinction once again in the 2026 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide

At StarWorld Hotel, Feng Wei Ju continues to set the benchmark for Hunan and Sichuan cuisine in Macau. Under the leadership of Executive Chef Chan Chek Keong, the restaurant—renowned for its bold flavours, technical finesse and modern interpretations of regional classics—celebrates its continued recognition with a One Diamond rating in the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide. This achievement complements its exceptional distinction of holding Two MICHELIN Stars for ten consecutive years, underscoring its longstanding leadership in regional Chinese cuisine.

8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA, Italian fine-dining at Galaxy Macau, extends its One Diamond accolade for the third year in one of China’s most authoritative restaurant guide.

Meanwhile, 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA at Galaxy Macau continues to uphold its distinguished One Diamond standing. Guided by Executive Chef Marino D’Antonio, the restaurant remains celebrated for Italian cuisine that marries heritage with contemporary finesse. Its unwavering emphasis on exceptional ingredients, precise technique and disciplined consistency has earned it an impressive eleven consecutive years of MICHELIN starred recognition, securing its place as one of Macau’s most enduring and admired fine dining destinations.

Reaffirming Galaxy Macau’s Culinary Excellence

Collectively, these honours underscore the depth, diversity and consistency of Galaxy Macau’s award-winning portfolio, spanning globally recognised fine dining, regional Chinese cuisines and a spectrum of diverse experiences shaped with passion and precision. Together, the achievements reflect the resort’s continued commitment to advancing its culinary offerings and elevating its offerings, reinforcing Galaxy Macau’s role in shaping an exceptional dining scene that resonates with guests from around the world.

The Black Pearl Restaurant Guide is shaped through anonymous assessments by seasoned gastronomes and culinary experts, who evaluate restaurants on culinary excellence, service quality, dining environment and the balance of heritage and innovation. It is regarded as one of the most influential and respected rating systems in China’s dining landscape.

Hashtag: #GalaxyMacau

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/2026/03/23/galaxy-macau-welcomes-yamazatos-first-one-diamond-accolade-in-the-2026-black-pearl-restaurant-guide-joining-8%C2%BD-otto-e-mezzo-bombana-and-feng-wei-ju-as-distinguished-awardees/

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Roar Together, Rise Together: Football Association Of Singapore Launches Brand Film Celebrating The Nation’s Love For The Game

Source: Media Outreach

Through the journey of Men’s National Team Head Coach Gavin Lee, from boyhood dreams to leading the Lions

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 March 2026 – The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) has launched a new brand film that captures the universal love for football, inviting Singaporeans to see themselves in the Lions’ journey and rally behind the national team.

A scene from FAS’ brand film, capturing Singapore coming together in support of the national team

At its heart, the film tells a deeply human story through the Men’s National Team Head Coach, Gavin Lee. From a young boy discovering the game to leading the national team on the touchline, his journey reflects the enduring connection many Singaporeans share with football across generations, backgrounds, and walks of life.

Developed by FAS, the film moves beyond the pitch to spotlight the emotions, memories, and meaning that define football’s place in Singapore’s identity. It is a reminder that football is more than a game. It is a shared language that brings people together. The film has been released on FAS social media platforms and is also available on the FAS YouTube channel.

Set against the backdrop of the Lions’ ongoing journey, the film underscores a unifying message that in every Singaporean, there is a spirit of the Lion. Whether in the stands, on the streets, or on the pitch, that spirit is carried through belief, resilience, and pride.

The launch comes at a special moment for the Lions, who return home after making history on the road, qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup on merit for the first time.

Unleash Your Roar at the National Stadium. For Football. For Singapore.

With their place secured, the team will play their final qualifier against Bangladesh on 31 March at the National Stadium, offering fans the opportunity to celebrate this milestone together.

For supporters cheering on the Lions live at the National Stadium, gates will open from 6pm. Pre-match fan zone and stadium activities will include Shopee Sure-Win Scratch Card digital giveaways, airbrush tattoos, sticker stations, on-site jersey customisation, dedicated photo installations and welcome boards.

From 7pm, the atmosphere inside the stadium will build further with freebie drops from the stands, a live Kallang Roar Noise Meter, a matchday grand draw, and a live pre-match performance by Shazza.

Entertainment will continue at half-time with a live performance by Iman Fandi, while supporters in attendance can also receive a complimentary Playback Asia AFC Qualifying Campaign Commemorative Card, available at the in-stadia merchandise booths while stocks last.

Following the final whistle, the Lions will return to the pitch to thank supporters before the evening concludes with a stadium-wide pyrotechnic display celebrating Singapore’s successful qualification campaign.

Moments like these reflect FAS’ commitment to growing a vibrant football culture, bringing Singaporeans together in shared pride and support for the Lions.

As the Lions take to the field on 31 March, FAS calls on all Singaporeans to stand together, wear red, make their voices heard, and be part of the roar.

Tickets for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers match between Singapore and Bangladesh on 31 March at the National Stadium are available via Ticketek. Official Lions merchandise is also available on the FAS Official Store on Shopee. For more information about matchday festivities, please visit: https://fas.org.sg/road-to-riyadh/.

https://fas.org.sg/
https://www.tiktok.com/@fasingapore
https://www.facebook.com/singaporefootball/
https://www.instagram.com/fasingapore/?hl=en

Hashtag: #FAS

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/2026/03/23/roar-together-rise-together-football-association-of-singapore-launches-brand-film-celebrating-the-nations-love-for-the-game/

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Large vehicle fire in West Auckland suburb extinguished

Source: Radio New Zealand

File photo. RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Firefighters have extinguished a large vehicle fire in the West Auckland suburb of Massey this evening.

Fire and Emergency crews arrived on Sunline Avenue to find a car and a van well alight about 7.30pm

The fire was extinguished by 8pm and St John said nobody was injured.

A fire investigator is at the scene to determine the cause of the fire.

Police said they were also at the scene.

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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/2026/03/23/large-vehicle-fire-in-west-auckland-suburb-extinguished/

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Fuel crisis: Diesel shortages could hit power supply on Stewart Island

Source: Radio New Zealand

Diesel and petrol prices have now hit $4 per litre on Rakiura Stewart Island. RNZ / Nate McKinnon

Rakiura locals fear surging fuel prices will soon send their power bills rocketing up, and that Stewart Island – which relies on diesel generators for electricity – may face blackouts.

Stewart Island is home to about 400 people and it burns through about 1000 litres of diesel a day to create electricity.

Diesel and petrol prices have now hit $4 per litre on the island as the United States and Israel’s war against Iran continues.

Sharon Ross – one of the owners of the island’s only service station – said the last week had been the busiest they had seen since the Covid-19 pandemic, as people rushed to fill up and beat rising prices.

“People are concerned about how high it’s going to go. There’s been lots of joking that we should have tissues at the counter to mop up the tears after they’ve filled their tanks,” she said.

“People are concerned about the supply, and they’re also concerned that we’ll run out of power because we have five generators operating on diesel, and if they can’t keep the diesel up to them what that would mean to the island.”

Power prices were so far stable, but Ross said it was a waiting game.

“Our average power bill here is between $500 and $700 a month, which is also the same as our home one. So it’s frightening to think how much that might increase,” she said.

“Everything’s affected here because everything arrives by freight to the island so all those cartage bills will go up.”

Southland district councillor Jon Spraggon, from the Rakiura ward, said high diesel prices would likely push up power prices on the island.

“Power is 84 cents a unit here at the moment, where it goes is an unknown factor. Diesel prices have gone up a fairly substantial percentage and I would suspect our price would go up by a similar percentage,” he said.

But his biggest concern was ongoing supply of diesel.

“If we were to run out of diesel, then the electrical supply on the island would cut out. Things like our communication with the mainland, our connections with the mainland, the airline, the ferry services all rely on fuel,” he said.

Spraggon said diesel was delivered to the island twice a week and at the moment that was still happening, but these were uncertain times.

He wanted the government to keep Stewart Island in mind as the fuel situation worsened.

“When they’re looking at it and in future perhaps rationing or anything like that, Stewart Island needs to be a special case because of its remoteness and and it’s total dependency on diesel,” he said

He said the district council was in the process of installing a solar farm on the island to supplement diesel generation, but that was still eight months away.

Stewart Island Backpackers owner Aaron Joy said businesses were being hit hard by escalating fuel prices.

“We run the hostel on Stewart Island and we’re covering the costs at the moment but there will come a time where if it keeps going up we have to pass that onto our clients,” he said.

The Southland District Council said it was monitoring the situation and would discuss its options with the Stewart Island community board.

It said while the Stewart Island Electrical Supply Authority did have reserves, it was not meant to be a buffer for fuel prices.

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/23/fuel-crisis-diesel-shortages-could-hit-power-supply-on-stewart-island/

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Lake Manapouri name release

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can now formally name the man whose body was recovered from Lake Manapouri last week, following a six-day search.

He was 42-year-old Regan Soper, of Gore.

Police extend our condolences to his family during this time, and his death will be referred to the Coroner.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre
 

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/23/lake-manapouri-name-release/

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Canterbury leads ASB’s rankings as Auckland rebounds and Wellington finishes last

Source: Radio New Zealand

ASB said Canterbury secured its third quarterly win of 2025. RNZ / Nate McKinnon

ASB’s latest Regional Economic Scoreboard shows Canterbury leading New Zealand’s regional growth, Auckland making strong gains, and Wellington slipping to the bottom of the rankings.

Canterbury scored back-to-back economic wins in ASB’s latest regional economic survey.

Canterbury finished the final quarter of 2025 on a strong note, once again topping ASB’s Regional Economic Scoreboard as the country’s best‑performing regional economy.

Otago and Waikato tied for second place, while Auckland jumped from seventh to fourth.

ASB said Canterbury secured its third quarterly win of 2025, outperforming the rest of the country in employment, retail spending, housing activity and population growth.

Chief economist Nick Tuffley said the South Island continued to lead New Zealand’s multi‑speed recovery.

“Canterbury has delivered back‑to‑back wins to close out the year, supported by strong dairy incomes, steady jobs growth, resilient consumer spending and the recovery of the tourism sector,” he said.

Otago’s ranking was boosted by a strong tourism rebound, while Waikato benefited from a robust primary sector and an improving labour market.

ASB expects the upcoming Fonterra capital return from the sale of Mainland to further lift dairy farming regions through increased spending and investment.

Auckland’s rise was driven by gains in retail spending, construction activity and consumer confidence, although its labour market remains subdued.

Tuffley said Auckland’s move up the rankings showed the economic upswing was widening beyond the regions that led earlier in the cycle.

At the other end of the table, Wellington finished last, weighed down by ongoing weakness in the housing market, construction activity and discretionary spending, despite relatively strong employment growth.

Tuffley said Wellington’s economy should improve, helped by low interest rates, but emerging challenges could slow the pace of recovery.

Nationally, ASB said the economy showed signs of growth in the final quarter of 2025 as lower interest rates lifted retail spending and employment indicators stabilised.

However, Tuffley warned the conflict in the Middle East would pose fresh headwinds through higher energy costs and rising inflation.

“The situation and extent of any impact to growth and inflation is highly uncertain and will depend on how long the conflict goes on for,” he said.

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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/2026/03/23/canterbury-leads-asbs-rankings-as-auckland-rebounds-and-wellington-finishes-last/

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High petrol prices: Cost of public transport ‘still a significant barrier to people’

Source: Radio New Zealand

Auckland had its busiest day on public transport since 2019 last week, and the capital has seen 10 percent more passengers on the train in the past month. File photo. Supplied / Environment Canterbury

A cheaper bus or train fare would be far better than working from home to avoid rising fuel prices, say commuters, despite the local government minister ruling it out.

Simon Watts says the government is not looking at any change or incentive model in regards to public transport.

“Public transport usage by New Zealanders has already increased, we’ve seen that flow through in our major urban cities,” he said.

“That’s obviously a result of Kiwis making the conscious decision to take public transport versus driving their vehicle and that’s what you’d expect with prices at the pump being higher.”

He said it should be up to New Zealanders to make their own decisions, based on their own circumstances.

But petrol has sky-rocketed by more than 83 cents a litre and diesel has shot up $1.33 since the US and Israel began attacking Iran.

Auckland Transport, Greater Wellington, and Canterbury Regional Councils are asking the government to encourage people to use more buses, trains, and ferries – rather than work from home.

People RNZ spoke to in central Auckland on Monday said they would prefer that.

“I do like working from home but working in the office is also really nice, it’s more collaborative,” said one commuter.

“I would prefer to have cheaper public transport,” said another.

Shay Peters from Robert Walters Recruitment Agency said a lot of jobseekers preferred to work from home.

“As we’re in tougher economic times, people are probably erring on the side of caution and will like to be in the office but I know a number would also like the opportunity on balance to be able to just save cash and be working from home at the moment.”

Last Tuesday was Auckland’s busiest day on public transport since 2019, and the capital has seen 10 percent more passengers on the train – and six percent on the bus – within the past month.

Greater Wellington Regional Council Public Transport Committee chair Ros Connelly would also like to see subsidised fares.

“There’s no doubt in my mind and from the surveys and customer feedback that we receive that the cost of public transport still is a significant barrier to people. Obviously since we’ve seen the fuel crisis, comparatively the cost of public transport has decreased but still it is extremely expensive.”

She said the train from Masterton to Wellington can cost up to $22.50 each way, per day.

“That is a barrier for many people and so they will look at other options. Working from home is definitely popular but if there was an increased subsidy we’re really confident that we would see more people on public transport and as fuel prices increase this is one way that the government can ensure that people get to work.”

Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said it was a no-brainer to make public transport free.

“Fares have gone up by as much as a third in Canterbury, by a quarter in the Manawatū-Whanganui region and Auckland also has seen fare increases in the realm of 15 to 20 percent over the last three years. We need to remove those barriers to access and also be reserving fuel supply for those who actually need it and don’t currently have the option.”

Stacey van der Putten from Auckland Transport would welcome that.

“We’re monitoring it daily so there will be adjustments that are needed but the system does have flex to be able to support it.”

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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/2026/03/23/high-petrol-prices-cost-of-public-transport-still-a-significant-barrier-to-people/

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Flu vaccine in a spray: ‘Many, many people are just not keen on needles’

Source: Radio New Zealand

The FluMist vaccine is taken in the form of a nasal spray. File photo. 123RF

Bringing a needle-free flu vaccine to New Zealand would be a good way to boost the country’s vaccination rates, says a vaccine expert.

FluMist has long been used in the northern hemisphere and started being used in Australia this year.

The vaccine is taken in the form of a nasal spray, bypassing the need for an injection.

Immunisation Advisory Centre principal medical advisor Professor Nikki Turner is calling for pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca to bring FluMist to New Zealand, saying needles are “way more of a barrier than we realise”.

“Many, many people are just not keen on needles, so you put off doing things because you really don’t want the needle,” she said.

“So it’s important we recognise that and respond to that, and this is one useful way to do that.”

She said FluMist had only recently become available in the southern hemisphere, because each hemisphere had slightly different flu strains.

“The reason why it’s not well established in the southern hemisphere is that each year you have to change the formulation in the flu vaccine to match the circulating strains, and so they’ve done that for the northern hemisphere but the company haven’t really been in a position to do that for the southern hemisphere [until recently],” she said.

Since the vaccine had been approved for use in Australia, Professor Turner expected it would be easy for the company to get approval in New Zealand.

But she said it was up to AstraZeneca to pitch the vaccine to Medsafe.

“The company has to present it to Medsafe for licensure. That should be pretty straightforward, but it has to be presented by the company to Medsafe and for the company to do that they’d want to know they would get decent sales,” she explained.

“So we want to say this would be great for the New Zealand market, we have a significant burden of flu on our young children and we think this would be a great vaccine to have available to move away from injectible vaccines.”

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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/23/flu-vaccine-in-a-spray-many-many-people-are-just-not-keen-on-needles/

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As it happened: Oil prices rise as fall out from Middle East crisis continues

Source: Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the government will reveal in the next few weeks how it will support New Zealanders struggling with skyrocketing fuel prices.

He says the country has healthy fuel stocks, and the government’s doing everything it can to secure them.

Oil prices have risen as the fall out continues from the Middle East crisis; Brent Crude oil rose about US$1 to be just above US$113 a barrel in early Asia trade.

It comes after US President Donald Trump vowed to ‘obliterate’ Iran energy facilities if it doesn’t open Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, Auckland Transport is calling for the government to encourage more people to use public transport.

Follow what happened today in our liveblog below:

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/23/as-it-happened-oil-prices-rise-as-fall-out-from-middle-east-crisis-continues/

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Fuel cost crisis: Govt to unveil ‘targeted and temporary’ support tomorrow

Source: Radio New Zealand

The finance minister will reveal “targeted and temporary” support for hard-hit families on Tuesday, as fuel costs continue to rise.

Nicola Willis gave notice of the announcement at Monday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, alongside Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones.

Jones also announced plans to align New Zealand’s fuel standards with that of Australia, allowing the import of fuel destined for Australia to New Zealand instead.

Willis said the decisions on support had been taken at Cabinet, and while some of the details were still being worked out, that would not affect how quickly families could get it.

“This conflict is impacting just about every New Zealander, it has pushed up the price of petrol, diesel and jet fuel and those increases are already hurting our people and our businesses. Unfortunately the government is not in a position to mitigate that impact on everyone,” she said.

“The approach we are taking is consistent with the findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the response to the Covid pandemic, which highlighted the damage that can be done by untimely, untemporary and untargeted spending.”

It was unclear when the support would be rolled out, with Willis saying that would be made clear when it was announced.

Motorists should fuel up as and when they needed to, she said, with the government’s solution set to target income rather than fuel prices.

‘No concerns’ about fuel supply

For now, there were no concerns about fuel supplies in New Zealand, she said.

“To date, all shipments have arrived as scheduled and fuel importers have not raised any concerns about shipments that are due here in future.

“It remains the case that we have to be prepared for the possibility of disruptions in the medium to longer term, particularly because the refineries in Southeast Asia from which we import more than 90 percent of our fuel may have challenges getting the feedstock crude oil that they need.”

Luxon said the country had at least enough fuel for the next seven weeks, although the government was preparing in case of long-term further disruption.

“If you are someone who has just faced a 30 percent increase in your fuel bill or a 60 percent increase in your diesel bill since the actual crisis, since this conflict has commenced, it’s real.

“We cannot do the Covid learnings and mistakes, which was just spray a heap of money around that has short term gain but long term pain – massive long-term pain – and equally we’ve got to find a way to get people support in a temporary, targeted kind of way.

“The reality is that we are not going to be able to alleviate the pressure of rising prices for everyone, but what we’ve been clear about are the parameters for any support that we provide, which is that it must be targeted, it must be timely, and it must be temporary and not drive inflation or debt higher.”

The latest data from Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment showed stocks for about 47 days of fuel, including about 50 days worth of petrol, 46 days of diesel, and 45 of jet fuel.

The data, accurate to last Wednesday, marks about two days fewer than was reported last week.

One new fuel shipment arrived on Sunday, and two more – carrying between them another 20 days of each kind of fuel – are expected to arrive in the next fortnight.

The next update is due on Wednesday, but the ministry says New Zealand is not yet experiencing the kind of sustained disruption that would justify emergency measures under the national fuel plan.

Luxon said nothing had changed about New Zealand’s position on the Iran conflict, but that Iranians “holding hostage a whole bunch of ships to bring fuel and critical supplies … that’s not acceptable”.

“What we want to see is a quick resolution to this conflict and that means that actually respecting civilians and civilian infrastructure is really important … we think the best thing is de-escalation.”

Willis confirmed some consideration had been given to which industries could be prioritised if fuel rationing was needed, but this would not be revealed until a later date.

“We will not be having to hit the button tomorrow, but we will outline what our proposed phasing of response is … we recognise that it’s useful for people to understand what could be coming under a range of scenarios,” she said.

She noted the high prices would also naturally limit fuel use.

“It is pinching people’s pockets already and that is changing people’s choices. So Auckland transport have reported they had their biggest day of public transport use in seven years, I think that’s people deciding to use their cars a little bit less because it’s pretty expensive right now.”

‘Anzac pact’ in fuel and other standards

Jones outlined the government’s plan to temporarily allow fuel that meets Australian specifications to be supplied to the New Zealand market for up to a year.

Fuel companies had said this could allow them to secure shipments more quickly, and from a wider pool of suppliers.

Jones said long-range vessels typically carried about 120 million litres, and New Zealand consumed about 24 million litres of fuel a day – with about 47 percent of that being diesel, about 35 percent being petrol, and the remainder being aviation fuel.

“Should such a vessel be on its way to Australia then we would have the ability to also benefit from such a vessel.”

He said fuel refined to Australian standards was compatible with New Zealand vehicles, and met safety and quality expectations, pushing back on the suggestion it would allow dirtier fuels than under current standards.

“It’s unkind of us to refer to our Aussie compatriots as dirty,” he said. “There’s two things – whether or not fuel used in a high-temperature northern Australian environment, we are advised that a lot of that fuel is suitable for the North Island … with the South Island the fuel importers assure us that they will have the optionality to service both of those markets.”

He said officials had spoken to Australian counterparts.

“We pushed the idea that at some point in time we should explore and ANZAC pact and I would say to you this is the first step that we’re taking to join forces.

“It’d be fair to say that I’ve got a fair degree of support in our Cabinet to actually move towards permanent harmonisation of not only these standards but a variety of other standards in the economy.”

Willis and the associate ministers of finance would make further improvements, he said.

The government would not follow Australia’s lead in relaxing standards to allow higher-sulphur fuel, he said, at least not yet.

“At this stage it’s not our intention to do so, however, we will take advice should the situation change – and that could be an option that expands our supply.

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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/2026/03/23/fuel-cost-crisis-govt-to-unveil-targeted-and-temporary-support-tomorrow/

Posted on

Police seek boat last seen in Northland bay

Source: Radio New Zealand

The 25-foot vessel ‘JAGMEN’. Supplied

Police are appealing for sightings of a boat last seen in Taurikura Bay on Sunday night.

The 25-foot vessel – named ‘JAGMEN’ – was last seen leaving the bay about 8pm on 22 March, said police.

“Police would like to speak with an occupant believed to be onboard, to ensure their safety.”

Anyone who has any information about the whereabouts of the boat and its occupant is urged to contact police.

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Vincom Retail unites hundreds of partners to pioneer the future of retail in Vietnam

Source: Media Outreach

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 March 2026 – On March 20, 2026, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vincom Retail hosted the event “The New Era – Partnering to Shape the Future”, welcoming more than 500 domestic and international partners. The large-scale forum served as a platform for stakeholders to exchange market perspectives, update on emerging trends, and explore collaboration opportunities as Vietnam’s retail sector enters a new growth cycle.

The event brought together 500 key partners, including leading international retail brands such as UNIQLO, MUJI, Decathlon, Pandora, CGV, AEON Beta Cinema, SuperPark, KOHNAN, Central Retail, WinMart, Starbucks, Dookki, Guardian, and MEDICARE, alongside major domestic brands and chains including ACFC, Maison, Phoenix Group, Golden Gate, Aladdin Group, Takahiro, RuNam, Highlands Coffee, and The New Playground…

At the event, Vincom Retail’s leadership emphasized the rapid transformation of the retail industry, where shopping malls and commercial streets are evolving beyond traditional retail spaces to become lifestyle destinations. These destinations integrate immersive experiences, foster community connections, and lead modern consumption trends. This shift reflects changing consumer behavior, with a growing preference for experience, emotion, and interaction over mere purchasing and ownership.

Setting the direction for future growth, Vincom Retail unveiled its strategic vision toward 2030, focusing on developing world-class destinations. The company aims to position itself as a leading retail real estate developer and operator in Asia, setting benchmarks in trend leadership and customer experience, with a diverse and expansive asset portfolio and an extended international footprint supported by a global ecosystem. This unique platform enables pioneering brands and concepts to converge and co-create breakthrough experiences, many of which are being introduced in Vietnam for the first time, delivering fresh value to consumers while shaping the future of retail and establishing new regional standards.

In terms of product strategy, Vincom Retail is focusing on two core formats. Vincom Mega Mall is positioned as a “Mega Shoppertainment Destination”, a large-scale experiential hub that leads market trends. Meanwhile, Vincom Collection is developed as a “Retail-tainment Destination”, combining shopping and tourism, built around five key pillars: Play – Discover – Shop – Savor – Relax.

A prime example is the “super destination” model integrating Retail – Tourism – Entertainment at Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio, featuring 15 next-generation retail complexes. Among them, Vincom Mega Mall Can Gio and Vincom Collection Cosmo Bay are the first projects to be unveiled, promising multi-layered experiences that harmonize with nature and prioritize sustainable operations.

Beyond strategic insights, the forum also featured real-world success stories and forward-looking perspectives from pioneering brands that have helped shape Vietnam’s evolving experiential retail landscape. Mr. Vu Ngoc Thuan, Founder of restaurant chains Longwang, Tianlong, Bo To Quan Moc, and GMaster, shared: “Partnering with platforms like Vincom provides a strong launchpad for brands to accelerate growth, expand further, and professionalize according to international standards.”

Mr. Shin Jae Hyuk, representative of Dookki, also highlighted growth strategies to capture market opportunities: “Together with our trusted partner Vincom, we will continue to create new milestones for Vietnam’s F&B market. Our goal is not only to sell tteokbokki, but to deliver the joyful culture of Korean cuisine to customers at an accessible price point.”

Vincom Retail plays a critical role as a developer, platform, and connector, bringing international brands to Vietnam while supporting Vietnamese brands in their journey to expand globally.

Additionally, SuperPark, a global indoor activity park brand, shared insights into the development of family-oriented active entertainment, one of the fastest-growing trends in next-generation shopping malls. These real-world examples highlight the strong opportunities for brands to collaborate with Vincom Retail to scale operations, develop innovative retail concepts, optimize performance, and enhance customer experience.

As the market enters a new phase of growth, the event not only facilitated strategic dialogue but also strengthened sustainable partnerships between Vincom Retail and its stakeholders. As a market pioneer, the company continues to support brands in scaling up, elevating business models, and capturing long-term growth opportunities. Notably, emerging super destinations such as Can Gio – envisioned as a future national tourism hub – are expected to serve as powerful growth drivers, contributing to the transformation of Vietnam’s retail landscape.

Vincom Retail is currently the largest retail real estate developer in Vietnam and ranks among the top three in Southeast Asia by scale. The company operates 90 shopping malls with a total gross leasable area of 1.9 million square meters, and manages 5,500 shophouses totaling 1.5 million square meters across 31 out of 34 provinces and cities nationwide, partnering with more than 1,000 brands.

Hashtag: #VincomRetail

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/2026/03/23/vincom-retail-unites-hundreds-of-partners-to-pioneer-the-future-of-retail-in-vietnam/

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DFI Reinforces Commitment to People, Products and Planet in 2025 Sustainability Disclosure

Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 March 2026 – DFI Retail Group (DFI or the Group) is pleased to announce its 2025 Sustainability Disclosure, highlighting the Group’s continued progress and commitment to advancing sustainability across Asia.

DFI Retail Group Sustainability Disclosure 2025

In 2025, DFI delivered strong progress on key sustainability commitments:

  • 22% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions compared to the 2021 baseline, with a target of 50% reduction by 2030.
  • Waste diversion rate improved to 66%, up from 61% in 2024, with a target of achieving 80% by 2030.
  • Invested US$3.9 million in community initiatives across markets.

The Group also advanced Scope 3 decarbonisation across supply chain of four key commodities – rice, coffee, dairy and beef. Initiatives included the launch of 380 tonnes of Low-Carbon Rice achieving a minimum 30% on-farm emissions reduction, sourcing 100% deforestation-free certified coffee beans for 7CAFÉ Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore, and IKEA, and partnering with The Mills Fabrica to launch the DFI Sustainability Innovation Challenge to identify global solutions for beef and dairy emissions.

Scott Price, Group Chief Executive, DFI Retail Group shared, “We remain committed to our purpose of sustainably serving Asia for generations with everyday moments. In 2025, we made clear progress on our pathway to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2030, with investments in refrigerant management, energy efficiency and behaviour change initiatives across our operations. At the same time, we continued to deliver affordable, sustainable products that meet customer expectations, including the introduction of Low-Carbon Rice in Hong Kong and the expansion of our ‘Grounds to Green programme’ at 7Eleven. These efforts, together with disciplined waste and packaging management, keep us firmly on track to meet our 2030 sustainability targets.”

Erica Chan, Group Chief Legal, Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer added, “Strong governance and transparency remain central to how we deliver on our sustainability ambitions. By streamlining our disclosure and enhancing our materiality assessment, climate scenario analysis, and transition plan, we are aligning with global standards such as IFRS S1 and S2. This ensures stakeholders gain a clear, holistic view of our progress and priorities, while reinforcing our commitment to creating long-term value across People, Products, and Planet.”

In 2025, DFI continued to be guided by its Sustainability Framework, centred on the three pillars of People, Products and Planet, with Governance as the cornerstone. This framework remains integral to the Group’s approach, ensuring robust leadership and oversight while driving initiatives that empower people, expand sustainable product choices, and reduce environmental impact across operations and supply chains.

Highlights of 2025 Initiatives:

  1. People: DFI Group and its business formats continued to support communities through Our Community Giveback initiatives, investing US$3.9 million and reaching 1.25 million beneficiaries across 12 markets. The Health and Beauty segment launched professional health services at Mannings and Guardian, extending access across more than 450 pharmacies in all markets. For team members, capability building was strengthened through major initiatives such as the launch of DFILEARN, enhanced leadership programmes, and structured career development frameworks, empowering growth across all levels of the business. At the same time, DFI upheld rigorous standards for suppliers, maintaining 100% ethical audits of Own Brand factories in high-risk countries and reinforcing responsible practices across supply chains through comprehensive assessments, audits, and engagement.
  2. Products: In 2025, 48% in-scope Own Brand products carried third-party sustainability certificates, up from 28% in 2024. At the same time, 83% Own Brand plastic packaging component that is recyclable, reusable or compostable, keeping us on-track to meet the target of at least 85% by 2030. The expansion of the 7Eleven’s ‘Grounds to Green” Coffee Grounds Upcycling Programme further reflected our efforts to embed circularity principles where relevant. The programme repurposed used coffee grounds into natural fertiliser to grow fresh produce, which was then incorporated into 7-SELECT juices and ready-to-eat items.
  3. Planet: DFI recorded a 22% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions in 2025, compared to our 2021 baseline, on track towards our 50% reduction target by 2030. As refrigerant leaks remain one of the primary sources of these emissions, the Group continued upgrading refrigeration systems and, in April 2025, commissioned the first CO₂-based natural refrigerant system in Hong Kong’s food retail sector at the Cloudview Market Place store in North Point. This was followed by the installation of a sub-critical CO₂ refrigeration system in Oliver’s The Delicatessen in Central Hong Kong in September 2025, marking important milestones in advancing low-carbon operations across the portfolio. Waste diversion improved from 61% to 66% in 2025, as part of our efforts to achieve 80% waste diversion by 2030.

By embedding sustainability into our strategy, operations, and value chain, we are not only tackling today’s challenges but also building a resilient, responsible business that creates lasting value for our customers, communities, and the environment.

For detailed information on the various sustainability initiatives undertaken by DFI, please refer to the Sustainability Disclosure in the Integrated Annual Report 2025. To learn more about DFI’s efforts, please visit DFI’s website.

https://www.dfiretailgroup.com/en/

Hashtag: #DFIRetailGroup #SustainabilityDisclosure #PeopleProductsPlanet #Mannings #Guardian #7-Eleven #Wellcome #MarketPlace #IKEA #yuu

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/2026/03/23/dfi-reinforces-commitment-to-people-products-and-planet-in-2025-sustainability-disclosure/

Posted on

Dion Nash quits NZ Cricket board after Twenty20 decision

Source: Radio New Zealand

Former Black Cap Dion Nash was elected to the NZ Cricket board in 2024. Elias Rodriguez

The first signs of fallout from New Zealand Cricket’s decision to pursue a new franchise-based Twenty20 competition have emerged, with board member Dion Nash resigning just hours after the announcement.

NZC confirmed on Monday morning it will back the proposed NZ20 league as the preferred model for its domestic T20 future.

The board had been weighing up whether to support the NZ20 model or instead pursue a plan to enter a New Zealand-based team into Australia’s Big Bash League – a process that had already exposed deep divisions within the sport.

By the afternoon, the former Black Cap had stepped down from the board, saying he could no longer support the organisation’s direction.

“Ultimately, I reached a point where I felt it was the right time to step aside,” he said.

Elected in 2024, Nash’s departure lays bare the divisions at the top of the game, with debate over the future of T20 cricket having already contributed to significant governance upheaval in recent months.

The debate traces back to last year, when a consortium of players, investors and administrators put forward a pitch for a privately owned franchise league aimed at modernising the game and attracting global investment.

Scott Weenink stepped down as NZ Cricket chief executive days before Christmas after finding himself at odds with key stakeholders in the game. Photosport / RNZ composite

At the same time, NZC was considering its own options for the future of the domestic game, including a proposal to field a New Zealand team in Australia’s Big Bash League – an option understood to have been favoured by backed by former chief executive Scott Weenink.

The national body commissioned Deloitte to assess the various pathways, but what began as a strategic review quickly hardened into a fundamental dispute over the direction of the sport, ultimately pitting the CEO and key stakeholders across the game.

Weenink stepped down from his role before Christmas, citing the the fundamental differences with the game’s stakeholders as the driver.

NZC chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon acknowledged Nash’s exit, thanking him for his service.

“We thank Dion for his dedicated service and valuable contributions,” she said.

“We wish him well in his future endeavours.”

In a statement released earlier on Monday, Puketapu-Lyndon said the board’s decision in favour of NZ20 wasn’t a final commitment, and was subject to reaching key commercial and structural measures.

She said the board thoroughly debated the two options and said several changes to the original NZ20 proposal would need to be negotiated before a final decision was made.

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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/2026/03/23/dion-nash-quits-nz-cricket-board-after-twenty20-decision/

Posted on

Government widens fuel supply options

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is taking practical steps to strengthen New Zealand’s fuel resilience by temporarily allowing fuel that meets Australian specifications to be supplied to the New Zealand market, Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones says.

“In a tight global fuel market, flexibility matters. Countries that can access a wider range of shipments are better placed to keep fuel flowing. This decision removes unnecessary technical barriers and helps ensure New Zealand isn’t excluded from available supply our neighbours across the Tasman are accessing,” Mr Jones says.

The temporary alignment will open up more options for fuel importers by allowing fuel refined to Australian specifications to be supplied domestically.

“The change reduces the risk of supply disruptions driven purely by technical specification differences. Fuel companies have told us this could allow them to secure shipments more quickly and from a wider pool of suppliers.

“Our fuel specifications are already very similar to Australia’s. Fuel refined to Australian standards is compatible with New Zealand vehicles and meets safety and quality expectations.”

New Zealand will not, at this stage, be following Australia’s lead and relaxing standards to allow higher sulphur fuel. Australia has made the decision so it can access high-sulphur fuel from its Brisbane refinery.

“However, we will keep an eye on whether further changes to fuel specifications could open up further supply channels if necessary,” Mr Jones says.

“This is a sensible, time‑limited step that gives importers access to a broader range of fuel shipments, including those already in our region.

“We are closely monitoring market conditions and will keep under review any further practical measures that could strengthen New Zealand’s fuel supply resilience while global conditions remain uncertain.”

The temporary alignment with Australian specifications could remain in place for up to 12 months if needed.

Editors’ note:

Fuel specifications set the minimum technical and environmental requirements that petrol, diesel and other transport fuels must meet before they can be supplied in New Zealand. Each country has its own fuel specifications.
Where there are differences in fuel specifications for the purpose of catering to different climatic conditions, this is dealt with by the requirement that fuel sold in New Zealand must still be ‘fit for common purpose’. For example, this means diesel for hot climates cannot be sold in very cold ones. 

 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/23/government-widens-fuel-supply-options/

Posted on

2025 confirmed as one of the hottest years on record

Source: Radio New Zealand

An ‘addiction’ to fossil fuels is driving climate change, the UN Secretary-General says – leading to ever-more severe weather including floods, droughts, and damaging storms. MUHAMMAD FAROOQ

Last year was among the hottest on record, as the world’s “addiction” to fossil fuels continues to drive global warming, new data shows.

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) confirmed the average global temperature last year was 1.43°C warmer than the 1850-1900 pre-industrial average.

2024 remains the hottest year on record, but 2025 was the second- or third-hottest, across the nine major global datasets.

The organisation said the global climate was more out of balance than at any other time in observed history, as greenhouse gas concentrations reached their highest levels in at least 800,000 years.

Most of the trapped heat was stored in the ocean, which is warming at an accelerating pace.

Together with melting sea ice and glaciers, that was driving global sea level rise – which projections from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change show will continue for centuries.

Arctic sea-ice hit a record low in some satellite datasets last year.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the planet was being pushed beyond its limits.

“Every key climate indicator is flashing red.”

Current major conflicts were exposing another truth, Guterres said.

“Our addiction to fossil fuels is destabilising both the climate and global security.”

Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, after the country was attacked by Israel and the US, has spiked oil and gas prices and prompted fears of global inflation.

The WMO’s State of the Climate report said increasingly severe weather, driven by climate change, was already affecting agricultural production and displacing people from their homes.

“The cascading and compounding impacts of multiple, sequential disasters severely limit the ability of communities to prepare for, recover from and adapt to shocks,” the report said.

That was especially true in places that were already experiencing conflict or other types of insecurity.

In New Zealand, inflation-adjusted data published by the Insurance Council showed that since 2019, insurance companies had paid out nearly $6 billion for extreme weather-related events in New Zealand.

That did not include pay-outs for severe weather at the beginning of this year, which killed six people in a landslide at Mount Maunganui, cut off entire communities, and closed major roads.

Victoria University professor of climate science James Renwick said the science of climate change had been understood for a century or more now.

“We know what we have to do to stop it,” he said. “Stop burning fossil fuels.”

Policymakers had been given that message for decades but emissions just kept increasing, he said.

He hoped the latest report “moves the dial”.

“The costs of inaction are already astronomical, let’s not make them overwhelming.”

Last week, the High Court in Wellington heard a case taken by two environmental NGOs against the government over its emissions reductions plans, which the organisations argued were risky and unlawful.

The Environmental Law Initiative and Lawyers for Climate Action told the court that the government broke the law when it dismantled dozens of climate policies soon after the election, before it had consulted the public.

The current plan relied overwhelmingly on offsetting emissions by planting forestry, rather than tackling emissions at their sources, the organisations said.

The court has reserved its decision.

Similar cases in the UK succeeded in forcing the government there to re-write its own emissions plans.

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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/2026/03/23/2025-confirmed-as-one-of-the-hottest-years-on-record/