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Kiztopia celebrates grand opening of its newest family edutainment centre at Toppen Shopping Mall, Johor Bahru

Source: Media Outreach

Kiztopia brings its award-winning “Play to Learn, Learn through Play” concept to Southern Malaysia, marking its 3rd outlet in Malaysia and 22nd across APAC

JOHOR BAHRU, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 March 2026 – Kiztopia, Singapore’s leading family edutainment brand, officially celebrated the grand opening of its newest outlet at Toppen Shopping Centre, Johor Bahru on February 26, 2026. This milestone marks Kiztopia’s third outlet in Malaysia since 2024 and its 22nd family edutainment centre across the Asia-Pacific region.

From left: Ms. Li San, Operations Manager of Kiztopia Malaysia; Ms. Heidi Tian, CEO and Founder of Kiztopia; Mr. Sergey Aristarkhov, Centre Manager of Toppen Mall; Ms. Su Wei, General Manager of Kiztopia Malaysia; and Mr. Nicholas Yong, COO of Kiztopia, commemorated the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new outlet.

Founded in Singapore in 2019 with its flagship outlet at Marina Square, Kiztopia was awarded “Best Attraction Experience” at the Singapore Tourism Awards in 2021. Today, the brand operates across Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, with sub-brands including Kiztopia Club, Bouncetopia, SkyPark, Kiztopia Prestige, and Xventure — a sports and adventure concept designed for teens, adults and thrill-seekers.

The Johor Bahru outlet represents Kiztopia’s continued commitment to expanding its footprint in Malaysia, bringing innovative and immersive family experiences to the southern region.

Speaking at the grand opening ceremony, Ms. Heidi Tian, Founder and CEO of Kiztopia, said:
“A very warm welcome to our grand opening ceremony at Toppen Shopping Centre today. This marks our third outlet opened in Malaysia since 2024 and our 22nd outlet in the APAC region. We are honoured to collaborate with Ikano Group and delighted to bring memorable experiences and timeless fun to all families in Johor and across Malaysia.

We are fully committed to Malaysia’s market development and hope to bring more innovative and creative concepts and experiences to Malaysian families.”

Ms. Su Wei, General Manager of Kiztopia Malaysia, added:
“This expansion reflects how much we value families in the South. Beyond the play zones, our team is here to create lasting memories — and we can’t wait to see the smiles begin at Toppen.”

Mr. Sergey Aristarkhov, Centre Manager of Toppen Mall, shared: “Toppen is not just a shopping mall; it is a place that creates meaningful experiences for families and children. This is what we believe in. We are proud to welcome Kiztopia as part of our experiential offerings, strengthening Toppen’s position as a destination for family bonding and interactive play.”

A world of imaginative play and active learning

Kiztopia is built around its core philosophy of “Play to Learn, Learn through Play.” The Johor Bahru outlet features vibrant thematic play zones inspired by Kiztopia’s eight unique IP-registered characters, each designed to stimulate creativity, physical activity, and social development.

Children can explore large-scale interactive playground structures, role-play zones that spark imagination, obstacle courses that encourage physical agility, and immersive activity areas that nurture teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Designed as a safe, engaging and enriching environment, the centre allows children to build confidence while strengthening family bonds through shared experiences.

Beyond daily play sessions, Kiztopia also offers curated birthday party packages and school visit programmes, providing customised, guided experiences that combine fun, education and memorable celebrations for children of all ages.

Strengthening Malaysia’s family entertainment landscape

The launch at Toppen Shopping Centre reinforces Kiztopia’s long-term commitment to Malaysia as a key growth market in Southeast Asia. By collaborating with Ikano Group and Toppen Mall, Kiztopia aims to deliver not just entertainment, but holistic family experiences that blend education, physical play and emotional connection.

With Malaysia’s growing demand for premium indoor family attractions, Kiztopia continues to innovate with new concepts, seasonal events and cross-brand experiences such as Jumptopia and Splashtopia — signature inflatable event experiences that have delighted families across the region.

Visit Kiztopia at Toppen Shopping Centre

Families in Johor Bahru and surrounding areas are invited to experience Kiztopia’s newest outlet at Toppen Shopping Centre and discover a dynamic space where imagination, learning and fun come together.

For more information, please visit:

Website: https://kiztopia.com.my/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kiztopiamy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiztopiamy
Media Assets: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1cA9ojcjEx2vOqVwoccUblUwR1UDLX4Y6?usp=sharing
Marketing: Rachel – 014-7196961

https://kiztopia.com.my/
https://www.facebook.com/kiztopiamy
https://www.instagram.com/kiztopiamy

Hashtag: #KiztopiaToppen #Edutainment #ToppenShoppingMallJB #JohorBahru

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/2026/03/08/kiztopia-celebrates-grand-opening-of-its-newest-family-edutainment-centre-at-toppen-shopping-mall-johor-bahru/

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CGTN: How China builds consensus, boosts development through consultative democracy

Source: Media Outreach

BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 March 2026 – CGTN published an article on the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee. Reviewing the work of the CPPCC National Committee in 2025 in areas like its consultative and deliberative work and assisting in the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan, the article highlights the CPPCC’s role as a dedicated consultative body through which people’s democracy is practiced.

Committed to addressing the difficulties regarding people’s livelihood through the rule of law, Pi Jianlong, a lawyer and a national political advisor, has spent years going deep into factories, workshops, law firms and juvenile probation and rehabilitation centers, making sure that his proposals, grounded in rigorous field research, are precise, practical and responsive to real needs.

Noting the predicament faced by food delivery riders, including the lack of contracts, social security and basic protection, he proposed targeted suggestions such as innovating social security models and strengthening platform responsibilities. In 2025, platforms such as JD.com and Meituan successively introduced social security plans, providing full social insurance coverage for full-time riders and accident and medical insurance for part-time riders.

Awarded for his outstanding performance in 2025 by the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee recently, Pi exemplifies the commitment of thousands of CPPCC members to serving the people through high-quality duty fulfillment, underscoring the CPPCC’s role as a major vehicle through which people’s democracy is practiced.

On Wednesday afternoon, China’s top political advisory body, the CPPCC National Committee, kicked off its annual session in Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping, together with other leaders, attended the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee.

99.9% proposals handled

Acting as a dedicated consultative body, the CPPCC has pooled extensive consensus and strength to support the successful conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and a solid start to the 15th Five-Year Plan over the past year, injecting strong vitality into the practice of whole-process people’s democracy – a key concept put forward by Xi himself to advance China’s political landscape.

Over the years, China has made all-around progress in improving the institutions, standards and procedures of socialist democracy and advanced socialist consultative democracy by way of extensive participation.

According to a work report delivered at the opening meeting, in 2025, the CPPCC National Committee received 5,992 proposals from its members, of which 5,061 were accepted for processing. The response rate for the accepted proposals stood at 99.9%.

The CPPCC National Committee members carried out 6,778 activities to serve the people, along with 11,115 outreach activities engaging people from relevant sectors. These efforts benefited more than 4 million people.

By innovating consultative and deliberative methods, improving consultative democracy institutions, and fostering a culture of consultation, the CPPCC has further strengthened its role in promoting democracy and offering policy advice while building consensus.

Over the past year, the CPPCC National Committee held 98 consultative and deliberative events, ranging from promoting the country’s green and low-carbon transition for the 15th Five-Year Plan and developing the silver economy to improving and innovating social governance. These efforts demonstrate that consultative democracy is grounded in reality and responsive to public needs, pooling support, consensus, wisdom and strength to advance Chinese modernization.

Securing a strong start to the 15th Five-Year Plan

Supporting the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan serves as a key task of the CPPCC in 2025, representing a vivid practice of whole-process people’s democracy.

From May 20 to June 20 last year, China launched an online public consultation to gather opinions for its next five-year plan. The initiative drew over 3.11 million valid submissions, yielding more than 1,500 constructive suggestions across 27 topics.

A summary of these findings was submitted to the Party leadership, ensuring that the people’s voices were heard at the highest level. By September, a total of 2,112 suggestions had been collected from various regions, departments and sectors, resulting in 218 revisions to the document.

To contribute to the 15th Five-Year Plan, the CPPCC, over the past year, held a special standing committee meeting and carried out 54 special studies, yielding a series of high-quality outcomes. Meanwhile, it launched a special research column, publishing 55 issues to provide evidence-based references for policy-making.

This broad-based participation highlights that national development strategies are rooted in public will, gathering strong momentum for Chinese modernization.

According to the work report, in 2026, the CPPCC will conduct in-depth research and thorough consultations on major tasks and strategic measures of the 15th Five-Year Plan and carry out cross-committee, cross-sector and cross-disciplinary studies, aiming to put forward forward-looking, targeted and operable policy suggestions, according to the report.

Focusing on key issues in areas such as economic development, technological innovation, reform and opening up, social development, and people’s livelihood, the CPPCC will truthfully reflect public opinions based on facts and implement the CPPCC National Committee’s democratic oversight work plan during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.

For more information, please click:
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-03-04/How-China-builds-consensus-boosts-growth-via-consultative-democracy-1LeSOfZLbk4/p.html

Hashtag: #CGTN

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

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/08/cgtn-how-china-builds-consensus-boosts-development-through-consultative-democracy/

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Super Rugby Pacific: Crusaders attack exposed in Will Jordan’s absence against Blues

Source: Radio New Zealand

All Black Will Jordan was rested for the Crusaders’ clash against the Blues. Martin Hunter/ActionPress

World class one week, woeful the next.

The Crusaders barely fired a shot against the Blues at Eden Park, a sloppy and disjointed performance seeing them succumb 29-13 to their old rivals.

Most worryingly, their clunky attack failed to make any real inroads on the Blues defence.

After looking so potent against the Chiefs, the Crusaders lacked direction just a week later, fumbling passes, kicking aimlessly and repeatedly caught behind the advantage line.

Such a drastic dip forces questions and the obvious answer – they were without their primary weapon, Will Jordan, with the All Black rested for the round four clash.

Do the Crusaders rely on their sensational fullback too heavily? Coach Rob Penney concedes they might.

“We talk about that a bit and that’s the last thing we want to,” he said. “He’s world class and he makes a massive impact for any team he’s in.

“We need to take heat off Jordy. Will’s just an amazing talent, and we want to make sure he can come here and play with freedom, not feel as though he’s a critical piece.”

Penney described it as an “ugly performance”.

“Really disappointing,” he admitted. “We were messy, couldn’t get any rhythm.

“Looked as though we were a bit flat, didn’t bring any intensity really. We’ve got some talented players and we were inexplicably error-ridden tonight.

“There wouldn’t be too many that could put their hand up and say it wasn’t me.”

Handling errors plagued them throughout.

“You could see a lot of them were at times when there wasn’t a lot of defensive pressure on, so we can’t blame excess pressure. The boys are better than that.

“It’s hard to put your finger on when good players are making errors.”

They also had a Jamie Hannah try disallowed, due to an earlier high shot by Dom Gardiner.

“They’re big momentum shifters. We’re disappointed that we work hard on keeping our shots down, our tackle height down.

“We didn’t need to be in that position. Very frustrating, because it was a nice try and we’d fought our way back, so big turnaround.”

After their stunning upset win over the Chiefs, the Crusaders have now lost three of their first four matches to begin their title defence.

“It probably does feel as though we haven’t certainly made the progress we would’ve liked on the back of last week,” said Penney.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/07/super-rugby-pacific-crusaders-attack-exposed-in-will-jordans-absence-against-blues/

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Chief executive appointment ‘strong’ signal Taranaki councils headed for amalgamation – mayor

Source: Radio New Zealand

Taranaki Regional Council boss Steve Ruru has also been named interim chief executive at New Plymouth District Council. Supplied / New Plymouth District Council

The appointment of the current Taranaki Regional Council chief executive as interim New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) chief executive – a role that he will hold alongside his existing position – is a strong signal the two councils are headed towards amalgamation, according to New Plymouth mayor.

The move is believed to be a New Zealand first.

Max Brough said Steve Ruru’s appointment was an indication of what was to come.

“It’s a strong signal and I think, if you ask anybody in the wider local government sector, they all acknowledge reform is needed and it’s coming at us.”

Brough said the appointment would strengthen both organisations before local government reforms.

“It’s great, actually, because now we can start looking at what’s coming forward in front of us with all of this reform stuff and [we’re] in the perfectly placed position.

“Two councils that are naturally going to come together through the reform process anyway, as it pans out, and we’re going to be at forefront of the country at getting this underway.”

New Plymouth Mayor Max Brough. RNZ / Robin Martin

Regional council chair Craig Williamson also welcomed the move.

“Steve understands the complexity of regional functions, the operational realities of territorial authorities and the critical importance of collaboration between the two. He is the perfect person for the job.”

Ruru looked forward to exploring how the councils could work more closely for the benefit of Taranaki.

“The vacancy at NPDC provides an opportunity to pilot an innovative leadership approach in the region. Joint leadership gives us a strong platform to examine service models that could better serve Taranaki.

“This work will benefit both organisations and, most importantly, the communities we serve.”

Nw Plymouth Regional Council chair Craig Williamson. RNZ / Robin Martin

Ruru would take over from Gareth Green, who concludes his three-year tenure at NPDC in the coming weeks, and he would be in the role, while NPDC recruited a permanent chief executive.

He said both councils would have time to evaluate how service delivery and community outcomes could be improved as part of the wider Simplifying Local Government reforms.

“My focus will be on preparing both organisations for the future. I’m passionate about the role of local government in supporting our communities and I am committed to ensuring both councils remain well positioned through this period of transition.”

Details on how Ruru would split his time between the two organisations and be paid were still to be finalised.

South Taranaki Mayor Phil Nixon said he had been kept in the loop about developments, but at this stage, they did not involve his district.

“That’s just an agreement between TRC and NPDC. That’s out of the realm of South Taranaki District, that’s for sure.

“We’ve had no discussion, conversation whatsoever [about amalgamation]. I mean, that’s a thing really for the Mayoral Forum to discuss.

“Without further discussion, I’m not sure where this will go.”

Nixon was not sure what people in his district would make of any eventual amalgamation.

“I can’t speak for the community on this particular issue, but what I can make comment on is, when we went out to get submissions on Local Water Done Well around either a regional CCO [council-controlled organisation] or bringing it in-house, our community was very strong as to bringing it in-house.

“A lot made a comment that, whatever you do, we don’t want to be part of New Plymouth. They made it very clear, those ones that did reply to that.”

Stratford Mayor Neil Volzke believed his district and South Taranaki could eventually become involved.

“This is their initiative and they are looking to develop a plan between them. What will happen from there, they have left the door open, should we choose to join in at a later date, but at the moment, the proposal is between those two councils.”

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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/2026/03/07/chief-executive-appointment-strong-signal-taranaki-councils-headed-for-amalgamation-mayor/

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Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board candidate Chris Latham wants postal voting scrapped

Source: Radio New Zealand

A candidate in the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board elections in Auckland wants postal voting scrapped. RNZ / Eveline Harvey

A candidate in the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board elections in Auckland wants postal voting scrapped, after their 2025 election result was voided.

This week, a High Court judge in Auckland upheld a district court ruling that a new election should be held, after 79 voting papers were cast without the rightful voter’s knowledge.

Candidate Chris Latham said it was important his community could trust the voting system.

“Their faith in the postal ballot is completely and probably irreparably shot at this point, and I think it’s high time we moved to more modernised voting systems or booth voting, as we do in general elections.”

He said it cost Auckland Council about $200,00 to put on another election for his subdivision.

“The cost is borne by the ratepayer to put on another election. The council has to take an inward look at what went wrong, why it went wrong and how we can avoid it happening in the future.”

Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board candidate Chris Latham. Supplied

Voting for the local board’s four positions opens to residents on Monday, 9 March 2026.

Election Services has confirmed postal voting will be used for the new Papatoetoe election, as it was legally required to undertake the new election on the same basis as the voided election.

Electoral officer Dale Ofsoske told RNZ that extra safeguards were in place for the upcoming election.

“NZ Post posties and Auckland Council library staff have been asked to be extra vigilant in their duties, and to report any unusual behaviour to me or the police. The police have been briefed and are aware of the election taking place, especially over the voting delivery phase.

“Auckland Council is undertaking a communications strategy for the public to be aware of the election and to look out for their voting packs from Monday to Thursday.

“A candidate briefing was held on Monday night, where all candidates were reminded of the dos and don’ts when campaigning.”

Electoral officer Dale Ofsoske says extra safeguards were in place for the upcoming election. RNZ / Todd Niall

Senior lecturer at AUT’s School of Social Sciences and Humanities Julienne Molineaux said postal voting presented security challenges.

“With the delivery of ballots, there’s no oversight to ensure the voter receives their papers and, depending on the letterbox design, they could be easily stolen.

“When turnout is low, fewer people will notice that their ballots didn’t turn up, because they weren’t going to vote anyway.

“The other security risk with postal voting is that the voting takes place in private and it’s not supervised by election officials. This means voters can be bribed, they can be threatened and they can be pressured to vote a certain way.”

She believed in-person voting would resolve those issues, but that it might not increase voter turnout or make it easier for voters.

“I think it would be a mistake to assume that it would also be successful in our local elections, because the two elections are very different.

“For the parliamentary election, we’re asked, as voters, to make only two choices – to vote for a party and vote for a local candidate – and we have political parties, which are an information shortcut for voters. It makes it easier for us to make our decision.

“Local elections have much more complex ballots. My local election ballot for 2025 asked me to make 11 different decisions and that’s quite hard to do on the spot in a booth.”

She said nothing stopped councils from changing how their constituents voted.

She said the Auckland Council voted against postal voting supplemented by booth voting for the 2025 election.

“Existing councillors were elected under the status quo, so it’s no surprise that the majority of them support the system that they have been successful in.

“We need an independent electoral commission running our local elections and making decisions about how they’re run.”

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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/2026/03/07/otara-papatoetoe-local-board-candidate-chris-latham-wants-postal-voting-scrapped/

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Riverlink project affecting Hutt River water quality

Source: Radio New Zealand

A water quality monitor moored midstream south of Melling Bridge in Hutt River Te Awa Kairangi. Phil Pennington / RNZ

Lower Hutt’s roads may be blocked up by the Riverlink highway project, but the river itself has so far kept flowing pretty clear.

Bulldozers have been busy in the riverbed and on its banks, shifting masses of stones around.

Meanwhile, monitors in the water upstream and downstream from the epicentre at Melling Bridge have shown some changes in quality.

“Yes, there have been temporary changes in water quality linked to RiverLink construction activities in the river channel,” Greater Wellington Regional Council told RNZ.

However, by mid-February, tight conditions on pollution had only been infringed once, the project copping fines of about $1000.

The changes in the river were allowed on condition the water quality returned to “ambient clarity” approximately one hour after any job was done, the regional council told RNZ.

It released a host of test results under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act.

The council listed a few minor problems for Te Awa Kairangi partnership – in early January, for instance, the water got clouded by work shifting the entire flow of the river from the east bank to the west under the bridge.

In November, fine sediment levels got too high, triggering the first – and as of mid-February – only “active management response” that concluded it was minor and not directly related to Riverlink.

Back in June 2025, “there was a discharge of sediment-laden water from the haul road and Rockline L3 construction works during a site inspection”. That co-incided with heavy rain, so they quickly built some temporary soakage pits and used hay mulch to turn it around.

So far, the project has done four monitoring reports on the riverbed – three on trout, two on macroinvertebrates and two on indigenous fish.

The Hutt River was popular among trout anglers.

“The potential and actual impacts of the RiverLink Project were considered, assessed and appropriate mitigations applied through the Environment Court Consent process,” the council’s group manager environment Lian Butcher said in the released documents.

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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/2026/03/07/riverlink-project-affecting-hutt-river-water-quality/

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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says Cabinet colleagues back him, won’t stand down as National’s leader

Source: Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (L) flanked by his Cabinet colleagues. RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson

The Prime Minister has told Newstalk ZB none of his Cabinet colleagues have told him to reconsider his future, saying “all of them” back him.

Christopher Luxon’s comments came after speculation about his leadership following a Taxpayers’ Union Curia poll had National on 28.4 – down nearly 3 points from its poll last month.

Labour was up at 34.4, while the Greens, ACT, and Te Pati Māori were all up on 10.5, 7.5, and 3.2 respectively.

New Zealand First had taken a slight drop to 9.7.

Those results would give the centre-Left bloc 61 seats, enough to govern, while the coalition government bloc would fall short on 59 seats.

Luxon told Newstalk ZB he was ‘absolutely not’ considering standing down and said he had the skills to lead the National Party and the country.

“The only thing I am considering is the future of our children and grandchildren.”

He said the only polling he took note of was National’s own internal polling, which was processed in the United Kingdom.

“I would reassure you – if there was a problem, I would be doing something about it. But we are long way away from what we’ve seen published in a TPU poll today.”

Luxon said he has “not thought about” what polling level would be the threshold for him to step down as prime minister.

“I have the full support of my team and my caucus.”

The poll came at the end of a week where Luxon struggled to communicate clearly on the Iran conflict.

Speaking on NewstalkZB, he acknowledged failings with his personal communication: “I’ve freely admitted, I’m not a career politician. I’m not always going to have the perfect most tidy soundbite like someone who’s been there 20 years would do.”

Luxon said the media had gotten carried away in its reaction to the public poll over the course of the day.

“The whole world seems to have got very exercised … the reason I’m going on your show is to clarify to people, no, I’m not doing that [considering my future].”

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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/2026/03/07/prime-minister-christopher-luxon-says-cabinet-colleagues-back-him-wont-stand-down-as-nationals-leader/

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Pole vaulter Eliza McCartney stakes claim for world indoor selection with national title

Source: Radio New Zealand

Eliza McCartney in action at the Sir Graeme Douglas International. David Rowland/Photosport

Kiwi pole vaulter Eliza McCartney has thrown down the gauntlet to fellow Kiwis Imogen Ayris and Olivia McTaggart in their internal battle for selection to the world indoor championships in Poland this month.

The 2016 Olympic bronze medallist and 2024 world indoor silver medallist has cleared 4.81m to capture her seventh national title at Auckland’s Trusts Arena.

The performance sees her catapult to second in the world so far this year and, more importantly, puts her ahead of her training mates for the world championships, where New Zealand can only field two athletes in each event.

Two weeks ago, Ayris soared over 4.76m for third at an indoor meet in France, while McTaggart was over 4.70m to match McCartney’s outdoor mark at the Auckland championships that same weekend.

All three have reached the qualifying standard, but nations are limited to just two entries.

Ayris took bronze at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, while McTaggart won the prestigious London Diamond League meet last year.

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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/2026/03/07/pole-vaulter-eliza-mccartney-stakes-claim-for-world-indoor-selection-with-national-title/

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Live: Super Rugby Pacific – Blues v Crusaders

Source: Radio New Zealand

Photosport

Super Rugby rivals Blues and Crusaders face off in the match of the round at Eden Park on Saturday.

Surprisingly, both sides have just one win each to their names, but the Crusaders carrying the form of a victory over the Chiefs last week.

Kickoff is at 7.05pm.

Blues: 1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi 2. Kurt Eklund 3. Marcel Renata 4. Josh Beehre 5. Sam Darry 6. Torian Barnes 7. Dalton Papali’i (c) 8. Hoskins Sotutu 9. Finlay Christie 10. Stephen Perofeta 11. Caleb Clarke 12. Pita Ahki 13. AJ Lam 14. Codemeru Vai 15. Zarn Sullivan

Bench: 16. James Mullan 17. Mason Tupaea 18. Sam Matenga 19. Che Clark 20. Anton Segner 21. Taufa Funaki 22. Beauden Barrett 23. Xavi Taele

Crusaders: 1. George Bower 2. Codie Taylor 3. Fletcher Newell 4. Antonio Shalfoon 5. Jamie Hannah 6. Dom Gardiner 7. Ethan Blackadder (VC) 8. Christian Lio-Willie 9. Noah Hotham 10. Rivez Reihana 11. Sevu Reece 12. David Havili (c) 13. Leicester Fainga’anuku 14. Chay Fihaki 15. Taha Kemara

Bench: 16. Manumaua Letiu 17. Finlay Brewis 18. Seb Calder 19. Will Tucker (Crusaders Debut) 20. Corey Kellow 21. Kyle Preston 22. Xavier Saifoloi 23. Dallas McLeod

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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/2026/03/07/live-super-rugby-pacific-blues-v-crusaders/

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REVEALED: Scientists’ discovery of ancient deep sea corals brings new hope for protection against threat of industrial fishing – Greenpeace

Source: Greenpeace

New scientific research from Greenpeace has uncovered ancient and fragile corals at a Lord Howe Rise seamount in the South Pacific, an area of huge ecological significance in the high seas that has never been surveyed before.
This scientific discovery, from just one seamount on the Lord Howe Rise, has proven for the first time that the seamount is a vulnerable marine ecosystem. This new status should protect it from destructive bottom trawling, according to international rules intended to protect these fragile ecosystems. This discovery comes as bottom trawling was temporarily paused in the area in 2024, but threatens to make a return.
The scientists catalogued a total of 350 corals, sponges and other life forms in just a fraction of the Lord Howe Rise seamount – many of which are 100+ years old and some reaching almost 2 metres in height. Slow-growing and fragile, the corals include bamboo, golden, precious, stony, hydro and black, in addition to sponges, sea lilies and anemones.
Vulnerable marine ecosystems are fragile, rare, or complex marine habitats that are highly susceptible to irreparable damage from human activities. Campaigners say this means that the area must be closed to damaging bottom trawling for good – widely considered to be the greatest threat to seamount ecosystems.
Commenting, Greenpeace Aotearoa Ocean Campaigner Ellie Hooper who led the scientific expedition to Lord Howe Rise, says:
“It was moving and awe-inspiring to see these vibrant corals and fragile sponges streamed up from the deep, but right now they face an uncertain future. If this site is reopened, these ancient species could be destroyed by New Zealand bottom trawlers in the future. And this discovery is just a tiny snapshot of life in the area.
“The New Zealand government must stop protecting the interests of industrial fishing companies and not attempt to reopen the area for bottom trawling. Every other nation has stopped this destructive practice in the region, are they not embarrassed to be the only ones left?
“We are now armed with the proof we needed that bottom trawling must be banned here. It’s clear that this is a vulnerable marine ecosystem so it’s crucial we act now to protect this fragile life in the deep from destruction.”
Lord Howe Rise is of huge ecological significance, but despite this it remains under serious threat. Whilst the seamount surveyed was temporarily closed to bottom trawling in 2024 after a New Zealand trawler – the Tasman Viking – dragged up 37kg of coral, the New Zealand government could push to reopen that area to destructive bottom trawling, which could destroy the ancient corals and sponges scientists have documented there.
The New Zealand government in early 2026 submitted a proposal to increase the amount of coral and other vulnerable deep-sea species that can be trawled up as bycatch on the high seas without consequence. This proposal was submitted ahead of the annual meeting of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation this week, with Greenpeace also submitting the findings from Lord Howe.
International resolutions state that vulnerable marine ecosystems should be protected from bottom trawling due to their fragility, ecosystem importance and slow recovery rate, making them incredibly vulnerable to this fishing method.
The area is being considered for one of the world’s first ocean sanctuaries under the Global Ocean Treaty, which came into force earlier this year.
Notes and Images and video here:
  • Lord Howe Rise stills and video.
  • Seamount Expedition stills
  • – The scientific evidence has been submitted to the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO) Commission 2026 which took place 2-6 March in Panama. This is where the New Zealand Government has also submitted their proposal to increase the amount of coral and other vulnerable species that can be caught as bycatch.
  • – 350 examples of coral, sponges and deep sea life were cataloged (for clarity – note this is not 350 different species but rather 350 instances of deep sea taxa)
  • – The scientific analysis was conducted on a subset of footage recorded during deep-sea video surveys from the Greenpeace Seamounts Expedition in March 2025. The seamount is on the Central Lord Howe Rise, in international waters managed by the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (SPRFMO). Of the 77 still images analysed to determine if they met the VME FAO Deep-sea Fisheries criteria 45% (33) were classified a VMEs. 59 individual deep-sea coral and sponge taxon have been aged by expert taxonomists at over 100+ years old, and some likely even 200+ years old, based on their heights and published growth rates.
  • – International rules (UNGA Resolutions (61/105 & 64/72) mandate that vulnerable marine ecosystems should be protected from bottom trawling due to their fragility, ecosystem importance and slow recovery rate, making them incredibly vulnerable to this fishing method.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/07/revealed-scientists-discovery-of-ancient-deep-sea-corals-brings-new-hope-for-protection-against-threat-of-industrial-fishing-greenpeace/

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The Detail: The great property breakup

Source: Radio New Zealand

Townhouses on Glengarry Road, Glen Eden. Supplied

New Zealand’s love affair with property could be in the break-up stage, with no shortage of houses and investors turning to the share market.

It’s been a national obsession for decades – buying property and creating wealth through soaring capital gains.

But the days of making huge, untaxed profits on such investments are likely over.

The Reserve Bank’s chief economist says we may be seeing a “structural change” in the housing market; there are too many empty townhouses failing to sell; prices are going sideways; and the prospect of a capital gains tax being introduced is becoming more certain.

First home buyers are making a comeback.

But is it too early to say we’re seeing the end of the housing crisis?

On this episode of The Detail we look at where we’re sitting, with experts saying while there’s no shortage of homes available now, that doesn’t necessarily make them affordable.

There are several factors behind the shift.

Younger investors who know they can’t afford to get a foot on the property ladder are turning to KiwiSaver and managed funds – they’re the “Sharesies” generation. The ASB’s latest Investor Confidence Survey says traditional property investment is losing ground to options that provide better returns.

New intensification rules have seen developers replace traditional single-home sections with townhouses – so much so that the market is now awash with them.

Rents are falling – it’s now a tenants’ market – meaning returns on property are less certain. Rock bottom interest rates, which encouraged debt, are unlikely to ever return.

And the ANZ’s chief economist, Sharon Zollner, says there’s an inevitability of new taxes that would dent profit margins in property.

She says maybe a Capital Gains Tax is not on our doorstop, but it will come eventually.

“How long can New Zealand really remain such an outlier internationally, and refuse to have that conversation?” she says.

“I do wonder if people are starting to think that perhaps there’s an inevitability around tax change.”

Zollner says first home buyers have got the field to themselves and some of them are taking advantage of it.

“But then the immediate question is – why have they got the field to themselves? Where are the investors? And I think that’s where it gets interesting.”

She says investors seem to be wary. Adding to the uncertainty has been a very strong outflow of Kiwis to Australia, and they are putting their own houses on the market.

“While interest rates have come down a long way, they’re nowhere near the lows we saw in the boom, and now it’s a question of when they’ll be hiked.”

But Zollner says there are bigger structural issues.

“Can we expect similar returns from the next 10 years say, in the housing market, that we’ve seen over the last decades? And there I think more people are realising, probably not.”

BusinessDesk property editor Maria Slade believes we are on the cusp of a change.

“Perhaps people are starting to see houses as something you live in, and not necessarily an investment,” she says.

“Successive governments have tightened the rules around property investment. It’s not quite as attractive as it used to be. And also the costs have made it less attractive – insurance has gone up, rates have gone up … you’ve got to be getting pretty good rents to get a good yield out of an investment property now. So that’s also, I think, changed the mindset a wee bit.

“I think the tide has turned in terms of how New Zealanders are looking at property.”

Slade says that’s a good thing.

“We have way too much wealth tied up in property – it’s unproductive wealth, it just sits there on a 700 square metre section … it’s not doing anything for the country.

“We definitely need to get over that one if the country’s going to become more prosperous going forward.”

As an example of change, Slade has been looking at what commentators are saying is a glut of townhouses, and the consequences of that. Some are sitting on the market for so long they’re no longer considered ‘new builds’, which means favourable lending for first home buyers doesn’t apply.

In spite of the stagnant market, new data from Infometrics shows consents for townhouses grew by 14 percent from the year to January.

In today’s podcast, Slade talks about some possible reasons for that, including a possible move away from cookie-cutter style homes without car parks to less crowded buildings.

Kelvin Davidson, the chief Property Economist at Cotality, hedges his bets when asked if the housing crisis is over.

“It depends what you mean by ‘housing crisis’,” he says.

“I suppose what people think about … over the past 20 or 30 years is an affordability crisis where house prices have been too high in relation to incomes and it’s been a stretch for people to get onto the housing ladder.

“I don’t think it’s ever been easy to buy your first house. It’s been a challenge through time.

“So is that crisis over? Maybe.

“I think we may be reaching a turning point in the market now, where the mindset is shifting and people are starting to realise that actually, ever-rising house prices isn’t necessarily the best thing for a country.”

Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here.

You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/07/the-detail-the-great-property-breakup/

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Prim Minister Christopher Luxon says Cabinet colleagues back him, won’t stand down as National’s leader

Source: Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (L) flanked by his Cabinet colleagues. RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson

The Prime Minister has told Newstalk ZB none of his Cabinet colleagues have told him to reconsider his future, saying “all of them” back him.

Christopher Luxon’s comments came after speculation about his leadership following a Taxpayers’ Union Curia poll had National on 28.4 – down nearly 3 points from its poll last month.

Labour was up at 34.4, while the Greens, ACT, and Te Pati Māori were all up on 10.5, 7.5, and 3.2 respectively.

New Zealand First had taken a slight drop to 9.7.

Those results would give the centre-Left bloc 61 seats, enough to govern, while the coalition government bloc would fall short on 59 seats.

Luxon told Newstalk ZB he was ‘absolutely not’ considering standing down and said he had the skills to lead the National Party and the country.

“The only thing I am considering is the future of our children and grandchildren.”

He said the only polling he took note of was National’s own internal polling, which was processed in the United Kingdom.

“I would reassure you – if there was a problem, I would be doing something about it. But we are long way away from what we’ve seen published in a TPU poll today.”

Luxon said he has “not thought about” what polling level would be the threshold for him to step down as prime minister.

“I have the full support of my team and my caucus.”

The poll came at the end of a week where Luxon struggled to communicate clearly on the Iran conflict.

Speaking on NewstalkZB, he acknowledged failings with his personal communication: “I’ve freely admitted, I’m not a career politician. I’m not always going to have the perfect most tidy soundbite like someone who’s been there 20 years would do.”

Luxon said the media had gotten carried away in its reaction to the public poll over the course of the day.

“The whole world seems to have got very exercised … the reason I’m going on your show is to clarify to people, no, I’m not doing that [considering my future].”

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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/2026/03/07/prim-minister-christopher-luxon-says-cabinet-colleagues-back-him-wont-stand-down-as-nationals-leader/

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Trevor Foley, Kat Matthews clear out to clinch Ironman NZ titles

Source: Radio New Zealand

Trevor Foley claims Ironman NZ victory at Taupō. Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz

American Trevor Foley and Briton Kat Matthews have headed off strong fields to claim elite honours at the 42nd edition of IRONMAN New Zealand in Taupō.

Foley became the first United States man since Tim DeBoom to prevail in the men’s race, while Matthews justified her heavy pre-race favouritism, finishing well clear of her rivals.

Foley was rewarded for his late decision to come to New Zealand, following a heavy period of training in Florida, producing a breakthrough career performance.

Victory was based on his brilliant closing run, clocking 2h 35m 42s for the marathon distance, which was nearly five minutes faster than the previous best time for the course.

The 26-year-old claimed the lead about 10km from the finish, easing past Frenchman Pierre Le Corre, who finished second, 1m 43s back in his Ironman distance debut. American veteran Matt Hansen was third.

Pierre Le Corre leads at the end of the swim leg of Ironman NZ. Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz

Foley’s overall winning time was 7h 46m 44s.

For the first time since 2008, no New Zealand men were on the podium.

The event was the first of the calendar year’s global pro series.

Matthews, who has topped the women’s pro series for the last two years, showed she’s ready to make it a hattrick with a dominant performance.

She was never threatened over the second half of the race to finish in 8h 28m 55s.

New Zealand’s Hannah Berry was nearly seven minutes back in second, while Dutchwoman Lotte Wilms was third.

All three women’s overall times were quicker than the previous race record.

The top four men and four women all qualify automatically for this year’s world championships at Kona, Hawaii.

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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/2026/03/07/trevor-foley-kat-matthews-clear-out-to-clinch-ironman-nz-titles/

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Motorcyclist dies after Foxton Shannon Road crash

Source: Radio New Zealand

Foxton Shannon Road. Google Maps

One person died after a motorcycle crash that closed Foxton Shannon Road between the Manawatū towns of Foxton and Shannon on Saturday.

Emergency services were called to the area about 9.40am after reports of a single motorcycle crash between Himatangi Block Road and Poplar Road.

Police said the rider died at the scene.

The road was closed while emergency services responded but has since reopened.

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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/2026/03/07/motorcyclist-dies-after-foxton-shannon-road-crash/

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Applause at Auckland Airport as flight arrives from Dubai

Source: Radio New Zealand

Those waiting outside Auckland International Airport’s arrival area erupted into applause for the landing of the first flight from the Middle East since recent conflict began.

Emirates flight EK448 from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates arrived at 11:30am on Saturday.

The flights follow a partial re-opening of the airspace, amidst the conflict in the Middle East.

  • Watch: Govt sends Hercules to aid NZers in Middle East

    • Michelle and Mark Frankham were at the airport to support friends who were arriving on the flight from Dubai. Pretoria Gordon

    Michelle Frankham and her husband, Mark Frankham, were some of the first at Auckland Airport on Saturday.

    The couple were waiting for Michelle Frankham’s friend Yvonne, along with Yvonne’s husband and two children.

    The family were returning to New Zealand after living in Dubai for a year.

    “We’re here to welcome them home, because I know that they spent their last night curled up in their bathroom with two young teenage girls, so we’re here with a car full of groceries and some gift baskets to make them feel better,” Michelle Frankham told RNZ.

    “We’re just relieved that they’re coming home.”

    Michelle Frankham hugs her friend Yvonne. RNZ / Pretoria Gordon

    Claire Eadie was waiting for her daughter-in-law Rebecca Fleming and her three grandchildren.

    Eadie’s son remained behind in Dubai, but had told Eadie that her grandchildren were upset by the alerts that warned of incoming missiles.

    “I think they are so stressed, I think it’s been a really hard week for them,” Eadie said.

    “I think they’re very sad at leaving their dad behind, but they must feel a huge sense of relief to have left.”

    As a grandmother and mother-in-law, Eadie was overjoyed to have her family back in New Zealand.

    “You don’t ever imagine your children in a war zone.

    “[I’m] heartbroken that my son isn’t here too, but very relieved that my daughter-in-law and grandchildren will be safe now.”

    Eadie said the rest of the day would be spent in “peace and quiet”.

    Fleming said all three of her children were born in the Middle East, and it was bittersweet to have left her home – and her husband.

    The flight was originally scheduled for Sunday, Fleming added, so she only had half an hour to pack before heading to the airport.

    She estimated there were 30 to 40 people on the flight.

    Claire Eadie with her daughter-in-law Rebecca Fleming, and her three grandchildren. RNZ / Pretoria Gordon

    David Ramsay was waiting for his wife, Leonie Ramsay, who had been in Dubai since 20 February.

    “I was going to go up last week, but as I was about to leave, they closed the airspace,” he said.

    While they had spoken “several times a day” since then, both burst into tears upon being reunited.

    “Really good to be home,” Leonie Ramsay said. “Really good to have her home,” David Ramsay added.

    David and Leonie Ramsay RNZ / Pretoria Gordon

    Louise Kyle, who came from Scotland, also burst into tears when she was reunited with her husband.

    “It is so lovely to be home, it’s so lovely to call New Zealand home, lovely to be on the other side of the world.”

    She had been stuck in Dubai for three days, listening to a “missile threat” alert from Civil Defence every hour or so.

    Louise Kyle RNZ/Pretoria Gordon

    Margaret Grogan was also relieved to have made it back to her “second home”. She was en route from South Africa when she got stuck in the Middle East due to the conflict.

    “I love New Zealand. I’m from Ireland and this is … my second home. I absolutely love it.

    “When they asked me: ‘Where are you from?’ I said New Zealand. [They said]: ‘Isn’t that the safest place in the world to be in right now?’ And I said absolutely … very, very safe.”

    Margaret Grogan reuniting with her husband. RNZ / Pretoria Gordon

    While most of the passengers on the flight were returning home, one tourist had come to visit New Zealand for the first time.

    Richard Parnicky, who is an expatriate living in Dubai, was planning to meet up with some friends in Auckland.

    “It was a very peaceful flight. It was basically empty… I was looking forward to going to New Zealand for quite some time and here I am now.”

    Richard Parnicky RNZ/Pretoria Gordon

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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/2026/03/07/applause-at-auckland-airport-as-flight-arrives-from-dubai/

    Posted on

    All lanes on SH3 open, Ōtorohanga

    Source: New Zealand Police

    All lanes on State Highway 3 near Ōtorohanga is now open following the discovery of human remains yesterday.

    Police closed one lane yesterday and overnight to ensure safety of staff working at the scene. A scene examination has now been completed.

    Our enquiries, including work to formally identify the remains, are ongoing.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/07/all-lanes-on-sh3-open-otorohanga/

    Posted on

    NZ Warriors v Sydney Roosters: Too early to celebrate big win in season-opener

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad celebrate the Warriors’ win over Sydney Roosters. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

    Analysis: NZ Warriors coach Andrew Webster isn’t getting too far ahead of himself, despite his team’s convincing 42-18 over Sydney Roosters in their 2026 NRL season-opener at Go Media Stadium.

    Up against a side Sydney media love to install among competition favourites at the start of each season, the Auckland-based side ran in seven tries to three, including a 22-point burst either side of halftime that gave them a firm grip on the contest.

    For the 12th time in their 32 seasons, the Warriors have begun their campaign with a win, but Webster wasn’t breaking out the champagne yet.

    “Tonight was worth two points, it’s not the grand final,” he insisted. “Everyone puts a lot of emphasis on round one and you get judged.

    “Last year, they said we’d get the [wooden] spoon, when we lost in Vegas. Tonight, everyone will say we’re real contenders.

    “It’s two points and, if I had a dollar for every time someone won in round one and didn’t back it up the next week, I’d be rich.”

    In fact, eight of the 12 season-opening wins across the club’s history were followed by defeats the next week.

    Here are some key points to come from the win over the Roosters:

    Best player

    Any early anxiety over how the Warriors would start the season without Luke Metcalf was eased by the performance of halfback Tanah Boyd, who probably had his best first-grade game for the club.

    He set the tone early, taking on the defensive line bursting through for the opening try and continued to orchestrate the Warriors attack masterfully, providing two try assists and two linebreak assists for a game-high 77 SuperCoach fantasy points.

    After a couple of early misses off the tee, he converted six of the seven tries, including three from near touch.

    “I think the way he’s trained and how clear he’s been, how fast he ran for that try… when Tanah runs, that’s when he’s playing his best.

    “I was really happy. I know he’ll have some things on his list, but I thought that was his best game.”

    Webster was cagey about any looming rivalry between Boyd and Metcalf for the No.7 jersey, but hinted he was open to playing one of them at five-eighth.

    Tanah Boyd scores a try for the Warriors against Sydney Roosters. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

    “You don’t have to pigeonhole halves that can only wear the seven jersey,” he said. “Everyone’s getting a bit better at being a six or a seven, or you just look at them as two halves.

    “I’m not suggesting at the moment. I’m just grateful we have four really good halfbacks at hand.”

    That said, Chanel Harris-Tavita showed he’d also be hard to displace, with a brace of tries, both scored running an inside support line to wing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck for late offloads.

    Also a special mention for front-rower Jackson Ford, who led his team in both running metres (219) and tackles (28) over 71 minutes.

    This is a surprisingly rate feat – he was the only Warrior to achieve it last season, along with just a handful of others across the competition.

    Key moment

    Probably a couple, but the Roosters looked to have grabbed the lead in the 22nd minute, when Tuivasa-Sheck could not take a high kick from Daly Cherry-Evans and Roosters hooker Benaiah Ioelu won the race for the ball to score.

    Replays persuaded the bunker that rival winger Mark Nawaqanitawase had obstructed RTS in the midair contest and the try was disallowed.

    With the next possession, the Warriors marched up the other end and centre Adam Pompey scored a try in almost identical fashion to the one that was just ruled out, recovering a kick to scramble across the line.

    Even then, some doubt remained about whether he successfully forced the ball before spilling it, but replays suggested he probably did.

    Adam Pompey scores a try for the Warriors against the Roosters. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

    That 12-point swing gifted the Warriors momentum, which they turned into a 22-point lead.

    The other pivotal point came at 28-18, after the Roosters had scored back-to-back tries and seemed poised to close hard over the final half hour.

    Boyd kicked a penalty to stop the bleeding and the Warriors produced a strong defensive stand against repeated sets, including a brilliant reflex grab from second-rower Kurt Capewell, as Roosters half Sam Walker stabbed a kick towards the goal-line.

    Harris-Tavita finally put the nail in the coffin with his second try five minutes from the end.

    Best try

    Soon after halftime, the Roosters needed to score to wrestle back momentum, but instead, Boyd put up a high kick towards the goalposts and second-rower Leka Halasima soared high to claim the catch and crash over for the try.

    Halasima made a habit of this during his incredible breakout 2025 season, but Webster held him back until after the break and played him just 35 minutes in this game, preferring to give Jacob Laban a decent run from the starting spot.

    “The day will come when Leka will play 80 minutes and I’m looking forward to that day, because it will be awesome, but he doesn’t need to do it right now,” Webster said. “He just needs to own his little time and have that impact.

    “There’s nothing wrong with coming on and having a try first touch – it’s really good.”

    Injuries

    The Warriors seemed to escape any major injuries from this game, although Ford was left clutching his shoulder, after tackling Nawaqanitawase midway through the second half.

    He played on another eight minutes, before he was finally subbed off.

    Back-up hooker Sam Healey also left for a head check late in the contest, but Webster reported he passed and could be considered next week.

    Co-captain Mitch Barnett won’t be back next week, as hoped, as he continues to rehab last year’s season-ending knee injury.

    He underwent four days of testing in Sydney last week and, while Webster insisted he had suffered no setback, Barnett will be held out at least another week.

    “We’re getting closer, so no dramas there, but the last month to six weeks, you get down to the nitty gritty. Everyone thinks it’s nine months, but sometimes it’s eight-and-a-half months and sometimes it’s 10 months.

    “They’re not injuries you want to mess around with. The whole medical industry has advanced so far on how quickly they can get players back, but the ACL is one of those ones that takes so long.”

    Roosters

    Coach Trent Robinson quietly seethed over how his team wound up on the end of a lopsided penalty count that was 11-2 at one point.

    “Things will go against you and the opposition will apply pressure,” he said. “It depends on the referee and how they determine those.

    “Eleven-two is quite incredible in our game, and then we had video ref decisions and all of that, but as I go back to, depending on what team you want to be, is how much of a swing against you do you let in that many points.

    “We want to be a team that you can have 11-2 against, you can have decisions go against you, and you can put your gloves up and say, ‘That’s cool, we might be a few points down, but we can hold onto that, no matter how far it swings’.”

    Essentially, Robinson wants his team to be good enough to withstand that adversity and still compete.

    Roosters captain James Tedesco finally snapped over the lopsided penalty count against the Roosters. Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

    With five minutes left, skipper James Tedesco finally snapped and was penalised for dissent, as he protested another call that went against them.

    The addition of Daly Cherry-Evans drew considerable interest. While he didn’t stamp himself on proceedings, Robinson insisted his team had created enough chances to win the game, but 42 points was too many to concede.

    The Roosters weren’t helped, when they lost State of Origin front-rower Spencer Leniu during warm-ups with a hamstring injury.

    What the result means

    A winning start to the season – and not much more.

    Midway through the opening round, the Warriors briefly sat second on the table, behind Melbourne Storm, but Penrith Panthers then achieved a bigger points differential in their win over champions Brisbane.

    That will likely change again, with three more games scheduled this weekend.

    What’s next

    Next Friday, the Warriors host Canberra Raiders at Go Media Stadium.

    The Raiders won both encounters last season, the first famously in Vegas, and went on to claim minor premier honours, before they were eliminated by Cronulla Sharks in the semifinals.

    They face Manly Sea Eagles in their season-opener on Saturday night.

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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/2026/03/07/nz-warriors-v-sydney-roosters-too-early-to-celebrate-big-win-in-season-opener/

    Posted on

    Live: Highlanders v Western Force – Super Rugby Pacific

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    Photosport

    The Highlanders are coming off back-to-back defeats after their stunning round one upset of the Crusaders in Super Rugby Pacific.

    They face a Western Force outfit on Saturday afternoon beaming after picking up their first win of the season against Moana Pasifika.

    Kickoff is at 4:35pm.

    Highlanders:

    1. Ethan de Groot (CC) 2. Jack Taylor 3. Angus Ta’avao 4. Oliver Haig 5. Mitch Dunshea 6. Te Kamaka Howden 7. Veveni Lasaqa 8. Nikora Broughton 9. Folau Fakatava 10. Cameron Millar 11. Jona Nareki 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (CC) 13. Jonah Lowe 14. Caleb Tangitau 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

    Bench: 16. Soane Vikena 17. Daniel Lienert-Brown 18. Sosefo Kautai 19. Will Stodart 20. Sean Withy 21. Adam Lennox 22. Reesjan Pasitoa 23. Tanielu Tele’a

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

    LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/07/live-highlanders-v-western-force-super-rugby-pacific/

    Posted on

    Fatal crash, Coast Road, Karitane

    Source: New Zealand Police

    One person has died following the serious crash on Coast Road, Karitane, earlier today.

    Police were called to the scene about 9.25am.

    Sadly, one person died at the scene.

    The Serious Crash Unit has carried out an examination and the road will reopen shortly.

    Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/07/fatal-crash-coast-road-karitane/

    Posted on

    Iranian diaspora form human chain on Wellington waterfront

    Source: Radio New Zealand

    Ali Jafari-Gh, an Iranian-born academic who teaches at Massey University, at a demonstration in Wellington on Saturday, to show support for those in Iran living under repression. RNZ/ Penny Smith

    Members of New Zealand’s Iranian community and their supporters have formed a human chain on Wellington’s waterfront, calling attention to the situation in Iran and expressing solidarity with people they say are living under repression.

    About 60 people from the Iranian diaspora and their supporters stood hand-in-hand for about an hour holding placards and flags, on the capital’s waterfront behind Frank Kitts Park.

    Protesters said they organised the event to draw attention to what they describe as widespread unrest and government crackdowns inside the country.

    Many participants said they had family members in Iran and were concerned about their safety.

    Protesters calling for international support for people protesting against Iran’s government. RNZ/ Penny Smith

    Among those attending was Ali Jafari-Gh, an Iranian-born academic who teaches animal science at Massey University.

    Originally from Karaj, near Tehran, Jafari-Gh said he had recently travelled to Iran over the New Year period and witnessed protests first-hand.

    He joined demonstrations during his visit and was injured when security forces opened fire.

    “I was hit in the foot by gunfire,” he said.

    “Many of the people out on the streets were young, and thousands came out to protest.”

    Ali Jafari-Gh says he was shot in the foot while attending protests in Iran earlier this year. RNZ/ Penny Smith

    Ali Jafari-Gh said the experience reinforced his decision to speak publicly in New Zealand about the situation in his home country.

    Shirin, who has lived in New Zealand for about 13 years after leaving Iran, said she joined the demonstration to show support for people protesting against the government.

    Shirin took part in the human chain protest in Wellington on Saturday. RNZ/ Penny Smith

    “People raised their voices because life has become very hard,” Shirin said.

    “Many innocent people have been killed or arrested. We are here to support them and show they are not alone.”

    Several protesters said they supported international strikes against Iranian government targets, describing them as a necessary intervention rather than a war.

    Dr Reza Farhour, a general practitioner who has lived in New Zealand for more than a decade, said demonstrators believed the action was aimed at helping ordinary Iranians rather than harming them.

    “We do not see what is happening as a war,” he said.

    “We see it as a rescue mission for the Iranian people. People have tried for decades to change the system peacefully and were met with bullets and prison.”

    Dr Reza Farhour RNZ/ Penny Smith

    Farhour said the aim of the gathering was also to bring attention to what he described as a lack of information coming out of the country.

    “The main aim is to echo the Iranian voice, which is shut down by the government,” he said.

    “There is no internet and no media coverage there, so we want people here to know what is happening.”

    Participants said communication with relatives in Iran had become increasingly difficult due to internet shutdowns and media restrictions.

    Amir, who has lived in New Zealand for more than 16 years, said he had struggled to reach family members in recent weeks.

    “Our families are living in fear, but they are also hopeful,” he said.

    “Nobody wants their country to be under attack, but many people believe this operation could help free them from the regime.”

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

    LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/07/iranian-diaspora-form-human-chain-on-wellington-waterfront/