Category: LiveNews

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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/

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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/

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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/

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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/

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From Wardrobe Staple to 10-Year Icon: XIXILI’s Seamless Panties Get a Colour Update

Source: Media Outreach

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 March 2026 – Ten years on, XIXILI’s bestselling seamless panties remain a wardrobe essential for women who value simple, reliable comfort. The intimates brand, celebrated for thoughtful design and everyday ease, now introduces fresh new colours to the beloved range. Designed for invisible wear and lasting comfort, this signature style continues to earn the loyalty of those who prefer reliability over passing trends.

The Secret to a Decade of Loyalty

A decade of consistent customer trust speaks for itself. XIXILI’s seamless panties have earned a loyal following of women who return to the same style, year after year.

Whether it’s a breathable cotton panty for everyday basics or a sleek seamless style for fitted outfits, comfort remains the priority. The appeal comes down to the essentials: no visible panty lines, no adjusting throughout the day, and lightweight comfort that holds up from morning to night. For women juggling busy schedules, that kind of reliability makes all the difference.

“Our customers tell us these are the panties they don’t have to think about,” says Tara Tan, spokesperson for XIXILI. “They just work. That’s why women keep coming back.”

Designed for Every Body, Built to Last

The Full Coverage Mid-Rise Knitted Boyleg Panty delivers moderate coverage with a relaxed fit, suited for those who want fuss-free comfort. The High-Waist Knitted Boyleg Panty sits higher on the waist with gentle tummy smoothing, a go-to for wearing beneath tailored pieces and fitted silhouettes.

The Lightweight Seamless Microfiber Panty remains the star of the range. Its soft microfiber construction sits flat against the skin, creating an invisible finish under any outfit. A bestseller for ten consecutive years, this fan-favourite now comes in new colours, giving loyal fans a reason to refresh their collection.

The Foundation of Every Outfit

What sits beneath an outfit often sets the tone for the entire day. It’s the layer no one sees but everyone feels, allowing women to move through their routines with confidence, whether at work, running errands, or out with friends.

XIXILI’s decade-long bestseller continues to deliver on that promise. With new colours now available, updating the essentials is as effortless as the panties themselves.

To discover the full panties collection, visit XIXILI’s website to shop online with delivery to Singapore, or find your nearest XIXILI boutique across Malaysia.

https://www.xixili-intimates.com/sg/
https://www.facebook.com/XIXILI.OfficialFanPage/
https://www.instagram.com/xixili_intima/
https://www.tiktok.com/@xixili_intima?
https://www.youtube.com/user/xixilipage

Hashtag: #XIXILI #SGLingerie

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/2026/03/07/from-wardrobe-staple-to-10-year-icon-xixilis-seamless-panties-get-a-colour-update/

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Laser mapping and CT scans reveal North Island’s hidden quake risk

Source: Radio New Zealand

File footage, ESNZ – a diagonal fault offset exposed in a trench. Lloyd Homer

Scientists are uncovering previously unknown fault lines and signs of hidden earthquake activity across the North Island, as new research sheds light on how the ground beneath Aotearoa moves.

Studies are investigating potential faults beneath Auckland, newly identified fault lines in Wairarapa and signs of past shaking preserved in lake sediments near Hamilton.

Principal scientist Dr Graham Leonard from Earth Sciences New Zealand said the work highlighted how much remained unknown about the country’s geology.

“There are many, many thousands of fault lines across Aotearoa,” he told RNZ’s Saturday Morning.

“We’ve really only studied some hundreds of them in detail.”

In Auckland, researchers have identified one to two dozen possible fault structures beneath the city using thousands of underground drill samples originally taken for buildings and infrastructure projects.

Likely faults, possible faults and possible structures identified in the study are superimposed on a shaded relief map of Auckland and plotted alongside Auckland Volcanic Field centres and earthquake epicentres since 1988. Supplied

Scientists plan to dig trenches several metres deep across some of the most likely candidates, including structures near Pukekohe or Drury, to determine whether they are active.

By analysing exposed layers of soil and sediment, researchers can identify where past earthquakes have shifted the ground. Buried material, such as wood or charcoal, can then be carbon-dated to estimate when those quakes occurred.

“If there are bits of wood or leaves or charcoal in there, we can carbon date them,” Leonard said.

“That helps us work out when the earthquake happened and whether the fault has been active in the last 100,000 years.”

In Wairarapa, high-resolution laser mapping known as LiDAR has revealed seven previously unknown faults, including several crossing the Wairarapa Valley.

One of them – the 26-kilometre Pāpāwai Fault – has recently been trenched for the first time.

Scientists found a several-metre-wide disturbance zone, suggesting past earthquake movement may have occurred across multiple smaller fractures rather than a single break.

Further trenching work is planned near Masterton to pin down when earthquakes last occurred there.

Another study in the Hamilton Basin uncovered evidence of past earthquake shaking preserved in lake sediments.

Researchers drilled more than 160 shallow sediment cores from lakes and analysed them using medical CT scanners, allowing them to detect disturbances in layers of mud and volcanic ash caused by strong shaking.

Those disturbances, known as seismites, act as natural records of past earthquakes.

The findings suggest some shaking came from distant faults already known to scientists, but other signals likely came from faults beneath the Hamilton area itself.

Leonard said advances in technology were helping researchers detect previously hidden fault lines.

LiDAR scans landscapes with millions of laser measurements taken from aircraft, allowing scientists to digitally remove vegetation and buildings and reveal subtle steps in the ground that may mark faults.

An example of LiDAR scanning. File photo. ESNZ

Although Auckland and Hamilton experience fewer earthquakes than other parts of the country, Leonard said that did not mean they were immune to major events.

“You can still have a big earthquake anywhere in Aotearoa.”

He pointed to the 1891 Port Waikato earthquake, which shattered windows across Auckland.

Christchurch had shown how damaging earthquakes could strike areas that rarely experience strong shaking, Leonard said.

The fault responsible for the 2011 Christchurch earthquake had been previously unknown and may only rupture every several thousand years.

Research near Taupō is also examining whether earthquakes and volcanic eruptions may influence each other, after scientists found fault movements around the time of the 232AD Taupō eruption.

Leonard said combining studies like these helped improve New Zealand’s seismic hazard models, which inform building standards and risk planning.

“When we bring all these [studies] together, it helps us understand how faults interact with each other and how earthquakes might cluster in space and time.”

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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/laser-mapping-and-ct-scans-reveal-north-islands-hidden-quake-risk/

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Fatality following crash, Dome Valley

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can now confirm the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle involved in a crash in Dome Valley yesterday died at the scene.

The single-vehicle crash was reported to emergency services about 6:45pm.

The road reopened shortly after 9:15pm.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/07/fatality-following-crash-dome-valley/

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Fatal crash, Foxton Shannon Road

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm one person has died following an earlier crash on Foxton Shannon Road.

Emergency services were called to the area around 9:40am to reports of a single motorcycle crash.

Sadly, the rider died at the scene.

The road has just reopened.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

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

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Defence Force plane bound for Middle East to help New Zealanders stranded by conflict

Source: Radio New Zealand

Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J Hercules prepares to leave for the Middle East. Kaye Albyt

A Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J Hercules was expected to depart from Auckland’s Whenuapai air base on Saturday morning for the Middle East to help any New Zealanders who may be stranded by the US-Iran conflict.

But as of 12.30pm, it still had not taken off.

Minister of Defence Judith Collins said the government’s immediate priority was supporting New Zealanders in the Middle East.

“New Zealanders in the region are still being advised to shelter in place, or take any safe and practical opportunities to leave.

“We are preparing a range of contingencies should evacuation operations become possible.”

Collins said Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular staff and two Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J aircraft are being pre-deployed so they “can respond quickly when conditions on the ground allow”.

One of the C-130J Hercules aircraft will depart from Whenuapai on Saturday morning, and is joining another Hercules which Collins said is already in Asia and is being “re-tasked to support this effort”, and is being moved to an “on-going staging location”.

Collins said for security reasons she could not provide specific routes, timings or destinations, but said the aircraft were being positioned to ensure they were ready to assist with any evacuation operations should conditions allow.

Collins also urged New Zealanders in the Middle East to register with Safe Travel to stay updated on evacuation options.

Emirates resumes flights

Emirates said flights were gradually returning to normal after the partial re-opening of airspace in the Middle East.

The airline was running a reduced schedule while it worked to restore its full global network.

It expected to return to full operations in the coming days, depending on airspace availability.

A friend waiting for a New Zealand family coming back from Dubai said they wanted to bring some comfort for their return home.

Michelle Frankham was waiting for her friend at Auckland Airport after what she described as a frightening night in Dubai.

Michelle Frankham (right) and husband Mark Frankham. Pretoria Gordon / RNZ

“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, so we’re just relieved that they’re coming home.”

Around 30,000 passengers were flown out of Dubai on Friday, the airline said.

By Sunday, Emirates expected to operate more than 100 return flights a day to 83 destinations – about 60 percent of its network.

The airline said its full New Zealand service is now running again, with Christchurch handling both inbound and outbound flights to Dubai on Saturday.

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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/defence-force-plane-bound-for-middle-east-to-help-new-zealanders-stranded-by-conflict/

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Bunnings to trial facial recognition tech in Hamilton stores

Source: Radio New Zealand

From next month, two Hamilton stores will set up the technology to test safeguards are working properly. RNZ / Richard Tindiller

Bunnings Warehouse will introduce facial recognition technology (FRT) in its stores across the country in a bid to crack down on high-value theft and serious harm.

From next month, two Hamilton stores will set up the technology to test safeguards are working properly, and it will then be rolled out across the country.

Bunnings manager Melissa Haines said the scale of retail crime was growing, particularly when it came to threatening behaviour by repeat offenders, and showing no sign of stopping.

“Our number one priority is keeping team and customers safe, and we believe that FRT can play an important role in helping to protect people from violence, abuse and intimidation in our stores by repeat offenders.

“The scale of retail crime in New Zealand is accelerating and shows no signs of stopping.”

She said the company had “undertaken a thorough assessment process, with privacy, safety and community expectations at the forefront, and we are taking a phased approach to get this right”.

“FRT gives us a proactive warning when a serious repeat offender enters the store, so we can act before something happens. It adds one more layer to the safety tools we are already using, such as security guards, team member training, body-worn cameras and serious incident response processes.”

Last year three Christchurch supermarkets began trialling FRT, like Bunnings citing regular offenders. Operator Foodstuffs South Island said it would not be used on teenagers, despite people under 18 making up more than half of those deemed a problem.

A study in 2024 found it reduced serious harm in supermarkets by 16 percent.

The Privacy Commissioner in 2025 said facial recognition technology in retail outlets had potential safety benefits, despite raising significant privacy concerns.

Police have been using the technology for years.

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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/bunnings-to-trial-facial-recognition-tech-in-hamilton-stores/

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Road blocked in Otago due to crash

Source: Radio New Zealand

Coast Road, Karitane is blocked due to a crash south of the Otago township. Screenshot/Google Maps

Coast Road, Karitane is blocked due to a crash south of the Otago township.

Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash just south of Marks Road about 9.25am Saturday.

Police said early indications were the crash had caused serious injuries.

The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.

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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/road-blocked-in-otago-due-to-crash/

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Health Concerns – Questions over dilapidated and cramped renal unit forced to ration dialysis – NZNO

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

The Health Minister must explain why after years of concerns from nurses about Christchurch Hospital’s barely functioning dialysis unit, he only stepped in late yesterday when life-saving treatment had to be rationed, NZNO says.
Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) Chief Executive Paul Goulter says NZNO members have been raising concerns about the dilapidated and cramped dialysis unit for “a number of years”.
“These issues have been well-known by hospital leadership. In their most recent letter, (attached) NZNO members warned ‘the current conditions pose a serious risk to both patient safety and staff wellbeing’.
“The mouldy and leaking unit has never been refurbished and increasing demand last month forced the Clinical Director to write to patients saying life-saving dialysis would have to be rationed,” Paul Goulter says.
“However, it was only yesterday when 1 News started asking looking into the issue that Simeon Brown stepped in and ordered more staff for the unit.
“Questions remain unaddressed about how the new staff will fit in the unit which is so tiny there is no room for existing staff to even leave their bags in their workspace.
“The Minister’s announcement was so rushed it seemed to catch Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury off guard.
“Simeon Brown claims to put patients first and values nurses. If this is true, he should listen to health workers rather than manage the public health sector based on the 6pm television news bulletin,” Paul Goulter says. 

LiveNews: https://enz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/06/health-concerns-questions-over-dilapidated-and-cramped-renal-unit-forced-to-ration-dialysis-nzno/

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Foxton Shannon Road closed after crash

Source: Radio New Zealand

Foxton Shannon Road. Google Maps

The road linking Manawatū towns Foxton and Shannon has been closed after a serious crash.

Police said the single-vehicle accident happened between Himatangi Block Road and Poplar Road at around 9.40am on Saturday.

Early indications were that someone suffered a serious injury.

“The Serious Crash Unit has been advised, and motorists are advised to take diversions,” police said in a statement.

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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/foxton-shannon-road-closed-after-crash/

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Fronts expected to bring heavy rain to deep south

Source: Radio New Zealand

MetService issued heavy rain watches for parts of the South Island. Screenshot/MetService

A yellow heavy rain watch has been issued for parts of Fiordland, southern Westland and Southland.

MetService issued the watches on Saturday morning as a slow moving front is expected to bring heavy rain to Fiordland and far southern Westland.

Another front is expected to bring heavy rain to Fiordland from early Sunday, and a period of heavy rain is then also expected to affect inland Southland.

The watches are for Westland about and south of Haast from 9am to 9pm Saturday, Fiordland about and north of Doubtful Sound from 9am Saturday to 9pm Sunday, and for Southland from 7am to 7pm Sunday.

All three watches have a moderate chance of upgrading to a warning.

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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/fronts-expected-to-bring-heavy-rain-to-deep-south/

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Moa Point disaster exposes deeper problems, public health experts warn

Source: Radio New Zealand

Lyall Bay beach and the rest of Wellington’s south coast has been off limits since the Moa Point treatment plant failed on 4 February. RNZ / Krystal Gibbens

Public health experts are warning the catastrophic failure of Wellington’s Moa Point wastewater treatment plant exposes deep, systemic problems with New Zealand’s infrastructure management.

Early last month a blockage in the plant’s outfall pipe led to a backflow of sewage into the plant, shutting it down and forcing the closure of beaches along the city’s South Coast as up to 70 million litres of untreated sewage was sent into the sea each day.

The University of Otago’s Public Health Communication Centre said the failure was a severe example of problems already affecting systems across Aotearoa.

It said Water New Zealand’s latest performance review recorded more than 3000 sewage overflows nationwide, though the true number was likely higher because reporting had historically been inconsistent.

It also found about 20 percent of the country’s 334 publicly run wastewater treatment plants were operating with expired resource consents, meaning they may not meet current best-practice standards or have robust monitoring in place.

If the inquiry into the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant was too narrow, the risk was only learning lessons about Moa Point and not systems across New Zealand, Marnie Pricket said. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

University of Otago research fellow Marnie Pricket said responsibility for water services was spread across multiple organisations, including the national regulator Taumata Arowai, regional councils, local councils and central government ministers.

Pricket said the complexity of that system made accountability unclear when things went wrong.

“For example, Taumata Arowai has oversight of water services but doesn’t currently have the legislative tools to intervene if regional councils fail to regulate wastewater discharges effectively.”

Poor wastewater management posed risks to both human and environmental health, including exposure to raw sewage, contamination of drinking water sources and polluted shellfish beds, she said.

Ageing infrastructure and climate change were also likely to increase the risk of failures in the future.

The government announced a Crown Review Team would investigate the failure under the Local Government Act 2002. But Prickett said that process appeared to focus largely on the role of Wellington City Council, which could limit its ability to investigate the full range of issues affecting wastewater management across the country.

“The drivers of poor wastewater management are much broader than a single council,” she said. “They include policy and investment decisions, workforce limitations, problems with data quality, governance issues, and unclear roles and accountability across agencies.”

The upcoming Crown inquiry must examine not just the immediate cause of the breakdown, but the wider drivers behind wastewater failures nationwide, Prickett said.

“If the inquiry is too narrow, we risk learning lessons only about Moa Point,” she said.

“But this is a national issue, and the inquiry should help us understand how to improve wastewater management across the country.”

The review should follow the model used after the 2016 Havelock North campylobacter outbreak, she said.

“The value of the Havelock North inquiry was that it looked at the specific outbreak, but it also examined the broader drivers of poor drinking water across the country.

“That meant the lessons could be applied nationally. That’s what we’re hoping for with the Moa Point inquiry.”

Local Government Minister Simon Watts was 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://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/07/moa-point-disaster-exposes-deeper-problems-public-health-experts-warn/

Posted on

Serious crash, Coast Road, Karitane – road blocked

Source: New Zealand Police

Coast Road, Karitane is blocked due to a crash south of the Otago township.

Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash just south of Marks Road about 9:25am today.

Indications are there is serious injury involved.

The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.

ENDS

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

Posted on

Foxton Shannon Road closed due to serious crash

Source: New Zealand Police

Foxton Shannon Road is blocked following a serious crash involving a single vehicle.

Emergency services were called to the area, between Himatangi Block Road and Poplar Road, around 9:40am.

Indications are there is serious injury.

The Serious Crash Unit has been advised, and motorists are advised to take diversions.

ENDS

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/07/foxton-shannon-road-closed-due-to-serious-crash/

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Defence Force plane leaves for Middle East to help New Zealanders stranded by conflict

Source: Radio New Zealand

Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J Hercules prepares to leave for the Middle East. Kaye Albyt

A Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J Hercules is set to depart from Auckland’s Whenuapai air base on Saturday morning for the Middle East to help any New Zealanders who may be stranded by the US-Iran conflict.

Minister of Defence Judith Collins said the government’s immediate priority is supporting New Zealanders in the Middle East.

“New Zealanders in the region are still being advised to shelter in place, or take any safe and practical opportunities to leave.

“We are preparing a range of contingencies should evacuation operations become possible.”

Collins said Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular staff and two Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J aircraft are being pre-deployed so they “can respond quickly when conditions on the ground allow”.

One of the C-130J Hercules aircraft will depart from Whenuapai on Saturday morning, and is joining another Hercules which Collins said is already in Asia and is being “re-tasked to support this effort”, and is being moved to an “on-going staging location”.

Collins said for security reasons she could not provide specific routes, timings or destinations, but said the aircraft were being positioned to ensure they were ready to assist with any evacuation operations should conditions allow.

Collins also urged New Zealanders in the Middle East to register with Safe Travel to stay updated on evacuation options.

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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/defence-force-plane-leaves-for-middle-east-to-help-new-zealanders-stranded-by-conflict/

Posted on

Person dies in single-vehicle crash in Kaipara

Source: Radio New Zealand

One person has died after a crash on Paparoa Valley Road. Screenshot/Google Maps

One person is dead and another has moderate injuries after a single-vehicle crash in Paparoa, Kaipara District.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Paparoa Valley Road and Franklin Road at 12.35am on Saturday, after a vehicle had gone down a bank into a stream.

Police said a member of the public performed CPR before emergency services arrived, but one of the car’s occupants died at the scene.

The other was taken to hospital in moderate condition.

The Serious Crash Unit is investigating.

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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/person-dies-in-single-vehicle-crash-in-kaipara/

Posted on

PHOTOS – Sky Tower in blue to honour fallen police officers

Source: New Zealand Police

Media are welcome to publish the attached images, taken last night to commemorate INTERPOL-led International Day of Remembrance for Fallen Police Officers, recognising the thousands of police officers worldwide who lose their lives each year in the course of duty.

Images are available on request from media@police.govt.nz 

For more information, see media release issued yesterday – https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/sky-tower-blue-honour-fallen-pol…

ENDS

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/07/photos-sky-tower-in-blue-to-honour-fallen-police-officers/