Category: LiveNews

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Can psychopaths change?

Source: Radio New Zealand

Psychopaths might account for only about 1 percent of the general population, but they account for a disproportionate share of violent crime.

Distinct from other conditions like sociopathy and antisocial personality disorder, psychopaths tend to show traits such as an absence of remorse or guilt, a lack of empathy and a charming and manipulative interpersonal style.

You may find it hard to imagine how someone without much empathy can change. And early psychological treatments were not successful. But advances in research are showing that a deeper understanding of psychopathy may help to create more effective interventions.

To help psychopaths change, we first need to understand them.

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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/2026/03/08/can-psychopaths-change/

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First shore plover fledgling born on Pitt Island in 150 years

Source: Radio New Zealand

Shore plover fledgling banded on Pitt Island. Supplied / Department of Conservation

The Shore Plover Recovery Group has confirmed the first fledgling of the bird from Pitt Island in 150 years.

Pitt Island is the second largest of the Chatham Islands, which the shore plover – also known as the tūturuatu in te reo Māori, or tchūriwat’ in ta rē Moriori (Moriori language) – are native to.

There is a population of 250, which live in Māngere and Rangatira, as well as on Portland Island – south of Māhia Peninsula in Hawke’s Bay.

A shore plover in Māngere. Supplied / Department of Conservation

The fledgling is a result of a feral cat control programme to increase the population by the community living on Pitt Island.

Chairman Dave Houston said feral cats had eliminated the population on Pitt Island, as well as the mainland of New Zealand, in the 1870s.

But the programme allowed the shore plover to breed and for their chicks to survive after hatching, Houston said.

“The community were really engaged in that during the Jobs for Nature period after Covid.”

Shore plover. Supplied / Department of Conservation

Houston hoped for another fledging next year.

“It really depends on the cats on Pitt Island.

“We need sustained cat control to continue, or even better, to have the feral cats eradicated from the island.

“That’s a bit of a long term project, but it’s sort of a glimpse of what could be if we could have cats eradicated and get double the shore plover population, so go from the current 250 birds in the total world population to maybe 500 or more. That’d be great.”

Shore plover fledgling banded on Pitt Island. Supplied / Department of Conservation

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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/2026/03/08/first-shore-plover-fledgling-born-on-pitt-island-in-150-years/

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Why do high earners get the pension? – Ask Susan

Source: Radio New Zealand

Got questions? RNZ has launched a new podcast, [ https://www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/no-stupid-questions No Stupid Questions’], with Susan Edmunds.

We’d love to hear more of your questions about money and the economy. You can send through written questions, like these ones, but even better, you can drop us a voice memo to our email questions@rnz.co.nz.

You can also sign up to RNZ’s new money newsletter, [ https://rnz.us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=211a938dcf3e634ba2427dde9&id=b4c9a30ed6 ‘Money with Susan Edmunds’.]

With all the talk about the country not being able to support the pension scheme I am at a loss as to why pensions are paid out to people who continue to work fulltime after they turn 65. I stopped work because of ill health but would otherwise have happily worked another 10 years. I would not have expected a pension and I have many working friends who take it simply because it is given to them, but don’t need it. Am I missing something here?

I don’t think so. While there is no shortage of people who argue that they are entitled to it no matter what, I think there is a growing number who question the fairness of people on very high incomes being paid NZ Super.

Last year, I reported on the fact that more than 9000 people aged over 65 earn more than $200,000 and are eligible to claim NZ Super, too.

While they would pay tax on their pension, and some of it would go back to the government that way, the retirement commissioner said it was fair to question the fairness of it.

Some people may be working because they have to – I know some people use the years when they might be getting the pension and a salary as an opportunity to shore up their savings so they can afford to retire.

It might be less desirable to reduce their entitlement. But I personally think it would serve us all to be more willing to at least have the conversation.

Sir Ian Taylor has been promoting Share My Super, an organisation that allows pensioners to donate part or all of it to charity, if they do not need the money.

Can a KiwiSaver account be used to fund a first home outside New Zealand?

If you are planning to leave New Zealand to go and live in another country, then probably – unless you’re going to Australia.

Once people have been out of New Zealand for more than a year, they can apply to withdraw all their KiwiSaver money, apart from the government contribution, by saying they have permanently emigrated. You could then use it to buy a house or for whatever purpose you liked.

If you’re moving to Australia, it’s more tricky. You can only move your KiwiSaver to an Australian superannuation savings account. There isn’t the same ability to withdraw for a first home there, although there is a “first home super saver scheme” that allows people to withdraw voluntary contributions to help buy their first home.

From what I understand, not all Australian super schemes offer this and you can only use $15,000 of your KiwiSaver money in this way.

If you’re staying in New Zealand then you can’t use the money to buy a house anywhere else because you need to be planning to live in it.

Sign up for Money with Susan Edmunds, a weekly newsletter covering all the things that affect how we make, spend and invest money.

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

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/08/why-do-high-earners-get-the-pension-ask-susan/

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New Zealand’s Corey Peters 5th in men’s downhill sitting at Paralympic Winter Games

Source: Radio New Zealand

Corey Peters was the defending champion from the Beijing Games four years ago. PHOTOSPORT

Four-time Paralympic medalist Corey Peters has finished out of the medals in the men’s downhill sitting in his first Winter Paralympic Games event at Milano Cortina.

The 42-year-old Kiwi was unable to defend the title he won in Beijing in 2022.

Peters made a couple of costly errors but twice managed to make a miraculous recovery to stay upright and record a time of 1:20.89.

“I feel disappointed. We work pretty hard over a number of years, and a lot of dedication and sacrifice goes into it. Unfortunately, conditions did not really gel with me today and I didn’t adapt,” Peters said, who was second out of the start gate.

“Fifth was definitely not what I was looking for with downhill being one of my better events.”

Norwegian Jesper Pedersen, the silver medallist from four years ago, produced a slick run down the Olimpia delle Tofane to register 1:18.14 to strike gold.

Niels de Langen of the Netherlands claimed silver – some 1.10 further back – with Canada’s Kurt Oatway filling the final podium spot in bronze (1:19.42).

Competing in warm temperatures of around 9C and softening snow conditions, 11 of the field of 23 registered DNF’s including Dutchman Jeroen Kampschreur, the quickest man in both training runs.

Peters continues his quest at the Milano Cortina Games when he competes in the Men’s Super-G Sitting on Monday.

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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/2026/03/08/new-zealands-corey-peters-5th-in-mens-downhill-sitting-at-paralympic-winter-games/

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World-leading neurobiologist: Science means it’s not okay for me to hate Donald Trump

Source: Radio New Zealand

In his latest book, Determined, Robert Sapolsky argues that we are not, in fact, masters of our own destiny. Everything we think and do is beyond our control and caused by a combination of biology and environment.

The Stanford University professor was just 14 when one “very revelatory night”, he realised that humans have no free will at all.

“Suddenly, I woke up at two in the morning and said, ‘Ah, I get it. There’s no free will. And there’s no God. And there’s no purpose in the universe whatsoever.’ It all just evaporated right then and hasn’t been back since.”

This video is hosted on Youtube.

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

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/08/world-leading-neurobiologist-science-means-its-not-okay-for-me-to-hate-donald-trump/

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Plan to release parasitic worm on invasive millipede horde

Source: Radio New Zealand

A portuguese millipede. RNZ/Mary Argue

A reinfestation of invasive millipedes, crawling out of the soil and into homes, is sending residents of Wellington’s south coast to arm themselves against the bugs.

The alarm was sounded about the portuguese millipede almost a year ago, with stories of people finding hundreds of the scaly black creatures outside or inside bags, shoes and even beds.

Since then, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has identified the species in New Plymouth and Nelson – and while it is considered a nuisance, it’s not classified as a pest species and doesn’t meet the threshold for official control measures.

However residents hope to fight back, and are pinning their hopes on a tiny parasitic worm to suppress millipede numbers.

The microscopic nematode wriggles inside its host, where it reproduces. Eventually the nematode offspring become so numerous they burst out of the host’s body, killing it.

A newcomer to Ōwhiro Bay told RNZ he planned to unleash an “aggressive” species of the nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, in addition to barrier sprays and insecticides.

“At this point there’s less concrete more millipedes as I step out of the house. They’re just pouring out of the soil – [it’s] probably got to do with the [recent] rainfall.

“It’s essentially like a millipede graveyard right now.”

He said he was aware of the millipedes before he moved, so was prepared, but the “volume, and the speed” of their emergence was “alarming”.

He hoped his experiment could potentially benefit others and if successful, “nip the problem in the bud”.

A trial of the nematode Steinernema feltiae as a biocontrol agent for the millipede is currently underway at Victoria University – results are expected in a few weeks’ time, but those plagued by the millipedes aren’t waiting.

Another Ōwhiro Bay resident, who had already sprayed the species of microscopic worm told RNZ their place was one of several houses on the street planning to use it.

“We … haven’t seen any effect yet. But that’s to be expected – it’s a long term thing.”

They said the millipedes were already appearing as numbers tended to surge in autumn and spring.

“They’ve started turning up – you’ll see 10, then the next day you’ll see 20, 30, and then before you know it, they’re just … everywhere.

“If I actually counted them up there’d be a couple of hundred outside and then maybe 10 or 20 inside.

“I’m prepared that they’re going to get worse for a while, before they get better.”

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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/2026/03/08/plan-to-release-parasitic-worm-on-invasive-millipede-horde/

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White Sox great and Olympian Rhonda Hira calls for greater recognition of softball

Source: Radio New Zealand

Rhonda Hira in action for the White Sox against Japan in 2000. PHOTOSPORT

Rhonda Hira (Waikato Tainui, Ngāti Tipa) has long secured her place in New Zealand softball history.

A five-time world championship representative, Olympian and New Zealand player of the decade from 1997-2006, Hira is widely regarded as one of the greatest White Sox to wear the fern.

Now, she says former players like herself have a responsibility to be more visible and help guide the game forward.

Raised in Hawke’s Bay, before settling in Christchurch nearly 40 years ago, Hira’s softball journey began with a newspaper article she read as a kōtiro.

“I was only like eight at the time and I was reading an article about a women’s team going to the World Series in South America,” she told RNZ.

“I thought, ‘Oh, I’d love to do that myself’.”

NZ White Sox representatives. Softball New Zealand

That early spark turned into a near 20-year international career. Hira debuted for New Zealand in 1983 and went on to represent the White Sox at five world championships – Auckland in 1986, Normal, Illinois in 1990, St John’s in 1994, Fukushima in 1998 and Saskatoon in 2002.

She also reached what she describes as the pinnacle of any sporting career – the Olympic Games – where the White Sox placed sixth. At Sydney 2000, she was New Zealand’s top batter.

“To be in that realm with your own people is something to aspire to,” she said, reflecting on the strong Māori and Pasifika representation within the New Zealand team at those Games.

Her most memorable campaign was the 1990 world championship final – which was never played – against the United States. A single round-robin result meant New Zealand needed a near-perfect performance to claim gold.

The gold medal game was rained out, which led to the United States claiming gold for the highest round-robin standing. 

“One run cost us 10 runs to actually win the tournament,” she said. “That’s a memory in itself.”

According to the latest rankings from the World Baseball Softball Confederation, New Zealand’s women are currently ranked 23rd.

It marks a shift from the White Sox teams of Hira’s era, who were regular podium contenders. New Zealand won the world championship in 1982, and claimed bronze in 1986 and silver in 1990.

As recently as 2016, the side was ranked eighth globally.

Softball’s Olympic status has also shifted over time. The women’s game featured at the Olympic Games from 1996-2008, before returning at Tokyo 2020.

It will again appear at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, with six teams to qualify through a series of global and continental tournaments. Host nation United States automatically secures one place.

Rhonda Hira in action for the White Sox against Australia in 2000. PHOTOSPORT

Hira said, throughout her softball career, resources were limited. Programmes were handwritten on a single A4 sheet and training tools were improvised from household items.

“When I was making my way to being a White Sox, it was more of dedication to the sport and the commitment,” she said.

“We utilised a lot of resources we had in the home, like your can of spaghetti tied around a rope just to strengthen the wrists,” she laughed.

Today’s athletes had access to far more support, Hira said, but she believed the core principle had not changed.

“The real dedication is what you put into it is what you’ll get back.”

Softball in Aotearoa now has a membership base made up of about 60 percent Māori and Pasifika players. Hira said that connection wasn’t an accident.

“What draws our indigenous people to this game is that it’s community driven,” she said. “You don’t know until you actually play with somebody else that you think, ‘Oh, they’re from the same area. Why is that?’, so there’s that connection.”

She described softball as strategic, percentage-based and a whānau sport, where every player has a role to perform.

“It creates lifelong friendships. The camaraderie amongst those that have gone and those that are present is unbreakable.”

NZ White Sox Olympic team 2000. Supplied

While proud of what her generation achieved, Hira said visibility from former internationals was crucial to the sport’s future.

“Players like myself need to be a little bit more visible, so these players are able to say, ‘Well, that’s so-and-so and she went to so-and-so’, and maybe can approach these players that have been there and done that.”

She believed the softball brand was strong enough to demand more recognition nationally and internationally.

“It’s a brand that can be marketed. It has that support not only within the community, but at a higher stage as well.”

With Olympic qualifiers and junior world events on the horizon, Hira’s message to the next generation was to work hard.

“The resources that are available to you, use them well. The coaches that you have believe in the game that they’re trying to get you to play.

“If it’s not working, park it. It’ll be something you can use when it actually does come to fruition.”

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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/2026/03/08/white-sox-great-and-olympian-rhonda-hira-calls-for-greater-recognition-of-softball/

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Universities – $5.1 million grant to eliminate cervical cancer in Pacific region – UoA

Source: University of Auckland – UoA

Pacific-led initiatives set to eliminate cervical cancer across the Pacific

Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa – Centre for Pacific and Global Health at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, and its Pacific partners, are supporting the rollout of safe initiatives across the Pacific that are proven to prevent cervical cancer and save lives.

Cervical cancer is a largely preventable disease but remains a leading cause of cancer death among Pacific women. In parts of the Pacific, incidence rates are up to nine times higher than in Australasia.

The Matariki Fund, administered by Rt Hon Dame Jacinda Ardern, is supporting the programme by expanding access to new and existing locally led cancer prevention initiatives for more people across the Pacific.

This new partnership enables a new Pacific-led and coordinated programme of work that:

  • Increases HPV vaccination coverage to reach at least 90% of girls. 
  • Expands access to cervical self-testing to achieve at least 70% of eligible women
  • Facilitates timely diagnostics to enable treatment for pre-cancerous lesions and invasive cancer
  • Establishes a coalition of Pacific women leaders to lead workforce and capability development, including digital and health system infrastructure.

The programme made possible through a NZ$5.1 million grant by the Matariki Fund, and active work of other partners in the region, will begin with a focus on the Cook Islands and Niue before being scaled up across the region.

Cervical cancer can be prevented through HPV vaccination, regular screening and timely diagnosis and treatment. Yet access to these services remains uneven across the Pacific. This new investment provides a critical opportunity to align national programmes, regional partners, and women leaders around a common goal towards elimination.

The initiative will work alongside successful existing regional programmes, including the EPICC programme (funded by the Australian Government and the Minderoo Foundation) and the Polynesian Health Corridors (PHC) (managed by the New Zealand Ministry of Health and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade).

Together, these partnerships will help scale effective interventions, reduce duplication, and strengthen regional health systems.

Aligning with the WHO Global Strategy to Eliminate Cervical Cancer the initiative aims to support countries to achieve the “90–70–90” targets by 2030 — a threshold at which elimination becomes possible.  In practice, this means aiming to achieving 90% of girls aged 15 years receiving the HPV vaccine, 70% of women screened by age 35 years, and again at 45 years; and 90% of women with pre-cancer and invasive cancers treated.

Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga, Co-Director of Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa, says the funding is a gamechanger for regional collaboration.

“Cervical cancer is preventable, yet too many Pacific women continue to die from it. This investment allows Pacific countries to work together — sharing expertise, strengthening systems, and supporting women leaders — to achieve elimination.”

Pacific women will be at the forefront of the initiative, working in partnership with Te Marae Ora (Cook Islands), the Niue Department of Health, and regional organisations.

Professor Judith McCool, Head of the School of Population Health and Co-Director of Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa, says the funding enables sustainable, system-level change.

“This grant allows us to move beyond isolated interventions to a truly collaborative, Pacific-led approach. By strengthening leadership, governance, and regional partnerships, we are building the foundations for long-term health equity.”

Rt. Hon. Dame Jacinda Ardern says:
“Pacific women are disproportionately affected by a disease that can be eliminated. There is such excellent leadership within the region – this funding is simply about supporting them to save lives with solutions that should be available to everyone.”
 
Total investment: NZ$5,097,210
Duration: 2026–2031
Lead organisation: Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa, Centre for Pacific and Global Health – University of Auckland

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/08/universities-5-1-million-grant-to-eliminate-cervical-cancer-in-pacific-region-uoa/

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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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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/