Source: New Zealand Police
Winding Creek Road in Southland is blocked following a single-vehicle crash.
The crash was reported to emergency services around 12.40am.
Injuries are reported.
The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.
Motorists should avoid the road as emergency services work the scene or delay travel.
The road is expected to be blocked for most of the day.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/22/winding-creek-road-blocked-southland/
Source: New Zealand Police
Leet Street in Invercargill is closed following a single-vehicle crash that occurred around 3am.
The Serious Crash Unit has been advised, and the road is expected to remain closed for most of the day while emergency services work at the scene.
Diversions are in place, and motorists should account for extra travel time.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/22/leet-street-closed-invercargill/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Traffic was blocked in northbound lanes on the South-Western Motorway, SH20, at Onehunga, on Sunday morning. Supplied/ NZTA traffic camera
A crash has blocked lanes on Auckland’s Southwestern Motorway at Onehunga, and northbound drivers are being warned to take another route.
Two vehicles were involved in the crash on State Highway 20, police said.
One person had serious injuries and two were moderately injured.
“Motorists are advised to avoid the northbound motorway at this time, or delay travel,” they said.
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said the Queenstown Road offramp was closed as a result of the crash. Motorists should instead use the Hillsborough offramp.
“Allow extra time for diversions. Please follow the directions of emergency services,” NZTA said.
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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/22/crash-blocks-lanes-on-aucklands-southwestern-motorway/
Source: New Zealand Police
A two-vehicle crash on the South-Western Motorway has blocked lanes for motorists heading north.
The crash was reported to Police about 6.15am.
One person has serious injuries. Two have moderate injuries.
Motorists are advised to avoid the northbound motorway at this time, or delay travel.
ENDS
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/22/serious-crash-lanes-blocked-south-western-motorway-onehunga/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Mitch Barnett returned to the Warrior side against Newcastle Knights. David Neilson/Photosport
Analysis – Skipper Mitch Barnett’s comeback from season-ending knee injury has helped inspire his NZ Warriors to their best NRL start in eight years and second-best in history.
After losing three of last week’s starters, coach Andrew Webster was able to pull a few rabbits out of his hat to cover their absences – including two debuts and the return of an old favourite.
In his final season with the Warriors, Barnett, 31, was held out of the opening two games of the 2026 campaign as a precaution, but his arrival onto his old stomping ground of McDonald Jones Stadium helped boost his side when they needed it most.
“Awesome,” Webster confirmed. “He laid on that try for Jacko and it was nice to hear the Knights fans give him a cheer too.
“It was good to have him back. The last three weeks, he’s made life pretty hard for everyone at training, running hard and tackling like crazy.
“He’ll play more minutes in coming weeks and had to move him to edge-back row, where he did a great job.”
Barnett’s addition to the rotation will cause Webster some headaches over coming weeks, as he tries to balance his team’s winning momentum with the inclusion of their spiritual leader.
Here’s what we learnt from the 38-12 win over the Knights.
Hard to go past Dally M Medal leader Jackson Ford, who must surely take maximum points again from his 100th NRL appearance.
For the second time this season, he led the Warriors in both running metres (236) and tackles (44) – he led them in tackles for the third time – while also scoring his second try of the season.
Ford already paced the competition in post-contact metres, but chalked up 96 more in this performance, while slotting the first goal of his career, with the conversion of Luke Hanson’s last-gasp try.
“I didn’t get to see it, but I hear it was pretty cool,” Webster said. “He’s getting a lot of praise at the moment and he deserves it, but we’ve been celebrating him internally for a long time now.
“I’m glad everyone’s finally seeing it.”
Webster has a selection dilemma on his hand, now that Barnett is back to reclaim his No.10 jersey.
Despite Barnett’s return, Ford never left the field, after logging 70 minutes-plus in the two previous games.
Jackson Ford celebrates his 100th NRL game with ‘Mahi Mark’. David Neilson/Photosport
With a motor that big, maybe you keep Barnett on the interchange, tag-teaming with fellow skipper James Fisher-Harris and keeping the veterans fresh for a late-season charge.
Webster has a similar predicament at halfback, where Tanah Boyd produced another sterling performance, scoring his third try in as many games, laying on two try assists, breaking the line twice and assisting on another linebreak.
Only Ford’s form has robbed Boyd of more Dally M love, as he led his team with 87 Fantasy NRL points, and his dominance will make it hard for Webster to drop him, when Luke Metcalf becomes available next month.
Fisher-Harris continued his fine early-season touch, while lock Erin Clark is back to where he left off last season, when he was Dally M Lock of the Year.
With halftime looming, the Warrior only led 12-6, but were on the right side of a heavy penalty count.
Referee Liam Kennedy had warned the Knights for their repeated infringement at the previous kickoff and finally snapped, when fullback Fletcher Hunt strayed offside near his own goal-line.
With Hunt in the bin, the Warriors needed to capitalise on their numerical advantage and did that, when debutant Luke Hanson put makeshift centre Leka Halasima across for a try and an 18-6 advantage at the break.
Last time Halasima appeared at this venue, he broke Knights’ hearts with his last-minute gamewinner – this one almost as important.
Halasima has now scored four tries in three games and doesn’t seem to care where he does it from – off the interchange, from the second row or the midfield.
The Warriors piled on 30 consecutive points, before the Knights could catch their breath, effectively ending the contest with 20 minutes still remaining.
That’s become a bit of trend this season.
Two weeks ago, they were 6-6 with Sydney Roosters, before unleashing 22 points either side of halfway to build an unassailable lead.
Last week, they conceded the first try to Canberra Raiders, before a 40-point avalanche that buried their opponents.
Again, so many to choose from.
Was it Barnett’s assist to Ford in the latter’s 100th game or Clark’s first for the Warriors in his 29th outing?
Let’s give it to the final flourish, where wing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak gathered a desperate Knights kick after the final siren and offloaded to fullback Taine Tuaupiki, who was a threat every time he touched the ball all night.
Tuaupiki burnt the Knights defence and had the tryline open, but heard the call from Hanson in support and threw a pass that had his mate sidestepping the goalpost to score.
Luke Hanson and Taine Tuaupiki celebrate their last-gasp try against Newcastle. David Neilson/Photosport
Hanson was able to celebrate his arrival in top grade appropriately, with Ford’s conversion the cherry on top.
Should first-grade be this much fun?
While Hanson enjoyed a dream debut, the same couldn’t be said for Englishman Morgan Gannon, who lasted less than five minutes, before knocking himself out in a tackle and leaving with concussion.
He will sit out next week, but the Warriors seemed to escape any further casualties.
Hooker Wayde Egan left for a head check midway through the second half, but he was probably due for replacement anyway and returned for the final 10 minutes to close out the game.
There will be a few sore bodies on Sunday and maybe a little concern over Boyd, who was collected in a heavy tackle, as he kicked across the field late. Knights front-rower Trey Mooney was sent to the bin and Boyd walked off what will hopefully prove nothing more than a cork to his leg.
Tuaupiki and Fisher-Harris also stayed down after tackles, and Ford copped an elbow from Dane Gagai to the head, but all remained on the field afterwards.
Barnett seemed to come through 36 minutes without incident, entering the action after 25 minutes and leaving 20 minutes into the second half.
Presumably, fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita will be off concussion protocols and available next week, but second-rower Kurt Capewell’s calf will likely keep him sidelined for a few more weeks yet.
Centre Adam Pompey had his attendance record blemished, when he stayed in Auckland on babywatch. He’ll surely be back next week.
Apparently, Knights coach Justin Holbrook was not impressed with the first-half refereeing and the final penalty count was 11-4 against, with two players sin-binned and three on report.
“I’m not a referee and, if that’s the way he sees it, it’s up to us to fix it,” he offered diplomatically afterwards.
“We haven’t had an issue with it until today, we got it wrong and paid the price for it.”
That’s also become a bit of a trend for the Warriors this season.
Two weeks ago, Roosters coach Trent Robinson seethed over the 11-4 count against his team and the NRL refs almost seem to be making up for all those years that the Warriors have suffered from suspect officiating.
Morgan Gannon’s NRL debut ends early with concussion. David Neilson/Photosport
Newcastle were also unbeaten over their opening two games, emulating last season’s start, when they lost their final nine games and ultimately took the wooden spoon.
“It wasn’t good obviously,” reflected Holbrook. “We played two really good games to start the year, but we were poor with the ball today and made some really basic errors.
“Our skill was poor and obviously our discipline, and you make the game really hard against an opposition that did the opposite of that. We had a tough afternoon.”
They have problems without injured stars Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Brown, and may lose more to judiciary next week.
Newcastle face another daunting challenge next Saturday, when they travel to unbeaten Canterbury Bulldogs.
Don’t look now, but the Warriors are top of the table, baby!
OK, still only week three, but they have a points differential advantage over Penrith Panthers, while Melbourne Storm’s loss to Brisbane Broncos sees them slide a step behind.
The only team that could have topped them this weekend were – incredibly – Wests Tigers, who needed a 56-point win over South Sydney Rabbitohs. They couldn’t manage that.
This is just the second time in club history the Warriors have reeled off three wins to start their season – they managed five straight to start the 2018 campaign.
One hundred-and-twenty points across three games make them the most potent attack in the competition. That’s also the most they’ve ever scored in their opening three games.
Next Friday, the Warriors will host the Tigers, whom they have beaten in their last nine encounters.
After several years of mediocrity, Kiwi legend Benji Marshall has dragged Wests off the bottom of the competition, finishing 13th last season.
They started this season with a bye and a promising 44-16 win over North Queensland Cowboys that convinced many they may be playoff contenders.
On Saturday night, South Sydney Rabbitohs dented that perception, with a thrilling 20-16 win over the Tigers, who also lost halves Jarome Luai and Adam Doueihi to injury.
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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/2026/03/22/nrl-what-we-learnt-from-nz-warriors-win-over-newcastle-knights/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Winston Peters. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Winston Peters will be making his State of the Nation address in Tauranga on Sunday, purposely timed after the release of the quarterly GDP figures.
It also comes off the back of heavy questioning by the New Zealand First leader about the previous Labour government’s decisions during the Covid-19 pandemic, following the release of the second phase of the royal commission of inquiry.
Peters has been accusing Labour ministers of not passing on critical vaccine information to the public, which Labour strongly denies.
Currently, NZ First is trending upward in the polls. In the latest RNZ Reid Research poll, the party sat at 9.8 percent in the party vote, which would result in 12 seats in parliament – four more than what it currently holds.
Peters was third in the preferred prime minister ranking, at 12.6 percent. Labour’s Chris Hipkins was at 21.1 percent, with Christopher Luxon on 19.4 percent.
Last year, Peters faced disruptions from hecklers during his State of the Nation speech to a packed crowd on a range of topics, including the “war on woke”, diversity targets, water fluoridation and the Paris Climate Agreement.
This year, it was expected Peters would address the cost of living and the state of the economy, as well as make an election policy announcement.
Recently at Parliament, he said he would not make his State of the Nation speech until after the GDP figures were released. He noted other party leaders were premature making their speeches before this information was available.
On Thursday, Stats NZ data showed gross domestic product (GDP), the broad measure of economic growth, rose an anaemic 0.2 percent in the three months ended December, to be 1.3 percent higher than a year ago. On an annual average basis, the economy grew 0.2 percent over the year.
Expectations were for quarterly growth in a range of 0.2 to 0.5 percent, although the growth of the previous quarter was revised lower to 0.9 percent from 1.1 percent.
Late last year, Peters signalled he was willing to criticise his coalition partners after he savaged National’s suggestion of asset sales as a “tawdry silly argument”, which he said it was falling back on after having failed to fix the economy fast enough.
“Because they’ve failed to run the economy properly, they want to go to the assets of a time when the country was run properly, when we were number two in the world and built up by our forefathers and to start to flog those off … to so-called balance their books,” Peters said.
The recent attack on Iran by the United States and Israel had the government monitoring developments, along with how fuel and supply chains could be disrupted in New Zealand.
And last week the finance minister indicated the worst-case scenario Treasury had outlined was a rise in inflation to 3.7 percent.
Peters will likely address the global instability, and how that will impact New Zealanders.
He will also likely take a swipe at the opposition. In 2024, Peters used roughly half of his State of the Nation speech to criticise the previous Labour government, along with the media and the Green Party, before outlining New Zealand First’s plans for the country.
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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/22/new-zealand-first-leader-winston-peters-to-make-state-of-the-nation-speech/
Source: Radio New Zealand
With each passing year, Kim Gordon grows more impressive. A fearless talent devoted to the avant garde who refuses to soften her artistic impulses, she’s not just releasing music into her 70s, but music that’s as challenging as her old band Sonic Youth were during their heyday.
There’s no denying Play Me is slight when compared to her 2025 release The Collective (it very much comes off as a collection of b-sides to that album), but it finds its own identity regardless, Gordon again adds vocals to trap and industrial beats, but branching out into motorik tempos and instrumental hooks that border on pop.
She worked with Justin Raisen, who helmed The Collective and has produced music for Charli XCX, Drake, and Lil Yachty, with results lighter and sillier than anything Gordon has done previously, and run through with sardonic wit. Aiming once again at topical targets, but with an even broader approach (which is saying something considering The Collective had a feminist song called ‘I’m a Man’), she holds a mirror up to things like tech bros and government censorship by approaching them at their level.
This video is hosted on Youtube.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/22/kim-gordon-is-as-fearless-as-ever-on-new-album-play-me/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Crusaders winger Chay Fihaki goes over for his second try. Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Revenge served.
The Crusaders dished up a vengeful performance against Moana in Albany, to all but banish memories of their loss to the side at home in 2025.
“They stung us deeply last year,” said coach Rob Penney.
“I wouldn’t say revenge, but it was certainly something that we were well aware of, there was a lot more physical presence about us this year compared with last year.”
The defeat was buried in ruthless fashion, the Crusaders putting fifty on the proud franchise in their first appearance on the North Shore for the year.
After a lacklustre effort from a Will Jordan-less Crusaders against the Blues, Penney threw the challenge down to his backs to take the pressure off their superstar fullback.
Step up Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki, Braydon Ennor and Leicester Faingaʻanuku.
The quartet were lethal with ball in hand alongside Jordan, combining for five scorching tries and some scintillating running rugby.
“You start rattling those names off, and how blessed are we with the talent that we’ve got? We’ve just got to keep supplying the opportunities. The ability for us to have multiple threats across the park is such a key for us, we’ve got the cattle.”
Penney worried too much reliance was being put on their superstar fullback, who was also handed captaincy duties for the clash with David Havili sidelined.
“Will stepped in and took over that leadership role superbly. So really, we didn’t miss a beat.”
After a rough start to their campaign, both Jordan and Penney felt things were clicking for the defending champs.
“It’s nice to get back-to-back victories, we’re a dangerous side and I think there’s still growth for us.” Jordan said.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Cantabs, up by just three at half-time, before the floodgates burst open.
“The job was not fully done, we felt that was close towards the back end of the first half, and the boys just went to work in the second half, it was awesome,” said Penney.
Penney said his side was still far from the finished product.
“We still have a wee way to go. I think we’ve got a lot in us, and so I hope we have the ability to unleash further.”
A scary prospect for opposition sides.
“I hope so,” said Penney.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/21/weve-got-the-cattle-penney-warns-crusaders-just-getting-started/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Ifeanyi Eze scored the crucial goal for the Phoenix. File photo. AAP / Photosport
A superb goal by Ifeanyi Eze has given the Wellington Phoenix a vital 2-1 win over the Brisbane Roar in Brisbane.
It continues the resurgence of the Phoenix under interim coach Chris Greenacre and crucially keeps them in the hunt for an A-League men’s playoffs spot.
They are now just one point off the top six, as they sit in eighth place.
A loss would have left them with a big mountain to climb with four regular-season matches remaining.
They have had two wins in a row and are unbeaten in their last three under Greenacre, who oversaw a loss to Sydney FC just after he took over from men’s Giancarlo Italiano, who had resigned immediately after the 5-0 drubbing delivered by Auckland FC on 21 February.
The match with Brisbane could have gone either way before Eze’s clincher in the 86th minute.
Former Phoenix player James McGarry put the Roar 1-0 ahead after 14 minutes, with Corban Piper locking the scores up with a tap-in from Isaac Hughes header in the 36th minute.
It remained that way until the late counter-attack saw Luke Brooke-Smith slide a superb pass to Eze, who struck it with great timing to leave Roar goalie Dean Bouzanis no chance of stopping it.
There was an ugly head clash late in the game with a bloodied Hughes having to leave the field, and the Phoenix were able to repel the late attacks by the Roar, whose appeals for two late penalties were rebuffed.
Eze said the win meant everything to the Phoenix.
“This means everything to us, because our main target is getting into the top six,” he told Sky Sport.
“I’m very happy we won, I’m very happy we got the three points.”
It was the Phoenix’s third win over the Roar this season.
The Wellington side will cross the Tasman to play Melbourne Victory next on 5 April, while the Roar will host Sydney FC three days earlier.
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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/2026/03/21/wellington-phoenix-score-crucial-win-over-brisbane-roar/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Follow all the Super Rugby action as the Blues take on the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
Kick-off is 9.35pm.
Blues team list:
Ofa Tu’ungafasi 2. Bradley Slater 3. Sam Matenga 4. Josh Beehre 5. Sam Darry 6. Anton Segner 7. Dalton Papali’i (c) 8. Malachi Wrampling 9. Finlay Christie 10. Beauden Barrett 11. Caleb Clarke 12. Pita Ahki 13. AJ Lam 14. Codemeru Vai 15. Zarn Sullivan
Bench: 16. James Mullan 17. Mason Tupaea 18. Marcel Renata 19. Che Clark 20. Torian Barnes 21. Taufa Funaki 22. Xavi Taele 23. Payton Spencer (debut).
“The Waratahs are always a dangerous side particularly at home in Sydney, so we’ll need to be accurate and disciplined for 80 minutes.” – Blues coach Vern Cotter.
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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/21/live-blues-v-waratahs-super-rugby-pacific/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Police are working to locate all parties involved. RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Police say two people have been seriously injured following reports of disorder in Feilding.
A spokesperson said police were called to Stafford Street shortly after 7pm on Saturday night.
The spokesperson said one person was found at the scene and another was located nearby in a vehicle, both with serious injuries.
Police are working to locate all parties involved, and cordons are in place.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the area if possible.
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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/21/two-left-with-serious-injuries-after-disorder-in-feilding/
Source: Radio New Zealand
RNZ Pacific/ Lydia Lewis
A New Zealand woman has drowned while on holiday in Rarotonga.
In a social media post on Saturday, the Cook Islands Police said the 66-year-old tourist was pulled unresponsive from the lagoon at Vaimaanga late Wednesday afternoon.
They said she had been snorkelling with friends.
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said they are aware of reports of the death but cannot comment due to privacy reasons.
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LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/21/kiwi-tourist-drowns-while-snorkelling-in-rarotonga/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Beware a scorned Crusaders side.
The defending champions avenged last year’s shock loss to Moana Pasifka in ruthless style, crushing the cellar dwellers 50-21 in Albany.
Up by just three at the break, the Crusaders ran riot in the second, producing some scintillating running rugby in the rout.
Moana lost Julian Savea early to what looked like a broken arm before the Crusaders opened the scoring, Braydon Ennor showing tremendous strength to carry three defenders with him across the line.
Sevu Reece went in next to stretch his lead as Super Rugby’s most prolific try scorer, finishing a scorcher for the visitors.
Sparked by a Will Jordan injection, the fullback offloaded infield and from there it was a beautiful exchange of passes, Chay Fihaki with the last one to Reece.
Moana pulled one back as Patrick Pellegrini found a deft offload for Lalomilo Lalomilo who broke clear and linked with Joel Lam to score against his old side.
Replacement Tevita Ofa made it two in quick succession to give Moana the lead, the winger showing great gas to get on the outside of his opposite.
The Crusader’s quickly restored their lead though, Cooper Grant sending a pinpoint kick across for Chay Fihaki to pouch and plant to give them a narrow 17-14 half-time lead.
The second half however, belonged to the Crusaders.
Fainga’anuku kicked off the scoring spree with a mesmeric fourty metre run turning defenders inside out.
George Bell barged his way over for back to back, to really put things out of reach, before debutant Kurtis Macdonald scored with his first touch from a Fihaki cut out ball.
Fihaki capped his stellar night with a second as he exploded through the line and skinned the final man to score his second, Moana getting a late consolation courtesy of an intercept for Siaosi Nginingini.
See how the match unfolded here.
Moana:
1. Tito Tuipulotu 2. Millennium Sanerivi 3. Atu Moli 4. Tom Savage 5. Allan Craig 6. Miracle Faiilagi (c) 7. Niko Jones 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa 9. Joel Lam 10. Patrick Pellegrini 11. Glen Vaihu 12. Julian Savea 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo 14. Tevita Latu 15. William Havili
Bench: 16. Mamoru Harada 17. Abraham Pole 18. Chris Apoua 19. Veikoso Poloniati 20. Dominic Ropeti 21. Siaosi Nginingini 22. Jackson Garden-Bachop 23. Tevita Ofa.
“We’re in search of playing our game and hopefully we can get it..” – Head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga.
Crusaders:
1. Finlay Brewis 2. George Bell 3. Fletcher Newell 4. Tahlor Cahill 5. Jamie Hannah 6. Ethan Blackadder (vc) 7. Johnny Lee 8. Christian Lio-Willie 9. Noah Hotham 10. Cooper Grant (debut) 11. Sevu Reece 12. Dallas McLeod 13. Braydon Ennor 14. Chay Fihaki 15. Will Jordan (c)
Bench: 16. Manumaua Letiu 17. George Bower 18. Seb Calder 19. Antonio Shalfoon 20. Xavier Saifoloi 21. Kyle Preston 22. Leicester Fainga’anuku 23. Kurtis Macdonald (debut).
“We’re going week by week. The aim is to back up a win with a win, build our consistency, prepare well, and hit the ground running. We haven’t had the quickest starts, so doing those things will make it very satisfying.” – Crusaders coach Rob Penney.
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LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/21/super-rugby-pacific-crusaders-crush-moana-in-albany/
Source: Auckland Council
Auckland Council’s Policy and Planning Committee today approved new changes to the city’s planning rules to better protect people and property from floods and other hazards, while focusing more new homes in safer, well-connected places near jobs and public transport.
The decision sees the current planning requirements – called Plan Change 78 – withdrawn and replaced with a new plan change for Aucklanders to have their say on, through public submissions.
The new plan change – Plan Change 120 – will introduce stronger rules to steer buildings away from high-risk areas for flooding, coastal erosion, and inundation. This includes more restrictive consenting rules for new builds and, in the worst affected areas, limiting development to single houses.
Mayor Wayne Brown says today’s decision will future-proof Auckland.
“We need a physically and financially resilient future. This will allow us to downzone flood-prone land and build up in areas that make sense—like around transport corridors, walkable catchments, and where we have invested significantly in infrastructure, in water pipes, roads, and train lines. It’s really not rocket science.
“Today’s decision allows for a rational discussion on how and where we live, based on fact. The public will get to have their say through hearings, submissions and through their local representatives. I look forward to hearing the public debate,” says Mayor Brown.
Councillor Richard Hills, chair of the Policy and Planning Committee, says the decision gives Auckland a simpler path to safer, better-connected housing choices while meeting government requirements for capacity.
“In 2023, Auckland experienced one of its most significant natural disasters. The floods devastated our communities, causing billions of dollars of damage, and most shattering of all, loss of life.
“Aucklanders are clear that they want stronger rules to limit development in high flood risk areas. We started seeking the legal ability to do this immediately after the 2023 floods, with law changes being made in August this year.
“Today’s decision lets us better protect people and property from flooding and other natural hazards more quickly than we could under Plan Change 78, while focusing more homes where housing demand and public transport access are highest.
“I encourage all Aucklanders to give their feedback and be part of shaping this proposal,” he says.
Plan Change 120 will see the removal of blanket rules allowing three storey housing on most residential sites across Auckland. Instead, it focuses homes near town centres with easy access to jobs, services and fast, frequent public transport. This follows the council’s compact city approach.
“This proposal gives more people better access to transport infrastructure that all Aucklanders have paid for. With $5.5 billion invested in City Rail Link, trains will be running every few minutes carrying tens of thousands of passengers from next year – people should be able to live and work nearby. It helps get the best return on public investment.
“It’s not just about the number of homes, it’s about whether they are in locations that can meet people’s needs and make it easier to reach they services and facilities they use every day. Strong evidence shows Aucklanders want to live near jobs, public transport, shops, and services. That’s where housing demand is strongest.” says Cr Hills.
The law behind Plan Change 78 did not allow the council to introduce more restrictive zoning in high-risk hazard areas or opt out of blanket rules allowing three-storey homes across Auckland – including areas with limited transport connections, until the law changed in August 2025.
Plan Change 120 creates capacity for approximately two million homes, as did Plan Change 78, and as is required by central government. This does not mean two million homes will be built. Instead, it provides a wide choice of locations for homes, and housing types, to meet long-term market demands.
Plan Change 120 will:
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/21/new-plan-approved-for-aucklands-future/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Rafael Durán scores for Macarthur FC against Auckland FC at Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland, 21 March, 2026. Photosport.nz
Auckland FC have suffered a shock 2-1 loss to the Macarthur Bulls on, a dampener on their chances of winning a second straight Premier’s Cup.
It was a result that the fans didn’t see coming. Auckland FC went into Saturday’s match in a rich vein of form with their brilliant 2-1 away win over competition leader the Newcastle Jets last week, which left them unbeaten in six matches, while sixth-placed Macarthur had lost their last four matches.
But they looked the in-form side when Rafael Durán put them in front in the 11th minute and even more so when Tomi Uskok soared to head home a pinpoint cross from Chris Ikonomidis just before halftime.
Auckland coach Steve Corica rang the changes to his lethargic-looking side at halftime, replacing Guillermo May, Callan Elliot and Felipe Gallegos with Lachlan Brook, Luka Vicelich and Louis Verstraete.
The attack was better, they created more chances, but the determined Macarthur defence held them out, until the third minute of added time when Jake Girdwood-Reich headed one in.
The now-urgent Auckanders quickly sought another goal in the last two minutes of added time to give them a draw, but Macarthur held them out.
Auckland FC trailed the Jets on the ladder by one point heading into this game, but the Jets get the chance to go four ahead when they play Sydney FC on Sunday.
Auckland coach Steve Corica was clearly unhappy with the effort.
“Last week that was probably our best performance against Newcastle, that was probably our worst,” he told Sky Sport.
“We let the fans down, we let everyone down today,” he said.
“We have given ourselves another tough hurdle to climb to the premiership.”
Auckland’s next game is against Adelaide United on Good Friday, 3 April, with three matches of the regular season left after that.
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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/2026/03/21/auckland-fc-crash-to-defeat-against-macarthur-fc/
Source: Radio New Zealand
The small farming township of Rakaia’s river was once internationally-recognised for its abundant sea-run chinook salmon and other aquatic species, but population numbers have since drastically declined. Steve Terry
It’s hoped a new $1.7 million wetland in Mid Canterbury will improve the once-thriving salmon run in the Rakaia River.
For the past 70 years, Glenariffe Stream – considered a key salmon-spawning site in the braided river – has been diverted to drain farmland.
The stream contributed around 18 percent of the wild chinook salmon that returned to spawn in the river.
For the small farming township of Rakaia, south of Christchurch, its river was once internationally-recognised for its abundant sea-run chinook salmon and other aquatic species, but population numbers have since drastically declined.
Now, three large high country farms have retired hundreds of hectares of land to return the river’s eastern branch to its original course, pre-agricultural expansion.
Forty-four hectares of the wetland habitat have also been restored.
With Fish and Game the project lead, its North Canterbury project manager, Steve Terry, said [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/571617/fish-and-game-family-fishing-licences-to-undergo-changes-to-remove-historic-anomaly
protecting spawning habitat] was one of the few levers available to help the fishery recover.
“Salmon numbers are at historic lows not just in Canterbury but across New Zealand’s East Coast rivers, with unfavourable, warmer ocean conditions among the key drivers of decline.”
He said while the ocean and climate could not be controlled, the efforts would ensure that when salmon do return to the Rakaia to spawn, their offspring have the best possible habitat.
“Glenariffe Stream is one of the river’s most significant spawning tributaries, and for 70 years it simply wasn’t functioning as it should. Getting it back to its natural course is a major step forward for the fishery,” Terry said.
The McIntyre wetland project was named after the late James McIntyre, who bequeathed $550,000 to the project.
Meanwhile, taxpayers fronted $784,000 towards the three-year project under the Ministry for the Environment’s freshwater improvement fund.
Double Hill Station retired 77 hectares of wetlands and waterways, Redcliffes Station stopped farming on 59 hectares of wetlands and native scrub, and a 200-hectare QEII covenant protecting the Hydra Waters for Mount Algidus Station.
Distressed anglers were raising the alarm about the Rakaia’s abysmal fish stocks and degraded river quality and flow, and were currently limited to catching just one salmon.
The Rakaia River. Supplied
For the first time in 40 years, organisers of the annual Rakaia River Fishing competition did not weigh in any fish to allow the fishery to recover.
But Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager said a range of options to help restore state of the fishery were being considered with Fish and Game.
“We have had some concerns over the stock of the fishery there in terms of sea-run salmon.”
But he said it was all about balancing the economic drivers with environmental outcomes.
Meager said a water conservation order in place here provided guardrails, so farmers could irrigate within safe environmental limits.
He said irrigators had high standards, and he hoped Resource Management Act reform would see consenting for water storage eased.
“It’s all a balance though, of course, because we have to generate enough economic activity in the region, and we know that water is a big part of that in Mid-Canterbury, while balancing that off against the environmental outcomes that we want to achieve,” Meager said.
“So particularly for this project, it reaches a good balance.”
When asked if the economic drivers versus environmental impacts were unbalanced, he said he did not think so.
“If you look at the progress that’s been made over the past 10, 20, 30 years in terms of farming practice, in terms of the awareness of our activity and the impact on the environment, I actually think we’ve come a long way.”
Meanwhile, environmental critics including fish veterinarian Peter Trolove said salmon returns were excellent before the privatisation of public grazing runs, following the High Country tenure review.
Published back at the turn of the millennium, the Glenariffe stream’s tenure review warned that land‑use changes could worsen river sedimentation, water quality deterioration and habitat loss-issues.
The Salmon Anglers Association will hold a meeting about the future of the fishery in Christchurch on Thursday.
The wetland restoration was a partnership with landowners, the Canterbury regional council, Cawthron Institute, Manawa Energy, Rakaia River Fishing Promptions and QEII Trust.
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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/2026/03/21/taxpayers-invest-784k-to-new-rakaia-river-wetland-to-try-lure-salmon-back/
Source: Radio New Zealand
Leka Halasima scores a try against Newcastle Knights. David Neilson/Photosport
For only the second time in club history, NZ Warriors have surged to a three-game winning streak to start their NRL season, overwhelming previously unbeaten Newcastle Knights 38-12 at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The only previous occasion they have managed this feat was 2018, when the Auckland club rattled off five straight victories.
Co-captain Mitch Barnett returned to action for the first time, since his season-ending knee injury last June and showed no rust, as he laid on a try for fellow front-rower Jackson Ford, who was celebrating his 100th first-grade game.
Barnett’s appearance from the interchange was his 50th for the club.
“It was nice to come off the bench for a change, when there was a bit of sting out of the game,” he said. “Great to be back.”
Newcastle grabbed an early lead, when fullback Fletcher Hunt crossed for a try in the third minute, but the Warriors piled on 30 consecutive points to take control of the contest.
The Knights finally answered through wing Greg Marzhew, but the visitors finished with a flourish, as wing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak fielded a desperation kick after the final siren and sent fullback Taine Tuaupiki into the clear.
As he crossed the tryline, Tuaupiki flung a pass inside for debutant Luke Hanson to score, as Ford celebrated his milestone with the first goal of his career.
The result puts the Warriors on top of the table on points differential over Penrith Panthers and they host Wests Tigers at Go Media Stadium next Friday.
Follow the live action there:
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/21/nrl-warriors-overrun-knights-on-barnetts-return/
Source: Radio New Zealand
RNZ Pacific/ Lydia Lewis
A New Zealand woman has drowned while on holiday in Rarotonga.
In a social media post on Saturday, the Cook Islands Police said the 66-year-old tourist was pulled unresponsive from the lagoon at Vaimaanga late Wednesday afternoon.
They said she had been snorkelling with friends.
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said they are aware of reports of the death but cannot comment due to privacy reasons.
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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/2026/03/21/kiwi-tourist-drowns-while-snorkling-in-rarotonga/
Source: Auckland Council
Cohaus, a 20-unit resident-led development on Surrey Crescent, shows what happens when architecture, community, and sustainability come together.
Grey Lynn is no stranger to tension between its historic villas and demand for new housing. Yet Cohaus has proven that intensification can be beautiful, respectful, and enriching. Its’ understated street presence conceals an inner world of courtyards, communal gardens, and light-filled apartments. The original villa on the site was retained and refurbished, anchoring the development in heritage while welcoming new life.
Architect and co-founder Thom Gill says this development is exactly what Auckland needs.
“Density doesn’t need to mean compromise. With the right design, we can add homes without losing the character people cherish. Cohaus proves that medium-density housing can lift a neighbourhood.”
Cohaus community designed housing development.
Auckland Council’s Team Leader Urban Design and Landscape Strategy Nicole Miller says, despite its consenting challenges at the time, Cohaus was designed in a way that reflects many of the qualities the council wants to see in medium density development into the future.
“While this project was developed within a co-housing framework, the outcomes, spatial qualities and benefits of living closer together with shared amenities aren’t limited to this model of development – it’s an approach to living that can be applied to many scenarios.”
Inside Cohaus, there’s a richness of life that goes beyond walls and floorplans. Families with toddlers share space with retirees. A communal laundry, guest flat, bike storage, and shared cars reduce costs while lowering environmental footprints. Gardens spill across the central courtyard, where neighbours swap vegetables as easily as stories. This mixed generation living keeps people close to schools, jobs, and transport, while also easing social isolation, a quiet benefit as Auckland ages.
Georgianne Griffiths and her family are residents of the complex, and she says living at Cohaus has exceeded her expectations.
“It’s a beautiful space and there is a real sense of community.
“One of the design elements that has worked well is to restrict parking of our six shared cars to the edge of the development. Without driveways and carparks at our front doors we can maximise our garden space, which has become the centre of our community, and create a place where kids of all ages can run free.”
During the build phase, by sharing resources and cutting out developer profit margins, residents could create high-quality homes for less. Each member had a hand in shaping the design, meaning spaces feel liveable and intuitive.
As Gill puts it, “This is about the future of how we live together. Not gated suburbs, not anonymous towers, but neighbourhoods where people know each other.”
For residents anxious about change, Cohaus is reassurance made real. It demonstrates that medium-density housing can sit comfortably in a historic suburb, enhance its character, and create a community that feels both modern and timeless. This is the kind of development that makes cities greener, more liveable, and more connected – exactly what Auckland needs now.
Read more about the design of the Cohaus development on the Auckland Design Manual.
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/21/a-new-approach-to-city-fringe-living-quietly-unfolds-amid-grey-lynn-villas/
Source: Auckland Council
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Auckland Council is making changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan – the city’s rulebook for where and how new homes and buildings can be built.
These changes will see stronger protections against floods and other natural hazards and focus new homes in safer, well-connected places near shops, services, jobs and fast, frequent public transport.
The 2023 Auckland floods were a turning point for our region. As one of our most significant natural disasters, they devastated communities, caused billions in damage, and, most tragically, cost lives.
At the time, Auckland Council was part way through Plan Change 78, which intended to introduce rules set by the previous government to boost housing supply by allowing three homes of three storeys in most residential areas across Auckland.
However, the severe weather of 2023 made it clear that some areas are not suitable for new homes and that Auckland needed even stronger rules to better protect people in the most vulnerable areas. While Plan Change 78 proposed more housing by allowing three storey housing in most residential areas across Auckland, the legislation didn’t let the council limit building in high-risk flood areas.
Following persistent advocacy from the council, in August 2025, the Government changed the law so the council could replace Plan Change 78 with a new version — Plan Change 120.
The proposed plan will introduce stronger rules to better protect communities from floods, coastal erosion and inundation. It will also enable more homes near rapid transit public transport stations, along frequent transport routes and around urban centres nearer to jobs, shops, and everyday services.
The changes propose to:
Read: What You Need to Know – Proposed Changes to Auckland’s Planning Rules
Over the next 30 years, Auckland could see more housing choices, such as apartments, terraced housing, and townhouses, near rapid and frequent transport routes, workplaces and urban centres.
This plan change allows higher density housing, but property owners and developers influence what actually happens based on market demand. Even in areas allowing apartments, there will still be a mix of housing types, due to the different choices landowners might make
This doesn’t mean local areas will change overnight. Development usually happens gradually, typically over decades. There can be limits to building heights and density where it may not be suitable and where it’s supported by good evidence, for example, to protect sites with coastal character.
In high-risk flood or coastal areas, there will be tougher rules for new development. This will give the council stronger powers to decide whether development can go ahead and how much is appropriate.
This includes some parts of Eastern Beach, East Tāmaki, Manurewa, Māngere Bridge, Mt Roskill, Blockhouse Bay, Te Atatū Peninsula, Glen Eden, Browns Bay, and other suburbs.
Auckland’s largest centres could see more homes enabled within a 10-minute walk (about 800 metres) of Newmarket, Manukau, New Lynn, Sylvia Park, Botany, Papakura, Takapuna, Henderson, Albany, Westgate, and Drury.
This walking distance will also apply around train stations and stops along the Northern and Eastern Busways. It means opportunities for terraced housing or apartment buildings of 15, 10, or 6 storeys – with the building heights reflecting the demand for homes in the area, level of services and amenities available, and how easy access is to transport, jobs and services.
Other suburban centres could have more townhouses, apartments, and terraced housing of up to six storeys. This includes within around 400 metres of town centres like St Lukes, Northcote, and Onehunga, while a 200m distance is set for smaller local centres like Blockhouse Bay, Grey Lynn and Mairangi Bay.
This is based on how big each suburban centre is and how easy it is for people to get there by walking, cycling, or public transport, making it simpler for people to live nearby and travel to schools, parks, and workplaces.
For suburbs that are not inside walkable catchments, or town centre areas, there will be more Mixed Housing Suburban (allowing homes in a mix of 1- and 2-storey forms) and Mixed Housing Urban (allowing homes up to 3-storeys, including townhouses and terraced homes). The Single House zone will still be used where it makes sense.
By focusing new homes near trains, busways and frequent bus routes, Plan Change 120 helps make better use of major public investments, such as the $5.5 billion City Rail Link.
It also helps infrastructure providers to plan and fund future infrastructure more efficiently by giving a clearer picture of where growth will happen.
Below you’ll find a breakdown of which areas are rezoned for Terraced Housing and Apartment Buildings across Auckland, so you can see what’s being upzoned in your local area.
Note: Some places will be in two or more overlapping areas – for instance, the area around a town centre might also be in the walkable catchment for a transport link. When this happens, the higher density and heights will apply.
For example, if some streets are identified for both 6-storey housing around a town centre, and 10-storey housing as part of train station walkable catchment, the 10-storey height will apply.
On the other hand, where properties are close to a town centre or transport link, but are also subject to “qualifying matters” (for example, Special Character Areas, natural hazards, infrastructure constraints, or open space), the “qualifying matter” will still apply, and can limit the density and height allowed.
Waitematā
Note: the City Centre zone itself is not open for submissions, and it was addressed through an earlier plan change in May 2025.
Albert-Eden
Puketapapa
Maungakiekie-Tamaki
Upper Harbour
Kaipātiki
Hibiscus and Bays
Devonport Takapuna
Rodney
Henderson-Massey
Waitākere Ranges
Whau
Ōrākei
Howick
Māngere-Otahuhu
Ōtara-Papatoetoe
Manurewa
Papakura
Franklin
Hauraki Gulf islands
Stronger hazard rules apply from Monday 3 November 2025, when Plan Change 120 is notified. However, they are subject to change following the public submission process.
You can have your say on these measures, and all proposals under Plan Change 120.
Visit the AKHaveYourSay website until 19 December 2025 to learn more.
LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/21/what-aucklands-new-plan-means-for-your-neighbourhood/