Mark ‘the mahi man’ pictured here with Warriors skipper James Fisher-Harris, will lead the Warriors onto the field this weekend to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day.instagram
He’s the unofficial Warriors hype man, and a worthy challenger to the Mad Butcher’s title of the club’s biggest fan.
Introducing Mark ‘the Mahi Man’ Dekker.
From filling water bottles, to leading the team victory song, there is no job Dekker won’t do for the club.
But this weekend’s role stands out.
Dekker will lead out the Warriors team onto the field for their round three NRL clash against the Newcastle Knights on Saturday evening to mark World Down Syndrome Day.
It is not the the first time he has been asked to do the honour, but after a slight hitch in 2024, Dekker is ready to deliver in Newcastle.
“He jumped the gun and ran out a bit too fast ahead of the boys. Hopefully this year he’ll take his time,” said friend Leityn Swann.
Dekker was introduced to the Warriors after Swann emailed and asked if he could attend a training.
Although it was supposed to end after a few trainings, the cub quickly fell in love with the Mahi Man.
Dekker is always on hand to offer high-fives to players before and after training, as well as cater to needs from hydration, to a chat on the mats during stretching sessions.
Halfback Tannah Boyd said Dekker is the “energiser” of the club.
“He’s amazing, he waits for us when we come out every day to train, he gets us fired up, he has a big role this weekend and he’s pumped for it.”
Former Warriors star Shaun Johnson greets Mark Dekker ahead of the Warriors first game back at Mount Smart in June 2022.Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
Swann said Dekker’s duties are wide ranging.
“He’s filling the waters and ice in the morning, setting up the field, getting all the equipment in the field ready for the coaches to come and lay the safety fields. And then I think he’s head of morale boosting.”
Swann said the Mahi Man had a special connection with players.
“Some of them are very patient and sit down and listen, they’ve got banter, I wish people could see what I get to see every day, the love and time he gets from them. He gets a sense of fulfilment with what he does.”
Dekker said it’s a special moment to be in the spotlight.
“I love my club.”
He said he is already preparing for the party when the Warriors win the 2026 grand final.
“Up the Wahs, baby!”
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The council publishes multiple different flood maps, which provide broad information about flood risks across the city.Auckland Council
An Auckland homeowner disputes her property is flood-prone, despite it being designated as such on Auckland Council’s online maps.
The council publishes multiple different flood maps, which provide broad information about flood risks across the city.
Stephanie Burgess said the council’s flood modelling used a “broad brush model”, but it had a real impact on value of her Glendowie property and other properties in those areas.
Auckland Council’s flood mapping was based off aerial Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) from 2016, which did not accurately reflect the real risk on her land, she said.
“There’s never been any flooding at my property. It requires a pipe to block and a 100-year flood to both happen together.”
The flood-prone marking from the Auckland council maps she had seen was not yet on her Land Information Memorandum (LIM) report, but she was concerned it would be, she added.
Auckland Council’s natural hazard map designates half of Stephanie Burgess’s Glendowie property as flood-prone.Auckland Council
Looking to sell her house, she was worried by the impact this flood-prone designation would have.
“I’m fearful that our property will be devalued because a lot of buyers will not be interested, because they see this notation.”
She was also concerned that people did not understand the difference between a flood-prone area and a flood plane, and the different risk levels between them.
Working in real estate, she said some people would not even enter the open home if there was flood notation on the LIM.
She was calling for the council to factor in site-specific information to more accurately represent the flood risk at properties in designated flood-prone areas.
“I’d like a letter that I can give to buyers that explains the real risk.”
‘Literally within centimetres’
Auckland Council head of planning networks Nick Vigar said the councils across the country were working to provide better information about flood risks, but contested the claim that LiDAR was not an accurate measurement.
“Modern LiDAR is getting within centimetres on your property. Yes, it makes some assumptions where there’s trees and where there’s buildings, but it’s literally within centimetres.”
It was, to an extent, “broad brush”, he conceded, but it was the best information the council had.
“If you want to go and develop your house you should absolutely get someone to come in and survey it accurately,” he said.
The council assessment was only based on the land, so flood mitigation work would generally not be acknowledged in its data, Vigar said.
“If there’s some mitigation in which the landform is changed then, next time we run the LiDAR, that will get brought into the model. But I think the important thing here is: its triggering an assessment of the house on the property.”
The flood-prone designation would need to appear on the LIM report, he said.
“If you get a LIM on that property then you have to understand if there’s one of these triggers across you property … because you need to understand that if you’re developing, the presence of one of those will trigger a flood risk assessment.”
He acknowledged that using decade-old LiDAR was not necessarily fair, but said new data had been gathered in 2024 and would soon be available.
That data was already being applied to landowners who had contested their designation, he said.
“Where we have more accurate information in the new LiDAR, we have inserted it for customers already.”
But getting a property survey would not remove the flood-prone overlay from Burgess’s property, Vigar said.
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It’s part of a wider goal to have a pest free Kaitorete Spit which is internationally recognised for its ecological value and contains many globally unique plants.
DOC Mahaanui Operations Manager Andy Thompson says the plan is to restore more than 300 hectares and bring back rare plant species which have been decimated by rabbits and hares.
“We’ve seen a huge increase in rabbit numbers, and they’re destroying incredibly special plants like native broom which has beautiful lilac flowers. Kaitorete is the only place in the world this plant exists. This could be our last chance to save it,” Andy Thompson says.
DOC is working with partners Pest Free Banks Peninsula and Tāwhaki. Tāwhaki was established in 2021 as a partnership between Te Taumutu Rūnanga, Wairewa Rūnanga, and the New Zealand Government, with a dual kaupapa (purpose) to advance Aotearoa’s aerospace sector and rejuvenate the unique whenua at Kaitorete.
Tāwhaki Head of Whenua Planning and Rejuvenation Julian Phillips says Kaitorete is a significant cultural landscape renowned for its mahinga kai, taonga species, and history.
“Kaitorete is home to rare and threatened flora and fauna species, including tororaro and pīngao which plays an important role in dune health and is coveted by weavers due to its brilliant yellow colour,” he says.
“This whenua is part of an ancestral travel route for tīpuna travelling north and south along the east coast of Te Waipounamu. It’s home to some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest concentrations of middens and pre-historic archaeological sites.
“Whānau from Wairewa and Taumutu, through Tāwhaki, have been completing observational monitoring across Kaitorete for four years to track the health of this whenua – including the land, water, taonga species as well as our connection to the taiao.
“What we’ve seen is increasing evidence of damage caused by rabbits and hares, despite the incredible work of DOC and Pest Free Banks Peninsula.
“Left unchecked, rabbit populations strip vegetation, de-stabilise dunes and put pressure on already vulnerable species,” says Julian Phillips.
Pest Free Banks Peninsula Team Leader Tim Sjoberg says DOC’s rabbit control work supports the multi pest elimination programme on Kaitorete.
“By working together, we have a much greater chance of creating a truly pest-free environment, which will allow the precious and rare plants and animals to thrive here,” he says.
Today, a helicopter with under slung cereal bait sowing equipment, and GPS tracking navigation will be used. The loading zone is at the Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre with the helicopter transporting the bait to trickle feed across the DOC scientific reserve. The cereal bait contains the pesticide pindone.
Andy Thompson says due to the rabbit numbers and the size of the terrain and vegetation, the aerial operation was the best way to eliminate the rabbits with ground-based bait laying and night shooting as a follow up if necessary. A rabbit proof fence has also been constructed to keep the pests out long term.
“We”ve got this one chance to save this precious landscape which has enormous cultural and biodiversity values. We are so lucky to have a community so committed to naturing and helping us restore this area.”
NATURE LOOKS DIFFERENT FROM HERE
Nature isn’t scenery. Nature is a society that we rely on for everything, every day. It’s behind our identity and our way of life.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis said as of Sunday, New Zealand has 41.3 days worth of petrol 47 days of diesel and 49 days of Jet Fuel but they are preparing for the ‘worst case scenario’ from a prolonged conflict.
On Friday morning, some Pak ‘n’ Save and New World petrol stores had closed their stations because they were empty and awaiting delivery.
New World Levin had been waiting for more than two days. Consequently, the Gull station across the road was very busy.
Pioneer New World in Palmerston North and Pak’ N’ Save Hawera were also without supplies on Friday morning.
A Foodstuff’s spokesperson said fuel was available across New World and PAK’n SAVE sites, and there was plenty of supply.
On Friday morning, some Pak ‘n’ Save and New World petrol stores had closed their stations because they were empty and awaiting delivery.Jimmy Ellingham / RNZ
“The increased demand has meant some sites have temporarily run out ahead of scheduled deliveries.”
Foodstuff’s said there were no changes to it’s fuel discount program at this time.
“We continue to closely monitor demand and work proactively with our suppliers to maintain continuity at all sites. “
Pak ‘N’ Save Kapiti said it had been without stock but was refilled overnight.
“We’re still operating on a day-to-day basis as demand remains high and our supplier is finding it challenging to keep up.”
Overnight, petrol price app Gaspy updated to allow it to remove stores/stations from the site when they have run out of fuel.
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Genesis Energy says its $300 million rights issue has been strongly supported, raising $242.7 million from eligible shareholders – including the Crown, which will maintain its 51 percent stake.
The offer opened on 23 February, giving investors one new share for every 7.9 held, and about 81 percent of eligible shareholders took up the offer.
Genesis said shareholders who exercised all their rights also applied for an extra $48.1 million in additional shares, which will be considered in Friday’s shortfall bookbuild by its underwriter, local investment bank Jarden.
Chief executive Malcolm Johns said the company was delighted with the response from its shareholders, including the Crown.
“The success of the equity raise is a strong endorsement of the Gen35 strategy from shareholders,” he said.
To complete the shortfall bookbuild, Genesis has asked the NZX and ASX to halt trading in its ordinary shares and subordinated bonds from the start of trading on Friday.
The halt will be lifted once the bookbuild results are announced, or when markets open on 24 March, whichever comes first.
The company said the halt was needed to ensure the bookbuild could be conducted fairly, without some investors having information before others.
Shareholders who did not take up their rights – along with those ineligible to participate – may receive a pro‑rata payment if the bookbuild price ends up higher than the rights‑issue price of $2.05, although this is not guaranteed.
Settlement of the new shares is expected on 24 March for ASX investors and 25 March for NZX holders, with trading beginning on 25 March.
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Reserve Bank to increase media events after cash rate decisions
Will have online news conference after cash rate reviews, starting 8 April
Previously cash rate reviews only had written statement
Governor Anna Breman to speak about Middle East impact on economy next week
Reserve Bank governor Anna Breman has moved to deliver on her pledge to improve the central bank’s communication and transparency.
She is due to speak to business leaders next week on the RBNZ’s February monetary statement and the country’s payments system, but will now directly comment on the conflict in the Middle East.
“Due to the wider economic impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, this speech will now focus on the potential impacts of this evolving situation on the New Zealand economy,” the RBNZ said in a statement.
The speech will be released ahead of delivery and Breman will do a news conference and briefing for economists.
In the past, the RBNZ has entered a monetary “cone of silence” in the run-up to a meeting and decision about the official cash rate (OCR).
The next decision is due on 8 April and would normally only be a short statement and a summary of the meeting of the monetary policy committee.
But the April decision will be followed by an online news conference, which will now become standard practice.
In the past the RBNZ has only given media conferences after a quarterly monetary policy statement, along with full economic forecasts and interest rate track.
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Have you ever wondered whether the information privacy principles in the Privacy Act 2020 are relevant to the right against unreasonable search and seizure? The Supreme Court answered that question with a yes in this criminal appeal.
The appellant, Mr Tamiefuna, was convicted of one charge of aggravated robbery. He challenged the inclusion of photographic evidence used by Police to obtain this conviction. Mr Tamiefuna appealed a Court of Appeal decision which determined the photographic evidence was improperly obtained but declined to find the evidence should have been excluded from his trial.
The Supreme Court found that the photographic evidence was both improperly obtained and should have been excluded from Mr Tamiefuna’s trial under s 30(4) of the Evidence Act 2006. A retrial was ordered.
Background
On 5 November 2019 Mr Tamiefuna was a passenger in a car which was the subject of a routine traffic stop. A police officer ran a National Intelligence Application (NIA) check for the occupants of the vehicle and discovered Mr Tamiefuna had previous convictions relating to property offending. The check revealed the driver of the car was unlicensed and the car was impounded. This required the occupants to exit the vehicle.
Mr Tamiefuna and his companions removed property from the car and stood on the footpath while waiting to be picked up. A police officer noticed there was a lot of property, including batteries and a woman’s purse and coat. This made them suspicious the property may have been stolen. At this point, the police officer took photographs of the property and the car’s occupants using their police issue smartphone. The photographs of Mr Tamiefuna show him standing on the footpath beside the car. He is looking towards the camera and is clearly aware that he was being photographed. Mr Tamiefuna’s face and clothing are captured in the images.
The police officer added these photographs and a note of his observations to the NIA. The information was collected and retained as the officer thought it might be useful in future. There was no specific purpose.
The photographs were critical evidence at Mr Tamiefuna’s trial, linking him to the aggravated robbery, as the clothing in the photographs matched a man captured in CCTV footage at the scene of the offending.
There is no statutory authority authorising the taking of these photographs, nor the retention of one of those photographs on the NIA.
Litigation history
Prior to his trial, Mr Tamiefuna challenged the admissibility of the evidence collected at the traffic stop. He argued it was improperly obtained and inadmissible under s 30 of the Evidence Act. The challenge was rejected in the High Court. The Court of Appeal declined leave to appeal that decision pre-trial.
Following the trial, Mr Tamiefuna appealed his conviction. The Court of Appeal decided that the taking of a person’s photograph in a public place by police without a current investigative or law enforcement purpose, breached their right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure under s 21 of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (NZBORA). However, the Court did not consider the evidence should have been excluded under s 30 of the Evidence Act, on the basis the impropriety was outweighed by the need for an effective and credible justice system. The appeal was dismissed.
The Privacy Commissioner’s role as an independent intervener in the proceeding
An intervener is a third party who is allowed to join litigation even though they are not a party to the proceedings. This process is called “intervening” and allows an expert or interested party to assist the court by making legal submissions on particular points – especially if the case is of general public importance.
The Privacy Commissioner was granted leave from the Court to intervene as an independent expert as the appeal would have broad consequences for the interaction between information privacy, NZBORA, and Police information gathering powers.
Grounds of appeal in the Supreme Court
(a) Whether the Court of Appeal was correct to find that the photographic evidence was improperly obtained for the purpose of s 30 of the Evidence Act; and (b) Whether the Court of Appeal was correct in admitting the evidence under s 30 of the Evidence Act.
Majority decision (Winkelmann CJ, Ellen France and Williams JJ)
At common law, Police have a duty to prevent crime and to detect and bring offenders to justice. The police have powers to undertake these duties and the common law will supplement existing statutory provisions when necessary. As the collection and retention of the photographs on the NIA were not authorised by statute, police were exercising their common law powers.
The exercise of police common law powers is subject to statutory requirements and restrictions. Relevant in this case was s 21 of NZBORA, which provides that every person has the right to be secure against unreasonable search and seizure.
Was taking the photographs a search?
In determining whether Police taking photographs of a person in a public place after they were required to leave a car following a lawful traffic stop was a search, the majority considered four key factors; the nature of the place, the use to which the information was put, the manner of collection, and the nature of the information.
Significant weight was given to the fact that Mr Tamiefuna was only in a public place because he has been ejected from a vehicle. The manner of collection was not at the higher end of intrusiveness, however, the use to which the information was put increased the level of intrusiveness. They also noted there were very few controls over the retention and use of Mr Tamiefuna’s personal information. The majority considered the police power exercised was intrusive and very general.
The Joint Report highlighted that photographs of individuals are sensitive biometric personal information, stating they are “capable of being analysed using facial recognition technology and other digital techniques which makes it even more important that the information is being collected, used, retained and stored lawfully.” The majority added that the sensitivity of biometric information is recognised in the fact that statutory regimes are required to govern their use and collection.
Overall, the majority concluded the police officer’s actions amounted to a search as Mr Tamiefuna had a reasonable expectation of privacy that was intruded on.
Was the search reasonable?
The taking and retention of the photographs was not lawful. Police are subject to statutory controls when conducting searches and it was not appropriate to extend their common law power to authorise a warrantless search for generalised intelligence gathering in a way which is not appropriate, particularly where the relevant statutory framework imposes controls in relation to the very same activity (though in a different context).
The majority stated the information privacy principles (IPPs) (when this incident occured the Privacy Act 1993 was in effect. The Privacy Act 2020 sets out the current IPPs in section 22. For the purposes of this case, there are no material differences between these iterations of the IPPs) were relevant, though not decisive, in an analysis of s 21 of NZBORA and s 30 of the Evidence Act. In discussing the IPPs, the majority stated:
Under IPP 1, an agency may only collect personal information as is necessary for a lawful purpose. This was breached as there was no lawful purpose for the collection of Mr Tamiefuna’s information.
Under IPP 3, the collecting agency must take reasonable steps to inform the person concerned, among other things, about the collection, the purpose of the collection and its legal basis. This was not done in this case.
Under IPP 9, personal information once collected must not be held for longer than is required for the purposes for which the information may lawfully be used. As there was no lawful purpose, the retention of the information was in breach of this principle.
The IPPs were useful in stating the expectations of a reasonable person. As Police failed to comply with the IPPs, the search was not reasonable (as it breached the Privacy Act) and the evidence was therefore improperly obtained.
As the search was illegal it was unreasonable under s 21 of NZBORA. This meant the photographic information was improperly obtained for the purposes of s 30 of the Evidence Act.
Was the court wrong to admit the evidence?
If evidence is found to have been improperly obtained, s 30(2) of the Evidence Act requires the Judge to “determine whether or not the exclusion of the evidence is proportionate to the impropriety by means of a balancing process that gives appropriate weight to the impropriety and takes proper account of the need for an effective and credible system of justice.”
In this case, it was decided that excluding the evidence would not be disproportionate to the breach. There was a breach of an important right and an overextension of police powers (though the Court noted the police officers involved acted in good faith). The majority stated “an effective and credible system of justice in this case requires the exclusion of the evidence. Otherwise, on a longer-term basis, the justice system is brought into disrepute.”
As intervener, OPC submitted in the cases where evidence has been obtained in breach of s 21 of NZBORA or another human rights obligation, s 30 should be applied to provide an effective remedy for that breach. An effective remedy must both vindicate the right of the individual and avoid recurrence of the breach in other cases. This submission was accepted by the majority.
Outcome
The appeal was allowed. Mr Tamiefuna’s conviction was quashed and a retrial was ordered.
Minority decision (Glazebrook J)
Glazebrook J considered there was no search in this case, finding the concept of a “search” would be extended too far if it included filming or photography of what a person saw and heard, where there is no active looking for someone or something. Further, Glazebrook J found Mr Tamiefuna did not have a reasonable expectation of privacy. The photograph was taken on a public street, it was not covert, and people should be expected to be observed while in public. An individual interacting with another person (including the Police) can have no reasonable expectation that the other person will not make and store a full and accurate audio or video of the interaction, which can later be disclosed and used.
This minority decision also considered the collection and retention of the photographs was both reasonable and lawful. It was an appropriate use of Police investigative powers into offending.
Glazebrook J agreed with the reasoning in the Court of Appeal and would have admitted the photographs under s 30 of the Evidence Act. In reaching that conclusion the Court of Appeal said that while the right breached was important, the intrusion on this right was not very serious and the evidence obtained was central to the prosecution. In these circumstances, exclusion of the evidence would be disproportionate to the breach.
Minority decision (Kós J)
Kós J also considered there was no search, as the traffic stop and ejection of Mr Tamiefuna from the car was lawful and Mr Tamiefuna was in a public place. People on a public street lack a reasonable expectation of privacy from being photographed. Cell phones and CCTV make this a routine experience.
The essential feature of a search was described as an examination or investigation for the purposes of obtaining evidence, which intrudes upon a right to privacy. Kós J stated there was no right to privacy on a public street and no reasonable expectation of privacy, finding an ordinary photograph of a person present on the pavement of a public street should not engage s 21 of NZBORA.
In this case, the entry of Mr Tamiefuna’s photographs in the NIA was unlawful, as it was not permitted by either statute or common law. However, Kós J would not have excluded the evidence for the same reasons as Glazebrook J.
Kós J concluded by stating “What might have been seen as a grey area in 2019 was no longer so grey after [the Joint Report] was published. A different balance might be struck thereafter, in another case.”
Privacy implications
Key takeaways:
The IPPs can be compelling in determining whether human rights have been breached.
Despite the current cultural context (including available technology, such as cell phones and CCTV) being on a public street does not mean an individual has no expectation of privacy. Particularly where the state is exercising an intrusive power.
At [33] the majority stated “there were features of the relevant events that mean the fact [Mr Tamiefuna]’s photograph was taken whilst he was on a public road is not a conclusive factor against the asserted reasonableness of his expectations of privacy. It remains important to preserve a sufficient zone of privacy for individuals. That in turn is a part of preserving the fundamentals of a liberal democracy.”
A new dedicated child mental health service in Counties Manukau was officially opened today by Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey, marking an important step in ensuring our young people have faster access to support.
“Mental health is one of the biggest challenges facing our youth today. Every New Zealander deserves access to support, when and where they need it. By expanding the help available, we can ensure no one is left stuck on a waitlist,” Mr Doocey says.
The new specialist child mental health team –Te Ooritetanga oo ngaa Ratonga moo ngaa Tamariki | The Equality of Services for all Children – will operate within the Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (ICAMHS) at Counties Manukau Mental Health and Addiction Services. It has been established to support young people up to intermediate school age, along with their families, who are experiencing, or are at risk of developing, moderate to severe mental health challenges.
“We know the massive difference that early intervention can make. By identifying needs early and providing the right support before issues escalate, we can give our young people the tools they need to live the lives they deserve,” Mr Doocey says.
Counties Manukau is home to one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing populations. Of the estimated total population in 2021, more than 20 per cent were under 15 years old, that’s around 123,400 children and young people.
“I am pleased that this new dedicated team will strengthen our specialist services, help meet the needs of this rapidly growing community, and ensure young people get support at the top of the cliff, rather than waiting for the ambulance at the bottom.”
The multi-disciplinary team will provide wraparound support and includes a senior medical officer, registered nurses, two clinical psychologists, two occupational therapists, and two social workers. Recruitment is underway for whānau workers.
The service is funded through the Government’s $18.7 million investment to expand and enhance ICAMHS.
“We have all seen the startling youth suicide statistics in New Zealand and, quite simply, this is not good enough. What keeps me awake at night is knowing that some young people aren’t getting the support they need. I do not want any young person to fall through the cracks.
“Nationally, we have seen our focused efforts pay off. The frontline Health NZ mental health workforce grown by over 11 per cent since we came into Government. We have also seen increases in key workforces such as the child and adolescent workforce which has grown by 19 per cent.
“This is part of the Government’s plan to deliver faster access to support, more frontline workers, and a better crisis response.”
It’s the third year in a row New Zealand has ranked outside the top 10 in the World Happiness Report.123rf.com
Finland has once again been named the happiest country in the world, a title it has now held a record nine times.
New Zealand often ranks in the top 10, but it has just dipped outside to 11th in the most recent World Happiness Report. It’s the third year in a row New Zealand has ranked outside the top 10.
It’s mostly Nordic countries ahead of New Zealand, but Israel is in 8th. Our friends across the ditch, Australia, were ranked 15th.
Finnish philosopher Frank Martela, the go-to expert on Nordic happiness, told First Up that Finnish people were relatively sceptical of the results.
“I guess the Finnish people think of themselves as this slightly introverted, even melancholic, bunch of people. So, being the happiest people in the world doesn’t really fit into Finnish self-image,” he said.
Martela said rather than Finnish people being happier, there are fewer extremely unhappy people in Finland, which drives up the average.
“When you say that Finland is the happiest country, it’s one way of putting it, [but] another way of putting it would be saying Finland is the country where there are the least amount of people who are actively unhappy about their lives – that would be, in a way, a more accurate description.”
In other words, if New Zealand wants to boost its ranking, Kiwis should complain less.
“That’s the Finnish way of doing this – not complaining too much, just minding one’s own business and being happy about it,” Martela said.
To determine the ranking, the Gallup World Poll asks respondents in 147 countries to evaluate their lives using the image of a ladder, with the best possible life as a 10 and the worst possible as a 0. Each respondent provides a numerical response on this scale, referred to as the Cantril Ladder.
Researchers look at six factors, including GDP per capita, life expectancy, generosity and perceptions of freedom and corruption to help account for variations among countries. The rankings are based on a three-year average, which smoothes out spikes and dips occasioned by big events such as war or financial downturns.
The Finns reported an average score of 7.764 to evaluate their life satisfaction.
Martela said universal healthcare, low corruption, high-quality free education, unemployment benefits and good maternity leave are some of the factors behind the score.
Finland’s deep commitment to cooperation helps explain its staying power at the top of the ranking, John F. Helliwell, professor emeritus of economics at the University of British Columbia and a founding editor of the World Happiness Report, said in an interview.
“Successful societies cooperate in the face of adversity,” he said. “The Finns know this. And once you have the sense that you are in this together, there’s no end to what you can do.”
New Zealand has ranked 11th in the World Happiness Report.123rf.com
Youth crisis
The report’s writers have begun to pay attention to what they consider a crisis in youth happiness, first mentioned in the 2024 ranking.
In the latest edition, the survey found life evaluations among respondents under age 25 in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have dropped by almost one full point on the scale of 0 to 10 over the last decade, a dramatic slide especially since the average satisfaction for young people in the rest of the world has increased, according to Gallup World Poll data.
A key factor in the sharp drop in youth happiness, researchers said, is the number of hours young people spend consuming social media or gaming. And while experts say it’s important to limit time spent with the Internet overall, some ways of spending time online are healthier than others, including communicating with loved ones, and learning new skills.
A certain amount of Internet and social media consumption wasn’t necessarily negative, he said, saying, “There seems to be a sweet spot.”
“You don’t want to be unconnected but you don’t want to be too connected,” he said. “With the Internet, too much is a bad thing.”
Police are investigating after a woman was found with serious injuries in Christchurch on Thursday night.
Detective Sergeant Ben Rolton, Christchurch Metro CIB said officers were called to Worcester Street, between Latimer Square and Barbadoes Street, around 10pm.
There were reports that a person had been stabbed.
The woman was taken to Christchurch Hospital by ambulance where she underwent surgery.
A scene guard was put in place overnight, and a scene examination is taking place today.
Police are making enquiries into the circumstances of the incident and working to identify who is responsible, Detective Sergeant Rolton said.
St John Ambulance told RNZ two people were taken to hospital.
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Source: Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua (RBNZ)
20 March 2026 – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua (RBNZ) is expanding its communications approach for the 8 April Monetary Policy Review.
This approach aligns with the Monetary Policy Committee’s (MPC) commitment to greater transparency. Future Monetary Policy Reviews will also follow this revised format. We will review and adapt this format over time in response to stakeholder feedback.
The RBNZ’s quarterly Monetary Policy Statement, which includes updated economic forecasts, an Official Cash Rate projection and more detailed forecasts will continue as normal. Monetary Policy Statement releases will also continue to be followed by in-person media conferences. The next quarterly Monetary Policy Statement is scheduled for release on 27 May.
Change of focus for Business NZ speech On Tuesday 24 March, Governor Breman is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech to Business NZ’s CEO Forum in Auckland. The RBNZ previously advised that the speech would touch on the current economic outlook, drawing on insights from the February Monetary Policy Statement, and outline how the Reserve Bank is working to modernise New Zealand’s payments system.
Due to the wider economic impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, this speech will now focus on the potential impacts of this evolving situation on the New Zealand economy.
The speech will be published on the RBNZ website at 9am on Tuesday 24 March ahead of two planned external engagement events with Governor Breman that morning. The first engagement is with external economists and analysts, and the second is with Auckland media representatives. The Business NZ CEO Forum event that Governor Breman is speaking at will commence from 2pm. The RBNZ is releasing the speech earlier in the day to ensure that all stakeholders have equitable access to information.
A speech outlining how the Reserve Bank is working to modernise New Zealand’s payments system will be delivered at a later date.
This speech will not pre-empt the MPC’s April Monetary Policy Review decision. The global environment, and other salient factors, will be discussed in full by the MPC when it meets ahead of its April decision.
Christchurch Men’s Prison.Luke McPake / The Wireless
An investigation is underway into the death of an inmate at Christchurch Men’s Prison.
Corrections says staff and paramedics tried to revive the man, who died in the health unit early on Thursday morning.
Other inmates and staff are being provided support.
Corrections says all deaths in prison are subject to an internal incident review, an investigation by the independent Corrections Inspectorate and are also referred to the coroner.
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Attribute to Detective Sergeant Ben Rolton, Christchurch Metro CIB:
Police are investigating after a woman was found with serious injuries in Christchurch last night.
Police were called to Worcester Street, between Latimer Square and Barbadoes Street, around 10pm last night, with reports that a person had received wounds consistent with being stabbed.
The woman was transported to Christchurch Hospital by ambulance where she underwent surgery.
A scene guard was in place overnight, and a scene examination is taking place today.
Police are making enquiries into the circumstances of the incident and working to identify who is responsible.
The allocations process is the way DOC manages aircraft landings in and around the popular South Westland glaciers. Currently, four businesses are directly involved in landings in the Park, which are a significant drawcard to visitors wanting to experience the glacier landscape.
This allocation follows a consultation period where DOC heard from operators and interested parties on how they thought aircraft landings allocations should be managed, given changes to the landscape of Westland Tai Poutini National Park.
Climate change is causing reduced snow cover and glacier retreat, which impacts on the safety and usability of some of the 18 approved landing sites, particularly during peak periods.
South Westland Operations Manager Wayne Costello says interest in aircraft landings has been high.
“There’s strong demand for the landings available. We received expressions of interest from 11 operators, which is not surprising and obviously more than the current four operators with concessions to land in the Park.
“We want to make it easier for businesses and people using these landings to interact with us to get the permissions they need and offer visitors flying in the Park the best experience possible.
“We have designed the allocation process to be consistent, clear and easy to use for operators interested in the opportunity. It will also enable landing sites to be better utilised within the Westland Tai Poutini National Park.
“The allocation process is aligned with the outcomes of the management plan and we are not increasing overall limits.
“We’ve designed the allocation process to support exceptional experiences for visitors, including time on the ground, storytelling, and deeper understanding of Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area.
“We also considered the experiences other users when developing this framework, for example, people walking in the Franz Josef Glacier valley to ensure impacts on their experience is minimised.”
An Assessment Panel will review allocation applications from 27 April 2026, and Operators will be notified of outcomes in July 2026. Operators who are granted an allocation will also need to apply for a concession in order to undertake flight landings.
Background information
Westland Tai Poutini National Park is a nationally and internationally significant landscape in Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area.
Aircraft access has long enabled visitors to experience high alpine areas, but this must be balanced with preserving natural quiet, protecting Park values and managing increasing visitor expectations.
The regulatory framework is set by the Westland Tai Poutini National Park Management Plan, which limits aircraft landings to 18 approved sites and caps total aircraft numbers.
After a thorough recruitment process, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Brett Banner as Chief Financial Officer to its Executive Leadership Team.
Brett is an experienced public sector finance leader and Chartered Accountant with more than 20 years’ experience across corporate services, including finance and governance, risk, procurement and ICT.
He is currently General Manager Corporate Services at the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), and has previously held Chief Financial Officer roles at the Commerce Commission and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
Brett also serves on the Board of NZ On Air, where he chairs the Audit and Risk Committee.
CAA Chief Executive and Director of Civil Aviation Kane Patena says Brett brings strong leadership and experience at a time of continued organisational focus on performance, value, and delivery.
“Brett brings a depth of experience across government and Crown entities, and a strong track record leading organisational change and lifting capability,” says Mr Patena.
“He has led major programmes, strengthened business planning and risk management practices, and supported organisations to align to strategic priorities. His experience and approach will support CAA as we continue to deliver on our role as a modern, effective regulator.”
Food prices have surged in some of the most food-insecure countries in the Middle East and wider region due to the ongoing conflict, threatening to push the most vulnerable families further into hunger as Eid approaches, Save the Children said.
Families already struggling after years of conflict and economic shocks have told Save the Children staff that rising food and fuel costs – compounded by war and displacement – are stripping away the joy of Eid al-Fitr, the celebration marking the end of Ramadan. Eid this year for many families will be a time of fear and hunger with more than 4 million people newly displaced mostly in Iran and Lebanon.[1]
While food prices generally tend to rise around Eid, the conflict has driven fuel and food prices higher than usual, pushing already vulnerable families closer to the brink while forcing many others to forgo Eid traditions such as buying new clothes for the celebrations, decorating homes or sharing sweets and chocolates.
Even before the conflict, about one in six people in the Middle East region did not know where their next meal would come from and had to sacrifice the quality of their food because of financial constraints. [2] In Lebanon supply chain disruptions and uncertainty in local markets have further driven up prices. Save the Children’s analysis of the cost of fuel and six key foods for a healthy diet found prices rose by 5% between 23 February and 9 March.[3]
One million people – or 20% of the population – have been displaced in Lebanon since the escalation started on 2 March. [4] Families living in collective shelters will miss out on food traditionally eaten by their families to mark Eid, while others staying outside shelters are prioritising spending on essentials due to ongoing uncertainty, Save the Children staff reported.
Iran’s suspension of food and agricultural exports has had a significant impact on Afghanistan where about 9 million children – or one in three – are facing severe hunger. [5] Iran accounts for 30% of Afghanistan’s imports, including key goods such as food and fuel.[6] Prices of some vegetables and cooking oil have surged 13% in the past month, while staples are up 3%, according to Save the Children price’s monitoring. [7]
Fruit sellers in Herat, close to the Iran border, said the price of dried fruit – traditionally bought for Eid – has risen sharply. Families are replacing more expensive items used in Eid dishes with cheaper alternatives such as chickpeas, raisins, and pumpkin seeds.
In Iran, the UN has reported that preexisting economic pressures such as economic stagnation, high food inflation, and rapid currency depreciation which were already driving food insecurity prior to the current conflict, is leaving households with limited capacity to absorb further shocks.
The Government of Israel’s closure of the Rafah border on the second day of the conflict- which still remains closed to the entry of humanitarian goods and supplies – contributed to spiking prices in Gaza, compounding the inflationary effects of two years of war. Some fruits and vegetables have disappeared or become scarce in markets. The cost of peppers, potatoes, and onions more than tripled in less than two weeks while the prices of eggs and meat have also risen, putting children’s nutrition and development at risk.[8]
The UN has warned that if the conflict continues, elevated prices could push an additional 45 million people into acute hunger, up from 318 million, to an all-time record-high.[9]
The effects could be felt in sub-Saharan Africa which is heading into planting season and relies on fertiliser shipped through the Strait of Hormuz – conduit for 40% of world fertilizer.
Ahmad Alhendawi, Save the Children’s regional director for the Middle East and eastern Europe said:
“Eid, traditionally a time of celebration and community, will be disquietingly unfamiliar for many children across the Middle East and wider region as the human and economic cost of the conflict unfolds.
“Children have been killed, displaced, and prices of everyday essentials such as food are rising. For children in Gaza and elsewhere, who have already endured unimaginable horrors during what is supposed to be one of the most joyful times of the year, this Eid looks to bring little respite.
“These price hikes are hitting children and families across the region whose safety, security and incomes have in many cases been battered by years of conflict and economic crises. It’s not difficult to imagine how even the smallest cost increase is a blow to these families who are already on the brink and exhausted by conflict and crises.
“It is another stark reminder of how conflict upends the life of children, inflicting new wounds on a generation of children across the Middle East and wider region, many of whom already carry the physical and mental scars of years of violence, insecurity, or deprivation.”
Save the Children is urgently calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities. All parties to the conflict must adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law, including by facilitating the unimpeded passage of humanitarian supplies, fertiliser, and food through the Strait of Hormuz.
[3] Based on prices for rice, flour, red lentils, sunflower oil, eggs and tomatoes as reported in the Lebanon Ministry of Economy and Trade mini-basket of prices on 23 February and 9 March 2026. Fuel prices taken from IPT.
A new report reveals that more than 700 Aucklanders are dying every year from traffic-related air pollution – a toll now rivalling smoking – yet little is being done to reduce the human toll, a leading health charity says.
A new University of Auckland report – released by Healthy Auckland Together – found that over 90 per cent of Aucklanders are breathing air that falls short of international health standards, with vehicle emissions responsible for the vast majority of harm.
Nationwide, air pollution killed 3300 Kiwis, and was responsible for more than 13,100 hospital admissions for respiratory and cardiac illnesses, and 13,200 cases of childhood asthma, in 2016.
Ms Letitia Harding, Chief Executive of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ and Kia Manawanui Trust – The Heart of Aotearoa, says the findings highlight a preventable public health crisis.
“Air pollution is a direct and daily threat to people’s hearts and lungs.
“We are seeing the consequences in asthma, heart disease, and other respiratory illnesses affecting our communities every day.”
To address this, there needs to be long-term, Government-led change, Ms Harding says.
“Cleaner air means fewer hospital visits, fewer missed school days, and longer, healthier lives.
“That’s what’s at stake if we fail to act, and why reducing pollution must be treated as a priority.”
The report shows transport is responsible for around 80 per cent of harmful air pollution in Auckland. Pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and fine particulate matter can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, increasing the risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and asthma.
Dr Ian Longley, Director of The Air Quality Collective, said the scale of harm demands a coordinated national and local response.
“The science is clear and increasingly difficult to ignore.
“Air pollution is contributing to thousands of deaths across New Zealand each year, and much of it is coming from sources we can control – particularly vehicles,” Dr Longley says.
“Auckland’s air quality in some areas is comparable to major international cities, yet our policy response has not kept pace with the evidence.
“It’s that gap that is costing lives.”
Proven solutions already exist and are being used successfully overseas, he says.
“Other cities around the world have already shown that measures such as low-emission zones, stronger vehicle standards, and investment in public transport can rapidly improve air quality.
“These are practical steps that deliver real health benefits.”
The WHO estimates that globally indoor and outdoor air pollution exposure currently kills about seven million people yearly due to cardiovascular diseases, such as strokes and ischaemic heart disease, and respiratory diseases such as acute respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and lung cancer.
According to the World Bank, the global health cost of mortality and morbidity attributed to air pollution was $8.1 trillion in 2019.
Some Sounds Air flights had been cancelled due to fog.RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
MetService says low cloud disrupting flights in the capital is already starting to lift.
Wellington airport said 12 flights had been cancelled and a further 10 delayed on Friday morning.
An airport spokesperson said the weather was expected to improve.
“We advise passengers to check directly with their airlines for details on their flights.”
MetService meteorologist Michael Pawley said the fog hanging about was already beginning to shift.
“We’re not expecting it to stick around for much longer.”
The airport’s online departure board showed some Sounds Air and Air New Zealand flights had either been cancelled or delayed indefinitely since 6.45am on Friday.
Sounds Air owner Andrew Crawford said planes can’t land in the fog, so they’d be waiting for it to clear.
The fog hasn’t affected Jetstar flights. Air New Zealand has been approached for comment.
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Queenstown’s mayor says pumping treated wastewater into the “pristine” Kawarau River is the council’s only realistic option.
Queenstown Lakes District councillors agreed on Thursday to lodge a 35-year resource consent application for discharge from the Shotover Wastewater Treatment Plant, while staff keep looking for alternative solutions to the region’s wastewater woes.
It comes after emergency discharges from the treatment plant to the Shotover River.
The mayor John Glover told Morning Report it was a difficult decision that would see treated wastewater pumped into the Kawarau rather than the Shotover River.
“I don’t think anybody recognises that what we’re moving forward with is what we want to do. I mean, it’s the case of there are no – at the moment – no realistic other options.”
Under the $77.5 million plan – recommended by staff and supported by most councillors – advanced filters would be installed at the treatment plant, and a 1.4km pipeline built to carry the treated wastewater to a rock outfall structure on the Kawarau River.
The decided-upon plan was strongly opposed by Ngāi Tahu, with iwi representatives stating the direct discharge of human waste to nature water was “abhorrent”.
Glover said council staff were also directed to investigate land-based solutions as most people understood – particularly Wellingtonians after the catastrophic failure at Moa Point – that discharging to waterways carried risk.
“So in the long-term, if we’re able to discharge to land, that’s obviously going to be the preferred solution. It certainly aligns with the preferred option for mana whenua.
“In a district where land is very expensive … it’s a challenge. But I think we owe it to future generations to do more and look at other options.”
He conceded that such a solution wouldn’t happen time soon.
In response to criticism that the council had failed over successive years to address wastewater issues, Glover said the current situation was the culmination of investment decisions, management of plants, and unknown technology.
“What has happened has happened. But it doesn’t take away from the fact that around New Zealand and elsewhere in the world, the primary route to deal with our discharge, with our treated wastewater is to pump it into the sea or pump it into a river.”
He said the environmental impacts would be assessed through the consent process.
“Because of the pristine environment of the river that the council are looking to discharge into there will be a consenting process, those environmental impacts will be tested.”
He said the Local Government Act means the impact on local mana whenua would also be taken into account.
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